tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722576198141886902024-03-05T20:17:50.717-08:00Self Discoverytara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-63813390201503853882013-06-17T07:33:00.002-07:002013-06-17T07:33:32.915-07:00Hi, My Name is Tara and I'm a Health Coach.Hi, my name is Tara and I'm a Health Coach. I love being able to say that out loud as people cock their heads to the side and ask,"What exactly does a Health Coach do?" Well, now that I have the experience, I can give a little inside information as to what it is that I actually do to help others reach their health goals.<br />
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First, let me just say that I've written in previous blogs about my own experiences in losing weight and bettering myself, so I won't include that in this post. I want people to know that I have struggled and that it's not an easy road, but from what I've gone through I feel that it's a lot easier to help those who are going down the exact path I once wandered upon. That's the main reason I decided upon studying holistic health counseling, to inspire others to become what they've always dreamed of becoming because I know it's absolutely attainable.<br />
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I am not a nutritionist. I don't have a meal plan set aside for my clients. I don't tell them what NOT to eat, nor do I MAKE them do anything they don't want to do. I merely teach them about better food choices and make recommendations along the way. The sessions don't solely focus on food and exercise. I lend an ear for anything they may want to vent about or just openly discuss with me. We talk about relationships, family, financial issues, health concerns, and whatever else might pop up during the call. Being a good listener is very important as a Health Coach. I'm somewhat of a therapist who offers a safe and confidential space, allowing my clients to open up to me and speak about things they may not talk about with others. Sometimes that's all anyone ever needs. An ear to listen without judgments or solutions.<br />
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I also want to stress the importance of wanting as opposed to needing to change. If you NEED something bad enough, you most likely aren't in the state of mind to attract whatever it is into your life. You are desperate at this point. You don't want it for yourself and you're definitely not willing to make any changes in order to get there. You have to WANT it more. Let me explain. Let's say you don't have a job and because of this it's very hard for you to pay your bills each month. You are constantly complaining about never having money or being able to do things you once enjoyed doing. You start to become desperate for a job because you NEED money in order to feel secure. It's hard for you to be happy because all of your focus is on not having enough money even though you have a roof over your head and you're able to feed and clothe your family. Instead of being grateful for all that you do have, you think about what you don't have. If you became grateful for the things you already have before you and are able to make changes in order to get a job so that you can pay your bills on time and enjoy past luxuries, that's when you start wanting it more. You begin to attract that desire by believing that you can do anything to have the money you once needed before. The same goes for being healthier or losing weight. Once you stop needing it and start wanting it, then you're ready to take the steps by making positive changes to become what you have envisioned for yourself. You're more open to recommendations and trying out new foods, you WANT to work out because you know it makes you feel better emotionally and physically, and you're able to open up about things that were holding you back before.<br />
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With that said, I am not a miracle worker. I can't simply wave a magic wand and make all of your troubles disappear. I'm here for support and motivation. I can give you a thousand different recommendations that might have worked for me, but if you're not ready to open up to trying them, then you don't have it in you to want to make the change for yourself and any amount of healthy eating and exercise probably isn't going to work as well as it would for someone who is willing to put in the hard work. Make sense?<br />
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One more thing before I go, I do not believe that there is a fast fix to what eating healthy and exercise does for the body and mind. I don't care how natural or healthy it may seem, there is NOTHING better than being able to say,"I don't crave sugar like I used to," or "I can't wait to go on my run today!" If you can get excited about working out and know that eating right makes you happier and healthier, then you've reached the point of no return. I'm not saying you can't enjoy a cupcake every now and then, but the difference is in the way you know how that cupcake would make you feel if you ate 2 or 3 like your old self might have done. Knowing that you have your limits and sticking with them, that's the change you were striving for. What you worked so hard to achieve. THAT'S what makes being a health coach worth it, to me. To be able to see how far you've come, celebrate that success with you, and knowing that I have complete faith that you can carry the knowledge with you for the rest of your life.<br />
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*If you know anyone who may benefit from what I do, please direct them to my website for further information on how to contact me. <a href="http://www.healthyhappyspirit.com/" target="_blank">www.healthyhappyspirit.com</a>tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-44864437268767304442013-01-19T08:34:00.001-08:002013-01-19T08:35:02.194-08:00Testimonial Time As most of you already know, I recently graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as a Certified Holistic Health Coach, where I learned about Primary and Secondary food along, with a plethora of different dietary theories. Halfway through my schooling I acquired my very first client, who was more than willing to trust in me to help her on the path to a healthier, happier life. Not only did I teach her about new foods and introduced her to different lifestyle changes, but she also taught me how I wanted to conduct my business as a professional health coach. That's the best part of my new venture. I learn from others while they are learning from me. With that said, I wanted to share with you the amazing story and transformation of my awesome, first client, Carla Morris. Here's her testimonial in her own words, along with a before and after picture (she was already 20 pounds down in her before, but check out that definition in her after!):<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.796875px;">My name is Carla Morris and I would like to share my experience with you. For the last 10 years I had put my health,weight and well being on the back burner which I think many of us have been known to do! I made the decision a year ago that enough was enough...I was tired of feeling bad! I struggled not only with weight but also with anxiety and self worth issues. I began my journey alone in March of 2012...I started with a simple weight loss goal of 25 lbs. I began exercising and eating right and I had success but I still felt something was missing...that was where Tara came in!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.796875px;">It all started out simply enough with her taking my health history and offering me her services. I never could have imagined how at that point my life would change!Through her program I not only learned how to feed my body but also my mind. She gave me the tools and I used them!Whether it was new foods and recipes,exercise tips,meditation or just some good laughs I learned so much about myself and what me and my body were capable of if I just chose to do what I needed to do to live a healthy, balanced life!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.796875px;">So here I am 6 months later and let me tell you the changes in my life are overwhelming! Not only did I reach my original weight loss goal, I surpassed it by almost 25 pounds! I have lost a total of 50 pounds and kept it off! This was done strictly through healthy eating and exercise. I have total confidence in the food choices i make..no more second guessing what my body needs to be healthy. I am also happy to report that my anxiety is all but gone...I believe that through personal growth and confidence building I was able to overcome this. I have grown in so many ways and I have Tara to thank!It is hard work and determination that will get you through this program..never give up and watch your body and mind change. Be open to trying new things and see how she will guide you to being a happier ,healthier you!</span><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.796875px; outline: none;" />tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-75612480166920025662012-05-19T08:49:00.001-07:002012-05-19T08:49:48.622-07:00Nowhere in Particular<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The wind through my hair<br />
the sun on my face<br />
no inner dialogue to succumb to<br />
just pure peacefulness filling me up<br />
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Stress relieving, thigh strengthening, sweat producing bliss<br />
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Riding to nowhere in particular<br />
taking in the scenery<br />
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Surrounded by nature<br />
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Enveloped in love<br />
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Enjoying the company of family with racing hearts and laughter<br />
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Pedaling through life, thinking only happy thoughts<br />
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Speeding backwards in time to when things were simple<br />
things were real<br />
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To childhood hopes and dreams<br />
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<br />tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-28001888937762051092012-04-17T06:27:00.000-07:002012-04-17T06:27:34.386-07:00Not Just Another IdeaIn life, we go through so many stages trying to find ourselves. We enter school, for the first time and search for friends who are fun to play with, but as we get older we yearn for one who will not only understand us, but accept us even when they don't. Friendships have come and gone my whole existence. I seem to gravitate towards the weirdos or loners, if you will. The ones who seem to have lost their way. Some of those friendships are still hanging on by a very thin thread, while others got tossed by the wayside for one reason or another. Some have even blossomed into the best friendships I've ever had. And just like friends, ideas have come and gone. Exciting me at their presence, making me fall head over heals in love and then boring me when I, or they, have nothing left to offer. I think I've "found" myself several times over, yet nothing ever seemed to stick, until now.<br />
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If you know me, you know I've been on the path to getting healthy for a number of years. Even in this moment, I'm finding new ways to incorporate new health practices into my lifestyle. Which brings me to the main point of this blog. Sure, I'm studying to become a health coach and I'm virtually surrounded by health nuts galore, however I'm still not quite as healthy as most of them, which is fine. I don't need to be a Raw Vegan to be thin or to have ultimate health. I haven't even given up on meat. What I need is to remain who I am while finding out what works for my body and that's exactly what I intend to help my future clients figure out for themselves.<br />
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I live in a town where we have the limited options of Meijer, Walmart, Kroger, or Chief to shop for groceries. Meijer has the best options as far as organic produce goes. We don't have the luxury of a Whole Foods or Trader Joes. We have our dinky, little Farmer's Market during the end of Spring and throughout Summer and that's about as local as it gets around here. The people I want to work with are struggling to find healthy because it's hard to find it in our smallish town. It's been difficult for me and my family and we're as healthy as can be right now. Sure, we can be healthier, who couldn't be? Precisely my point. This is my target market. Real people who have families and jobs. Mothers who need balance between kids and husbands. Women who want a permanent fix in the weight loss category. Individuals who are unaware of how to eat healthy or what to cook for dinner. Real people just like myself. I may eat healthy, but I'm still learning how to add in more whole foods and crowd out sugar and processed foods. I have no clue how to prepare tofu or tempeh. Shoot, I recently just learned how to make quinoa. So yeah, I'm learning and experiencing it for myself so that I can share that knowledge with others to help them live better lives.<br />
