Declutter the mind

Enjoy quiet time daily, and list your thoughts.

Well, I started the declutter project in June and by July I had stopped.  Then I started again in August, and before I knew it -  I had stopped again.  September and October passed with no focus, and now it is mid-November!  I have been so proud of myself with weight loss and dieting, so I couldn't figure out why this area was so hard to master.  It is funny, since I was such a neat person growing up.

I had given myself motivation. I promised myself that I would decorate the space really cute.  However, I could not seem to stay motivated.  One of the tips in my initial blog about this subject was, "If this step is hard, then spend some more time working on your feelings."  So, step one should have been to declutter the mind!  I am learning that just like cleaning the home, clearing the mind should be a daily task. Wow, I had an aha moment.

One of the things that I did this summer that was really helpful, was to spend 15 minutes being quiet as soon as I woke up.  I would go outside and enjoy the clouds passing.  However with the Fall season, my mornings were busier.  Between getting ready and running the kid(s) to school, sometimes I didn't have 15 minutes.

To master the clearing of the mind step this week, I decided to play spa-like music (Pandora artist station - "Zen Garden").  After the first day, I felt a little calmer but I was also very angry.  I could not explain why I was so angry - no PMS!   The second day, I began the music and I started to cry.  I cried for a few minutes. 

Before this music journey, I thought that I was okay.  Then, I started writing down all the things that were irritating me.  After releasing all my thoughts I actually felt better.  I know that they would not be instantly fixed, but I literally felt like a weight was lifted.  Thankful for my faith, and believing that "trouble don't last always."  I was thanking God each day, but I wasn't listening each day.  I was too busy, just running in circles.

So for the next 28 days (December 8th), I am going to start my day with 15 minutes of quiet time.  I will include a note pad to jot down my thoughts.  I will put decluttering the space on hold for now, as I master step one.  

Thanks,
Fanuppa
www.fanuppasoaps.com

Straighten Natural Hair

I know it has been a moment since I talked about natural hair.  I am still enjoying the journey.  For the past few months, I have been enjoying my twist outs which required no heat.  However this past week, I decided to straighten my hair so that I could see how long it had grown.  It is hard to really tell the length with the twist out.  This also gave me an opportunity to trim my ends. 

Since the temperature has dropped it is easier to wear it straight.  However, my twist out is even easier and limits the chance of heat damage.  With that in mind, I will probably rotate and wear it straight 1-2 weeks of the month during these cooler months. 

The biggest challenge with wearing it straight is finding an oil that will blocks the moisture in the air.  First step is to moisturize with a water and oil based product, then adding an all oil based product on top.  Since I am sensitive to most oils, what I have found that works for me is rice bran oil combined with just a little beeswax.  If you are not sensitive then you may enjoy coconut, argan, and many other natural oils.

Don't forget I offer hair products on my website that are great for those that have sensitive skin, or just want some all-natural options.  Chat with you soon.

Thanks,
Fanuppa


UPDATE:  Thought I would share some growth.  Originally posted Nov 10, 2014 and now Oct 27, 2015.  So almost a year later.  Looks like possibly 3 inches longer in some areas.  Wish it would grow the same all over!  Oh well, still thankful for the growth :)

Chocolate - Halloween hangover!

Candy wrapper

Halloween candy can really blow a diet!  I have been on a chocolate binge since Friday.  So for 6 days my body has been really enjoying chocolate.  Thankful that I have never had an issue with smoking, alcohol or drugs, but chocolate must be a similar addiction.  I hide it in my desk and drawers at work, at home, and in my purse!  I love the smell of it, the texture, and definitely the flavor.  I like milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and even with nuts that I shouldn't eat like almonds.  Yes, I have it bad.  Some people may keep an aspirin handy for emergency.  I keep chocolate.

It brought back memories of when my dad passed. I went to the store and basically bought about 10 bags of chocolate.  My mom was looking at me like I was crazy, but I knew it was the only way that I could calm down.  Yesterday, I looked at myself like I was crazy.  I knew it was a combination of hormones, stress, and just the fact that I haven't really had chocolate lately.  I missed it! 

However when you open a bad door, it is so hard to close it.  I know that I need to close the door to chocolate world.  Chocolate world had no boundaries.  We all hate boundaries, but they are there for a reason. I know that I will open the door again, but for now I must close it.  I must say good bye to the caffeine that is not good for my body.  I must say good bye to the sugar and extra calories that are causing my scale to slowly creep upward.  I must say good bye to the pain that it causes to my sensitive gums and teeth. I must say good bye to other things it makes me crave like cheese.

So as of this moment, I am closing the door.  I am opening back the door to a more positive and in control person.  I am saying hello to the female wise owl in the picture (on the wrapper) that I never had time to notice (too busy opening the wrapper and throwing it away).  The real gift is the ability to say, no.  I can do this.  I love chocolate, but I love reaching my goal even more. 

Hope my pep talk to myself helps someone else too. 

