remember when...

Every once in awhile I question life, what I am doing and the choices I make.  I think this pushes me to be stronger and helps keep me stimulated.  Some choices are easy, others take lots of thought.  Sometimes we have to weigh out the options before we make a final decision because every action we take will eventually have a reaction.   I am always a thinker and analyze many outcomes in my head... pretty much about everything.  Sometimes I wish I were not this way because I often over analyze a lot of things.

Whether we make the "right" choice or not, every experience plays a part in our journey and can be learned from.  I will sporadically think about what my life would be like if I had done things a little different.   As Jams would say to me, "Would of, should of and could of are the three worst things you can think about.  It doesn't matter what you could, should or would have done, it's what you did.  Keep looking forwards, not backwards."  Geez, so true!

Well, I think that sometimes we don't realize the importance of experience until afterwards.  It's kind of like when you were growing up and your parents would tell you, "Someday, you'll thank me for this.  I'm teaching you a lesson!"  Ugh, really.   Sad but true, they were right... (did you hear that Mom!)

People are awesome too.  We meet people all the time.  Interacting, chatting, doing business - we are constantly communicating.  Many people we encounter throughout our lives come and go.  But there are certain people who inspire us to be better and push ourselves.  People who believe in us in that moment that we don't believe in ourselves.   It's because of those feel-good people and feel-good experiences that we look back.  Memories are made and sometimes never forgotten.  This is why we take lots of pictures and meet up with old friends to reminisce about the good old times.  And I know it's not just me; we all have those moments where we wish we could go back and relive something again.

We can't though.  Each memory and experience builds on itself and if you think about it, without all of those things, we would not be the strong and amazing creatures we are today.  Each memory does serve a purpose.  That purpose is so we can reflect back and remember why we choose the path we are on :)

yes to yoga.

Wow, my whole body is in pain!  Since we have been back from Florida, we have been getting up extra early to do a nice yoga work out. 

I luv yoga.  If you've never tired it, you should!  It is great for your entire body and will really work your core.  I always find that when I am actively doing yoga, my balance and posture are better and my energy is higher.

I would luv to tell you that this picture is me.  It's not :)  This is Shaina... an amazing soul *Muah!

Here's the problem... I am not a morning person.  Trust me, when that alarm is going off the absolute last thing I am excited about is jumping out of bed to exercise.  I am always the one to snuggle under the blankets with the pugs and beg for 10 more minutes...  I will be planking in my slumber, thank you very much! 

 Side note: umm could the pugs take up any more of the bed?!  Must be nice...

Once I get up, I am instantly happy that I did.  Yoga is a great way to start the day.  It gets the blood flowing and I as a result feel like I have so much more energy through out the day! 

I luv that Jams and I are doing it together.  It gives me that added motivation!  Jams likes it too because I am so much happier in the morning... I have been making him breakfast every day! :)

welcome, haters.

What is with people who are so against being happy and healthy?!  I totally understand that everyone has choices, remember lifestyle changes?  But come on.  To be SO closed minded that the thought of even just trying something that is better for you - and the planet! might just "make you sick" - come on.  I am not a confrontational person and trust me, I am not one to push my beliefs onto anyone else.  But, the fact that you clicked on this link was simply your choice so now that you're here, let's talk about it - I'm intrigued too! :)

Let's start with this... what is it about the word "Vegetables" that makes people cringe?  I just don't get it!  As soon as you add this word to anything, people are quick to shy away and turn down food... no matter how freaking hungry they are!  What the heck!

Case in point.  We shot a music video last Saturday (for Jams new song "Luvin' U" featuring ME!) and usually when we do shoots or events, we run to Costco and pick up platters to feed the crew for the day.  Easy Peasy.  Well, this particular day, I decided to make my chicken salad and stir-fry to promote the VEGness!   Everyone was eating it up... pun intended ;)  Later in the night, the stir-fry was referred to as vegetable stir-fry and instantly there was hesitation on eating it.  "Eh, I'm not that hungry" - really.  Well why don't you just go eat some stir-fry.  Let me show you what it looks like.  After close inspection, not only did this person eat it, they actually went back for seconds and before I knew it, the stir-fry was gone.  

Side note: I used gardien chicken and no one knew the difference.  Hehehee... take that meat eaters!!!  Just kidding :) I guess from now on we just need to omit the word "vegetable" from our phrasing.  When something is wonderfully yummy AND good for you, it should be a win-win!  Come on peeps!

