Personal Boot Camp: Triathlon Training and Jack L.

Personal Boot Camp: Triathlon Training and Jack L.: Well well well....the season of summer food has begun at our house...and I LOVE it!!!!  The photo above is our first tomato from the ...

Triathlon Training and Jack L.

Well well well....the season of summer food has begun at our house...and I LOVE it!!!!  The photo above is our first tomato from the garden!!  There is nothing better than the taste of homegrown fruits and vegetables, is there??  It is so refreshing and when you have fresh tomatoes from your garden.....

...one of our favorite ways to serve them is Caprice Salad! It is sliced tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella, basil (from the garden) and balsamic vinegar!  Yum!! I have also planted peppers, cabbage, horseradish, strawberries, okra, zucchini, and have lots of mint and other herbs growing!! Rains earlier in the season have made it a great year so far....and now we have the heat!!  For me, it is so much easier to eat healthier in the summer months when you can get fresh produce. I know some people live in areas that they can have them year round....unfortunately---I don't!

Changing topics (DING!)....my daughter and I decided that we would do a triathlon in August...which means I need to get my rear in gear to be prepared!!  I copied this six week training schedule off and have been trying to stick with it.  I took off on a nine mile bike ride on Monday and WOO WEE....I am outta shape!!!! The first lap around the 5K lake trail I was thinking "oh yeah, I can do this...no problem"; lap two I was still thinking "okay...this isn't so bad"; lap three I had to stop a couple of times in the shade to make sure that I didn't pass out or fall over!!  Yeah....I need more training!  And I don't know if you know what it is like to get off of a bike and try to walk or run, but they call it "brick feet"....for a reason!! To make matters worse, I forgot to fill my water bottle. If any of you out there have some tips for a first timer doing a triathlon....bring it on!!!  

Yes....I gave blood again and my iron levels were very high--thanks to some intense iron training beforehand!  Raisins, spinach, iron pills taken with molasses---all of the tricks I could think of!  It worked and I got a cool shirt AND free zoo tickets!!  Then I found out that my blood donation was sent to Orlando after that tragedy occurred there. I have had people thank me for donating blood and I have really never thought too much about it....but now I understand the importance of donating!!

Remember all of that yard work I have been doing...almost 100 bags of mulch, pulling weeds, making new trails, transplanting and planting flowers and such??  So I thought it would be nice to have some solar lights in the pathways....found some cheap ones (luckily) at a couple of stores.  They worked like a charm....UNTIL....someone thought it would be fun to chew on them!  At first my husband blamed Halo, our other Frenchie, but one day when I was out pulling weeds I heard this "crunch crunch crunch" and when I looked up....the culprit was Monroe munching on my solar light!!  I got more exercise chasing him down to get the lights...and also taking the solar lights up---for now!

And remember that heat wave I was talking about??  I have been trying to get the walks in earlier so it isn't too warm for my two four-legged kids.  I swear we only walked for about 10 minutes and it was overcast...but that humidity just saps it out of you, right?  It is even more important in this type of weather to stay hydrated....so drink more water!! I have never been a big fan of those sports drinks such as Gatorade, just give me water!!  It is really important to drink lots, especially when working out or being in the heat.

I also made a decision to think about doing some of the "old-school" workouts or exercises instead of Pilates, Plyometrics, and whatever new ideas are out there. People of my age may remember one of the first gurus of fitness, sometimes referred to as "the Godfather of fitness".....

Jack LaLanne!!  He lived to be 96 years old!  He described himself as a "sugarholic and junk food junkie" until the age of 15 when he listened to a lecture about nutrition....interestingly enough, he also had behavior and health problems until he changed his diet. 

Jack also believed that over-processed foods were making people unhealthy...and that was back in the 1940's, if not earlier!  So anyway....I have been watching his old videos on YouTube...and I have to say that although I catch myself giggling at some of the moves (and those slippers!!) he does give me a good workout.  So I will see how the Jack L. program helps me out for a few weeks!!  Who can argue with a guy that at the age of 54 beat a 21-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger at body building?!

This made me laugh....so I guess I need to eat right before I do the sit-ups!! Haha!!  I remember watching his shows years ago!  So now, thanks to the beauty of YouTube....I can enjoy them once more!!!  Okay, folks....I will check back in a few weeks and tell you if Jack and I are compatible!!  Happy Independence Day!!!

Personal Boot Camp: Wagons HO.....

