Thursday, January 27, 2011

Resolution FIVE: Lose the Addiction

     It is my sincere hope that "Mister Coffee", my Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino maker that Roger and the kids got me for Christmas, has what it takes to hold up under the pressure I'm putting on it every day.  It has some really big shoes to fill.  To live up to the green and white crack pusher that comes to me in my dreams and whispers to me ever so sweetly, is no small feat.  Don't get me wrong, Mister Coffee is good at what he does, and I have my concoction down to a science now.  But will I be able to resist the beast down the road?   IT has something Mister Coffee doesn't have.  MAGIC.  There has to be a flock of fairies sprinkling magical coffee bean dust across the land to get the aroma to reach me 15 miles away.  Could it be a super electromagnet that causes my car to veer in it's direction every time I pass by the place?  Or maybe, just maybe caffeine is what they've all being saying it is for years.  A drug.  (The hell you say!) Whatever it is, I'm addicted.  And I don't like being addicted to anything.  That just doesn't fit my program.

     I'm not saying there is no place in my life for Starbucks.  I wheeled in just the other morning and got a cup of hot herbal tea to soothe my scratchy throat and calm my nerves on my way to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist who wants to cut out my uvula.  So, see...there IS a place for Starbucks in my life.  I just want it to be my friend, not my obsession.

Summer Addiction
(I guess I better start working on a homemade version of this one now!)

     So what is this addiction thing all about?  I'm convinced it's not the caffeine I'm addicted to, but the place itself that draws me in.  Sure, the caffeine has something to do with it, but when I'm at home on the weekends, I usually don't even drink coffee and I feel fine.  My theory is that it all goes back to my lack of organization and brain fog.  Without a good plan, it's like Starbucks is the automatic default on my car.  "Hmmm...what do I need to do today?  I know, I'll go to Starbucks and think about it on the way."  Or  "Hmmm...where is that place?  Oh, look, there's Starbucks.  I'll go get my coffee and figure out how to get there."  Or, I'll be driving somewhere talking on my cell phone along the way and look up and "Oh, hey...I'm here and oh cool, looks like I must have gone by Starbucks on the way 'cause there's a coffee in my hand.  Nice!"  Yes, I probably am a danger to society, but the first step to recovery is admitting your addiction, right?  And isn't that what I've done here?  Actually, I've already taken the first COUPLE of steps because I now set out each day with a good solid plan and that plan does not cost me $5!

     For the past two weeks, I've been making my soy cappuccino at home with Mister Coffee.  I use a Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee for the espresso part and I use plain steamed Silk soy milk to make it a cappuccino.  The taste is spot on, I am in the convenience of my own home, and it costs a fraction of the amount I pay for the same thing at Starbucks.  And to top it all off, I add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the froth and it's like aroma therapy in a cup.  I would venture to say, Mister Coffee makes an even MEANER soy cappuccino than his rival.  Now if I can just convince my car of all of this, we'll be in the money!

   So, what's your addiction?  Are you ready to shake it?  I'm making 2011 the year for losing my addiction!

Have a great day,
Outside Lisa

P.S.  Mom, that doesn't mean you should stop buying me those Starbucks gift cards for gifts.  I'll still use them.  They'll just last a lot longer!

  

  

Monday, January 24, 2011

Resolution FOUR: Create.

     I aspire to see every day of this year as an opportunity to CREATE.  It doesn't have to be a masterpiece... just something that can be viewed and treasured by me as a work of art.  On some days, like yesterday, I may have the time to drag out all my paints and paint with the kids.  On other days, it may just be that I cook a beautiful meal, take a pretty photograph, or do a really good job on Em's pigtails.  The idea is that I create something that means something to ME.  Something that comes from me and is food for my creative soul.  Anyone with a creative bone in their body needs this, and I think they do best if they get it often.  But, in my opinion, it requires a way of thinking and an attitude that opens you up and broadens your sense of what ART and CREATING really is...what it means to YOU.  If it turns out that it brightens someone else's day...EXCELLENT!  But the one responsible for brightening my day is ME, no one else.  So, I challenge you to open your mind, get your hands dirty, make a move...any move...to CREATE.  Chances are, you're already doing it.  You just have to recognize it!


CREATE.


Have a great day!
Outside Lisa

Friday, January 21, 2011

Resolution THREE: Get Organized!

     I am a haphazard soul by nature.  Every part of my being yearns for structure, but it just does not come naturally for me.  I fundamentally loathe, but desperately need a routine.  I just always seem to buck the system.  Heck, I even buck my OWN system.  I am a person who sometimes actually forgets to put on deodorant.  Really.  Who does that?  Me!