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Health coaching, from my perspective, isn't simply me handing over the secrets of living healthy. It's me, lending an ear and possibly a shoulder for people who have real problems they want solved. It's not just showing others how to eat better or to motivate them to fit more physical activity into their lives. Being a health coach means being there and helping others find balance in their chaos. It's me, slowly changing the world, one person at a time. This is my passion. This is my life and I intend to do the very best job that I possibly can so that this idea isn't just an idea years down the road.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-6945199638464856352012-03-01T07:23:00.001-08:002012-03-01T07:25:27.203-08:00Body ImageRecently, an old friend tagged me in some really old pictures from my youth. Looking back, I came to the realization that I didn't look quite as bad as I once imaged myself to be. You see, growing up, I always considered myself to be of the chubby variety, mostly in part of the way others treated me. My step dad used to ask me if it was necessary for me to be eating certain foods because I didn't want to be a fat kid. I always retaliated with,"Well, look at your belly." Of course, that usually got me in trouble, but now that I think about it, he was partly to blame for the foods I was putting into my mouth. Also, I was in the 4th grade! Thanks for the words of encouragement, "dad". I took his harsh criticism and instead of using it to make myself not turn into the kid he envisioned me, I ate Little Debbies as afternoon snacks, cookies and cake for breakfast, drank plenty of soda, even though my mom soon limited us to one per day, but my point is, I obviously became an emotional eater. No, I was not overweight, but I did have a problem.<br />
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I remember looking down at myself, many a time, and silently hating my stomach, which I was pretty much doomed for life to always tote around. To me, that was my body and I would always have to live with the rolls or the extra layer of flab that covered my pre-teen mid section. Boys didn't like me because I wasn't as thin or pretty as the other girls. Soon after, I developed the "I'm not good enough" mindset and settled on being the chubby girl. I wasn't raised to watch my figure or to exercise, although my mom did cook great meals for us growing up, making us eat all of our veggies yet I was the only kid who had body issues. My sister could eat an entire bag of Doritos and wash it down with a Pepsi and not gain a pound. My brother still eats like he's a Sumo wrestler and you wouldn't be able to tell because he has not one ounce of fat on his body. It was very frustrating for me, living in a house full of unhealthy foods and watching my siblings eat everything in sight without any repercussions. Nope, not me. I ate what they ate and it showed, in my face, my thighs, my stomach...I had the bad genes, apparently.<br />
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When you view yourself a certain way, regardless of what the mirror is bouncing back at you, that's how you look in your mind. Even now at 125lbs and the healthiest I've ever been, I still think of myself as that chubby girl. Only when I actually see myself do I remember that I'm not her anymore. I remember when I went off to college I actually lost 20 pounds instead of gaining the popular Freshman 10 or 15. My friends thought I was starving myself because they weren't used to seeing me sans meat on my bones. I'll be honest, I felt awesome! Sure, I wasn't entirely healthy, but I was skinny and that's all that mattered to me. Admittedly, I was mirroring the eating patterns of another student who was addicted to exercise and not properly fueling her body. She was the reason I grew to love pasta and salsa as a meal followed by many cigarettes. It was working for me, so I didn't see how damaging it was to her body until I watched her pass out, not once but 3 times in the same hour. I believe we stopped hanging out shortly after this event.<br />
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I've struggled with weight my whole life, that's a fact. At my heaviest, I was 192, with child. One of the reasons many will never see a pregnancy picture of me. I was a cow in an over-sized t-shirt. Seriously. Of course, I lost most of that weight after giving birth and breast feeding, but even after, I was still pretty puffy around the edges. I worked with some extremely skinny girls and that certainly didn't help because they ate the same crap I was eating, yet my body wasn't the size of an arm. Oh yeah, I compared the shit out of myself with these girls. I remember one of them getting me to go on walks with her a few times. I don't know if she was trying to help me out, but I appreciated the gesture. We would often go out to bars or clubs and I always felt inadequate dancing next to them. Like they were a part of some club that I'd never get into. It sucks when you feel that way about yourself. It's demoralizing. I didn't know how to be skinny without harming my body in the process and I wasn't about to go back down that road, so instead, we tried diet pills. Boy was that an awful idea. My husband had gained weight right along with me so we decided to diet together. The pills were some off brand of a popular new diet craze and we paired them with the ever so healthy Atkins Diet. We were like walking angry zombies on steroids. That diet didn't last long. Eating all meat zapped any and all energy from our bodies and made our breath smell like the inside of a cats butt that was scrounging around in a dumpster. I don't recommend it to anyone.<br />
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Now that I know what proper nutrition and exercise actually does for the body, I can look back and laugh at our attempts to be healthy. My body image may still need a little tweaking, but at least I can teach my daughter and other women how to feel better about themselves without the need to step on a scale everyday. It took me years to be able to know what I can and can't eat and to stay at a steady weight and to show others that it's possible to live your whole life not being that person you had stamped on your brain as a child. Being thin isn't the be all end all, it's about being healthy on the inside and letting that shine through to the parts others can see. It's about being grateful for the struggles and learning to be a better person despite our losses or mistakes. Body image is in our minds. It's in the way we are treated and in the way we treat ourselves. You don't have to be the chubby girl if you don't want to be the chubby girl. You simply have to want to change in order for change to happen. It seems hard to grasp when you get started, but I promise you, one day you will love what you see on the other side of that mirror if you just have the motivation to do so.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-42073652930192668902012-02-20T07:09:00.002-08:002012-03-01T07:51:48.585-08:00IIN LoveLet me start off by saying that I am completely, madly in love with IIN. It's nearing the end of the 2nd month and although I'm not up to par on my modules and training, I am not only learning a lot, but have made many new and wonderful connections with the classmates. I even have a health coach of my own, to help and guide me along this journey through schooling and starting up my very own business. My coach is amazing! I assumed the school paired us up with people who were similar to us because we have so many things in common and get along so well, but yet again it was one of those things that happened by pure chance. So far, we've spoken twice on our phone sessions. She makes herself available to me via email and telephone if I should need her assistance and she already has her own business complete with website and blog that I can not only apply to my life but recieve tips for my future career as well. I seriously couldn't be happier or luckier to have connected with such a great person!<br />
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The January class made a Facebook page for any questions or suggestions we may have through out the year. What an awesome place of support! I have met so many new people! I was even able to gather a small group to virtually study together on a bi-weekly basis. Our first meeting went so well, which I conducted myself, with the help of another classmate and new friend. I was extremely nervous the entire day at work, trying to figure out how everything would come together. I didn't even have Skype at that point. Luckily, one of the group members walked me through exactly how the meeting should go and what we'd be going over and as 9:00 rolled around we were all talking and laughing and getting to know each other so well that it barely felt like a meeting at all. Everyone had something of importance to share and I learned a lot from each person. I can't wait for study group this wednesday! Hopefully I can wind down and have a dreamless sleep after this one. I was so keyed up from the last meeting that I dreamed all night and barely slept at all. Too much adrenaline I guess? I'm a little relieved to be able to sit back and let someone else take the reigns, this week. <br />
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The most exciting thing that's happened thus far, would be figuring out my official business name. I wracked my brain for a few weeks to see what would come to me and although I didn't end up with the original name I picked out, I was able to find one that fit me and would represent my health coaching business completely. I jumped ahead quite a bit by purchasing my domain name, but I felt as though I had to grasp onto it before it was taken by someone else. I won't reveal the name publicly until my web page is fully operational, but that time will come soon enough. Until then, my plan is to continue learning and studying my bum off because my time at this school is very short lived and I want to enjoy every tiny moment that gets me on the road to true success.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-37745520238724778052012-01-23T07:56:00.000-08:002012-01-23T07:56:04.311-08:00School UpdateI am taking this opportunity to share with whomever is interested in how school is going for me, so far. Last Monday I received my big, red box with everything I need to study and use for my journey to becoming a health coach. I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty excited about the ipad and so was my daughter. School officially started on January 17th and my first module was posted so I could begin my training. Let's be honest, I was pretty stressed out and nervous about what was taking place. For a person who used to get bored with the norm, I often find myself freaking out about change. This is a huge step for me and as I don't know the exact outcome once I got down to business I began to feel more at ease with what is about to transform. I had a lot of time, last week, to get some of my fundamentals listened to and to be able to join in on the discussions and started on my first, real assignment. What this school is teaching is something I believe in heavily. Everything I was hearing made so much sense to me and I realized I was smiling halfway through the video and audio learning objectives. Teaching proper nutrition and holistic healing is what I've been passionate about for a long time and what I'm learning is exactly what I've been trying to help others with in their struggles to live healthier lives. Even though a part of me is still a little fearful of what's ahead, I know that whatever comes of this experience will be something I will be able to be proud of. For right now, I'm happy in my decision to start this process. There will be ups and downs and things I'm not going to want to do, I'm sure, but I know it will all be worth it in the long run. <div><br />
