30 Day Yoga Challenge Last Thoughts

After having an especially grumpy day, I sat down on my yoga mat to start the day's practice. I wasn't in a great mood and I didn't especially want to do it, but I knew it would help relax my shoulders and possibly lift my spirits. As I began moving through the motions, I could feel the weight of my irritation disappearing. Just the act of breathing and stretching while listening to the calm voice of Adriene took all the worries of the day away.

I haven't done this month's challenge perfectly, but it has been so good for my body and mind. I can tell my mood is lighter when I'm done with the yoga practice of the day. The kinks in my shoulders and neck evaporate.

Participating in this challenge has convinced me that this is a good practice to continue. I am going to continue doing the 30 day yoga practice this next month as well, even if I stumble along at it. I've seen improvement in my balance and flexibility. I'm able to bend forward and touch the floor with much more ease than when I began. I've used the breathing exercises in the middle of anxiety and it's helped to calm me down.

Overall I'm incredibly glad I did this. Every time I experiment with a new challenge, I fight against perfectionism and worrying that I'm not doing something "right"; but I'm learning to let go and enjoy the process.

I'll be revealing next month's challenge at the end of this week. Since last month's was focused on the body, this next month's will be focused on the mind. Starting back to school and all the stresses that come with that, I want to do something that will help me be more mindful and present.

Do you have any recommendations on good books that've helped you be more mindful and present?

My 30 Day Yoga Failure

My husband showed me a video of an engineer whose friends dared him to ride a bicycle they had re-made so when you turn the handle bars to the right, the wheels go left. He understood it in theory but couldn't ride the bike that way because his mind and body were wired for riding how he'd learned as a child. Many people tried but no one could do it. He shared how our brains have something like algorithms that take a long time to change. Even if our minds know something, it takes much longer to accept and it's often with practice. So he practiced riding the backward bike five minutes every day for eight months. Finally, it clicked and he was able to ride!

I started this challenge to do yoga for thirty days. Sidenote: I am not an A-type personality; I'm more of a Z-type. So naturally, I haven't done so well with my challenge. I started out strong logging my excitement through the first week:

Day 1:

Today I woke up with a stiff neck and sore right shoulder so jumping into yoga was exciting because I knew it would stretch them out. This first video seemed really gentle and slow. It wasn't completely what I expected but it was exactly what I needed! Felt so amazing at the end. The stiffness in my neck was almost gone and soreness in my shoulder had disappeared.

Day 2: 

I really enjoyed today's stretching video. It felt good on my shoulders and back. The low lunges were difficult for me and I found myself having to lower my knees to stay balanced even after adjusting my position. Hopefully I'll gain strength there. I enjoyed the routine of touching toes and stepping back though!

Day 3:

This lesson was more difficult for me. It focused on balancing and I really struggled to hold several of the poses. It just showed me that I really need to work on building balance. it was a tiny bit discouraging but I know over time I will gain strength.

Day 4:

Oh my, I loved this day's practice. It felt so good to my body and lower back! I was able to easily do all the practices so that helped boost confidence. I am wondering how to do the child's pose when I have a belly. Do you open the legs to make room? Keep your head higher? I need some adjustments in that. It's so relaxing to end in corpse pose.

Day 5:

This was a fairly easy practice and seemed short compared to the other ones.

Day 6:

I usually hate abdominal workouts, but I'll admit I liked this one. It was done with enough flow and change of activity that it didn't register as too difficult to my brain, even though my abs felt it!

Day 7: 

Worked up a sweat today! This one was a bit more active and used many of the moves she's been teaching. It was easier to follow along because I'm becoming more familiar with them. Only the side leg lift took me off-balance, everything else was doable.

Day 8:

More meditative and calming. This feel on a Saturday and was perfect for relaxation and resetting my mind.

Then I had a rough day and didn't fit yoga in. It snowballed into a bunch of days. 

