Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Monday, March 2, 2015

Yes, I did in fact hashtag my title. Actually, I used two hashtags which warrants each one of your eyes rolling into its socket. Hello, it's Aya, the writer of Healthy Appetite.

Before I begin this segment of my blog, I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates in the past few months. It's true, I've been a bit busy trying to get my life together (I'm talking like my life is in shambles--it's not). I've enrolled in German language courses to better my understanding of the language. Is it helping? I suppose. Do I understand German now? I'm going to counteract that question with, do Germans even understand their own language?

The one thing that's been getting me through this strange and hectic time of my life is breakfast. Since my classes normally start in the afternoon, I've been really into making breakfast that looks ultra fancy and instagram worthy. Let's be real--we eat with our eyes first. A breakfast full of color is a lot more appealing than just milk and cereal! So today, since I am sorely lacking a recipe post (I do have some coming!) you will have to take a peek into the kinda stuff I've been posting on Instagram.


Simplicity is best sometimes. Soy jogurt and a ripe persimmon can really hit the spot. If you haven't tried persimmons, I really recommend it. It's a pain in the butt sometimes to wait for it to ripen but then you are rewarded with orange lusciousness!


Fruit is natural energy waiting to be consumed! I always go full force with fruit in the mornings because I know I'm going to need it to fuel me until lunch rolls along. Get creative with the combination and topping. Here I added some homemade granola.


I'm pretty much a chia pudding addict. First of all, one serving (3 dry tablespoons or 28 grams) is already a third of the amount of fiber you need in a day. One serving also has 10% of your recommended daily protein and omega-3 fatty acids that promote brain health! That's pretty convincing, isn't it?
Chia seeds can soak up more than 10x their amount in liquid so it's best to consume as a pudding (recipes to come) or used sparingly and mixed in (I also use it in granolas and oatmeals).


Then when you have no time, you can spoon the pudding into a jar with your favorite fruits and nuts and you have a portable meal!


An oldie but a goodie: oatmeal. This is my apple cinnamon oatmeal that I posted in my tips and tricks about oatmeal post, just with an added grating of lemon. Guys, lemon literally takes foods to another level. I think I need to do a solo segment on lemon one day.


Just posted this the other day after taking too long organizing the fruit on my chia pudding. Decided to nix the glasses and go with a square bowl. Change is the spice of life people! Been filling my new notebook up with some casual pen work so this is how my mornings are looking like now.


Hope you guys enjoyed seeing the kinds of food I eat for breakfast. If you'd like to see more, you can follow me on instagram under the name burikkoxp! Until next time~

#instagram #breakfast

Wednesday, November 19, 2014



Thanksgiving is only 9 days away and all I can think about is pumpkin pie. Even though the holiday is non-existent here in Germany (there is Erntedankfest, which is a day meant to give thanks to nature's bounty), it's not hard to convince people to gather around a table full of delicious food and enjoy each other's company. My parents would always wake up early the morning of and start preparing food while the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade aired in the background.

One of my favorite dishes on the table was always brussels sprouts. Growing up, I never understood why some people didn't like them because I always thought they were scrumdiliumcious! I love mine roasted with garlic and a bit of salt. The moment they come out of the oven I go to town on those bad boys. So of course I'm including a recipe on my blog! And to take it a step further, I thought I'd make a soup of it because who doesn't love to warm up with a nice bowl of soup?

Roasted Brussel Sprout Soup
Serves 6

Ingredients
1 1/2 lb (750 gr.) brussels sprouts
2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp for sautéing
------------------------
3 cups chopped leek
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 1/2 cups of water
1 1/2 cups of vegan heavy cream (I used oat cream)
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
2 tbsp maple syrup
salt & pepper
chopped hazelnuts for garnish

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F or 200 C. Cut off the brown ends of the brussels sprouts and remove any yellow outer leaves before halving them. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the brussels sprouts onto the sheet. Drizzle the 2 tbsp of olive oil on top and massage them until they're evenly coated (fastest way is to get your hands dirty!) Pop them into the oven for 35-40 minutes.
In the last 10 minutes of roasting, prepare your leek and garlic. Put a soup pot over medium high heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the leek and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes (until the leek is tender). Add the roasted brussels sprouts and water, then bring the heat down to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in the vegan cream, then cover and let it sit for an additional 10 minutes before adding the thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and maple syrup. Puree with an immersion blender. Serve with chopped hazelnuts and enjoy!

