As a 'hardcore' coffee drinker from the majority of my teens to now, it never occurred to me that it was truly bad for me. Of course, I remember the schpiel they'd always give us in school. Yeah, yeah...caffeine's a drug...addiction...blah blah. I'd always think, "Ease up people, I'm drinking a cup of french vanilla with 2 sugars, not smoking crack."
Realistically though, when most of us coffee drinkers REALLY think about it... could you go a morning without coffee and/or caffeine of any sort? A day? A week? I would have scoffed at the idea! But... as you may know from my last post, I am all about educating myself on the effects of the foods/liquids I choose to put into my body. Too many of us just eat and drink things knowing full well they are bad for us, but would probably opt out of drinking/eating those foods if we knew just HOW bad they are.
I'll spare you the gory details of what long term caffeine use does to your innards, but I started weaning myself off of coffee last week. First my usual, tons of coffee all day every day, then less, and even less, and even less. I am now on day #5 of being coffee/caffeine free!
I won't lie and say it's easy. The headaches alone are enough to make someone break down. Surprisingly, a lot of my difficulty is breaking my mental addiction to it. I have my mind trained to tell my body that I can't function without it, that I NEED it. It's craziness.
My point of all of this? Just try it! Put away the Mr. Coffee and set down the Diet Coke. Give it at least a week. I think you'll find at the end of the 7 days, you don't really NEED it like you think you do. Your innards will thank you! :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
The start of something new.
If you know me at all, you know there's nothing I love more than starting a new project. However, on the same token, I'm also kind of famous for losing interest quickly.You know the story... I'll get super excited about something, start it, then the ADD kicks in... and eventually I lose interest all together and I'm on the next big thing. Meh... it is what it is.
With all of that being said, I've found my latest project - and I've already taken a personal vow not to allow this one to end up like the rest. Why? Because it directly effects my health and longevity of life... and that's a pretty darn good reason to stick to something, if you ask me. What is my big undertaking, you ask? I am now officially a vegetarian. Now, I'm fully aware of the stigma that surrounds vegetarianism, and all I can say is this: I'm doing it for my own personal, healthful-minded reasons. It's something that I've been considering for a few months now. Meat just didn't appeal to me like it used to. One day while bored at work, I decided to watch a documentary. I randomly chose 'Food, Inc.' and... wow! Talk about an eye opening experience. I won't preach on it here, but if you eat food and live in America YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS FILM. After that, I started doing more research and found another documentary supporting an entirely plant-based, whole foods diet called, 'Forks Over Knives.' It was all over from there. My decision was made, and I was off to the grocery store!
It's been a little over one week since I've eaten meat, and I have to say... I feel fantastic. Also, a few weeks ago I stopped eating dairy, minus the occasional cheese here and there. In addition, I've cut out all refined sugar and I'm even in the process of giving up the one thing I said I NEVER would: coffee. GASP! All of these dietary changes has made me significantly more energetic, which allows me to work out more often. Yay!
I won't lie and say it's been easy so far. To completely change your mindset about the food you've been eating for the last 23 years is pretty difficult. Also, vegetarianism requires a lot more cooking....which as you all know from my last post, is not my strong suite - YET. The fun thing is, neither Tyler or I have cooked with a lot of the stuff veggie recipes call for... so we are learning together!
All in all, it's a life change I am really excited about both for myself, and to share with those I love. I've even got a few friends to jump on board with me so far! Again, I encourage everyone to watch Food, Inc if you haven't already. And if you find yourself intrigued with the idea of a plant-based diet, then certainly watch Forks Over Knives.
Enjoy!
With all of that being said, I've found my latest project - and I've already taken a personal vow not to allow this one to end up like the rest. Why? Because it directly effects my health and longevity of life... and that's a pretty darn good reason to stick to something, if you ask me. What is my big undertaking, you ask? I am now officially a vegetarian. Now, I'm fully aware of the stigma that surrounds vegetarianism, and all I can say is this: I'm doing it for my own personal, healthful-minded reasons. It's something that I've been considering for a few months now. Meat just didn't appeal to me like it used to. One day while bored at work, I decided to watch a documentary. I randomly chose 'Food, Inc.' and... wow! Talk about an eye opening experience. I won't preach on it here, but if you eat food and live in America YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS FILM. After that, I started doing more research and found another documentary supporting an entirely plant-based, whole foods diet called, 'Forks Over Knives.' It was all over from there. My decision was made, and I was off to the grocery store!
It's been a little over one week since I've eaten meat, and I have to say... I feel fantastic. Also, a few weeks ago I stopped eating dairy, minus the occasional cheese here and there. In addition, I've cut out all refined sugar and I'm even in the process of giving up the one thing I said I NEVER would: coffee. GASP! All of these dietary changes has made me significantly more energetic, which allows me to work out more often. Yay!