Day 14:

This one was nice and stretching with legs and shoulders. I did have a pain shoot through my left knee during one of the forward lunges, so I turned my foot outward a bit more and that seemed to help.

Entered day fourteen, then nothing. Today's the eighteenth.

My inner critic started in with: "I knew you wouldn't do it", "You can't finish anything", and "You never do it right". Inner critics are so mean! I didn't want to blog about it. I felt silly and stupid for not being consistent with 30 days of yoga (especially since I was enjoying it). 

But then I thought of you and how you might feel alone in your struggle to do new things. How you might feel like you're the only one falling down, when you're certainly not. Maybe you have failures like me and need to see someone bite the dust to know we can stand back up. I thought about the bike rider and how we're all wired. New habits are not like a switch you flip and suddenly you're different. It takes time. It takes re-training and practice. Reaching goals is more like stumbling than walking a perfect line.

Fall down, get up again. Fall down, get up again. Fall down and sit for days, get up again.

We need time to change the algorithm.

So I'm getting up and I'm going to finish this challenge in an imperfect, falling-forward way. Maybe I won't get all the days in, but that's okay; some days are better than nothing. I'm shushing the inner critics, embracing imperfection and continuing on.

Do you struggle with this? Are you a stumbling goal-setter?

July Challenge: Get Up, Move!

Who's up for a new challenge? I love a good one. There's something invigorating about choosing an experiment with a time limit and stretching myself to complete it. It's usually in the nerd category (read 52 books in a year) or a minimalist one (wear only 10 items). But lately I've been seeing a need to push myself physically. I am not gifted with athletic abilities; at least I don't think so, but I've never worked too hard to find out.

I'd like to take the summer to incorporate more movement in my day. I'm not going to marathon level, but just more consistent exercise. Less sitting, more moving!

I've found that my favorite forms of exercise are yoga, walking and hiking. While hiking only happens occasionally, yoga and/or walking could be pursued daily.

So here's the plan, if you wanna join in, I'm going to do this 30 Day Yoga Challenge with Adriene from YouTube starting July 1st. Yes, I know that's a Saturday, but I think it's good to start on a slow day.

That may not sound like much to you exercise gurus out there, but for us couch potatoes, this is big! I believe in starting small so I can succeed. It will encourage me to continue adding more healthy habits to my routine with a few successes under my belt.

I plan to combine exercising with something that's already in my routine. For me, that helps it morph into a habit. I'm thinking I'll do it while my coffee is brewing. Starting the coffee pot is a pretty solid habit, so it'd just be redirecting myself to the yoga mat instead of sitting down browsing Instagram.

How do you fit movement into your day? Do you prefer it to be solitary or a social? Do you want to do the challenge with me? 

I'll be posting my progress along the way on Instagram under the hashtag #GetUpMove2017, join me there if you like and we can encourage each other! I'll also be posting about my progress here weekly.

Sugar Free Experiment

I've been sugar-free for eight weeks. I decided to try dropping sugar from my diet for a number of reasons, not the least of which is my high chances of getting diabetes. But also, I wanted to see if it would make me feel better.

Muffin tin baked egg and bacon

You should probably know that I'm a sweet-LOVER. As in, if given the choice between eating a meal or eating dessert, I would take dessert. So I wasn't really sure how this experiment would go, but I felt strongly that it was something I should do.

I bought the book, I Quit Sugar, to help me have some guidelines and offer some good food suggestions. Sarah is inspiring and encouraging so it helps the process.

Sugar-free peanut butter and coconut granola bars

I'm going to be completely honest here, the first week sucked. It felt like giving up my life, because . . . sugar. Plus, on the IQS program they really encourage dropping fruit during the detox period and filling up your nutrient tank with veggies so that made the process even harder for me. One thing that became painfully clear is that when Americans celebrate, it is almost always with a sugar~fest. I had to re-train myself to celebrate other ways and at the beginning, this was difficult.

However, the next week something interesting began to happen, I stopped having those shaky moments of intense hunger before a meal. I found myself being able to calmly eat and not cram food in because my blood sugar was dropping.

