Nonfiction Reads: Spring 2019

There are so many books that I want to read, and each time a new novel or nonfiction book comes out I find myself adding them to my list.

The never-ending and always growing to-read list.

So for today I thought I'd share some new nonfiction books that I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this year. (Referral links are scattered throughout this post.)

Let me know which of these you're interested in.

Who knows? Maybe I'll decide to gift you a copy!

Nonfiction Recommendations for Spring

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive

Stephanie Land

You guys? Maid was so good. Like really good. This book was a powerful and moving read. In sharing her perspective as a single mother who worked as hard as she could to get by and keep herself and her child safe, sheltered and sometimes barely fed, Land pulls us in and doesn't let us go until the very end. Even after you turn the last page or swipe on through the entire book? You'll want to find out more about her and see what she's up to now. And how her daughter is doing. Don't miss Maid, y'all. 

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

Kamala Harris 

Regardless of your thoughts about Harris, she was one of the first Democrats to throw her hat into the race for President for the 2020 election. As a woman candidate, there is bound to be so much information thrown around - and I - for one - would love to get to meet her for who she is before I make any decisions about her. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey seems to be a great way to jump into doing just that. 

Calm The F*ck Down: How to Control What You Can and Accept What You Can't So You Can Stop Freaking Out and Get On With Your Life (No F*cks Given Guides)

Sarah Knight

I really like Sarah Knight. So far, You Do You is my favorite of her No F*cks Given Guides. That said, who doesn't want to read a book titled Calm the F*ck Down, am I right? Fine. Maybe you don't want to. But I do. And I think this is going to be a good one. It was released in December, but who had time to read in December, anyway? Not me. Want to join me in reading this one? Let me know. Maybe I'll send you an e-copy. I'm just THAT big of a fan.

Wolfpack

Abby Wambach

The best way for me to describe why I plan on reading this book is to simply state that Wolfpack has been repeatedly showing up in my world in different ways. I can't even pinpoint why or where, I can just tell you that I plan on reading it because it seems to hold something that I currently need in my life. I regret not getting my hands on it sooner. But spring seems like the perfect time to grab a copy. Renewal. Growth. Expression. I plan to walk away from Wambach's book with all of those on my mind. 

So - thoughts? Which might you choose for your spring reading this year?

Care to share some suggestions of your own? Your favorite nonfiction must-reads?

Let me know! I look forward to hearing from you. 

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Just Do It.

Summer is still kicking it hard here in North Carolina.

The temperature is beastly.

The sun is shining beyond brightly. It's literally (fine, I know. It's figuratively, but that's so much less fun to write!) melting us at sun to skin contact.

And me?

I'm finding my way through each transition of my life. One day at a time.

This post is more of a 'let's touch base about this one particular matter' and I'll tell you things that have been on my mind, than an actual, 'here's a piece about something heavy,' kinda post.

Y'all.

Let me start off saying one single word.

Swoosh.

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Inspiration in the Darkness

So.

I did a January Whole30 and I felt good. And then I let February take hold and run me into the ground. I'm back to being the over-emotional me of 2017.

I have done six rounds of Whole30.

Six of them.

I lost a substantial amount of weight, I felt great, and I established a new kind of relationship with food.

And then something changed in my life. Something pretty damned huge.

My life. It's different now.

I experienced so many firsts, and I am still finding new things to experience.

Moments without. Moments with.

I am finding my way.

Making marks in ways I've never expected. Never thought I'd need or want to.

I'm sifting through the ashes. Finding the remains. Piecing them together with all that is new.

Pushing through the mud. Finding growth.

No mud. No lotus.

I'm allowing my scars to heal. Allowing new ones to surface. I'm not covering them up. Not right away. I need to confront them. I need to see them. I need to feel them.

But as I do I'm reminding myself. Inhale. Exhale.

I'm allowing myself to breathe.

We all need to breathe.

I'm watching the seasons change. Recognizing that nearly an entire year has gone by.

I'm looking for inspiration in the darkness.

And sometimes I find it.

