Wordless Wednesday

I know this is supposed to be wordless -- and I will keep this brief -- I just wanted to say that I have been super slacking on my blog lately (intentionally I might add) and I didn't want the few posts I do make to be about doom & gloom (my work situation)...
So in saying that...
Let me show you that even in the most stressed of days, there is SO much happiness in my life!








I honestly do not know what I would do without my family, true friends, and those who know me best. I love you all dearly!

And yes I know that my photos always seem to void of pictures of my teenage sons -- if they were ever home I might be able to snap a photo or two. Sadly they are growing up and have lives of their own now and I fully encourage them to do so!

We have a trip to Six Flags planned in a week for just Brian, myself, and my sons -- Skylar will be spending the day with her Grammy -- so hopefully I can takes lots of pictures that day!

Happy not-so-Wordless Wednesday Blogdom!

Skylar's Kingdom: Our DIY Backyard Project!

Skylar, Skylar...
How does your garden grow???

Skylar plants her garden in her *kingdom* -- with some help from her Grammy.

Planting tomatos...

Watermelons, and pumpkins, and canteloupe -- oh my!

Time to water!

Watching my daughter develop a *green thumb* is priceless!

The finished product...

Motivational Monday...

Or Tuesday if you are a day late like myself… *whoops*!
I blame Blogger and myself – seriously, how does a site like this go *down* for days??? And I swear it still isn’t working correctly? I can’t log in correctly – anyone else???

Anywho – the motivation is need – although I am doing so much better this week in regards to the gym. I made a commitment to not just show up but to make the work outs count – and thus far they have! And no complaining! Yeah, it’s hard, and I feel like I have been run over by a truck when all is said and done – but in the words of John Cougar Mellancamp – Hurt So Good!

Yesterday made a month as a vegetarian – and no, I did not cheat! Not once, not even a little taste, not even close to cheating! It is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself – a close second to my decision to quit smoking 2+ years ago!

But yay for me and my month as a vegetarian/vegan!



To summarize my experience; I made this list, which I will add to as I see fit.

Things I have learned since choosing a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle…

1. It’s way cheaper to eat processed, unhealthy foods – no wonder why a good portion of Americans are overweight and/or sick.
2. There is ALWAYS a vegetarian option when going out to eat – and most restaurants are VERY accomidating to any *special* orders.
3. People are very curious about vegetarianism/veganism. They wanna know what I eat and if it’s been hard converting and most always the next words out of their mouths are “I could never…”
4. Cutting out meat was MUCH easier than eliminating dairy – I admit that I miss cheese!
5. Becoming a vegetarian has made me very conscious of every single morsel of food that enters my body – and that just cannot be a bad thing…
6. I feel insanely good – way more energy and I never feel that bloated icky feeling anymore – go figure!

I am super-psyched to see Forks Over Knives -- a film that examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.
I know it’s not for everyone – and only in limited release – but it looks powerful. Plus I love a great documentary.

Check out the link, Google it, follow them on Facebook – whatever floats ya boat – but it definitely deserves a peek!

I shall end on a GREAT note – a little summary (in photos) of what Miss Skylar has been up to. I have felt SO much happier being home with her more – alas; why can’t I just win Powerball and be a SAHM!?!?!

How can you just not adore her -- too stinkin' cute!


Blessed Be
♥cyn♥

*Full moon tonight and we have a special *Thanks to Mother Earth* Circle planned tonight for Goddess Group. I can definitely use some SUPER DUPER full moon positive energy and Goddess Goodness tonight!*
xxoo!

Bruce the Spruce

I got my free tree from Lowe's today!



It's a white spruce that will potentially grow upwards to 45 feet tall!
WoWie!



For now I shall put him in a pot and name him Bruce.
Bruce the Spruce!

Blessed Be...
♥cyn♥

HoLLa: Weight Loss Update

HeLLo aLL!

What a wonderful week I had in regards to my quest to regain and maintain a healthy lifestyle!

First of all – the weigh-in!
I am down another 2lbs. this week!
*w00ts*

That’s 9lbs gone total since joining the gym eight weeks ago. So I am currently averaging slightly over a lb. a week – but I did have two weeks in there that I TOTALLY slacked and regained a few lbs.
Either way…
YaY!