</div><div>"It's never too late to become who you might have been." George Eliot</div>tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-5312743613257912272012-01-02T07:33:00.000-08:002012-01-02T07:33:23.712-08:00The First TasteI wanted to share something that happened to me at work, the other day. As I mindlessly wandered about the store, straightening up books for the gazillionth time, I overheard a couple, reading aloud, from the alternative health section. They were going over what kinds of foods effect you in which ways or which ones can heal certain maladies. Vaguely, I picked up on what they were trying to cure and I contemplated approaching them with the knowledge of my own. After awhile I heard the word elderberry being mentioned, and if you've been recently sick, I've most likely recommended this very same thing to you for your family. Taking in a big gulp of air, I calmly walked up to them and said how I overheard their conversation and wasn't sure exactly what they were trying to cure, but that elderberry was absolutely one of the best defenses against viruses. The woman said she suffered from Chronic Sinusitis and has been to the doctor several times and aside from being prescribed antibiotics, nothing has helped her get better and it's actually gotten much worse to the point of possibly having to have surgery on her nasal cavities to open them up and allow her to breathe normally. I told them of all the benefits of elderberry and asked her a few other questions as far as what she's tried and also recommended a couple other things that might help her out. We talked for a good 10-15 minutes and I really felt like I was helping this woman with her problem. She was very grateful for my suggestions too. After I walked away from them I had this overwhelming sense of pride for having the knowledge to share with these people who were desperately searching for an answer. Although, after I left them alone to their own devices, I overheard her saying how she doesn't like to drink a lot of water...I almost kicked myself for not suggesting proper hydration, but I was not about to approach them again and tell her how she was ruining any chance of recovery by dehydrating her body. *sigh* Oh well. Another time, perhaps.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-19854104425878948572012-01-01T08:53:00.000-08:002012-01-01T08:53:00.619-08:00Welcome to 2012I tend to shy away from making ridiculously, unreachable goals, especially as a New Year's Resolution. This year is different. This year, I am making a huge decision in my career and my goal for 2012 is to quit my current job, learn something fairly new, and makeover the way that I make money for myself and my family, along with being happy in what I'm accomplishing. I have said many times that I would not go back to school. I did it straight out of high school, loved it, met some amazing people, but essentially let it fall by the way side, got married and had a child instead. At the time, I was okay with the way things panned out. I always wanted to fall in love, find the right man, and be with him forever. Kids were never really part of that plan, but once our daughter came along it was absolutely the best thing we could have ever created together. I love my family. I love the life we have made, but I am not happy in my career choices. There are no regrets, because I have met some great friends along the way, but I feel like being almost 32 and stuck in retail management is really not so good for my mental health. So, a few days ago I stumbled upon a school that a distant cousin and current fitness instructor (I'm not sure if that's the correct term) had listed on her facebook profile page and googled it instantly. After looking it over and reading several reviews about what the intention of this institution was based upon, I decided to set up an appointment for a call that's scheduled for tomorrow morning. I know myself and I know that I get excited about new ideas and often second guess myself and never follow through, but I honestly feel like this will be different. I talked it over with Dan and I will talk it over again, after I receive more information about everything it entails, but he was on board as soon as I mentioned that I wanted to do this. Basically, I'd be learning about health and nutrition and how to start up my own private practice with this knowledge. I have a friend who would love to be a personal trainer and we've been talking about possibly going into business together, which would be so perfect for the both of us. I'm pretty knowledgeable in nutrition as medicine and with my own personal experience with getting healthy I have been helping friends stay motivated and helping them eat better and make better choices with food and exercise and I know I can take this further to actually make something of myself and continue to help others while making a living doing so. (Holy run on sentence!) In any case, this is my goal and tomorrow is where I make a change for the better. I'm nervous and anxious and scared, but I will not let fear take center stage in this life altering decision. I've finally found something meaningful to do with my career and I'm running with it, no matter how hard it may seem in the beginning. Here's to a new year and a better me! Cheers!tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-39937689084026748472011-12-21T12:27:00.000-08:002011-12-21T12:27:58.785-08:00Bah Humbug?It would be nice to be the type of person who gets excited about the holidays. I know retail has crushed all hope for me in that aspect. Christmas isn't about me or how I feel, so I trudge on through, wishing the weeks away until it's all over and the tree comes down. The past few years we waited til a few weeks before Christmas to even put the darn thing up. Well, it's about that time again and I find myself excited to be done with it and back to my normal routine. I still have shopping to do, how pathetic is that? There are exactly 4 days until the magical time where my daughter wakes us up way too early to rush through opening her presents and hopefully be grateful for everything she received and she better be after the stress I had to go through to get her the one thing she truly wanted.<br />
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Perhaps it's the fact that I hate spending money, but the glitz and glamour of Christmas just doesn't do it for me. I'm not about getting gifts, although I do love to give them. The music plays itself out by the time Thanksgiving rolls around and this year, one of our dogs destroyed the sparkly, red bulbs I put on the tree and had to rearrange at least 3 times before deciding to take them off entirely, do to her love of all things ball shaped. None of the presents I did buy are wrapped yet, although I did manage to find some cute wrapping paper again from the neighborhood Walgreens. And don't even get me started on work, especially this year.<br />
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The one thing I do love about this most wonderful time of the year is giving to the less fortunate or doing small acts of kindness. I try to do these things all year round, but I see a lot of places collecting for the Salvation Army or Toys for Tots and it puts a genuine smile on my face when I know that what I'm giving is helping someone who truly needs it. I think that's what Christmas should be about. I mean, we're all out there spending money on stuff people don't need, we might as well just hand it over to someone who'll actually put it to good use.<br />
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I don't mean to sound so bah humbug about the holidays or like I'm complaining for the sake of complaining. I'm sure it's just something that comes with age. Time literally flies by the older you get and it's easier to remember the year before because it felt like only yesterday we were sitting around the tree exchanging gifts to one another. I will say that I am grateful for my family and grateful that everyone is healthy and can spend Christmas together. I do love watching Jaida open her gifts, even if I've barely taken a sip of coffee to wake myself from my slumber. Oh, and one more thing I'm super grateful for, the neighborhood I live in for having good taste in choosing their outdoor festive decor. No longer do I boil over with rage at seeing those horrid, randomly blinking lights. I mean, blinking in an orderly fashion, yes. Random sections blinking on and off at any given time, not so much. But that's a whole other blog right there.<br />
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My final thoughts are that even though I'm not entirely crazy about every facet of this holiday season, I can at least appreciate the little things and be happy with all that I've been given. Jaida's only 10, so technically I can live through her excitement for at least another 8 years. That's the good thing about kids. You smile just to see them smile and I suppose that right there is the real reason for the season. As cheesy as that may sound.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-38945737199097745212011-12-19T09:10:00.000-08:002011-12-19T09:10:15.001-08:00On Death and DyingI lost my dad at the age of 8. I remember loving him, when he was around, but other than that I couldn't tell you specifics of our relationship. My parents divorced when I was 2 or 3, I don't recall which, and my mom remarried shortly after to a man who forced us to call him dad. This, of course confused the crap out of me, to the point where I asked my dad what I was supposed to call him if dad was already taken. I can only imagine how that made him feel. I was a curious kid and wanted an honest answer. They were both dad to me after that day. I also remember barely seeing my own dad. It came down to holidays or birthdays after awhile. Then, one day, my mom sat us down on her bed and explained to us that he had a brain tumor. I laughed because I had no clue what that even meant. She told us it was serious and may have even said he would die. Again, I don't recall actual events. When you're a kid things like that hold no bearing over you, especially since this man is hardly a fragment in your life. What significance does this have to a 6 or 7 year old? He lost his hair during treatment and I think around that time, when we did see him, our grandma and grandpa did most of the things he couldn't do with us. I don't remember how weak or out of it he may have been, all I know is that he looked different to me. The memory most imprinted in my mind was the day we visited him in the hospital. It wasn't a very long visit and at the time I didn't know that this would most likely be our last encounter as father and daughter. When we left his room and walked down the narrow hallway there was a lot of crying. Not coming from me or my sister, but our other family members. Was that the last time I saw him before he died? I honestly couldn't tell you. I was so young. It meant almost nothing to me. The funeral came. My first funeral. I cried. My sister cried. Genuinely. We had just lost our father, of course we were sad. That's when I knew I'd never see him again. That was my first taste of death and as life goes, there is always an end and this experience wouldn't be my last.<br />
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Growing up, my mom babysat a lot of kids. There was a boy my age by the name of Jayme and his sister, DeLaney who was a year or 2 younger than my sister. I remember going swimming at their house, once, and seeing this button shaped bump under Delaney's skin, on her chest. I don't know if I asked her what it was, but later I found out it was a port-a-cath for chemo therapy. She was about 3 years old when they discovered the Leukemia. At the time, she seemed like a normal, little girl who loved to play games with other normal kids. She seemed perfectly healthy to me, but what did I know? I don't even remember how long my mom babysat her and her brother. It seemed she fought cancer for a very long time before she lost her battle at what I think was the age of 7 or 8. I'm pretty certain that I was about 10 when we attended her funeral. She looked nothing like the little girl I remembered playing with every day. There are bits and pieces that come to mind about that day, but the one thing that sticks out the most, aside from the way she appeared in that casket, was what she wrote about me and my sister that was pinned up on one of the bulletin boards as we were leaving. She called us her best friends and that touched me so much that she forever will be one of my best friends growing up. A friend that I lost too soon in life.<br />