Why Melissa Hartwig Inspires Me

If you've ever done a Whole30 you've heard of Melissa Hartwig. 

She's one of the founders and she's one of the people I enjoy following on Instagram. Not just because she's an author. A creator. But because she is real. She's human. And she speaks to us, her fans and followers, as if we're equals.

I know. I know.

We are. We're all human. We are equals.

But seriously, this woman is a fierce fit machine. And in spite of that - from someone who has not found themselves on that path at this point in their life - if ever - I still watch and learn. Absorb. And appreciate that she keeps it so damned real.

If you follow me on Instagram you know that's a hashtag I use often when it comes to selfies and motherhood. #keepinitreal is who I am. Or at least who I try to be. I don't do this for sympathy. I do it for reality. 

And today, well, yesterday, really, I was struggling. I was beating myself up, because after six rounds of Whole30 I felt that I should have had a handle on it in a way that I wouldn't look at myself in the mirror and ask what the hell happened. 

But that's what I do. 

And I know what happened. 

And I don't like to lay the blame on anyone but myself. And yet, sometimes, some days, some ways, I do. Because I didn't ask to fall off this positive path. I didn't ask to find myself knocked down several pegs. I didn't ask for this.

And so. I get angry. I get frustrated. But through it all I stay real. I stay true to who I am.

I almost decided to share Melissa's post on FB today, but then realized this deserved an entire blog post. And I hope it's okay to do this and embed her Instagram post in here - because damn, friends, it's so important. Any of you - all of you - who are trying something new and feeling like you're failing. Or trying something old, again, and hating yourself for not being perfect at whatever it is already. 

This. Melissa Hartwig wrote this for you. 

Re: my last #myfoodfreedom post, where I said it's taken me 7 years to arrive at this place of effortless balance: I occasionally hear people suggest if you need 6 Whole30s or you're still struggling 5 years later, you're doing it wrong. That if you can't "fix" your relationship with food faster than this, without the support or help of multiple Whole30s, you're going about it in the wrong way. • Had I entered myself into a food rehab facility, where all life stressors were removed and my only job was to work on changing my habits and healing my emotional relationship with food, I might agree. But let me explain what ELSE I was working on over that 7 year period, along with my Food Freedom: • Quitting my job to start my own business. Getting married. Discovering major issues. Spending years in therapy trying to make the marriage work. Digging into trauma from sexual abuse and drug addiction during said therapy sessions. Writing a book. Getting pregnant. Leaving home at 7 months pregnant. Returning. Having a baby. Writing another book. Doing a very public book tour side-by-side while filing for divorce. Divorcing. Going through a prolonged business split. Rebuilding myself from the ground up while figuring out how to be a single mom, run my business, and write two more books. • While simultaneously trying to create a healthy relationship with the ONE thing I used to rely on the most for comfort, as reward, to relieve anxiety, and to show myself love. So yeah, it took me 7 years. • If it takes you 9 Whole30s or 19 years to finally find YOUR Food Freedom balance, do not despair, because it's not like it's the only thing you've got going on. Keep working on it daily, diligently. Don't give up, because you choose your hard, and the other hard really wasn't working for you. Don't treat the Whole30 like a yo-yo, because that's not the path to Food Freedom. Go do some therapy, because that’s often necessary too. But if you're working it, really working it, even if all you can do is make one small effort on the toughest of days... don't let anyone tell you that you're not "doing it right." • #myfoodfreedom #whole30FFF #melissarants #melissaexplains7years @whole30

A post shared by Melissa Hartwig (@melissa_hartwig) on Feb 19, 2018 at 4:47pm PST

I wrote this entire post yesterday. Tuesday. February 20th.

Today I had my annual physical. I always spend the day before (who am I kidding, days, more likely) in slight trepidation. I love my doctor. I mean it, I do. She's never made me feel like crap. She's listened to me cry. She's supported me through a lot of stuff. And today was no exception.

And yet. I'm still concerned. Worried. About disappointing her. And, more importantly, myself.

So today I met with the student who was shadowing her first.

Am I the only one who does that?

