While we were out and about running errands today, we passed a table of samples at the grocery store. The woman who was making things up was very nice, and we all started chatting. She was sampling a new bagel item from Udi’s, topped with Earth Balance spread (what we use). My son was thrilled that he could have a bread sample…not very often are there samplings of gluten free items.

He asked if he could have another (because he was OH SO HUNGRY (bored!), lol). I told him no, but the nice lady toasted him up an entire slice of bread, topped it with Earth Balance, cut it in half and gave him the entire thing. He was so happy!!! :) Another woman came up to get a sample, and my son had said,

“This stuff is awesome! You’re going to really love it!”

The sample lady was spreading the top of the toast for her, and my silly boy stands up in the cart, waves his hands in the air, and happily repeated:

“Spread the joy, girl! Just spread it!”

We were all cracking up! :D Reminds me of the goal I had on here at on point that listed his outrageous sayings. Asperger kids, man…hilarious! I should bring that goal back! :) Yes!

I amazingly got my arse off the couch, and did my next session (just about right after my Exhaustion Test of 80 squats). I have been getting too used to the standard squats that are suggested for the program, and getting bored, so I mixed it up with various types of squats for almost every set. Wowza, I feel different muscles burning! Great! :D Glad I pushed myself.

Week 5, Day 1 Schedule:
49 reps
54 reps
40 reps
32 reps
Max (at lease 54 reps): 64 reps

Total: 239 SQUATS!!

So, if I factor in my 80 I did a bit ago, I am at a grand total of 319 for the day!! WHOOHOO! :) :)

I wanted to do this yesterday, so that I could start my 5th week today, but I slacked, and just now finished it. I should be now starting my 5th week either tomorrow, or Saturday (my normal day), but I might do it tonight, since Thursday is part of my normal schedule, and I can keep going with my week.

For my Exhaustion Test, to be able to use the third column (the highest number of sets), I needed to do more than 60 squats. So, I did 80. ;) Maybe I will get off my arse, and start week 5 in a bit. Or, I will take a couple day’s break. We shall see. I can definitely feel the burn!

Brian on Write a New Short-Story!!! XX

I enjoy reading short-stories (better for my unfocused mind), and really hope a delicious new short-story is in the near future for our wonderful Brian. ;)

^{Oh, how I so adore Calvin and Hobbes!}

Bright Idea. I really like the thought of rising to the day and right away greeting it with new energy. I like the simplicity of this picture, as I can get distracted with too much information on one page. I can add this to my phone’s home screen and see it very morning as a reminder to great the morning, and hopefully feel more energized to start my day.

Credit: Facebook Page, Sowing the Future

“Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I’m halfway through my fishburger and I realize, oh my God, I could be eating a slow learner.”

- Lynda Montgomery

acting my blood type, as well as eating right for it!!! I have known for a long time about the Personality traits of blood types, largely used in China, but I have never looked them up in detail until tonight. Apparently, Os are natural leaders, who are ambitious, self-confident, and are not afraid to take risks to achieve the success they are so passionate about. I don’t really think of myself as such, but I could see how I could be hat way if I put the necessary effort into bettering those traits. I like this:

“Blood Type: O

Personality traits: Ambitious, self-confident, robust

Worst traits: Arrogant, insensitive, vain

People with blood type O are viewed as natural leaders and are often keen athletes. They are outgoing, expressive and passionate. They have an insatiable appetite for success and aren’t afraid to take risks or a gamble.

Type O diet: Type O’s have the oldest digestive memory tract, so their fast metabolism will benefit from lean meats, poultry and plenty of fish. Type O’s are advised to restrict their grain and bread intake.”

Source: Huffington Post

I love starting down a path of new learning experiences. :) I hooe to delve into the raw food culture, and immerse myself in all the beautiful, healthy foods and new dishes.

Organic sweet potato hummus-stuffed peppers
Sliced peppers
Organic celery with sunflower seed butter
Organic celery slices
Sunflower seeds and macadamia nuts
Chips- Poppy and caraway seeds minced garlic and onion
One slice of chicken breast meat

I enjoyed this plate of colorful treats for brunch today (after drinking a huge amount of water, and then waiting 30 minutes to eat). I may also eat an organic apple next and then a cup of green tea.

I so did not want to do this tonight. I have been in a weird fog the past couple of days, and I got maybe an hour of seep last night…no bueno. But, I sucked it up, and squatted it out. I wish I had my weights with me, or could go to the gym to use the bar weights, but I am good for now.

Week 4, Day 3 Schedule:
40 reps
45 reps
40 reps
40 reps
Max (at least 54): 64

Total: 229 Squats

I have to do an Exhaustion Test within 24-48 hours to see which column to use in Week 5. I may do it in the morning.