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My 3rd encounter with death was my great grandma, or better known as maw-maw. She was such a huge part of all of our lives when we were young. My sister and I and our cousins often stayed the night with her, playing games like "who can crawl to the laundry room first without her noticing us" after we were supposed to be in bed. She would tickle our backs while we watched tv. Then she'd tuck us in nice and tight and retire to her chair in the living room to read the newspaper. We would wait the appropriate amount of time before we giggled our way through the living room and kitchen to get past her to the laundry room, at which point we had no clue what we were to do once we got there. She was totally pretending not to notice us, on our little journey, which made the game even more fun. Then there was the feather duster witch that we were all afraid of that hung on her kitchen wall. We always had fun telling stories about that. In the morning she'd make us hot cocoa and toast and after lunch we'd get pudding on a cloud. We'd go outside and play in her shed or walk out back down by the river. Our maw-maw was the best. She was exactly what a grandma should be to her grandchildren. I was in high-school when she finally passed away. She had Alzheimer's and didn't remember any of us except for one of my cousins and my grandma. We were all so sad to have lost such a great person in our lives. That was the first time I really knew what death meant and the first time I let myself grieve and cry over her absence. I suppose her death meant the most to me because I had more time to spend with her while she was alive.<br />
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I guess, to me, death is a scary part of life. You put all of this effort into loving and caring for people and eventually they're not there anymore. My maw-maw wasn't the last to leave my life. I've lost grandparents, friends, an aunt, some pets, an unborn child and I have to be honest, it's hard as hell to lose anyone. We're supposed to live in the moment and enjoy each breath we take with every day we are allowed to be here. We live on with the memories of those who have passed and try to make memories of our own for the people who may lose us one day. It's sad and depressing, but it doesn't have to continue to be so. I learned to put on my cop face during hard times and to brush my feelings under a rug as not to upset those around me. I was tough and hid behind anger rather than letting my emotions be known and then moving on, but all of that has changed and that's why I chose to write about a topic that's hard to talk about in daily conversation. Death is all around us, from the tv we watch to the news we read about in the paper. It's inevitable. One day, I too will be a story for my daughter to share and until that day, after I live my full 100 years of life, I choose to be a good person, a loving wife, a nurturing mother, a helpful daughter, a supportive sister, a kick ass aunt, and an understanding friend. My life will be lived fully and completely because death has the ability to teach us how to live. Yes, even scary ol' death has it's own silver lining.</div>tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-31970829728258884172011-11-20T09:33:00.000-08:002011-11-20T09:33:27.544-08:00It's Pumpkin Season!I LOVE Fall and I especially LOVE using pumpkin whenever I can. I keep about 4 cans handy at all times. I even feed it to my dogs every day for breakfast. Not only is it a great ingredient but it's also good for you because it's loaded with vitamins A and C, beta carotene, potassium, zinc and fiber. Below I have included a few recipes using pure pumpkin. Enjoy!<div><br />
</div><div><u>Pumpkin Pancakes</u> (makes 6-8)</div><div><br />
</div><div>1 1/2 cups of Mrs. Butterworth's buttermilk complete pancake mix</div><div>1/2 cup pure pumpkin</div><div>1 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div>1 tsp pumpkin pie spice</div><div>1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div>1/2 cup coconut milk (or any kind of milk you prefer) may have to add a little more depending on how thick you like your pancakes </div><div>1 tbls organic vanilla yogurt </div><div><br />
</div><div>Mix together and cook as directed. </div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Pumpkin Butter</u></div><div><br />
</div><div>1/4 cup pure pumpkin</div><div>1 tbls butter or margarine</div><div>sprinkle of cinnamon</div><div>sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice</div><div>1 tbls honey</div><div>sprinkle of sugar </div><div><br />
</div><div>Microwave for about 30 seconds, stir and enjoy. Refrigerate and use within a week or 2. </div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Pumpkin Pie Milkshake</u></div><div><u><br />
</u></div><div>2 scoops Edy's double vanilla ice cream</div><div>2 tbls cup pure pumpkin (add more or less to taste)</div><div>tsp pumpkin pie spice</div><div>add whatever kind of milk you prefer depending on thickness and blend together</div><div>top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon</div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Creamy Pumpkin Pie</u></div><div><u><br />
</u></div><div>1/2 cup cold milk</div><div>1 pkg (6 servings) Instant Vanilla Pudding</div><div>1 tsp pumpkin pie spice</div><div>1 cup canned pumpkin</div><div>2 1/2 cup Cool Whip</div><div>1 ready pie crust</div><div><br />
</div><div>Beat milk, pudding and spice with wire whisk for about 1 minute until thickened</div><div>Whisk in pumpkin</div><div>Stir in Cool Whip with rubber spatula </div><div>Spread in crust and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving</div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Apple butter Pumpkin Pie</u></div><div><u><br />
</u></div><div>1 cup apple butter</div><div>1 cup pure pumpkin</div><div>1/2 cup brown sugar, packed</div><div>1/2 tsp salt</div><div>3/4 tsp ground nutmeg</div><div>3/4 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div>1/8 tsp ginger</div><div>3 eggs, beaten</div><div>3/4 cup evaporated milk</div><div>9 inch unbaked pie shell</div><div>1 egg white, beaten</div><div>whipped cream for topping</div><div><br />
</div><div>Preheat oven for 425 degrees and place oven rack on lowest position.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Combine apple butter, pumpkin, brown sugar, salt and spices in bowl</div><div>Stir in eggs</div><div>Gradually add milk and mix well with electric mixer</div><div>Brush pie shell with egg white, coating lightly</div><div>Pierce holes in bottom of crust</div><div>Pour above mix in bottom of shell and bake for 15 minutes then lower temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 35 minutes or until center is slightly puffed and jiggles slightly when pan is tapped</div><div>Cool til slightly warm and serve with whipped cream and cinnamon</div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Easy Pumpkin Dip</u></div><div><u><br />
</u></div><div>1 cup pure pumpkin</div><div>1 cup whipped cream</div><div>1 tsp pumpkin pie spice</div><div><br />
</div><div>Mix together and dip graham crackers in as an easy snack! You could also add cream cheese and more pumpkin to thicken it up. </div><div><br />
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</div><div><u>Pumpkin Corn Muffins</u></div><div><br />
</div><div>1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix</div><div>add about 2 tbls of pure pumpkin to the other ingredients and make as directed on box</div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Pumpkin Cupcakes</u></div><div><br />
</div><div>1 box vanilla cake mix</div><div>add about 1/2 cup pure pumpkin, tsp cinnamon, tsp pumpkin pie spice and make as directed on box</div><div><br />
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</div><div><u>Dog's Breakfast</u></div><div><u><br />
</u></div><div>1 tbls pure pumpkin</div><div>1tbls canned Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul Adult formula</div><div><br />
</div><div>Put in microwave for 15 seconds and then add less than the regular serving of Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul Adult dog food</div><div><br />
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</div>tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-59157348031738807712011-11-14T07:41:00.000-08:002011-12-02T05:13:41.945-08:00Inner CalmI'm positive I've found my inner calm. Life is happening all around me and I've managed to go through the steps of being present in the moments and also knowing how to calm myself if I feel it slipping out of my reach. Here is a list of things that help keep me at peace:<br />
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1. Deep breathing. I've tried a few different ways to breathe but the one that helps me the most is breathing inward for a count of 4 and out for 6 and repeating at least 3 times.<br />
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2. Along with the breathing sometimes I will repeat anything that I am wanting to achieve in my waking life. Lately it's been the phrase, "I want inner calm."<br />
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3. My favorite mantra is saying and repeating, "I am healthy, I am happy, and I feel amazing," and smiling whilst doing so. <br />
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4. Look in the mirror and smile or make a funny face.<br />
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5. Listing everything I love during an overwhelming situation always calms me down.<br />
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6. Exercise, duh. Some of you probably roll your eyes at that one, but if you've never tried it or felt the amazing high you get after, then you have no idea how much this could be helping you in so many different areas of your life.<br />
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7. Hugging my husband, which I don't do enough of. He's a way better hugger than I am.<br />
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8. Doing anything with Jaida and getting the sense that she's happy to be spending time with me.<br />
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9. When everyone is home and we have just eaten dinner and sit down together to relax in front of the tv, I look around and realize that these are the moments that matter and this is why I wake up every day. I know tv is unhealthy and we could be doing other things, which we do, but to me, everything feels like it's in it's proper place when we are all together and calm like this.<br />
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10. My nightly dose of Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea with a teaspoon of sugar.<br />
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11. Making music mixes to enjoy on my way to work or sharing with friends.<br />
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12. Baking, which I haven't been doing lately, except for the gajillion cookies we ordered from fundraisers, this year.<br />
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13. Texting certain friends. I'm not big on phone conversations and often feel uncomfortable trying to find things to talk about. Again, unhealthy, but for me it's easier.<br />
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14. Laughing. Wednesday nights are my favorite because we have family tv night where we watch some pretty hilarious shows together. No matter how I'm feeling that first laugh eases any stress away instantly.<br />
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15. Reading a good book.<br />
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16. Writing in my journal and lately blogging has been a great outlet for me.<br />
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17. Donating to the needy. There is nothing quite like the feeling of giving.<br />
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18. Playing and cuddling with my dogs and cat.<br />
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19. Painting or crafting, both of which I have been lacking.<br />
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20. Cleaning. I think that runs in the family. :)<br />
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21. Being grateful for everything in my life and knowing that I am lucky to be able to experience so much.<br />
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As you can see there are a lot of things that have helped in all facets of my life to bring me peace. There isn't any reason why I should be feeling any other way when I have so much to be thankful for in this world. Perhaps this list will come to be helpful to many of you. May you find your inner calm as I have found mine.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-45616226710616212452011-11-07T06:30:00.000-08:002011-11-07T12:56:41.298-08:00Things Are Looking UpSince my last post I've made a few major steps toward living past my everyday thinking habits. Towards the end of our vacation I ventured out to the pet store with my family, so Jaida could replace one of her beloved hermit crabs. I allowed myself to be there fully instead of rushing her in what to pick out and we even let her choose a few more items for their habitat. Then, Dan and I stopped by Walmart to drop off and decide on a new Red Box movie. I figured while we were there we might as well purchase some things we needed. Again, there was no rushing or feeling that I needed to hurry and get out of there. It genuinely felt good. No, the trip wasn't a long one and we were home within the hour, but to me, it felt like an accomplishment. I was happy to agree to go without any stipulations and it turned out to be a great experience.<br />
