The difference between those suffering from anxiety/depression, and those who are winning the fight from these dark shadows, is awareness and acceptance. Only when you are aware of the problem and accept the hard truths about it, can you then have a foundation to start from, to keep fighting another day, and to become victorious!
4-6-17 Love, in any Condition You Find Yourself In
All day today, my empath self completely took over. With all the things happening, especially with the attack in Syria, I have been feeling the weight of the world. Praying for everyone suffering, crying when no one could see me, coming home and sitting in a catatonic state just trying not to slip further into depression.
Some days are like this. I don’t have the answers to my questions. All I can do is love. Love, even in the condition I’m in at the moment. Hug my family a little tighter. Appreciate those around me, especially those who are also empaths whose hearts are breaking in unison with mine.
Naysayers will say that it doesnt matter, but I’m here to tell you, keep your hearts strong. Love is the most powerful energy of all. It is the most powerful strength we humans have. That energy will effect the rest of the world. It is all a ripple effect.
Believe me, I know it feels useless, and it’s so easy to feel helpless in these times. But collectively, our energies of love, no matter what condition we are in, makes its way around. We are all connected. So keep loving, everyone, no matter what condition you find yourself in.
A Trip to the Beach Can Change Your Brain? I believe it!
I was able to go to the beach today (well it’s past midnight now so technically yesterday), and let me tell you, I completely believe this article to be 100% true. Read the entire article here.
3-21-18 Chipping Away
Quick thought this morning about how slowly and quickly time passes. It often seems slow, so after we come home from the work day with an already tired mindset, we’ve given up for the day. It’s easy to fall into the slump of thinking that the day is over. To plop down and watch television (especially when there is so much to binge watch!), until it’s time to go to sleep. Then once in bed, when sleep should be priority, many people begin the cycle of being on their cell phone, “wrapping up” their social media for the day-completely disregarding how light from their phone has been proven to disrupt sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.
There comes a point when you realize how much time has passed with this exact pattern. Years go by, and those personal goals we have on the back burner, seem to never get done. This is why it’s important to chip away at them, now-monthly, weekly, daily. We are always waiting to set aside these large chunks of time that we find we never have. I know I’ve been guilty of this. Looking for some grandiose weekend to really start getting things done. This empty, long weekend never comes.
So what projects, goals, passions, ambitions have you been putting off? Start chipping away at them today! I know I have finally started, bit by bit, and I can feel the changes being put into place. Just gotta keep chipping away.
3-18-17 Stop
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your mental health is just stop and rest. To try to force anything during that time causes more breaks in the defenses. Not my best day but feeling better now. Tomorrow will be better. Time to relax, reset, and pray clearly with my heart while my mind sorts itself out. Be thankful for those who love you enough to allow you to do this and support you during this time.
My 10-Day Transformation and Journey
Like many moms out there, life gets hectic and I put myself on the backburner for years. With 3 kids (teenager, preteen, and toddler) and a husband to worry about, it’s easy for me to get lost in the shuffle. When the opportunity came to try Purium’s now famed 10-Day Transformation, I thought to myself, why not? Sure, it’s going to be hard. Sure, I’ll have to think about myself first for a change in order to make this work. Sure, I’m afraid of the requirements (no meat, no dairy, no coffee, no chocolate for 10 whole days!), but let’s do it! It couldn’t have come at a better time. While I buy mostly organic foods and try to keep junk food at a minimum, I was at a transitional stage in my life and career, so I had been eating worse, drinking too much coffee, and drinking more alchohol than normal, to take the edge off a stressful week. All those factors building up had me feeling terrible. I was tired, but couldn’t sleep well at night. I had reached 159 lbs, which for me is danger territory. I was getting regular migraines, and none of my clothes fit right. My skin and hair were clearly not healthy.
In the above photos you can see the before and after from Day 1 to Day 10. I don’t have a lot of weight to lose. The weight I mostly have is that stubborn last 20 lbs after having a baby. Frustrated after not having been able to lose it for years now, this program really did work for me. I lost 5lbs in total. But what’s even better is that it retrained my eating habits, my skin and hair were significantly improved (I got several comments on it throughout the journey and after the 10-Days were over), and even though I only lost 5 lbs, people would ask me if I had lost weight. That was pretty nice! I had more energy after the 2nd day, and didn’t need the coffee anymore.
Let’s start the journey (Final Results at the end of the post):
Starting Weight: 159 lbs
Waist Measurement: 34.25″
Neck Measurement: 13″
Hip Measurement: 138.25″
DAY 1:
Weight: 159 lbs
I’ll be honest, I was pretty grumpy this day. It was the first day without any of my vices. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the Shake, though. It’s delicious!
DAY 2:
Weight: 157 lbs
This was probably the hardest day. I had little energy and was really craving all my vices. I didn’t hit the 3PM crash though, but did go to bed early and slept well.
DAY 3:
Weight: 155 lbs
By Day 3 I could really start feeling the positive effects of the transformation. I had more energy, and did not crave coffee or sugar. I also felt less bloated and looked less bloated in the face, where I can usually see water weight right away when I’m not taking care of myself the way I’m supposed to.
