Care Bears

Sparkle Cleanse Day 12 - Treat Yo Self Day 51

6 Steps to Sparkle

Inspired by Kris Carr., (2011) Crazy Sexy Diet. CT: Globe Pequot Press

1. Inspiration: Gratitude is the attitude! Now that I know what I love, it's a delicious time to welcome gratitude into my life. Gratitude puts oneself in a position of having instead of wanting. When I take stock of my blessings, I get more blessings. When I throw bottomless "wanting" out into the universe, I get back more wanting. Life doesn't start when all the ducks are in a row; it's happening right now. Notice what I do have instead of focusing on what I don't. "If you can't think of anything, then your inner sourpuss has hijacked you. This is very serious. Immediately send a SWAT team armed with a fire hose of sunshine to your rescue."  
2. Focus: Mull this over. What if all your problems disappeared today? Would you be instantly happy? Tell the truth. My sense is that the answer would be no. Most of us build state-of-the-art infrastructure to house our ego's negative voice. We provide sturdy platforms for doubt and despair. If the source of the misery were removed, don't think for a nanosecond that the self-created support beans would vanish with it. When you stop feeding the negativity, it will collapse. 
3. Prayer: With gratitude for all that I have, remind me to take stock and be thankful for another day on earth.
4. Affirmation: My life is abundantly now; rivers of joy and health flood my inner being and fill me with stamina and strength.
5. Body Movin': Download a guided meditation or peaceful chanting CD. Take 15 minutes or more to rest and regroup.
6. Tip: Clean out the makeup bag and medicine cabinet. Be grateful that you have alternatives - and use them. Chemical moisturizers, old lipsticks and old eye shadows - gotta go.

My Reflection:

      The Care Bears were a staple of my youth. The stories and making play-doh characters of them at daycare bring back fond memories. What I loved the most about the Care Bears is that they each have their unique personality and wear it proudly as their belly badge.  

      With Birthday Bear, Cheer Bear, Friend Bear, Love-a-lot Bear and Tenderheart Bear as some of my favorites; I loved the idea of these whimsical guardian angels who guide and protect children. And their secret weapon against evil: the "Care Bear Stare", in which lights radiates from their belly badges and combine to form a ray of love and good cheer which could bring care and joy into the target's heart.
       I believe we all have our own Belly Badges - it's our spirit that shines from our core and encourages us to live. Although, somewhere in my youth, I hid my Belly Badge. There had been many experiences when I used this power and felt ramifications. And so I thought I didn't need it - after all if I used it, it only hurt. I learned very quickly that it became unsafe for me to express myself as my whole, unique wonderful self. So to survive and not feel pain, I thought I'd save my Belly Badge power for a time when I could really let it shine. So I hid it - to protect the most sacred part of myself.
      Now I'm no longer burying my emotions underneath food. I've been able to feel safe in the world - safe enough to express myself; to connect discover my own power and source of enthusiasm. It's beautiful and Sparkles with delight whenever I do what I really love. There have been so many moments when I notice it while I'm baking, crafting or writing. I'm grateful to have found my Care Bear Belly Badge.
  

Sparkle Day 11 - Treat Yo Self Day 50

Sparkle Cleanse Day 11 - Treat Yo Self Day 50

6 Steps to Sparkle

Inspired by Kris Carr., (2011) Crazy Sexy Diet. CT: Globe Pequot Press

1. Inspiration: "Yesterday you set about acknowledging your frustrations and anger. Today, start paying attention to those moments when you feel - out of the blue - FABULOUS! Many people experience a sense of well-being and even euphoria in the middle of a cleanse. You're eating a lot of mood foods - stuff that's better than Prozac with fewer side effects. Love these feelings and they'll love you back by multiplying. Love myself and the world around you and you'll experience heaven on earth. If you have a hard time pinpointing what you love, maybe you're just out of practice."
2. Focus: Make a love list - ten things you absolutely love. Love is a magnetic force that attracts an infinite amount of goodness into our cells. Love makes us radiant. Notice the love and invite it to tea. Give your darlings validation no matter how small or insignificant. This simple act reminds us that life is full of blessings. It's amazing how many beautiful things we notice when we train our eyes. 
3. Prayer: Allow me to notice the miracles and majesty in my life - noticing the magic helps me notice myself.
4. Affirmation: I love how wonderful I feel and I am so incredibly proud of myself, right now, today!
5. Body Movin': Bike ride or do warm yoga. Next, book a massage and write it in red ink on your calendar.
6. Tip: Sprout! Mung bean sprouts are incredibly nutritious addition to salads. Find sprouting directions at sproutman.com.
   

My Reflection:

      Today marks the 50^th day of my Treat Yo Self Cleanse and the 11^th day added Sparkle and I am so proud! Actually, proud doesn’t even come close to expressing the pure joy, enthusiasm and contentment I have with the choices I’ve made. As I keep these choices this amazing energy exudes from this beautiful place inside of me. A place where external gold stars are appreciated, but not required. A dwelling where my heart and spirit exude radiance and where my has special purpose - a place where I feel connected, alive and blessed!