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Next up came talking myself into having to go back to work. I felt a little anxious the night before, but eventually it died down and I was able to relax. The work week flew by, as it often does. I made a few trips to the grocery store with no inner problems to talk down and yesterday I told myself I would live the day to it's fullest and I truly feel that I did just that. We visited with my mom, whose birthday is coming up and then we played four rounds of basketball down at the park. Sure, it seems small to most of you, but to me, it's a big deal and to me, it was a wonderful feeling being able to do little things like that with my family and feel good being in those moments.<br />
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Today, I am enjoying my quiet morning while Jaida is off at school and Dan is working. At 1pm I have an eye doctor appointment, which I'm sure you've already guessed has put ideas in my mind about the trip. I know it won't last all day and I know what to expect so I should be fine. That's how a normal person would think. No, actually, a normal person wouldn't even think about it, they would go, no questions asked. Me, I have to envision driving there, getting out of my car, waiting to be called back, and then the whole ordeal of the doctor checking my eyes. That's how my brain works. I wanted it to be different today. I wanted to wake up and go about my morning, get everything I wanted to get done at home, get ready and just go. Instead I'm blogging about a stupid optical exam. Seriously? These are the steps I have to take on a daily basis. I have to focus on small things to keep my mind in control and stop it from wandering into dark territory. The reality? I go to my appointment, my eyes are fine, I order my contacts and I'm on my way back home in a matter of a half hour, being able to relax for the rest of my day off. Nothing lasts forever. This trip won't last forever and neither will this over thinking/over analyzing situation. I have to take it one day at a time, living in the moment and focusing on the good. If I dissected my life right now, with these baby steps I've been taking, I'd say things are looking up. Life is good and every day I am grateful for everything I have and I will be fine.<br />
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Update: I wanted to let you all know that I went to my exam, sweaty palms and all, and everything turned out great! Then, instead of high tailing it home I decided since I was out I might as well make the most of it, so I deposited a few checks at the bank, stopped at Walmart to get a few things, and then went to Culligan to fill up one of our 5 gallon jugs. Never once did I rush and aside from being nervous at my appointment everything else happened with ease. It's the little things like this that add up. Now I will enjoy the rest of my day off and relax. :)tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-34934009762027813312011-10-28T07:55:00.000-07:002012-05-16T10:12:02.274-07:00Afraid of EverythingI try to trace back to where it began, why I allowed fear to grasp a hold of me. A fear so suffocating that I was afraid to leave my own home. This thing inside of me blindly guiding me through life, making me miss the little details that add up to the big picture. I stopped wanting to go out to eat with my family, something we often enjoyed doing together. I hate grocery shopping and would make quick stops before or after work to avoid having to do a large trip for everything we needed for the week. I made lists in the hopes that my husband would offer to go for me and unburden me with the feeling that I wouldn't be able to walk all the way through the store without panicking and needing to escape. Even now I have to talk myself into doing things I can easily get out of for fear of the unknown. It's sad, I know. But I can't tell you how or why this was ever a crutch in my existence.<br />
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Back in August I had a terrible bout of anxiety and stress due to a few uncontrollable events that literally wore my entire body out. It lasted a few days and finally I decided that this couldn't be my life anymore. I couldn't sit by and literally watch everything fade into the past. I needed to get a hold on what was making me feel this way so I decided that whatever was lying within me was a result of what I was bringing to me with my thoughts and actions. I practiced deep breathing, started a gratitude journal, confided in my husband and friends, used exercise as an outlet, read The Power by Rhonda Byrne, and began my journey to worry free days ahead. Admittedly, this helped out a ton. I had to learn to live in the present and be more patient and list the things I loved rather than what was getting me down. Complaining wasn't even in my vocabulary and I tried my hardest to not let others complain around me. Needless to say I have had some great past few months because of these changes. Not once did I fall victim to my old habits or let outside influences make me feel bad. Then came our much needed vacation...<br />
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Out of the past 6 days I have left my home a total of 3 times. Once, to my mom's across the street to get my niece, down to the park to play basketball with Dan and Jaida, and last night's yearly trick or treating event in our neighborhood. This may sound completely idiotic but most of that was due to the food recalls I wrote about earlier in the week. It crippled me with fear that I would fall ill and my entire vacation would be ruined. All week my husband made trips to the grocery store per lists I left on the counter. I was even going to go myself, before Jaida got home from school and instead talked myself out of it, again. Yesterday, I did everything on my mental list leading up to trick or treat with our daughter. I started feeling a little less than perfect. Nauseous and nervous to be exact. This started right after my shower. I chalked it up to my contacts, which I haven't worn all week. I took them out, made dinner, painted Jaida's face and we left to collect candy from the neighborhood houses. It was cold, but I felt fine. Jaida met up with her friend and relieved us to our nice, warm home. I didn't think about the way I was feeling. Instead I got ready and just went. I still felt a little off when we got home but I settled and eventually felt fine the rest of the night until it finally came down to sleeping...<br />
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This morning I awoke still tired from not getting a decent night's sleep. I was groggy and instantly irritated that it would effect my entire day. I made my coffee, which wasn't that good, took the dogs out, fed them, and sat down to start my day. As I drank my last drop I pulled out my journal and decided instead to be grateful for this life I am allowed to live. I have an amazing family who is perfectly healthy. We have a nice home in a great neighborhood. We have pets to bring joy and love to us all. Our jobs bring in more than enough money to be able to afford good food and all of life's necessities. We have everything we need and very little stress to worry about. There is absolutely no real reason why I should be feeling any other way than happy to be able to live this wonderful life every day with these amazing people surrounding me. So why would I just sit back while it all passes me by? Who in their right mind would allow something that once felt so real and so scary to envelope their entire being? No one. Except for me, apparently. Aside from trying to focus on the positive I couldn't quite shake this overwhelmingly sad feeling I was having. I broke down a few times this morning just asking myself why. I wanted to hug my husband, cry and tell him exactly how I was feeling, because I haven't been totally open with him about it since our last talk about my obsession with food. Boy, do I have problems or what? I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his body and just allowed the tears to flow. He turned around and asked what was wrong and I cried even more and finally the words started to come out in jagged spurts of questions and rants about myself. There really was no conclusion other than the fact that by letting myself open up to him about what was going on helped to ease my discomfort. My chest eased up and my stomach calmed down. Something about confiding in him in this way unlike how I normally am made part of the problem cease to exist. He doesn't have all the answers but I trust him and know that anything he says is going to be in the best intention for all of us involved, which is far better than seeking out a stranger who charges by the hour, in my personal opinion.<br />
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Perhaps you think I'm crazy and maybe I am or is it possible that these so called problems stem from something deeper and are resurfacing as whatever you want to call this thing? All I know is that it's bullshit. Pardon my french. I have always been a strong woman with opinions about everything and willing to try new things in order to not be so bored with life. Where did that go? Is there still a fearless girl living inside this shell I call myself? I suppose I won't know unless I try. What is it they say about facing your fears? Yeah, well I'm about to get to the bottom of it and in the meantime at least I know I'm not battling this thing alone.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-44383962620176334172011-10-26T12:51:00.000-07:002011-10-26T12:51:20.357-07:00Money Saving TipsI do these Daily Challenges by <a href="http://www.meyouhealth.com/">www.meyouhealth.com</a> and today's challenge was to share a money saving tip with someone. I figured since I'm good at being frugal I could share the tips I use regularly and hopefully help some of you save a dime or two.<br />
<br />
1. This one will probably get a tsk out of a few of you, but we are avid paper towel users. If you have kids or pets, it's kind of a necessity. We buy the bulk packages of 6 or 8 rolls that have different tear off sizes, usually Brawny or an off brand, whichever is cheaper. When we're eating we will take one of the half sizes and tear it 3 ways so we all have something to wipe our faces with, which is more than enough unless you're a messy eater like my daughter. This saves big time.<br />
<br />
2. Don't buy shaving cream to shave your legs, pits, or in most men's cases, faces. We use leftover hair conditioner and it works better and is far less expensive.<br />
<br />
3. Here's another tsk inducing money saver. We are Culligan water drinkers so we get 3 of the 5 gallon jugs filled up about once a week or so. We also have to buy bottled water to take to work with us so we will often refill our bottles using the Culligan water. Yes, we recycle but by refilling it cuts down on the cases of water we have to buy weekly, which really helps out. A 5 gallon jug refill is only $1.25 at the Culligan stations. Our city water isn't good enough to drink so we have to go this route. No judging please. :)<br />
<br />
4. When I do laundry, which I sort of enjoy doing, I always wash a full load in cold water and I only use half of the suggested amount of laundry detergent per load. I do the same with fabric softener and for the fabric softener sheets tear them in half. The cold water saves on energy and yes, it cleans just as well as warm or hot water and doesn't tear up your clothes quite as quickly.<br />
<br />
5. Most of the cleaning I do I use white vinegar mixed with warm water. This cleans, deodorizes and disinfects any hard surface area. I use it to clean out the coffee pot, I sometimes substitute white vinegar for fabric softener, it makes a great fruit and veggie cleaner, and if one of us is sick I will soak our toothbrushes in equal parts vinegar and water to kill the germs. You can clean your windows, floors, counters, toilet, bathtub...you get the idea. Baking soda added makes a heavy duty cleaner for dirty showers or kitchen sinks.<br />