Thanks,
Fanuppa

Good All-Purpose Cleaner

I just wanted to share a quick all-purpose homemade cleaner that you can quickly make.  It calls for just two ingredients:

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:

• Dawn dishwashing liquid
• Vinegar

Pour equal portions of Dawn dishwashing liquid and vinegar in a spray bottle. 

I found all 3 of these items at Dollar Tree!  It just melts dirt away.  Let it soak for about 20 minutes for really dirty spots.  It works great on cleaning glass, shower, stove top, counters ...  It is not soapy surprisingly.  It just cuts the grease and dirt.  The great thing for me is no breathing problems from cleaning. 

I recently joined some online liquid soap groups so I can learn how to make my own liquid soap.  My next step is to try this with some bar soap that has been diluted with water.  I haven't tried it with other brands, but update me if you do.  Have fun cleaning.

Thanks,
Fanuppa Soaps

Reaching my halfway point of goal weight!

     This past weekend, I celebrated as I finally reached the halfway point to my goal weight.  It has been a tough journey, and definitely taking longer than I thought.  However, I am developing some good habits that hopefully I will keep for life.  My goal is to drop a total of 30 pounds.  So to finally drop 15 pounds is really exciting.  I must start working on my upper arms more! 
     For the past few days, I have focused on cutting out sauces and salad dressings that add extra calories.  I also will continue to find weekend events that require walking.  I am still following the Fast Metabolism diet about 90% of the time!  I have started to burn out on eating oatmeal for breakfast, so once a week I have a bowl of cold cereal with rice milk.  Phase 2 - high protein days are still tough, and I noticed that I haven't been eating the right vegetables on those days. 
     So I will continue to look back at the book, to make sure that I am following the plan.  I am also excited to have found some buddies to share diet ideas with.
Thanks,
Fanuppa 

Grocery List - Part 1

Here is my list of what I eat based on my food intolerance, and trying to stick to the Fast Metabolism diet.  I am making a list so that I can have a guide for grocery shopping.  Also to share what works for my food intolerances (salicylates, sulfites, tree-nuts, slight lactose intolerance, ...).  However, if I rotate what I eat this seems to work.  Part 2 of the list will focus on which stores and budgeting. I tested lots of foods and brands in the beginning, so it became expensive.  However I now know what works, and have a pretty good variety. (Note: Cheese is splurging/extra flavor, so I just sprinkle a little on top.  Also some fruits and vegetables work for my salicylate intolerance level, but may not work for others. I also rotate and use just a little of some foods.)

Follow me on TwoGrand (fanuppa), to see how I have turned this list into some great menus for breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner over the past three months.  TwoGrand has been a great app for me to track what I eat.  I just snap a picture, make notes, and it is saved online and not to my phone.  Now I can thumb through the history, and see what worked and didn't.  It also helps me to plan meals.

Thanks for spending 5 minutes with me.
-Fanuppa

Pizza with no carbs/gluten-free!

Delicious guilt free pizza!

I just completed 3 months on the diet!  I use cauliflower now regularly in my diet.  Six months ago, you probably could not get me to eat it.  This journey has opened my eyes to appreciate it, asparagus, and many other vegetables.  Cauliflower is a hidden jewel of vegetables, because it can be transformed and imitate many other foods that I have to limit. Checkout this link for more inspiration.  Cauliflower is perfect for my diet, and for my food intolerance (low salicylate).  I was amazed that it can be used like flour, and it is gluten free.

Today, I am sharing a recipe for pizza.  I usually make this during phase 2 of my diet, when I can only can have protein and vegetables.  It feels more like a treat, than cutting back. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 head of fresh cauliflower florets
• 3 TBS egg whites (used type in carton)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp parsley
• 1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese
• parchment paper
• pizza sauce, mozzarella, and other toppings of choice.  (Note: I placed a large fresh tomato in juicer, and kept the pulp for my sauce.  This allows me to control the variety of tomato used, preservatives, and the seasonings that may be irritating for my food intolerance).

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Add cauliflower florets to juicer
• Discard juice, and keep the pulp

Juice (discard) & pulp

dough- shaped but uncooked

• Measure 2 cups of cauliflower pulp
• Place the cauliflower pulp, egg whites, salt, parsley, and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl and mix well
• Cover baking pan with parchment paper
• Place cauliflower mixture onto the parchment paper and shape the dough into round or rectangular pizza crust(s) (see picture)

• Bake the dough for 10 - 15 minutes, until lightly brown in spots (no longer wet to the touch - see picture)
• Remove from the oven and top with your favorites (I used turkey bacon, kale, onion, bell peppers, and mozzarella cheese- pictured at top)  Note:  It is a sturdy but soft crust, so I left it on the parchment paper through the whole process.

crust after baking

• Return to oven and bake for 5-7 minutes to melt the cheese and steam other toppings

This is a labor of love!  It took me about an hour.  So I suggest making a big batch and freezing several personal size crusts.

Enjoy,
Fanuppa

Update: Originally posted 10/5/15. Later found that cauliflower is not a Fast Metabolism Diet - Phase 2 vegetable. Only should eat in Phase 3.