Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Sugar Detox Day 11

Picture from Luxury Curves
 I found out some GREAT news yesterday! I passed a test that allows me to become a licensed ESL teacher, yes all very exciting! So like any good American hubs and I decided to celebrate with food. What is wrong with me?! This is probably the reason I've gotten into to this mess in the first place.  Food as a reward... ANYWAY I'll get off my soap box for a moment and tell you the good/bad news.
The bad new is I couldn't resist getting a milkshake at this place.  They are the best milkshakes in the whole entire world! The good GREAT news is that I didn't like it.  Yah that's right, I'll say it again for you...I DIDN'T LIKE IT!!!  The moment it hit my lips I cringed.  It was too sweet for me!! This has never been said in the history of ME. I can could eat the sweetest most rich things in the entire universe and want more...well not now.  It made me almost sick to eat the bit I did (which I ate out of not wanting to waste the money).

Just writing this is making me cringe with how gross the amount of sugar that was in that thing. ICK.

So I count that as a victory over sugar, even though some sugar got into my system.  My body is obviously changing it's cravings and telling me STOP, don't start eating that junk again!!!!

Here's to staying sugar free (or mostly sugar-free :) )

XOXO,

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Top Pins of the Week #9

There were some good ones this week on Pinterest, let me tell ya'!  I love sifting through all those ideas to find ones that are seriously BRILLIANT!  Here are my top pins of the week!

WOW. Such a great idea! I would love to tuck one of these in my closet and use the top for jewelry!

A pretty and homemade take on the cinnamon roll! Martha's done it again!

 This is for sure gonna happen in the new apartment! Love how cheap and easy this is. Great for renters as well since it's not permanent!

Seriously an easy recipe and looks seriously delicious! Can't wait to try this recipe sometime!

I know that the colors are very springy but I mean you could do any color, any size... THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS! :)

Hope you all enjoyed my favorite pins as much as I did!  Go visit these lovely sites and give them some props for their great ideas! Have a great day!

XOXO,



Monday, November 26, 2012

Day 10 Done, 11 More

From Greatist
 Thanksgiving was a little road bump, the gooey deliciousness of all the sweet foods. I couldn't help myself! One piece of pie was a lot easier said than done let me tell you.  I did in fact have one piece of pie...but I also had two sugar cookies AND a sliver of the orange cake my moms family makes. SERIOUSLY, why in the world would I choose to do a sugar fast in the middle of the holiday season?! I'm insane obviously!

I'm back on track now and added one day to my sugar fast for good measure against all of my shenanigans this turkey day.

I'm actually not having any cravings as of the past day! That's a plus.  Still feeling a bit run down, but I have noticed I am thinking more clearly and that my stomach has become much flatter.

Also I'm starting to count my calories again and trying to incorporate more veggies and less bread.  I'm trying to lose around 2 pounds every week (IN A HEALTHY WAY).  So by March 18th of the New Year I should be at my goal weight!!  Here we go, my push towards a healthier life!

(Instead of a sugary treat to be featured I will be now posting inspiration for my journey!)
XOXO,

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Turkey Day!!


This is my 23rd Thanksgiving on this planet and it has been a good 23 so far!  I decided in honor of my 23rd Thanksgiving I would write 23 things I am thankful for!

I am thankful for...
1.  My Savior Jesus, who has changed my life and has given me purpose.

2.  For hope in all situations!

3.  My husband's love towards me.  He is the picture of unconditional love!

4. Our first year of marriage, what a blessing!

5.  My parents who have always been supportive of my dreams and loved me through them all.

6. My grandmothers support.

7. My apartment that we have been blessed to live in for the first year if our marriage.

8. Good times and bad ones, so that you can feel how good the good really is.

9. Running water in our home.

10. Knowing where our next meal will come from.

11.  The position as Graduate Assistant and my tuition being paid.

12.  The internet! Pinterest (of course)

13.  Education in general/being able to learn!

14. Being able to pay our bills.

15.  Learning more about myself and becoming more self-aware.

16. All my friends who are the best laughers, crocheters, yoga-ers, jokers and talkers around!

17. The ability to do laundry in my own home!

18. Knowing I have people to call day or night if I'm ever in need.

19. Having will power.

20.  The enjoyment of food!

21.  Being allowed to dream.

22.  Blogging at Domestically Modern!!

23. Creativity and inspiration.

These are 23 things I'm thankful for! Make your own list!!!