Roasted Brussels Sprout Soup

Saturday, November 8, 2014


Everybody talks about oatmeal because it's like that good friend that always has your back, even though you sometimes forget about her and she ends up in the back of your cupboard, mingling with the cocoa powder and bottle of Gordon's gin (this is a no judgement zone people).

But what is it about oats that is so special? To name a few:

-One bowl of oatmeal a day will help lower cholesterol by 8-23%. 1% drop in serum cholesterol is a 2% decrease in the risk of developing heart disease!
-A specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan is found in oats. This fiber helps the human immune system respond quicker to infection.
-Oats are a good source of magnesium, resulting in stronger bones, teeth, and improvement of insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
-Good alternative for those with celiac disease (intolerance to gluten).


I grew up eating oatmeal. I even developed a strange superstition as a kid, where if I didn't eat oatmeal on test day, I wouldn't do well. I think it was because my teachers always stressed eating a good breakfast before exams and to me, a good breakfast is hearty and filling but not too filling that it makes one feel heavy.

My basic outline for a good oatmeal is Oats + Liquid + Sweeteners + Mix-ins + Toppings. There's a fine line between mix ins and toppings because you could essentially use both interchangeably but I find some things taste better cooked. Here's the low down for each:

OATS
The three basics are Steel-Cut, Rolled/Old Fashioned, and Quick. Steel-cut oats are groats that have been split into several finer pieces which produces a much creamier porridge but also takes 20-30 minutes to cook. Rolled or Old Fashioned oats (the standard variety sold in Germany) are steamed, pressed, and dried, making them more absorbent and reducing the cooking time to about 5-10 minutes. Quick cooking oats have an even shorter cooking time but are less textured and more mushy.

LIQUID
Tip: Always cook the oats in water first. Milk makes it easier for the oats to burn and stick to the pan. You can add milk after the oats are 75% cooked.
Any type of milk is fine. A more decadent option for vegans would be to use coconut or homemade cashew milk. If you like butter, you can also melt butter in your oats in addition to milk. Another option is to cook oatmeal in tea! Boil water, add the tea bag, and fish the tea bag out before adding the oats. Chai makes a good porridge but experiment with other flavors for a fun breakfast.

SWEETENERS
I prefer liquid sweeteners in oatmeal but use what you like. My favorites are molasses, maple syrup, and stevia. If your stevia contains alcohol (such like vanilla extract), add it in during the cooking process so the heat cooks it out. Another idea is to add chopped up dates, loaded with natural sugar, eliminating the need for an added sweetener.

MIX-INS
Ground flax seeds and chia seeds are great mixed in while the oats are cooking because they help to absorb water and for some people, are more easily digested when cooked. With fruit it's all about preference. I like cooked apples because it reminds me more of apple pie so I mix it in while the pot is still on heat. Same goes for pears, plums, and sometimes bananas. Berries are more delicate so I prefer them fresh and on top. Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and powders like carob, cocoa, or even protein powders can be added at the end of cooking to enhance flavor.

TOPPINGS
This is pretty much the part of the creating where you can add anything and everything. Nut butters are great on top for added protein and healthy fats as well as chopped nuts and seeds for the contrasting texture. Dried fruits are also great for when you don't have fresh fruit on hand. Finally, fruit purees or jam, even cheese (though I haven't tried it, some people swear by it) can be added depending on what you like.


Here is a simple recipe for cinnamon apple oatmeal using rolled oats.

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal (vegan, gluten free)
Serves 1

Ingredients
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup of non-dairy milk (I used rice milk)
1 medium apple, diced (I like gala, honey crisp, fuji, or any of the sweeter red apple varieties)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
6 drops stevia extract
handful of raisins
chopped walnuts for topping

In a small pot over medium heat, bring water to a boil. Measure out your oatmeal and place in the pot, immediately stirring with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir for a 2-3 minutes until the water has mostly evaporated and the mixture looks thick. Lower the heat to medium and add the chia seeds, flax seeds, and milk. Stir and add the stevia, apples, and raisins. Continue stirring for another 5 minutes. If the mixture looks too thick and the oatmeal is sticking too much to the bottom of the pan, add water. Turn off the heat and put into a bowl. Top with walnuts. Guten Appetit!

Oatmeal: Tips, Tricks, and How I Prepare Them

Thursday, September 25, 2014

We all know I'm a lean mean baking machine. If there's any occasion to bake, I'll seize it. And naturally, all my friends are my guinea pigs (whether they like it or not, which most of the time I guess they don't mind). Cooking on the other hand, seems less exciting to me. I'm usually a one trick pony when it comes to cooking. Not to mention how impatient I already am, if I have to cook something that requires waiting along with those cookies I'm already waiting on in the oven, I might explode (a virtue I sorely have to work on).

