Reaching Out

A few weeks ago, there was a devestating tragedy in my family. My cousin was pulled from the shower by her former boyfriend and shot. He'd already gone after her roomates, killing one and injuring two others, before lighting the house on fire. After shooting Shaunna again, he turned the gun on himself.

She's lost all her belongings in the fire, and probably vision in one eye - deeply concerning since she makes her living as a graphic artist and so cannot work right now. My Aunt Kerri set up a fund to help - http://www.indiegogo.com/Mother-of-Domestic-Violence-Shooting-Victim-Reaches-Out-For-Help

I know it is personal, and so shouldn't be on my professional page, but I can't help myself.

For more on Shaunna's story, listen to her tell it in her own words in this interview (Well, as best she can considering her jaw is wired shut) http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/03/01/woman-targeted-in-east-hollywood-shooting-tells-her-story/

My Favorite Salad

I'm not sure I can call this salad cooking...since it is a throw together. I could call it raw, or gluten free, or primal or what have you. I prefer delicious.

Grapefruit
Orange
Avocado
Spinach
Walnuts

That's it! I supreme the citrus into sections and squeeze the remaining juice over the spinach. But...you can use those presectioned cups from the grocery store. Tossing the salad together coats the leaves with the crisp citrus and luscious avocado. YUM!

Great dinner before my workout last night.

Against The Grain

Since I pulled grains from my diet, I find I am much nicer to myself food-wise. Breakfast was cereal or oatmeal depending on time. Lunch used to be PBJ or a turkey sandwich if I had a moment. Crackers for a snack. Dinner always needed bread, pasta, rice...and now that all seems so bland.

I'm treating myself so much better, at least food-wise. I take the time to make things I would only have ordered in restaurants. Like Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing. Delish. Or my favorite Cobb Salad.

Dinners have had to be more creative since I'm the only one in the house against the grain. Stir-fry has become a staple because they can eat it with rice, while I just have the entree. Last night was family favorite Orange Beef with Green Beans. 

Breakfast is usually an omelet, though sometimes I go crazy with coconut pancakes or cheesecake pancakes...which are free of grains. Just looking at todays vegie omelet makes me feel healthier.

Now if I could just convince myself to do a few sit-ups...

The Pink Heart Society: Male On Monday :: Oscars edition!

The Pink Heart Society: Male On Monday :: Oscars edition!: The Pink Heart Society editor Jenna Bayley-Burke tuned in to the Oscars last night because we love well-told stories. The artistry of the g...

The First 6 Bags

I knew what my first 40 Bags in 40 Days project would be - the random bags of clothes in the garage. I pass all of PrincessGirl's clothes on to a friend, who passes them back when her diva has outgrown them. Then, I go through them to see what goes to my niece, to the community resale event, and to Goodwill.

It's time consuming to sort things back into outfits, check everything for stains and such, sort by size, etc. I hate doing it, and it had realy piled up. Today...I tackled it.

I came away with 4 bags for Goodwill, one for my niece, and one with resale potential. Plus, it's off my to-do list.

 40 Bags in 40 Days tally

1. Goodwill (kid clothes)
2. Goodwill (kid clothes)
3. Goodwill (kid clothes)
4. Goodwill (kid clothes)
5. Pass It On sale
6. Hand-me-downs for niece

Giving It Up

I wonder if Lent has become some kind of cultural phenomenon. It seems it's not just for Catholics anymore. All over Facebook, the gym, and the preschool mommys, people are giving something up for 40 days. Soda, bacon, video games, coffee, TV, shopping, gossip...

It's a fab tradition. I love all the healthy habits that come out of it. But I've never thought, 'hey, I should do that' until this year and this idea -- The 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge. Basically, you commit to organize you home by getting rid of a bag of stuff every day for 40 days.

People who are on board got the jump on the challenge by making a list of places to hunt down their bag of the day. I am not that organized, plus I just stumbled across the idea on Pinterest :) But really how hard is it to list 40 places you need to organize? Go on...

1. Make-up drawer
2. Master bath
3. Kids bath
4. My closet
5. My closet
6. My shoes
7. PrincessGirl's closet
8. Tall Boy's closet
9. Happy Boy's closet
10. Happy Boy's toys
11. Office closet (egad)
12. Office closet
13. Linen closet
14. Refrigerator
15. Pantry
16. Pantry
17. Pantry
18. Laundry room
19. Hall closet
20. Minivan
21. Cookbooks (I'm going online for recipes and not using them)
22. Garage (gardening)
23. Garage (painting)
24. Garage (shelves)
25. Playroom
26. Playroom
27. Playroom
28. Armoire
29. Workbook ottoman
30. Livng room
31. Kitchen cupboards
32. Kitchen cupboards
33. Garage boxes
34. Garage boxes
35. Garage boxes
36. Garage boxes
37. Garage boxes
38. Clothes boxes
39. Clothes boxes
40. Clothes boxes

OK, so that is my prediction list...I'll keep a running tally of what I actually manage to do. Not sure about pictures. It's kind of embarassing!

The Week Ahead

I'm sitting in a coffe shop, waiting for my writing group girlies to show up so we can share our peaks and valleys...and plan the next few months. This terrifies me.

I'm not a limbo girl. My knees just don't bend that way...or is it the ankles, or the back. Whatevs. I like knowing the adventures that await, I like knowing the places where my family will be eating frozen pizza.

And I left my paper calendar at home. I update it more than the virtual one. What if I schedule over a lacrosse game or forget my husband has a tendency to leave town whenever there is a wind turbine crisis in the middle of nowhere?

And then I remembered...I deal with it. Having the health scare really gives me perspective. I mean really...I can do this.