words of affirmation

I'm embarrassed that I've flip-flopped on my blogging efforts over the years; however, It's been fun to journal in ways that felt right at the time. I'm always changing and my various blogs have been a pretty good representation of who I am during particular moments of life.

the other day I received a message from an old friend. someone I haven't really conversed with in years... probably at least 7 years. This woman is someone I've always admired because she is her own person. She sought me out, shared some meaningful words and memories of moments we've experienced together and made me feel important. Her genuine words have been stirring within me ever since I saw the little red notification box.

You see, I need words from people to understand that things are all right. When there is a lack of affirming words, I assume that negative thoughts are taking place. I'm not sure if this is something I need to work on or if this is how I receive kindness, understanding and love. with all of that in mind, I need to be a lot more affirming to myself.

how can I possibly affirm others and help them rise to their fullest if I squash myself from the moment my alarm sounds to the moment I lay in bed with nothing but the glow of instagram in my bedroom.

THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM

Flakey, coward, quick-to-jump-ship, unable to follow-through. 

No. How about changing? Adapting?

Just as I go through phases and changes, so can my digital interpretation.

I've felt the need to journal more and stop trying to get followers, or "likes." I want my blog to be  my journal. A journal of gratitude. Positivity. Goal-setting. Visions. A place for me. If anyone does read or feel the need to comment, go ahead. I'm glad you're here.

TEACHER POST

I've started off the school year and FINALLY have my own classroom! More to come. But for now? Here's this Ice Bucket Challenge thing. Have you heard of it?;) Read more about my challenge here.

CHECKING IN

So, I thought I would post...

G and I are living in Farmington, with TWO incredible jobs AND interviews pending for Medical School. I can't believe how fast life can change. I can't believe that I have yet to learn that things ALWAYS work out the way they are supposed to. After celebrating our 1-year-anniversary, I really believe that the first year is the hardest. I guess I'll find out... At the end of the day, being married to G is the safest, best decision I make every day.

We have this adorable little apartment with vaulted ceilings complete with a train not 100 yards from our building. 

I have lost any interest in blogging...except on my classroom blog.

I've been spending countless hours trying to get my classroom ready. I can't believe I FINALLY get to be a teacher! I've been dreaming of this day since I was in kindergarten. From trying to finagle a tiny budget, applying for grants, and slaving away over just the right amount of "cuteness" and "cool," my room is ready. My cute 6th graders and I will be blogging on our own blog, so this one is pretty neglected. Whatever. 

This weekend the hubs and I are going on a little getaway before the school year begins. It feels so good NOT to be students students (for the time being...cross your fingers that Greg DOES become a Med student). A regular routine, complete with extra time together and sleeping in, cannot be put into words. It's wonderful. We both love our jobs and I am LOVING marriage. I really am the luckiest. 

Summer, we're going to take advantage of you these next several days...watch out. 

THE GRADUATES

postmarkstudios

Guys, we did it. 

The last four years have been filled with firsts, lasts, heartbreak, lost friendships, change, new friendship, confusion, prayer, disappointment, surprising successes, late-night cramming, mistakes, regrets, new chapters, self-discovery, debt, tears, an ENGAGEMENT AND MARRIAGE!!! triumph, ice, laughter, and learning. Now, just like that, it's over.  

 Just before we walked on the morning of graduation, the always-adorable and ever-talented brittany came to snap some photos for us:)

 I'm so proud of this curly-haired, smarty-pants. He is DONE with his undergraduate degrees. 

I still can't get him to express his excitement (I keep prompting him to shout, "Woo! We're done!" but he won't).

Most of all-- I'm grateful for this handsome guy who is still by my side. 

I can't believe how far we've come, yet it's only the beginning. 

I'm getting all teary as I type this because we are leaving Logan in only a matter of weeks. We signed an apartment lease and I start my new job at the end of summer. Greg is applying to Medical School and job searching. We are leaving Logan. I'm so proud to be an Aggie and I will never forget or take for granted the opportunities that came to be while I lived here in Logantown. We'll bring our kiddos back for Aggie Ice Cream and hound them with memories from our years as students. Ugh! Sentiment. Part of me wishes I hated Logan so that leaving would be easier. 