Once again I fully owe the great weigh-in to the gym (I made it five days this week!), tracking my food, and eating strictly vegetarian.
Tomorrow will make a week with NO meat and very limited dairy.
I feel amazing.
Maybe it’s all in my head?
But I swear not eating meat and limiting my dairy even for just six days has made an immense difference in how I feel overall.

I cannot say I miss the meat – at least not at this juncture. I may feel differently in a week, month, year – hopefully never!

I will say this much. I thought I would be really tested when going out to lunch this week, but it was easier than I imagined to make educated vegetarian choices. I ordered food that I would have most likely NEVER choosen and what an eye opener to know that all these years I have shorted myself on such amazingly delicious HEALTHY food!

One interesting thing is the reaction I have gotten about making the 30 Day Vegetarian Pledge.
Most is supportive; but I have had a few “I could NEVER give up meat” responses as well. And hey, I get that. It’s not a choice for everyone. But it is my choice and something I am becoming increasingly passionate about.

I am not trying to change the eating habits of the world (yet) – but I would like to prove the benefits and importance by showing it CAN be done. Even by an ex-smoking, fast food eating, rum drinking, non-exercising, *I will live forever no matter what I do to my body attitude* type like myself!

My longtime friend Angela even made a comment that all my *clean living* was pretty shocking.
Agreed!
Who would have ever thunk it?
But it’s time to grow up and become accountable!

If my life had a theme song it would be James Brown’s “I Feel Good”!

Other Updates:

Virtual Trans American Trail: 73.3 mi done -- 7.71 mi to Mechanicsville, VA.
Yep… still in VA!

Wedding: As I previously reported, we set the date for September 9th and despite the grandest of intentions – I have yet to pay the deposit on a venue. THIS WEEK FOR SURE!

Birthday: The 20th Anniversary of my 21st Birthday is this coming Thursday (the 28th) and I am taking some MUCH needed time out of work to just BE and celebrate being a year older and wiser! I will be spending the day with my family having a lovely picnic at one of my MOST favorite places (weather willing!!!) and having a lavish vegetarian dinner out with my hunny at a WONDERFUL Japanese restaurant! Some other fun stuff planned as well! And I have a day of beauty (boy do I need it) coming my way next Saturday as my birthday gift from Brian. Absolutely CANNOT wait for that!!!

Work: Meh… and let’s just leave it at that.

Life is good!

And there ya have it…
Happy Earth Day Ya’LL!

♥cyn♥

Happy Earth Day -- Free Tree Giveaway!

Don't forget to get your FREE tree from Lowe's!!!

Committment

I am making a concious effort to write more in my blog…

I refuse to let *life* get in the way anymore.

No really – I MEAN IT THIS TIME!!!

So I made a commitment today. Something I have been considering for sometime now. I have decided to go vegetarian for 30 days – made the official pledge and everything! Found it via my research on PETA’s website – which is just amazing and full of great information on going vegan/vegetarian! (They have a facebook page too – OF COURSE!)

Of course my intent is to continue with this choice – but the 30 Day Pledge is a step in the right direction. And ultimately I hope to be 100% vegan! (BTW I am actually on Day 3 and going STRONG!!!!)

This is a choice I have been weighing for some time now, especially since becoming more spiritually aware on my path. I won’t get all ethical – I think more people than not are aware of what REALLY goes on in our meat industry and how HORRID animals are treated and abused. But I will say that being more informed has helped me in making this decision.

I am also choosing this lifestyle for health reasons. I want a quality life where I can enjoy my family and the things I love most in the world for as long as possible. The health benefits of a vegan lifestyle are staggering!

And I admit it… I am vain. I want a healthier AND thinner body that works at peak performance! Something I think I can attain by making this healthier choice. I want to ROCK my wedding dress and be better looking into my 40s than I was in my 30s. I mean duh… who doesn’t want to look better? Or at least be the best version of themselves that they can be?

Now I am not unrealistic. I do not think choosing to be vegan is the *golden ticket* to being thinner. But I do believe it makes it harder to be overweight and makes you VERY conscious of every morsel that enters your body.

I feel very content about my decision. I am not saying I won’t be tempted – hamburgers are generally a comfort food I rely on regularly. And I will most definitely miss sushi more than words can describe. But I think the pros of giving up such things FAR outweigh the cons!

Maybe I am crazy… But I swear just three days in and already I feel different – in a good/better way!

I shall update on my progress.

Wish me luck and ANY advice (tips, websites, recipes, blogs) from anyone is GREATLY appreciated!

Blessed Be…

♥cyn♥