9's my number! What's yours?

SO! It's been a few days since my last post, but do not fear my faithful followers I have definitely not forgotten you, or worse yet - fallen off the band wagon (what, exactly, is a band wagon anyhow?)! Tonight marks the end of day NINE for me! Hurray! Not quite half way through but almost and I can honestly say that I do not long for the ending of the cleanse. I am thoroughly enjoying my green goddess self and new fabulous lifestyle! I do NOT miss meats and only miss dairy when I drive by Chik-Fil-A and see their amazing milkshake posters - but - I have done lots of research and found that I can make gluten free, refined-sugar free and dairy free desserts that can be made that taste amazing! When you cleanse your body and taste-buds of refined sugar everything sweet tastes SO much sweeter! I can now fully appreciate the sweetness of fruits and vegetables. Yes, you heard me right, sweet vegetables!

As far as cravings, I have not struggled too badly with them. I watch other people eating their greasy burgers and remembering alone how badly those greasy things made me feel makes it easy to just take an extra large bite of my lettuce wrap or spinach salad and know that my insides are squeaky clean and loving my every bit of existence!

This week I am going to start kicking up the workouts as well as the yoga. I have to admit that I have not done a whole lot of either. This past week had brought on a whole bundle of new challenges for me. They challenged my marriage, my stress levels, my safety and my inner peace warrior - I did not like this challenge - BUT - I kicked it back in it's ugly face and sent it back to where it came from and I humbly kneel and beg God to keep it away! So - with that out of my mind and soul this week it's time to get back to focusing on ME!

Speaking of loving me, this weekend is Valentines Day - another lovely day some fool conned up to make some $$$. BUT we'll go along with it, why not? Teddy bears, roses, chocolates(gluten/sugar/dairy free of course) and jewelry - we all know it would be offensive to not accept these things ;) But when is the last time you gave yourself a Valentine? Why don't you join me and make this Valentines Day the first time you take a little time to love and appreciate YOU. Our first and last love is ourselves and we all know (or at least those of us who have experienced enough life to learn this valuable lesson) that in order to ever give love we MUST LOVE OURSELVES FIRST. This is NOT an excuse for pride or snobbishness - because there is a special place for all those snooty people - but this IS a real reason to spend sometime to look inside and do some special self-loving.

Indulge a little, feel special and have fun.