tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721973358362038582024-03-19T03:21:01.930-07:00for the love of french friesa string of unorganized thoughts and really long run-on sentences..Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-58956912549616928102012-02-21T17:28:00.000-08:002012-02-21T17:43:35.418-08:00these are things i need to tell you..I just took down our Christmas tree. Like 5 minutes ago. And you know what? I kind of miss it. That's probably what happens when you keep a Christmas tree up for 4 months. It becomes part of the family.<br />
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And you want to know what else? Riley and Belle finally caught a squirrel today. My sweet, loving fur-babies turned into crazed jungle-beasts and took down an innocent squirrel. They've been on the hunt for weeks and I totally created a storybook idea of how the whole thing would go down should they ever actually come even remotely close to "snuggling" up to a squirrel. Basically I was picturing the frolicking forest creatures in Bambi and it turned out to be straight up NatGeo safari documentary-style. It was terrifying and I feel totally responsible. Do squirrels play dead? I think (read:<i> really really</i> <i>hope</i>) it might have been playing dead. Regardless, I cried and had a small panic attack. I'm sorry squirrel.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCh7oziDIaPzrWh1Qut8AFKLK5rj9YI5DUwoNjVjC4RvJALAfMAxp9BfA2xKAUPg6DZEOCbRXvx_vuaSRvolgb721FQiws8_PlfNY-ZqFKa2iMP0W-0Z-kqaQaa166C91CatsM0_LtJU/s1600/riley-squirrel" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCh7oziDIaPzrWh1Qut8AFKLK5rj9YI5DUwoNjVjC4RvJALAfMAxp9BfA2xKAUPg6DZEOCbRXvx_vuaSRvolgb721FQiws8_PlfNY-ZqFKa2iMP0W-0Z-kqaQaa166C91CatsM0_LtJU/s400/riley-squirrel" style="border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or so I thought.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One last thing. I have a terrible problem. I can't stop watching Toddlers and Tiaras. Have you seen that show? I just watched a three-year-old in a Dallas Cowboys costume dropping it like it's hot. <i>Not</i> real life.<br />
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P.S. I still love my little murderer babies. Don't judge me.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-56235030595542557812012-02-16T07:53:00.000-08:002012-02-16T09:02:18.261-08:00i am smitten...don't worry, even if you are a cynical crab about valentine's day then you can still read this post and not vom.. if you are a cynical crab about life, maybe not.<br />
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However, if you are a cynical crab about life who wants to be a happier clam, read on my friend. Also, I'm done with ocean references. I think.<br />
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I AM SMITTEN Y'ALL...with my pretty little life and every cutieface in it.<br />
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I bet everyone thinks this, I hope everyone thinks this, but I'm sure I have the most supportive (and probably best-looking) lot of people surrounding me all the time. <b>ALL THE TIME</b>. My coworkers, besties, gym-mates, dogs.. every last one of 'em are phenomenal, positive, clever, witty, goal-oriented people (and dogs! my dogs totally have goals, it might be to get the trash bag off the counter and tear it to shreds but, goals exist for them nonetheless) and I gotta say, it makes such a difference.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXtCq7v0tN5-Npd0Kev_H_wq1DM0ImPIZCF2KTwvC028vQwXwjnWV9B-NQWNelHKM5iQnAtog9AmMvSFO1_FmKvVtwb2JU-nFavJShyk1ZKIIiPxR6ykuZlYbnE5jQRdIP-u2-QHoBwc/s1600/IMG_0589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXtCq7v0tN5-Npd0Kev_H_wq1DM0ImPIZCF2KTwvC028vQwXwjnWV9B-NQWNelHKM5iQnAtog9AmMvSFO1_FmKvVtwb2JU-nFavJShyk1ZKIIiPxR6ykuZlYbnE5jQRdIP-u2-QHoBwc/s320/IMG_0589.jpg" style="border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppy goal achieved!</td></tr>
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I used to kick around that saying "<i>you are who your friends are</i>," but I don't think I ever took that so seriously until now. <i>I am</i> who my friends (and family and dogs) are and hot tamale (the candy, duh), I LOOK GOOD. So thanks people and puppies, you make me look really put together and important and famous.<br />
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This cushy cloud of reinforcement has placed me in a hotspot of possibility and it's pretty much a dance party from here on out.<br />
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On the life docket:<br />
<ul>
<li>Dive headfirst into my community and explore all its goodness. (Want to try something new? CALL ME. Short of experimental pharmaceutical tests and tattoo-ing ourselves, I'll go.)</li>
<li>Kick off an unstoppable event planning business with my galpal and pretty much soulmate, <a href="http://seriouslysearcy.blogspot.com/">Shan</a>!</li>
<li>Be a cream-of-the-crop coach/trainer/cheerleader/teammate at <a href="http://www.crossfitwesthouston.com/">the gym</a> that has completely changed my view of fitness.</li>
<li>Acquire the much coveted position as DOFI (director of first impression) at <a href="http://www.bigyogahouston.com/">Big Yoga Houston</a>. Calcs, you can consider this my formal application.</li>
<li>RUN a half marathon (It's fine. I've only run 3 miles at one time in my whole life. But it's <i>fine</i>.)</li>
<li>Make hundreds o' cuppiecakes for major events! </li>
<li>Take over the world, one pair of stretchy pants at a time.</li>
</ul>
