in it to win it.

Well, we're still kickin it health style over here at Casa del Harrison. It's been almost 3 months of our gluten-free, caffeine-free, yuck-free, coconut-a-go-go diet and we've lost a total of 35 pounds between the two of us! My badunkadunk is decidedly smaller. And the bestest part: we feel better than we have in forever!  And not just physically.  Mentally, I am so much clearer and happier. My fog is gone and I feel calm (except for when my child is pummeling the dog.)  

The no Starbucks thing seemed pretty daunting at first, but we were both shocked at how easy was to get out of our systems.  I really like not having to rely on any outside stimulants.  Letting my body feel it's natural surges and ebbs... Makes me feel all pure and stuff.

(And just for those keeping score: Yes, I do admit to sipping a little green tea and yerba mate from time to time.  But it's only every once in a while... And I think the antioxidants pretty much cancel it out.)

Here's what I'm making in the morning:

Gluten-Free Carrot Date Muffins

2 medium carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup melted virgin coconut 

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3/4 cup chia seed flour
3/4 cup ground almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or oil with natural cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place carrots and dates in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse and then blend until finely chopped. Add walnuts and pulse to finely chop. Transfer to a bowl; add oil, eggs and maple syrup, stir to combine completely. In a separate bowl, combine all remaining dry ingredients. Pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

...

Thinking a lot today about expectations. You've got them. I've got em. We put them on others and on ourselves. Is it just me, or do you also find that most of the time we focus on the things that don't live up? And what comes from that?... Disappointment, guilt, anger, judgment, self-loathing, embarrassment.... a lot of icky stuff.

I'm always catching myself trying to live up to others (supposed) expectations. I say 'supposed' because it's really me only assuming I think I know what people are thinking about me. Wanting me to do or be... Which is ridiculous for obvious reasons.

No. I think that expectations just need to go. I know I at least can say that they do nothing for me. I get disappointed when someone doesn't meet mine.... and in turn I'm scared to death to let others down by not meeting theirs. An ugly little cycle.

Imagine not placing any strictures on people or things or actions... Just letting everything unfold in the divine way that God has planned. No judgment. No asserting our own thoughts or plans or will... Free to be!I love that idea! I'll do it for you, if you do it for me.
:)

on being real...

I've been thinking a lot about being a better, truer me. Sometimes I really do feel like I have to fake it. Being what I think people want me to be, or toning myself down (or cranking it up) depending on who I'm with. And that makes for an unfulfilled life. I am endeavoring to be truer to myself. Pursuing the things that interest me, embracing my quirky senses, not making excuses for anything... because it's who I am and who I want to be. Take it or leave it, ya know.

And with these thoughts running through my head, I was totally enthralled with something I ran across on Design is Mine today...

{all images:The Selby}

It's chock-full of creative people living in their unique spaces... messy, artistic, and real. I love taking peeps into people's private spaces (um, that sounded creepy.) But, for real... it's cool. Check it out.

And remember...

{source}

Be resolute!

I've learned a lot this past year. There have been a number of changes, a few for the worse, but most- I am proud to say- for the better. I will always remember 2009 as the year I really, truly "grew up". The veil was lifted on a lot of different things in my life, light was shed, the glamour was shattered and the truths that I realized have changed me forever...

Making new year's resolutions has never been a huge thing with me. Yeah, I always proclaim a few, but it's never really a serious SERIOUS sort of commitment. Gonna exercise. Gonna diet. Gonna get organized ...yadda yadda. This year, it's not so much what I will be changing. What I truly want to be resolute about is remembering the lessons that 2009 brought with it, and carrying them forward.

Be honest.
Be loyal.
Be true to who I am.
Don't measure myself by other people's standards.
Don't judge others according to mine.
Don't be a trash-talker. It will teach people not to trust you.
If things seem too good to be true- they are.
Be polite.
Be giving.
Be secure in myself.
Be proactive in making my life what I want it to be.
Not taking my cues from others.

And with that, I graciously want to thank 2009 for what it's taught me. I am looking forward to an even better year in 2010. More growth. More fulfillment. More truth. More time with my family. More time with my friends. And a little less booty in my pants might be nice as well.
teehee...
(Thought this post might've come across a little too serious. It needed this face.)

CHEERS!

Time is (not) on my side.

Ok... so I know I said I wouldn't be posting again until I had some new baby pictures to share... but that little friend has decided to be fashionably late, so I will take the opportunity to do a little blog-ranting.

Time. Time. Time goes by... Sometimes it's unbearably slow. Sometimes it flies. Because I simultaneously procrastinate and need instant gratification, time is often something that I am in constant struggle with. When I make up my mind to do something I want to do it RIGHT NOW, and if my plans cannot come to fruition fast enough... I usually end up abandoning them all together. I hate this about me. My procrastinating side leads me to make plans, set goals, talk a big game about what I intend on accomplishing at that Oh-So-Perfect time in the future... it rarely ever happens. I must learn that the perfect time does not exist.
There is now. And never.

I wish that I wasn't such a creature of habit. That change was easier for me, and that I didn't fear the unknown so much. I want to be friends with time, flow with it, change with it, embrace it. Time is not waiting for me, so why would I be waiting for it? I'm ready to be that fabulous person that I keep waiting to become. I think one of my main problems is telling lies... to myself, that is. "I'm going to start exercising." -yeah, right! Just as we learn who we can and cannot trust in other people.
I have learned not to trust myself, and the promises I make to myself. I have to get my own good opinion back.

...And so, I am vowing to really try and end this cycle. To live in the now. Embrace each day and do with it what I can. In short to be friends with time.
Pray for me.

I commence.

A new year.
In the past I was one to make resolutions. But they were really only half hearted. In the back of my mind, I was always thinking... I'm still young... I have time... Yeah, yeah, so what?...
This year is different.
In two days I will begin the 6 month countdown to my thirtieth birthday. And NO, I'm not one of those people who go on and on about how they can't believe their turning 30...
I'm so old! ... Woe is me! ...and all that. No.
I am truly looking forward to 30. It is going to be my turning point! My new start. New life.
My twenties have mainly consisted of being a dumb ass, having fun, making friends, losing friends, getting married, buying a home, having a baby, quitting work, being a stay at home mom ...and GETTING FAT!
30 is going to be MY year! Life as I know it will begin anew.
I have goals, and I will see them through!

I will go back to work.

I will lose 40 pounds.

I will learn to love exercise.

I will be the best wife. mother. friend. daughter. sister... etc.

I will be disciplined enough to carry on with all of the above!


In two days I commence.
The first accomplishment I will have is to enter into my third decade looking like the hot mama that I truly am! My time of folly is over... and the time to make my dreams come true is here! Please pray for me as I start this new chapter in my life. I'm going to need the support of all of my friends and loved ones... it's a new year, it's a new world, it's a new me!