Nutty for Coconut Oil

It all started innocently enough...on Pinterest. If you are like me, crazy things happen when start pinning things: recipes, makeup ideas, home decor, crafty picture frame making out of newspaper and old buttons, ect. You know, you've probably been sucked into that time trap known as Pinterest! Anyhoo, here I am searching away for healthy stuff. I find coconut oil. Innocent.

So, a month later, I am now putting coconut oil in my cappucino and coffee, in my shakes, in the skillet when I cook, on my eyes to remove makeup, on my skin to moisturize, on my hair to condition... The list goes on. Below are some FAQs I've answered for friends recently who have recognized my love of coconut oil (and may think I'm just nuts).

 

What are the possible benefits of coconut oil? It may help with digestion, metabolism, skin condition, hair growth and repair, immunity, help stop tooth decay, among many others. The list is actually quite long.

Does coconut oil taste like coconuts? No, it doesn't. It really doesn't taste like anything. There is just this faint coconut smell. I can mix it in anything but not taste coconuts, which is actually a little disappointing as I love coconut!

Doesn't it make you greasy if you put it on your body? Nope. The interesting thing about coconut oil is that it is a liquid above 75 degrees. Once I scoop some into my fingers, it starts to liquidize. It isn't greasy, and smooths onto skin or in hair easily. 

How much do you consume? For me, personally, I have 1-2 Tbsp a day. I've read that you really need 3 Tbsp to reap the benefits. 

What have you experienced? I love how shiny and soft it makes my hair and how silky it makes my skin. My husband has very dry, irritated skin, and I've noticed his skin is finally starting to heal. AS far as internal health, I haven't noticed any differences, but I love the richer texture it adds to my coffee and shakes. It seems to fill me up too. 

Verdict: It is not causing harm so I'm going to keep using it and expanding my uses of it!

Summer!!!

Some of you may hate me for this, but I'm a teacher and, therefore, get summers off. But hey, I do not sit around all day watching the ID channel (although it is tempting at times). I really do get a lot done! My favorite thing about summer though is getting to work out when I want to and having more time to prepare meals that are actually worth eating. 

I just started my second week of Chalean Extreme, and I was so excited that I needed to actually go heavier on some of the exercises that I struggled with the week before. My husband also bought me an early Christmas present, Bowflex Selecttech weights. Merry Christmas in 100 degree temps in the middle of the year! I'm really enjoying pairing the CLX with the Les Mills Combat on cardio days. I'm also down 2 pounds so whoop whoop! 

OH!!!! BIG NEWS!!! I bought something that has always scared me, something I have never, ever owned... a bikini! I wore it just long enough to make sure it fit and then have my daughter take some "before" pics. I promise to post them when I take my "after" pics. How scary is that?! I'm really motivated by that cute black bikini though. It would be so cool to wear it at the age of 36 having never worn one before! 

I'll be keeping you updated on my Summer Bikini Challenge!

Burpee Schmerpee

I knew the bad boys those in the fitness world refer to as burpees would be back in my life someday. Sure enough, they reentered my world yesterday during Les Mills Combat Power Hiit 1. I first met the burpee back when I started Turbo Fire. We were not fast friends. I've yet to find another exercise that elevates my heart rate or kicks my butt quite like the burpee.

So yesterday, in that cute little Australian accent of his, Dan preps us for the burpee. I stood there for a moment before pausing the DVD, literally, to think: "I hate these. They hate me. Do I do them? Can I just stand here or even fast forward? I've done everything else, am dripping sweat, making progress... I don't HAVE to." Then I realized that I was setting myself up for failure, that if I talk myself out of this, I will start talking myself out of anything else that challenges me. That could be a lot of stuff!

Well, I pushed play and pushed myself. I did some all out with passion and, by the end, I did have to modify and move a little slower, but I did the darned things. And I will do them next time. And the next time. I will never love them, most likely.

The moral of the story? Change doesn't come until you move out of your comfort zone and take on challenges that come your way.

Time for a system reboot...

Been awhile! School just sucks the life out of me. I let it consume me. I always say I'm not going to let it happen and then it does. Give up the things I love, the things that make me happiest. I grow frustrated and tired, turning to chocolate and then whining. Yep, that's me as a teacher. Pathetic, right? Being a teacher should not define me.

It's a new year, 2013, and time for those resolutions. I'm not much on resolutions, but I will say that I've been working since Christmas break started to refocus and reboot my lifestyle and priorities. I want to come home from work and leave the stress and drama behind. I want to workout FOR ME, enjoy my family, cook a healthy meal and get some much needed sleep. I want those things and deserve them. No more being a slave to my career. I'm more than that and worth more than that.

Now that I've made my bold declaration, time an update. I quite roller derby. I felt I didn't have the time as I was staying up at the school late and then coming home and working some more. I brushed my priorities and things I loved to the side, as you see. But I don't regret it much as, although I miss it, because my body was taking a beating. I don't want to feel old before I am! And I learned so much about strength and challenge through derby. Yep, fond memories made.

What is the new year ringing in? A rededication to my health and fitness, primarily. I started a 90 day wellness challenge that focuses on clean eating and habit-forming. It's going to be tough, but I can do it! I've also ordered one of the newest Beachbody workouts... Les Mills Combat! I'm dying for it to show up on my doorstep!!! I'm also focusing more on my business as I know it can change the quality of my life and that of my family in general.

So... I declare this a system reboot! Starting fresh because I deserve it!