A Paleo Journey

We have been tackling this lifestyle for awhile. More in a way that we can't quite give up on certain things. Cake, bread, pasta, cookies, cheese...oh sweet delicious gouda. Paleo...what is paleo? Well it's basically the caveman diet. There's a lot online that talks about the Paleo "diet" and it all makes it sounds complicated. I am hoping as I journey through it I can help you our a little more. All I saw when I researched Paleo was NO FREAKING ICE  CREAM!?!?!?!?! WHY!?!?!

The Mister and I have bounced back and forth with this thing. What made us change? Well miss Mom over here decided to hurt her back. That's what happened. Let's go back a bit before we get into my back. In February I decided to start working out not just simple working out but like legit hardcore working out. Weights, running, swimming, bike, classes, etc. You name it I wanted to try it. I instantly fell in love with weight lifting. It made me feel like a beast and that I could conquer the world while punching everyone. Ok maybe not that beast like but you get the point. Loved weights. As some know I do photography part time. Well here in Japanland there's a special torture for us photogs called Sakura season or is you don't know what that means Cherry Blossom season. I remember before coming to Japan thinking I was going to have to travel far to see the magnificent blossoms of Japan.  Like they were tucked away in the mountains somewhere and would have to trek to them. Wrong! They're everywhere here. Every corner, park, 7-11, shrine, temple, and basically most front yards have either a cherry blossom (sakura) tree or plum blossom (ume) blooming. Why are they torturous for us photogs. Well these pink blossoms of beautiful doom like to bloom unexpectedly. Sure we get our prediction charts and what not but you can't predict these things sometimes. Blossoms also don't last more than 2-3 weeks. So you basically have to jump on them while they last. This season I was completely over booked. Blossoms are actually very wonderful. It is my favorite time in Japan because they represent the start of spring. Everything is covered in pink and it's just wonderful. Combine my blossom season on top of being a new weight lifter and things can get sort of bad. Hurt my back and had to stop lifting and running. How the heck was I going to lose weight and get a work-out in?

Insert Paleo and yoga. Once the pain in my back got slightly better I started doing 20 minutes of yoga a day. Every morning I did it to ease my pain to relieve stress. I completely cut out sugar, gluten, processed foods and dairy from my diet. Which is basically what paleo is I think I will make a special post about exactly what and how it works. Like I said simple foods. Since I have been doing these things I have lost 10 pounds. I plan on starting up with swimming soon to add onto my now 30 minutes of yoga a day. Simple changes can really help you in so many ways. I do miss lifting and maybe I will go back but right now I am sticking to what is working. Plus I get that precious 30 minutes of quiet in the mornings.

I hope you decide to stick around while I figure this whole paleo madness out. I will be posting recipes and other things as I go.

Review-Glee

Recently I have found a new love for a wonderful show on Fox called Glee. Maybe you have heard of it? If not let me fill you in. The shows follows the Glee Club students of McKinley High School. They for one have amazing talent. I mean Rachel Berry played by Lea Michele is just flawless. When she sings you will literally get goosebumps. It's not just the voices that stand out to me it's the positive outlook the show provides. They show these kids getting bullied and hated on all the time but they always find a way to pick themselves back up and go back to being fabulous. They are accepting of everyone whether they are gay, disabled, fat, and even the bad singers. It's just very inspiring for me.

I used to be in choir and theater and was always a very open and out going person. After getting married and having kids my mind kind of wandered away from my true personality. I became shy and uncertain of myself. I felt awkward in most situations because all I knew was changing diapers and playing peek-a-boo. I heard of Glee and didn't think much of it until recently I watched the first episode and I was hooked. I don't really get into too many shows. Steven and I love Dexter and Walking Dead but that's about it. So for me to actually sit and watch the first 2 seasons in one week is kind of a big deal. I feel that I am back to normal again that having this show has given me the confidence to step out of myself and well....be me again.

Every Mom needs her own Glee. Whether it be in books, a new hobby, tv show, etc. We all deserve a little something for ourselves. Something that can fully make us happy and feel good. I am sure you love your kiddos more than Jelly loves Peanut Butter but we can all agree that we need time away every once in awhile. Luckily for me I enjoy a nice hot bath with a glass of wine and my tablet watching one of my shows or even reading a great book. The video below is teaser for the next episode which airs next Tuesday. It is dedicated to the great Michael Jackson.