My January cleanse is going well. I've only had a few caffeine withdrawal headaches. But I do miss sugar. :( Only 23 more days to go!

I have been working diligently on Al's secret art project. I was hoping to finish it today, but I don't think that will happen. However, I am pleased with how it's turning out and can't wait to post pictures of the finished project. Since I go back to work tomorrow, I don't know when I'll finish it, but my mission is before the month ends. I am very grateful for my job, but it sure has been nice having almost 3 weeks off!!!

Okay, so today is a stellar day. I cleaned all three bathrooms, listed items on ebay (to reach my 2000 things for $10 each goal) and worked on a top secret art project for Al. Now I'm off to walk the puppy then hit the grocery store.

And today is the first day of our cleanse. No caffeine or sugar and a strict healthy diet. So far, so good. No headache and I'm not even hungry. Tonight's menu: Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers. Yum!

Okay, if I don't get bundled up and out the door Luna, the puppy, will not be happy with me.

Al and I will be starting our annual cleanse in a few days. We'll actually start the meal plan on January 3rd. This means no sugar, no caffeine, limited dairy and only whole or multi grains. This will be our 4th time doing this. It isn't fun and I complain a lot! But it is worth it in the end as we both get a healthy boost for the New Year and it does leave me feeling good inside and out. But I will miss chocolate. It's only 28 days. I can do anything for 28 days. So, please excuse me if I seem irritable. It will be the withdrawal from sugar talking... not me. ;) It's only 28 days. I can do this!

Roxy

I thought I'd take a minute to practice uploading pictures to my blog. I'm still learning. I am determined to follow through and to use only art supplies I already own. The new year will be here soon!

Another New Year. Another New Me.

I decided to try and get back into blogging. Although I was never really good at it, so we'll see how this goes. My new plan for the New Year is to try and not buy any craft supplies. I plan to use what I have this year. If I truly am a whimsicist who specializes in possession reincarnation, I should be able to reincarnate the things I already have. Plus, I'm on a tight budget this year.
I'm already working on one project and will post pictures as soon as I finish it. I'm hoping this blog keeps me motivated. I really want to be more creative in 2012.
Less TV! More ART!!!

Time

I have been a terrible blogger! I'm hoping I can get back into this. It's nice to have a way to share my thoughts with those far away. I just need to make more time for it!

New Year= 28 Days til New Me

This is it. My clean slate. Time to start doing instead of simply planning.

Al and I have started our annual 28 day detox diet. Of course, this means that we spent the past several days eating anything and everything we wanted. We knew we were about to give up our main staples- coffee, sugar, and chocolate for 28 days. The way we ate yesterday you might have thought someone had told us we'd never see those things again, ever. And having gone through this the past 2 Januaries I know that in a few days I will be begging those around me for chocolate. I will probably be grouchy and irritable and maybe even a little mean. I don't want this to happen. But my passion for Starbucks non-fat, no whip, sugar-free hazelnut, mochas runs deep. This year, however, I have vowed that I will do my best to stay sweet, kind and patient. To not let food (in particular sugar and caffeine) keep a hold on me.

The Plan
We give up sugar and caffeine and almost all salt for 28 days. We stick to this ultra-healthy meal plan. We exercise 5 hours a week (to be spread out among 7 days).

When I say it like that it doesn't sound bad. It sounds very reasonable. But I know that tomorrow when I get a massive caffeine withdrawal headache, I will start to curse the day I started this regime. And in a few more days when the sugar withdrawals hit, people I've known for years will start to hide from me. How can I avoid this? Not the headaches and withdrawal. I know, like with any addiction, I have to go through that. I want to avoid being mean to those around me. I want to try to avoid losing my mind. It's only 28 days after all!

This is where modern technology comes in play. I'm hoping that by blogging all my crazy and irrational thoughts, I can keep from losing my cool in public. I can actually enjoy the process of regaining control over my body which I know I should be treating like a temple. It also helps that Al is doing this with me. He never seems to lose his cool over this detox. But he doesn't have the love affair with chocolate that I have.

So, to anyone who is reading, or even to the ones not reading. Bon Appetit! Happy New Year!