Two Thousand Seventeen

With the start of a new year and all of this talk of resolutions, I am reminded of the reason that I started Snickled Pink. It wasn’t to get likes on Instagram or pins on Pinterest. It was to share …

A Celebration of Life and Love

Baby B is one lucky little boy. We kicked off the celebration of his pending arrival with our first of three baby showers. Sunday’s shower was thrown by my aunts and mom, at my parents’ new house. I first have …

It’s a… (Drum roll please)

The Truth About Your First Workout

It’s been just over 4 months since my last “work out.” The last time I went for a run was during my first couple of weeks of pregnancy. I got extremely sick afterwards, having no idea what my body was up to. Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I go on hikes through our property every week but I haven’t worked up a real sweat in far too long.

Finally feeling more like my old self these days, I was ready to get back on the horse. This morning I made it outside for a good run (okay, the dog would tell you it as a light jog) and finished up with some weights.  It was after all of this that I was reminded of some very good and very bad news about your first workout back. As it turns out, it’s one piece of news that swings both ways.

Your first workout is always the hardest. We’ve all been there. It takes everything in you to get into those workout clothes and even more out of you to actually get out there and do it. You feel like total garbage during and after your workout. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it can only get better and easier from there. That first hurdle is the worst. Before you know it, the motivation seems to come easier and your body grows stronger and more capable.

And so, let this post serve as a reminder that the first day is a tough one, but you are tougher! Once you get back on the horse, the rest of the ride will get easier, I promise.

 

When Things Are Not What They Seem (They’re Way Better!)

I kicked off 2016 with some pretty big goals. Between growing my blog and our business, I was giving 200% during the day and totally kicking butt! My husband was incredibly proud, but also a bit concerned. I’ve always been …

Rockstar Hair, Housewife Budget

 

You know that time you were checking out at a store and learned that the item you were buying was far more expensive than you’d anticipated and bought it anyway because you were too embarrassed to do otherwise? Yup, me too. My hairstylist must have thought she’d hit the jackpot when I agreed to purchase the shampoo and conditioner she’d recommended. I think my jaw nearly hit the floor when I found out the Kerastase product was $40… Per bottle! (Sorry hubby 😳) Besides the obvious financial reasons, this was an enormous mistake on my part because as it turned out, the stuff made my slightly processed hair feel like silk. I was smitten. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make this a habit, so I alternated use between it and my regular, Brilliant Brunette shampoo.

Before I knew it, I was all out. I’d had a great love affair with the product and now I was left to resume my boring, old routine. I had a connection with a stylist who got products at a discounted price, so I tried a few different $20 shampoos, but neither seemed to be an improvement from my drug store regular.

One day, while reminiscing about my luxurious lifestyle, I had an idea. A few times in my life, I’d used a deep conditioning treatment when I felt my hair needed some TLC. I was willing to bet that if I did those often enough, I’d notice a difference! I ran to Rite Aid and perused the shampoo aisle. I landed on L’Oreal’s Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm, simply because it was $7 and claimed to undo a year’s worth of damage with each treatment. I threw it into my routine, using it just once a week. It lasted me 8 weeks and worked like a rockstar for all of them.  

If you’re using an expensive shampoo and conditioner now, or you’d like the results of said products without the price, I highly recommend giving this routine a try. I can’t believe how much of a difference the extra three bucks per month has made on my hair AND my attitude. I’m back to living the luxurious lifestyle, or at least that’s what my hair believes.  

The Truth, the Whole30 Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

 At Snickled Pink, you ask and I deliver. Over the past couple of days, I’ve had quite a few people reach out with questions about what this “Whole30” mumbo jumbo is all about. In all honesty, this is my first time going through the program, so I am still learning. I’ve done a good deal of reading however, and with just 2 days under my belt, already have some insight to share.

The Whole30 program is based on an idea similar to “you are what you eat.” If you remember back to my post about fueling your machine, I spoke about this a bit there. Created in 2009, the Whole30 program operates around the idea that certain food groups may be adversely effecting our bodies and minds. There are a wide range of symptoms to consider, including poor energy levels, skin or digestive issues, body pain, etc. The list goes on. If in fact one of these symptoms is a result of diet, then the only way to truly find out is to eliminate certain foods and see if a difference is noticed. When you commit to the Whole30, you are committing to 30 days of focusing on real food and removing those that are potentially harmful.