It is always a great experience, except for that one time when the guy was a little - well, he was a GUY - and he was like a teenager and really cute. But that's okay. I survived.

Anyway, remember that students need to learn, too. If you've not been there you may not want to put yourself out there in this way. You might feel like a guinea pig. You're not. You're getting quality treatment from someone who is currently being supervised by your doctor and if you're not trusting your doctor to do that then how do you trust him/her to treat YOU?

Okay, and so I rambled.

Go figure.

Anyway, my doctor and her student supported me today as I discussed the year gone by, and I spoke about my plans for the coming months. My agenda. My goals. My focus.

And because of the inspiration I found yesterday - that which I shared here - I was able to truly speak from the heart and MEAN IT. I meant EVERY WORD. Every single word.

I'm inspired. It's a sunshine-filled day today, y'all. Thanks for riding it out with me. Let's ride the wave to better days together, shall we? Race you to the starting line ...

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You Can't Reach If You Don't Stretch

So.

I almost wrote this in a message to someone today, but then decided, no - this is too good.

It's blog post good.

And so, here I am.

Reminding you.

And myself.

You can't reach if you don't stretch.

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Waiting To Exhale

I sit in the waiting area at the doctor's office and hold my breath.

It's been a while.

I know I've been off track.

I feel it.

Discomfort.

The pulse beating at the surface of my skin.

From the inside out.

My face flushes.

Tears - not yet leaking from my eyes.

Inhale.

Exhale.

And still.

I sit.

And wait.

For them to call my name.

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5 Reasons You Haven't Been Writing and What To Do Next

It can be hard to be a blogger these days.

We write because we love to write. We write because we want to write.

And then, well, we write for so many other reasons.

And sometimes we just don't write at all.

Here are five reasons you (fine, maybe *I*) haven't been writing and how to take them on.

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I SLAY.

It's rough. It's hard to find motivation when you want to write about all the things but you can't figure out where to begin.

I've spent much of the start of 2016 slacking. Working - yes - but when it comes to my own words? Slacking.

Not today, though. Today I'm feeling it.

And I have one person to thank.

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Finding Fitness Fridays: Finding Your Motivation

Hellllooooo, everyone. 

How's everyone doing? 

Are you like me? Are you totally lacking in motivation? 

I'm trying to find mine, and so I figured I'd be open and honest, real and raw, as I usually am, and let you know I'm struggling a bit. 

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Finding Fitness Fridays: Life After Whole30

You guys, I haven't been feeling it this week. I'm not sure exactly why, but I just haven't. And I know I have not done a Finding Fitness Friday post for a few weeks - so - yeah - so much for that series I was hoping to kickstart, right?

Anyway, if you've come to visit me this week you've already seen my Whole30 experience post. And if you haven't, go on, I'll wait. I've dropped a link right there for you to check out.

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Finding Fitness Fridays.

Aren't you excited? If you're already following me on Instagram or friends with me on Facebook then you know I'm on a journey right now.

I used to post about fitness regularly on my blog. I tried to focus on my positives and these motivating and inspiring images I found on Pinterest. But y'all can see how well that turned out. I pretty much stopped.

But right now? There's no stopping me.

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Free writing: It's obvious I need to do this more.

I got really excited yesterday when I found out that Jaime had taken over Stream of Consciousness from Jana - it's been a while and I had no clue. 

I've been doing SOC since Fadra started it forever ago and I like it. It's my kind of writing.

Sit down. Five minutes. Write. 

Don't correct yourself - who doesn't, though - really?

And don't go back and edit - that I don't do, honestly. But I'm not much of an editor when it comes to my own posts. Not all that often, anyways. 

So - here I am, one minute in and ready to roll. 

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One year gone by. It still hurts.

Emotions are heightened as the weather cools down.

Fall has arrived in North Carolina and I'm feeling it.

My mood flicks like a switch that I have no control over has been commandeered by someone I can't see.

Coffee is good. It fuels me. Warms me.

Soups, too.

I made chicken soup from scratch.

A task - I know. But I know why.

I needed to. I wanted to. I had to feel. Be on my feet for hours.

Ladling. Skimming. Stirring.

