10 Lessons from the West Coast

The view from the top... of my building

Happy six month Vanniversary! One of the keys to a successful partnership is celebrating milestones, even the little ones. That was one of the lessons we taught in this episode of The Awesomeness Advantage. I thought in honour of my six months in Vancouver, I’d share some of the lessons I’ve learned so far (about life and about myself).

1. I love mountains, ocean, and forests. Being surrounded by this beautiful scenery has shown me just how much I love connecting with nature. Running along the ocean and doing a mid-run meditation on the beach has proven to be super grounding for me. I encourage everyone – especially you land-locked folks – to take a drive into nature. It will change your day, and maybe even your life. Who knows. It changed my life seeing the west coast mountains a year and a half ago; now it’s the view from my bedroom.
2. Strangers can become family if you approach them with an open heart. One of my biggest fears about moving was not making friends, especially being in a new city by myself. I was happily dropped into the middle of a conscious, loving family of people that welcomed my presence and connected with me on so many levels. It’s unlike any experience I’ve had.
3. I’m, like, really funny. Don’t interpret that the wrong way, I mean it in the sense that I love getting more in touch with myself, and figuring out what my strengths are. My sense of humour has helped me to get through difficult and sticky situations. More than anything, my goofiness has proven to that I have the ability to make people feel better about their lives. From dancing in the aisles of Whole Foods to The Awesomeness Advantage, I love to make people laugh.
4. Everyone is a mirror. Every person you attract into your life is a reflection of yourself in some way. I knew this before, but I’ve really started to embrace it since being here. It’s made my communication and interactions with people way more intriguing. For every annoyance or elation I experience in someone else, I’m given the opportunity to ask myself where that’s showing up in my life. The self-expression you admire in a some girl singing to herself as she walks down the street is a quality you also carry, but might not fully want to share (yet).
5. You can’t change anyone. Or the past. Or how people will react. The only thing you really have control over is how you react in this moment. My crew here has helped me to be more authentic. To me, this means learning to how to share what I’m actually feeling and voice my needs. Doing this empowers me and allows for clear communication between all parties. I can’t change anyone, but I can change how I react, which might influence how they react in return. Kindness is always better received than passive aggression or snippiness.
6. I love love. It’s easy to get caught up in negative speech patterns and hating on other people. I know this first hand, because it’s a way that women typically bond (“She looks gross” or “You’re way prettier”). Vancouver’s given me a love-reality check: I’d much rather talk about how awesome people are. I’d rather encourage the positive aspects of a person, than trash-talk the negative aspects of another (remember point #4). Why not raise your vibes by being positive and in love with your life, rather than lower your vibes by being in a state of jealousy and fear? Reframe how you articulate your thoughts and you’ll notice changes happen all around you.
7. I love staying in. In Toronto all of my friends were a minimum 30-minute subway ride away.  Now living in downtown Vancouver and having the majority of my friends living in my building, I rarely leave my condo (let alone my neighborhood). I enjoy lounging on my couch with some vino, tunes, and good people. Not only do I save money, I get to create real connections.
8. Spiritualism is cool. I didn’t doubt this in Toronto, but I never felt like I connected with anyone on this before I moved. Having a connection to source/Universe/Divine/whatevs makes life’s ups and downs flow together with meaning.
9. I love crystals. I keep them in my bra, my pockets, and under my pillows. There’s a fifty percent
   

   I have a raw piece of quartz I use on my seventh chakra during meditation and it’s a serious connection amplifier. Yeah it’s kind of like this…

   chance of finding at least one with a broad hand sweep under my duvet. They make a difference in my attitude and my spiritual connection (see point eight). Say what you will, crystals are sweet. And pretty.

10. I’m worthy of my dreams. I’ve learned that a lot of people, myself included, have difficulty accepting their worthiness. It seems much easier to give rather than receive and allow the Universe to deliver your dreams. I don’t know where in our culture we started to accept this untruth, or how we even allowed it to occur. I know I am worthy of my dreams. I am worthy of love. I am worthy of healthy relationships. I am worthy of abundance in all areas of my life. Accepting these facts is something I work on every day.

It’s been an amazing six months, Vancouver. Thanks for calling me out here!

Taking a Step Back in Time with Music

I’ve discussed my love for music and it’s power of keeping me in flow. It’s rooted deep in my bones. Going

The beaches of Cabo were beautiful... I've got a different mountain view these days.

without music is like going without food or water; it can be done for a certain amount of time until I feel myself needing it, craving it, even fantasizing about it.

