Miss Clean Eats - Clean Eating in 2014 {Research}

Writing has always been one of my hobbies. I used to write poetry and short stories when I was younger, and then my passion turned to papers, research and blogging. {I wont talk about the "Notes" I used to post on Facebook.} 

Another of my passions has been eating. And while it has served me well in the sense of trying very diverse foods and encountering multiple foodgasms, I have indulged a fair too many times. The days of surrendering to my sweet tooth are gone. So are the days of french fries, fried food, pizza, additives, un-natural coloring and all that nasty crap that I never ate growing up. Since living on my own my health and diet have taken a turn for the worst and I'm ready to change the "Freshmen 15" lifestyle and use my creativity and love for flavors and textures into a Clean Eating and Free Wellness Center Membership at my School type of thing.

This crafty and oh-so-busy momma is taking in the reins to focus on school, my family and my health. I have the rest of my life to worry about and right now hobbies are not big on my list of things to worry about. Although I do take the occasional day to unwind and get creative, Serious Crafting is on hold-for now. Nursing School will demand A LOT of my time. And what better way to fuel those early morning workouts and late night studying sessions than a new eating and exercise lifestyle. My goal is to reach 130 lbs and tone my body. I also want to permanently change the way I consume food. 

Don't get me wrong, I love all the gardens for lawns, organic, plants, and sustainability impact on the environment stuff. It's been in my blood my whole life. My parents buy organic everything and It really sucks that I can't afford all that yummy gourmet stuff. I plan to...someday when I have my career and can afford to spend more than $180 a month for a family of three. 

While my clean eating may not all be organic, it will definitely follow the guidelines for clean eating like Produce, Protein, Plant based fats and whole grains.

I am so exited to be starting this journey and can't wait to STICK WITH IT! I'm so ready to be fit and healthy and feel great! 

This post is the introduction to my New Year's Resolution and I hope that you will join me in Clean Eating in 2014. 

Remember- You only have to do something 7 times before it becomes a habit. =)

The Plant-Based Dietitian
Julieanna Hever, M.S., R.D., C.P.T. , also known as The Plant-Based Dietitian, is a passionate advocate of the miracles associated with following a whole food, plant-based diet-the established effects of which provide positive healthful benefits.

Clean Program Blog
Dr. Junger describes how he became aware of the toxicity of our planet. He also explains how detoxification and cleansing have been around for thousands of years, but the knowledge has been lost, and right now it’s more important than ever to reclaim this information. Most importantly, Clean is a manual for readers to learn how to turn on and work with their own detoxification systems to restore and maintain optimal health. << LOVE the blog, just not the price of what they are selling...OUCH!! 

Spinach for Breakfast
The purpose of our blog is to provide those currently practicing the Clean program or those just looking for clean eating inspiration, with an organized forum of go-to recipes from a variety of sources. << GREAT Ideas!

365 Days of Clean Eating
I am not a Dr, a Nutritionist or a professional in the health field.  I am just sharing my own passion for food and health and what I've learned over the years. << TONS of really delicious recipes.

Top List of Clean Eating Websites & Blogs
Not all of these websites or blogs are specifically focused on eating clean, but they have been included in my Top List of Clean Eating Websites and Blogs because they all provide valuable information, whether it be healthy recipes, nutrition tips or just general healthy eating and cooking tips. << PACKED with info. 

I will be researching recipes, information and different chefs for the next month to be prepared for my debut in January. I have already had Clean thoughts running through my mind.

Follow my journey with me! Join in on Eating Clean in 2014!

xoxo

Miss Maully

Kindness-- The Temple of Light - The Maulism Movement {My Spiritual Journey}

I'm sitting here with a couple margaritas in me thinking about what I should write about...

OK...that's what I started writing about last night. If you have a Jose Pepper's near you, I urge you to go and try one of their fresh margaritas made with all natural lime and lemon juices, 100% organic agave nectar and Jose Peppers' own tequila. I know I'm trying to sell them here, so here's the catch. They are $2 all day Monday and Tuesday!! At least where I live. 