Luckily, the only waiting required in this dish is for the tofu to marinate in really good lemony pesto. And I guess I made an exception since my toe nails needed painting in the mean while. Oh, and did I mention I am really slow at julienning? How quickly time flies when you're sitting there making match sticks out of vegetables . . .


Pesto Tofu and Stir Fry Vegetables

Sunday, April 13, 2014

It's officially the end of the first week of my 21 day vegan challenge and might I say it went smoother than I anticipated. I thought I would go coo coo bananas over not having a bit of something sweet here and there but honestly, fruit is amazing and I've been dropping a few drops of stevia into my lemon water to make lemonade to tote around. I admit there are a few things that I miss but I realize this is all just a way for me to get more creative in the kitchen.

I recently took a trip out to the LPG Bio Market in Mitte. There are many bio stores in Berlin where all products sold are organic (different from America where there are many health food stores but not necessarily everything sold is organic). I really love LPG . . . it's pricier than some of the other bio stores but their selection is great. I can't find another place that has this specific peanut butter I like (without salt, sugar, or oil, but also tastes like the PB I buy in NY).

Here are some of the purchases I made:


Vegan Breakfast Yogurt, Soybeans, and 92% Dark Chocolate.

The yogurt is great! I love to eat yogurt but I can't actually stomach dairy that well. This one happens to also be sugar free.The soybeans are for my fermentation (I make my own fermented soybeans aka natto because it's cheaper, tastes great, and reduces waste). I also found some interesting chocolate!


I see this brand in bio stores a lot and this one particular bar happens to contain coconut blossom sugar instead of refined! Dark chocolate also contains a good amount of fiber and anti-oxidants (if you didn't know why people are obsessed with anti-oxidants, it's because it reduces the risk of cancer and signs of aging)! I like dark chocolate for snacking especially.

Speaking of snacks, my favorite at the moment is smearing peanut butter onto rice crackers and topping it with bananas.



Simple yet satisfying. Try it with a sprinkle of cinnamon and let the goodness sink in.

Finally, I've been really loving the Detox tea from Kusmi.


The first time I tried Kusmi was when my sister got me a sampler pack for my birthday a few years back. I haven't looked back since. I keep a variety of different teas and brands around but when I feel like splurging on myself, I go for Kusmi. This one in particular does exactly what it says and it has an overall cleaning and calming effect. Kusmi has many stores and distributors around the world so if you're ever nearby, definitely check out their selection!

I think that will be all for today. I hope you guys have a lovely Sunday!

New and Old Favorites

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

I'm not one to plan meals way ahead of time because usually I'll get a last minute craving for something else and scrap the original idea. I am aware however, of how important it is to plan when you have a busy schedule ahead of you. I also believe that when doing something like the 21 Day Vegan Challenge, one has to come prepared with food or it'll be a lot harder to stay on track when hunger strikes.



I like to prepare different components of the meal on a free day when I have time. Sundays are great because it forecasts what the rest of the week will look like.

I don't like to prepare for the whole week because it's too boring to eat the same food over and over again. I make it easy though--a lot of the time I pre-chop only veggies so I can quickly make a stir-fry in the morning and then let it cool while I'm getting ready before packing it up. It also helps to give yourself options.


Here I have (from the bottom left counterclockwise) some greens I washed and chopped up (there is raw red cabbage hidden underneath but not everyone likes raw cabbage), some peppers and carrots cut up in strips for easy snacking, choice of pasta or rice (here I use gluten free pasta and brown rice), roasted veggies, chopped strawberries, and homemade avocado dip.


Make enough that when you're also in the house and hungry, you can have some to snack on.

Now when you need to make yourself a meal in advance, all you have to do is take an empty container and layer the different components. Super simple!



I always put the wettest bit on top so it's easier to mix later. Then depending on what I have on hand, I'll also add lemon juice, olive or flax oil, and some fresh herbs. Since I've managed to keep my basil plant alive long enough for it to regenerate new leaves (I swear, I am an accidental plant killer because plants always die at my fingertips welp), I sprinkled some on top.

The finished product:


Pretty to look at, appetizing, and easy on the wallet! I also pack extra snacks for in between meals (comes in handy after working out or carrying heavy trays of food more welp).

