WiNNeR AnnOuncMenT

Rima!! Go on with your belly dancing self and buy something nice :)

Congrats - be sure to let me know what you buy (and no it doesn't have to be fitness stuff) 

Thank you to everyone who showed interest in this contest. Hopefully I get more chances like this in the future! 

Raw Food/Yoga Bod

Okay, Okay I have debated back and forth whether or not to post these pictures cuz I really don't like to show it all LoL - but here they are!

I'm hoping this can give a little inspiration to the people out there who are wanting to make a shift to better their lives. Physical activity and a healthy diet does and will increase your well being. Once the body is working at its maximum potential the mind will follow, and vice verse. Keep moving, keep loving, and keep smiling :)

I'm still a work in progress - but eating right and exercising daily are quickly getting me to the place I want to be.

Holy Crap!!

$25 Gift Card Giveaway!

Hey people! I've been given this pretty sweet opportunity from CSN Stores to giveaway a $25.00 gift card to one of my readers. 

CSN sells a wide variety of stuff - from dining tables to fitness equipment. 

Check out their full site here: www.csnstores.com

If you saw something you think might be useful to you (which I'm sure you did) go ahead and post a comment to this blog telling me what your favorite work out is. 

Now, you can totally use this gift card for whatever it is you want - but I would be so proud if you used it toward something from the health/fitness section. I know, I know...you're a grown up and totally capable of making your own decisions...so that's why I'm requesting that you tell me your favorite work out in order to be entered. At least that way I'm getting your mind going in the right direction - I hope. LoL

I'll leave this open until Sunday, August 29th.

I am going to put the name of all who enter into a hat (well probably a bowl) and choose at random. If you're selected, I will contact you for your e-mail address so I can pass it along to CSN. Once they have your information they will send you a $25.00 gift certificate which can then be used toward your online purchase from any of their 200+ stores! Free stuff is SO cool.

Thank you for reading, and good luck! 

*So remember - just comment to this post telling me your favorite work out and I will enter your name into the drawing.*

What's my favorite? Gotta give it up for the core workouts - I love me some tight abs :)

2am and I'm sitting here writin this blog (If I get it all down on paper it's no longer inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to)

Alright, so it's not 2am...it's only 9:30pm but I didn't wanna ruin the song!

So, I know I already wrote a blog today...but I just feel this sudden urge to get some things out. I will probably hold off posting it tonight anyways. Don't wanna overwhelm people LoL 

Earlier today I listened to this great podcast done by Dhrumil Purohit and Philip McCluskey on purpose, passion, career and money. It's pretty much right in line with where my focus and confusion has been over the past couple of months. How can I take my passion and turn it into a career? 

Well, for one...I have multiple passions, and two...I have no idea how to start a business. To tell ya the truth I don't know if I'm even capable of running things on my own. On here I can hide behind my computer...but get me out in a crowd and who0o boy the fear sets in pretty quick. 

Okay, I'm getting side tracked. What I wanted to talk about is how I came to the realization that although there are tons of stuff I am passionate about, there is only one true thing worth spending the majority of my energy on. Yeah, yeah I love nutrition and healthy food...but it always comes to a dead end for me. I always feel like I'm pushing myself to learn things about nutrition and feel bogged down by food the majority of the time. Food is kickin my ass...it consumes all my thoughts and dictates my day. I find myself eating when I'm not hungry, and in all honesty I believe I'm putting WaY too much emphasis on the importance of food in my life. It's just food! 

So, I had to ask myself...is food really where I want to center my attention? The answer is...No, I don't! So, what is it I want to do then? 

Drum roll....

Fitness! I absolutely LoVe to work out. I love everything about working out. I love the sweating, the burning, the energy it gives, and most of all I love the way working out re-shapes the body. I could work out all day long. 

Why didn't I realize this before? Sure, eating a healthy diet is mucho importante, but nothing is more important than following your passion. 

Clearly I've been focused on the wrong things. If I am going to be of any use to myself or the people around me, it's time to start focusing on my strengths. Food will find it's proper place in my life. I'm sure I'll still talk about how important eating raw food is, but I will no longer feel like I'm trapped by food. If I sat around and ate all day that would make me feel like poo...but if I was up and working out all day that would make me feel wonderful! Food is not a primary in my life. It never was growing up, and the only reason it's become such an issue now is because I let my thoughts be overrun by nothing but food. I have put food up on a pedistool and forgot about all the other things that are so important to health. 