I remember unpacking in my freshman dorm room thinking that I was so ready for what lie ahead. I remember thinking I had it all together and I knew who I was going to become. It's unfathomable how much I've changed. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for my Father's plan. It was those times when I relied on my own understanding that I was the most lost and confused. When I finally relied on the Lord, when I stopped trying to call all the shots, it was then that I felt the most peace. 

It is now that I feel peace. 

A LITTLE BIT OF MY SOUL

Here's a post filled with some of my wisdom. I thought I'd put it on my blog because I'm overwhelmed with emotions, I need to journal, and I can type a lot faster than I can write.

It's almost been a year since Greg and I were wed. To say it's been strenuous is an understatement. Poor G has had to put up with my insecurities and crying and irrational worries all while working two jobs and earning two degrees in molecular biology and biochemistry scientificary what-not (that was meant to be funny. I know what he studied). I've spent so much time worrying about our future and criticizing G's differences that those simple, bright everyday moments get pushed to aside for my "more important" concerns.

Marriage is not simply the next step in a relationship. It's not just some fun opportunity to use your Pinterest ideas. It's not a way for you to fill a void because it seems like a nice idea. It's not something that anyone should take lightly. I've been thinking about this past year and I am filled with regrets. Why? For the past 11 months, I've made every little thing about me. My sweet husband? He's made everything about me, too. I didn't realize how much I've been taking and taking and the ironic thing is that is hasn't been fulfilling for me at all, let alone for our relationship.

We are a team. Plain and simple.

I am completely committed to this man and in return, he commits everything to me. Do you actually realize how serious that is? I'm pretty sure I don't realize how serious that is, but I'm here, with G, trying every single day.

We argue and we miscommunicate and I cry. We get irritated with each other and shut each other out. We grow and learn and love and laugh and play and cook and kiss. We keep going because we are each here for the other person. That, I have finally realized.

(jessica kettle)

SPRING CLEANING

I'm really trying to be more positive:

More positive at work and towards those few kiddos that make me wanna scream.

More positive about my self-perception and this incredible body of mine (incredible in the way that it works the way it does).

More positive towards my marriage. 

More positive in the way I view change. 

More positive about my future. 

I think the way you become more positive is having more faith and trust in what God wants for you. I keep forgetting that I'm not alone and that the big man upstairs really is rooting for all of us to be happy.  

G and I will be leaving Logan in June. It's a little heart breaking because of all the growth I've experienced here in Logan-town. This is where G and I met when I was a wee little 18 year-old. It's where we crossed paths again and where we decided to take the same path. This is where I met my closest friends. This is where I changed my major 3 or 4 times and found my passion. This is where I will bring my kiddos on a trip down memory lane. I'm leaving Logan and it hurts a little. 

I'm leaving Logan and I'm a little excited. 

I've accepted a job offer to teach 6th grade in Kaysville and to say I'm over-the-moon is an understatement. I applied at dozens of schools, looked into several districts and was presented with so many opportunities, but when my number one choice got back to me so quickly, I was pretty surprised! I'm thrilled to start planning my classroom.Greg and I will be moving back to Davis County soon, and everything's coming up roses. 

See that positivity?

Because we'll be moving in a matter of weeks, I decided to put off my deep, spring cleaning until we have to leave our apartment. In the meantime, I'll search for a new place to live...

and love doing laundry till we move. 

For anyone who might be interested, here's a recipe for some homemade laundry detergent that I'm pretty sure will last a small family at least a year or so. I saw tons of these recipes floating around on Pinterest, and I finally did it. I paid about $40 for the big glass jar and all the ingredients. If you leave out scent boosting crystals and the glass container, you could get everything for somewhere in the ballpark of $25. 

Why I like this detergent: 

It smells so good

I only have to use a tablespoon or two per load

My whites are left whiter without bleach

My washing machine drum doesn't have soapy, grimy build-up
It looks pretty cute on my laundry-shelf

One 4-pound 12-oz box of Borax

Three bars of Fels-Naptha soap

One 4-pound box of Baking Soda

One box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda - Laundry Aisle

4 pounds of Oxy Clean (I buy the largest container and save about 1/3 for other cleaning at home)

*Optional* Laundry softener crystals for scent. You can mix these in to your laundry detergent or add them to your loads as needed.

You'll need a 5-gallon bucket or large storage container lined with a heavy-duty garbage bag.

