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Thursday, April 29, 2010


How crazy is this to really think about.
We have one life.
Just one.
How insane.
I get extremely creeped out if I
think about this for too long.
I don't like to think about how short
I'll be on this planet for.
It's depressing.
So lets live it up.
Here's to life.
Here's to living every single day like it's your last.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010


I think this is so interesting.
It holds so much truth.
Think about it.

I've always thought this was so neat.
I will have something like this in my house someday :)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

This is insane

This is the crap we are putting into our bodies!
Educate yourselves!

Monday, April 26, 2010


How many weight-loss strategies have you heard? I've heard of a TON, and I'm sure you have too. To me, weight loss is all about food, exercise and stress management. Until you get those factors in order, you are likely to have trouble losing weight. As far as food goes, there is no perfect diet that will work for everyone. Focus on eating natural whole foods like these top 7 and you’re on your way to success. Don’t forget about exercise and stress reduction!

  1. Apples – One of my favorite fruits to snack on. Since they’re crunchy and full of fiber, I can eat an apple and feel pretty full. Cutting an apple into slices makes it more appealing to eat. Try dipping it in natural peanut butter, or almond butter. Delicious. Snacks with low calories and fiber are a great way to keep you from snacking on bad stuff in between meals.
  2. Hot Peppers - Adding hot peppers to your meals is a rewarding weight loss technique. Studies show that hot peppers help curb your appetite and can also speed up your metabolism. They also help keep you from overeating during a meal. Try adding them to salsas, stir-fries, omelets, and salads. (This one is definitely not for me - pepper is too spicy for me at times!)
  3. Whole Grains – Preparing whole grains with your meals can be extremely helpful for weight loss. Try whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, and buckwheat to make your meals super filling without any guilt. Your body is actually more satisfied after eating whole grains than it is after eating processed bread or cereal (not really whole grains). Each bite takes longer to chew and your body gets more nutrition out of the whole grains. This means less cravings and more weight loss.
  4. Almonds – Handfuls of nuts such as almonds are another favorite snack of mine. I particularly love raw almonds for weight loss because they take longer to chew (since they are so crunchy). Almond milk is good too! Try it in smoothies, milkshakes, or with your morning tea. Try eating a small amount of healthy fat ten minutes prior to your meals (such as a handful of almonds). The healthy fat “helps activate ghrelin, a hormone that lets you know you’re full.”
  5. Water – I included water in my list of “foods” because when you’re trying to lose weight, it’s smart to consider water a food. It nourishes your body and you can use it to avoid feelings of hunger throughout the day. Many people walk around dehydrated on a daily basis. Anytime you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water before you start eating. It will help you consume less calories.
  6. Root Vegetables – Veggies like carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, etc. are also surprisingly helpful for losing weight. Root vegetables are naturally sweet and are therefore a big help in reducing cravings for sugar They’re high in fiber and are guaranteed to keep you satisfied. Season with fresh herbs and a tiny drizzle of olive oil for flavor.
  7. Greens – Last but not least, greens are the most important food that most people forget to eat. First off, green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and spinach and superfoods. Greens are alkaline foods that help balance the acidic environment inside our bodies caused by poor diet.

I used to love doing this in elementary school.
Those were the days.

Sunday, April 25, 2010


I want to dance in the rain.
Run in the rain.
Play outside in the rain.
One of the favorite memories to date was the
day my hometown was basically flooded.
My friends and I took full
advantage of all of the rain and
went mud sliding, etc. and had such a fun day.
Nothing like laying plastic wrap down on
a hill, pouring soap down
it and then flying down. A little dangerous, yes.
But that is what being young is all about.

Friday, April 23, 2010


Things That Make Life Worth Living:
Falling in love.
Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
Milkshakes.
Bubble baths.
Giggling.
Long conversations late at night.
The beach.
Running through sprinklers.
Laughing at an inside joke.
Laughing at yourself.
Laughing so hard your stomach hurts.
Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
Just plain laughing.
Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
Friends.
Accidentally overhearing someone
say something nice about you.
Waking up and realizing you still
have a few hours left to sleep.
First kisses.
Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
Playing with a new puppy.
Sweet dreams.
Hot chocolate.
Road trips with friends.
Making chocolate chip cookies.
Holding hands with someone you care about.
Watching the sunrise.
Watching a sunset.
Getting out of bed in the morning after sleeping in
and looking out the window to see it’s sunny, birds
are chirping, and kids are playing.
Knowing that somebody misses you.