I think I should have taken the hint when the school I was taking nutrition classes through filed for bankruptcy. Obviously the universe is tryin to tell me to switch careers lol. 

Gosh, I feel so happy right now. I sorta feel like I can start taking steps in a more positive direction...like I'm totally coming from a place of willingness now, rather than just doing something because I thought it was the right thing to do. My body has always been so important to me. There is nothing more beautiful than a person who is healthy and in shape. Cianara food brain and hello fitness noggin. Heavy on the cheese? Yeah, I think so too...can you imagine livin with a brain that pops out silly things like that? Psshh

Be looking for fitness and beauty tips...and possibly some workout demos. 

 Like I said, the gears are a turnin.

It's all about havin fun, and what's more fun than looking good and feeling great? Get up and get movin toward the direction of your dreams people.

Here's a link to that podcast - just in case you're curious 

http://bit.ly/dxpnvf

Got Goals? You betcha!

Truth is, I have many goals. Goals which I will most likely be filtering through this blog, but for today I will keep it simple and explain my current mission...

GreeN SmoothiE WeeK :) 

* Here are the conditions - I drink at least one green smoothie a day for 7 days. We have some fruit at the house that may spoil if not eaten, and as I've already explained - jackfruit just doesn't taste right in a smoothie. So0o as long as I have one green smoothie a day, and eat nothing else but fruit, I will feel happily successful.

Lets use this goal as an example and fill in the blanks from yesterdays outline for goal setting :

1. Develop an intense desire to achieve your goal!

    * LoL not too sure how desire-full you can get about green smoothies, but I'm chalked full with desire! 

2. Develop a strong belief in your goal!

    * I believe that my tummy needs a break and eating only fruit and green smoothies will definitely give it a rest. Fruit is super easy to digest (usually passing through our systems in about 30min.) and green smoothies are blended - so the fibers are already broken down fairly well which makes digestion and absorption a lot easier. 

3. Write your goals down!

    * Ha! I'm so on top of my game

4. Determine how you will benefit from achieving your goal!

    * I will have more energy, my stomach will have a chance to repair itself a little from all the past damage I've caused. My digestion will get back on track, and I'll get to enjoy yummy fruity goodness - all in my favorite color - GreeN! 

5. Analyze your starting point!

    * Right now! From this moment I am committing to eating/drinking nothing but fruit and green smoothies.

6. Set deadlines to achieve your goals!

    * No real deadline - Going to commit for a week - Monday 23rd to Monday 30th

7. Identify the obstacles that stand in your way!

    * I am probably my biggest obstacle. I'm already thinking about all the things other than fruit or green smoothies that I want to eat. I have a journal and I'm going to write down every desire that comes into my head that is not in line with my current goal...sort of a way to release without having to actually act on the cravings. 

8. Identify the additional knowledge or information you will require!

    * Just some recipes and I'll be set. 

9. Identify the people whose cooperation you will require. 

    * Me, myself and I 

10. Make a plan to achieve your goals!

     * That's what I'm doing...right? 

11. Visualize the achievement of your goals! 

      * I see green in my future...

12. Persist until your goals are achieved!

      * Okie Dokie!  

Bottoms Up!

Got Goals?

The mark of a winner is intense goal orientation. 

The first step before you begin a journey is an undiminished decision as to where you are headed. 

Dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to achieving your goal.

As long as you're going to dream, dream great dreams. 

Work on yourself like a work of art through goal setting. 

Proper planning prevents poor performance.

      I borrowed these lines from David Wolfe's book, "The Sunfood Diet." This book covers it all - healthy nutrition and healthy thinking patterns. In my opinion healthy thinking patterns are FAR more beneficial than a healthy diet. The mind can do a lot - it can help us or trip us. If we are going to succeed in anything then we have to get our minds on track and in the right position to achieve our goals. Everyone has goals. There is always a burning passion within a persons heart. Those who follow that passion and live life to their fullest potential are the ones who enjoy life. Those are the people who are constantly smiling...and are always focused on what it is they want to do in life. 