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6. I am not a coupon clipper but I find that if I make a list of everything we need and stick to the list we end up saving money by not adding nonsense to the shopping carts. We also buy a lot of fruits and veggies and less processed foods, which keep you full longer and saves on doctor's bills in the long run.<br />
<br />
7. This is a HUGE money saver and I even find myself doing it at other people's houses. Turn off the light as soon as you leave a room. I don't care if you're returning within a minute, every second counts. Also, unplug anything you don't use regularly. The only things we keep plugged in are the refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer and alarm clocks. Everything else gets unplugged immediately or is connected to a power saver strip that is turned off nightly. You'd be amazed at the savings on your electric bill. Oh and those swirly light bulbs last longer and save energy better than the regular bulbs.<br />
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8. We eat out maybe once a week. Every other meal is either eaten at home or we pack our lunches to take to work and school. Jaida hasn't eaten at the school since she was in first grade. Not only does it save money but it's also healthier to not have the option to eat fast food on your break and school food...don't even get me started on that.<br />
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9. During summer when the temperatures start to rise we use a fan to help suck the central air from the back of the house and into our living room area where it tends to get warmer. I like to keep the thermostat no lower than 75 when we're gone or in bed and 72 when we're home. In the winter we keep it roughly about 66-68 degrees depending on if we're home and we do have to seal up our front windows which helps out a lot.<br />
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10. Last but not least, and I'm sure there is a ton of stuff I'm missing, but 10 seems like a nice well rounded number to end on, we stay fairly healthy all year round because of how we eat and exercise and stay hydrated so we don't visit the doctor for anything unnecessary like a cold or the flu or what have you. I get seasonal allergies and we all fall ill every now and then but when we do I make sure we take proper care of ourselves so we heal a lot faster without the need for antibiotics or prescription medicines. It's mostly common sense stuff like drinking enough water, resting, eating the right kinds of foods, washing your hands, ect.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed my money saver tips. If you'd like to add anything feel free to do so in the comment section. I'm always open for new suggestions in saving my pennies.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-38784625559275856642011-10-26T07:45:00.000-07:002011-10-26T07:45:07.716-07:00Past PoemsCrooked<br />
<br />
Swimming in a sea of holes<br />
Breathless answers waiting for<br />
Devine admired creatures still<br />
Reaching through another chance<br />
To float upon an empty view<br />
Listless... Pointless... Askew<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Back to Nicholas<br />
<br />
When I woke today<br />
I knew this wasn't me<br />
Stranded in the shelter of someone else<br />
I took it as a sign<br />
This icicle princess<br />
Only wears her pointy shoes<br />
Who knew<br />
She wants it to stick<br />
When she kicks you on your way down<br />
She spins around laughing<br />
"You were always so weak."<br />
I said,"So tell me where I am."<br />
"Honey, you've always known that."<br />
She's my captain<br />
The leader of this crew<br />
She says I need to grow up<br />
Somehow I know she's right<br />
Always caring for someone else<br />
When I was all that mattered<br />
Then my dream was shattered<br />
Into a million crystal pieces<br />
I must leave this<br />
Leave it all behind me<br />
I can't seem to find me<br />
Drifting through this mess<br />
So she took my hand<br />
And said follow me<br />
"Follow me back to Nicholas."<br />
The porch looks the same<br />
Cold and lonely leather chair<br />
Inside a mammoth screams<br />
Spilling over with hate<br />
But it was too late<br />
I've already forgotton<br />
How it used to be<br />
This wasn't me...<br />
And I grew from those cracks<br />
The cracks in the wall<br />
When we were so small<br />
But that's how it was supposed to be<br />
Yes, this is me<br />
And she agreed.<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
The difference<br />
<br />
Unexplainable painful minds<br />
unaware of life as ruler<br />
of all existance maturing<br />
into mysterious creatures<br />
with feelings masked by anger<br />
Pangs of prideful injustice<br />
Simpleminded doings<br />
Race being an issue<br />
has no environmental cure<br />
Their confusions lack knowledge<br />
Colorful eyes of curiosity<br />
soak ignorance like sponges<br />
Will we see the difference?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Too fast<br />
<br />
Pushing it's way to the finish line<br />
Life exceeds many goals<br />
Moving too fast, busying itself<br />
With lists of nonsense<br />
Never does it stop to make you aware of<br />
Exactly what's been absent<br />
"Gotta keep moving. No time to talk."<br />
Skimming through the minds of Americans<br />
Too caught up in tasks<br />
That still occur after we're gone<br />
Until it's too late to hold on<br />
I have no innocence in this<br />
But I won't do it anymore<br />
Life can't push me around<br />
Work is work, Love is love<br />
And love will be there<br />
To carry me close<br />
And comfort my soul<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sleeping with Spiderman<br />
<br />
Wait. Stop. Listen...<br />
Just this once<br />
Who do you think you are<br />
Walking away like that<br />
As if I never mattered<br />
You were only in it for yourself<br />
You never gave a damn<br />
Only when you wanted a piece<br />
A piece of myself<br />
So you could play dress up<br />
Pretend you were happy<br />
With a smile painted on your face<br />
Sleeping with Spiderman<br />
Did he ever find out<br />
That all you were was someone else<br />
Almost never yourself<br />
Demanding something different<br />
Something free<br />
But you weren't like me<br />
Competing endlessly<br />
For a chance to belong<br />
To some fantasyland<br />
One not of your own<br />
Now who's alone?<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
The Hallway<br />
<br />
This House of Leaves<br />
With it's dark, long passages<br />
That breathe, expand and form<br />
Change perceptions of the lives inside<br />
<br />
Followed voices underground<br />
Flare to life imagined sounds<br />
Echoing into entropy<br />
Further down the spiraled path<br />
<br />
Degeneration of oneself<br />
Curiously binding needs<br />
Predicting full velocity<br />
Towards creation of energy<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Invisible<br />
<br />
Only a picture now<br />
A memory of her<br />
Lightly tucked inside a corner<br />
Behind the blue glass of yesterday<br />
Instantly I smile<br />
And remember a time<br />
When it was better<br />
Stitched back together<br />
On hope as fine as silk<br />
Upon a tiny cobweb<br />
Of a delusional dream<br />
Does it seem to be<br />
Insvisible to reality?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3 Parts of Her<br />
<br />
Didn't think it was time<br />
Til you turned and waved goodbye<br />
How could I have been so blind?<br />
Why did it come to this?<br />
<br />
One day we're laughing<br />
Having the time of our lives<br />
Sipping on iced cold lemonade<br />
Til your renegade stole it away<br />
<br />
Those hidden agendas tucked inside<br />
A secret lie of childish rhymes<br />
Suicide girl, depression stings<br />
Stings enough to make you sing<br />
<br />
Make me sing of sweet sangrias<br />
Of time spent without you<br />
Instant happiness comes to mind<br />
Pills you took to hide that pride<br />
<br />
My siren screams furiously<br />
A hand written letter, how lovely<br />
Lost your courage, lost your style<br />
Found it in my pocket, after a while<br />
<br />
I don't want this, here you go<br />
Take it from me, before I blow<br />
They say you're green, Is it true?<br />
Was it just envy taking over you?<br />
<br />
2 little fishies swim in circles<br />
Chasing what they truly are<br />
Fantasy island, a hidden life<br />
Strange little girl running far<br />
Can't grasp your own reality<br />
Nothing concealed under these stars<br />
Rummage through old photographs<br />
Did he find them? Were you charged?<br />
Searching for something, anything<br />
Fears and lies of other scars.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cardinal Call<br />
<br />
I was awakened by a cardinal call<br />
The variable songs of courtship duets<br />
As I lay and pondered their beautiful rhymes<br />
I dreamt of spring, of sun sublime<br />
The squall shattered petals and carried through rain<br />
Drops of it splattered on the side of my windowpane<br />
Grieving quietly to soften the ground<br />
The gust it blew those little birds around<br />
Twisting and spinning, flapping those wings<br />
The storm it lifted and those creatures were singing<br />
Then this hand reached down from above<br />
And grabbed the birds and crushed their souls<br />
The one cardinal screamed,"What's happening here?"<br />
While the other said calmly,"Don't worry, my dear."<br />
This hand, it took them, far from the clouds<br />
Where they were released to fly and continue their song<br />
Melodies, mixed harmonies sift through my ears<br />
I awake once more, with a new sense of relief<br />
This time I stand and put my feet to the ground<br />
I step to the window and sure enough, there they are<br />
Those two, little, love birds lay still with no sound.<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
New skin.<br />
<br />
Beautifully accepting<br />
Intangible movements through<br />
Abstract thoughts appearing<br />
Incredibly vague, seek<br />
Important resolutions, behind<br />
Pragmatic theory which kills<br />
Gratuitous emotion while<br />
Unconsciously awaiting arrival of<br />
New skin.<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Your Catalyst<br />
<br />
poor fragility needs stability<br />
hearts on sleeves of growing hunger<br />
imagine musings shattered wonder<br />
slip passed fingertips<br />
gently reaching outward for<br />
humble beginnings<br />
trapped behind closed doors<br />
whisper still those lullabyes<br />
painting grins upon your face<br />
looking up to open skies<br />
hoping for the chance at freedom<br />
bored to death with optimism<br />
chances taken from afar<br />
reckless hearts, left a scar<br />
turn a cheek when love walks in<br />
this is now your catalyst.<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Words Can Mean Anything.<br />
<br />
Life<br />
Beauty<br />
Comfort<br />
Pain<br />
Pretty<br />
Dizzy<br />
Gentle<br />
Rain<br />
Stillness<br />
Speaks<br />
Peaks<br />
Beneath<br />
Shudder<br />
Strength<br />
Sad<br />
Relief<br />
Tiny<br />
Fingers<br />
Reaching<br />
Far<br />
Hearts<br />
Sleeves<br />
Open<br />
Door<br />
Sparks<br />
Fly<br />
Love<br />
Sings<br />
Bitter<br />
Verses<br />
Sweetly<br />
Sting<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Left Untouched<br />
<br />
you've been warned<br />
yet you dare not leave<br />
these secret messages<br />
whispered softly on my tongue<br />
why won't you run?<br />
save yourself from me<br />
i'll only cut you down<br />
burning bridges that once held us<br />
safe and warm inside, blinded<br />
by anything unreal, unnoticed<br />
did it slip your mind?<br />
this thing i once was<br />
willing to hold onto every last breath<br />
every laugh... your spark<br />
left untouched.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Repeat<br />
<br />
Old man<br />
so quiet...<br />
...so still<br />
until<br />
his coffee hits his lips<br />
sip...<br />
swallow...<br />
...repeat<br />
staring out the window<br />
at buzzards eating carcasses of roadkill<br />
...eyes shift<br />
notices me noticing him<br />
and i look away...<br />
too sad to smile at such a hopeless being<br />
(people are just people so they say)<br />
wondering if I give off<br />
similiar vibes<br />
of lonliness<br />
as I stare out the window<br />
at empty carcasses...<br />
til the coffee burns my lips<br />
sip...<br />
swallow...<br />
...repeat<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Just Be </div><br />
<br />
You drown in yesterday<br />
with no air to breathe<br />
I live for today<br />
floating by on every minute<br />
just being...me<br />
Your lion fighting my bearer of all things<br />
seems I'm stronger<br />
when it comes to times like these<br />