XOXO and Happy Thanksgiving,

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Day 5 & 6 Sugar Fast

Picture from Lach Ortho Cookbook
 I got through another 2 days!  The days are getting easier to get through without such strong cravings.  I am ecstatic that I have been without added sugar or baked good for almost one week successfully!! I know that it doesn't mean much to some of you strong willed, sweets hating people (AKA my hubs), but to a girl that wanted something sweet after every meal and just about every waking moment...a week feels like a HUGE accomplishment so far!!

I've noticed another change in myself though.  I am waking up much less groggy than I was before...BUT I just feel worn to pieces today (Day 6).  I don't know if that has anything to do with my sugar detox or it's just that time of year where everything is hectic and so much must be done.

Happy with my progress but I am a little worried about Thanksgiving. First of all we are going to my parents house, who always have some kind of yummy sweet goodness around for me to graze and much on...so gotta stay clear of that. And my mom is like the best cook on the planet and her pumpkin pie is SO good.  I have reconciled with myself that on this special occasion I can have one itty bitty slice of pie. I just can't go a Thanksgiving without it, on principle! HAHA or at least that's what I'm telling myself so I can cheat for a day! I'm not going overboard, but I mean you gotta live it up a little for the holidays right? 

Well as I test my will power this holiday season I am going to be remembering the accomplishment of my week of no sugar.  And the moment after my one slice of pumpkin heaven pie is down my gullet I'm back on the war path against sugar!!!

XOXO,

Top Pins of the Week #8

This week in the world of Pinterest has been a good one! I found all kinds of great stuff and have found the time to actually DO the great stuff I've found! I love it when that happens!  So here they are my favorite pins of the week.

This is a great way to keep the fridge looking clean and organized.  I hate my fridge being so unorganized and this is such a great way to use the space!

Anything called Christmas crack has my attention. (Yes I know I'm on a sugar fast, but those around me aren't and I bet they would like this!)  Looks delicious and easy to make!

I can't even begin to explain how great of an idea this is.  Living in apartment and renting ties your hands sometimes with storage, especially a pantry.  I will be making one of these ASAP for the new apartment when we get down there!

So cute and so useful! My feet freeze all the time, not just winter! This is a great idea and even a great gift! I can't wait to make one! The tutorial is easy as well.

At this point I'm just torturing myself!!  This really does look like heaven and it only has 4 ingredients.  Easy quick to throw together and can I say, holy yum?!

I've been meaning to make these like every night since I pinned this, but it hasn't worked out. It's been a crazy busy week/weekend for us Dye's! But I am vowing to get these in the oven tonight for hubs and myself!! Maybe not so many but I think this will be hubs approved!

There you have it. My pins for the week!

Be inspired and go check out these lovely blogs..and heck actually do something you pin this week!!! It's such a good feeling!

XOXO,

Monday, November 19, 2012

Sugar Fast: Weekend Update

Picture from delish.com
Day 3 and 4 are done with! The weekends are always my heavy hitter for sweets and goodies.  We have this great little local doughnut shop that sells the most amazingly horrible creations.  I craved those suckers like nobody's business this weekend.  But within the 10-20 minute craving window my will power stepped in and said no.

 I've noticed some changes about myself already.  The headache is finally gone and I'm left with almost a feeling of clarity.  No joke I noticed myself feeling more focused than before when I was jamming my system up with tons of sugar. My cravings are also getting easier to ignore. I've also noticed my stomach is a little flatter than before, I'm guessing because sugar bloats you up, that's where I was bloating!  Why can't we bloat some where we would like the bloat?! Seriously is that too much to ask?

So here I am 4 days done with and starting the fifth and I'm feeling good. I don't really need the sugar at all. It was all in my head!

XOXO,

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Sugar Detox: Day 2

I thought a fun way to start out my entries would be putting a pretty picture of what I'm craving...Why not torture my will power a little more right?!
Picture from Carrots N' Cake


Second day out of the way...Success! No added sugar all day long.  Even when we went to hear and perform some live music at a coffee house which boast all kinds of yummy naughty drinks and foods like a nutella panini.  And late in the day I didn't even take a bite of my friends oreo McFlurry...I almost did but then remembered that just a bite could send me spiraling back over the edge!!! My resolve didn't waver, but I did get a little craving. I had a little bit of honey on some bread, and honey is natural and doesn't contain white or brown sugar, it's natural so I think it's okay!