Pretty much all of the Pinterest recipes tell you to grate the Fels-Naptha with a cheese grater or food processor. Well, lucky for you, I tried both of those ways and gave up after I grated my finger and ended up with a big ol' clump of soap jammed in my processor. SO guess what?? I have a solution for you. Cut the soap into 1-inch cubes and pulse in a blender-- do this in batches. ADD ABOUT A CUP OF BAKING SODA TO EACH BAR OF SOAP IN THE BLENDER. This helped keep the soap from clumping and creates finer, smaller shavings of soap. 

After you have all your soap "grated," mix everything in your garbage bag. Snap the lid on your bucket/storage container and shake well! You can store your container in a dry place and use as needed. I've seen people use mason jars to use near their washer instead of keeping a giant bucket there. Again, I bought this cute jar for about $10 and I love it. Because my washing machine is in my apartment's bathroom, I threw in one of those silica packets to keep the mix dry. 

Use 1 Tbs for small loads and 2 Tbs for larger loads.

Let me know if you have made your own laundry detergent or if you make this recipe. 

Here's to positivity, Spring time, and lovely smelling laundry. 

GLOOM AND A RECIPE

I haven't blogged in a month and I don't care. A part of me cares because I've had a goal of blogging more this year. I love setting goals and I hate when I don't fulfill them. I'm a tiny bit sad that I haven't been posting. I don't feel that bad because this little blog is not a priority of mine. I am sitting on my couch, putting off job applications and wanting to jot down some feelings.

Thanks to anyone who reads my meaningless words.

Remember this post?  Being married is hard. I wouldn't choose to be in any other situation, because G makes me feel slightly less crazy and he is my biggest fan. Things seem to get harder everyday, but I'm glad we are here for each other through tough stuff. What's tough is watching my more-than-deserving man not getting accepted to medical school, still working two jobs (where he clones and delivers baby animals), and pushing through the last semester of college. I've watched his dark circles get darker. I've been pushed farther and farther away from the man I married. I've seen myself gain weight and insecurity. I've felt alone and regretful. But mostly, I've been selfish. I'm trying to make everything about me and I need to stop. Throw some advice my way-- I need it.

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You didn't think I would just whine and pout, did you? Here's a recipe I meant to post forever ago-- It's super easy. The left-overs are fantastic at work the next day and it's husband approved. Light and tasty, it's got a serving of veggies, and lots of protein!

Chicken Fried Rice (kelsey, this one's for you. sorry it took so long) 
Serves 4

3 Cups cooked brown rice
1/2 lb chicken breasts
1 medium onion, diced
1 Tbs coconut oil
1 bag frozen peas/carrots blend
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 eggs

While cooking rice, grill chicken in a small skillet and shred when cooked through.
*Optional: for some extra flavor, soak shredded chicken in additional minced garlic, a packet of Stevia (or 1 Tbs sugar) and about 3 Tbs soy sauce.
Warm oil in a large skillet; add garlic, onion, and veggies-- heat until tender.
Crack eggs over skillet and scramble with veggies. Add chicken, rice, and soy sauce. ENJOY! 

FOOD-FEATURE FRIDAY: TIM

I'm starting a new series that features friends of mine-- some I've known for years and others I've gotten to know over the inter-web. I've hand picked my entries and I want you all to get inspired by their cooking.

I'll be featuring appetizers, desserts, breakfast quickies, entrees, breads and more. If you want to bless us with your cooking, please shoot me an e-mail at steph {dot} ilene {dot} johnson {at} gmail {dot} com.

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Today my buddy is blessing us with some dinspiration (clever, right? dinner + inspiration = dinspiration). Tim was unfortunate enough to work with me to plan and serve our entire menu for a work retreat of 45+ people. I'm glad he put up with me because I learned a lot from him! Tim is hilariously witty and smart. He's an amazing example of someone who knows what he wants and goes for it. Watch for his name in politics because I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up being the winning campaign manager for one of our future presidents. Because my readers are mostly (okay, probably entirely) women, it looks like it's just Tim and the girls!

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tim used this recipe from the Food Network-- I wish I was there when he made it. 