      Today’s about love and noticing all those little moments and here are my top 10 things I love. What can I say beyond my list of 30 things I love? Well I’m going to do it – it’s always best to continue strengthening the ability to recognize this about myself.

Wellness Warrior

Sparkle Cleanse Day 10 - Treat Yo Self Day 49

1. Inspiration: I've made it to double digits on the Sparkle Cleanse! Hip hip hooray! So how does this Wellness Warrior feel? I'm empowering my body with nature's electricity in order to shoot to the beautiful stars. But that doesn't mean it always feels good while on the trip. I've felt some emotional and physical roller coasters through out the week. This week I may get really mad, mad at the cleanse, the world, myself, everyone. It's withdrawal symptoms, but it does not mean my feelings aren't valid or important. Notice and acknowledge them. But I'm not going to let them tell you what to do. What's really behind the tantrums? Am I having difficulty installing healthy boundaries? Saying no is a very liberating experience! If I say yes when I mean no, emotional chaos follows. If I hit hot pockets, let myself vent it out. Journal and get to the mountain top and scream!   
2. Focus: Meet your priestess. She is a force of nature. She adores sauntering in red heels, free speech, and loud laughter. The priestess is deeply loving and compassionate but she'll fight to the death to protect her inner kid. Oh, and she smells good. If your priestess has been amputated in any way, heal her.
3. Prayer: Knowing I am loved and beautiful inside and out, may I embrace my feminine energy. Guide me back to my priestess and teach me never to leaver her again.
4. Affirmation: I am ripe with power, passion, and sizzle. I love and cherish my femininity.
5. Body Movin': Dance and enjoy a soak in the tub with a friendly aroma.
6. Tip: Include "functional food" in salad today and do wonders for your friendly flora.

My Reflection:

      At my appointment with Dr. Margaret yesterday, my body hummed with joy, peace and connectedness. I love working with her and her kind words about how enjoyable it is to work with me is truly delightful. I'm doing something amazing and with her support I am able to feel, be connected and live a fulfilled life.

      Now 10 days into the added Sparkle of the Treat Yo Self Cleanse, I have created delightful things in my life. Without the layers of food pushing down my emotions, I can feel and feel everything. It's as if this little light of mine is really shining.       Yesterday, I helped plan a Pancake Breakfast for our department at work. With last year's success under our belt, my team and our leaders were ready to flip flapjacks, sizzle sausage and serve our department with a smile. And as I was thinking about how I could enjoy the breakfast myself, I knew I needed to create something tasty and delicious that met all my criteria: gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and most importantly tasted great! I found a great recipe for Wonder Buns (a play on cinnamon rolls) from the cookbook: BabyCakes: BabyCakes Covers the Classics.

      There were a few of us who enjoyed the treats, but I did have a few people ask me if they were even any good. Now of course, these aren't filled with yeast, or are fluffy and gooey in the same way as cinnamon roll, so they are different, but they were great!
      After I had ran into my Big, Beautiful Confectionary Wall on Sparkle Day 7 - Day 46 of the Treat Yo Self Cleanse. I was starting to feel the withdrawals. Not only in my physical body, but my mind wondered how can I live a life without sugar? And what about my love for baking and sharing my talents with friends and family in Cake Pops, Cake Push Pops or anything else I create? And what if I make something new for someone, that I haven't personally tasted myself? How can I trust it tastes good, when my body is in pure rejection mode - when having these things cause so much pain? I was angry! 
      Why? Why did this matter? Because - my creativity and love are poured into every mouth-watering bite that I make. My soul lights up when I create something new and the joy on friends and families faces when they see the treat - simply inspired! 
      This is one of my ways to show love - it's how I take care of people. How I find a way to connect with someone on a creative level - it's important. So as I've been shaking it up, I was very concerned that I would have to give this up or loose this. And once I recognized this fiber of my being, I held it, showed it compassion and said, "we'll figure it out."   

Wii Fit Wednesdays

Sparkle Cleanse Day 9 - Treat Yo Self Day 48

6 Steps to Sparkle

Inspired by Kris Carr., (2011) Crazy Sexy Diet. CT: Globe Pequot Press

1. Inspiration: How's my tummy? "You're cleansing and rebuilding while flooding and flushing. The payoff comes with consistency. Fiber is like dumbbells for your tubes, making them stronger. Perhaps you're eliminating like a champ (one to three times per day) and you wonder if that's natural. Yes! If you're visiting the loo more than usual, rejoice. If not, you may need a little help to get things moving."
2. Focus: Notice your bowels today.
3. Prayer: Sometimes I'm really uptight and impatient. Please help me turn my pounding fists into open receiving hands.
4. Affirmation: I let go with ease. I am a clear channel. Energy flows through me, and all good things come to me.
5. Body Movin': Deodorants laden with chemicals can constipate your arm pits.  (Last year I switched to Crystal Body Deodorant and love it!)
6. Tip: If experience gas or bloating, try to be more consistent about food combing. Take a digestive enzyme with your meals and don't drink water while you eat.