On that note I had a dull headache almost all day, which I'm pretty sure is because I cut out the sugar.  I guess it's like getting off of any kind of addictive thing you are on.  You have withdrawal symptoms...It's crazy that I get them from sugar...I mean heck it's SUGAR!!!

I have been thinking though on why I feel the need to have sugary sweet things on my tastebuds all the time and I think it's because in America we attribute sweet things to a good time and being happy (i.e birthday cake, mom's desserts, candy for a treat or gift).  Then as we get older we have the ability to access that stuff all the time and heck why not have happy fun time on your tastebuds that makes your brain feel happy all the time?!

Just my thoughts...

Day 2 done onto the next one!

XOXO,


DIY Clothespin Magnets

I don't know about your household but in mine we are always in the great magnet shortage.  We for some reason really love hanging things on the fridge, but never seem to have enough magnets...SO to solve this problem once and for all I made some out of things I already had!

I used an existing magnet we already had... you know those super cute Save the Date magnets...well I chopped one of those up (Sorry guys) and used that to magnetize the mini clothes pins I had.

Just cut a piece of a magnet sheet-yup that's a technical term :) (use all those Save the Dates...put those old ones to good use!)

...and hot glue it to the back of whatever you want to magnetize. I had some mini clothespins laying around and decided to make them into cute and functional magnets like so.


I also painted a few, just to add a little pop of color and some team spirit :)


Cute and functional!

XOXO,

Friday, November 16, 2012

Sugar Fast: Day 1

Picture from mindbodygreen.com

I did it.

I made it one full day without any added sugar or sweet sugary donuts or anything else that I hate to love!

I only had a tiny craving at night, which seems to be when my cravings hit hard, but instead of succumbing to sugars evil bewitching powers I said NO.  I said no to sugar for the first time in a long time...and you know what? It felt good. It felt REALLY good.  After my craving subsided I looked inward and saw my willpower against sugar for the first time in a few months!!

It's only one day...But you gotta start somewhere right?

XOXO,
Nikki


Michelle's Musings: Thanksgiving Crafts for Children

Hi all, and Happy Thanksgiving!

There is nothing more precious than children's artwork to decorate a house, and what better way to remind ourselves to be thankful this Thanksgiving season than Thanksgiving children's crafts?! I am pretty excited about these....

So...I work full-time in a homeless shelter and part-time in a church preschool ministry, meaning, I get to interact with lots of kids! And it's cool because I just get to play with them and what-not, then send them back to their parents...kind of like a grandma!

Anyway, so as I was at work at the homeless shelter one day, I decided to make some Thanksgiving decorations with a preschooler to decorate the house. Here is what we came up with...

Leaf Garland


 Materials:
Leaf coloring page print-outs
hole punch
crayons/markers/colored pencils
twine (or rope or whatever you choose to use)
scissors

I printed off several copies of several different leaf coloring pages. (I Googled "leaf coloring pages," found three or four that I liked, and printed several copies of them) Then it was color time! I love to color...so, I sat down with this kid and the kid's mom, and we colored our leaves! Kid was not as enthused as I was, but that's ok.

After Kid scribbled and Kid's mom and I colored like big girls, I cut the leaves out and punched a hole in each. I then took some twine and measured how long I wanted the garland to be, leaving room for slouch (giving it "slack") and knots. I then made knots in it like this to separate each leaf and hold it in place:
[insert picture]

I kind of went bazerk on my knots and made them too close at first...just judge by how many leaves you have and how long you want your garland to be.

Then, I strung the leaves onto the string, and voila! Your kids might help you with the stringing part, but there was no way this little preschooler was about to do that...got better things to do!

I then double tied each end around the rails of the staircase (right above some kids' Noah's Ark drawings..can you tell I like kid artwork??) and had some fun Fall garland! My favorite leaves are the ones that are mostly white with a little scribble! (Most of the scribble made it onto the parts of the paper that got cut off..precious children!)


Thankful Turkey

Materials:
construction paper (I used white, orange, yellow, and red)
markers (Sharpie or a black skinny Crayola, and a yellow and red skinny Crayola)
brown crayon (for Kid to color)
scissors
stick glue


I like to call this little dude my Thankful Turkey. He was so simple to make! I used white construction paper (so that Kid could color it brown, making it more interactive..you see how much brown made it onto the paper...) and drew an almost circle and a full circle. I made two dots then drew a circle around each for eyes. That was easy!

