Better late than never...

So, after two weeks I am still at square one.  Being off of work and having the kids is more difficult than I thought in starting this new clean eating plan.  But, I am still trying! Here are a couple of really good places to start if you are interested in starting this yourself!

On Facebook:

100 days of Real Food - this is a blog that is updated frequently with recipes and a 10 week clean eating challenge.  This is what I will be starting next week.

Backyard Farmer and Feed, LLC - this is for AZ peeps only.  This guy DELIVERS fresh produce, meat, eggs and other items to your front door.  Amazing find! Not too much more expensive than Sprouts and the bonus is that it gets delivered!!!

On the web:

Both of the above sites are also web sites - it's just easier to browse them in Facebook.

Also, look at EMeals.com.  They have meal plans and grocery lists weekly for a very low price.  Helps when you are first starting out to know what to eat.  Most of the recipes I've tried on this have been very good - even my kids have enjoyed them!

So, there you go! Now you know what I know! HA! Happy eating!

Goals....

My personal goals:

1.  Lose 20 lbs. by Thanksgiving

2.  Start exercising

3.  Graduate with a 4.0 from grad school

4.  Get a job ASAP

5.  Spend more time with my kids and husband

Ready...Set....GO!

This is the day that I begin to live the life I know I was meant to live. What does that mean you might ask? Well, for me this journey started about two and a half years ago. I was depressed and unhappy, I didn't know what I was doing with my life. When talking to my friend Jenell, (who always kicks my butt, by the way) she challenged me to go out and find what I was looking for. What was I looking for? I really didn't know, but I was determined to find out....

When I started thinking about my career, I realized that I was feeling very unfulfilled. I was (and still am) working at a salon - managing and bookkeeping. I enjoyed the people interaction, not much else. I really missed being around teenagers...I know that sounds weird, but J and I have been in youth ministry for a long time. I also missed being with my kids - they keep growing up, no matter what I do to keep them little! Then, suddenly, it came to me....why not be a school counselor? That way I could work with teens and still have time off with my kids in the summer. I prayed about it, sought counsel from people I respect and decided that this was what I was going to do. Thus my journey began....

Now, two years later I am getting close to the end of one journey and beginning another. I will graduate with my Master's in School Counseling in September...a mere four months away. A little scary, but also pretty exciting as well. I have been spending my internship at an alternative school in Chandler and I love it. The kids are great and I am challenged every day. Finding a job may prove to be more difficult, but I know that God has the perfect place for me and I am TRYING to hand that over to Him....he does a much better job that I can!

During the last six months, I have been challenged in another way as well...my health. I have not felt that great in awhile - tired, lots of migraines, gaining weight and generally feeling unhealthy. I have read many articles and seen a couple of documentaries regarding "clean eating" - which means eliminating processed foods from your diet. For some reason, this made a lot of sense to me so I decided to start....slowly... : )

It has definitely been hard, but I am determined to give it a go. I am using the blog to share information regarding "clean eating" and keeping myself accountable in my "quest" to live a healthier life. I am going to share my struggles and my successes...and be vulnerable...something I am not really good at. All I ask is that if you read this blog, you learn from it and don't judge. Who knows? Maybe this is something you can do as well....