DAY 4:
Weight: 155 lbs
This was a busy day with the kids and work! Took a picture taking a break from it all. Got through it without coffee and still had energy the whole day. Slept well.
DAY 5:
Weight: 155 lbs
Forgot to take a picture of myself because I worked at a school carnival and was getting ready for that. As a placeholder, here’s a pic I snapped really quickly of my son and husband at the carnival. My energy was great, but I did crave pizza later because they ate it in front of me! I went to sleep early and slept really well. No cravings for alcohol, which is a big one since it was Friday night.
DAY 6:
Weight: 155 lbs
Today was the first day I worked out during the transformation. Running was much easier without excess water weight or bloat to keep me down! I felt great on Day 6 and was also excited that I was past the halfway point. My acid reflux was gone, as was a strong feeling of depression that is usually present.
Day 6 was hard because I had a wedding to go to. My family is (mostly) Filipino and we love to eat. I had to explain to family members who were trying to get me to eat (which isn’t normally very hard at all) why I didn’t have a plate of food in front of me. I made it through, and I felt proud of myself for not giving in. Ended my night with some kombucha and Purium Cherry Apothe.
DAY 7:
Weight: 154
Day 7 was spent working out, resting, and napping, because that’s what Sundays are for. I actually lost weight even though I had gone to the wedding the day before. SCORE!
DAY 8:
Weight: 155
Day 8, was GREAT! Got in a great workout (the picture above is post workout) and felt like I had energy for days! Technically I gained a pound today, but I went to the gym instead and lost that pound the next day.
DAY 9:
Weight: 154
I finally felt completely used to the eating schedule and feeling wonderful. I wasn’t craving one of my vices on Day 9!
DAY 10:
Weight: 154
The last day of my detox was a proud day. I felt awesome and was so happy that I went through it! I made it! 5 lbs down, but the other side effects from this lifestyle change were even better. I highly recommend this program and product to anyone who wants to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle!
FINAL RESULTS:
Ending Weight: 154 lbs
Waist Measurement: 31″
Neck Measurement: 12.5″
Hip Measurement: 136.5″
Ready to start? Go to: http://superfoods4transformation.com
Make sure to like Janeen Stern’s Facebook Page, too!
Beenznrice Event with Heavenly Skull
A little late, but hey better late than never, right? Here are a few pics from this past weekend’s event. Lots of mini art prints (mounted, numbered and signed) available for $10 shipped in the US. If you’re in a different country and want one, contact me and I’ll find out how much shipping is. Read more at the Heavenly Skull blog.
Costco $50 Cash Card Giveaway!
Good morning everyone! Today I am hosting a giveaway for a $50 Costco Cash Card!
I feel honored to have been a part of this Huggies campaign and really happy to have sampled such a great product. The Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers were probably the most secure and absorbent diapers I’ve ever tried on my son (and believe me, I’ve tried many different brands!) and it’s such a great deal to get these at $6 OFF right now at Costco! The Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes were also a wonderful product, especially since my son has sensitive skin. I’m very selective with the wipes I use. After all, they are used on the most sensitive areas! These did not disappoint. Right now, you can get them at Costco for $5 OFF.
On to the giveaway!
You do not need to buy Huggies diapers or wipes to be a part of this contest (although I highly recommend it if you have a little one!). Here’s what you need to do:
1. Leave a comment below saying what you buy at Costco.
2. Leave a comment on my Huggies post and then comment on this post “I commented on the Huggies post” below!
3. To receive more chances of winning, reblog any of my Huggies posts. Here is the first POST. Here is the second POST. Comment below with the reblogged link so I know you did it.
4. Receive more chances of winning by retweeting any of my @Huggies tweets. If you haven’t followed me on twitter, I’m @beenznrice, so get ready to RT me today!
The winner will be chosen at random. Good luck everyone!
Visual and Instant Online Food Diary
I’ve tried food diaries in the past, but it’s too easy to sneak a few treats here and there, as well as forget to write it down after you eat it. Plus, you can twist the truth about portions and exact measurements. By taking pictures of everything that I consume throughout the day, there’s no lying! Trying out a new concept. I bet it will keep me from eating randomness throughout the day! Follow me at http://instagram.com/insta.food.diary or @insta.food.diary
Happy Monday everyone!
Save $6 on Diapers and $5 on Baby Wipes with this Exclusive Offer Only at Costco!
Some of you may have read my previous post about Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes and what a great product it is. My son is still happy, clean and dry in his diapers! I wanat to share some great savings EXCLUSIVELY at your local Costco Warehouse. Get $6 off Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and $5 off Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes!
To get this exclusive price, visit the Costco website HERE.
For more information, go to http://www.huggies.com/costco
Savings valid 8/7-31
Here’s my Rocky playing care free with his Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers! He’s an active boy and these diapers provide complete protection with their trusted Leak Lock® system. They’re extremely comfortable and cloth like, so he’s happy all day long! Huggies Natural Care® Wipes are a dream come true, especially for the bigger messes. They’re thicker than standard baby wipes and don’t have that questionable chemical odor that other wipes have. So far both my toddler and myself have been very happy with both diapers and wipes from Huggies®!
Naomivaldivia.com 