My Reflection:

      When I started my Treat Yo Self cleanse I tried to pick a theme for each day of the week for support and through it all the Wii Fit Wednesday’s was the only theme that stuck. 
      Taking time on a weekly basis to weigh myself hadn’t been something I’d done for several reasons. The number on the scale always intimidated me, sending me into a shame spiral, leaving me with icky feelings I wanted to avoid and eating unhealthy foods to do so and followed up with more icky feelings and then repeat.

      I preferred to notice weight changes by how my clothes fit and how I felt. So to make the choice to actually weigh myself and look at the numbers was a stretch for this little, gentle spirit. But I did it differently this time, I built a supportive foundation around the weight of my body, to feel safe to express the feelings – whatever they may be and accept that I am transforming my body, my spirit, my life.

      When I first started the Treat Yo Self Cleanse on September 21, 2012 I had an idea of what my weight was. At my last weigh-in at the doctor's office in the end of July, I weighed 300 pounds. So at my first Wii Wednesday weigh-in, as the electronic Wii machine made its noises around my weight I wasn’t surprised, but I also found compassion.
      My weight and eating habits had gotten me through several challenging life changes – it protected me and helped me survive and I thanked it. Looking back as I journeyed with infertility, making choices with my family Turning Tables, Defying Gravity, Conduct and the beginning of my Inspiring Happiness Project, there were many times where I was unable to let myself feel the feelings that were associated with these life moments. And every time I looked at the weight on the scale the unexpressed feelings came rolling in. (No wonder I didn’t want to weigh myself!?!) Without feeling safe to express myself and to know my feelings I was challenged and needed support,  so I found food to be my only and simplest support. And now with patience, love and support I am able to start feeling and able to see the number on a scale as a Gold Star to the transformation I've created in my life.
      So when I honored my Wii Fit Wednesday today, I still had the little noises, but when my weight was displayed, I beamed from ear to ear. In 4 months not only have I transformed my weight to 279, the Treat Yo Self Cleanse has transformed my eating habits,  opening myself up to discoveries, creating healing.     

Elections and Heart

Sparkle Cleanse Day 8 - Treat Yo Self Day 47

6 Steps to Sparkle

Inspired by Kris Carr., (2011) Crazy Sexy Diet. CT: Globe Pequot Press

1. Inspiration: I did it - it's been a whole 7 days under my belt and no matter how it went, the hardest part is behind me. "There will be more icy patches ahead (detox symptoms can pop up at any time), but you've taken some heroic steps. I wish you could see me giving you a standing ovation!"
2. Focus: Everything I need to learn in life, I can learn from a chair. The diet is the seat (the largest area of focus); the mind, body, spirit, and daily practice are the four legs. When any one is off, we topple. "Which one is off? Pick one area of focus this week and crank it up!"
3. Prayer: My body is a blessing. I am so grateful to live in this beautiful temple. Please show me corners I didn't know existed. Please help me tend to those corners.
4. Affirmation: I am graceful. I am fierce. I am gentle. I am a powerhouse. I am silly. I am serious. I love all my opposites and I am balancing them with ease.
5. Body Movin': Fasting rustles up gunk - keep it moving.
6. Tip: Have compassion. Sometimes it's hard to show yourself compassion. If that's the case, do it for the animals, the planet, the big picture. I protest suffering by voting with my fork and spending my dollars where they matter.

My Reflection:

      Election Day is here and typically discussing politics gives me the creepy-crawlies. There are always two sides to every story and politics magnifies these stories and the differences between them. As humans our default is to only see one side and insist that it's the only way of being. The elections ask us to make a choice and no matter what your political views are, there is always a significant population that will feel they won and then others who lose. 
      When the winner is announced, the personal investment you put into the election may allow one to validated, encouraged and eager for the next 4 political years. Or, if the person and ideals you voted for lost there is a loss of control, discouragement and anger. There always ends up being a winner and a loser.
      This morning I woke up with an overflowing heart. As my husband drove me in to work, I mentioned how I didn't sleep well and he asked why.  Pausing I let the unexpressed tears of my heart fall.
       Today our state will vote on the Marriage Amendment. And I've waited to express my view point on this. Why? Because it is such a deep well of truth that I kept trying to keep a cover on it - because I simply feel so deeply that it hurt. The very fiber of my being honors finding truth, celebrating your spirit and creating a world of acceptance and love.  And if the amendment would pass - a piece of me would shatter.
       So many amazingly beautiful friends would feel the immediate effects of an amendment that limited what marriage is. But I promise you, if it does pass - it wouldn't stop anyone of them from LOVING and it won't stop me from believing that we are compassionate humans and that a world of acceptance is impossible.