Vote! Tell your friends!

Alright guys, it's time to support me and vote for me for Peta2's Cutest Vegetarian Alive!

Vote here!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

How to reduce your carbon footprint


1) When your light bulbs go kaput, install a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). It's one of the quickest and easiest ways to save energy - and money.

2) Unplug things that glow. Your TV, cell phone charger, and printer are likely culprits. Unplug from wall sockets and plug them into power strips instead. When you leave a room, flip the strip switch to cut the flow of electricity.

3) Recycle your electronics (TV's, cellphones, radios, computers, printers, etc.)

4) Support local farmers. Buy organic produce!

5) Do a full load of laundry(preferably in cold water, and after that let it air dry if possible) and make sure the dishwasher is completely full before washing

6) Give up plastic (and paper) bags. Get reusable bags! They even have ones with cute patterns ;)

7) Stop buying bottled water

8) Replace meat and dairy products in your diet with healthful, eco-friendly foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts - even if it's just a few days a week!

9) Walk/bike when you can

10) "Buy what you need, not what you want"

11) Take short showers instead of baths (oops, I'm guilty of this!)

12) Close water taps when brushing your teeth

13) Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products

14) Buy used items from garage sales and second-hand stores

15) RECYCLE of course!
I love Earth Day, and I try to
make every day Earth Day...
So come celebrate with me!
Spread some love to your planet today!


Here is some info about Earth Day:

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.


To learn more about Earth Day and see how you can get involved, check out www.earthday.org.

I'll post later on things you can do to help make our planet just a little bit greener! :)


Wednesday, April 21, 2010


It's so nice to look around and see
the flowers outside blooming.
A little bit of colorful adds so
much happiness to my life.
I love spring.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I had posted a survey 2 weeks ago
and it's time to post the results!
Unfortunately, I only had 9 people take the survey.
But here are the results anyway!

Q: How old are you?
A: 7 were 18 and under, and 2 were between ages 19-21

Q: Do you think that images of women/girls in the media have a direct result on how women/girls feel about and take care of themselves?
A: 5 said absolutely, and 4 said somewhat

Q: Most models I see in the magazines I read are:
A: 5 said too skinny, 4 said just right

Q: How often do you compare your body to a celebrity's body?
A: 6 said always, 3 said sometimes

Q: I am currently satisfied with my physical image:
A: 1 said not at all, 7 said somewhat satisfied, and 1 said satisfied

Q: How often do you compare your body to a celebrity's body?
A: 5 said all the time, 4 said sometimes

Q: Do you like the image on the left or on the right more?
A: 1 said left, 8 said right
Q: Do you like the image on the left or on the right more?
A: 4 said left, 5 said right

- So what I got from this survey was that girls/women are certainly affected by the models or celebrities they see in magazines. And I wasn't surprised more readers liked the airbrushed photos more than the actual ones because that is what appeals to the eye. However, I did want to make a point with those photos. The photos you see in magazines are more often than not, NOT how they actually look. So the comparing we all do to celebrities is pretty much pointless. That's not actually how they look. Love who you are at all times, and just work on being the best YOU that you can. Because really, that is all you can do - just be the best you :) Remember that everyone has small flaws, and that is what makes this world beautiful & unique.

I'm never going to like my cellulite, but I've got it and there's nothing I can do about it(thanks genes) . Instead of saying "OMG I hate my legs, I hate my cellulite" all the time, which won't do me any good.. I try to stay positive and just accept it. Pretty much every woman has it, and if they don't then wow they got lucky.

Quick fun fact: I love when STAR magazine or other magazines have issues about the best & worst beach bodies, and stars with cellulite. Is it wrong that I like to see their flaws, to just know that they've got some!? I think not :)

Well, enjoy this beautiful day :) Go out and spend some time in the sunshine. Sunshine makes everything better <3

Happy Birthday!

Photobucket

Happy Birthday to the most
beautiful woman I know, my Nana.
I love her so much! <3

Monday, April 19, 2010

Dr. McDougall's Soups!