How did he do it? All those years. On his feet.

Day after day. Night after night.

All those years.

I exhale.

At the same time I have no urge to be cooking.

Fast foods call my name.

My motivation is gone.

I'm more than overdue for a walk. A run. A bike ride.

A burst of cold weather smacking me in the face.

I'm overdue.

Music helps. Only a little.

Some days I'm fine. I don't even feel it.

Others? Not so much.

A candle burns now and then. Brightening up the kitchen.

Bringing out a scent that warms the soul. Sometimes.

Other times a candle burns.

I watch it fade.

Twenty-four hours of flickering light.

Time moves on.

It's been over a year.

My father's been gone that long.

I lit a candle.

Not birthday candles.

An I miss you candle.

Judaism permits you to remember with a flickering light.

Brings the memory of the loved ones lost right there - beside you - at every turn.

Held close within your heart.

Held tight within mine.

October has finally ended.

And yet.

My heart does not freely soar.

I thought it might - but it does not.

The pain is still there.

The ache.

The tears.

I still hurt.

And this weather isn't helping.

Not one bit.

* I'm linking up this week with Shell's Pour Your Heart Out. *

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Run Like a Mother®

Today was the first day in AGES that I got myself outside and actually went for a walk/run. I often call it that but who am I kidding? It's almost always a walk. But I actually threw some jogging into the mix today, and guess what? I not only survived - but I liked it!

I did a weird pattern of walk 5 minutes, jog 5 minutes, repeated and then walked a final 15 minutes. It's totally not what the training people at Run Like a Mother recommend for novices like me, but sometimes you have to give yourself a little boost to remind yourself you CAN do it.

And so I did.

I'm lucky enough to be among a handful of bloggers participating in the annual Run Like a Mother event this year on Mother's Day in the Raleigh, NC area.

I'm actually supposed to be participating in the training program, but of course, my schedule is completely out of whack. I haven't made it to any of the training events - but I'm trying to follow along with the details they gave us when I made my training materials choice.

What's really cool about this event is that it's just for women. And the mission of Run Like a Mother is geared towards women.

The mission of Run Like a Mother® is to fuel a woman’s journey toward health and wellness. 

Empower with education and training programs. Inspire with communities, events and races. 

Enable through programs and partnerships. Run Like a Mother® Isn’t Just a Race, It’s Our Way of Life. 

Contact us at info@runlikeamother.com.

Run Like A Mother® is an inspiring, celebratory event involving the entire family that engages women at 

every stage of a woman’s life.  We are a community of women joined together by the power of running 

who share a desire to live healthy, balanced lives.  We offer support, motivation, inspiration and education.  

The people over at Run Like a Mother have given me a t-shirt and a tote bag to give away to one of my readers. The bag is super cute - says this bag-aholic individual. Take a look ...

The tee is nice, too, but I don't have one yet as the one I got was too tiny. So if you're lucky, you might be a local mama and I might pass along the extra t-shirt I have to one of you!

Just let me know what your running goals are for 2014. Or your fitness goals, if running isn't a part of them. And don't forget to check out the Run Like a Mother race and training programs over on their website. 

There's a coupon live right now for a discount on race registration - but hurry! - it's going to expire soon. And you don't have to live in my area to participate. There are several events across the country for you to look into and consider attending. Each event will also have a 1-mile fun run for the kids!

To find out more about Run Like a Mother you can head over to the Run Like a Mother Facebook page or check them out on Twitter @Rlamrace.

* I was provided with access to the Run Like a Mother training program and registration for the Raleigh, NC race on Mother's Day, 2014 for writing this post. I was also provided with a tote bag and t-shirt to give away to one of my readers. All expressed opinions are strictly my own. *

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I'm trying to stay in the Zone.

* I received a variety of ZonePerfect bars as a participant in this challenge. I am not being compensated for this post and all expressed opinions are completely my own. *

If you have been reading me for a while you know that I struggle left and right with fitness, motivation and inspiration. You also might have seen that I started participating in the Blog Forward Challenge with ZonePerfect earlier this year.