Personal Boot Camp: Wagons HO.....: I am BACK again folks.....I know it has been a while and I do apologize.  I have been recovering from my HUMONGOUS, MASSIVE fall off o...

Wagons HO.....

I am BACK again folks.....I know it has been a while and I do apologize.  I have been recovering from my HUMONGOUS, MASSIVE fall off of the fitness wagon!!  OUCH!!  I'm going to be honest.....I was doing so well and then a few events kind of threw me for a loop and I flat out did NOT feel like eating healthy or doing the exercise workouts.  Thankfully, I did still manage to keep walking.  I am back on track, but I have not weighed myself nor have I checked measurements.  Let's just wait a bit on that one.

Melissa riding behind me on the little pink scooter.

One event that really threw me into a downward spiral as far as eating was concerned is the unexpected loss of a good friend.  Melissa was such a sweetheart and she was lost on the night of her birthday.  I don't know how any of you handle it, but when things like this happen that rock me to the core.....I need my comfort food.  I had some mashed potatoes, a good burger, and other goodies that I had been avoiding while on track.  Food has always been a comfort for me in times of stress or sadness.  I wish I could just go exercise or do something healthier, but it is an old habit that I fall back on. I just hope that my buddy is now at peace and watching over us from Above!!

This picture of my dog Halo is about how I felt when I fell off of the wagon in a HUGE way.  But, as most people will tell you....make a U-turn and get back on track without beating yourself up too much.  Life happens and we have to learn to adjust our sails when things happen beyond our control.  I would like to think that I won't do that again when something happens....but I am not making any promises.

Zipping out from the 70 foot tower!  Weeeeeee.....

So....another thing that happened was a trip to Branson for a motorcycle meeting.  Too much good food there (not the healthy kind either)...such as fried green tomatoes, fried catfish, roast beef sandwiches, sweet potato fries....the list goes on.  

This was an amazing and fun adventure!!

The good news is that we actually did some activities that involved walking, climbing, zipping, hanging upside down on a cord, laughing, and having fun!!

The ladies and husbands at the end of the ziplines....guides are in front in orange shirts.

The guys in the front were our guides....and they had no idea what they were getting into when seven women showed up for the hour and a half zipline adventure.  It ended up taking us two hours to get through the seven ziplines and three wooden bridges....and WHAT FUN!!!!!  If you ever get to Branson, you MUST check out the Adventure Ziplines!!  And ask for Paul and Bruce to guide you (if they are not in therapy from our group)!!!!

Dancing with Liverpool Legends!!

The other adventure that we checked out was the Liverpool Legends Show....four guys who imitate The Beatles!  They were awesome....and I got to dance on stage with them during Twist and Shout!!  That's exercise, right???

So now I am back to hard labor in the backyard....still putting down mulch and pulling weeds.  This is an area that previously did not have a path through it....now it does!!  Oh yeah....another way to lose weight besides hard yard work is when you see a SNAKE!!  

Not my favorite thing to find on my patio!

 Talk about getting your heart rate up!!!  YIKES!!!  Luckily my husband took it from the patio and delivered it to another location and it hopefully will not come back!  The dogs and I were both FREAKING!!

This is Monroe....he is still waiting for the snake to come back.  If it hadn't been for both dogs raising a ruckus....I would never have known it was on our patio!! Monroe and Halo keep all wild animals and cats or squirrels out of their backyard domain!!

So....my newest goal is to eat more fruit.  That has always been my downfall when it comes to eating healthy.  I like certain fruits but I do not eat enough servings throughout the day.  I do love strawberries and pineapple!!  That will help me get back on track as well.  Luckily...summer is the BEST time for fruits and veggies that are fresh!!  Our garden is going to be full of yummy goodness too!!

I am also hoping that having our pool open again will help with fitness for me.  I do like to swim and can do workouts in the pool when it gets too hot. Okay folks...sorry for the disappearing act and also for the wagon situation....I am BACK ON TRACK!!!  Until next time....I'm steering clear of the wagon!!!!!

Personal Boot Camp: The View From the Plateau....

Personal Boot Camp: The View From the Plateau....: Hey hey hey....Yes, I am still among the living....but have been busy the last couple of weeks!!  I apologize for those who have been ...

The View From the Plateau....