My Favorite Snacks:

-Dried Fruits and Nuts: Having a variety works best so you don't get bored of the same taste and texture.
-Fresh fruit: Apples, oranges, bananas, etc.
-Dark Chocolate: Anti-oxidants yes, but mainly because it tastes really good.
-Roasted Seaweed: It's the bomb dot com.
-Snack Bars/Energy Bars: I stocked up on Lara bars, Clif Bars, Kind Bars in college for a midday energy boost. I admit in Berlin, I don't buy energy bars because they are too expensive, but I do make my own Lara bar hybrid.
-Cereal: Some people can't eat dry cereal but I love it.

Anyway, those were a few tips for anyone looking to incorporate meal planning into their lives. Of course, this was an example of a layered salad meal, but you can do whatever you please (you can hard boil eggs, boil/bake potatoes, make chili with rice and corn salsa on top, etc.) I just want to point out that though some people will claim they don't have time to prepare all these different things, it actually saves time because there's no worrying about it later. And I love toting food around because it makes me happy to know there's a meal waiting for me inside my bag, not to mention it's a great conversation starter because most people will be curious as to what you've prepared.


Happy eating everyone~

Meal Planning & What I Do

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Guten Morgen everyone! Well, it's technically not morning here anymore but since it's just becoming morning in America, I'll nab the opportunity.

The weather, albeit some rain and clouds, has been pretty amazing lately and when amazing weather hits, all I want are jazzy refreshments. I've been getting a kick out of the fruit water trend, mainly because it suits my no-hassle personality, and putting slices of fruit in water and letting it sit overnight is one of the easiest ways to make your life better. Not to mention it's just so pretty to look at!


Art in a pitcher.

After taking a few pictures, I knew my tummy needed solid food. A bowl of oats always fills the void (not to mention it fits the requirements for my 21 Day Vegan Challenge!)


I like it thick so I continuously add water and stir until I reach a desired consistency. Mix-ins while cooking include the following: flax flakes, ground hazelnuts, cinnamon, and raisins.

Then I topped it with strawberries, lemon zest (I love the multiple uses for citrus), more cinnamon, and some maple syrup. Guten Appetit!






By the way, this is my favorite bowl. I bought it in Paris the second time I went because I was completely obsessed with the idea of getting a giant bowl for cappuccino (as I saw in this one travel show). I realize now it serves no purpose for coffee in my hands because I seldom drink it. But the cats! Boy, are they cute.

The brand of the bowl is Comptoir de Famille. I am in love with their stuff.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed having breakfast with me. Ciao for now!

Strawberries and Lemon for Breakfast

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Today is my first installment of Share it Saturdays! As my readers from my old blog, Stilettos at the Dinner Table, know, I am a super spontaneous poster. I have no rhythm when it comes to posting (oh Aya, let's face it, you have no rhythm at all), but with the help of this theme, I will remember to periodically share some of my favorite bits and bobs with you guys!

My first finding is actually one I have mildly mentioned before in my Getting Sick in the Summer post. However I had to mention it again because the host, Laura Miller, is back with another season and so far so good.
Below is the premiere where she shows people how to make raw banana ice cream.


Banana Soft Serve has been around for a while and people go absolutely nuts over it because it is so easy (frozen bananas + food processor). What I really enjoy about Laura's video is her multiple takes on the basic recipe. I will definitely be giving the cake idea a go.

Another interesting find is an article from NY Mag's Grub Street: How Out-of-Town Chefs Finally Penetrated New York's Restaurant Scene.

Click Here for the Article

It's funny how I was just talking to someone about restaurant business and then I found this. It's kind of like little tips and tricks that worked for people who opened up food establishments in NY. New Yorkers are really something, I tell you. We like everything from rustic to hipster to fancy to hole in the wall-ish, and we don't mind if our food comes with cloth or paper napkins as long as it's delicious, authentic, and served with a whole lot of personality. Also can we just talk about point #7: cultivating a line? Because if you eat out in NY, you know how crazy that can get sometimes.

Finally two of my beauty faves that I am loving at the moment. I strongly believe that to live in a healthy manner, one should feel beautiful on the inside and out.

The lotion I am using right now is this one:

Victoria's Secret Body Lotion in Love Spell!

I'm a huge Victoria's Secret fan. I watch the show every year and even keep up with the models from time to time. I still remember my first Victoria's Secret anything was a body spray I got for my birthday back in grade school. Their scents are always either sweet or floral which I prefer over musk. Love Spell is one of my favorites--I initially got the lotion as a gift and then I went on to purchase the Body Butter and Body Spray in the same scent.