Admittedly, I struggled through much of March with some traveling and some illness and then with the weather in the earlier months, sigh, excuses excuses. I'm getting back on track and I went for a really long walk the other day with a friend and am finally feeling like moving matters again.

I set some goals back in January. I set them again now, in April. I have lost some weight, and that's great. I'm back to tracking myself on MyFitnessPal and I find that it's helping. But I really need to do more. I need to bust out the sweats and find myself moving regularly. I need to consciously uncouple myself from emotional eating. *Come on, I HAD to.*

I need to remind myself that I have a Fitbit zip I could wear regularly and count all the steps I take every single day. Or I could turn around and get myself one to wear on my wrist so I can feel like I'm more motivated and more involved in my own health. More aware. Whatever it takes.

I was in Disney World last weekend for Type-A Parent Bootcamp and I walked A LOT. I felt really good about that. I ate a lot, too, but I could have done a lot worse. I actually didn't feel bloated or swollen or anything I usually experience when I fly. So I'm thinking the walking was a huge help. I even brought my Brooks kicks and wore them throughout Magic Kingdom on Saturday night. So I wasn't messing around.

And a huge bonus was that these ZonePerfect bars arrived before I left! So I was able to bring a bag of them with me and find a new favorite.

The Chocolate Almond Raisin bar is AMAZING. Seriously. I need to find a box of them and fast. I'm hoping I stumble across them soon. And if you want, you can sign up to be a ZonePerfect VIP and grab yourself about $10 worth in coupons (which will be emailed to you over the course of the coming year) for your own shopping experience.

ZonePerfect is also hoping to keep me charged in other ways throughout the coming months. They've sent me a portable phone charger, along with one to give away to one of my readers. So leave me a comment below with a flavor of ZonePerfect bar that you'd like to try and you'll be entered to win.

And if you're looking to swap out your sweetened beverages for something a little healthier, check out this graphic for more tips. I've started off by either completely eliminating sweet tea from my intake, or at the very least if I really am itching for it I do a half-and-half and go half sweet and half unsweetened. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but whatever works will get me closer to my goal.

I hope you'll stick with me as I make my way through this challenge and that you'll keep me posted if you are doing healthier things for yourself, as well. Any tips we can share will be great ones, I'm sure. Looking forward to connecting with you and finding my fitspiration from you all.

* I received a variety of bars from ZonePerfect as a participant in this challenge. I also received a portable phone charger for myself and one to give away to a reader. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all expressed opinions are strictly my own. *

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Amazing Reads. 2/21 Edition.

I'm kind of behind with my Amazing Reads posts again. It does't help that I have a handful of tabs open with posts I've yet to actually read but know that I'm going to be sharing anyway. That's weird, isn't it? And so - here I am - - sharing what's happening around the Interwebz of late. 

My beautiful friend Erin says everything in this post here about her inner critic. My G-d, how I hate to read them, but I know so many people - myself included - who have those critics, those voices, and I want to SHUT THEM ALL UP. 

One of the most important thinsg Erin mentions in her post is her hope that her daughters never hear the voice of this kind of inner critic. Oh, how I know. I so so SO know. Please go offer some love and understanding. 

Over at Splitting Infinitives, Sarah shares A Farewell to Grief. It took me weeks to find the strength to actually read it, but I am glad that I did. She talks about having lost her mom five years ago, and the stages of grief she has passed through - along with where she is now. 

This post by Aliza Worthington over at Purple Clover is an open account of her initial reaction to starting antidepressants. Her understanding now is one that I think many need to see. So if you're hovering and think you need meds and you're afraid or anxious or just don't think that you are someone who needs to even think about this? Read her words. The Moody Blues: My Experience with Anti-depressants is worth reading, sharing, and reading again. 

I haven't had a chance to comment on this post over at Writer Mom's Blog yet, but her list of Twenty Things You Should Stop Saying to the Parents of ADHD Children is a great one. So many parents have children who are battling things we don't even know are there. The things that people say? OH MY GAWD. The things that people say. I shake my head. I'm amazed at the lack of tact, lack of caring, lack of heart and just plain ignorance people out there show with one simple sentence. Seriously. People. Stop and think. For just a minute. Not you - you're my friend, my reader, you get it - but some of the people out there? Stop. Think. And then DON'T say it. There are so many other things you could say. Seriously. I promise you won't regret thinking twice. 

