Who's With Me? Curing #NOtivation

*WARNING*
We only have 18 days until we have to don bikinis for the 4th of July!

I know you are going to call me a flip flopper for saying that I don't like cleanses...buuuuut...that was before I realized that I have fifteen days until I shoot for a calendar. Oh, and I have been eating ice cream, pizza, and burgers. What was I thinking?

I had heard of Advocare through Nikki {whom I trust a lot}, but didn't give much thought to the Cleanse and talked smack about cleanses. However, I recently read more info about them and found that there are healthy versions and this one happens to be one of them.
I like it because it makes sense. Your body needs fiber, your body needs Probiotics, your body needs raw/unprocessed foods, and sometimes we just need the inspiration to commit to something and the moral support to stick to it! For 10 days and only $31.50, we can all lose up to 10 POUNDS. Can I get a "HECK YEAH!"?



Here are success stories from your fellow bloggers
{Cuz you know we all need proof}

Skinny Meg  ||  Life In Bloom  || Mama Laughlin

I actually saw that Raven was doing it but I knew that I couldn't make the June 24th link up date. Luckily, Sarah came to the rescue and is giving us our own date! If you order in the next couple days {by the 17th or so}, we can start before the 24th and all link up on July 3rd. I knew that was the PERFECT time for the cleanse, because then we will all look great in our bikinis for the 4th festivities!

#1 Order your bikini prep, I mean Cleanse. I hear the Peaches and Cream is the only way to go, and that Spark is the best way to amp up results.
#2 Tell me you are in and join the Facebook page.
#3 Claim your spot on my sidebar!
I have decided that anyone who decides to support me by joining in, will get to be on my sidebar for FREE!  Just make sure you order your product by the 18th to qualify.
#3 Get your prep on, so that the process is smooth as possible. For example, I have made a checklist/meal planning guide that I will be happy to send to everyone as soon as you've ordered, and there is an even more fabulous set of guidelines under the "Files tab" that just got uploaded to the Facebook group via Sarah.

I have been keeping a food journal for the last week and that has already helped get me back on track. I just read that it's good to prepare for a cleanse by eating healthy so that it's not a complete shock to your system, and luckily that's what I've been doing. I think I've already gotten past the cranky, headachy, blah phase, so now I'm ready to dive in! Did you know that the cranky/blah phase is a good thing? I thought that it meant my body was missing something, but it actually means that it's ridding itself of the toxins coming out. I definitely didn't mind the bad when I knew it was a good sign.

But if that's not enough inspiration, then you need to check out Curing #NOtivation with Mal Smiles, The Pink Growl, and Life: Oceanside. For the simple fact that we all do better with inspiration/motivation, this is a GREAT idea.

Advocare Tools

Cleanse Checklist  ||  Instructions and Guidelines  ||  Recipes

<div align="center"> <a href="http://perceptioniseverything.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Perception Is Everything" src="http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg592/PerceptionIsEverything/PIE4/Advocare10Button_zps69aa59cc.jpg"/></a></div>

Don't make anymore excuses. It's time to make the choice to be healthy, and no one can make that but you. I have faith in you!

This post was co-written by the hubby and this cleanse has his approval. Duh.

Thankful For Zit Fighters and Firefighters

Raise your hand if you know what this is:

Source: amazon.com via Janna on Pinterest

If you aren't raising your hand then you better RUN to get one.

It will change yo' life.

I actually had a cystic zit this week, but that is NOT the type that you use comedone extractor for. I used a little extra Benzoyle Peroxide, tried OTC Cortisone, and even drank a Tumeric cocktail {Tumeric, hot water, honey}. I don't know which one of these worked, but the sucker was gone in two days! Thank goodness for the internet and articles like this one: Get Rid Of A Huge Pimple. 

That counts as a high and low for the week, so now I'll break down the rest.