     I seriously think I have ADD.  So, now what?  I am a self diagnosed attention deficit mother who used to have it sooooo together.  I remember a boss once telling me in my early twenties, "You really get it.  For a young person, you REALLY have it together."  Wow.  I feel so far from that right now and this problem I have with being scattered is starting to affect my friendships, my work, and my kids and I DO NOT like it.  Yes, I would love to take a pill and make the fog just disappear, and there probably is a pill out there that will do just that, but I have such a hard time with the idea of putting that kind of chemical in my body at this point in my life.  I am trying to get healthy and do what's right for my health by eating as close to the source as possible, so foreign substances just don't fit into my program!

So, I am going to make a HUGE effort to get it together. I have made myself a daily schedule and I set tons of alarms on my IPhone to help me stay on task.  I know this is so elementary for most of you, but it really is a big deal for me.  I am going to try to start my day earlier so I won't have to stress the kids out by being rushed to get ready for school.  How nice it would be to get to actually sit down and eat breakfast with them!

I'm going to use technology to assist me and not distract me.  I'm syncing my calendars, making it fun to check off all there is to do on the "to do" list, and walking around sounding like a fire house in a three alarm fire.  Thank you beloved IPhone!


I really think this will make 2011 a much happier, healthier, balanced, and more productive year.  That's what I'm going for anyway!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Resolution TWO: Eat Right for My Type

     One of my biggies for this year is I'm changing the way I eat.  Yes, I want and need to lose weight, but more than anything, I want to avoid getting the arthritis that plagues my family tree.  I have started feeling some pain in the thumb of my left hand and middle finger of my right hand, as well as in my elbows.  It's beginning...and I don't want it!  A few years ago I discovered Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's book Eat Right For Your Type.  It explains the correlation between food and blood chemistry.  He outlines individualized diets for each blood type and even suggests what kind of exercise best suits you.  The whole idea really makes sense to me and I know several people who have had amazing success with this program.  People are controlling and, in some cases, overcoming diseases like Lupus, Diabetes, Celiac, and Arthritis.  

     I have Type A blood, which means I have a hard time digesting most animal proteins, especially beef.  My body will supposedly function much better if I follow a diet consisting of mostly vegetables, fruits, and nuts.  I should avoid cow's milk and dairy, but I can drink goat's milk and eat goat cheese.  I should also avoid gluten.  These are just SOME examples of what I can and cannot eat.  

     Visit Dr. D'Adamo's website and find out for yourself what you should be consuming.  After all, you are what you eat, right?  If that were the case... tonight I'd be a homemade tortilla-pinto bean-venison chilli.  Obviously, I'm not that hard core yet, but I'm doing the best I can every day and definitely making better choices overall.  It just wouldn't be right to pass up a homemade tortilla, not in Texas, at least!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A Perfect Visit



     I had the joy of spending the evening with our sweet Dylan.  She came for a visit before she heads back to college this weekend.  We sat on the couch in front of the fireplace and watched a movie together.  We talked and laughed...just the two of us.  It was perfect. 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Resolution ONE: Support and Encourage

     Everybody needs support and encouragement to be their best.  Phone calls, emails, text messages...there is no excuse for any of us not to be on the giving AND receiving end of this DAILY.  Yes, we have kids, jobs, lives of our own to fill up our days, but if you are not surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to be your best (which sometimes comes in the form of a much needed, carefully stated verbal smack down) you are really missing out on one of the best things in life...FRIENDSHIP.


Remember:  To have friends, you have to be a friend.  I plan to put a little more time and effort into this in 2011.  Let's just see what happens!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

I'm Back!


     My five year old, Harrison, took these pictures of me sitting at my computer right after Thanksgiving.  At some point back in November, I decided my kids were seeing way too much of me sitting at my computer, so I basically took a little hiatus from blogging and dove into the holidays! I was so busy with work, kids, and Christmas, I had to take something off the "to do" list, so, like most moms, I cut out one of MY favorite things to settle into making some Holiday Magic!  I have missed writing, but I wouldn't have traded one minute of the extra time I spent with my family.  So here I am, feeling like I'm finally coming up for air and here we are in the new year...2011!!!

     I've spent a lot of time lately reflecting on 2010 and making plans for 2011 and I really look forward to sharing my thoughts here.  Happy New Year!

Note:  Yes, that is liquor in the background.  No, Santa isn't really standing on my shoulder!