The Non-Drinkers Club

Last month I proposed a thirty day challenge of sorts.  No sugar and no alcohol for the entire month of January.  H was first on the bandwagon and then a few fine bloggers decided to join me on this crazy train. I wanted to see if eliminating sugar and drinking from my diet would improve my workouts, help me lose a few pounds and generally change the way I felt internally.  Essentially it was a month long cleanse.  H decided to go all balls to the wall insane though and throw in the "no fried food" thing too. 

Egads.

What started out easy peasy with me just desiring sugar and even dreaming of it became a nightmare.  I thought it would be hard to get rid of the alcohol, I mean what is bath time without wine?  I cook with wine so why not pour a glass during the process too?  Girls night without the cocktails?  For shame!  Yeah, well I got all good and knocked up so taking out the drinky drinky ended up being remarkably simple.  The sugar/ no fried food thing. Um. Not so much.

Seems the only thing this fetus and my disgustingly vomitous stomach wants these days is fried food and sugar.  I held out for two weeks.  Two miserable, literally gut-wrenching, stomach heaving, 24/7 nausea until one day I just said, "Screw it!" When I was pregnant with The Comedian the only thing that helped my morning sickness was grease.  A trip to McDonald's for a sausage biscuit was on point.  Then I would hit the gym and feel great for a few hours.  It worked this time too.  So did drinking Tang, sugar-laden iced tea mix and Coke.  Potato chips, french fries and pizza became my go-to foods.  My ass and thighs already regret this, but when it is the only thing you can keep down and count on to help you make it through the day so be it. 

So while I get a big ol' FAIL on this challenge, H survived, looks leaner because of it and has felt better too. I know I can do it, I've done it in the past.  I'll do it again later.  I'm sure once I pop this kid out I'll be Jillian's bitch again for quite some time.  There are more 5k's and 10k's in my future too.  For now, I have to be content in just incubating this new baby and accepting whatever it is that makes me feel better, even if it is in the form of four Awful, Awful's a day.

Confessions of a Cheater

I just might be a sloth.  My motivation and will to work out has completely left me.  While my butt aches from sitting on the couch so much, it is about all I can do most of the time these days.  Yes, my friends things have changed.  Do you hear the hoof beats of the horsemen of the Apocalypse too?  I just can't seem to get back on track.

I have not indulged in any alcohol at all this month, I am, along with others, 18 days into this No Sugar/Alcohol Thirty Day Challenge and I am confessing to cheating on the sugar front.  Not even cheating, just downright diving in.  I had a Frosty last night from Wendy's while I watched the Golden Globes.  A delicious, smooth, creamy, frozen cup of bliss.  I needed it. OK?! Just leave me and my cold, tempting treat alone.  We love each other!  Before the Frosty there was Coke.  I don't even drink soda but lately it is like sipping heaven.  It soothes me so.  There was also an incident involving some maple syrup as well.  Kicking the sugar at this point in my life has proved harder than I originally thought.  On New Year's Eve when H and I made the proclamation I figured I would feel cleansed and powerful at this point. I would feel trim and strong.  In fact, I feel tired, soft and of the five-toed sloth variety.  I am not a good example right now.  Not. At. All. 

H, on the other hand, is a good example. The man gave up fried foods and processed foods as well as the sugar and alcohol.  He stuck with it too until this past Sunday when my need to get us out of the house propelled us into a local eatery and he succumbed to a chicken parm sandwich, a coke and fries.  For shame!  Not really. His skin is glowing!  He looks fit, healthy and svelte.  Eliminating all that sugar and fat from his diet has proved difficult but not unrealistic. 

Me though?  You should just kick me off your happy, skinny, hard-working motivational team. OK, not really. I did create this whole challenge and I plan to get back on it.  My emotional eating must be controlled and I promise to do better for the remainder of the month. 

My Goody Drawer

I keep things hidden away in my nightstand. Things that no one in my house can have but me. In pretty wrappings, sometimes shiny and glistening, they beckon to me as they sit and wait until just the right moment when I open the draw and pull one out just for my pleasure.


It's candy. I keep loads of candy in my nightstand. Ever since Claudia from the Baby Sitter's club gave me the clever idea of hiding junk food in my room I have done just that. I am like an old lady hoarding money under my mattress. Except in my case, it is probably a box of Good 'n Plenty.

Wispa bars. Cadbury eggs. Chocolate bars loaded with crunchy bits of toffee. Dark chocolate bite-sized nuggets. Sometimes gum, but that is too boring.

Now that I have embarked on this 'no sugar for a month' insanity, my "goody drawer" is off-limits. All those luscious, creamy, sugar-packed morsels will have to wait until February, one of the most delightful months of the year. When I can come off this crazy-train of zero sugar and embrace my inner candy whore by delving into heart-shaped boxes of chocolate filled with marshmallow goo.
Bliss:  Thy name is Fluff.

