Live your best life...CLEANSE!

So, this title of mine...live your best life. It is a vision I have had for myself since January. If you could live your best life, how would you feel? What would you do? What would you look like? Who would you include? These are questions I have been asking myself for a while now, and I feel like I am starting to realize them.

I am a firm believer in the mind body spirit connection. When your body is clean and healthy, your spirit and mind have the chance to be clean as well. And when the mind and spirit are clean, your body wants to match.

Well, I thankfully was introduced to a nutritional cleansing program about 7 months ago. My Grandmother started using Isagenix to cleanse herself of toxins, replenish her body nutritionally, and lose weight. She unexpectedly passed away before finishing some of her products. I asked if I could try some of her left over products. I knew that when she was on the cleanse, that she was finding energy that she never had, and felt light and clean inside.

Well, I tried the little that she had left over, and I can't tell you the change that I felt! I had more energy, I craved healthy food and exercise and knew that my body needed this. I have been taking health products, supplements and have been studying nutrition for a long time now. But I have never come across something as balanced and organic as this! So I bought a 9 day cleanse.

WOW! I haven't felt like this in years, if not ever! I lost 7 pounds and two dress sizes in two weeks, feel light and clean, energized and radiant! People come up to me and tell me I just LOOK different. My countenance is brighter and lighter because my body feels rejuvinated and cleansed. The greatest thing about this is that it is completely organic, natural, and a part of a healthy lifestyle.

The Science behind Isagenix is this: We live in a toxic world. I don't have to explain much of this...I am sure you are all aware of this. The air we breathe, the food we eat with it's pesticides and chemicals and the water we drink. In small amounts, this builds up in our systems and the toxins are stored in our fat cells, making it hard for some people to lose weight. This, Doctors say, is one of the connections they are finding to the increasing epidemic of obesity and degenerative diseases. It makes perfect sense that increasing toxins in our environment would directly link to these problems.

When you cleanse your internal body, you are not only ridding yourself of the toxins, but the fat cells surrounding them. This is a safe and natural side benefit to cleansing. Also, your internal organs are cleansed, and are free to function without any clogging or backup. Because Isagenix cleanses as well as replenishes, your energy is restored and you are more vibrant, younger...your body is free to function as it was meant to.

But the cool thing is, that it is not just for people with weight issues. Toxins are in every body, and sometimes even more concentrated in people with less fat. The issue is nutritional wellness and cleansing. Weight loss will be a side affect to those who need it. I have seen friends who have relieved themselves of depression, chronic pain, and their potential for disease and cancer. It's really amazing.

My life has been changed by this. I am awake and alert bright and early in the morning. I am happy and energized for my kids. I am more clear minded and focused. I feel healthy, and crave healthy things. My skin is clear. All in all, I feel incredible.

I have seen so many people rid themselves of disease, chronic pain, weight, and mental fogginess from Isagenix. I have been so lifted from this, that I am now wanting other people to find this wonderful program and help them find their best health, and their best life. This truly is such a blessing in my life, and I am joining the Isagenix team to help others find heath and wellness in their own lives.

If any of you have questions, call or comment to this blog, or go to the website:

www.isagenix.com

and watch some of the video's and news clips they have there.

Once I have my camera (it is still being repaired!!) I will take a picture of myself so you can see before and After.

I am all for living my best life, and I truly believe that living a healthy life is the way to achieve that. Thank you Isagenix!

more fun non american kids stuff sites

I just love to see a kids room bursting with color, stimulating pictures and art, stations with various activities, yet the perfect place for a child to get away and be in their own world. My Kid's room is nothing like that...yet...but we are getting there.

I found a few more fun sites/design ideas. here's a peek:

Mijnes love their colors and approach to what kids love to see. Here's a crib bag and a diaper bag:





Wallframe a site from the netherlands. But it presents a great idea. Walls with magnetic paint is a great way to display and create large spaces. Here they have colored foam pieces in all sorts of shapes for kids to create their own pictures.



gewoon: i think I will try and make these. maybe with velcro hands for optimum hugging.

Pakhuis Oost what isn't there to love?

Simple Living

In my pursuit of simplified living (my focus these past few weeks and months) I have been reading a lot to support my dream of simple living. I have been doing a cleanse this week (Isagenix) and feel great! My body is already loving this idea of slowing down and eating right. Simple, fresh, clean foods that support my body's health and vitality.