Here are the DO NOT rules:

Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.

Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.

Do not eat grains.

Do not eat legumes.

Do not eat dairy.

Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.

Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients.

Day 2, I walked in to work and the first thing that I said to my coworker was, “This Whole30 thing is really hard.” Truth be told, I didn’t think it was going to be. I cook a lot at home and feel like my meals are generally pretty healthy. When I went to prepare food for day 1, looking through our pantry and refrigerator, I realized that a lot of what we eat is not on the approved list. Pasta sauce has added sugar. So does almond milk. Nearly everything does. Cheese is a staple in our house and that’s now out. I absolutely love salad, so I figured I could just eat those. Well, if you want dressing, you’re going to have to make it because there is sugar in it otherwise. I’ve now been to the grocery store 5 times in 2 days. I’ve spent, what feels like, more money than I usually do and am doing way more work!

If it sounds like I’m whining, I am. Well, I’m not anymore, but this was basically what I described that morning at the office. Then I began writing this post and read something on the Whole30’s website that I’d like to share with you, because it’s so true: “It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You’ve done harder things than this, and you have no excuse not to complete the program as written. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth – the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.”

It was at this point that my post originally concluded. I would, however, like to share with you an anecdote that occurred between writing and editing. I planned a Whole30 taco dinner for my husband and I to enjoy last night. I had to run out on my lunch break to get the appropriate seasoning packet and a different store on my way home from work for another ingredient. After getting out of work late, I got home and began preparing dinner. I was beyond hungry. An hour later, I took the beef out of the oven and set it on the counter. Now, when I say “counter,” I need you to imagine a counter covered in boxes and giant tubes of construction glue. (We’re still unpacking and getting settled in our new house.) It was a balancing act to say the least. Just as I went to plate our meal, the bowl of beef went crashing to the ground. Glass was everywhere. All I could do was stand in silence staring at my meat on the ground, as my husband came running from upstairs. Thinking about all of the planning, and trips to the store, and time spent preparing, I nearly melted down. After a visit to the fridge and some not-so-careful consideration, we were off to our local Mexican restaurant.

And so, today is my second Day 2 of the Whole30 this year. I told you that I would be 100% honest with you form the beginning and so here is my not-so-pretty truth. I worked my butt off, struggled, and failed. These things happen. The only thing that we can do is pick ourselves back up and try again. I’m proud to say that I have. I hope that you find success in your eating, be it through the Whole30 or something else. I know with great certainty that you can do it.

For more information, visit http://www.thewhole30.com.

2016: The Year You Achieve

Is it just me or does every passing year feel like it moves quicker than the last? None the less, 2015 was a wonderful year for our family. We finished up renovations on our house, brought home Olive, our Bernese …

Exploring a New Type of Gym

Over 5 years ago, when my husband and I first started dating, we lived half way across the country from each other. Thank goodness we had unlimited data at that time because we spent so much of our day talking and texting to compensate for the distance. Often times we’d dream of a life together in Northern Michigan, with a couple of dogs and plenty of room to roam. Just last week, we took one giant step toward that dream when we packed up and moved to our own slice of heaven on 17.5 acres.

Having moved from a pretty happening city to a town of about 1,800 people, I’m sure you can imagine that life will be quite different for us here. This was obviously the goal. We wanted to simplify our life and be able to spend much of our time outdoors. The first morning that I woke up in the new house, I awoke to a sound that I hadn’t heard in years-silence, absolute silence. It was such a peaceful way to start the day, at my own pace and with nothing but my thoughts to slowly wake my body.

One big change that I have been sorting out over the past few days is my workout routine. If you read my previous posts, you know that I recently underwent a dramatic body transformation through my (then) local gym. My husband and I belonged to the premier gym in our area. It was the place that “anybody who was anybody” belonged to but never actually visited, simply because their social circle was all members. (At least that’s what the gentleman told us when he took us on our initial tour.) The website describes the facility as being “more like a resort than a gym.” With their 4 pools, 2 basketball courts, spin & yoga studios, cafe, chiropractor, sauna, salon, and day care, it really felt that way. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I loved that place with every bit of my being. Unlike many, I used the facility to its fullest capabilities.