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My heart might just burst from all the love. And if it did burst, I'm positive it would be a mess of confetti, glitter and sprinkles. Wouldn't you agree?<br />
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Cynical crustaceans? Are you still there? Anyone?<br />
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In other news, Facebook is trying to ruin my internet social life by withholding notifications that people have messaged/posted/responded/poked me. RUDE. You will not win, Zuckerberg.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-51844904294536690622012-01-27T07:05:00.000-08:002012-01-27T07:22:58.846-08:00we took family pictures..and it was AWESOME.<br />
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Seriously people, if you have really cute dogs/children/friends/cats/ferrets..WHATEVER, I highly encourage you to drop a little monies and get some professional pictures taken. Emphasis on <i>professional</i> because I know everyone thinks they're an award-winning photographer (including me) now that they have an iPhone. Not true.<br />
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Hate to break it to ya, but the editing and point of view magic that a pro can pull off is far beyond that of your valencia filter on <a href="http://instagr.am/p/jncsa/">instagram</a>. Okay? Okay. AND when you hire someone else to take pictures of you, you aren't stuck taking weirdo long-arm myspace pictures of yourself. Double win.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9juZ18lupgVMc6NxFau5d0zE_dycx5NvFM47L6wgXLI3gkIlxpBfL10qEc2p5FXu4u-oPs5Y9q1DUN68h4YlOYAxjTjoBAbZ7Ei7HBYc5mv4oetPyd3C7Zvuhyz_dh7mQG3zGraxTss/s1600/IMG_8808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9juZ18lupgVMc6NxFau5d0zE_dycx5NvFM47L6wgXLI3gkIlxpBfL10qEc2p5FXu4u-oPs5Y9q1DUN68h4YlOYAxjTjoBAbZ7Ei7HBYc5mv4oetPyd3C7Zvuhyz_dh7mQG3zGraxTss/s400/IMG_8808.jpg" style="border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please note: Ryan had the treats. There's even photographic evidence of the hand off.</td></tr>
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I cannot even begin to say enough good things about <a href="http://thelifeyoulovephotography.com/">our photographer</a>. She was sugarsweet, infinitely patient and took approximately <a href="http://thelifeyoulovephotography.com/melissa-ryans-hyde-park-family-session/2012/01/26/">4,987 pictures of us</a>. More importantly, we didn't feel rushed or stressed, in fact, it was far the opposite. We had tilt-a-whirl amusement-park fun (not to be confused with circus fun, which is not actual fun because it's terrifying. i mean, clowns and hairy women? really?) <br />
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Belle and Riley ate a month's worth of treats, we chased them around and somehow we magically (magic = Lindsey's photography powers) got fantastic results. I can't think of a better way for our little family to finish off the year.<br />
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All this being said, I've decided to dismiss actual gifts for the next decade or so and instead just send people pictures of us in different mediums. Canvas art of my face? Check.<br />
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Clear the fridge. And maybe some wall space.<br />
<br />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-47013395026391359662012-01-25T12:56:00.000-08:002012-01-26T15:14:00.011-08:00oh how the tides have changed..It's official. I'm taking over the world. (read: i quit my very safe, very insured, very routine and standard job to become a full-time employee at <a href="http://www.lululemon.com/houston/highlandvillage">lululemon</a> and coach <a href="http://www.crossfitwesthouston.com/">Crossfit</a>.) Also, I totally got this blog post title from my new favorite OPI color: Stranger tides. It's all very deep.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDmr7yJCAwtB5FbIMd6c2ZxqrlP7tLuaaYklNSLwokA5NT2bQv4vgDJ0zzsmmGBrjhFvQ0UC7vyJYMqhpx9H50hlKmsOfz1UgREIRM3Lcp5mXfGKn0ri7-O2YQjuZZyEDUPHqq6He-MM/s1600/dsc08220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDmr7yJCAwtB5FbIMd6c2ZxqrlP7tLuaaYklNSLwokA5NT2bQv4vgDJ0zzsmmGBrjhFvQ0UC7vyJYMqhpx9H50hlKmsOfz1UgREIRM3Lcp5mXfGKn0ri7-O2YQjuZZyEDUPHqq6He-MM/s320/dsc08220.jpg" style="border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo found<a href="http://thelacquerlog.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/opi-pirates-of-the-caribbean-stranger-tides/"> here</a>. My manicure was less impressive.</td></tr>
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Here's some catch up:<br />
I've been working as a weekend warrior at lululemon since March. (That's right, I've worked seven days a week for almost a year..wha?!) BUT I drool over the company culture and adore all the girls (and few guys) that work there so it doesn't feel like work. They have amazing chemistry and love life, so needless to say, two measly days a week just wasn't enough for me.<br />
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Flashback! This is something that I put in a never-published work-in-progress post lonnnngg ago when I first started there.<br />
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<i>"One of the best parts of the lululemon culture is the intensity with which people set and achieve goals. Thus, I've committed to setting new goals that will give me focus everyday. These aren't going to be your average, run of the mill NYE-resolution-I-gave-up-chocolate-for-Lent-unless-it's-Friday-Saturday-or-Sunday goals. I want really ambitious goals that can change lives (specifically mine). I have a goal to set goals? Pretty mucho."</i><br />
