Dating me

Yup!

Paleo

Here I go again with a new "diet". Actually, I don't even think of this as a diet, just trying to eat clean. I have been doing a lot of research and been trying to eat foods that are healthy and that I make myself so I know what is in each dish. Paleo is perfect (a bit expensive) to get me started. I am not going to follow it exactly and will probably have more cheat meals than I should but at least its a step in the right direction. I have already started making some of the recipes I have found (Thanks Pinterest!) and they are SOOOO yummy. I am in love with Paleo orange chicken and lettuce wraps. I have a ton more to try this weekend. Since it is only me I am cooking for I can freeze some and also take some to work for a healthy lunch. It keeps me full and I don't snack as often, when I do snack it is almost always on carrots and hummus (which is technically not Paleo but still healthy, right?) or my homemade trail mix. I am not a fan of nuts so sunflower seeds make up the majority of it.

 I have taken before pictures and my measurements, maybe if i really get into it and succeed I will post the before and after shots. My goal is to be healthy and fit by June. I am happy with my weight (well sorta, is anyone ever really happy with the number on the scale?!) but want to feel confident come summer time.

 I also got a juicer which I can't wait to try out. Get all my servings of fruit and veggies in one glass. I am not brave enough to try the all veggie juices but maybe one day!

Here's to hoping I stick with it!!

To blog or not to blog

Blogging has seemed to have lost its excitement. Most blogs have either gone private (which no offense to those that are, but its annoying!), or people (like me) have lost their enthusiasm and never blog. After talking with my friend KC, we decided that we miss it, reading other peoples and writing about our random daily doings and thoughts.
So I have decided to get back on the blogging bandwagon and document my life. I no longer consider my life to be very exciting, and maybe it never was, but I don't really think I have that many followers left, so who really cares if you find me boring or don't think I am as witty as I find myself to be. This Blog is for me, and one day I may want to look back and laugh at all the pointless events I found so thrilling or blog worthy. So here I go...making another attempt at blogging, and hopefully I'll stick with it!

Just a little humor

Coconut oil

I keep hearing all this stuff about how coconut oil is so good for you. I use it in recipes that call for it but have never really spent the time to try it for its health benefits. My roommate even eats a spoonful a day (not sure why) but she swears that its good for you. My face has been acting up lately and I look like a teenager with all the zits on my face (why am I admitting this to the online world?! How embarrassing!) so after reading many positive posts I started washing my face with coconut oil. Seems weird to wash your face with oil and while it has only been a few days, I LOVE it!!! My face is smoother and my skin tone is more even. The most surprising thing is my face use to get oily and shiny by mid day and I would have to reapply powder just to get rid of the shine, well, there is no shine! I couldnt be happier. We will have to see if it lasts and if the zits really go away, but as of now I am sold!

Almost there

I really need to get back into this blogging thing...
I am happy to say that since I last posted about getting back in shape I have lost 10 lbs (15 since last January) and a total of 10.5 inches. I even had to go buy new pants because some of mine were getting too loose. I still have 9 lbs to go to be at my all-time dream weight but thats not a huge concern for me.  For now my new goal is to be toned and ready for bathing suit season next summer. (Yes, it is a long ways off but that way I am sure to achieve it!)

John Figgat

I have been meaning to blog about this for a while but am just now figuring out how to be logged in to 2 gmail accounts at one time so I can blog.
Just a few weeks ago after a fall and a trip to the hospital, they discovered that my Sister-in-laws Father, John has 3 brain tumors. They started a blog to keep everyone up to date on what his doctors are saying, you can find it here.
The Figgats have been so amazing to have in my family. This is a hard time for them but words from friends and family are helping them through this. If you could pray for them and send them your well wishes, I know they would appreciate it.

                                           Papa John, Grandma Tanya and little Frankie

Gettin my fitness on

I have set a few mid-year goals for myself (one being to blog more and yes, I realize i have made this goal before, but here is to actually accomplishing it!) and the main goal I have been pushing toward is getting back in shape. I figure if I make it known to my 2+ readers that I might be held accountable. I am off to a good start, having worked out everyday in the last week. I am doing everything from walking, running, hiking, punching, wii-ing, to throwing in an occasional insanity DVD. Anyone have any other ideas? I get so bored that I need a wide variety to keep me motivated.
While I have an idea of my ideal weight I am trying to stay off the scale and go by the fit of my clothing. I have a dream to get back into my "skinny" clothes (yes I have an entire box of clothing that no longer fits me but I am not willing to give it away in hopes I can squeeze my bum back in them some day!)

Along with exercise I have been pushing hard to eat healthy. I will have a great day of clean eating and will not once be hungry, but the part I struggle with is after dinner and before bed, that is when I get a sweet tooth, or even if I eat healthy I just want to eat everything. I know it is all mental, I guess I am just mentally weak. My next goal should be to get mentally strong and say no to snacks!

Since my parents are so far away I had to get a shot of Frankie showing off her new talent. I dont know what it is about this kid that makes me laugh, but I sure do love the nugget.

My Style

I seem to be spending a lot of time dreaming about how I would decorate my home if I had nothing but time and money. I haven't been able to figure out what my exact style is. I really love mixing styles and after taking a quiz today from HomeGoods, this is what it had to say:

Kari, you are an Elegant Classic

You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty, things that are well crafted, and family heirlooms. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a formal layout give order to a room, and hence your home is refined and calming. You are not taken in by the trends of the moment. You go for things with a timeless appeal, and appreciate old-fashioned virtues like manners and handwritten notes and making a home that is welcoming for others.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.

Love this description. Thanks HomeGoods for helping me define what my style is