I got my first iPod-like device when I was seventeen. This is when I started organizing my songs by the month. Each month I create a new playlist to keep track of what songs I’ve recently added (since the “Recently Added” file just isn’t organized enough for me). Ever since I’ve started to create these lists, I’ve found myself going back and listening to the old ones.

Since I was seventeen I’ve had a few different music devices, so some of my lists have been lost over the years. When I’m going through a musical dry streak (i.e. I don’t have any new songs I’m obsessively listening to), I go back about eleven months to an old playlist. I’m not sure why, but the old tracks I feel like listening to are always from ten to eleven months prior.

I can close my eyes and remember exactly how I felt at that point in time. I remember where I was, who I was with, what I was going through. I remember how each song made me feel, and observe that feeling from a new, outside perspective. It’s interesting. It takes me somewhere comfortable, somewhere I’ve already been to and I start to get nostalgic. This week I was listening to my playlist from last April. It reminds me of my trip to Cabo. It reminds me of the walk I took from my parents house to the subway station, where I would go to meet my boyfriend for our gym dates. It reminds me of my cousin. For just a moment, it reminds me how easy it would be to go back to all of that. And if I’m being honest, it’s hard to not want that.

Everything’s better in hindsight right?

Just like music keeps me present and in flow, music also keeps me grounded and reminds me of what I’m creating for myself. I won’t grow or expand by wishing it was last April.  But I can certainly still enjoy Machu Picchu while strolling along the sea wall, being grateful for how far I’ve come.

Pause. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Pause. Repeat.

Thank you.

Other favesies from last April:

Reminded – Tyga ft Adele

My First Song – Jay-Z

Rolling In The Deep – John Legend

She Said – Plan B

Forever – Wolfgang Gartner ft Will.i.am

Getting Out of My Comfort Zone

I do miss Toronto, especially as summer rolls around. Photo credit: Farida Wahidi

En route back to Vancouver, I had a moment of sadness as I looked out the window at the YYZ tarmac. I don’t think anyone could have prepared me for the moment of homesickness I felt. While I was back in my hometown, I didn’t get to see all of my favourite places, or eat at all of my favourite spots.  I didn’t get to spend time with all of my friends, and I would’ve loved an extra hour with my mom.  I didn’t have too much time to reminisce as I made new memories with my Vancouver family in downtown Toronto. So as I sat in my pod, it hit me that there is a part of me that really does miss living in that city.

While I was home, I had a situation where I was given the chance to be authentic and honest about my feelings, and step out of my comfort zone. I got to honour how I felt and instead of making up excuses, voice what I was experiencing emotionally. It was uncomfortable for a moment. Fear and apprehension held me as I shared my real feelings, but also empowered me. This situation also allowed me to honour the other person’s feelings. It helped to remind the Universe (and myself) what type of people and situations I want in my life and which ones I am ready to move on from. I’m going confidently in the direction of my dreams, with the faith that letting go of my past will propel me further, faster.

At dinner one night at Fresh, my girlfriend turned to me and said I was glowing with happiness.  I confidently told her I couldn’t foresee myself moving back anytime soon. I love the mountains and ocean. I love my roommates, my apartment, and my life in Vancouver. But homesickness is a funny thing: it doesn’t care about any of those factors. It reminds you of what is familiar and what is comfortable. It reminds you that you could easily fall back into that life without many adjustments. So, what’s keeping me on the coast?

I realized, as a few stray tears fell down my face on the plane, that I wasn’t going to grow if I went back into my comfort zone.  The six months I’ve spent in Vancouver has taught me more about myself than I’d realized. It’s taught me how to be authentic, what type of people I want in my life, and given me a better idea of who I want to become. It’s introduced me to a group of people that I feel closer to than any group I’ve met. I actually feel like I belong in that family. I’m an important part of a community that operates out of and in love.

Along this journey of moving out and away from home, I’m learning as I go. None of us really know what we’re doing all of the time. I can do all of the card readings and meditations I want: all new experiences are going to feel scary. I think the key is to step into that fear of not knowing the end result. If you keep repeating the same actions, you will keep getting the same results. And that’s not what I want for my future. I want the results to keep getting better.

Actually, the Universe Wants You to Be Friendly

When I was a frequent gym-goer, I noticed that 90 percent of the time, I chose a locker RIGHT next to someone who would walk in 30 seconds later. I swear, if not before my workout, then it would be right after my shower that someone will have just settled into the locker next to mine.