Sausages with veggies

About the third week, I realized that my cravings for sweets and extra food had dropped considerably. I found myself being able to wait longer between meals and eating far less than I had been. 

Now that my eighth week is over, I'm eating fruit again and even some sweeteners on occasion ~ Stevia and Rice Malt Syrup. But I'm trying to keep myself off sugar and not overdo the sweeteners.

Almond meal mini-pancakes

I never, NEVER thought I could be someone who went without sweets. But the more I'm without them, the less I want them. I'm hoping this trend continues until I don't even think about them anymore.

Iced coffee and cream

I will say, my one saving grace was coffee with milk. The milk takes the bitterness away and now it even tastes sweet to me. It didn't in the beginning. But I don't think I could have done this without my coffee, and coconut. Real coconut added a semi-sweet alternative when I got really desperate.

I'm thinking of sharing a few sugar-free recipes that I enjoyed. I'm not really a chef but I've certainly cooked more through this experiment because it's the only way to know you're completely sugar-free. I've found what works for me and what doesn't.

At the end now, I find myself with so much more energy. I don't have that sluggish feeling or even sluggish brain. I'll take all the help I can get in that department! I continue to lose pounds and inches (slowly ~ this is no flash diet). All of this has made me feel so much better that, for now, I'm choosing to stay off sugar.

Grapefruit tastes much sweeter now that I'm off sugar!

Would you like me to share recipes? Have you ever gone without sugar? Do you think I've lost my mind? ;)

My Favorite Wardrobe Capsules

I've been a little crazed about wardrobe capsules lately and have found some really great ones on Pinterest. It's always fun to see what items others choose for their capsule. Here are a few of my recent favorites:

1. This black and white capsule is so fresh and adorable! I love the idea of a black and white capsule, but I'm also drawn to color so I'd have to have it somewhere ~ maybe in scarves.

2. This neutral travel capsule also caught my eye. I love the combinations of light and dark.

3. This work-a-day capsule is versatile and I would enjoy wearing all these outfits. They're pretty, yet comfortable.

4. This polished neutral capsule would be good for professional as well as traveling. It's got a fun blend of fabrics.

5. A French-inspired capsule is my latest obsession. It always looks so chic! And this set is especially thrilling because it's simplicity at it's finest: twelve pieces turned into twenty outfits.

What core items must you have in your closet?

Spending Break: Final Update

We're at the end of the month and my spending break is almost over. I'll admit, I'm relieved. And that's only ONE month ~ lame. But it has taught me tons. Here's how I did on my goals:

Use What I Have

I used many art supplies I had on hand to create gifts like this. I "made do" with what I had in the pantry before buying new. Instead of purchasing water bottles, I assigned everyone their own and simply refilled. I used up lotions and soaps I found in the back of cabinets. I used up powdered drinks leftover from parties. I even reused morning coffee to create iced coffee drinks.

Get Rid of What I Don't Need

I cleared out my closet BIG TIME. I'm down to thirteen hanging items. I'll show you this at some point. I know that sounds like a tiny amount, but it makes 74+ outfits. That may seem extreme but it's helped me live simply which has reduced my stress. And nothing is ever wrinkled from squishing. As for the rest of the house, I didn't do so well. I'd hoped to really make headway in getting rid of excess in the kitchen and front rooms and I did manage a little bit but not nearly what I'd hoped. That's okay, I'm still working on it.

Take Advantage of Free or Discounted Stuff

I had planned on using MidAmerica Food to help with groceries this month but a weird thing happened with their online ordering and they had to refund my money; so I didn't get the food. Hopefully I can try it next month. BUT I did discover a cool store called, Whoops! They have brand name foods or items whose boxes got damaged. The stuff inside is still in good condition and marked waaaayy down. I ended up spending twenty dollars on food that I usually wouldn't buy because it's too expensive (I got 35 packages of instant Starbucks coffee for $2.50). I'll be returning! I only allowed myself a small allotment of grocery money so I wouldn't spend on things I don't need, which would be ~ wasteful.