Hey hey hey....Yes, I am still among the living....but have been busy the last couple of weeks!!  I apologize for those who have been anxiously awaiting the latest blog installment!  Ha!  I had several appointments and then I took a week to spend with my Mom in Kansas and delivered many flowers from my backyard!  On my way to deliver I started on the 2016 Red Nose Tour.  Walgreen Stores have these red noses for sale to help fight childhood poverty.  You wear the nose and take pictures and post on their website.  This picture by the miniature Statue of Liberty is between Portis and Smith Center, Kansas.  

World famous Big Ball of Twine!

And of course, I had to take one with the famous Ball of Twine in Cawker City!  I'm kind of getting used to the red nose and even think it is flattering---it makes my face look thinner.  Right??  So....back to the fitness part of the blog.  I did take measurements yesterday and although I have not had the time to do the 30 Day Challenge workouts lately due to yard work, I still had lost half an inch.  That is just amazing considering that I had not been able to focus as much on the fitness and healthy eating part as much as I did when I started out.  And then there is my Mom who does this to me....

Coconut Cream Pie....mmmmm!!

Yeah....that was a freshly baked Coconut Cream pie...my worse weakness (not going to call it enemy because something that amazing just isn't), plus she also made a Lemon Meringue one.  Did I mention the part about it just being for the two of us?? Thanks, Mom!!!  It was not even going to be possible for me to resist those....no way.  On a positive note, Mom and I did decide to have salads so that we could allow for the pie!!

Aunt Corine's Italian Stuffed Artichokes.

My husband also got into the act by making a childhood dish that his grandmother, aunts and mom used to make....stuffed artichokes, otherwise known as some Italian name that I can't pronounce correctly....Cacocciula.  Thanks Aunt Corine!!  After reading about all of the health benefits of artichokes, I think it would be a good one to add to the weekly list.  Plus it's a good workout while eating them, and you can't eat them fast!! Full of fiber and vitamins, it also packs a good antioxidant punch---it is #7 on the USDA top 20 anti-oxidant list!!  Who knew??

Chloe is so cute!

Not Chloe...that's for sure!!  This is the famous (well maybe now famous) goat that lives near the Big Ball of Twine.  She belongs to a friend of mine.  My guess is that she would love artichokes, even though her favorite foods are Smartie candies, Sweet tarts, chips and cereal.  She may need to join me on this healthy lifestyle or at least add some artichokes to off-set that sugar rush!!

Very cool magazine.

I had the job of cleaning out in the basement of my childhood home last week as well.  That gave me a great workout going up and down the steps and sweeping and hauling bags out.  There were some treasures, such as this Saturday Evening Post magazine from 1942----price was one dime!  Very cool to look through it and see how things have changed....OH HOW MUCH they have changed!!

Crazy clowns!

Did I mention that I brought home about a dozen of the noses??  These are classmates from high school (and honorary spousal classmates) when we gathered to eat some Fajitas cooked on a farm implement disc. An awesome way to cook meats, veggies, eggs, and other things PLUS it is healthy food. 

This is Lefty smiling for the camera at mammogram!

Did you ever feel as if your body (and/or organs) are trying to declare mutiny on you??  In the last couple of weeks I have had my dental checkup...no cavities (yay); then I had my yearly checkup (the dreaded Pap)....no issues there (yay); had fasting blood work to check my thyroid and also my cholesterol.....not so good.  The T-4 was normal in my thyroid, but the TSH level was high---which means that the Adrenal Glands are producing TSH but my thyroid gland isn't responding.  Also, my cholesterol was 225--with the bad one (I get them all confused) in the normal range, but since the overall number is high....I have to go back in three months to have them both checked.  Then I had a mammogram because I had accidentally skipped it last year (oops!!)....and of course there was a problem with Lefty.  So I had to go back for more pictures.  Talk about a fun time!!  But after multiple views and also an ultrasound on Lefty....she was deemed okay for now and I go back in six months to have it rechecked!!  Come on kids....we need to all work together and be healthy in order for my body to function!!!  

Grilled burger with onions and garlic topped with guacamole!

So when that all happens, I turn to one of my favorite meals.....a grilled burger topped with homemade guacamole!!  Sometimes you just need to reward yourself for making it through all of the yearly checkups!!!  Hope you are doing well on your own healthy journey!!  I still have about two and a half months before my deadline.  Keep working and keep smiling!!!!

Personal Boot Camp: 12 Weeks In....Keeping On!!