Just a few of my Vancouver "tribe" family members. Surrounding myself with loving people has reminded me that I'm not on this journey alone, and I was never meant to be.

It just occurred to me a couple months ago why this might be.

We aren’t supposed to be segregated, iPod-listening, hustling and bustling commuters. We are meant to live in communities and create relationships with each other. Our very nature is to have others we can depend on and be depended on. Seriously, the Universe wants us to play nice and form bonds with one another.

Before the days of babysitters, plumbers, and restaurants, us humans had these things called communities and tribes. We depended on each other to help take care of our children, tend to our sick, and rebuild our houses when catastrophe struck. Our insurance was our neighbors. Now, we build gates higher than we can see and hire professionals to mend whatever is broken. We have this complex that we don’t need to ask for help and can fully depend on ourselves for everything. Well, this isn’t true. While I can cook a great meal without any assistance, I certainly have other areas of my life I need help in. Depending others and allowing them to help you gives you the opportunity to acknowledge their actions. You could say that asking for help is one way of providing service.

So today’s lesson is to be friendlier. Your coworkers aren’t much different from you, so crack a grin in their direction. Maybe say hello to your neighbor next time you’re in the elevator. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for help. You are worthy of being helped, and deserve a loving supportive community around you.

Living, and Eating, In the Moment

I was happy to discover that the Maple Leaf Lounge has some healthy options

Traveling does a funny thing to me: I tend to “allow” myself to eat foods I don’t normally consume (keep in mind, I am an avid flexitarian, and I set flexible guidelines for my dietary choices based on how my body feels). During my trip to Toronto, I woke up one morning to some freshly, made-with-love whole wheat bread. Normally I forgo wheat, since it doesn’t get along with my body all that well.  But hey, it was still warm from the oven, what was I gonna say? No, I don’t want your beautiful bread topped with local Ontario honey, almond butter and banana? Sorry, I’d rather stare at it longingly wishing that “I ate wheat”?

I could also make the argument that the dialogue would be more like “Sorry, I don’t want to cripple my guts by eating gluten”.  I get that.

Instead I decided to live in the moment.  In that moment, my eyes widened and my stomach growled and my legs lurched me forward towards the kitchen where I carefully sliced two pieces of bread for Kelsey and I.

And you know what? I felt great.  The mindset you have while eating impacts your body that much. It’s not something I eat all the time, and the circumstance – made with love, fresh, and my body literally pulling me towards it – called for it. I didn’t think “Damn I’m going to have the worst stomach cramps after this,” I thought “Oh my gosh, this is freaking delicious” and savored every crumb.

So what’s the difference between eating and living in the moment, and letting your food “exceptions” get out of control? Well the first way to tell the difference is by checking in.  You already know which foods you usually avoid and why.  If you find yourself craving them or being drawn to them, stop and ask yourself why that is. Is it because you don’t have any other choice, or is it because you had a crappy day and it’s your comfort food? Change your mindset: If you’re travelling and really don’t have any other food choice, reframe your thinking. Try, “Wow, I’m so grateful to have this food! My body loves and can handle eating this right now because it’s nourishing me.” If you simply crave the food, not because you’re hungry (and are probably quite emotional at the same time), try thinking “I am safe to be in control of my emotions.  I fill myself only with the clean food that my body enjoys and absorbs. I eat only foods that make my mind, body and spirit feel good.” Breathe. Pause. Repeat.

I love traveling. I love the excitement of the plane taking off, and exploring new cities.  The places I will travel to might not always be able to accommodate my food choices. The friends I have don’t all subscribe to the same dietary guidelines as me. Living in the moment keeps me grounded, and eating in the moment keeps my body and mind happy. Don’t take life so seriously, you’ll miss out on Kodak moments and freshly baked bread.

Sometimes it helps to have someone hear you out on your food cravings, and help you sort out why you’re drawn to certain foods. Sometimes, that someone is me abigail@abigailchristens.com.

Flight AC8: Some May Call It Luck…

My first time in a pod... There was copious dancing and giggling for certain

A year ago, I didn’t picture myself on a first class flight to Toronto from my new home in Vancouver, with my incredible room mate/wife/awesomeness partner Kelsey. My life has been chock-full of jet setting and giggles these days, and I have never been more grateful to be exactly where I am.  Did you know they have adjustable tabletops in first class? So convenient.