After drawing a yellow nose and red google, I wrote Psalm 118:1 on his belly, which made what I wrote on the leaves make more sense. If you don't like that, you can put something like "We are thankful for..." or "Thanksgiving" or something cutesy that makes you smile. Or frown, if you so choose, but this is Thanksgiving!

I then cut simple feather-like shapes from red, yellow, and orange construction paper. With the size that I made them, I just used one full sheet of each color and had the number of feathers you see in the picture.

Then it was Kid interaction time again! I asked Kid and Kid's mom what we were thankful for, and you can see what we came up with (paper to color on...brilliant!)

I then placed each feather where I wanted it to be and stick-glued each one down. I added extra glue to the parts where the feathers overlap one another, so that it would not be as floppy (who wants a floppy turkey??!).

Turkey Man
Materials:
toilet paper roll (I actually used a paper towel roll and cut it..improvising!!)
craft sticks (I used ones already red, orange, and yellow..but you could use markers to color plain ones!)
hot glue gun/hot glue
markers (black, yellow, red)
black construction paper
Scotch tape
scissors

It's Turkey Man time! He literally makes me laugh. And would you know...I did him all by myself, no kid help (because Kid was busy with more important things!) We did not have a lot of resources on hand (it is a homeless shelter, after all, and art is not always our top priority), so I improvised, but I wanted it to be simple, something a child could do, and look like a kid did it (so that people would not make fun of me because it does look like a child did it!).

Anyway....so I started by cutting my paper towel roll into toilet paper size. Then I drew eyes and glasses (I was going for hipster..kind of turned out nerdy, but that's ok too! We accept all kinds of turkeys) and a nose and google.

Then it was hat time! This is where you are really going to laugh at me...
I cut a strip of black construction paper like this:


I pulled it around into a circle and sized it up to Turkey Man's head so his hat would fit. I then made another small strip, as you see here:


Then (here's the genius part!) I taped the smaller strip onto the rounded strip to make his hat stay on his head, like this:


Next the hat needed a bill. Or whatever it is called on a top hat. So..I drew a circle around the paper towel roll and a bigger circle around that one, onto the black construction paper. I was not being OCD at this particular moment, and my pen kept messing up, so my circle is pretty janky, but whatever.
[insert picture "turkey man 5"]

The cutting of this circle is important. I cut the inside of the inner circle, but I left a tab on each side so I could secure it onto the hat:
[insert picture "turkey man 6"]

I then used the tabs to tape the bill to the bottom of the hat. Done with Turkey Man's hat!

Now, Turkey Man needs feathers. I took the craft sticks, alternating colors, and held them a few at a time where I wanted them placed on his body, then secured them. To be honest, because we had no hot glue (homeless shelter!), I improvised with tape. Tape looks silly, just to let you know.

Then he is finished! Turkey Man! I feel like he should be in Avengers 2....or maybe just his name? Maybe not. Whatever.


So there you have it! Some fun, interactive, simple Thanksgiving kid-friendly (and budget-friendly, because craftiness can be expensive!) crafts to decorate the house!

Happy crafting, and Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! Eat lots of turkey! But not Turkey Man.....


Blessings,
Michelle

Thursday, November 15, 2012

My Sweet Addiction

I have a confession to make...I'm addicted...to sugar.  No seriously, you can laugh but I have a problem! I eat sugar like it's going to disappear off this Earth in the next day.  It has almost gotten to the point where my will power checks out and I can't not eat dessert after every meal.  

So this is it. I'm done with the hold that the granular, sweet substance has on me.  I declare a 21 day fast of sugar from today! I need to detox my system so that I don't have these intense sugar cravings.

My over consumption of sugar is only going to lead to bad things for my health.  Sugar consumption can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain (which I've already been battling) as well as early aging! OH NO! All of those are a bit to scary for me so it's time to start some changes.

I'm gonna try and update you all about my progress andddd I want to invite you to take the sugar detox challenge with me!

Let's get sugar free NOW!

Here are the rules:
No granulated sugar
No adding sugar to anything
No overtly sweet things like donuts or pastries
Use your common sense (If you wanna eat a small piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving nobody is gonna be mad!! This is to get healthier and get out of the clutches of sugar!)