My initial plan was to drive the 35 minutes each morning to work out there before going into work, but one week post-move, I’m realizing how unrealistic and downright ridiculous that seems. As I glanced out our window yesterday and looked out at all of the land we’ve acquired, it struck me that we just purchased a gym more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen. And so, I’ve decided to do a bit of an experiment. I’ve put my resort, I mean, gym membership on hold and am changing things up a bit. I will be doing my cardio in the woods, running trails that already exist and creating new ones as I go. I’ve gathered a plethora of pliyo exercises to continue my strength training. Honestly though, I have a feeling that our entire lifestyle is going to change at the new house, enabling us to be much more active. We’ll be outside often, chopping wood and hiking with the dogs. Heck, we’re 15 minutes from a ski hill now. If I wake up and decide that I want to hit the slopes, I can–pending Mother Nature decides that it is actually winter. I’d imagine it’s difficult to ski in 55 degree weather.

I certainly had some concerns going into this transition, as physical fitness has become such a big part of my lifestyle. I don’t want to lose everything that I’ve worked for. With workout number one under my belt, my confidence in my potential results is growing. My 5k through the woods forced me to lift my legs as I ran, in order to avoid the brush, and push harder to get up the hills. It was undoubtedly a challenge. What I can’t ignore however, is the fact that I feel so emotionally and spiritually refreshed. Being out in nature like that is incredibly powerful.

As I expand my non-conventional workout regimen, I’ll be sure to share the workouts that you too can do at home! Now if only I could get the forest creatures to appreciate the way my running shoes matched my Lulu pants, then I’d really be on to something…

A Bittersweet Detox: 21 Days Without Sugar

I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving was the start of a very sweet few weeks for me. Between the holiday treats at the office and at home, I’m finding myself eating lots of sugar and craving even more than that!

I felt like I needed a little reminder of what exactly sugar does to your body, so that I can make logical decisions and healthy choices. While my initial reaction to detox was for fear of the potential consequences, I realized during my research that I am already experiencing some of them. Sugar is addictive. In fact, many people say that it’s the most addictive thing that you can give your body. The more you eat it, the more you want it.  Cravings? Check. Sugar confuses your body into thinking it needs to produce more insulin, ultimately resulting in weight gain. I haven’t been on the scale recently, but by the way that I feel, I’d check that off on my list of symptoms too.  Sugar makes you feel sluggish and moody. Tired? Check.  Moody?  Hubby is too sweet to say yes, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t think it. BIG check. (I’m now picturing that scene from Knocked Up at the doctor’s office. “You know, I know this isn’t you talking, it’s your hormones. But I would just like to say, f-you, hormones! You are a crazy b****, hormones. Not Allison! Hormones!” Just replace “hormones” with “sugar” and you’ve got a slightly exaggerated picture of how I’ve been feeling.)

When I told my friends that I was going to begin a 21 Day Sugar Detox, the reaction was the same from everyone. “Right now?” “During Christmas?!” Yes. Definitely. Purposely. As I explained to them, at the rate that I’m going, it’ll take more than 21 days to turn things around if I wait. Plus, who doesn’t want to look and feel good in their New Year’s outfit?  I want to sparkle from the inside out.

I’ve found programs online that will help you detox, but I’m not interested in paying someone to tell me what I already know that I need to do. I just need to commit and do it! After doing some reading, I’ve learned that women should consume no more than 24 grams of sugar each day. Think about that. A single can of pop would put you over that limit!  Not to mention all of the foods that you don’t think of as being sugary, like bread, corn, or ketchup. I found this chart of foods that should be eaten, avoided, and enjoyed in moderation. Some of them really surprised me.

My plan is to remain within that 24 gram limit, but shoot for less. I’ll need to be diligent in actually tracking my sugar intake, as that’s not something I usually do. I will be sure to stay hydrated so that I don’t experience artificial hunger. I will stay busy so that my idle hands don’t reach for something sweet. I will be sure to exercise and take care of my body. I will listen to it and what it needs.

I’ll keep you in the loop about what ends up working for me and what does not. If you feel up for the challenge, please join me! There is strength in numbers. In the mean time, catch you later, Sugar.