Personal Boot Camp: 12 Weeks In....Keeping On!!: Added red mulch to the side of our house...and some in the front as well. Wow....hard to believe that for three months now I have be...

Personal Boot Camp: 12 Weeks In....Keeping On!!

Personal Boot Camp: 12 Weeks In....Keeping On!!: Added red mulch to the side of our house...and some in the front as well. Wow....hard to believe that for three months now I have be...

12 Weeks In....Keeping On!!

Added red mulch to the side of our house...and some in the front as well.

Wow....hard to believe that for three months now I have been on this healthy journey!!  Let me just say that my body and my spirit both feel SO much better....even if the outside hasn't made a drastic and noticeable change.  I know that I have toned areas and that I feel better!  

Here we go again.....donating blood.

I did my civic duty and gave blood AGAIN.  Every six weeks you are allowed to donate again.  My biggest issue is usually the iron level in my blood being too low, so I do take a supplement for that. I have been donating since I was a freshman in college.  Although I don't like needles per se---I do not mind giving blood....I know it doesn't make sense.

This is the workout that I have been doing for over 30 days now.

This is the workout that have I used for the past 30+ days.  I started it over because I felt like it was giving me good results in my stomach area.  I did alter it some.....because I am not a Burpee lover (not sure if anyone is), and they really bother my knees.  After about three Burpees I am thinking I am going to "puke-ee"!!!  When your body is protesting that much then you need to listen to it.  I replaced the Burpees with Planks.  

This made me laugh...hope you enjoy!!

This made me laugh....so thought it would make some of you all laugh as well!!!  Why is it that the food that tastes the best always has the most calories??  Why can't celery taste better and still only have six calories per stalk??  Seriously!!  And pie or cookies or cinnamon rolls should only have about six calories per piece as well!!  Who is with me on this???  

A couple of the many bags of leaves and debris I have bagged from our yard!

A big part of my workout for the past three weeks has been the yard work I have been doing to tame the jungle that is our back yard!  Each week the trash men carry away about eight bags of leaves and debris!  If you think that isn't work....come over and join me for a day!  What this reminded me of is that I can make my every day activities into a good workout.  For example, when I went to Lowe's and picked up 22 bags of mulch....I didn't used the wheelbarrow to haul them to the back, I took each bag separately to give myself more of a challenge.  

More pictures of my yard work....

Well last week we went to Lowe's and brought home 25 bags of mulch, and this week we purchased another 30 bags since they were on sale!  The top picture shows one area of our house I worked on.  I have been averaging about 15-16,000 steps a day thanks to the yard work I have been doing!  

You should see  my dogs watch me while I attempt to Hula....haha!

Okay....so I just read an article this week about how you need to focus on the "problem areas" on your body....well that's not really a new revelation to any of us out there!  Can we all say DUH?? However, it did remind me that my biggest target areas need to be my stomach, hips and thighs (as well as many other women out there!!).  So what I plan to do is make up my own "personalized" 30 Day workout plan with exercise that will target those areas.  I also want to incorporate some "old school" exercises....such as the good ole Hula Hoop!!  I also remember doing exercises when I was younger that always seemed to bring results. Next time I will tell you what the exercises I have chosen are!

Still working on this yoga deal....I do like the pants!!

This is just for a good laugh....and no, I'm not making fun of people who actually do yoga!  I really wish that I could get into yoga...and I'm still going to try it before this journey is over in July!  I watched a video by a gal named Tara Stiles doing Slim Waist Yoga.  I saved it and will go back to it....while wearing my yoga pants...maybe with wine.  I'll keep you posted!!

Thank you, Jesus!

Had to include a picture that honors the spiritual side of my journey.  We attend the Life.Church in Stillwater and always enjoy the worship and messages by Pastor Craig.  I am a believer in the blood shed by Jesus Christ.  I am a sinner that needs Him as my Savior.  

Yes...we must remember to live and stay balanced!

This is just my final reminder to us all....it's all about balance in everything.  I'm not trying to be morbid...but it is a reminder that we do need to enjoy life and not take the healthy lifestyle to the extreme so much that we don't let ourselves have cheat days once in awhile, or stop to smell the flowers, or notice the little things in life...such as this....

Swallowtail Butterfly....so gorgeous!

Butterflies represent transformation.  This is what I am aiming for!!  OH YEAH....I did not lose pounds but I did lose another half an inch in my measurements!! Until next time.....keep smiling and working out everyone!!!

