I have always wanted to do a cleanse, but never thought I had the willpower in me to do so. People that did hardcore detoxing were rock stars in my mind, but never once did I imagine I could do it. Not until Whole Living magazine, which I LOVE and have a subscription to, put out their January Issue. In it, they outlined a three week Whole Living Challenge and Action plan. And I decided to accept their challenge.

Week One: Cut out the 5 No-Nos for anyone wanting to detox……. Dairy, Meat, Gluten, Sugar, Caffein. Focus on nothing but vegetables and fruit. Drink a ton of water. Start juicing every day in the morning to give your body and digestive system a break.

So I resolved myself, bought a juicer (which I LOOOOOOOVE) and dove right in. I have to say I’m very proud of myself, considering that I started this adventure the same week I also started my period. Which, for all those reading, I now DO NOT recommend. I have to admit I had a few days of hell….. blinding headaches, skin eruptions, fatigue, and body aches like I’d ran a marathon. These are all symptoms of a detoxing system, I’ve been told, however were magnified by the fact that I was also on my period. Not a good combo. However, I got through it though and came out on the other side!!

I am now on week 2. The blessed week where I get to integrate lean proteins and legumes back into my diet. God bless lean protein and legumes! I’m amazed at how great I feel now, now that I have pushed through the toughest faze. This whole experience has really been beneficial for me mentally as it has been physically. It’s shown me what I am capable of accomplishing health wise. That I actually DO have willpower. That I can live without coffee and sugar and gluten. I am hoping that I can carry some of these habits that I have formed these past few weeks into the rest of the year!

Another adventure I decided to embark upon was I entered a Biggest Loser/Healthier You contest that one of my friends put together! Everyone chips in $25 to play, so far the winner takes home $1000! Now granted, the chances of me actually winning are slim. However it has been helpful to add a little competition into the mix. Plus you get points for daily drinking 8 glasses of water, food journaling, exercising 30 minutes or more, and eating 5 servings of vegetables! So far I’ve been gathering points daily for all four things this week. Healthy habits, here I come!!!

The end result? I’ve lost 6 pounds. I feel great. I feel healthier, more motivated, and have a more positive frame of mind about myself. What more could you want. So I raise my glass of carrot, beet, and apple juice to you all and say, “Here’s to 2012!!!”

They organized the participation of “Sneak Attacks”.

What is a Sneak Attack?It’s a way to support independant artisans who are trying to sell their wares online. Two days a week at an appointed time, an Etsy shop with few or no sales is announced on this site. As many people as possible then buy items from that shop, resulting in a frenzy of surprise business to the unsuspecting shop! To the upper right is the current Sneak Attack schedule. To participate, show up on this site at or soon after the time of the next attack and you’ll see the chosen shop name in the box above. Then go to that shop and purchase an item, making sure to include the words “Sneak Attack” in the “message to seller”. It’s also fun to tune into the current thread on Etsy to talk about it with other “attackers”.

What a brilliantly supportive idea! I plan on participating, how about you?? ;D

Another one of my new found favorites……. Pinterest. A online community for sharing what you love online. You should totally join!! It’s fun!

Something I’ve noticed about Pinterest though, don’t pin anything you might be thinking about purchasing yourself! Since it’s a public community of sorts and others can see your pins, things are snatched up quickly. I am currently performing an experiment in this regard. My friend Baylee has an adorable Etsy shop, Bands by Bay, selling head bands and lovely hair flowers. I have pinned a few of her pieces and am now waiting to see how long it is before they sell! It would be a great avenue of advertising for an artisan shop! Don’t you think??? I’ll let you know how the experiment turns out.

Care to join me? If you didn’t get an opportunity to participate in the first one, it’s not too late! Maegan put together a workbook for those who wanted to take it again or for the first time….. get yours HERE…. it’s free. This truly was the most amazing course for jump starting creativity. Begin today…. you won’t regret it! And then join me in May!!!

Some wheat germ, some whole wheat flour, and buttermilk make these so tasty and good for you as well!

Apparently wheat germ is very high in folic acid. All I know is these little babies keep me nice and full for a long time.

Want the recipe? Well of course you do!!

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp. Salt
1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour

In a medium bowl, mix the eggs w/ oil and buttermilk. Stir in baking powder, wheat germ, salt, and flour. Mix well until blended. Batter will be thick and lumpy.

Pour a 1/4 cup of batter into a buttered pan and cook on med- high heat, flipping when done. The batter will be lumpy so do not expect perfectly formed pancakes!! It just adds to the rustic goodness of it all!

Slather on butter and jam and enjoy!!!!!

Apparently my husband thought I should have them since I had them gently clasped to my breast at the store and was gently stroking them whilst making purring noises. And then he bought me a clutch to match. Double the ecstasy!!!

It’s also wee little mouses with their heads shmooshed up against the glass…..

Today was one of those days. I woke up at 3 in the afternoon after suffering a tumultuous night with a screaming soar throat and a fuzzy head. The sleeping pills did NOT work last night, needless to say. I awoke to a very full bed, completely enveloped by two cats on one side and two dogs on the other. I kicked them off and stumbled my way into the kitchen. I finally started to feel whole again only after the first sip of my handmade americano. And then came the whole wheat/wheat germ pancakes with Bonne Maman jam and two fried eggs courtesy of my own two girls. Could this day get any better, you ask? It certainly has started well, that is for certain! I then settled in on the sofa with americano number two and watched Eat, Pray, Love via Netflix streaming. Have you read that book? No? Go now, to your nearest bookstore and buy it tout de suite! It’s on my top 5 list. There’s a point in the book and the movie when she says, “I’m so tired of everyone telling me I need a man!” The man she happens to be with at the time, the man she eventually spends her life with, replies, “You don’t need a man. You need a champion!”. I love that. I love it even more when I realize that that is exactly what I’ve found in Daniel. A champion. That is what I have been really trying to focus on lately. The blessings in my life, both great and small. Finally finding my “champion”. A morning americano. A good movie. A stolen lazy day. The luxury of a good book. A trip to Portland.

The movie made me hungry for Indian food, so the day was made complete with a run to our favorite Indian restaurant in Gig Harbor, Gateway to India, for a little takeout. Sipping on some delicious chai on my way home, listening to some Ray LeMonange, I had to breath a long sigh of gratitude.

The candles lit and warm….

The presents all ready for attack…..

The fondue pots were ready at wait…..

Sweet snuggles……

David latched on to Papa immediately, much to his delight…..

“Yay! I got bad guys!!!!!!”

The official wrapping ripper…..

The moment after Liam hugged his uncle and thanked him for “the bad guys”…..

The fondue feast……

All this present unwrapping business is exhausting!

At the end of it all, tired pup pups smooshed together in the back seat…..