Well these are just to die for! DELICIOUS I tell you! I've tried the White Bean & Pasta soup, as well as the Light Sodium Chicken Noodle Soup. YUMMY!

A good pre-packaged vegan soup is hard to come by these days, and thanks to the recommendation from a friend I decided to try these out. I'm so glad I did, and I can't wait to try the other kinds!

Dr. McDougall's Right Foods soups (and other products) are natural, low in fat without any animal products or cholesterol. They use non- genetically modified ingredients and create something nutritious, and all-natural. I recommend these to all! :)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

It's a process..

I am giving veganism another shot. What has motivated me to try veganism once more is animal rights, environmental issues —and simply the possibility of enjoying more energy and vitality. Like I may have stated before, when I was vegan for the duration of the challenge I literally felt like a changed girl! I had more energy, I was sleeping better, I felt more compassionate and much more in touch with the world as whole. 'Twas glorious!

After beginning to consume animal products once again, I started putting more thought into the ethics of veganism. I wasn’t remotely motivated to go vegan because of ethical or environmental concerns, but after researching it, those aspects began touching me. I watched videos of factory farming, and I was saddened by the animal cruelty, especially when I realized this is what most people contribute to every single day. I feel relieved that my decision is making a small but positive effect in reducing animal suffering and environmental damage. I like that every meal I eat is one that didn’t cause animals to suffer and die.

I was thinking just recently that all of the things that actually occur to the animals are just so terrible. The effects that it has on our environment are so detrimental so why in the world am I contributing to this issue and essentially voting for all of this to continue with my dollar, and with the choices I make on what to consume. The cheese and ice cream I once loved so much and thought I could NEVER give up suddenly didn't seem so appetizing. Of course, it's hard once in a while but I just think of the benefits and what the cow that gave me that mac & cheese or ice cream sundae had to go through..and suddenly, boom.. the craving is vanished.

It can be rather hard to avoid all animal products but I am doing my very best, and I feel great about that. I realize now that the reason I felt so guilty about eating cheese or ice cream was because I am just so passionate on this issue. I feel so happy that I have chosen to live this lifestyle now. Veganism is going to be a process for me that's for sure as I'm sure it is for anyone.

In general, I try to never come off as preachy towards others about veganism. There are a billion reasons why people would choose a vegan diet including health and the environment. While those are both extremely important issues to me, animal cruelty is certainly what made me make the transition. Being overly aggressive is obviously an immediate turn off to people. However I will say, as aggressive as Peta is, watching one of their videos is the reason I decided to become vegan(Meet your Meat). After watching a video about how animals are farmed for food, I felt like it should almost be mandatory for everyone to watch. Even if you still decide to eat meat afterward, I could respect that decision more if I knew you were at least completely informed. "Earthlings" which is a documentary (available here if you're interested) that investigates animal cruelty in pets, food, entertainment, clothing and science. I decided to watch it because although I've seen videos on food before, I wasn't as familiar with the other four topics. Even though it was no doubt the most difficult thing I've ever had to watch, I walk away from it feeling even more proud of my decision to maintain this lifestyle and I will continue to find out what more i can do. If anyone who reads this blog has been flirting with the idea of becoming vegetarian or even just cutting back on meat consumption a little, I strongly urge you to please do some research or watch a video. That way, no matter what decision you make, you can make an informed one.

Individuals often have a hard time giving up meat simply because they like the taste, and do not want to open their eyes to the reality of where their meat is coming from. Yes, certainly meat tastes good, why else would we consume such mass quantities of it as a nation. However, the benefits of giving up meat or all animal products all together outweigh the taste and simple pleasure. With each bite, you are essentially making a vote. If you eat meat and animal products you are voting for the continuation of animal cruelty, the destruction of the environment and health problems for one’s own self. Before you take that bite, think about the consequences. Start off cutting meat and animal products out of your diet just once a week, and expand on that. Vegetarianism or veganism is a process. It takes time but the consequences of eating meat definitely prevail over the simple pleasure one receives from consuming another once living, breathing creature’s flesh.


Here is to a journey of serious dedication and commitment. Here is to a new me! :)

Saturday, April 17, 2010


I desperately want to go back to Disney World!

