Temptation

I'm not talking wine and cigs though, but processed foods, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, caffeine overload, and excessive online shopping. By the way hello and long time no blog! Eating light-to-heavy immensely works for me since I discovered Kimberly Snyder's blog. I also found the fountain of youth in water-based fruits and veggies along with jumping on the rebounder ( that's a mini-trampoline) almost every day. Then I sprained my ankle about a month ago. It's close to 100% now but I noticed a huge difference in my body. I also have been doing Tracy Anderson's arm exercises on YouTube which are doing wonders as well, great for not being able to jump on my left foot. I'm now going to put my second glass of iced coffee back in the fridge (to save money the man and I get Starbucks VIA instant coffee) and going to get a glass of water instead. Then in a few minutes I'll get on the tramp and forget any of the binge eating happened. I really want to blame singer Colin Hay for telling the audience last night at a local venue that he lives off of coffee since he quit drinking. So I thought today not only I can VIA binge, but eat an entire lentil wrap in lavash bread and six flax crackers dipped in light cream cheese and a chocolate pot de crime with whipped cream. Boy it was heaven though and does it sound THAT evil?

Breakfast still consists of fruit, maybe superfood jam on Ezekiel bread, and I'll go back to soup and salad for lunch and the heavy stuff for dinner. I can absolutely feel the difference and it makes perfect sense to eat energizing, fresh foods during the day.

The Internet is ruinning my life. Well Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com did so I cut up my card. I also stopped buying designer anything online. I decided to stick to my 'going green in 2013' motto. I only buy for charity or vintage. I also heard a Dave Matthews song on the XM radio today, "What I want is what I've got and what I need is all around me." It's time to do another appreciate what I have month.

Love,

SG

Three months and eight days

Raw pad thai

There’s a local Salt Lake City vegan cafe (a favorite of Moby, one of my favorite musicians) who serves a raw pad Thai that’s over $15. So I created my own. Any cabbage and greens will do for the base. I’m into maché right now, along with shredded brussels sprouts and cabbage. Then I spiral slice zucchini and carrots. Beets are divine in this too. Crumble on a handful of walnuts. Tear up broccoli florets into tiny pieces. mince garlic and jalapeño. All raw!! Then add sesame oil, tamari, lime juice, and sesame seeds. Bok choi is also ideal for this. Enjoy!

Lime cleanses.
Garlic prevents cancers and cleans the blood.
Walnuts have vitamin E and protein.
Broccoli is “The Tree Of Life” one of the best superfoods.
Greens have chlorophyll.
Cabbage and brussels sprouts have tons of nutrients.
Tamari is gluten-free.
There’s protein in sesame seeds.
Onions clean the blood and help with weight loss.
Jalepeño contains capsaicin and boosts the immune system.

I’m also hooked on the rebounder, which is toning the CRAP out of my body. Jumping on a mini tramp also cleans the lymph as well as giving you buns O’ steel. You can buy a DVD but I watch this bootlegged Tracy Anderson workout vid, she’s a trainer to Gweneth Paltrow. I also love her toning arm workout, free online. Thanks YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtUEr_oy_o4

That’s one lesson I learned, nine times out of ten I’ll use a workout DVD I buy once. Maybe twice. So I rent them through Netflix and watch free ones on YouTube now. I am still going to hot yoga however I only use online coupons for those. I save money and my waistline.

Diet is also 80% of your bod, so treat it right. I made Snyder’s GGS this morning and had 1/2 of an avocado sprinkled with pink salt and red pepper flakes. I made raw macaroons, also from Kim S. with almond milk for a snack. Tonight I may splurge in pasta I got with the bf at Tony Caputo’s yesterday. Yes I have still not been happier! He’s getting me back in the golf game too. My mom is so proud.

Love,

SG

Appreciate.

I went through my closet again this morning, after donating six bags to the consignment shop and weeded out more yoga pants (had to be done). In three weeks I'm picking up my third check from the store tomorrow. Then instead of buying more bath salts I am using these Trapani sea salts I got last year (for cooking) and never ate. Add in some essential oil and voila! Fancy bath time. I'm so smart!