I'm also loving this color on my nails:

It's Kiko's Nail Lacquer in Color 343, Spring Green. I actually like it for Fall because it's somewhat of an Emerald Teal which goes great with the monochromatic pieces in my wardrobe.

So that's the round up for this week's Share it Saturdays! Let me know what you think. Also if you find anything cool that you think I might like, you can email it to me (email is on the right side). Ciao and hope you have a lovely Saturday!

Share it Saturdays No. 1

Friday, October 18, 2013



Let's face it: I love apples. Remember my Raw Vegan Apple Tarts? Well since then, the love has not died. I mean, what is there to dislike? Apples are great to carry around anywhere. They last for a while. You can make a variety of things out of them and add them to almost any savory dish too. Let's just say apples continue to rock my world.

I noticed my basket of apples still had a fair amount inside and I was tired of putting them in common baked goods and bowls of oatmeal. That's what led me to today's mini recipe of Dried Apples.


Dried Apple Slices
Ingredients
Apples (as many as you'd like)

Preheat your oven to 100° C/200° F.

If you like the Trader Joe's type of Dried Apple Rings, I suggest coring them and cutting horizontally. My apples were on the smaller side so I opted for cutting them into slices and then coring. Either way, make sure to keep them all the same size so they bake evenly.

Peeling is an option (I left the skin on because I like the way they look and taste like this).

Depending on how thick/thin you cut them coupled with how long you leave them in the oven, they could either end up being soft dried fruit or crispy chips.


Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and pop them in the oven for 4-5 hours. I see this is not exactly energy efficient so in the case that you have a dehydrator, you may want to opt for that.


When the apples are done, let them cool completely before storing in an air tight container.

The best part about the dehydrated apples are that they last long and you can still use them in your baked goods as well as just for snacking. Might I recommend a rice cake topped with peanut butter and some of these bad boys? Don't forget the cinnamon. ;)

To keep up with the apple theme, Oliver's father came by to pick up a huge bushel of our apples and he got them made into juice! Look at these beauties!


I had to pour myself a glass. It was tangy, a bit sour, but very freshly sweet! These are of course bottled so that we can enjoy them all winter! I'll see if I can incorporate them into something fun for you guys soon.
 
Cheers!

Dried Apples and Juice

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Hey guys and gals, how's it going?

Halloween is coming up and you know what that means?

Diabetics please look away.

Now I am not going to lie--those Reese's Peanut Butter Cups look so good to me now, considering I have not had American candy in over a year. A YEAR I TELL YOU <----why am I yelling?

Well I have somewhat grown out of the commercial candy and into more adult candies (alcoholic truffles and that bitter dark stuff . . . ) but regardless, I definitely reach for the sweets come this time of year. Do I feel guilty about it? Naw, it's Halloween! A little indulgence is good for the soul.

So here's the challenge: Halloween is in 2 weeks, right? So in 2 weeks, let's go on a clean food cleanse. I'm not going to give you guys outlines because each body is different. Instead, I'll be updating my blog with tips, insights, food ideas/recipes, and a look into how I'm doing (so you don't feel alone!)

This was inspired by a conversation with my friend Crysbel (who I will mention more later) when we started talking healthy living. We're both kind of in a similar boat: we were given extra time in our lives and decided to use it to take better care of our bodies. I never realize how more and more people around me are getting into the health revolution! It's awesome!

Anyway, hope you'll join me. If not, you can still look forward to regular updates! Good luck!

Halloween Challenge!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Hey guys, what's up?

Today is gonna be a bit more eventful than the other days I've had (or shall I say social). I'm meeting up with my friend Cristina and then heading over to a drawing class later in the evening with my friend David. A bit nervous because he's an amazing artist and because I haven't had practice in a while. I'm pretty sure the last thing I drew was an agitated ice cream cone . . . [nervous laughter]

Anyway, today I share with you a quick breakfast idea/recipe!

It's red berry season here in Germany. I love me some berries and I thought I would take full advantage of the fact that they are growing in the garden.

Johannis Berries and Raspberries

There were only a few raspberries so I ate them pretty quickly, but the Johannis berries (do they have a different name in English?) were a bit tart so I decided to mix them in something instead.

Behold, my bowl of oats!

Quick and Healthy Red Oats
Time: ~8 minutes (including cutting and pitting cherries)

1/3 - 1/2 cup dry oats
3/4 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
1 Tbsp Flax Seeds
1 Tsp Cinnamon
Raisins
Cherries
Johannis Berries
Honey (optional and to taste)

Cook the oats in the milk, either on the stove (5 minutes to heat - stir occasionally) or by microwave (1 min 45 sec - 2 min). Stir and let sit while you cut/pit.
Put all ingredients in the bowl, fruits on top. Mix and enjoy!