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Good news, it still applies! My little vida loca is on the upswing and with all this change, I've committed to setting shiny new reach-for-the-sky goals. <br />
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Here's a good one: I post to my blog <i>once a week</i> by February 2012.<br />
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And another: I <i>wear heels</i> and feel fancy once a week by March 2012. <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rIWpOaBDpnHqVTp-2sotxw?feat=embedwebsite">Serious heels</a>, none of that kitten heel bull-naynay.<br />
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If I'm feeling frisky, I might even blog IN heels. <br />
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Want to know everything there ever is to know about setting goals and being awesome? Look here: <a href="http://www.lululemon.com/education/goalsetting?mnid=mn;education;goal-setting">YAY GOALS!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.lululemon.com/education/goalsetting?mnid=mn;education;goal-setting"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0p2Z4lt-qO-0GwM7AP59K9L3ucAKUFdNq2riJ5FwyghRLEOPOIhlp4pBCEvPsXeV-2o2iP8wzpufvtnppbi2QynZqb1cT0GFOsfrt7_tguDYbjktVkS-3_kI6WWmE7yHlhNQYQI4WNU/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0p2Z4lt-qO-0GwM7AP59K9L3ucAKUFdNq2riJ5FwyghRLEOPOIhlp4pBCEvPsXeV-2o2iP8wzpufvtnppbi2QynZqb1cT0GFOsfrt7_tguDYbjktVkS-3_kI6WWmE7yHlhNQYQI4WNU/s400/IMG_0889.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.S. I have two furry babies now. Pretty cute, huh? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Until next time (which will be ONE week from now at the latest), party on monkeys.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-54601328131818434562011-03-01T16:08:00.000-08:002011-03-01T16:08:01.064-08:00keeping up with the keeping ups.This is an old post that's still totally relevant because duhsuperduh, its a perfect example of how I'm NOT keeping up..::sigh::<br />
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Let's try again..and for the first half, just travel back in time to about October 2010? I'll let you know when we're back to present day. Ready? GO.<br />
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It appears that I've reached a point in my life where I feel the need to go a million miles a minute. That's right ONE MILLION miles A MINUTE. Crazy, right? Yes, but I think I like it that way.<br />
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Example: I don't have a single free weekend until mid December. And that doesn't really count because, well, mid December is pretty much Christmas time. And who has spare minutes during holiday season? I certainly don't. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that I have an itch to try and do and travel and be more and more which is why (WHY?) I'm a pretty busy gal and why I technically don't have any free time until 2011. Sorry if I missed you. Put in a request for January and I'll see about adding you to the social calendar I had to make for me and the bfriend (HRR) to keep our heads on straight. He's not such a fan.<br />
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All that being said, I've noticed in my fuss to plan and execute and have band-aids and wipeys in my purse for upcoming events, I have a tendency to ignore the right now. The things that need to be done today...like my laundry. My laundry actually needed to be done like 2 weeks ago, but like I said, I plan for the future and surely can't be fretting over the past.<br />
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Present day commences..now. Did I lose you? Just shake it off..<br />
So while I'm still having some trouble keeping up with the ups, I have finally restored some semblance of normalcy in my alice-in-wonderland-rabbit-hole-tea-party life. HRR and I have restored order in our frat house of an apartment..hallelujah. People who tell you they can lead normal lives in a trash heap of a home are liars..and probably hoarders, who are clearly confused.<br />
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Here's a quick recap of what you might've missed:<br />
I'm officially a omnivore again. That's right. No more vegetarianism for me. Sorry friends, but I gave it SIX years and decided that it wasn't the right plan for me (so maybe I'm slow). But wait, there's more! Not only am I an omnivore, but I'm (mostly)<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCFZoqmKf5M"> Paleo</a>! Ahhh! It's a beautiful thing that can change your life, but I won't go off on that tangent..yet.<br />
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In the past 5 months, I've been averaging about 60-80 hours a week at work..yes you read that correctly (do you feel bad for shaking your head when you read the time that has passed between my last post and this one? you should.) It's finally slowed down a bit (for now), but the unpredictability is annoying and totally interferes with my <a href="http://www.crossfitwesthouston.com/">Crossfitting</a> and favorite people time.<br />
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More recently, I dished out the monies and got my <a href="http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml">Crossfit Level 1 Cert</a>. BIG EFF DEAL, people. Seriously. I learned a million things and can't wait to share them with the world..get ready. <br />
