February: Eliminate Dairy

So, first thing I wanted to say is.... I am officially coffee free! So as far as I am concerned... it looks like this focus by month resolution guideline has been working for me! I am really excited because I am no longer getting the 2pm slump or the withdrawal headaches when I don't have time to grab coffee in the morning. And I have to say... no headaches=happier more productive Shannon. So yay!

Next, Beginning in a VERY VERY short time.. it looks like I am going to have to give up dairy. My doctor has told me before that I am lactose intolerant.. and I just couldn't handle it. I mean... no cheese!? I am ok with no milk.. i do not drink it already (and sadly I am allergic to soy milk too)... But. Cheese is a totally different story. I LOVE cheese. It makes me so sad to know that I am not going to be able to eat it anymore. I do have to say... I WILL occasionally eat pizza. I just cannot give it up forever. It is just going to be only once a month at the most. I think this whole process will help me to realize that i feel much better without it.. and IF I feel a ton better.. maybe I will give it up completely. But I do not want to be unrealistic and say that I will never ever eat cheese ever again. But I am going to try to limit it to the smallest amount possible.

Also, I wanted to give a little update... I am realizing that as I feel better.. there is a chance I will add next month's goal into this month as well. If i am feeling better all the time.. I am going to try to do the working out thing starting this month too.. then I will just have to move everything up a month. BUT... we will see!

Wish me luck!

Health

Recently, I have been having a lot of health issues and have had to go to the doctor a few times, and while I am not going to elaborate past that on here.. bascially I have been feeling horrible. My doctor asked me to start keeping a food jounral to see if anything can be alleviated by cutting out any particular food or drink. So I have been doing this for about a week and I have realized that I eat very poorly. I used to be a vegetarian.. well almost, I have always eaten fish. But I stopped doing that about a year ago when Erik and I first moved in together because I didn't want to have to make tw different dinners. But, Erik is great, and told me he doesn't mind eating mostly vegetarian again. So, I am thinking I might need to go back to that. (I will REALLY miss buffalo wings... for some reason they are pretty much the only meat food I love). 

So, here I go. Also, I have been looking into cutting my caffeine intake because I am not sure it makes me feel good and also cutting down on gluten. So, here is an experiment that I am willing to try. First things first, I need to figure out a plan for grocery shopping where I don't just buy everything I think looks good, but instead go in there with my weekly plans set out. And, I need to start eating a better breakfast, exercising, doing yoga, cutting down on alcohol, and setting up a sleep schedule. All of this will come easier once I start work again and have a set time to arrive at work. But I need to start now so that the transition is easier. 

So. Wish. Me. Luck. 

Happiness Experiment: Spring

Spring. 
So, the last couple of days have been beautiful.

First, Friday and Saturday were so sunny and warm that I even wore a tank top for awhile. 

Then Sunday, was beautiful with family all together and rain that just took over. (I love rain though). 

But even when the weather isn't cooperating... 
HAPPINESS EXPERIMENT.

I have realized that happiness is totally what you make of it.
You choose your battles, choose your activities.

So. I choose: 

*more date nights with my husband
*more lesuirely reading time, right now I am reading two books:

* making accounting notecards so I am not stuck at home studying, I can do it anywhere.. including sitting outside

* Fresh cut flowers

* Cooking with fresh vegetables and eating fresh fruit

* Spring dresses and attempting jeggings? 

* Going camping and golfing

* drinking lots of coffee 

* figuring out how to successfully stay faithful to an exercise regimen

* 7/11 Slurpees

* Sunglasses 

* Exploring new restaurants, especially ones with outdoor seating

What do you have planned for Spring??

Weekend Adventures: Homemade Granola

So, Erik, my parents, and I have been working on eating healthier and just living a more simple life besed on cooking at home. So I have been thinking that I need to start making more things from scratch just to make sure I can. :) So, since I love Kashi Pumpkin Flax Granola, I am going to attempt to make my own granola. I might even add some flax seeds to the recipe. So here goes!

Ingredients !

• 1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup raw sesame seeds
• 2 cups organic rolled oats
• 1-2 teaspoons organic ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons organic coconut oil, liquefied in a pan of hot water, if necessary
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup organic raisins
• 1/2 cup organic dried cranberries, unsulphured dried apricots, or other dried fruit (chopped, if necessary)
• 1/4 cup raw cacao nibs- optional, but highly recommended (70% dark chocolate chips could be substituted, if desired)

Directions!

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2. Pour all ingredients except cacao nibs in a large bowl and stir well.

3. Spread the mixture evenly onto a baking sheet in a thin layer.

4. Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

5. Remove pan from oven, toss granola around, rotate the pan, and bake for another 15 minutes. Repeat until granola is completely dry and light golden brown (about 1 hour total).

6. Allow to cool and then stir in cacao nibs. Store in an air-tight container.

(From "Healthy Green Kitchen")

Happy Weekend Adventuring!