Make My Own Fast-Food

I rocked this one in my opinion (my kids might not agree). I realized there are natural fast-foods for those too-tired-to-cook nights. Eggs became my hero: scrambled, fried, breakfast burritos, french toast, boiled, egg salad and beyond. Seriously, I think I could go on about eggs for awhile. Spreads are another quick food: bagels and cream cheese; hummus and carrots; or (the always famous) peanut butter and jelly. Not to mention smoothies!! You can pack a ton of vitamins and protein into one little smoothie and be quite cost effective. Of course I still used my crock pot for soups, stews and casseroles. I even passed barbecue tuna off for barbecue chicken (wait, don't gross out) and dished them onto hamburger buns like sloppy Joes. I know you won't believe me, but after simmering all day in the crock pot, you really can't taste the tuna. Really. But shhh, don't tell my family! (Oh, you want the recipe? Simple: 4 cans tuna + 1 bottle barbecue sauce simmered all day in crock pot = delish!)

I'll admit that while I learned so much, I am still highly spoiled. I am dying for Friday when I can actually spend on something other than my list. You better believe I'm going out for coffee and my kids are begging to go to Quick Trip. But what I did take away was that it's okay to say no to buying stuff we don't need; you can still meet people at restaurants even if you don't eat; and staying home is always cheaper. I'll be less inclined to reach for my wallet (after discovering just how often I do that) and more inclined to wait. At some point I'd like to try doing a spending break for a longer period of time, but I'm not sure I can do that without my family on board. I'll have to work on them. ;)

Have any tips on saving money? Or any go-to quick meals you'd recommend?

Spending Break Update 2

Every now and then something comes along that kicks you between the eyes, knocks you down and leaves you sputtering. I've been reading a book called, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, and it's moved me in big ways; especially layered on top of my break from spending. The first day of which, we ended up going out to eat for a friend's birthday. Before I left the house, I found myself rehearsing what people might say to me about not eating and how I'd reply. I caught myself mid-thought when it dawned on me--oh my gosh, I'm making this about ME. I'm toting it around like a medal. How does me-not-getting-to-eat-out for ONE MEAL, merit a speech? 

Enter book 7; hauntingly poignant and telling:"While the richest people on earth pray to get richer, the rest of the world begs for intervention with their faces pressed to the window, watching us drink our coffee, unruffled by their suffering." Ouch. I sat laughing and weeping through this book. How did I never make the connection that my spending directly hampered giving to those in need? There stood my why.

When did I start assuming I had a right to excess? So, back to not spending...

I'm going to be completely honest, it's been hard. The first day alone, I kept thinking, "I wanna get..." "Need to pick up some..." "Wonder if the kid's would like..." I think I counted ten times that I almost whipped into a store to buy a bag of excess. I stopped myself. But for someone who thinks themselves frugal, it was startling to realize how often I reach for my wallet. Startling and humbling. I can already tell this spending break is going to reveal a bunch.

What do you think of this challenge?


Click here to read the final update!

Spending Break: Update 1

Unfortunately I didn't capture my painting in progress before the sun went down, which is a bummer because it would've really gone well with Wednesday's post. Ah well. On the other hand, I've been reading some incredible books and focusing on clearing surplus out of my house. Think I may need moving boxes! so. much. STUFF.

Today is the beginning of my spending break. I was prepping my kids and their first question was, "What does this mean [for me]?" I explained that we wouldn't be eating out and no QT runs (a favorite gas station stop). But I am going to give them a little moo-la on the front end to do with as they will (in case of a fast-food withdrawal emergency). Other than that, it's down to the bare necessities. 

Have an awesome weekend!


Click here to read the next update!

A Spending Break

I'm trying something new in February: I'm taking a spending break.