Love,

SG
Three months in two-ish weeks.

Back in smoothie business

Yesterday at a local pub for St. Patrick’s Day (don’t worry I just had a water with lemon and a bowl of pesto pasta) my neighbors asked me why I haven’t posted any smoothies on FB recently. So I cranked out two today: The Hungover Leprechaun and the Carrot Ginger orange Thief. Get my recipes on http://www.radiantsmoothies.blogspot.com

Life is good. The bf is a huge inspiration and keeps me eating healthy as well as playing golf and going to a bounce house (!) with him, and he encourages me to improve my condo and art. We say we are puzzle pieces, we really click and help each other in so many ways!

Love,

SG

Two months and 11 days

I'm Aliiiiiiiiiive!!

Hello friends and hopefully new readers from Catalyst magazine! I meant to update this since January 5 but A: I met a boy (eeeeeeeeee!) and 2: We have been attached at the hip. (EEEEEEEEEEE!) I have never felt more wanted, respected, and loved...probably ever. He is also mentally and physically fit, forgiving, hot (doesn't hurt!), and the most loving man I have ever met. He, is my new sober tool. Oh yeah and we're on the same freaking serotonin boosters so it must be love!

C: I came running back because I am also featured in this amazing food article.
http://catalystmagazine.net/component/k2/item/2181-plant-based-diets-and-personal-transformations

In the last two months I lost at least five more pounds, my "Homer face" belly is dramatically diminished, I did hot yoga religiously, and three days ago I discovered an ultimate endorphin booster: The mini tramp! Formally known as the 'rebounder', I find jumping on it for at least 20 minutes gives me a high then total relaxation. 45 minutes sharpens my brain, gets me higher, and makes me feel grateful for all that I am and everything I have. It also inspires me to eat even cleaner and drink more water than iced coffee. 😉

Have a beautiful night and I'm sorry I disappeared. Won't happen again.

Love,

SG

Two months, five days.

Cheering up with berries.

Fruit, especially berries and citrus (the latter known as a natural anti-depressant) can really brighten your mood. It's that tartness that makes you force a smile! I made this very pretty salad today. It's peppery arugula, microgreens, basil, pomegranate seeds, and strawberries with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Poms are still in season and you can find some huge ones out there. Look at those beauties, it's jewelry for salad! I feel cheery indeed and cleansed. I think I have been depriving myself hence craving the bad 'treats", meaning wine and Nat Sherman's. I'm going back to any other crave when I want those two so bad: Frozen hot chocolate, Crown Burger, filet mignion, mousse cake at SL RoCo, whatever floats my boat (rootbeer that is). When I indulge in those I really need a little to satisfy. Okay sometimes I do suck down all 20 ounces of Hatch's frozen dark hot choc, but I don't get headaches or cough! I'm also pretty good at balance and moderation now, as well as eating/drinking shit-tons of raw greens. I also cut out cheese again and I think that's causing tantrums. However I am so grateful to have what I have and for everything that I am. I kinda beat myself up not working out in three whole days, but I can't because I did 20 calf lifts on the escalator today, and I had a nice hour-long walk. I'll do some kind of stretching at least tonight if I don't do Combat that just came in the mail, or kettle bells, or even hip hop with Shaun T.

Feeling 'brighter'. Eat some tart fruit!

SG

Good and the bad-ish

I ate all vegan today with the exception of Jr. Mints at the movies. Django Unchained. If I appreciate Tarantino's love for old 60's campy westerns and had to see a surprising performance by an almost unrecognizable Samuel L. Jackson, should I feel guilty?

Breakfast: 1 glass lemon water, 8 ounces iced coffee, 16 of a spinach, banana, lemon, pineapple smoothie. Lunch: Gwyneth Paltrow's chickpea salsa in lettuce cups. Snack, 3/4 of a Jr. Mints box, frozen. Dinner: Pineapple stir fry in my new Christmas Le Cruset skillet!

I'm going to try Les Mills Combat on DVD tomorrow.

Love,

SG