 Now, on to my self-promotion. 

If you haven't entered yet and would like a chance at winning the new Sofia The First CD, enter today. 

And it's been a while since I've shared a Love Your Body kind of post around here. I really need to get back on track with fitness Sundays and motivation and inspiration and so on. And in doing some soul searching this afternoon I came across this post of mine from almost two years ago about standing tall. And so, I take a few minutes to reflect some. I soul search a little bit. And then, I remember. And I learn.

Oh, and it's really important that you stop by and check out this discussion on Facebook. Because the age old battle of FRIENDS vs. Seinfeld lives on. Which do you choose? Weigh in for me, would you?

Enjoy your weekend, everybody! Happy reading.

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Til We Eat Again: A Second Helping, Judy Gruen

* I was provided with an electronic copy of this book from the author, however, I decided to buy my own Kindle copy since I had the first version of this book and loved it so much. I was not compensated in any way for this post. *

I adore Judy Gruen.

I do.

I've read her first version of this book a handful of times. I had to, because it's just so good.

She's hilarious. She's open. She's honest. She's real and she's raw.

Have I mentioned how funny she is?

She really is.

If you've ever struggled with working out, dieting, eating issues or maintaining your weight, you'll find the humor and entertainment in this book perfect for you. Just the title alone drew me in those many years ago when I bought my first copy. I read it again in 2010, and loved it just as much as the first time. This updated version did not disappoint.

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Look out for you.

You know how hard it is to feel like you've done one thing right all day? 

Or you're finding yourself struggling to see what you've done that was good for your kids, your spouse, your home, your family? 

Who is missing from that list? 

Riiiight. 

You. 

You are missing. 

You're missing because you come last so often. 

I know it. You know it.

Now let's do something about it!

Last night after a fairly quick and non-celebrated Easter Sunday, I decided I needed to go for a walk. It had been a few days since I had worked out, and so I needed to get some fresh air and feel like me again. 

So I went out and noticed, oops. It was pouring. Okay, maybe not pouring, but definitely raining. 

I can handle it, I thought. A little rain won't stop me. 

It came down harder. Kelly Clarkson kept me company. You know I like my beats when I work out. 

She sang, I sang.

The rain fell. 

It was definitely getting harder, but I loved it. 

When I was about 3-4 minutes from stopping I pulled my hood back and felt the rain.  

It felt incredible. 

I deserved it. 

A cleansing. A breath of fresh (and wet) air. 

I'm worth it. And when I remember that I know I'm doing it right.

* I am totally not sure why the font on my page right now is acting all wonky. But I won't be worrying about it. My mind just isn't up for that and I know you will all be alright with what I decide. *

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Finding Fitness. #VZWA

There has been a lot of chatter (much of it negative) about the lack of apps in the Windows store as compared to the options for Android phone users, so I'd like to put something positive out there and share one aspect of my experience with the Windows 8x phone so far.

I have uncovered a decent handful of apps that are helping me find my way back to fitness in the new year.  And I expect as I keep digging I'll unearth a lot more.

As you may already know, I really like to either try an app before I purchase it, or I strictly opt for free apps, especially since I am testing this phone as a Verizon Wireless Ambassador and don't know whether or not it will ultimately be mine when all is said and done.

So the following apps have been easy to use and access, and FREE:

12 Days of Fitness
* At first glance it looked like it was going to be 12 different exercise recommendations to give me new ideas. When I finished the 1+ mile today and checked it off, I looked ahead. Day two has something new, but it also INCLUDES the mile! These people might be crazy ... or they just don't know me at all.

Edomondo
* I've used this before on my bike. Haven't tested it out on the Windows 8x yet, but it's a pretty decent app in my opinion.