 

2010- No More Excuses

I never watch 'The Biggest Loser'.  OK, maybe sometimes I catch a weigh in or two, but I don't know the players, their stories or their fight to lose the weight while at the ranch.  Since there was absolutely nothing else on TV last night and I felt ridiculously tired, I lay there like a sacraficial lamb and allowed the show's newest season to unfold before my eyes.

And I cried.  I gasped.  My hand flew to my mouth as I watched these people struggle and I laughed as they endured the wrath of Jillian, who climbs atop treadmills to yell in your face like a tiny, wronged monkey.  At least she didn't tell them to gargle their hearts. Yet. 

It was then that I realized I was at the closing of my fifth day of self-imposed 'no sugar/no alcohol' month.  Oh.  Right. Month.  When I write it that way.... WILL.NOT.FEEL.FUTILE!

After dreaming of sugar it actually hasn't been as hard as I thought.  I resisted the birthday cake this past weekend.  I stopped putting sugar in my tea and I've eaten a bit more fruit than normal but even after a day or two of that it has stopped.  I've stopped thinking about it too.  Having fajitas last night with no beer was sad but we survived.  Tomorrow's girls night will be an even bigger test.

H, on the other hand, wanted to curse me to all eternity. His Facebook status proves it-

"Why the hell did I agree to cut out all alcohol, fried food, and processed sugar for the month of January? I think I’m going to start smoking again just to get through this. Thanks Vicky, no really, thanks Vicky."

Well, at least we are in good company.  It is January after all and people are trying to make lasting changes in their lives.  It's hard but worth it.  You can do it and it helps when you have others on the journey with you.  If someone offers to help you reach your goal, whatever it is, then you should seriously consider their offer. No matter how tired you feel, 2010 is the year of 'No More Excuses!'

And that's my two cents. 

I'm Done Being Sugar's Bitch

I dreamed of sugar last night.

Of cookies, cakes and frosting. 

There I was in the aisle at the grocery store looking for bread and all I could see was already opened packages of Oreos begging for me to take one.  No one would know...

Yellow cake, lovingly rolled and slathered with fluffy white frosting.  Cinnamon buns, hot, gooey and sweet. My mouth watered as my hand reached out to take just a tiny taste.  Just one bite of heaven on my tongue...

Suddenly, H appeared like an apparition and bellowed, "I thought you were getting bread!" I jumped, afraid I was found out.  "Curses! Foiled again!" I muttered under my breath.  Breath that contained no trace or morsel of sweet, sweet goodness.

Last week, for no particular reason, I got the brilliant idea that for the month of January I would cut out all alcohol and processed sugar.  I asked H to join me on this bandwagon and I even tweeted about it. Days later he added in no fast food or fried food to the list.  The exception would be if a clamcake crossed our paths. 

I did this once before back in October 2007.  I worked out five days a week for five weeks and eliminated processed foods, fried foods and sugar from my diet.  My post-TD body was back!  I felt like a new woman.  I felt fast, clean and like an efficient little energizer type animal.  That bunny is pink and trademarked so it won't be used here.  I want that feeling again.  I want it bad.  So do others apparently. 

You don't have to be in or out on this one.  You just have to put up with me waxing and waning about sugar for the next thirty days.  And beer.  Oh! And vodka.  Mm...delicious chilled vodka.  Bloody Mary's so tasty with pepper.  Mmmm....

Can you handle all that?

The Thirty Day Challenge Finis

As quickly as it started the Thirty Day-use-less-waste-less-Challenge is over. During that time not only did I try to buy less, consume less and waste less I found that I had a whole lot more in my house than I ever realized.

There I was using vinegar to clean my mirrors and I had three bottles of different types of glass cleaner sitting under sinks in my house. Madness, I tell you, madness! Not to mention the two bottles of toilet cleaner, four bottles of all-purpose spray, three kitchen cleaners and three shower/tub and tile cleansers. Seriously, folks- how does this happen?!?

Then there were the beauty regime products. You would think I had a silo somewhere on my property with all the scrubs, lotions, potions, serums and more lurking in my bathrooms. TD had three types of detangler sitting in her room alone. Is this necessary? Does it make sense?

No. No, it does not.

I realize that most of this stuff is sent to me to review and once I've tested it out for a while it gets put away so I can review another fantabulous or craptastic product. However, I also never throw the dregs away and that creates clutter. This challenge made me take stock and inventory of what was has been cluttering up my home and realize that I not only had some cleaning to do but recycling! That became another goal as I launched this project. If the container could be recycled it was going to be. No more throwing plastic in the bathroom trash if it could go in the green bin downstairs. I created a little space for all those bottles and jars and once a week it all went into the recycling bin. Just making that tiny change made me feel better.

While I have made my way through quite a bit of sample packets, bottles, facial cleansers, body lotions, serums, hair products and more there is still loads to do. This challenge has reached other places of our home too. I have begun purging closets and drawers as well. Each place contains items long forgotten and a bit bizarre. A book holder in my underwear draw? Lotion keeping space with my shoes? Why? I seem to just toss stuff wherever at times and it makes no sense. If anything this challenge has made me slightly more organized and cognizant of what is coming into and going out of our home. No more sunblock with the toothpaste either.