I have no idea what all is pictured (sometimes the picture loads on this entry, and other times it doesn’t) in this table spread of raw foods I found here (there is SOOO much information on this site that I will look into), but it all looks very interesting and healthy. Plus, bonus of no cooking your food. Imagine how much time that can save in the kitchen. Fresh produce is much easier to prepare than conventional cooked, baked and processed foods…AND, you would also be using less electricity and gas, so your ecological footprint would be reduced, along with your energy costs. Seems like a win-win to me!

I eat raw foods here and there, but not as much as I would like to eat after watching various food documentaries: “FOODMATTERS”, “Food, Inc.”, “Forks Over Knives”, and “Super Size Me”...to name the few off the top of my head.

The things that pass for food and good nutrition in American (and other countries, but America is definitely leading he way in fake foods) is horrifying. Most people have no want to know where their food comes from, or what it really consists of, but that seems like cruel and unusual punishment towards your own well-being. Food is your lifeline. You are what you eat!!!

I love my Blood Type Diet Plan, and how I feel wen eat the best foods for me, but I want to start taking it further in regards to adding more vitamins and minerals that our western society has depleted our bodies of. I do not want to be ignorant when it comes to food and well health, so, yes, I immerse myself in information regarding bettering myself and my family. “Knowledge is Power,” my late uncle always said. He was right.

In the coming years (years, because school is going to take a lot out of me until mid-2014), I plan on researching what vitamins and minerals are needed to best maintain a healthy and functioning inner and outer body, what raw food items to find them in, in what amounts, how to prepare various dishes and I want to start learning how to juice…once I buy a damn good juicer, that is. I also have a want to start my own organic, vegetable garden when I have the area to do so. I think that would be awesome!

Food is meant to heal, not make you feel, tired, bloated and depressed, and cause you to gain not only unhealthy weight, but illness and diseases, as well. Let thy food be thy medicine; I love this thought process. Away with the big pharma companies and false hopes in a pill that will only cause more damage to you.

This goal will likely be on here for quite some time, as I learn more and more about the raw foods world. I am a quick study when it comes to nutrition and health, in general. This will be a fun learning experience. I hope to add more raw food choices in daily, little by little, and reset my inner workings to feel 110%!! :)

“Too much of a good thing is just right.”
- Mae West

There are so many benefits to drinking plenty of water during the day. I tend to drink a decent amount of water, but I really want to get into a good habit of drinking a least a liter (maybe two!) upon rising in the morning, before anything else is consumed.

I have known drinking water in the morning is good, but I was just watching a health documentary called FOODMATTERS that really went into detail of why this is so important to the health of your entire body, especially with how many toxic chemicals are wondering around our bodies these days. The documentary was great, and very informative. I would definitely suggest anyone watch this who is interested in healing the body naturally (of cancer, illness, risks), of eating raw foods and ridding the body of modern sickness from today’s fake and nutritionally-deficient “foods”.

Total Cheers Given (right now): 4,901

I have 99 Cheers to go before I can say I have successfully given 5,000 Cheers here on 43T.

This makes me happy!!

I am grateful for a wonderful day…and a pretty dang awesomely-behaved kiddo (for the most part) today.

Early this morning, we managed to all get out on time to make it to my son’s eye appointment. He did great!! I told him if he did well, that we could go to IKEA for breakfast, and he could go play in the play area for a bit (he hasn’t been in Small Land in a long time due to his meltdowns and behavior ticks that can pop up)...I also said he could have two desserts (from not being able to have any for the past week). He got his IKEA, breakfast, Small Land…AND two desserts! I was floored at how well he did during his eye doctor visit, and he also blew me away with being able to play at IKEA for about 30-45 minutes, without them calling me. SOOOO COOL!!!! Very proud mama today!

We then stopped into this furniture store I keep seeing TV advertisements for. It has two stories, lol. He did so well there, too! It was a true blessing to be able to go out in public, peacefully. He was sweet and nice to everyone, and didn’t have any issues. It was perfect!! He even got a massive blue balloon out of the deal from the nice lady.

After that, we went back home, ate lunch and picked up the apartment a bit, and then went back out to a nice park/lake-ish area for awhile. My son and I went rollerblading (he is awful to blade with…every three minutes, he complained and needed a break…wondering if the new skates were bothering him or if he was just wanting to whine). My mom was supposed to go with us, but she held off for now, until she can get in better shape and feel more confident on a pair of wheels. She walked around the lake while we went rollerblading. We all met back at the playground, where we enjoyed the sunshine and nice conversation with nice people. I went around the lake a bit later, after I chilled out. It was fun workout. I love rollerblading. :)

We then headed over to my fav natural foods store (lovely people and staff, and fantastic food choices!). Christopher was a bit more active and attitude-filled after being on the playground (he has trouble getting his adrenaline levels down). But, he did okay, all-in-all. We got a bunch of delicious food and went back home to cook up bison burgers an a side of veggie-packed spaghetti and sauce. Yum.

After the munchkin went to sleep, my mom and I sat down to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s (goal) with a tall glass of a tasty adult drink. ;)

I liked today! Good day.