Friday, April 16, 2010

There's a thin lines between
crazy people
& the rest of us.
I mean, we all have voices in our heads.
Our parents are in there, our doubts
our fears, our desires.
& just like crazy people,
we all struggle to know which voice to listen to

Thursday, April 15, 2010

I like this concept.
Today I decided, I'm going to write down
all of my fears and rip the
paper up into little tiny pieces.
I've realized that whatever
I want to achieve, I can.
I just have to set my mind to it
& have no fear.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010


Love will always
come to those who still hope though
they've been disappointed.
Love comes to those
who are strong enough
to still believe though
they've been betrayed.
Love will come to those
who still need it, though
they've been hurt before.
It comes to the one who
have the courage and
the faith to trust again.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010


Today I woke up thinking of the ocean, and the sand between my toes. I am so looking forward to the vacation my family and I are going on in the end of August. We haven't picked a spot yet, but it will be somewhere beautiful! I can hardly wait :)

Monday, April 12, 2010


we wonder why black and white photos capture our soul
i think it is because without color we are no drawn to
the make up and the color of the eyes or the color of the skin
the achromatic hue that holds the innocence of the face
straight to the emotion and the lightness or darkness that
comes from inside brightening our eyes
it grabs the truth that liberate us

Sunday, April 11, 2010


"What if evil doesn't really exist?
What if evil is something dreamed up by man
and there is nothing to struggle against
except out own limitations?
The constant battle between our will, our desires, and our choices?"

Friday, April 9, 2010

"So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons.
And maybe we'll never know most of them.
But even if we don't have the power to choose
where we come from we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things.
And we can try to feel okay about them."

Sign the petition!


I recently signed Jamie Oliver's Petition to help support his Food Revolution. It's time that we stop poisoning our children and choose awareness. Here is the message from Jamie:

The American Food Revolution needs to start now! If you care about your country and the health of its children please help us make a difference. We need your support to get people back in touch with food and keep cooking skills alive before it's too late. We want to make sure every kid gets good, fresh food at school. It's proven that real food promotes more effective learning. If you want better health for your kids the junk food must go. I need to be able to show The President and industry how many of you out there really care about this issue so please don't wait, sign up today. It will only take 30 seconds.

Sign the petition below:

America's health needs you!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

STRESS


With the end of the semester approaching for many, I wanted to do a post about stress. Heck, I know I'M stressed out!

Stress management strategy #1: Avoid unnecessary stress

Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.

  • Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.
  • Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
  • Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.
  • Pare down your to-do list – Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.
Stress management strategy #2: Alter the situation

If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future. Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.
  • Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same.
  • Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground.
  • Be more assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that you only have five minutes to talk.
  • Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under.
Stress management strategy #3: Adapt to the stressor

If you can’t change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and attitude.

  • Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.
  • Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.
  • Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”
  • Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.
Stress management strategy #4: Accept the things you can't change

Some sources of stress are unavoidable. You can’t prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than railing against a situation you can’t change.

  • Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control— particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.
  • Look for the upside. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.
  • Share your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a therapist. Expressing what you’re going through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation.
  • Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.
Stress management strategy #5: Make time for fun and relaxation

Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come.
  • Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.
  • Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.
  • Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.
  • Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.
Stress management strategy #6: Adopt a healthy lifestyle

You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health.

  • Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
  • Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.
  • Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.
  • Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.
- (source)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

I need your help :)

I created a survey that regards magazines and their affect on women/girls body image - please take it! It's completely anonymous and I will post on the results after about 2 weeks!

Click here to take survey

Monday, April 5, 2010


Sometimes you just need to be reminded that you are truly beautiful! And all of you are :) So love yourselves <3

i guess we are who we are for a
lot of reasons.and maybe we'll never
know most of them. but even if we
don't have the power to choose where
we come from, we can still choose
where we go from there. we can
still do things. and we can try
to feel okay with them.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter! :)


Happy Easter everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful day. I certainly did. I spent the day with the ones that I love the most, my family. I found Easter eggs, ate some yummy food, and got a lot of chocolate and other goodies in my Easter baskets :)

Thursday, April 1, 2010


"Enjoy every day of your life.
Appreciate everything your life gives you.
You'll be surprised how fast it all goes by."