Be Happy in the Skin You Are In... NOW!

Today's post comes out of necessity for me to get something off of my chest. There is so much talk in the media about what it means to be skinny and even a definition of "fat." We are seeing "fat shaming" and now, "skinny shaming" left and right - wherever we turn.  So, when should we be happy with the body we have? Once we are happy, do we stop trying to make it better?

The truth of the matter is, you have to be happy in the skin you are in at the moment to make any improvements in the future. As most of you know, I had a baby 10.5 months ago and my auto-immune disease has spiraled out of control since then. I'm in a good place as far as my body goes (at least I think so), but I'm not that super teeny size I used to be. Guess what - I don't care! I'm happy with the effort that I have been putting in, the way I have been eating. and can honestly say that I am getting stronger each day - physically and mentally. I fit in most of my clothes (with the exception of those super tiny ones) and I have found the balance that I need to ensure I am taking care of my family while also taking care of myself.

(I was that person... I used to laugh at the people that said I didn't understand what it was like to have a kid, when I didn't have one, but now I understand! Especially at this age, there is very little time to yourself and it's a triumph if you actually cook something to eat and GET to eat it!)

So... does that mean that I won't work hard to get myself to the next level? Absolutely not! Life is a constant state of change and why not change for the better? I am a real woman, a real mother, a real wife and a real member of society. My life has to reflect that. Your life should reflect the person you are and the person you want to be - not reflect what you do or don't see in the mirror. That will come.

Understand that YOU are constantly evolving. Love the process. Love each and every step.

Are Your Cleaning Products Really "Clean?" - Recipes to Help You Clean

It's hard to go from using your old cleaning products to new, natural ones! I found myself wanting to revert back to what I know works - bleach, formulated granite cleaners/polish, chemical-laden window and toilet cleaners, but alas! Here are my favorite "recipes" for disinfecting your home!

In case you want to copy and paste these recipes to a word doc, here they are in text format! 

All Purpose Cleaner

• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Dawn dish soap
• 4 TBSP white vinegar
• 400 mL warm water

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Dusting Spray

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 c white vinegar
• 1 c warm water

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• 1/4 c baking soda
• 1/4 c borax
• 1 c white vinegar

Place ingredients directly into toilet. Mix gently with bowl brush. Let sit at least 30 minutes before scrubbing. 

Granite Cleaner

• 1/2 c rubbing alcohol
• 8 drops Dawn dish soap
• 2 c warm water

Combine in a squirt bottle.

Glass Cleaner

• 1/4 c rubbing alcohol
• 1/4 c white vinegar
• 1 TBSP cornstarch
• 2 c warm water

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Tub Cleanser

• 1/2 cut grapefruit
• 1/4 c kosher salt

Place salt directly on grapefruit half. Scrub your tub!

Grout Cleaner

• 1/2 c baking soda
• 1/4 c white vinegar

Mix in a small, open container. Using a toothbrush, apply paste to grout and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Rinse off.

Not sure what you need to get your Green "Clean" Cleaning Pantry stocked? Check out our shopping list from yesterday's post!

Do you have a favorite green cleaning recipe to share? 

Eating Clean at Group Functions, Revealed!

It's a topic that many of us don't want to talk about. We dread our company lunches, meetings with clients and bosses, or even our family gatherings because we just haven't mastered the art of not offending anyone with our food choices. Am I right? Just how do you maintain your clean eating lifestyle when you may not be able to choose your food? I used to feel like this often. However, we don't have to! Here are a few tips and scenarios to help you out.  Keep in mind that moderation is important, you should not shy away from your friends and family just because you are eating clean.  It is okay to indulge every once in a while without feeling guilty about it - these tips will help you avoid a binge!

Rule #1 (in ALL circumstances) - ALWAYS keep a snack of about 100-150 calories with you; a Quest Bar or a pack of raw almonds are great examples! Eat this about 30 minutes to 1 hour before your function. This will control your appetite and leave you less likely to pig out on things you know you shouldn't have like macaroni and cheese, tortilla chips with cheese and even birthday cake.

If you are in a breakfast meeting or a lunch meeting with a client, you can always sneak away to the bathroom at some point within the meeting and scarf down your 100 calorie snack as well! Make sure that your snack can easily fit in your pocket and will not spoil (a string cheese or a refrigerated snack would). Not sure that you can resist the bagels and muffins available at the breakfast meeting? Make some of the protein bars into muffins and share! Good choices are the Lemon Protein Bars (add poppy seeds and pass them off as poppy seed muffins) and the Cinnamon Swirl Protein Bread. 

Birthday parties and weddings are the worst for me! Let's face it - I love cake, especially vanilla wedding cake! (Bummer for me that my sister-in-law owns an amazing bakery in D.C. and I can't eat her cupcakes or wedding cakes!) If it's a company shindig (especially those that happen every month) or a birthday party of a friend or family member you know, bring something to share! Suggesting that they try something new will be all you need to introduce them to the Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies, the Chocolate Almond Biscotti or even the Chocolate Protein Bars that taste just like brownies! Weddings... I'm not sure what you should do - it will be a test of willpower and be glad you ate that 100-150 calorie snack before hand!

If you are going to a family gathering or over to a party at a friends house, it's always a good idea to bring one dish that complements what they may be preparing but qualifies as a clean dish for you. Try something that has a mix of protein and carbohydrate in case this ends up being the main thing on your plate, like a quinoa, a bean salad, or a veggie tray with homemade hummus dip. Proper etiquette says you should ask before bringing the dish, but if it's someone that is likely to tell you know, I would bring it without asking!

If you are attending a potluck family, church or work-related function, this one is easy! Who said you can't make more than one dish to share? Nobody! Make a protein-laden dish (like the Turkey Meatloaf Muffins, Turkey Monster Meatloaf or the Stuffed Bell Peppers) and a good-for-you carb dish (like the Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower Mashed "Potatoes" or the Sweet Potato Tots). This will ensure you at least have something to eat! Just ensure you are close to the front of the line so you can be sure to get some of your clean goodness!

Please Note: I am not telling you to be rude to your host or hostess by not having any of their food. That would deeply hurt their feelings, BUT by eating the snack before hand any making wise choices once you are there, you will greatly decrease your risk of throwing off your new lifestyle and not reaching your goals! If you are struggling with family members that don't understand, take a look at our Toxic Friends and Family post!

Happy Celebrating!