Ingredients

Marinade:

1 cup plain yogurt, whisked until smooth

3 tablespoons Ginger-Garlic Paste, recipe follows 

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts poked with a fork, and cut into large bite-sized chunks

Sauce:

2 teaspoons olive oil

3 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup Ginger-Garlic Paste, recipe follows (or 6 cloves garlic and 2-inch thumb ginger minced)

2 serrano peppers, minced (seeds removed if you don't want it spicy)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon garam masala

2 teaspoons paprika

8 Roma tomatoes, diced

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 to 2 cups water

Oil, for grilling

1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (optional)

1/2 cup heavy cream

Minced fresh cilantro, for garnish

Cooked rice, naan, or crusty piece of bread, for serving

Ginger-Garlic Paste:

1/2 cup cloves garlic, whole

1/2 cup fresh ginger, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices

1/4 cup canola oil

Look at this list of ingredients... a GINGER-GARLIC paste? I'm drooling right now. I love that this dish sets me up for a challenge. It's not something I would typically make. 

Get full directions by clicking on the link above--

here are Tim's tips for the recipe: 

Make sure you pay close attention during the sautéing of the garlic-ginger paste, Serrano peppers, tomato paste and spices. It's the most important part of developing the flavors for the dish, so don't skip doing each ingredient separately like the recipe asks. Keep the heat lower than you think you need because it's easy to burn these components which has a bad effect on the whole dish. 

Also, the recipe calls for grilling the chicken, which is great if you have one, but if you don't, a skillet or frying pan with just a small amount of Pam works too. 

Lastly, I like to simmer the chicken for about 30 minutes in the sauce, covered, just to make sure it's cooked through. 

Ummm, a man who can cook? Yeah, he'll make a lucky-lady very happy.

I'm nervous to cook with curry. 
I LOVE it. I've never cooked with it. Is it something I should try?

What are you making for dinner this weekend? 
I hope it something half as good as Tim's dish. 

BLT-CA: A SANDWICH HE'LL LOVE

I hope your week has been going well. I really do. It's always nice to start the week off with a holiday and I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday! Stay tuned because my first Food-Feature Friday will be coming your way. Woopee.

Last night when I got back from the gym, I started to make dinner and tidy up the place a bit. I found the nice, new pair of shoes I got G for Christmas sticking out from under the couch and I pulled them out to put them away. Low and behold, there was blood stained up around from the soles to the toes.

WHAT? 
Okay, so there wasn't tons of blood. In fact, there was a minimal amount. I am surprised I even noticed.

Being the reactive person I am, I stormed through the office door, cautiously holding his shoes in front of me. After his quick explanation and reassurance that some hydrogen peroxide would undo the dirty, my heart melted a little bit. You are probably all thinking that we are some sick couple, but get this: G helped deliver two, cloned baby calves. One of the little cows, fresh from the womb, stumbled her way over and fell at G's feet. Gross, but also kind of cute, right? That man of mine is quirky, but I love that he's passionate about his work... even though I don't like that it comes home with him sometimes.

Now that I've fully ruined your appetite, here's a quick and easy recipe that everyone is sure to love. I almost made myself a second sandwich after I inhaled my first. I couldn't pass up some bacon at the store yesterday because I know it holds a special place in my husband's heart. Wanting to make something he'd love, I was inspired to grill this up!

BLT-CA
Bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, & avocado
Serves 2

Go ahead and switch up the amounts of anything and everything in this.
These are my recommendations:

4 pieces of well-done, THICK cut bacon
4 slices bread of your choosing
(my favorite bread to get for sandwiches is Harper's Homemade: Bran. High in fiber,
low in refined grains and made from only a few ingredients, ALL of which I can pronounce)
Lettuce leaves of your choosing
1 globe tomato, sliced
4 oz. sliced sharp cheddar
1 ripe avocado, mashed

While your bacon is crisping to perfection in a skillet, start mashing up your avocado. I like to mash mine until it's pretty smooth-- that way it spreads easily on your toasted bread. Place cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb extra and unnecessary grease. Cool, clean, and re-heat skillet to medium.

Lightly butter two slices of bread and place buttered-side down in your skillet. Top with half the cheese and bacon on each slice. When cheese is melted, remove and plate. Slightly toast other two slices in warm skillet. On your cheese-less slices, smear on a good helping of the avocado. Assemble your sammies atop each cheese/bacon slice with tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado toast.

Drool.

Enjoy. 

What's your favorite twist to a BLT?

Do you have a go-to bread when you shop for groceries?

Any gross stories from your week you wouldn't mind sharing? Again, sorry for mine.

HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY & EGGS

Greg and I have spent the weekend in Davis county visiting our parents and are beyond happy to have today off work and school. Here's a quick recap of our weekend: 

Saturday I made a trip past my gym for measurement and a pep talk from my trainer. I was pleasantly surprised to have dropped in body fat % (But, maintaining weight! Yay for lifting!) and even more surprised when I was told it was okay to quit my quitting sugar. I will write more about that experience later, but basically I made it 5 weeks with no sugar. No fructose. No treats. No fruits. 8-week detox fail, but experimental sugar-cleanse success! I definitely will stay off refined sugars and feel stronger against my sugar addiction, but I just didn't see as many changes as I would have liked to. 

Later that evening, Greg and ventured to my old stomping grounds to chaperone the Viewmont High Valentine's Dance. It was absolutely fun and I am proud to finally say that all my high school memories aren't full of heart-ache;) I went to a high school dance with Greg! On our way out, we noticed that our car got egged. Seriously? What a mess. 

Sunday was an easy-going day that ended with some nice catching up with G's family and selfies from our cutie niece. 

We tried to wash the egg off our car last night, but alas, we had waited to long. I need a spackle knife...

In honor of our weekend, I made G some scrambled eggs this morning with whatever I found laying around my parents kitchen. Onions, bell-pepper, cheese... All with fresh eggs from the chickens out back. 

Eat something tastey toda on your day off! I am headed to watch me some Olympics.

How do you like your eggs?

Have any god high school dance stories? 

What are your plans for your President's Day break?

PINK TREATS

Yesterday, I baked.

I made some amazing sugar cookies that have been my favorite at Cutler's, a local favorite from my hometown of Bountiful. Thankfully Si, over at ABountifulKitchen.com, shared their actual recipe... I confess: I tasted the glaze when I made it. And I took a bite of G's cookie. You can't trust a cook who doesn't sample her own product! 

I have lots... anyone want any? 

But seriously, do you?

Tell me what your favorite Valentine treat is-- want to know something totally gross? Conversation hearts are my favorite and I nearly cried when they changed their recipe a couple years ago. An old boyfriend's of mine mother would track down the original Necco brand and get them for me. I wish I could find them now! I could go on and on about Valentine's day treat... Cherry chocolates, cinnamon hearts, cookies, pink wrapped favorites like Laffy Taffy and Reese's. Ugh. Someone help. 

What do you love/hate about Valentine'a day?

Do any of you have a classic, favorite cookie recipe? 

FRENCH TOAST TOPPERS

I'm obsessed with French toast. 

It's my favorite menu item at breakfast restaurants and when I get a new box of eggs from my family's chickens you can bet I am grilling toast 'till the eggs are nearly gone. 

Normally, I pile mine with berries, syrup, cinnamon and brown sugar-- the works. But, quitting sugar has been tough on my favorite dish. This past weekend I played around with some things I had on hand and came up with some amazing toppings for french toast. For those of you who think quitting sugar would be hard, try eating stuff like this!

French Toast Batter - Serves 2

Whisk together:

2 large eggs

1/3 C. almond milk

A dash of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla (optional) 

Quickly soak 4 pieces of stale/toasted bread in batter, grill on lightly buttered skillet. 

Whipped Cream 

1 small carton of heavy whipping cream

1/2 packet of Stevia

A few drops of lemon extract 

With a hand or stand mixer, begin beating cream on low. Slowly increase speed until stiff peaks form. Quickly mix Stevia and lemon. Store leftovers for a day or so in the fridge. 

Cinnamon Butter

1/2 stick of butter, softened

1 Tbs warmed coconut oil

1/2 packet of stevia

1 Tbs cinnamon

Beat butter and oil until smooth, add Stevia and cinnamon. Spread on toast and enjoy. 

Tell me what your opinion is on artificial sweeteners? Do you use artificial sweeteners to cut back on added sugar, or do you prefer something natural like Stevia?

What's your favorite breakfast item?

DISCLAIMER

*I do not have one of those fancy pants Canon DSLR Rebel ULTRA to the MAX cameras.

I take pictures of my food with my iPhone (gasp!) and so DUH the pictures don't look like this. When you cook, I'm pretty sure you don't tie burlap around your mason jars filled with salad or serve pasta with flags in it. I am an amateur and I want readers to feel like they can make the dishes I post! Raise your hand if you have ever tried to make a recipe and it didn't turn out like the professional picture at all-- I know I have.