I’ve been in the Air Canada Maple Leaf Executive Lounge twice in the last two weeks (it may not sound like a big deal, but I’ve never flown this way before!).  And you know how I got to experience these things? By manifesting them, and by expressing gratitude to be exactly where I am.  Some people like to call this luck; I like to call this being awesome. Don’t get this blog post confused with bragging.  This is post is straight up gratitude.

What is gratitude? It is the act and state of thankfulness.  It is thinking in a way of abundance versus lack.  It’s focusing on “Oh my gosh, look at all these amazing people, opportunities and things in my life.  Thanks Universe!” It’s appreciating what is right in front of you, not looking off into the distance hoping to see something else.

Now, that isn’t to say that goal-setting isn’t important.  Goal setting and setting intentions are integral parts of my life.  But how can you expect to receive when you don’t notice what you’ve already been given? Imagine if every gift you gave somebody was received with the question “What else?” You probably wouldn’t want to give them a gift, ever.

What do you have in your life that you may have looked over?  Maybe it’s the fact that you live at home and don’t pay rent while you save to move out.  Or even though you don’t have much of a savings, you still have food on your plate at every meal.  Even better, maybe you’re in a supportive, loving relationship with someone that shares your values and wants you to succeed.

I am grateful to be able to visit my hometown, all expenses paid.  I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to increase the abundance in my life with high-vibing people that care about me and my success.  I am grateful for the excellent service I am being given while I type up inspired blog posts for the world to read. As I express gratitude for the life I am living, I allow more incredible experiences into my life.  Well… okay. Thanks Universe!

How to Fall in Love with Your Life

As I started to type up this post, my song-of-the-moment came on and I broke out into silent lip-syncing dance with Kelsey.  People sitting around us at the coffee shop looked at us through the side of their eyes while we rocked out trying not to notice or react. I can confidently say that I am in love with my life.

It’s pretty easy to fall in love with your life.  Here are the steps:

1. Do what you want.  Not in a rebel-without-a-cause kind of way, but in a you-have-control-of-your-life way.  Seriously, you have complete control over your life (with some Universal divine guidance, of course).  If you don’t like going to the bar, don’t go with your friends every week.  Go to a yoga class or a coffee shop – you’ll probably find people that are more in line with your values and interests.  Some people and things may fall away when you start doing what you want, but that’s okay. It’s all part of the process of falling in love with your life. Also, do what makes you feel good! Respect your physical vessel and only eat/drink things that make you feel delicious (does you crave foods that DON’T make you feel good? Check out this post , or this one). Do you feel amazing with a hangover? Probably not. Maybe you should party less. Just saying.
2. Hang out with people that make you smile and laugh.  Nothing raises your vibes like laughing
   

   What happens when you do what you love, stay present, and surround yourself with people you love? Random dance parties in the coffee shop with creatures like these! True story.

   yourself into a giggle oracle session . You are who you surround yourself with, so associate with people who are also in love with their lives.

3. Express gratitude on a regular basis. Appreciate moments, people, places, and things. Get a journal and write down at least 3 things that you’re grateful for in your life every night.  This is especially helpful when you’re not feeling in flow; you can look back and reflect on all the ways you can get back into your groove. Also telling people how grateful you are for them is a really powerful way to form meaningful connections.
4. Express yourself. This means something different for everyone. You can choose to express yourself through art, music, dance, or writing. You can also start to express how you really feel.  Standing your ground helps you to form healthy boundaries. Boundaries keep you true to yourself and tell the Universe what is and what isn’t okay by you. This attracts more people, situations and opportunities that are okay! Yay!
5. Acknowledge yourself.  You’ve come far on your journey to get to where you are, and it’s high time you recognized that. Take a second and stop the “on to the next one” goal mindset and look around. Did you move cities? Did you get into school for your dream career? Are you in your dream career? Did you work your butt off to be able to afford the computer you’re reading this on? These are all goals you have achieved – congratulations! For me, moving to Vancouver was a huge personal achievement, but almost as soon as I got here all I could think about was what was next. Instead I should’ve thought “Hey, good job Abby, you just moved across the country by yourself to a city where you don’t really know too many people.  Nice work.”
6. Be present. This is not a piece of advice to look over, it’s probably the most important point! Be present to where you are and enjoy that moment.  Instead of thinking about what you want to make for dinner, or thinking about the next time you’re going to see the person you’re already with, just enjoy what’s going on around you. You cannot control the future or change the past; the only thing you have a choice in is this present moment.

