March 2014

See her?

And her?

Can you believe she though she needed to trim her thighs?  She wasn't really happy with the way she looked.  She still had fat days.  

After being overweight my whole life, I was happy that I was finally skinny but, I didn't think I looked good enough.  I was a size 7, about 111 pounds with a 27.5 inch waist.  I still thought I wasn't good enough.  

In this picture I was sucking my stomach in because I thought I looked fat....

I had serious issues.  

• I was a size 7 but, it wasn't a size 5...
• I was horrified when I saw my weight on the scale jump too much...{I was afraid of becoming fat again}
• I weighed myself 2-3 times A DAY
• I could see my heart beating through my chest
• My hair was super thin

The weird thing is that I'd look at photos and I was horrified.  I knew that I was too skinny,  I knew I needed to gain weight, I knew that there was something wrong with me,but, I could shake off those feelings in under 30 seconds.  I could go back to rationalizing it all.  

Honestly I don't know why I'm writing this post.  I think that after 2 years I need to admit that I struggled (and still struggle) with a serious issue.  

This is a picture I took today. 

In this picture I see someone who weighs 30 pounds too much.  I see jiggly thighs, and a flabby stomach.  But, I see progress.  I see muscle, I see strength.  I honestly took this picture because I was happy that my upper body was starting to get as big as my lower body and I was starting to feel symmetrical.  

I have come a long way and I have a long way to go but, I'll get there, slowly and surely.  One day I'll be 100% 75% happy with the way I look {because I don't believe anyone's 100% happy with their body}.  But until that time I'll work towards my goals in a healthy way.  

NaBloPoMo For the Week of May 9th to 15th

Second week of NaBloPoMo Photo Theme.  The photos this week were a bit difficult for me.  But, here's what I came up with.  I promise I will be back soon with some new recipes and health & fitness related posts.  My mind has been blank recently.  If you have any topics you'd like me to cover leave a comment!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Photo: Light

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Photo: Three

Monday, May 11, 2015

Do you ever secretly snap pictures without the subject knowing? Tell us about a secret shot you've taken.

Occasionally.  It's normally when I'm at the beach.  I take pictures of people who are doing something interesting.  Mo told me that she photographs people all the time without them knowing.  The last person I shot without them knowing was a few months ago, the fog was really thick at the beach and I took a picture of a person walking to me.

Photo: Close

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

What is the hardest subject to photograph?

People.  I have a hard time photographing people.  I did wedding photography for a while and hated it.  Loved the paycheck but, I had a hard time with it.

Photo: Far

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Do you sometimes make recipes due to the accompanying photo?

Yes, all the time.  You eat with your eyes first.  If it's pretty or appetizing, I'll read the accompanying recipe.

Photo: Bokeh

Thursday, May 14, 2015

What place do you want to visit based solely on beautiful photographs that you've seen?

Fiji.  It's so pretty!  The crystal blue water, the gorgeous scenery, I don't just want to visit I want to move there.

Photo: Sun Flare

Friday, May 15, 2015

Have you ever developed a crush on someone due to a photograph?

Nope.  That's just weird.

                        Photo: Black and White                      

NaBloPoMo For the Week of May 2nd to 8th

Every month I try to follow the prompts for NaBloPoMo.  If you've never heard of NaBloPoMo, it stands for National Blog Posting Month.  The goal is to write 1 post a day for the month.  NaBloPoMo assigns a theme for each month and gives daily prompts.  This month's theme is PHOTO.  Most months I can slide the prompt into my posts.  Other months, that plan doesn't work very well.  This is one of those months.  But, as an ex-photographer {do you ever REALLY quit photography?  I might not label myself as a photographer anymore but, I still love my camera and photography is one of the things I love}  I always jump at the chance to take a photo.  And I love it when I can get creative with it.  So, during May, I will be posting my prompt answers and the photos from the prior week (Saturday to Friday.)

For more information on NaBloPoMo click HERE

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Photo: Your Passion

Explanation: This picture is actually a collage of all my passions.  The camera and dumbbell for my love of photography and exercise, my girls in the pool for my love of my kids and the water and the ocean.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Photo: Your Feelings

Explanation:  Recently, I have been feeling very driven.  

Monday, May 4, 2015

Do you think one side of your face photographs better than another?

Nope.  I think both sides of my face photograph the same.  

Photo: Your Energy

Explanation:  My energy seriously comes from being home.  My house is where I gain my strength.  Being in public wears me out.  I come home to recharge.  I love my house, everybody, and everything in it.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

What is your favourite angle for being photographed? Head-on? Slightly above, below, to the side?

Not going to lie.  I have a photo stance.  Every time I pose for a photo I cock my head to the right.  I don't know where it came from or why I started doing it but, I do.  But honestly my favorite angle depends on the photo.  The head cocked angle is my favorite when people are photographing me.  If I'm taking a selfie, my favorite angle is slightly above.

Photo: Your Style

Explanation:  My style is alot like these pictures, childish.  I basically throw on the first thing I find.  

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

How often are you in your photographs?

Hardly ever!  I'm normally the one behind the lens.  Finding a photo of me is hard.

Photo: Your Love
Explanation:  My husband.  