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I'm still trying to decide where to take this sweet mothership of a blog, I'm thinking I could post something that's actually useful to the 3 people that read it, like recipes and workouts that I find particularly torturous, but we'll see. Suggestions?<br />
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Also, french fry adventures have decreased significantly since the dawn of the Paleo era, but I still bank on my cheat meals to hoover some fried tater deliciousness..worry not!<br />
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While you're waiting 3 more months for me to post again, check out these hip writings of a couple of the aformentioned favorite peoples.<a href="http://twirlingupapurplepath.blogspot.com/"> Karina</a> is going to be a theater star and <a href="http://omstatements.tumblr.com/">Calcy</a> is going to be the master of all the yogis in the land. Read, learn, imitate.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-54201434977696291372010-08-23T15:42:00.000-07:002010-08-23T15:42:29.164-07:00weekends are not for the weakI love my job, it's interesting and fast-paced and keeps my brain stimulated. I work with a variety of personalities which I'm pretty sure makes me more well-rounded and somehow more sane at the end of the day, BUT when it comes right down to it, I'm always working for the weekend. The weekend brings me peace (if I want it) and a sense of freedom that comes with choosing to do whatever you want with the 8 hours you usually spend chained to an office chair. Most importantly, the weekend brings me more time to spend with people who make me laugh so hard my face hurts.<br />
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Bringing me to my next point (I promise, there's a point), I've discovered that I'm most definitely an eat-when-I'm-happy kind of gal. If I'm feeling stressed or bummed, food is not the fix, but good gravy, if I'm having a grand time, bring on the snacks! Quite the pickle because being that I'm really a happy clam, generally speaking, that tends to equal me eating (rather carelessly) 98.4% of the time. And since I have <a href="http://omstatements.tumblr.com/">beautiful people</a> in my life that make me feel special and important, I have to blame them for eating fried pickles (pun intended) and macaroni and cheese last night. Sorry guys, I love you, but this is totally your fault.<br />
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FRIED PICKLES, people. Who does that?<br />
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I'm always amazed by the "slippery slope" that becomes of poor food choices. And while a few munchies here and there are nothing to blog about, a whole weekend of foods that are made of regret and indigestion is probably something to marinate on for a minute. It's like the freedom of the weekend sends my sensible side into a tizzy, leaving my less than regimented side free to wreak havoc on the ole' bod.<br />
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The point is, when I'm totally content, I don't stop to consider what I'm putting into my body and quite frankly that will almost always lead to a feeling of discontent shortly thereafter. Exhibit A. waking up this morning was absolute torture, I actually felt like a slug trudging through the apartment.<br />
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SO this week will be made of good decisions! Strong-willed, clear-minded, educated decisions! Besides, I have to start training for a <a href="http://crossfitchampions.com/oktoberfest-obliteration-ii">team competition</a> in October. The idea of people counting on me <strike>not to suck</strike> to be my very best should be motivational, no?<br />
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Oh and in case you were wondering, I had fries last week. Twice.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772197335836203858.post-26415427119900036492010-08-18T09:31:00.000-07:002010-08-18T09:31:15.077-07:00taking responsibility is overrated<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's the deal.</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I freaking love food. LOVE it. But in general, I make terrible choices when I'm eating. I know good-for-you things taste good because I make them all the time for my roommate (maybe he's my boyfriend too, details) but for some reason I always gravitate toward the bad-for-you things instead. WHY? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Things I can blame:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-growing up on a diet of lucky charms, white rice and grilled cheese sandwiches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-food stylists and photographers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-my entire collegiate career</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-the little seasoning mix on french fries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-girl scouts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-all treat shops ever created ever on the planet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-the trickery that sugar plays on your brain </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-myself? nah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, I've been a vegetarian for about 6 years and think I might not be anymore. Weird, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Needless to say, I'm utterly confused. Maybe I'll gain some clarity through this little exercise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774699350279659noreply@blogger.com0