You can do an overnight oats version which is what I did for Oli today. Just let your oats sit in the milk in a covered container overnight. I also added half a banana and protein powder so it'd hold him over longer. If you let it sit overnight, it'll absorb the liquid, and you'll have breakfast waiting for you in the morning!

Super simple, super quick, and super healthy! I did this two days in a row. It's also really great to change up the ingredients as well (maybe throw in a few chopped nuts?)

Anyway, happy Tuesday!

Quickie Breakfast!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Hey guys, I wanted to talk about emotions today. I know, it sounds like the intro to some kids show on the Disney Channel, but hear me out.


In order to live a healthy life, I think we all need to find balance and peace in our mind. That means not letting our thoughts affect us negatively, and not letting those thoughts turn into action. It happens sometimes. I admit it, the reason why I felt I needed to write this now is because it happened this morning. It was not very early but I was coughing in my sleep for half of the morning and just felt powerless and weak. I had to get up and go somewhere with Oli, but it just seemed like there was no time, and we always end up rushing for the bus (buses are infrequent in the area we live, and trains as well). At that point, I snapped. It wasn't even about the buses or rushing to get somewhere, it was a trigger for some problems I've been experiencing as of late, mainly with my visa, financial situations, etc.

Now as I sit here writing this with a level head, I notice that I do this often. When there are problems buried inside of me, they come out, all at once, in a very frustrated manner. And I tend to push people away despite them wanting to help, because I hate admitting the fact that I'm not perfect, and I am obsessed with not letting that show. At the end of it all, I say things I don't mean and I feel even worse about myself.

If this sounds familiar to you, or if you have dealt with similar situations where you let negativity get the best of you, then you know this feeling of stupidity and utter remorse that comes after letting it out.

It sucks.

But it's okay because it happens to everyone and it's part of being human. Also, feel better because at least it means you care. If you didn't care, if these problems weren't bothering you, if you didn't want to change something about it, then you're not living. So thank god you're living.

I'm constantly trying to improve myself, and that means trying not to think every bad thing will lead to something worse. It's unhealthy to think this way, and it really shows. People can sense when someone is not at their best. The color in their skin is dull, their laughter is sparse, and overall their enthusiasm to do things is gone. I know when I'm feeling down, I don't even want to cook sometimes! That's horrible, because it's actually one of the things that would make me feel better.

The best thing to do is understand the issue and try to work on it, but not dwell. Always think that if you're down, you can go up. There's probably more options than you think you have. I know these are just nice words and sometimes it all sounds like you've heard it before. Trust me, you have. You've probably told yourself many times what I'm telling you right now and it hasn't worked. But why hasn't it worked?

Because you didn't allow yourself to think that it could.

Negativity is not an instant fix and when it's gone, it doesn't mean it's gone forever. Feeling bad happens because bad things happen, and sometimes all at once. But it doesn't mean it will always be that way, and the way you cope with it changes how you will feel when it's all over.

I want change for myself. I want to feel good about myself and what I have because I have these things for a reason. I'm worth feeling good about myself and my life, and I think everyone is worthy of it too.

Now next time you're feeling down, ask yourself: would you rather assume the worst or believe that you can only become your best?

Negative to Positive

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I found my beloved Butt Bible on Youtube! Now watch it, get a "firm and perky butt", then watch it again and take a shot for everytime she says "Butt".

The Butt Bible

Thursday, November 29, 2012

I hate to admit it, but I'm a cheater.

I joined this game on dietbet.com a little while ago. For people who don't know Diet Bet, it's a website where you put in some money, and your goal is to lose 4% of your body weight in 28 days/4 weeks. If you succeed, you get the money back and then some, depending on how many people win/lose. Sounds a bit sketchy, but it's based on the logic that if you make losing weight a competition, people are bound to be more successful.

Here's the deal: I don't believe in diets. I believe in healthy lifestyles. It is my mantra to eat right and exercise (of course with some indulgences here and there). That being said, I've been pretty unhealthy the past few weeks, not being as active or eating more junk (hence the cheating). This is my push to get back on track!

I'm letting you guys know because I don't want to back out. Something I do believe in is commitment. If you say you're gonna do it, do it! And stick to it!

I'll keep you all updated with my progress (nothing super specific, but how the food and training is going). I'll be sure to leave a few tips along the way!

The Bet

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