I won't lie and say it's been easy so far. To completely change your mindset about the food you've been eating for the last 23 years is pretty difficult. Also, vegetarianism requires a lot more cooking....which as you all know from my last post, is not my strong suite - YET. The fun thing is, neither Tyler or I have cooked with a lot of the stuff veggie recipes call for... so we are learning together!
All in all, it's a life change I am really excited about both for myself, and to share with those I love. I've even got a few friends to jump on board with me so far! Again, I encourage everyone to watch Food, Inc if you haven't already. And if you find yourself intrigued with the idea of a plant-based diet, then certainly watch Forks Over Knives.
Enjoy!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The crock pot... a busy wife's best friend.
I'm just going to say it. I am a terrible cook.
Well, not necessarily terrible in the sense that I can't make mac and cheese (although I have messed it up before!), but terrible like I really have no clue what I'm doing. And just to clear the air, this is not for my mom's lack of trying. For years, my mom would call me into the kitchen while she made dinner to try to involve me and give me at least a small idea of what was involved with cooking a meal. And in my teenage-ness, I would roll my eyes, tell her this is stupid, and go watch TV. My mom being right in the end...imagine that!
Luckily, I am blessed with a husband who not only knows what he's doing, but loves to cook and experiment with new foods and recipes. While I don't think I will ever quite share his enthusiasm, after almost 8 months of marriage it's starting to hit me - I need to learn to cook and I need to learn to like it. But, what's a busy wife with 2 jobs and a full college course load to do? Enter the greatest invention ever made... the crock pot! Why I am just now discovering this amazing little guy is mystery, but I digress. Putting a bunch of food inside a pot, leaving for work, and coming home to an incredible smelling house and dinner is ready to serve? Yeah, that's MY kind of cooking!
Here's the recipe I'm trying today... http://thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/easiest-dinner-ever.html. Yum, right?!
So fellow wives, what are some of your favorite crock pot recipes? Tips? Comments? Feel free to share!
Well, not necessarily terrible in the sense that I can't make mac and cheese (although I have messed it up before!), but terrible like I really have no clue what I'm doing. And just to clear the air, this is not for my mom's lack of trying. For years, my mom would call me into the kitchen while she made dinner to try to involve me and give me at least a small idea of what was involved with cooking a meal. And in my teenage-ness, I would roll my eyes, tell her this is stupid, and go watch TV. My mom being right in the end...imagine that!
Luckily, I am blessed with a husband who not only knows what he's doing, but loves to cook and experiment with new foods and recipes. While I don't think I will ever quite share his enthusiasm, after almost 8 months of marriage it's starting to hit me - I need to learn to cook and I need to learn to like it. But, what's a busy wife with 2 jobs and a full college course load to do? Enter the greatest invention ever made... the crock pot! Why I am just now discovering this amazing little guy is mystery, but I digress. Putting a bunch of food inside a pot, leaving for work, and coming home to an incredible smelling house and dinner is ready to serve? Yeah, that's MY kind of cooking!
Here's the recipe I'm trying today... http://thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/easiest-dinner-ever.html. Yum, right?!
So fellow wives, what are some of your favorite crock pot recipes? Tips? Comments? Feel free to share!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Little moments.
Just one of the many, many reasons that I love being a newlywed are the little 'moments'. I can't exactly describe them, but they are usually something small, silly and unexpected, and give me a ooey-gooey feeling inside. Picture 'The Elf'... "I'm in love, I'm in love, and I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT!"
For example, I was in the kitchen unloading dishes one day and overheard Tyler talking on the phone to someone. The only piece of the conversation I heard was, "...my wife...blah blah blah." Instant huge smile! As cheesy as it is, I don't think I will EVER tire of hearing the man I love most in this world call me his wife. Hands down, one of my favorite little 'moments'.
A more recent moment I had... thinking about the fact that we are about to experience our first holiday season as a married couple. Woo-hoo! Admittedly, by December of last year (less than 2 months til the wedding), I was less than filled with the holiday spirit. Wedding planning, cake tastings, meetings with vendors, RSVPs, and stress had taken over my every thought. Needless to say, I am pretty excited knowing the most stressful thing this holiday season will be what dish to bring to the Burd family Christmas. Yikes! :P
For example, I was in the kitchen unloading dishes one day and overheard Tyler talking on the phone to someone. The only piece of the conversation I heard was, "...my wife...blah blah blah." Instant huge smile! As cheesy as it is, I don't think I will EVER tire of hearing the man I love most in this world call me his wife. Hands down, one of my favorite little 'moments'.
A more recent moment I had... thinking about the fact that we are about to experience our first holiday season as a married couple. Woo-hoo! Admittedly, by December of last year (less than 2 months til the wedding), I was less than filled with the holiday spirit. Wedding planning, cake tastings, meetings with vendors, RSVPs, and stress had taken over my every thought. Needless to say, I am pretty excited knowing the most stressful thing this holiday season will be what dish to bring to the Burd family Christmas. Yikes! :P
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