Runtastic
* Used this for a 1.5 mile walk and it worked really well. The only thing is it doesn't seem capable of running on the phone's front screen. So I couldn't check my status without swiping, and sometimes entering in my password, which if I were running would have been a bigger issue, but was still kind of inconvenient. I did have some issues logging into it, as well. It kept saying I had an account, but wouldn't let me post an update to facebook, which I do like to do now and then. The store does have a Pro app for $4.99 but I'll probably give it a few more test runs before I decide whether or not to purchase it.

Total C25K
* This is absolutely comparable to the C25K apps I've tried from the Google Play Store. There is a fantastic option for the music to stop when the app is giving you your alert, which can be a huge help for the switch from running to walking and back again.

Water Log
* Admittedly I haven't used this yet. I'm excited it's there, and I downloaded it when I first got the phone. Pretty much all I drink is water so I've been lazy at checking it out. Soon!

MyFitnessPal
* I've never found this to be as easy for me to use as LoseIt (which I can't get in the Windows store) but they do have info on a much larger and more specific variety of foods and restaurants, so it could be worth a try.

I just downloaded these apps for free, as well, but have not tested them yet:

Calorie Counter
* I think this might be fairly comparable to LoseIt, which I have been using on and off (and currently on again) over the past two years. And looking further into it I see that it includes nutrition information for a huge list of restaurants, and nutritional content of many supermarket brands. Huge win there!

Fast Food Calories
* At first glance this app includes information for places I do sometimes eat at, like: Wendy's, Subway and IHOP. Oh no! And Dairy Queen. EEK! McDonald's, Burger King and Arby's are in there, as well. The list goes on, but I think I'll stop there.

There are some other apps in the Windows store that might benefit others, but I'm going to skip for now. Things like the Gym PocketGuide, which looks like it might tell you where gyms are in your area but is supposed to give you basically a dictionary of exercises. It's free, so I might come back to it.

WeightWatch is an app that looks similar to the aspects I like of LoseIt, MyFitnessPal and Calorie Counter. There appear to be free heart rate tracker apps - I'm not sure how you'd use them - but hey, they're free, so go for it if you're motivated to.

I will add that as difficult as the buttons are on this phone, while running last night I somehow managed to lower the volume of my music, WITH gloves on. I can't even figure out how that happened because turning this phone, or the camera, on with the tiny buttons on the side of the phone has been difficult, to say the least.

So while I've had my share of complaints, and a minimal share of positives up til now, I'm pleased to say that this aspect of using the phone has started working for me. Maybe I'm just pushing harder at figuring it out? I don't know. I'll take it, though. I like it when things work right!

I haven't really reviewed the camera yet, and I have been having some so-so experiences with it, but this is the shot I took today on my run. No filter and I only watermarked it. Pretty, right? It's daytime but the way the sun was situated the ground looks so dark. I love it, though.

Oh! The music! I forgot about the music ... stay tuned for more on that next time.

*I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Ambassador Program. Verizon Wireless has provided me with a wireless device and three months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product. 

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Happy 2013!

Good afternoon, world!!! Happy New Year to you all!!!

I like exclamation points, can you tell?

I'm all hyped up on sugar to look forward into the new year, and because of that I'm decidedly being either lame or amazing and bucking the trend to look back at the year that's passed us by. Maybe. I can always come back and do that if I like, right?

I'm also planning on participating in an awesome life list linky with some bloggy friends, and so I'm not going to toss a ton of ideas or resolutions out at you for the coming year. sort of kind of.

Lots of people seem to be boycotting resolutions. Saying things like 'why make 'em if you'll never keep 'em?' and how about I make one to do *this* because I know I will and what not.

I think I fall somewhere mid-spectrum.

Spectrum. Word doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it?

So, for me, here are a few things I'm planning for the coming year.

*Disclaimer: You may or may not see some of these again on the upcoming #lifelist I'll be sharing.*

#1. Chop off my ... damn it. Did that.

Also? I don't love the after pic here. My eyes look freaked out. But my next goal for 2013 ...

#2. Get in front of the camera more. Not just headshots that I take at my MAC or my phone or whatever. Actually BE in the pictures. And kind of consider ...

