Good Morning Everyone and Happy Friday! I am glad so many people are excited about The Cleaner Life Month. My mom and sister (commenter Stinky Cheese) are even going to play along with me and Rose.  Stinky Cheese already gave up white flour and sugar once and had spectacular results – clearer skin, lost weight, the whole bit. I’ve been thinking of maybe doing before and after stomach/waist measurements to see if the bloating I mentioned is reduced, but I’m a little nervous about sharing that kind of info. We’ll see. Oh, I’ve also decided that upon completion of the month I get a present. Nothing too fancy or expensive, just something that is a reward for working hard to feel my best inside and out!

Now to answer some questions about the Month:

Caronae said “I think I’ll try to join you as much as I can on this challenge. Two questions: Is stevia allowed (I always put it in my tea) and do puffins have white flour/soy? This is exciting sounding! I can’t wait to start.”

• Yes, stevia is definitely allowed. I didn’t mention it because I happen to not like it all that much.
• I checkout the Puffins ingredients online and they do contain soy.

Caitlin said, “WOW what an interesting challenge!! i cannot wait to follow you on your journey (from a distance LOL). do you not get to have any alcohol?”

• I didn’t think of this because I am honestly not a huge drinker and could definitely go 30 days without it without even trying. That said, I think organic wine is probably preferable over distilled liquor and beer.

And to clarify wiy why I’m cutting out soy. 

• I’ve read and heard both good and bad things about soy.  I am not always sure what to belive and what to ignore. I do, however, understand that soy contains phytoestrogens, which inetact with and alter the body’s own hormones.  The source of conflict in much of the research is whether that result of the  interaction is negative or positive. Ultimately, I don’t plan on abandoning soy forever, but I do think I was eating it too much out of convenience rather than necessity. It is a processed food and I think I can eat better things most of the time. 

Last Night’s Dinner

I had another yummy salad last night and I must share.

• Romaine Lettuce
• Raw Corn on the Cob (delicious and so sweet)!
• Broccoli
• Green Beans
• Red Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Dijon + Apple Cider Vinegar

I had it with the last of the Bababanush-Hummus Pasta from the other night and a giant sweet potato with corn and bean salsa.

More Getting to Know you Games

Because the Fun Facts Comments were such fun (who knew so many people had fake teeth issues like me!), I thought it would also be fun to get to know my readers by sharing 3 House Items. My three items represent different things about myself.

(1) Fun Fruit Lights – I got these lights at Urban Outfitters when I was a junior in college and I’ve had them ever since. They represent the fun side of me. Now they sit in my bathroom, but I don’t turn them on often because Mark says they aren’t safe. I use them when the main light is off during my mostly dark bedtime shower.

(2) Peaceful Yoga Room – Well, this is actually a big hallway, but its big enough for my mat and that’s good enough for me. It represents my peaceful side and reminds me to breathe when things get overwhelming. I think I want to paint the wooden letters and hang them permanently, but I can’t decide on color or location. I guess they also represent my indecisive side.

(3) My Tomatoes – This is my patio tomato! It lives outside the front of my house where it gets plenty of sun and lately, lots of water. It represents the side of me that loves fresh food. I love going to a Farmer’s Market, and the only thing better is your very own vegetables. They also represent the side of me that wants to improve.  I don’t have a good history with gardening, but I want to do it well!

There are other sides of me. For example, my messy side is found in my closet, but not on the internet!!!

What about you? What in your house represents you? Show me in pictures on your blog if you have one, or tell me in a comment!

Happy Friday everyone! I just got back from the gym where I ellipticized. Today was a rest day, but because I am traveling home tomorrow I did a rest/cross switcheroo.

I originally planned to come home to do some J.M. Shred Moves, but am postponing that in favor of food and blogs. I had a Blueberry Chobani with ground flax, of course. You should really try adding flax to yogurt. It almost gives it a crushed Graham Cracker feel.

I like the flavor of this yogurt, but did not like the blueberries as evidenced in this photo.

Then I had a nice powerful salad with Chick Peas, Edamame and Broccoli. It was a lot of beans and I liked it.

So, Easter is coming. For me this means memories of Cadbury Cream Eggs, Ricotta Pie, Easter Baskets and a new dress. We had plastic eggs outside that were filled with little things. Inside we had Cadbury Cream Eggs and Resses’ Eggs. Never have I ever heard of hiding real eggs, but I just found out my friend was considering this option for her son’s hunt this year! We color eggs, but just put them in a basket on the table.

Did you hunt for eggs on Easter? Real, plastic or candy?