Here’s one way to do it: close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you without analyzing them.  Yep, even if you’re in a coffee shop.  Listen to the sound of the espresso machine, the clicking of keyboards, and the different tones of voice.  Take a sip of your Americano and savour the flavour. Open your eyes and smile at the person next to you.  We’re all humans roaming the earth wanting to experience life and love, most of us don’t bite when strangers smile at us (hopefully).

Obviously, not every moment is full of giggles and dance sessions.  If it were, we wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the loveliness we’re normally surrounded by. Ask yourself: if everything in your life stayed the same as it is right now, would you be happy?

This is your life.  Start living it, and start loving it. Much love, angels!

Balancing Emotions, Thoughts and Fears: One Easy Answer

I can be very owl-y in hermit mode. I like to observe, think, and play by myself for a while.

Every so often I go into hermit mode. It’s not that I don’t like socializing with other people, but I’ve recognized in the last few months that I need time to observe my world and my thoughts.

Hermit mode gives me time to think about any feelings I haven’t quite come to terms with yet. You know, those little passing moments of stress or frustration that we brush off in order to get on with our days. When all of these moments build up, I feel like I respond to everyone with fire or like my head will explode.

So, my solution? I take some loner-time. I’ve found that taking at least a half hour every week to do Abby-things helps to keep me feeling balanced. I zone in to my thoughts instead of zoning out in front of a screen. I walk along the water, take extra time to meditate, write, or take myself out for tea (and savour it rather than slurp it down). I come out of hermit mode feeling happy, social, and at peace. This week I made myself a delicious carob-almond-milk-english toffee stevia cappuccino before going on a half hour stroll and meditation next to the seawall. I noticed how beautiful the water was with the sunlight glistening against it, and was super grateful to be exactly where I was, alone in hermit mode on a Sunday morning.

I highly recommend everyone try this.  It helps me to remember that I can make myself feel better, which is a very powerful feeling. On the flip-side, I’m also learning the value in asking for help, even if it’s just asking for an ear while I spout out my worries.  It gets these feelings out of my system, and sometimes brings amazing advice. Remember, when your life is really awesome, lots of great things happen to you. Taking time to acknowledge all of them helps to keep them coming! Happy Monday!

I’m still here! But not for long

It’s been two and a half months since my last post, sorry to leave you guys for the summer!  But with fall comes that back-to-school feeling, and that feeling of “getting back to work” returns.  I have a pretty big announcement though…

I’m moving to Vancouver!

I’m so thrilled, I can’t even begin to explain it.  This summer gave me a lot to think about, what I wanted for myself, for my life, for my career.  I started realizing what I want in a home and in a relationship.  While I’m sad I have to leave so many amazing people in Toronto, I’m going to be living in a city I fell in love with last year.

On the drive home from Whistler. I've got a better camera now, and fully intend on taking better pictures!

Near the harbour, October 2010

I’m excited, thrilled, giddy, scared, nervous and calm all at the same time.  Every bone in my body knows this is the right choice.  So that’s one part of the news.  The other part is that I’ve got some clearer direction on what I want to go back to school for.  Since being blessed with my amazing job working for Marni Wasserman, I’ve realized my passion for food.  I hope to go back to school to get my natural chef certification in a couple of years.  Which to me, is almost more exciting than moving!  But that’s in the future.  Vancouver is in one month.  One.  Month.  Holy crap!!

But back to regular blog stuff.  I cooked up a storm amidst my excitement about writing this post.  Two recipes I MUST share:  Quinoa-Salsa-Bean Bake and Strawberry-Maple-Chocolate Muffins (wipe the drool off of your chin).

Quinoa Salsa Bean Bake

3/4 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 tomato, chopped

1/4 cup onion, chopped

3/4 cup cooked beans (I used mung beans)

3/4 cup salsa (I had some amazing homemade salsa from my sisters boyfriends mother… I hope they get married, this salsa was delicious!)

Topped with Angela’s Quick and Dirty Cheeze Sauce (I only had sweetened vanilla almond milk, and would definitely recommend getting plain unsweetened like the recipe says)

Layer all ingredients (in said order) in a greased casserole dish (increase or decrease amounts as you see fit, I used what I had room for).  Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350F. I serve it over some thick cucumber slices (I had a nachos vision in my head, using cuc’s instead of chips).  Makes enough for three servings.  You best believe it’s my lunch tomorrow!  It isn’t my most creative dish, but I’m kind of on a use-whatevers-still-in-my-cupboards thing right now.