Week 10: Measurements and Plateaus--What is the Deal??

Thumbs up from grandson Tavian!!
Okay folks.....another round of measurements and weighing in....but it is ALL part of the deal!!  Right??  So, let's see where I stand after two and a half months of workouts and eating healthier (despite some cheat days).  It wasn't a bang-up two weeks for me, but despite having a birthday party to attend (grandson) and allowing myself some cheat days....I still dropped close to one pound, but more importantly---more inches.  Even more than that---I can tell in my posture (core) that I am stronger than when I began this journey.  Muscle weighs more than fat....and that's what I am telling myself!! 

Grandson Breckin showing his approval of the Cider Mill donut!

Whenever we go to Louisburg, KS to see the grandsons (and their parents), it is tradition that we go for Cider Mill donuts at some point.  I like to tell myself that they are healthier than other donuts because they are made with apple cider....so let's not burst my bubble...ok??  I just try not to eat TOO many of them!!  

Apparently I take lots of these private vacations...especially at night!

 I don't know about the rest of you (ladies anyway) but I have numerous hot flashes every night.  I had a total hysterectomy at the end of 2011 and that sent me into menopause.  There are many wonderful and fun (sarcasm) new occurrences in this stage of life (haha) and I do not really have issues with many of them except for the HF's.  Whew!!  Waking up several times a night and kicking off the blankets is quite the workout!!  Then I wake up an hour later freezing....do some crunches to cover myself up and then we start the process all over.  I know that eventually this will end, so I just tolerate it as best as I can.  The other issue I notice is this slower metabolism---hence the need for this blog!!

This might be work a try!

I found this calendar while shopping the other day....it might be worth a try!!  I would like to get into yoga, but I just have not found the right instructor or video yet.  I like more movement and action, but I am not giving up on yoga yet.  Balance is extremely important for your health, and yoga helps with that, as well as gaining strength.  And if cows can do it.....I should be able to as well, right??

Rain, rain....go away......

The biggest struggle for me is when the weather turns bad.  I love being outside anyway, and especially when it comes to exercise.  Walking, running, swimming, biking, you name it---if it is an activity that can be done outside....I love it.  We had three days in a row of rainy, dreary weather in the last week.  This requires me to be very creative to get my workouts done, and it is even more difficult for me to stay motivated on these days.  

Funny place to leave a needle...haha!

So, I told you that I have been doing the Couch to 5K app on my phone, right?  A few days ago after the weather cleared up, I went out for a three mile run and kept feeling something weird in my shoe.  I didn't stop to check it since I just thought it was a twig or something in there.  When I got home I took off my sock and found a needle on the bottom!  Luckily it was stuck in the sock well enough that it didn't poke into my skin!  I have never had that happen before!  Next time I will check it as soon as I feel something!

Here we go....my favorite cheat meal!!  A little old-fashioned burger joint called Boomarang.  They have the best burgers and I always get the fried pickles.  When you're going to cheat....do it well!!!  Of course, I do make sure that I get back on track after that, and try to add an extra workout of some sort if I have the time. I also don't allow myself cheat days every other day or so....just once a week or so.

Getting healthy is a slow process....I must remind myself!!

I don't really have much to report on from the past two weeks.  I did read an article about how sometimes if you reach a plateau that you can't seem to get past....maybe you need to listen to your body and just accept that it could be the best weight for you at this time in your life.  I know that at different stages in my life I have been heavier or lighter, depending on the chapter I was on at the time.  Don't beat yourself up by trying to get back to an unrealistic weight.  I hope that you all are doing great with your healthy journey!!!  Until next time........ 

Personal Boot Camp: Week 8: Another Round of Measurements

Personal Boot Camp: Week 8: Another Round of Measurements: Uh oh!!!! Have you seen these???  The teeny, tiny, stretchy pieces of not-much-material-that-never-cover-enough-of-my-skin-thing-a-ma-bob...

Week 8: Another Round of Measurements

Uh oh!!!!
Have you seen these???  The teeny, tiny, stretchy pieces of not-much-material-that-never-cover-enough-of-my-skin-thing-a-ma-bobbers...otherwise known as a swimsuit!!  AHHHHHH....not to alarm you all, but THEY'RE BACK!!!!!!  I know that I just turned the calendar over to March---but this is when it starts  to get REAL!!  I am going to have to FIT into one these in a few months.  Oh me, oh my!!!!