I am wanting to incorporate simplicity more into my home, my finances and all areas of living. Those of you who know me, know that I have a ways to go. It is a process, no doubt, but I am loving the process.

Simple diet.

Simple budget.

Simple home.

Simple love.

Simple living.

What does all that mean? I don't know yet. But I am getting there.

In an effort to simplify our finances and budget, Kenneth and I have been working out a few kinks here in there to make sure that we are still moving forward as a family. I have been revisiting my reasons for spending, and came across this article from www.everydaysimplicity.com It reminds me that money doesn't mean spend it...and no money doesn't mean you are missing out.


Forbes magazine keeps track of the rich, and lists the top four as: (1) Microsoft's Bill Gates; (2) money-man Warren Buffett; (3) industrialist Carlos Slim; and (4) IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad. Kamprad's worth is about $28 billion, according to Forbes.

What Forbes doesn'f focus upon is that Ingvar Kamprad, 79, believes in frugal living. He drives a 15-year-old Volvo: "she is nearly new, just 15 years old, or something like that."

He always flies economy class. His home is furnished with his own IKEA furniture. He takes public transportation to work. He asks that all employees write on both sides of the paper. He also avoids wearing suits, and he likes to eat at inexpensive restaurants. Rumors exist that he replaces expensive Coca-Colas in the hotel mini-bar with cheapers ones from the convenience store before he checks out, to avoid the inflated mini-bar prices.

"People say I am cheap and I don't mind if they do," Kamprad told interviewer Darius Rochebin of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation in a rare interview recently.

His goal is to lead and inspire his employees, and to keep as much money circulating in IKEA as possible, so that its low-cost product can reach the most people world-wide. His goal is always to keep IKEA prices low.

Does he offer any advice? Kamprad recommends “Divide your life into 10-minute units, and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity.” Sources:TheTimesOnline.com, NZZ.com, Forbes.com.

If the fourth richest man can do that, I can too!

Happiest Birthday

Thanks to all of you who called so wish me a happy birthday yesterday! It was a great day. Kenneth has been 'out' since his surgery on Thursday, but because of that, he has been very much 'in'. Meaning...we have been together as a family this weekend, and I have loved it. I had a great day...the kids were really well behaved, which was a great present. Kenneth and I went to the fish market on Saturday to pick up some fresh scallops and shrimp. He actually made me a seafood fettuccini...even though he couldn't eat any of it. It was divine. Then, afterwards, Kenneth and Robyn and I snuggled up with Icecream and fresh strawberries to watch the next food network star. Can you believe jag????? (I have never been hooked to a show, but this one has got me). Any ways, thanks again and love you all! Here's to 28 years going on 100+

need some fresh ideas?

Here is another great blog site with those of us with small spaces in mind.

have a look:

http://smallplacestyle.blogspot.com/

little chefs

Addie and Ian LOVE to play "cooking". I bought them their first little cooking set while in California, and they LOVE to mix, saute, stir, roast, bake, etc. I have made little play food for them...granted all I have done so far is a carrot, a chocolate chip cookie, a cupcake and a piece of bread. But they love to make carrot soup, or cookie soup, and spread butter on their toast.

I don't have room for a little play kitchen, but they love to help out when Daddy is in the kitchen (which is a lot!).

Here is a cute little website that I found for your little chefs.

http://littlekitchen.com.au

Every little chef needs a little apron ( and rolling pin!)


A humming bird cookie cutter! Too cool!



And play food galour!


Getting inspired yet?

If anything, those of you with kids might be inspired to have more fun in the kitchen. It is such a great place for them to have fun, learn about cleaning up as well as good motor skills like pouring and stirring. And, to lick the spoon...a must!

bedroom makeover

So before i had kids, I was always attracted to reds. Deep colors with richness and a little drama. The bedroom was meant to be artsy, romantic with a european flare. After being pregnant for nearly two years, giving birth twice 380 days apart, breastfeeding for two years straight and wrestling my two little ones, red is SO not what I want to retreat to at the end of the day. I have totally changed over to needing soft blues and greens, clean lines, simple, fresh and light. Here is what I am thinking:



...the blue quilt with a light green accent wall, painted white and yellow furniture, with fresh flowers (mums and orchids), white sheer paneled drapes and some black and white framed pics of our family. Nice thing is I just need to throw some paint on some things, and the quilt is a b-day present, so it's a matter of some time and work...but I am already starting to breathe better:) what do you think?