I may be tired<br />
probably losing ground<br />
but that doesn't mean anything<br />
particularly...<br />
Try not to wallow<br />
for I do not wallow<br />
and personally<br />
it gets you nowhere...<br />
Quit swimming<br />
Just be.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Chameleon-like </div><br />
<br />
Your chameleon-like tendencies wrap you in blankets of someone else<br />
waiting for the world to notice your name<br />
in this game you play to show how cool you are today<br />
leaving us to despise the flakiness facade<br />
when all you want is to be needed and all you need is to be wanted<br />
by someone who'll change you for a month, maybe two<br />
til they figure it all out<br />
after peeling back those layers of anything but you...<br />
Later, you may realize that even you don't know who you are or how it got to this point.<br />
<div><br />
</div>tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-49136400900210176172011-10-25T11:07:00.000-07:002011-10-25T11:07:50.376-07:00Scared to Eat.Am I the only one obsessing over the recent food recalls? Okay, I'll admit I do have the reminders set to email me as soon as something is deemed unsafe, but it's only natural to want to know what I'm putting into my body. Right? First it was the ground turkey tainted with salmonella back in August, then the listeria laden cantaloupe, and now my beloved spinach is under attack once again, except this time it's not e. coli. Yes, the ground turkey scare is over, I think, but that doesn't mean I'm rushing into the stores to feed my family with the stuff. We haven't eaten it in months due to this ordeal and I'm pretty sure I had friends recently sickened by Jennie O's brand. But now spinach, mostly on the west coast, is being recalled and I am certain it will somehow make it's way to Ohio and the surrounding states.<br />
Dan recently bought a bag of spinach, from the same brand that was recalled out in California a few days ago and I go and make a hearty sandwich with the stuff. Of course I thoroughly washed it, something I almost never do, took 2 bites before realizing it was that brand. I threw the whole sandwich out and took every precaution I could as to hopefully not fall ill with a possibly bad batch of spinach. That was a couple of days ago and so far I feel perfectly healthy, but I'll be honest in saying I've worried about it the entire time. No, that bag was not recalled and I'm sure I wasted a fine bunch of spinach by throwing it away but my motto with food has always been "When in doubt, throw it out" and so I did.<br />
What will it take for our government to make sure our food is safe before it hits the shelves? Is it wrong of me to think maybe it's another way to control population by letting these things harm and possibly kill us? I don't want to have to worry about making my family ill because the higher ups can't do their jobs. I can't be worrying about what I eat. When I told my husband about the spinach he said there's no point in worrying about what you eat because there's always a possibility you could get sick from it, but then how many times have I actually been stricken with a case of salmonella? Oh yeah, never. Is it all mere fear that the government is instilling in us and creating a bunch of unnecessary anxiety? Also, you see this happening in a lot of healthy foods of late. Are they pushing us to change our habits into being unhealthy? Maybe I'm just addicted to conspiracy theories. Who knows. What I am certain of is that this epidemic will not make me suffer. It will not bring me down or hinder the way I live my life. Everyone gets sick eventually and I guess the only precaution I can count on is making sure I take care of myself and my family so that these things don't effect us as harshly as they would others. Worrying does nothing but create negative emotions so I'm going to push them out, stop the reminders from the food recalls, and get back to being fearless.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-40563577826932067472011-10-14T11:09:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:09:16.985-07:00Animal lover.I used to be a cat person. Not that I hate them now, but I once found comfort in the quiet solitude that is of the feline variety. Independent, answers to no one, comes only when they feel like it and never when you want them to, allowing to be touched at their convenience... I guess I can't say this is true for every cat, because we've had some pretty annoying females who were instantly in our faces with a quick look their way. I've had many cats in my lifetime, only really making one a friend. His name was Seger and he was around before I was even conceived. Best cat ever, hands down and I can honestly say I have never been quite as close to another since his passing my senior year of high school. I was sad, depressed, and cried for 2 weeks straight. I didn't think I'd ever find another animal companion as wonderful as him.<br />
<br />
Sure, we had our fair share of pets during and after Seger's exit. We had dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, more cats. I even had a legless lizard once. Floyd didn't last too long, poor guy. But I knew I'd never share anything as profound as the friendship I had with my long lost cat. I didn't really like dogs. They were smelly and always seemed to be up in my business no matter what I was trying to do. We had fairly large dogs in a not so big house, so I'm sure that was part of my dismay, although I never shared that closeness or obligation to any of them.<br />
<br />
After Dan and I were married we adopted our first cat together. You know, practice for when we were going to consider having kids. Then we bought a ferret and around that time someone found a wild hare so we kept that for a short while until we realized it needed to be set free. A year or so later the child came, so we had her to take care of and less time to spend with our new pets. We got rid of the ferret eventually but I do believe we acquired 2 or so more cats and some dwarf hamsters shortly after. We moved yet again and took in another cat named Jedi and one after that who we called Lulu. Our first cat, Venus, died and some time after, we were given Ferric, yes another darn cat, from my friend who couldn't keep him any longer. There were some others in there that didn't stay with us long so I figured they weren't worth mentioning. None of them died, we just gave them away to family and friends. Let me be clear, we never had more than 3 felines at a time, so it wasn't like we had a problem with animal hoarding or anything.<br />
<br />
A few years ago, in the spur of the moment, we decided, and by we I mean I, to buy a puppy for Jaida for Christmas. My cousin posted some pictures on Facebook of a male shih-tzu who needed a home and instantly I just knew he was ours. Of course the rest is history because you all are fully aware of Dexter and the complete love and happiness he has brought into our home. This is our first family dog and I was both nervous and excited for the changes that were about to happen to all of us. Puppies are hard work, especially smaller breeds because they have to relieve themselves every half hour. It was like having a baby all over again. We had to potty train him, feed him, teach him what was acceptable inside and outside the house, take him to the vet for his shots and what not, bathe him, clean up his poop...what did we get ourselves into? There were times I wasn't sure we would do everything right. He was left inside his crate for long hours while we were working and I often had to drive across town just to feed him and take him outside. All of this for one, tiny dog.<br />
<br />
It was exhausting at times, but what caught me off guard was the unconditional love and happiness he radiated off of him and onto each one of us. He didn't care that he had to stay home all day waiting for us to get home. He was instantly happy as soon as we opened that door. I couldn't wait to get home from work so I could see him dance around in his excitement for me simply from being there. I frickin' love this dog like he's my own kid. I worry when he's sick, I make sure he eats all of his food and gets some kind of exercise every day, and shoot, he even sleeps in our bed at night. Needless to say he's pretty spoiled for an animal.<br />
<br />
We still have Ferric and Jedi, both of which are part time indoor cats. Dexter loves playing with them, or rather biting their ears and holding them down so they can't come into the house or go outside. We did, however take in another dog, a toy poodle named Lucy, and Dexter loves her. Now when we are working they have each other to play with and keep company. I don't feel as bad about leaving them home alone. And Lucy is such a sweetheart. Everyone who comes into contact with her instantly falls in love. She is a great dog and very smart too. I had to make it clear that I equally loved both dogs so they wouldn't get jealous, but Lucy still wants all of the attention to herself. It took me a while to really warm up to her and even though Dexter will probably always play favorite, she's a wonderful dog to have and I cuddle her just as much as I do him.<br />
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I guess the moral of the story is, never say never? I never, in a million years, thought I'd be a dog person, but I am now and I'm ok with that.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-21260427163472840882011-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:002011-10-13T07:45:43.631-07:00MotivationEach morning I awake to my 10 year old daughter getting ready for school and then slamming the door on her way out to the bus. She's very self-sufficient and I'm extremely thankful for that. Some mornings I barely get a kiss goodbye. After she leaves, Dexter and Lucy jump up on the bed to make sure I'm awake to feed them. I get up, take them out and start my morning coffee ritual. I love to sleep, but I think I love that cup of java even more. Something about the aroma and full bodied taste at 7:45am, in complete silence, makes every day smoother and gives me time to be grateful before I succumb to the monotony of adulthood.<br />
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</div><div>On certain mornings I have to instantly get ready for work after I finish my coffee, but on other days I get to talk myself into working out so I can maintain a healthy lifestyle. I eat breakfast, pack my lunch, maybe do some laundry, and then I figure out which exercise routine I'd like to accomplish for that day. I've been doing Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30, which is basically The Shred on steroids. There are 4 very intense levels and lately I've been going back and forth between levels 2 and 3. Tuesday, I bit the bullet and tried out level 4. Whoa. My body is a machine and I was very proud of myself for accomplishing that feat, but let's be honest, there was a small amount of whining during certain moves. If you're familiar, you can relate. </div><div><br />
Ok, ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. What makes me wanna do this 4 times a week? My motivation mostly comes from within. I know that if I work out I will feel amazing all day and it will carry on throughout the week. I also have a buddy system with a few of my friends. When we work out we tell each other and that keeps me going. Exercise, for me, is like a happy pill. I feel calm and relaxed and overall my attitude is more positive than if I hadn't been working out. The sensation right after I finish my routine is all I need to keep me motivated. Of course, a healthy diet helps too. You can't eat crap and then exercise and expect to feel good. It doesn't work that way, sorry. The right foods give you the right amount of energy for a good work out. And don't forget hydration. Hydration is key.<br />
