Want, Need, Wear, Read

Want: A tufted headboard! The piece that I have now matches my bedroom suite but it's so bulky. A new, slimmer headboard would give me a bit more space, be more comfortable and give an updated look to my furniture. I love all things tufted so I'm on the lookout for a good one.

Need: Drink more water! I love water and always have a bottle with me but I'm on a mission to drink 100 ounces every day. My skin is dry and in the winter it gets even more dehydrated. Not only is drinking more water excellent for anti-aging and skincare but overall health as well. 100 ounces sounds like a lot but it's actually what's recommended.

Wear: LBD for a wedding this weekend. I didn't have a lot of time to browse but this is comfortable and fun. Anything with a touch of gold and I'm sold. This one is by Tahari-Levine.

Read: Magazines! I'm subscribed to so many but have fallen behind on my perusing. I'm hoping to set aside a day next month when I can light some candles, have some drinks and catch up on all my issues (that's an understatement).












Now Playing: Mazzy Star, live on Jimmy Fallon

Cold Water Therapy

Over the past 25 years, I've almost exclusively taken warm bubblebaths or SCALDING HOT showers. Last night, the heat and humidity got the best of me and I decided that a cold shower would probably be a nice reprieve. I was right! The icy water was a bit uncomfortable at first but after a few moments, it felt unbelievably great. I don't know why I wasted so many years without ever giving this alternative a real shot. I often splash cold water on my face or spritz it from a bottle but showers? Nope. How wrong I've been!

I felt so wonderful after my shower session that I did a bit of research to find out if this sort of activity might be beneficial to my health. It turns out, cold showers are actually really good for you!

1. Healthier scalp and shinier hair
2. Detoxifies the body- nice during a hangover
3. Improves your sex life
4. Cranks up the metabolism
5. Regulates blood pressure; improves cardiovascular health
6. Invigorates the mind and body to be more alert
7. Tones, heals and rejuvenates the skin
8. Decreases depression and anxiety
9. Reduces swelling
10. Strengthens the nervous system
11. Boosts fertility
12. Cuts down on the cost of utility bills
13. Provides a natural dose of energy
14. Studies show it decreases the risk of cancer (increases disease-fighting cells)
15. It cools you off!
16. Contracts the muscles to eliminate poisonous wastes
17. May strengthen nails
18. Beneficial to mucous membranes which fight off colds and resist allergies
19. Decreases duration spent in the shower; less water used and more free time
20. Wonderful for your complexion







Now Playing: "Just What I Needed" by The Cars

A Penny For My Thoughts

August 1st is my "half birthday." Now before you go assuming that I'm some sort of egomaniac, I consider it to be more of an observance than a celebratory holiday. However, life is short. If you want to throw a party at any given opportunity, I say go for it. I'm currently 25. I like even numbers; even though it's technically odd... you get the point. I'm not really looking forward to turning 26.

But when I woke up this morning, the first thought that came to mind was this saying/proverb/quote...

"Never resent growing older for many are denied the privilege."

When I got to work, one of our interns shared with me a news story that she heard on television about a little girl named Rachel Beckwith who was tragically killed. She had just celebrated her 9th birthday but instead of asking for presents, she attempted to raise $300 for a charity that supplies water to children living in countries where most don't live to see 5-years-old. I remember my 9th birthday vividly. It was one of my best. I got a dog that was my best friend for 15 years, a beautiful jewelery box that I still have in my bedroom today and a ton of CDs that are still in my collection. This little girl wanted to help others. It was such a noble thing to wish for yet she did not live to see her goal met. Following her untimely passing, thousands have sent money towards her fund for clean water. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. This little girl's death did not go in vain. Because of her passing, countless others will live to see a brighter tomorrow. 

What started as a little girl's hope to raise $300 has turned into an overwhelming display of the goodness in humans. At last count, the fund has reached nearly $800,000. If you have yet to donate to this worthwhile cause, please consider it! 

For more information on how you can help, please follow this link: http://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396






Now Playing:  "Who You'd Be Today" by Kenny Chesney
*This song is very close to my heart.

Lenten Sacrifice: An Update

I originally thought to give up pop during the week for Lent but I changed my mind. Starting last week, I decided to give up pop in its entirety- well, almost. I like juice and I love water but when I'm eating a meal I need to have something else. So, I am allowing myself Ginger Ale. I gave up all other forms of pop- Diet Coke (which I usually have 2-3 cans of per day), Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, etc.



It's not the most difficult thing in the world to give up but I do drink a lot of pop. So, it does remind me of the reason for Lent during those times when I want to have a Diet Coke, etc. I'm going to try and limit my Ginger Ale to one can per day this week, but we'll see how it goes. I will definitely attempt a week of just water (I did it without food, why not?).



Now Playing: "Be The One" by Moby

Water Fast Update: Day 3

I'm very proud to report that I have stuck to my water fast! Yesterday (Day 2), it was very tempting to quit. I went to a bridesmaid get together for my friend's wedding. There was plenty of my favorite snacks in front of my face and the wine was flowing! I'm pretty positive this was the first time in my life that I turned down wine. But I stuck to my plan and only drank water.

My acai supplements came in the mail today! I did take one this afternoon and will take another in a couple hours (I am awake at really odd hours so this is relatable to someone's breakfast and lunch). I have plans to go out Saturday night, so I may give up the fast that morning. I would be satisfied with 5 days! My next fast I will definitely go for 6 or 7 days!

As far as cravings go, my sense of smell seems heightened. At the moment, we don't have too many of my favorite foods at the house, so temptations have been limited. I felt a bit tired today but nothing too extreme. I am experiencing some slight muscle aches but again, nothing terrible. I'm thinking the accai supplements will help me with my energy levels. My stomach is growling but I actually enjoy the feeling of being hungry when I'm trying to lose weight. It's like getting an alert from your body that what you're doing is working. I feel lighter and my skin looks better!

I refuse to weigh myself when I'm dieting- atleast not until a month or so into it. I can notice the difference in the way I feel, how my clothes fit and what the mirror tells me. It's not about a number on the scale. My weight is constantly fluctuating and I think weighing-in everyday would only be detrimental to my longterm success. I don't want to get discouraged and give up! I'll be sure to post again on Friday and/or Saturday to share how I'm feeling! :)


Now Playing: "Hang Me Up to Dry" by Cold War Kids

Water Fasting

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Yesterday, I started my first of hopefully many water fasts. I'm aiming for 6 days. I'd go for 7 but the AFC championship game is Sunday and I know I'll want to enjoy a few drinks. If I plan on drinking, I'll have to consume some type of food to avoid getting sick!

I was able to control what few cravings I had by drinking plenty of H2O. After 24 hours, I did have a peppermint. That's technically 20 calories and considered cheating but I figured rules are meant to be broken. The peppermint helped with my stomach and gave me the sensation of actually eating. I'm going to purchase some sugar free gum for future fasts. Chewing gum is a great trick because part of the desire to eat stems from our bodies' habit of having something in our mouth. It's the same with people who try to quit smoking. The hand to mouth sensation is a major contributor in addiction.

I'm doing the water cleanse to jump start my diet. I'm trying to lose the weight (and then some) that I put on over the past couple years. I'm not happy with the way my clothes are fitting and I just don't feel like myself. I'll probably never be a size 2 and I'm fine with that but I do want to be healthier! How we look is in sync with how we feel! Hopefully by summertime I'll be back to my normal, healthy weight!

Wish me luck!

Love,
Krista


Now Playing: "Will There Be Enough Water" by The Dead Weather