This means I'll pare down spending on wants and only spend on needs. I decided to do this after reading Rachel's post about the Spending Fast then afterwards obsessing over reading the blog And Then We Saved. I know this idea sounds dull and restrictive, but I'm excited about it because of the potential to save money.

In the book The Happiness Project, Gretchen talks about people who are abstainers versus those who are moderators. Abstainers find it easier to abstain from things if they cut it all out instead of moderating. Moderators can't stand to be ruled by extremes and must moderate the rules. I, apparently, am an abstainer. And because of this, I'm going to restrict myself to NO spending on wants (see list below). I would like to commit to doing this for a month and if I am able to save, will continue doing so for perhaps a year.

Things I will spend on (my needs):  house, gas, food, bills, medicine, doctor/dentist, haircuts

Things I won't spend on (my wants):  eating out, coffee shops, clothes, books, movies, shoes, gifts, makeup, trinkets, house decor

Here are some things I plan to do to make this an easier transition:

Use What I Have

I've been decluttering but still have a cabinet full of make-up and lotions I haven't begun to use up. So, instead of buying more, I'm going to use what I have. This goes for the pantry and freezer too, (Tuna, I'm looking at you). I'll use materials I own to create DIY's for the house and to hopefully create meaningful gifts.

Get Rid of What I Don't Want/Need

This seems obvious, but I need to remove things I don't use out of my house, closet, drawers. I'm going to sell what I can on Craig's list to help my savings grow. Everything else will be given away, gifted away or reused.  This helps me save in the long run because I'm not paying to clean it, store it or add wear and tear to my home or closet. Also if I re-use something, it'll fill a need without having to purchase anything.

Take Advantage of Free or Discounted Stuff

I've already compiled a list of free fun activities around my city. I also plan to take full advantage of MidAmerica Food ($30 for a box of food ~ mostly meat!). I'll share more of what I find as I go along. I'm also part of Freecycle so if I have a need, I can always see if there's a listing and then get it free.

Make My Own Fast-Food

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but one of my biggest and most tempting money wasters is fast-food. I've formed a bad habit of grabbing a pizza or burgers on nights I don't really want to fix a meal. My plan of action is to cook meals on Sunday night for the week. I know I'm must less tempted to stop in a drive-through when dinner will only take fifteen minutes to heat. Also, I plan to use the crock pot more often. If I have veggies sliced and ready to pour in the crock pot; it'll be easier to follow through. One night of preparation for the week will help me create healthy and inexpensive fast-food.

These are my thoughts as I begin; I'll keep you posted on how I do. Have you ever done something like this?


Read through my progress: Update 1; Update 2; and Final.

Out of the Little Red Dress

What I'm loving today:

• Wearing something OTHER than the Little Red Dress. As much as I loved learning from the experiment, I am beyond thrilled to be wearing jeans.
• Polyvore. Have you found this treasure? A site with photos of clothes to mix and match in your own combinations. It's inspiring and addicting.
• Going through my closet with tips from The No-Brainer Wardrobe. It's not a fashion book, but rather one that helps you discover your style and find a simple way to dress daily without resorting to frumpiness. I'll be sharing some of my combinations in future posts. Loved this book so much, I became an affiliate: Click here to visit Hayley Morgan @ The Tiny Twig. 
• A wall beside my favorite chair that I've devoted to art. It makes me happy to see so much color!
• Getting better at keeping up with my routines, thanks to Flylady.

What are you loving today?

Little Red Dress: Days 36 - 42

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40 (painting)

Day 41

Day 42

Days 29 - 35, I took a break from the Little Red Dress while vacationing in New York. When I got back home and found it waiting, it was a reunion of sorts. I can't say I was thrilled to see her. I sort of begrudgingly pulled the dress over my head; but once I put it back on, it felt right.

Getting back in this Little Red Dress routine calmed me. It gave me fewer decisions and helped put my days back in order. The dress has given me the gift of simplicity. I understand now how owning fewer things can lighten the stress load. Does that mean I want to live in one dress for always? No. I thought at this point I might be willing to do such a thing, but my growth isn't there yet. I'm counting down the days until Sunday.