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After a good workout, aside from the stretching, I like to do a little journaling about what I'm grateful for that day and how I envision what my day will turn out to be. This is always a great time for me do some reflecting. I often praise myself for accomplishing my exercise routine and during this time I tell my buddies that I completed my workout. This is their motivation and it works like a charm. As a matter of fact I just finished level 3 with no modifications. Thank you very much. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Now that I have you motivated enough to engage yourself in some physical activity, make a mental note of how your body and mind is enveloped with this new found feeling. Take it in and recall exactly what it did for your being. There's no way you can be regretful about something so amazing. YOU have the power. Even if you don't want to lose any weight, simply do it for your mental health. I assure that you will be proud of yourself for successfully taking that extra step in a better direction. </div>tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-76327550436156665612011-10-10T14:18:00.000-07:002011-10-10T14:18:57.311-07:00Turning bad to better.Everyone goes through something awful in their lifetime. Some deal with more than others, but essentially there isn't one person out there who hasn't had something bad happen to them. I, too, am one of these people. I used to take the bad and make it worse by hiding behind anger and cynicism. Often taking it out on others. It's always much easier to just throw your troubles at someone else and blame them for your situations, right? Well, that's the person I used to be and as I'm not exactly proud of that fact, I at least can admit that I was, at one time, not such a great person. I've lived, dealt with more, and decided to change. Change. What a hard thing to do, especially if you're so used to a certain way of handling things. Well, it was a slow change, but a change nonetheless.<br />
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I believe it was a book, yes another book to show me the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, that opened my eyes to what I was doing to myself all of these years. Some of you may be familiar with The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I picked this book up and it smacked me in the face with such force that I couldn't believe what it was telling me. You mean I can just turn my thoughts around, think positively and attract more positive to my life? Like magic?! I was skeptical, but I started applying the law of attraction to my day to day happenings. I don't know if it started to turn things around for me right away but I know my attitude about everyday occurrences started to change. I felt happier and more at ease and a weight that I was carrying for so long seemed to lift from my being. I found myself treating others better, had more patience, and overall life was easier than it was before. I now understood that if my thoughts became negative or I was complaining that more of what I didn't want would come back to me. What a strange and wonderful new concept.<br />
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We struggled with money for awhile. Living paycheck to paycheck is never any fun. When you worry about money, you are not happy. I know people say money doesn't buy happiness and I agree to an extent, but now that I've come out of that hole of never having it to always having more than enough, worrying about whether you can pay your bills is a huge downer. I took the advice of the book and instead of dreading paying rent, the car payment, utilities...I would feel thankful that I had enough funds to pay them. Money became a thing of the past. I don't worry about it anymore. I am grateful for our jobs and the endless supply that comes every week and we are always willing to give whenever there is a chance to help someone else. Giving is huge. Whenever you give you receive. It's so simple. There is always someone out there who needs it more than you do. Never forget that.<br />
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This whole concept can be used for anything. I recently have been using it for my health or to help others with whatever they may be struggling with in life. I had a strange bout of anxiety that I pretty much talked myself out of. It seems hokey, I'm sure, but it really works. I just got to a point where enough was enough and I couldn't allow myself to feel that way any longer. It's a lot like that pre-game talk the coach gives out to pump up the players before a big game. You have to tell yourself what will happen, how you're going to feel and then sit back and watch it unfold before your very eyes. If you worry your way through situations it will only make it worse. I know, I've been there. It's a day to day struggle sometimes making sure everything is going according to plan, but once you're on that frequency of attracting positivity into everyday life you get to think less and enjoy more of your days.<br />
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Sure, life can be hard and we all deal with things differently, but it can lighten a load a lot faster by just being positive. Let go of the past, live in the present, breathe, meditate, pray, whatever makes you get to that point of being ok with being alive. Have patience with others, especially if you know they're struggling with something. Give where ever there is a possibility to give. Love with a full heart, even the things you never thought you could love. You may be laughing but you won't know unless you try. The hippy inside of me believes that if we all figure out that we can shape our own lives with our own thoughts that we could all make this world a much better place to live. It's not so far fetched. Right? So, what are you waiting for?tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-672257619814188690.post-5271483871715414352011-10-03T11:11:00.000-07:002011-10-03T11:11:56.189-07:00The long and winding road to becoming healthy.I am a mother and as all mothers know, carrying that baby weight and then trying to get rid of said baby weight, is a very hard thing to do, especially if you gained a ton of that weight during pregnancy. My child is now 10 and I'm finally comfortable with my body. Yes, it took me about 6 or 7 years to lose the extra pounds, but I did it and I want to share my journey with anyone who has struggled to get to that happy place. It's hard. Believe me, I know. I loved my sweets, I smoked occasionally, and I was a sucker for diet soda. We also ate out a lot as a family and late night eating was a regular habit of mine. Unhealthy indeed.<br />
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So, you ask me, what changed my mind into becoming more healthy? To be honest, I don't know if there was one significant source that got me motivated except for the fact that I simply wasn't comfortable in my own skin. I hated the way I looked in clothes and pictures do not lie, my friends. I was a chubster and I had to do something about it, clearly. I am not one to take the fast approach to weight loss, although I did want to see results as soon as possible, but pills are not my thing. Never have been. Well, I shouldn't say never. There was a time my husband and I tried an off brand of some diet drug that just made us incredibly moody and tired. Those were not fun times. Then, we tried the Atkins diet. What a joke. Same effect as the pills. It was the worst! We realized that diet and exercise were the only way to go and that's exactly how it started.<br />
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I hate to sweat. Always have always will, so I took up pilates. Denise Austin Pilates to be exact. It was nice to get moving and there was very little sweating going on so I thought I found what my body needed. I anticipated a long and lean body, just like the video stated on the back. As we all know, you can't get lean without some cardio. Ugh, dreaded sweaty movements that were beyond keeping me motivated. We bought a treadmill. I thought,"Yay, I can watch tv and walk to my heart's content." It was a start. I'd walk on certain days and then do pilates on other days. I was measuring my body and I did begin to notice inches being lost. I was a lazy exerciser. I wanted the easiest possible solution to moving my body and walking and pilates were just that. I did graduate to a few other dvds that consisted of dancing or strength training but I became bored and started doing my own workouts I'd put together from what I had already learned. Hey, it was something, right? I will say that during this time I don't believe my eating ever got any healthier. We were still eating out a lot and I was still drinking soda and eating sweets. If I had known then what I know now, my journey wouldn't have taken so long to get where I needed to be.<br />
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I work in a bookstore and I just so happened to stumble upon a book called 'You're Not Sick You're Thirsty' by F. Batmanghelidj. Basically it states how most of our ailments are a direct result of being dehydrated and by drinking enough water you could cure most of what is making us ill. I told my husband about it and we decided to invest in a Culligan water dispenser so we could get our recommended daily water intake. That was probably the best move we could've made to jump start our healthy lifestyles. I noticed so many things that I was dealing with cleared up and never came back. We got sick less often and when we were sick it didn't last as long as it did beforehand. Now our bodies tell us when we need water instead of just waiting until we're thirsty to wet our whistles. We started with drinking half our body weight in ounces of water daily and now I'm drinking at least my entire body weight in ounces every day. I don't get tired during the day and I just feel good from morning to night.<br />
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I think also around that time I did finally give up drinking soda. I do love my coffee and I was drinking maybe 2 cups a day plus whatever tea I'd consume. I still had a lot of caffeine going on in my body. Once the water intake got my body used to what it should have daily, that's when I realized I didn't need the extra drinks during the day. Now I drink 1 cup of coffee in the morning, mostly because I love the taste and it's my morning ritual to drink a cup before getting ready for the day, but I also switched to decaf tea and have a green tea every night a few hours before bed. I'll drink more once the weather is colder or if I'm starting to feel a cold coming on. Other than that I have 4 oz of oj every other day and everything else I consume is pure water.<br />
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Ok, got off track a little there. Water is important. We now know this to be true. I also gave up red meat and most pork, but we were still pretty much eating the same of everything else. Fast forward a bit because, let's be honest, I was making baby steps and really getting nowhere. Facebook came into my life shortly after I got my first blackberry. Oh technology how I love you. I reconnected with a lot of my old friends. One being a very close friend from middle school who was also on the path to becoming healthy and losing weight. She introduced me to Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and we started food logging publicly on Facebook so we could hold each other accountable for our motivation or lack there of. This is what really got me going. I started losing weight and noticing the things I had to change with my diet just by logging what I was consuming every day. The buddy system worked and I still use it to this day. I don't know how long it took for me to lose the weight I wanted to lose, but it seemed much faster than before. I was being motivated by the fact that someone else was exercising and I felt like I had to keep up. Plain and simple. I exercised about 4 or 5 days a week and started eating better. I cut out all white breads and pasta, no red meat or pork, I was down to my 1 cup of coffee and no more caffeine for the day, I was counting calories and I finally kicked that nasty smoking habit. I ate more fruits and veggies and started making healthier choices when we did eat out of the home. Then I learned about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup, again from Facebook and I cut that out of my diet completely. We started eating out only 1 day a week and it was to places I knew I could choose better foods for myself. I was healthier, happier, and I looked amazing in clothes again. I owe all of that to my dear friend for kicking me in the butt to get up and do something.<br />
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Today, I am still eating well, if not better than I was before. I am food logging with a friend who needs to stay motivated and exercise logging with another on Facebook. Right now I am pretty much off of sugar, or at least sweets. I watched a documentary that brainwashed me a little and messed up my eating habits and during that time I just stopped eating sugar and it's stuck with me. I've lost a few more pounds and I feel fantastic. I'm still working out at least 4 times a week, drinking my water, and eating better. Basically, diet and exercise is the only ticket to true weight loss success. Hopefully I've inspired some of you and if not, at least you know I'm human and I too have struggled down this long and winding road to becoming healthy.tara.chereehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823805762197758816noreply@blogger.com3