I'm going to keep this up and only buy what is necessary. It was hard sometimes when I would see a new lip gloss I wanted or a deliciously scented candle while three languished unused on a table or a nail polish just begging to lacquer my nails, but I think that saving money and creating less clutter and more open space is far more satisfying than a cabinet full of half-used bath salts and eye creams.

For the final rundown of products used and tossed in the last thirty days visit here.

Did anyone join me on this quest or purge themselves. If so, then share your ideas and experiences by commenting. I would love to hear what you all do in your home. Or what dirty secrets are living under your bathroom and kitchen sinks...

The New Thirty Day Challenge- Winner!!

After much deliberating I have chosen a winner for 'The New Thirty Day Challenge'. It wasn't easy either. You people are a creative and funny lot, expletives and all. I am happy to hear that this has inspired some of you to jump on the wagon with me too. With that being said, here is the winning entry-

Jacqueline from Atlanta wrote:
About two months ago I made a little sign for my desk.
It says:Use it up.Don't replace it.Keep it neat.First things first.
The use it up referred to my tendency to stockpile stuff, like your beauty products. If it's a really good sale (can you say, "Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Clearance Sale?) I buy three!The don't replace it referred to not stockpiling junk anymore.Keep it neat was mainly for my desk.First things first means to do the important things in the day right off the bat and do the one chore you are dreading the most first and get it out of the way so you can enjoy the rest of the day.First things first also refers to long term planning, such as putting aside money for retirement or kids' college before buying doodles.Which is all a long-winded way of saying, "I feel your pain." (read that in a half-choked voice)Call it:SA: Shopaholics Anonymous - 30 Days on the Wagon that Isn't Headed to the Mall.

Congratulations Jacqueline!!! Email me (veamason AT gmail DOT com) soon so I can get in touch with you!! You'll be receiving the surprise pack of products shortly. It will be mailed before I leave for BlogHer on Thursday, I swear!

You can read more about the SA- The 30 day challenge over at this site too- I'm updating it frequently with my progress and hope you'll join me in climbing on the wagon that isn't going to the mall. Easier said than done, I know.

A new review of Hanes Kidswear is going up today at MPR. Check it out- I'm giving away a whole outfit, plus more free stuff to one lucky winner.

Come on in! The waters great!

So, um... we all know that kids who are potty training can fall in the toilet right?

And I pretty much thought that H was trained to leave the seat down and all...

Then I got home, from a rather late girls night excursion and do I need to say anymore?

My "electric white ass" as H calls it, fell right in. If the bathroom counter did not exist in such close approximation to the toilet I'm not sure I would have ever found my way out.



Head over to MPR today. I'm featuring Flaky Friends by Sarah from Hollywood Flakes. If anything you need to see the stuffed rabbit with the hook for a hand. She's offering 20% off for all TMC and MPR readers and an additional $5 off until the end of the July. Hurry! They go fast!


Keep those contest entries coming in for the Thirty Day Challenge- you have until Sunday! I've done an update on my progress here.

The New Thirty Day Challenge

As you all know, H was laid off last month and I the lowly, if ever paid writer am feeling the pinch. Every time I consider buying something I am consumed with guilt. But hey, at least our pantry isn't so full of crap anymore and I only bought one pack of cookies for my pregnant belly to consume this week. Less consuming has become even more of a theme in our house these days.

All that being said I've decided to institute a thirty day challenge upon myself. Being the product junkie that I am, I have a hard time resisting organic, green or other earth friendly products at the new Wegmans nearby or even Drugstore.com. I'm just silly for clickable nail polish, aromatherapy candles, body lotions of all degrees and hair removing products. It is a disease people. An addiction. Neiman Marcus holds their bi-annual beauty events for me alone. Then you add in the fact that under every sink in my house there is a wealth of products half-used or barely opened I really do not need to shop.

So here it is- For the next thirty days I will not buy anything. I will make use of what I have. This will be particularly hard when I have to travel to BlogHer next week and won't get to buy any tiny toiletries for my bag, but it should be worth it for a couple of reasons.

1. Less buying and consuming equals less waste.

2. I'll finally be wading through the four million deodorants, numerous bottles of sunblock, body lotion, facial cleanser and shampoo I have lurking in my bathroom. Come to think of it thirty days might not be enough time!

3. It will help us save money. I'm even instituting the rule on T.D. who has so much detangler in the house and baby lotion that I'm quite sure I'm good for even Dash Two.

There it is- for the next thirty days this product whore will rely only on what she has. No new stuff unless it is free stuff for a review. You think I am kidding, but you have no idea how much I love trolling the Internet, local Tarzhay or CVS for undiscovered products. I am like the Christopher Columbus of product scouting. PR agents and companies have only scratched the surface of my avarice and greed.

Heaven help us all when the four million deodorant nubs all run out.


If you want to help me name this Thirty Day Challenge I'll be willing to part with a surprise box of products - just comment here and leave me a way to get in touch with you if you are the winnah! Deadline is Sunday, July 13.