XOXO,

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Painted Canvas: Love Life

I decided to reuse an old canvas Michelle was getting rid of and make it my own little project! I wanted to make it to hang beside my mirror in the bathroom...you know something inspiring and something truthful to start and end the day on.  I had lots to choose from but decided on this,"Love life as it is, not as ou want it to be." Powerful, truthful and something I've been learning as of late.  I also wanted to incorporate our bathrooms colors and birds...of course.  I just stinkin' love birds, they are just so cute! (if I could have bird everything, I think I would)
Here was my inspiration for the project:
Picture from Pinterest off of http://hihorosie.blogspot.com/
And here is my finished project!



I hope you like it and get inspired to put your own personal mantra on something to remind you of whatever it is you need to be reminded of daily!

XOXO,
This project is featured on Eye Heart




This project is linked up at Not Just a  Housewife, Eye Heart, Kathe with an E, Gunny Sack, Sugar and Dots, Sewing Barefoot and Tuesday Time Out.  You can find links to these fabulous parties and blogs under the page link Linking Partaaaay! Check 'em out!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Top Pins of the Week #7

Can you believe it's been just seven weeks since Domestically Modern has been doing it's thing? I certainly can't! I love blogging, I really didn't think I would love it as much as I do. But the community is just so great and the inspiration never runs dry for these people!!  So anyways here are my favorite pins of the week!

I love the look of colored jeans but I can't seem to convince myself to spend the money on them...So this is a good and much cheaper compromise for me! Can't wait to try this out!

I think this is just simply genius.  The organizers made specifically for makeup are stupid expensive and this is such a great and cheap way to organize all your pretty things! I might spray paint mine or do something silly and crafty to it...but I love the idea!

Don't these look sooo good? I thought so, and the fact that I had all the ingredients in my pantry right now males this recipe a winner. Check it out, this would be a hit for the holidays...or heck any day you need a sweet treat!!

So cute, so functional...AND I can make it in an afternoon! Super excited to dig out the sewing machine and get cracking on one of these!

This would be great for the holidays and could go along with the color palate of the room it's going in.  I love how festive it is, and how they used yellow and off white.

So there you have it folks, my pins of the week! Enjoy, repin, and be inspired by these lovely ideas these awesome bloggers had!

XOXO,


Friday, November 9, 2012

DIY Lace Headband

One of my favorite things in the world of crafting is lace. Lace can be so simple yet elegant and beautiful, much like a Barbie doll wedding dress. :) So I had the bright idea one day to make a headband of lace. Here’s how I did it…

Materials:
Elastic
Lace
Hot glue gun/hot glue
Scissors
Thread/needle

I began by sizing the elastic around my head. I didn’t want it to be too tight, because when it is I get a headache. I left it just loose enough to not hurt. I marked where I needed it to be with a pin.

I then sewed a square around the overlap of my elastic so that it would stay put, nice and snug.

Now it’s hot glue time! I hot glued the hemmed edge of the lace around one edge of my elastic band. After I did this, the lace sort of stood up and made me look like a baby wearing a bonnet. Enter needle and thread to save the day!

I hand sewed down the other edge of the elastic to hold the lace in place. That’ll do it!

Voila! My new headband was made. Let me know if you make one of your own…I’d be thrilled to see it! Happy lace-ing!

Blessings,
Michelle

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Top Pins of the Week #6

Love Pinterest....love, love, LOVE it!  It inspires me and makes me just plain happy to pin an hour away.  It's also been a great advertiser from my ideas and many other my blogging cohorts...SO my final word on Pinterest is...love.  Anyway now that I sound like a total crazy person here's what you've been waiting for- my favorite pins!

I adore the cuteness and the easiness of this.  I always find I never have a bookmark...but I always have a surplus of ribbon, hair elastics and buttons... I know what I'll be doing this week!

I really like this dish when I pay for it at the restaurant and I am SURE I (and hubs) will love it when I make it at home!! I know what I'm bringing for Thanksgiving...just sayin'!

So cute and so inventive, I'm inspired!  See how she does it!

 Being green is so great, and hubs and I could definitely become a little more eco-chic. I have the little bags that I'm supposed to take in with me...but I ALWAYS forget them.  Maybe if I had a couple cute bags like this I'd remember!

 So cute, festive and healthy!!? Wait a minute I thought holiday treats were fattening and horrible for you...I think this is such a cute and great way to bring a little health to the Christmas parties this year!!

There you have it! The pins I couldn't live without pinning this week! So get inspired and make something, cook something or just Pin it!

Keep warm,



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