Thursday, May 7, 2015

When was the last time you asked someone to take a picture of you?

When I needed a progress picture taken.  I had Ken take them for me.  

Photo: Your Time
Explanation:  Flying away, just like the bird.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Do you think you smile more honestly when you're taking a selfie or when someone else is photographing you?

When someone else is photographing me, definitely.  My "selfie smile" is more of a grin.  Actually, most of the time I don't think I smile at all in selfies.

Photo: Focus
Expanation:  Just like the fluff Buddie took out of the bear, my focus is scattered.  

Earth Fare Jacksonville

As I've mentioned before, I love grocery stores.  I love wandering around looking at all the products.  Every time I visit a new city I always check out the local supermarket.  You can tell alot about an area by what you find in the store.  

A few weeks ago I was offered a private tour of the new Earth Fare before it opened.  Of course I jumped at the chance.  Earth Fare is a great store.  Their vision is to be "the most trusted organic and natural food market in the country - a place where healthy decisions are easy, people have confidence in the food they buy and everyone feels welcome."  I love that vision!

At Earth Fare they have a few rules.  No, not your typical "No shirt, no shoes, no service" type rules.  They have food rules.  

All of the food that you find at Earth Fare never contains:

• Antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones
• Artificial fats or trans-fats
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Artificial sweeteners
• Artificial preservatives
• Bleached or bromated flour
• Artificial colors or flavors

Let me take you on a little tour of the store.

Gorgeous fresh vegetables and fruits.  Everything is seasonal and as they become available you will be able to find locally grown fruits and veggies.  {Local is considered within 100 miles of Jacksonville.}

 They have an amazing bulk section.  Granola, seeds, nuts, oatmeal, grind your own peanut butter and even syrup, honey and agave dispensers.  If you'd like to bring in your own container to fill up you can do that.  I'm definitely going back to fill up on oatmeal.  

 {Across from the bulk section was the peanut butter aisle.  They must have had 10 different types of peanut butter and it was driving me crazy!  75 days until I have my pick of peanut butters!}

Sunny didn't have school the day of our tour and she was really excited when she got to try some of the bulk candy.  All the candy has no artificial dyes.  She tried all natural candy coated chocolate candies and some gummy candies.  The chocolate candy is dyed using fruits and vegetables.  

I thought it was awesome that if you want to try something before you buy it, ask an associate.  They will open a package for you and try it with you.  If you decide to buy it they'll give you a fresh pack.  

Beyond the bulk section is the health and wellness department.  They have everything you could imagine.  The employees are very knowledgeable.  If you have any issue, or ailment talk to them.  They can probably find something to help you.  They also have a big section of baby things.  Lotions, soaps, creams, baby food, wipes, etc.  My favorite was the bulk bath salts.  My muscles need the muscle soak!  They had 6 or 7 different types to choose from.  Muscle soaks, relaxing soaks, and they all smelled amazing.

Most of us don't put much thought into what type of makeup we buy.  Did you know that most makeup contains gluten and/or animal products?  Vegans and people with a gluten intolerance or Celiac don't have the luxury of buying makeup from any CVS or Walmart.  Earth Fare carries a full line of Vegan, cruelty-free makeup and also a line of gluten free makeup.

The Meat & Seafood Department was huge!  The prices weren't bad either.  I know that some specialty stores have horribly expensive meat and seafood.  These prices seemed about as low as Publix.

The freezer section was huge.  It carried all the standard type items; ice cream, veggies, pizza, etc.  I was excited because they carry unique vegetable blends {green beans and broccoli get boring, right?}, frozen roasted sweet potatoes, and frozen quinoa.  They also carry a huge variety of veggie burgers, many that don't contain soy.

I thought this was awesome.  A scoop your own ravioli bar.  This is only available at Earth Fare!  This house LOVES ravioli

Bulk, grind your own coffee.

They also have an olive bar, a full bakery, huge gourmet cheese department, sushi counter, a salad bar, and a hot foods bar.  I cannot wait to go back for dinner!  

They have great deals going on in the prepared food section.

Tuesday -- Real Meals

Every Tuesday in the prepared food section they have great home-cooked meals.  According to the website right now it's pot roast, carrots and potatoes.

Wednesday -- $5 Sushi

On Wednesdays the sushi is only 5 bucks!  You can't even get gas station sushi for that price!  They have a wide variety of sushi.  They also have vegan and gluten-free sushi.  All hand-made, fresh, in the store.

Thursday -- Family Dinner Night

Family Dinner Night is a great thing!  Every Thursday from 4:00-8:00 pm you can get up to 6 kids meals free with the purchase of 1 adult meal ($5 minimum purchase).  They have great bikini approved options for mom (and dad) and healthy options for the kids

You need to get down to Earth Fare!  It's located at 11901 Atlantic Blvd.  on the corner of Atlantic and Kernan, next to Academy Sports & Outdoors.  Not in the Jacksonville area?  That's okay!  Earth Fare has over 30 locations in 9 states.  Click HERE to find one near you!

Want to win a $50 gift card to try some of the great things Earth Fare offers?  I'm giving away a $50 gift card to 1 lucky person!