#3. Taking fewer pics with my phone(s). There's no reason to document everything in that manner. And if I do decide to do so I plan to

#4. Share less of them with the entire universe. I lived a long time without facebook and was totally fine. I can do it again. (Not giving it up, but no need to share 900 pics a month. Give or take.)

#5. Participate in a Dirty Girl Mud Run. I'm registered for one in March. Notice I did not say finish. That'll fall on the #lifelist. Just to be safe.

#6. Find my word. People across the interwebs are word-crazy for the new year. I started to think of mine. First I came up with REVAMP. But then I didn't love it. I was kind of like, well, I want to revamp my physical being and be healthier, and revamp my house a bit, and my mental state now and then. But revamp is so BIG. I don't need to revamp who I am, or my heart, or some other stuff, so why use it? Nah. Then I switched to - well - I forget what. CHANGE, maybe. But that had the same weird connotations. So I was deciding on RESOLVE, but that seemed like I was cheating. And skimming off of the resolution mindset. And actual word.

So yeah. What's your word? Do you have one? Do you have one for me?

#7. Write more. 'Nuff said.

#8. Read more. Sort of. I hit 60+ books this year and am pretty happy with that. But now I have a Kindle, so I'm counting on it to bump me up a bit.

#9. Move. Not necessarily more. I don't need the stress of that. Just move. Work out. Get back into the mindset. Finish a round of C25K. Zumba my fanny off. Swim. Run. Walk. Whatever. Just do it. *Nike has not compensated me in any way at this time.

#10. LIVE. LIVE MY LIFE.
We learn almost every day that life is too short. Tell the people you love that you love them. Hug with abandon. Hold hands. Laugh. Cry. Breathe in and out. Stretch. Drink a cup of coffee or tea outside. Watch a sunrise. Try a new recipe. Write a poem. Send a letter by mail. Call an old friend just to hear their voice. Spend the day without looking in a mirror. At all. Just be. Let the wind blow your hair around and not care. Stop with the hairspray (you, not me, I haven't used it in years!). Eat something calorie-laden. Fettucine alfredo won't kill you if you have it once. Eat something healthy. There has to be a quinoa recipe that will work for you. Play the Wii with your daughter and get your ass off the computer. Like now.

Love to all. Merry Happy Peaceful Joy-filled EVERYTHING.

And a happy and healthy and blessed 2013.

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My five minutes.

It should be a weekly update. I'm trying to get back on the fitness track.

It's rough. It's not easy at all.

It sucks sometimes.

But I'm trying. Making my way through.

I worked out on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

On Friday I didn't feel well. I slept for way too long that morning. On the couch.

ANd then I woke up, ate dinner later on and had a belly bug. It sucked.

I feel better today. But my allergies are kickin' my butt.

Yesterday we went to a charity event. We were supposed to do a 1.5 mile walk. We missed the start. So we missed it all. I ate cotton candy, lemon ices and a cupcake.

I kind of forgot that my stomach hurt the night before. Whoops.

It was hot. Today it is rainy.

I plan on working out later. And definitely tomorrow. And every day for the rest of the week.

I'm doing a weight loss challenge and I weigh in on Tuesday.

Admittedly, I'm used to weighing in on weekends, so I peeked at the scale today.

Shouldn't have. But I did. I went down a bit, which is good, because last Tuesday I went to the doctor and was up from three months ago. My first 3-mo window I lost 12 lbs. Yes, seriously. Then the next one, down 3. This time up 4. Not cool. I want that gone by the time I weigh in again there in December. I'm not supposed to touch that 12lbs.

Two of my amazing friends have lost 70+ and 100+ lbs!!! I'm so proud for them. I'm also so wishing they'd rub off on me and give me that motivation. If they're reading they know who they are and they're already working on it. wink wink.

And my 5 minutes are up.

If you'd like to participate in writing freestyle for five whole minutes, and link up so others can read what you've shared, go for it. Find yourself over at Jana's Thinking Place for Stream of Consciousness Sunday and jump right in! The water's totally fine. And Jana rocks!

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