National Margarita Day--Feb. 22---I may need another one thinking about swimsuits!!

Yes, my husband did make me Margaritas from scratch on that day....and now I may need more!  Actually, this reminds me that eating healthy is my goal, but I still want to enjoy life and not be so strict and rigid that I feel like I am depriving myself constantly.  That is a recipe (pun intended) for disaster when it comes to your weight.  Yes, you may take it off--but it likely won't stay off as you will go back to eating or drinking those things and OVER indulge in them.  So, treat yourself once in a while....just do it in moderation.

So this week was another measurement/weigh-in week. Any time I start to think about scales and measuring it makes me a little anxious...if I am being honest.  Due to the fun in New Orleans, I absolutely wanted to get back to where I had been---but also lose a little more.  I was ecstatic when I got on my Wii (using the program shown above) and it showed that I had lost 4.9 pounds and my BMI had gone down as well.  The funniest thing about the Wii Fit program to me is that it will tell me that my BMI is considered overweight and would I like to set a goal of 22?  Uhhh sure I would---but that means I would have to lose a BUNCH of weight to get there.  So then when I punch in that I want to lose three pounds in two weeks, it usually tells me that I am not being realistic. Huh??  (Another reason I may need another Margarita!!)  At least it gives me a good laugh each time!!  Maybe someday I will get to 22....and also, pigs might fly!!!

I have still been trying new recipes and foods in this adventure to get healthier.  To the left above is beet greens.  The night before, we had roasted the beets with garlic and olive oil, they were so delicious.  The next night, I blanched the greens and then chopped them and sauteed with garlic and red pepper flakes.  They were both dishes that will be made again!!  The only warning I will give is this: be prepared for the bowel movements for the next few days and DO NOT get alarmed at the color (I don't think I need to expand on this one....)!!  The dish on the right is fried cauliflower...a take on chicken fried rice.  I just grated the cauliflower the size of rice and substituted.  It doesn't need to cook near as long as rice though.  (Check with Pinterest or just Google for the recipes!)

I also started a new 30 day workout called the Full Body KILLER Workout.....so the pictures above of my two dogs shows you about how I feel when I am done with it each day!!  This one has squats, pushups, curls, leg lifts, crunches, Russian Twists, jumping jacks, Mountain Climbers and burpees.  However....after the first day of attempting 20 burpees...I substituted planks instead.  I believe that you should know your limits and not push your body too far beyond its capabilities.  My knees could not handle the burpees (maybe it had something to do with the knee surgery due to a hurdling accident I suffered at the age of 42---hence the "know your limits" mentality!).  I can truly tell the difference in my core and posture after these weeks of hard work.

While back in my hometown a week ago I got to go out to the house that I grew up in.  The reason I add this photo is that being back there reminded me of how active I was when we lived there.  It was before the time of internet, cable TV, video games, and cell phones. When we weren't in school, my brothers and I were outside having adventures of some sort (possibly getting into trouble with some...)!!  Seeing the old farmstead really brought back good memories, plus we found a few treasures to bring home!  

A picture taken with two great friends inside of an old chicken coop.  The ceiling was chicken wire and walls were stone.  They don't make things like that anymore.  It was a beautiful February day and we enjoyed every moment.

In my opinion, health comes from the inside out---meaning that you have to be at peace in your soul and love yourself enough to want to take care of the outside as well. While reading a daily devotional I came across one of my favorite scriptures from the Bible.  When I start feeling out of sorts....I realize that I need to get back to reading scripture to find my inner peace.   I also need help when it comes to the "Be still" part.... 

I was invited to a painting party where you bring your own refreshments and snacks (thanks Megan!).  This is my friend Michele and I with our blank canvasses and wine!  Let the creative juices flow....or at least the wine!  Actually, an instructor guides you through the whole process and they all end up very similar.  It was fun and I could see doing this at home with some friends!  It was relaxing.  

The final product!  The bride-to-be was allowed to choose what picture we would all attempt to recreate.  Since this was a bachelorette party, she chose the lovebirds.  I think it is important for your mental health to find hobbies and interests that allow you to relax and de-stress.  I have always loved art, so this could be a new (old) way for me to chill.  

The main thing to remember when you are working on your health is not to ignore your inner health as well.  Although we can't be happy happy happy every moment of every day....it IS a choice sometimes to decide that no matter what chaos you may have around you, you have a choice.  So until next time.....deep breaths and BE HAPPY!!!!