So I was super tired last night and couldn't think of what to write. Tonight however, I am on a roll with the words. 

Coming Up: I am planning a Thankful Thanksgiving post over my Thanksgiving break. 

Rosetta's 1st birthday is Monday and her party is Sunday. <3

Christmas Theme Posts
Winter Posts

Tonight we are going to talk about Kindness.

Kindness- the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

When I was in grade school  there was his giril who was younger than me by a few years. I'm going to change her name and call her Matilda for this story. She wasnt cute, bubbly, fashionable, rich and skinny like the rest of the girls that went to my grade school. She had shoulder length mousy brown hair, a pudgy face, her mouth was filled with quite a few silver fillers and fake teeth. She talked funny, wore baggy t-shirts and shorts and was on the rounder side. She also had this awkward walk where she threw her weight around as she took steps. Let's just say it was not graceful. She came from a lower class family, her mother was a larger woman who didn't wear makeup or try to dress nicely. She was shrill and drove an older model station wagon, one of the wooden ones. 

Everyone made fun of her, for everything I just mentioned above. She was in Y-CARE with me and lived in my neighborhood. I didn't talk to her much but I judged her and made fun of her as well. I talked behind her back, laughed at her and ignored her- just like everyone else. Then one day, a few years later at the pool I saw that her mom was wearing a handkerchief on her head. 

I can't remember if it was then that we realized she had cancer or when she passed away.

I think Matilda only lived with her mom and grandma. {Maybe mom's boyfriend?} However she didn't live with or even see her dad for all I know. It was then that I began to feel bad for how myself and everyone else had treated her. Not just because that something bad happened to her, but because all that time we were teasing her and ignoring her she was dealing with her mom dying at home. I never knew if she was close to her mom but it doesn't matter. It matteres that I still feel guilty for how we treated her becasue she was different and "weird" but she was dealing with some deep problems that none of us could fathom or even want to try imagining what it would be like. 

The moral of my story is to always be kind to everyone {yes, there are exceptions like murderers and rapists and child molesters}

You never know what their story is, what they come home to everyday, what hides behind closed doors. Maybe she just wanted us to say hey to her or include us in our games. Maybe that would have made her day and she could have a glimmer of hope. 

I've been to low points in my life, have you? We think there is no way out and people can judge us and be mean- at any age. 

Kindness is so much more than a definition, kindness is an act of truth that you bestow to the world to make it a better place to live in. 

Kindness is the key to happiness. Refrain from bullying {another sermon}, teasing, degrading and judging {another sermon} anybody. You do not know their story and therefore cannot judge them.

I think to myself when I catch myself judging, "How dare you jump to conclusions about the way they are living their life?" I try talking to people like random strangers, cashiers, servers...I want to know their story and find the soul in the body. I try to connect with people and just be kind to everyone I meet. That one simple "have a nice day" or "hello" or "how are you feeling/doing today? could be a chance for them to feel appreciated, hopeful and warm inside. 

Kindness is free and unfortunately we lack the most basic kindness to one another. There is more than once I have seen glares and sideways looks my way. More than once I have given those glares and looks.

Kindness is FREE. 
TREAT OTHER THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.
PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES.
TRY SEEING THINGS FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW.

It can be hard. You may not even realize that you are doing it. But every time you find yourself judging another person, saying hateful things to them, ignoring them because of how they act, speak, talk or dress, catch yourself. Keep a reminder on a sticky note or on your phone, Hell, tie a sting around your finger. 

Instead of bashing them, say something nice about how they look, about their children, car, purchase, friendliness, honesty... you can find the good and human/humble part inside the outer surface of first impressions and possibly make a new friend!

Try this for 30 days, a week, a year...a lifetime. 

You will start to notice that your attitude and outlook will change. 

Kindness is so important yet so easily forgotten. These holidays, make it a priority to keep Kindness at the top of your list and KEEP it there when the holidays are over. 

Peace, Love, Happiness and Blessings,

xoxo
MissMaully

{L.L. in the Temple of Light.}