Monday off!

[clevermanka]

Hooray for a three-day weekend! I got lots of errands and slacking done in the usual two-day weekend and now I have today to be productive. Gotta get some more bloomers made (someone bought three pairs of size C bloomers, so that part of the store is looking a little thin), and I'd also like to go on a walk if the weather is as nice as yesterday.

Yesterday I whipped together some of the shea butter I recently bought with coconut oil and some essential oils to make a body butter. Kitchenaid mixer: Not Just For Food Anymore. It's pretty amazing, and the shea butter adds a nice quality. I think it sinks in better than just coconut oil alone (although I feel like the frankincense helps a bit with that, too). I want to roll around in it because it makes my skin feel amazing and I swear that massaging it into my face at night, especially high on my cheeks and temples, has reduced the lines that were starting to form, there.

I'm gonna start a Whole30 on February 1. Anyone else interested in joining? I know the program can seem daunting, but it's an amazing thing if you see it through the (heh) whole thirty days. If you know in your heart you're not up for that, but you'd like to try to clean something out of your body (wheat, sugar, soda, whatever), let me know. I'd love to be your support/cheering section.

I decided that I am going to do some cosplay at this year's 221B Con. I ordered some British desert camo pants for that Sebastienne Moran outfit I thought about doing last year and sdemory reminded me that I mentioned doing a genderbent Ratigan as something to enter in the costume competition. Maybe the girl who cosplayed Olivia will be there again and we can get a photo together.

Comments

[write-out.livejournal.com]

Yay for a three-day weekend! Enjoy your day off!

Whole30 sounds like something I really need to do, but I'll be honest and say that I'm not sure I could hack it. Then again, I do like their statement that this is not hard: beating cancer is hard, losing a parent is hard, but drinking coffee black is not hard. I'm going to look through the rest of that site and think on it. If I don't commit to everything, I might try to cut at least one food out.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay! Even cutting out refined sugar is a huge thing.

[write-out.livejournal.com]

I showed this to my husband and he's all in. I mean, really. This can only be a good thing for me, right? I've never done anything this drastic but my body could use a detox from all of the shit I put into it.

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the coconut oil stuff! I put it on last night before bed, and my face was all "WHAT IS THIS SO GOOD SHLURP SHLURP SHLURP". So I think it will help a lot with my dry skin problems this winter.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

That coconut oil/shea butter thing sounds amazing. My face would probably freak out with joy if it got that much love. I put on eye cream, but there are already plenty of lines.

I am headed outside for a run in this lovely weather because I am off today too! I love long weekends and this one in particular is a bonus. Actually, kind of a tease I guess, since it feels like March.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I'm already planning a Feb Whole30 with a friend, so I'm in!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's awesome! Let me know what I can do to help you prepare for it! The folks at Whole9 can sometimes be a little...overbearing? So if you want some good blog talk, recipes, and such to encourage you, I highly recommend my friend Melissa's blog, Clothes Make the Girl (http://theclothesmakethegirl.com/). She has lots of great recipes to help you successfully navigate a Whole30.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

OH GOOD! Give it a week or so to make sure it doesn't make you break out (some people do). If everything turns out ok, just let me know when you need more.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'll send you a little care package!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[write-out.livejournal.com]

I will check her blog out, thanks! I need all the help I can get, honestly. I have to go back to the Whole30 site and look at the shopping list and pantry guide. Brian doesn't like eggs- I love them- so I know we'll have to be creative for some of his meals.

Have you done this before? Do people go back to eating 'regular' food afterwards or stay on a modified eating plan?

eta: disregard the last question about what happens after, Ive done some more reading.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I may try a nightshade avoidance for Feb. I'm wondering if it's one of my reactive groups lately.

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

Excited to see those cosplay pics!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm allergic to eggs, so I know it's totally possible to do a Whole30 without them. It's tougher, but possible.

I have done two Whole 30s, yes, and I adhere to Whole30 rules probably 80% of the time in my normal life. The placed I don't are things like stevia in my hot tea (as well as teas with "natural flavorings"--always suspect, but delicious), dried fruit in more-than-necessary amounts, and the occasional treat (like these blondies (http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2013/04/flourless-chocolate-chip-chickpea-blondies-with-sea-salt-vegan-gluten-free-healthy/)). The idea behind a Whole30 is to encourage you--physically, mentally, and emotionally--to not go back to eating a Standard American Diet (SAD). Most people do incorporate some things back in, but try to stay mostly on the no-processed-food, no grains, no sugar track.

I'll go ahead and answer the last question anyway, because I think it's important. It really is amazing how much better I feel not eating those things, and it's really my brain telling me I want to eat those things--not my body. I don't honestly need those things, and while they might be enjoyable to eat (not denying that!) the price isn't necessarily worth it for me.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Bummer. =(

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Me, too! Still not sure if I have the energy/motivation to do the Ratigan costume, but definitely gonna do Moran.

[grnvixen.livejournal.com]

Have been using coconut oil and likeing it, the shea butter sounds intriquing. May have to try, but I'll have to hand mix :). Thanks!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I would use a hand mixer if you don't have a stand mixer. I don't think there's anyone who could whip them with just a hand whisk.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

TBH, I think all I'll really miss is cherries and paprika. Potatoes and tomatoes don't do a lot for me, foodie-wise.

[chalcedonygrey.livejournal.com]

I'm not in for a Whole30 since I will literally have *just* come off that three month sinus protocol thingamajig but I have been wanting to make a focused effort to reduce sugar, so I'd be up for that!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

\o/