I just watched it with my mama. She said she hasn’t seen it in years, and wanted to watch it with me. What a lovely story. Boy, was she a hot mess…a funny, hot mess, but wowza, a mess. I really enjoyed being taken back to that period in time. The characters were wonderful, and George Peppard was quite the handsome gentleman. I will surely watch his gem again. It further cements my long-time little dream of going all out for Halloween in full Audrey’s Tiffany style. :)

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”

- Henry Ford

Sometime next week, I will write up a routine list for the morning/noon/night, so that I have a physical, visual list that I can keep at arm’s reach all day, and mark off when I complete different things. I tend to get all gong-ho on a health/workout/eating kick, and I inevitably start to do less and less, and ultimately stop. I have trouble keeping up the motivation and routines. I want to change this, but it is difficult for me. I find that lists in notebooks near me help the best during the day.

Lately, I have been eating very well. For example, tonight, I made giant, stuffed portabella mushroom tops. The stuffing was a sautéed mix of: shrimp, celery, red/yellow/orange peppers, onions, the gills inside the mushroom and a creamy, spiced goat cheese that my sister wasn’t going to eat and gave to us. I steamed a stir-fry mix of frozen veggies, and made a salad, too! Yum. My mom and son loved it! Good food is gooood. I have been keeping better nutrition choices in mind, not that I have a bad diet by any means (unless the fast-food bug bites me). I have been avoiding wheat/gluten an dairy, and have been trying to buy food items labeled as GMO-FREE, and the like. We have also been buying most of our meat in organic form. All-in-all, nutrition is my best area.

HEALTHY is the new SKINNY! :)

On the sleeping front, I suck. With my son home all day now, I don’t have any me time anymore…unless it is after he goes to sleep (it is currently almost 2:30AM). I love sleep, I do, but, I think I love quiet me time even more. I can’t get on 43T at any other time. And, 43T is a big part of my Sanity Diet! Sanity has been lacking the last couple of weeks. My hormone levels must be very off. I have been trying to take my daily supplements, but I am awful at it. Two days ago, I started taking a thyroid health supplement; hopefully makes some kind of change in my stress levels and general demeanor.

I have been starting to work out and trying to move everyday…even if it’s just numerous sets of various exercises for fifteen minutes or so. I like doing exercise moves during commercial breaks if I am watching at TV show. I found a new appreciation or the dreaded commercial breaks. I have also been keeping up with my 200 Squats Challenge (after the 200 Sit Ups I did). I need to start adding in cardio, along with daily Yoga or Pilates. I plan to start jogging again next month. I want to get my mom and kiddo out with me, moving and enjoying the fresh air and sunlight.

When it comes to drinking more water, I think I am doing well. I can always do better, but I am drinking a proper amount. I need to start putting apple cider vinegar in my water everyday, away from my supplements. I feel much better with that added in.

By this time next year, I plan on looking nothing but smokin’, bangin’ hot! ;) ...AND FEELING EVEN BETTER THAN THAT!!

Phew, I am warm after this day. Suppose it doesn’t help that I am drinking tea, and the heat just kicked in. I pushed myself on my Max rep, with 20 extra squats, whoohoo. There are many more squat challenges that I will likely take u after this one. I would like to do many sets every day.

W4D2:
34 reps
40 reps
34 reps
34 reps
Max (at least 49): 69

Total: 211 Squats :)

This is my third time having this book out of the library. I originally checked it out when it first released to the libraries in 2011. I was intrigued by the over (first image below), and started reading it with wild abandonment the first day. My problem is that I love reading, but I cannot register what I am reading and catalogue it away to remember later; the story simply does not “sink in”. So, what I have come to realize, is that if I do not finish an entire read in one sitting (and try and go back to it later), I can’t recall anything of what I previously read. It drives me crazy! Most of my books I have, have a bookmark about halfway through them…and have never been touched again. This book is like that.

I checked it out in 2011, read half of it, and it had to go back. I got it out once more weeks later, and I never got around to starting it over. I recently heard word of the movie coming out, and it reminded me that I really want to sit down with this Zombie love story. But, of course, there were now tons of holds on the library copy, due to the impending movie hype. Finally got it the other day, and started reading it again last night. I wanted to read it straight through, but I fell asleep with about a third of the book left. I made it past halfway!!! :)

^{This is the cover I am now reading; it is the newest cover art for the motion picture. It’s nice to put a face to he characters I have been reading of…especially since while I am reading, the description painted do not paint anything in my mind.}

I was going to read it tonight, but it is already past midnight here, and I should get to sleep at a semi-decent hour. I still may read some more. I am already having trouble remembering character names and some of the small happenings in the beginning chapters. I can’t recall what I last read…which is bugging me. No story retention, ugh. I can remember medical and dietary facts like none other, lol.

I hope that by adding this to my list, that I will get it done. I really enjoy it. The author, Isaac Marion is brilliant (and handsome, heeee):

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

- Robert Schuller