*Sometimes I say that the dishes I make are "lighter fare" or "healthy," but let me assure you that someone, somewhere is already sending me a message about how I should use spelt flour or how I shouldn't be using any salt. Somebody is rolling their eyes because I used butter (instead of some fake, processed alternative that has less calories). Someone thinks that I should be using rice syrup or some type of paste instead of a particular ingredient in my recipe.

Oh well.

Here's my motto: Moderation in all things. When I say my recipes are healthy, I mean that I have made adjustments to traditional versions of recipes to make them "better" for you. My opinion of "better for me" means I don't feel guilty after eating it. I don't press my own almond milk, but I use store-bought almond milk often. I won't even be in the same room as Kale chips, but I do make some mean oven dill-fries; however, I will ask questions about how you would change recipes to make them even "better"for us, or how you would make my sweet taco chicken if you don't have Stevia on hand.

*I'm not just going to post recipes. I've decided that I want to blog more and along with my love of cooking comes my love to write. I've made it easy for you to sift through my posts-- just click the live, love, or eat tabs at the top of my page to filter my posts by your desired topic. Woo!

*I get way too excited when people comment. I love your advice and support. I love how technology can connect people in all sorts of interesting ways.

*Sometimes cooking gets pushed aside and I order out. You should, too.

HARD HAT REQUIRED

Under Construction

If you were looking for something to read, check these ladies out out:

Alyssa 
Kelsey 
Catherine

I really, REALLY love them.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: I'M QUITTING SUGAR

via

Here's the deal. I'm quitting sugar. 

I stumbled across Sarah's blog when I was searching for recipes to experiment with and I connected with about EVERYTHING she wrote about sugar.

I get mood altering cravings after meals for something sweet. I often consume more sweet treats and fruit in a day than foods that don't contain sugar. I find myself experiencing emotional highs and lows that I use treats to cope with. All too often I find myself thinking: I deserve this doughnut. I deserve these skittles. I deserve this ice cream. I will start my day of trying to eat right, but end up just eating less. Then evening rolls around and I'm starving. I binge on anything in sight-- feeling guilty. I spend so much time obsessing over what I eat and I'm done.

Basically, I am a sugar addict.

If that's not enough to motivate me to change, than my inspiring mother certainly is. Last year, my mother was diagnosed with diabetes and she wasn't okay with that. She got RIGHT into motion. Literally. She changed her diet and cut sugar. She started exercising. She lost weight. She brought her blood sugar down. She made a change because she deserves it.

I deserve to respect my body and take care of it.

Last week I started my 8-week journey to quitting sugar. I didn't go cold-turkey because I knew I needed to ease into the process, plus Wilson's guide suggested doing just that. I have been paying attention to my cravings and my "food feelings." I've been collecting recipes to try and grocery list ideas for my sugar-free eating and I'm pretty excited. By adding fat (the good kind-- found in avocados and eggs and nuts), I will be able to curb cravings. Read more about that here.

"You know that fruit is good sugar, right? Fruit is healthy." 

Yes. Fruit does contain vitamins and minerals and good stuff for you. But, it also has sugar. Sure, fruit contains "complex" sugars and none of that refined stuff found in candy.  Fructose is fructose-- no matter HOW you disguise it. During my 8-week detox, 6 weeks are completely sugar-free. That includes fruit. But, guess what? After I can detox and get a hold of my cravings, I will be able to have a couple pieces of fruit a day and even have some dessert every once in a while. After I detox, I'll be able to have dessert every once in a while and not want to go back for seconds (or thirds. or midnight fourths).

I'm not saying everyone needs to quit sugar-- but I am choosing to quit.

This has not been an easy decision, just so you know. I LOVE treats. I love anything whipped and sweet and rich. I love how sweets make me feel. I love the flavors in gummy candies. I love the way chocolate melts in my mouth. I love everything about sweets. But, isn't it scary about you could replace the topic of sugar with smoking or cocaine and most of the content in this post would apply?

I just want to experiment and see how I feel in 8 weeks. Sarah Wilson tells me my cravings will be gone. She tells me my emotions and moods will make more sense. She tells me that I'll have more energy. She even says I will feel lest bloated and that I may even lose a few pounds.

I deserve all of that. 

Well, I've talked the talk. Let's see if I can walk the walk.

If you have questions, please feel free to comment or shoot me an e-mail. I'd love to tell you more about Wilson's 8-week guide.