Strawberry Maple Chocolate Muffins

3/4 cup whole spelt flour

1/2 cup coconut flour

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp apple sauce

1/3-1/2 cup chopped strawberries

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp maple extract

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

~1/4 cup xylitol (a new ingredient for me… it’s a redwood tree sugar, cooks, tastes and bakes like sugar with no blood sugar impact and low in calories)

1 tbsp chia + 3 tbsp almond milk/water

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Mix dry ingredients together in a medium size bowl.

2. Mix wet ingredients together in a larger bowl, and add in dry.

3.  Scoop in greased muffin tray and bake for about 15-20 minutes.  Makes about 6 muffins.

I think I have some hippie blood in me

And here’s why:

1. I’ve decided for tonight that I’m not going to listen to music, but to the sound of the rain outside.  Don’t have windows or rain near you? Go to http://www.rainymood.com/

Goats!

2. I’ve decided to start volunteering in a vegetable garden.  I did it for my co-op during school and I loved it.  I spend 5 hours pulling weeds, watering plants and watching dogs chase the goats.  I leave feeling exhausted and happy and usually with some kind of basket of organic vegetables. Gardening is seriously therapeutic.

3. I voted Green Party.

4. I on occasion smoke herbaceuticals.

5. It’s not uncommon for me to talk about connecting to the earths energy, etc, etc.  I have a crystal salt lamp next to my bed.

6. I save a lot of snails on the sidewalk.

Okay so 3 and 4 are somewhat common/irrelevant, but seriously.  I spent so long thinking I wanted to live in a high-rise condo near the water, and now I’m thinking more north so I can have a garden in my backyard and be surrounded by nature.  Granted, I’d still love to live in a high-rise condo near the water.  I love being near any kind of water (hence my love for Vancouver), and there are certainly ways to have balcony gardens, but long term I’m not sure it’s what I want.

Also, it’s Wednesday! Which means WIAW (does anyone else read “WEEWA” and immediately think of Borat?) #2:

Breakfast Homemade granola with goat yogurt, 1/2 banana and powdered stevia

Snack Two quinoa-almond-chickpea cookies with honey drizzled on top

Lunch Bean-kamut salad with cucumber, red pepper, carrots and homemade dressing

Snack Blueberry muffin, homemade by my boss (the day gets 100x better when I get surprise treats at work)

Preworkout A spoonful of Artisana raw cacao coconut bliss – this stuff is seriously addictive, and I say it’s preworkout because the coconut butter gave me some sustainable energy and the agave gave me some unrefined simple carbs to run off of.  I also had a Vega Sport preworkout mix.

Dinner Baked asparagus with olive oil, lemon and sea salt, side salad, the rest of my bean-kamut salad from lunch

Evening Creme caramel rooibos tea with a few drops of vanilla stevia

I’ve been keep a food journal recently (aside from my WIAW’s).  A study was done involving a group post-menopausal women, and the goal was to find out what was more effective for weight loss: diet or exercise.  They found that the women who exercised 5 days per week and kept a food journal (noting everything they ate and drank aside from water and calorie-free items) lost approximately 11% of their weight in a year, while those that just focused on diet lost about 8%, and the exercise-only group lost about 5%.  Not that weight loss is a goal, but I definitely had a few moments when I was about to have a third quinoa-almond-chickpea cookie and thought “Hmm, maybe not, I’d have to write it down”.  It forces you to face your diet and be responsible for your actions.  Try it out, let me know how it goes for you!

I’m embracing my part-hippie status.  I’m not sure I’m ready to give up everything about city living, e.g. the cute sandal wedges I ordered came in today, and I definitely tried them on with a few possible summer-evening bar night outfits.  And I’m not sure I could let my hair go free, sans-styling for longer than a few days or give up mascara.  However, I do think it’s important to not get too caught up in ego-focused things such as appearance, social status, reputation, and so on.  We all think about them sometimes, and we all act on ego-based impulses, just don’t let that rule your life.  There, that’s the end of my hippie-quote for the day.

I’m working on another cravings post that goes into some further detail about craving different textures, I’m getting lots of hits for that post!  Also stay tuned for a Mythbusting: Fats edition.  Any other requests? Email abigail@myinnerglow.com