Every single decision we make as humans does its part in shaping the world. What you do makes a difference. Even if you think you don't or can't add value to the world - you do. Start to live like every moment counts. Our future is not shaped by our past - rather it is our present actions that shape our future. Talk is cheap - actions always speak louder than words. The way you act on things determines your success. Act according to your dreams - not because you read to do so, but because you want to do so. 

Take a look at these twelve steps to goal achievement that were outlined by Brian Tracy:

1. Develop an intense desire to achieve your goals.

    *  If you don't have an intense desire to do something then maybe it isn't the right thing for you. It's all about passion. You'll know when you find something worth while...it will make you feel so good that nothing else but that one thing will make sense. Just thinking about it will fill you up with happiness. 

2. Develop a strong belief in your goals. 

     * Know without a doubt that this goal is going to add value to your life. It is worth while and good will come of it. 

3. Write your goals down 

     * Make a list and check them off as you achieve them. 

4. Determine how you will benefit from achieving your goals. 

     * Not only how you will benefit, but also how others may benefit. 

5. Analyze your starting point. 

     * What is it that needs to be done in order to give you a great jump start? Maybe make a poster or vision board outlining all the things you want to see happen in your future. This is fun - totally brings ya back to the classroom days. Make it colorful and play around with pictures and maybe even some markers...oOohhh 

6. Set deadlines to achieving your goals. 

     * I'm not too sure how I feel about this whole deadline thing. Yes, it's good to have an outline of our goals, but to put a certain date as to when/where it should be achieved seems a little silly to me. Just set your goal and let things happen as they will. There really won't be an end if you just go with the flow of life...it will just continue to unfold. One goal will lead to the next and things will fit together perfectly. 

7. Identify the obstacles that stand in your way. 

    * We will all face challenges along the path to success. Find out what it is that may be holding you back and do your best to pull away from those things. Fill your time up so much with the things you want that there is no longer any room in your life for the obstacles. 

8. Identify the additional knowledge or information you will require. 

    * I love this quote I heard - "All this struggling to learn when all we have to do is remember. All the wisdom we require is already within us." Can't remember who it was by, but it speaks such truth. You will be lead to whatever it is you need to succeed. If you are drawn to read a certain book or article, listen to yourself and follow that inner feeling. The information will come to you when you are ready to take it in. 

9. Identify the people whose cooperation you will require. 

    * People are great - two is better than one - the more the better. Connect with people who can support you in achieving your goal. Help comes in the most mysterious forms - be open to accepting that help...but remember that the biggest help you can get is the help that comes from believing in yourself. Don't ever fully rely on other people to make you happy or make your dreams come true. People are just helpers. You are the true creator of your life. People come and go, but you will be with you forever. Remember to depend on yourself more than anyone else, cuz ultimately only you can bring yourself true happiness.

10. Make a plan to achieve your goals. 

     * Determine the necessary steps that will need to be taken in order for you to obtain the things you want, and stick to it! 

11. Visualize the achievement of your goal. 

     * Envision what your future will look and feel like once your goal has been achieved. Hold onto that feeling throughout your day. Know that you are on the right track and making positive shifts in your life. Be sure of yourself and your goal, and be happy about it! 

12. Persist until your goals are achieved. 

      * As much as we'd all like things to be a breeze and come easy, many of us know that this isn't actually the case. Anything worth having is worth working for. It's going to take true effort and compassion to achieve your goal. Road blocks are going to present themselves, but just keep working hard and soon or later those road blocks are going to clear. 

Think about this - What happens when there is construction on the road? Traffic, right? Things move slow, people get frustrated, and it seems to take FoReVeR to make it to your destination. Well, think of working toward a goal as reconstructing your life. Things might move slow, you could get frustrated, and it may take what seems like forever to reach your goal....but sooner or later the road will be finished - complete with new pavement. Traffic will start to flow and after a while you won't even remember that old beat up road that was once there. Be patient with the work that needs to be done. 

Tomorrows blog? An outline of my own personal goal and how I am going to go about achieving it. Commitment! Uh oh...can she do it folks?