California good-byes

I am heading off to Utah tomorrow! We have had such a great time in california for these past few weeks. I have had just the right balance of keeping busy and relaxing. This past weekend, we took a drive to San Luis Obisbo to attend the wedding of Kenneth's best friend from highschool. We went with the whole family, and it was a blast. I just love the ocean, and being right on the coast made me just feel whole again.

We spent part of the afternoon on Saturday at the beach and the kids had a blast. They were a little hesitant at first about the cold water and the sand, but after a few minutes, they were having the time of their lives. I was a little surprised that Ian actually wanted to eat the sand. Such a boy. Addie chasing the waves and flying her kite.

Sunday was the wedding. It was an outdoor wedding right on the coast, and just beautiful. I wish I had my own camera to capture all the elegant details. The kids came after the sit down lunch to enjoy the dancing, and for us to show them off to all of Kenneth's old school friends and teachers. It was a lot of fun. (notice in the picture, she is trying to swish her skirt around like me:)

Well, now were are heading back to reality. I am looking forward to getting into our little place again. The kids are a little off schedule from the traveling, and flying out tomorrow won't help. It is 10:20 right now, and I can currently hear Addie in her crib singing (very loudly, and very rhythmically) "I won't grow up! I won't grow up!" from Peter Pan. Here, here!

my newsest bookmarked blog...

Zen Habits. Everyday there is a new article on decluttering, simplifying, taking charge of your mind and life, and health, finance, etc. the Zen way. I think that it is a bit more "americanized" for the regular joe...not as Zen as most of the stuff I have read. But I really like it. I check up a couple times a week. Skimming through an article or two on "positive thinking", "reducing stress", "best weightloss tips", and "finding happiness outside of materialism" are great ways to redirect my thinking and get back onto the better path. I don't spend too much time here, but it is a quick easy way to catch an article at the tail end of checking my email.

There is so much power in setting your mind to a specific goal and really going for it. Every month, ZEN HABITS has a challenge they invite you to give yourself. This month, I am getting BACK onto the excercize routine. I let myself get of, and you know how it goes...as soon as you miss as little as three or four days...you feel like you haven't been working out at all for those months before. SO...my body has been craving the adrenilin and endorfins that come with some good heathly clean sweat. So far, I am doing great! Thanks Zen habits!

miss potter

Summer is full of long days and long nights on the couch with a movie. I have been wanting to see "Miss Potter" for some time now...and tonight I came home after a date with Kenneth to see Robyn and my mother in law watching it. I just had to sit down. I don't usually like to step into a story more than half way through...but since I have read so much about the Life of Beatrix Potter, I felt like I could.

WOW! First of all, the set just took me back to all the sites and smells of the English country side. Breathtaking. And then to see Beatrix Potter working through he emotions with her art, made me really wish I had brought my paints out to CA.

I have always loved Beatrix Potter...ever since I was a child and my dad gave me my very own hard back child size copy of "Mrs. Tiggy-winkle". I was in love. I could stare at those pictures for hours. There was so much depth, and yet they were so simple. Her illustrations were just enough detail to give you the outline, but simple enough to let my imagination run wild. So, now I have to go and watch the first half. Ha! But I can't wait.

If anything, watching the film makes me remember what it felt like three summers ago to eat tea and cakes in the afternoon while watching the geese run across the broken cobblestone road off to some other green destination behind the stone cottage with the painted blue door. Sigh....

do you just love this room?

ok, well I do. amy butler.

projects

While I have been here in CA, I have been trying to take advantage of my mother in law's awesome sewing machine as well as her sewing skills. Haven't done as much as I would like, but then again, she's busy, and I am enjoying the down time. But I have started making some play food for the kids. So far, I have made a cupcake, a carrot, some bread and a chocolate chip cookie (i will take pics when my camera is finally repaired). But until then, these pics have been my inspiration. When I am done making a complete sandwhich, I want to make some veggies and pasta for them to stir around in their little play pots. And of course...the sushi looks pretty fun!

I have another week here, and I hope to make some skirts and a dress for addie. It is a bit ambitious for me, since I have never made a single item of clothing before...but It can't be that hard right? I have a pattern, and some awesome heather bailey and amy butler fabric and we'll see how it goes! It is nice to have someone over my shoulder that I can ask the dumb questions to. I just hope that i can get these done in time to take advantage of the help!