Change is good.....

I've been making some changes lately. I think they are good. I've stopped drinking sugary juices, pop, booze, heavily processed foods (white cheddar cheez its... yikes!), and I've increased my intake of water basically 100%. (Half of the fridge is my roommate's... beer, lemonade etc) My main goal is to have things in my kitchen that are perishable and colorful! I've started to actually love all things fruits and veggies! My favorites so far are mangos and avocados... by far.

My body is happy.

After 14 days of drinking sassy water and going on a 'diet', I've lost 10 pounds! Change doesn't come easy. I started this adventure simply by adding a jug of sassy water to my diet everyday. Then my grandma recommended the benefits of keeping a food diary, which really has helped me learn to eat healthier and realize what I'm putting in my mouth! I finally heard about a web page that promotes healthy eating, and eating 'kind'. Ironically, the 'kind' diet is a program founded by superficial 90's movie 'Clueless' star Alicia Silverstone. Turns out, she's not at all like her movie counterpart, Cher. I joined the community and realized how nice it is to have a group of people trying to do the same thing.

CHANGES
1. Drink Sassy Water
2. Work Out 5 days/wk
3. Only eat perishable things
4. No more fancy coffees
5. Stop drinking booze
6. Weigh myself every morning
7. Only have MAX 15 g fat/meal
8. 1200 calories a day
9. Eat cabbage soup 1 day/week
10. Multivitamin everyday
11. Check in and document every Sunday
12. No more red meat and milk
13. Journal every calorie
14. Eat 1/2 my normal portions, especially at restaurants

I haven't gone completely vegetarian or vegan yet (I probably won't go vegan), but I'm cutting down on meets and dairy. (It's a slow process) I've switched from milk to soy milk, and instead of beef I'm opting for turkey or free range chicken. My body feels so much healthier and happier! Drinking the sassy water also seems to help my energy and reminds me every night when I'm preparing it that I'm also preparing to take better care of my body. Sometimes I need a little reminder!!! I've also started yoga and pilates at the rec center on campus, and yesterday I biked 5 miles! (my best yet!) I'll keep you up to date on my adventure with life, photography and and most healthy journey, food.

I hope my fellow bloggers don't mind my page's slow evolution from strictly photography to a visual life journal. Personally, I think that my photography has EVERYTHING to do with the rest of my life, and if I'm going to do a blog, they should come together.

ps.
Sold the Mazda this morning. It's nice to have one less worry!

"How much do you want for it?"
"Well... I was thinking about $1100..."
"I have $900. Cash. Right now."
"deal....."

I'm rich!
ha

Beautiful Creations

I don't usually write much on my blog, it's usually just photography. Lately though I have felt a strange urge to write in a diary, but for some strange reason I cannot seem to write my thoughts when I put a pen to paper. Changing seasons always seem to put me in a funky mood, spring more than any other time. The thunderstorms energize me, and the puddles from the storms always pull me in and I always get the bottom half of my pants wet. I feel this strange pull towards change, and I'm not sure if that's the earth begging the flowers and the grass to sprout and grow, or the fact that I've lived in a house for an entire year without moving. It's the end of the semester, and I have been reflecting on the year more than ever lately.



Things I loved about it-

1. The people I live with.
Every single person in my household is like a member of my family, I love them all so much and we all care about each other's lives. We are a bit dirty, but the mess always gets cleaned up. I just love the vibe I feel when I come home.

2. My photojournalism classes.
It is so nice to have classes that are work, but also outlets. I love my EPJ class and my Advanced Photojournalism class. The people in them and the teachers inspire me more every single day.

3. My sonicare toothbrush revolutionized my life, I love that thing.
Thanks Mom! It's just nice to wake up in the morning and not want to brush my teeth right away. (It's the little things in life)

4. My bedroom.
I created a space that is all mine. Lately with all the changes, I have been retreating to it more and more. It's nice to do homework on my bed when the beautiful warm spring sun is streaming in! It not only warms my body, but my heart as well.

5. The new friends I have made.
This year was made a thousand times better by the people that influence my life on a daily basis, you know who you are.

6. Things I found on the ground.
I have an entire little jar of things I have found while wandering around campus. There are many little ironic trinkets that make me smile. I don't walk with my head down looking for these things, I usually walk around staring at the sky and the trees and the people. When I find something it's purely by luck, and I like to think the object was calling out for me to find it and give it a good home.

Those are only a few reasons why I loved this school year.

love,
Chelsea