On the flip, I'll be real.  Don't think I'm getting off on salads, because I'm not.  I have never been a huge vegetable person.  I was the kid at the dinner table feeding my dog the peas and slipping my grandma my unwanted green beans when my parents weren't looking.  I was the one who spit my asparagus into my napkin while pretending to wipe my face.  You might be thinking to yourself, well why in God's name would you become vegan then?  It's just weird, and coming from someone who doesn't like vegetables, it doesn't add up - so what gives?  Why the switch?

Well, let me explain something to you my sweet friends.  I didn't decide to be a vegetarian or go vegan so I could sit here and tell you why it's awesome.  Nor did I do it to be 'right' and instill my beliefs on you.  I stopped eating meat simply because it wasn't good for me.  What was hard for me was giving up dairy (my FAVORITE food in the whole entire world is cheese).  The reason I made the change was because I was overweight, wanted to lose weight and nothing else worked.  To fulfill my crazy cheese cravings, I figured out ways to make vegetables in a way that appealed to me.  Where I didn't feel like I was sacrificing flavor and substance.  Now that I replaced those 'bad things' with healthier choices, I am able to eat whatever I want and my weight stays the same.  Once I made the switch I started researching more and that just reconfirmed the decisions I had made... and those things I learned keep me strong everyday. 

Oh! Sorry haters, let's get back to you.  I get it.  I created a lifestyle that allows me to eat amazing food that is good for me and good for the planet.  Not only am I happy about all of it, I share it with you to help open your eyes to make the world we live in a better place - and you never know, you might be happier too believing in something.  But the fact of the matter is that you haters go out of your way to hate so much it just proves that you are paying attention.  I don't care if we're on the same team or not.  Keep listening and keep hating.  This is the beauty of life - each of us get to make our own decisions and believe in what ever we want!  My question to you is why hate when we can luv?  I am the change I want to see in the World and you can be too.  This place is full enough of ugly, negative people.  If you're wondering what your purpose is, take another breath and realize you're alive - and smile... that's purpose enough for me :)

breathe.

*Sigh... the struggles of life.  I always used to say, I feel bad for those people who have a hard time with day to day life.  I believe that sickness is created in the mind and that as long as you have the strength to over power it, you're all good.  Well, recently, I was finding myself to be one of these people who got too much in my head and found myself having an internal war.  "Stop the negativity!"  "This not you!"  "Um! Be Happy!"  I quickly discovered that just like everyone else, I am human and have lots of emotions - that often are left neglected.

When you start to feel like a complete crazy person, the last thing you want to do is talk to the people you luv about it.  Then they think you're crazy and next thing you know, you're in the nut house surrounded by a lot more crazy people.  This was the point that I had gotten to... which is really scary. 

It took me four hundred and sixty eight days to determine that I was unhappy with the way my life was going.  I talk about making lifestyle changes and doing really awesome things.  But, I have lacked emphasis on doing things for yourself.  Eating healthy makes me happy because I know that I am doing good for my body.  Of course I luv my friends and family and they make me happy!  But, I have to think about the whole picture... this is a quote I often reflect back to... one of my favs!!!

"There is no point in being gorgeous if your life is a mess. End your co-dependent relationships, quit your dead end job and ditch your toxic friends. This is your life!”-Skinny Bitch 

That being said, I would like to welcome you to my new journey.  I have been pressing the play button and hummed along to what I thought was the soundtrack to my life (of course, pausing when appropriate).  Now, it's time to make my own music... and dance!!!  I am a believer that you can have it all and that the only person holding you back is yourself.  Consider me to be the girl grabbing life by the bull horns... Until next time ;)

flashback.

This may seem really random, but have you seen the move You Again?  I was rummaging through my Netflix the other day and came across this comedy and was in the mood for something light and funny so this one won.  It was kind of corny, as most chick flicks are, but it did have a good message that brought me back...