Lesson five: The gift of simplicity comes through having less stuff.

If you'd like to read more about the Little Red Dress Experiment go here.
Days 1-7
Days 8-14
Days 15-21
Days 22-28

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Little Red Dress Days 22-28

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

NO PHOTOS for Day 26 and 27. 

Sick with a stomach virus, I stayed in pajamas all day.

Day 28

This week was better than last. I had renewed energy about the Little Red Dress.

I've been reading more about other countries and cultures in the poorer communities of the world. They seem to be so full of joy with so little. I'm sure that it wears on them the same as financial worries wear on anyone; but they seem able to rejoice in the little things--savor the small moments. They don't have as many "expectations" or "rights" that they're touting around and being disappointed when it doesn't happen.

I've seen I DO have an entitled mindset. I often feel like I'm owed or that I have the right to what I want. But what about being happy with what I have right now? What about not searching for bliss in the great unknown, but finding it in the everyday? That's what I attempted to do this week. And I found whining has a much harder time showing itself when you're feeling grateful.

Lesson four: Be grateful for what you have in your life TODAY.

If you'd like to read more about the Little Red Dress Experiment go here. Also,
Days 1-7
Days 8-14
Days 15-21

Little Red Dress experiment Days 36-42 (days 29-35 were spent in New York and I didn't wear the little red dress, forgive me)

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Little Red Dress Days 15 - 21

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

This week the Little Red Dress got it's first battle scar; a tiny rip at the corner of one pocket. I had to mend it best I could (I'm only slightly competent at that sort of thing). I couldn't help thinking how it's only been three weeks and I already have a tear. I've been washing my dress on delicate cycle and drying only lightly before hanging it up. I'm careful about what I do in the dress, which I suppose anyone would be if it was all they had.

I can't imagine a child wearing the same thing day after day, the wear and tear must be triple. But then, I suppose if you knew the value of your clothes, you would be more careful. Kind of like we teach children about carrying a glass or something breakable. They learn to be delicate. I've tried to be careful with the Little Red Dress, but when I think of it, it's probably not the I-won't-have-anything-else-to-wear-if-I-ruin-this careful. It's sobering when I think of that.

Lesson three: Having only one garment is a burden.

I guess I should've known that, but this dress has felt like Frodo's ring this week--heavy and burdensome. I lost some of my creativity because I just didn't have the heart for it. It's embarrassing to admit because it emphasizes how spoiled I am--that aspect of this experiment has been painfully evident. And each time I want to whine and complain, I feel this prick in my heart of how I still have a choice. Even now, I could give this dress away and have no worries about it. BUT, there are those who can't; and I'm beginning to understand I don't have a clue of what that's like.

If you'd like to know more about the Little Red Dress experiment go here.
Days 1-7
Days 8-14

Little Red Dress experiment Days 22-28

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Little Red Dress Days 8-14

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Second week of the Little Red Dress experiment went by faster than the first one. Maybe I'm just getting accustomed to wearing it, like a student gets used to a school uniform.  I've been pretty careful about eating while wearing it, but one morning I spilled coffee down the front on my way out the door. I wiped it up, but of course didn't have any time to wash it and I couldn't change. It was a pivotal moment for me. It made me see how ungrateful I am for something as simple as a change of clothes.

Doing this experiment has made me more careful with my clothes. I hang my dress up immediately after wearing it without dropping it on the dresser or laying it on a chair. I make sure I take it promptly out of the dryer so it won't be wrinkled. I cover myself with a napkin or apron while eating or drinking (especially after the coffee spill) and make sure it's protected while I'm cooking. Although I've done my best to take care of it, there are already a few stains and I'm only into week two.

I feel humbled every time I begin to feel self-conscious and remember that many people have no choice.

If you'd like to know more about the Little Red Dress experiment go here. Or check out Days 1-7.

Little Red Dress experiment Days 15-21

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