Before I start my ranting, let me catch you up and get you on the same page.  Basically, nerdy girl gets picked on in high school by bully girl.  They go separate ways in life... nerdy girl gets called back into town for brother's wedding.  Brother is marrying bully girl.  Typical!  Through the movie, all nerdy girl wants is acknowledgement from bully girl... apologies for being a bully.  But bully girl does not give any indication that she even remembers her and the war begins - you want the rest, go watch the movie!  It's actually really funny :)

My story... I had a great time growing up.  If you know me from back then, you know I was all about having a good time.  Sometimes so much of a good time that it was at the expense of someone else.  I luved my friends more than anything and spent as much time with them as possible!  But, I was not always the nicest girl.  Much of my high school and college days were spent convincing my friends to skip class, talk smack and chasing boys - my favorite!  Back then I believed those were "the days" and I definitely enjoyed them to the fullest.  Looking back now, I probably hurt a lot of people in my path and those bad decisions that I made impacted a lot of people.  It was my own immaturity and insecurities that really shine through now when I reflect back.  Unfortunately, I can not go back in time and change my behavior.  In fact, those days will always be a part of me and to anyone that I ever offended or hurt, I am very sorry.  I often have this fear when I go back to my home town that I will run into someone that will remember something horrible about me from my past and throw it in my face.  A lot of the inspiration behind my transformation was to start over and be a good person. 

I made a promise to myself and to the world a long time ago that I would do good and be good.  As Gandhi says, "Be the change you want to see in the world" ...I believe that each of us have the power to change.  I talk a lot about being healthy and making lifestyle changes.  Positivity is a lifestyle change.  Confidence is a lifestyle change.  It's not all about what you eat (...although it is a big part of it!) or how you look, it's how you feel!  It's how you feel about yourself; it's about how you feel about others.  Your compassion, your luv of live and the aura you put into the universe.  Know that smiling at a stranger can make their day brighter.  Paying it forward is not only good for your own Karma, it makes others feel good too.  When they feel good... that will be passed onto someone else... and someone else... and the domino effect continues!

I know now that I am true and good.  All of my bad choices in life have resulted in a lot of experiences, both good and bad, that helped mold me into who I am today.  Thankfully, I have the opportunity everyday to be a good person... and so do you :)

 

lifestyle changes.

Have you ever tried to do something you never thought you could do? Some of you might have. If you succeeded, you probably shared with your friends or family because you were proud of yourself. That's good! You should share your accomplishments!  You never know who will be inspired by your story! Have you tried something and it didn't go so well? Thought you could do it, but then ended up gave up? That's ok too. It's in those trying times that we don't quite make it that we find the path to success. Keep trying, because your mind is the most powerful thing... and if you believe you can do something - you can.

Jams vowed on the day I stopped smoking that he would not eat meat anymore. This, to me, seemed like an unequal change of lifestyle. Um, do you know how hard it is to quit smoking!? I have tried, like, a bazillion freaking times and it has never worked! Plus, I'm already vegan so how hard could it possibly be to stop eating meat? I mean, come on... I was already cooking for him so it seemed like an easy transition. No more fast food... no more steaks... no more free buffet at Bajas... no more taco truck... no... No... NO!!!!

When you make a big change in your life, your mind automatically switches to the "I can't have this" or "I can't do that" mindset. You think about the "I cant's" and it's tough. Unless you have something inside of you reminding you WHY you are making these changes, it is very hard to stick with it and that is why most people relapse. Look at alcoholics or drug addicts... those addictions are SO bad that they have centers for these people to go to for support for the withdrawals. And even after a significant amount of time, there is no saying if they will stay sober. That's why it is very important to find the WHY when making a big change. Keep people around you that will support you and remember those "whys" so you can reflect on them in those times of temptation!

While we are on this topic, let's discuss this whole thing about men and meat. A man's mentality tends to think - Strong, Hunter... Carnivore! Many believe that a REAL man eats meat. Being a woman, I never thought about this too much when Jams stopped eating meat. It really didn't come into my mind until he started communicating with his friends and family what he was doing. Everyone gave him a hard time and to make matters worse - of course, it was my fault. Thankfully, he IS a strong man and also a very knowledgeable man. He had his reason why he was changing his eating habits, and believe it or not, it was not my doing at all. He watched this movie, called Forks Over Knives, and saw certain health benefits not just for himself but also for some family members and people he knew that might benefit from changing a few bad habits.

Well, in the end - to each's own. We all have this wonderful thing called choices. Whether we make good ones or bad ones there is always something to gain. Let's just hope when we do make those bad decisions we remember those experiences for the next time we see that same fork in the road.

You can do whatever you put your mind too... I still can't believe that it's been almost a year and we're still smoke & meat free :)