Highlights:

+ I saw this guy on Wednesday that had the tags still on his jersey. You know the whole, "I paid so much for this jersey that I'm going to flaunt the price tag" thing? That doesn't fly with me, so I just happened to mention, "I thought you would want to know, the tags are still on your shirt", and he ripped them right off! I have also been known to tell people that their pants are "falling off" when I see them sagging them, and I play completely dumb about it which makes it EXTRA funny.

+Girls night for a friend's going away:

+ I finally got to run again, and I even went to get fitted for shoes. I thought it sounded silly, but now I think I will feel mucho better with the new shoes. No I did not buy any with pink on them, but yes, I did wear a dress to the running store. It is just too hot to wear anything but a dress these days.

Unfortunately, there were also lows this week:

+ This month is full of Field Training for Will, so he was playing soldier ALL week. We can still talk on the phone, but I hate losing time with him for silly stuff like this that he gets stuck doing. This training is pretty much a joke, and he only got sent because he's an Expert Shooter, which just proves that sometimes it does not pay to be a "top dog".

+  We have a fire blazing just North of us that is already worse than last year's Waldo Canyon Fire.

I'm not going to go into how devastating it is, because we all know how destructive fires can be, but I just hope that everyone is keeping the people of Blackforest in their thoughts. Over 365 homes have already been lost and there is no end in sight. We just can't believe that it's happening all over again, and all we can do is put our faith in the firefighters, police force, and military that are fighting the raging giant.  Amen.

I am thankful that a few hours of work stand between me and a relaxing weekend with my hubby, so let's get it over with. Everyone have a great time celebrating Father's Day!

I'll leave you with a picture of the best daddy in the WHOLE wide world.
At least in my eyes ;)



Love you, Daddy!

I Ran For Lauren

Other than a 5K I did with my mom when I was five, I have never actually run a race. I'm either in a lazy stage or don't know when they are {Ahem Megan, you should have told me about the one at Garden of the Gods}, but this time... I was all in!

Kristine came up with a genius idea where we run a 5K on our own time and using our own devices and then link up our recap. It was such an inventive idea that I just has to play along. Not too mention the fact that I simply adore her ;)

I still haven't gotten back to running yet, so I knew that I was just going to have to dominate the AMT Machine.

I don't know if it was the excitement or the Spark energy drink that Sarah sent me, but I had the best time and mileage that I have achieved since starting this machine. I know that the Slam energy shot got me through a looong day at work, so I would assume that Spark worked it's magic here too.

I dedicate my run to Lauren, and I think this also made me push myself a little harder. I run hard because I am blessed to still have the chance to run. I love you Lolo!

Have you tried Advocare? A TON of Bloggers are participating in the 10 Day Cleanse with Raven and Sarah, So I'm thinking that tons of people are jumping on the Advocare bandwagon. Are you getting your healthy on?

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If you have a spare moment, feel free to hop on over to the Hersheypark Happiness Photo Contest. Two of my favorite nuggets are pictured with their parents in the fifth picture down. Colby and Cam are by far the cutest kids, so they are easy to find. PS. BOTH of their parents are police officers in Florida, so that should get them a sympathy vote too.

I Have Hope For Future Generations.

Glow Golf?...I thought, "What the heck is that?"

First of all, when I agreed to go I didn't realize that it wouldn't start until 9pm due to the long days we have at 6,000 feet. My first thought was that I am normally in bed at that time on a Friday. Sheesh. We even had to leave the house right after dinner because we knew we would end up backing out. We walked around Sportsman's Warehouse,  got some Starbucks, and then it was time to partay!

Lezjustsay, there was more than Caramel Latte in that cup. In case you are wondering, Smirnoff Caramel Vodka is bomb.com in this type of situation. Not only was it delish, it also warmed me up for the cold night air. We made some new friends, had some great laughs, and definitely want to try this again.

Saturday, was a BBQ at our friend, Anthony's.

Where his daughter put on an AMAZING magic show. I was blown away that she watched that new movie Now You See Me, and the very next day she put together a legit magic show. I'm talking a 30 minute routine with audience participation and all. Totally gives me hope for the future generations.

And Sunday, I did my "run" for the Virtual 5K. The link up is Tuesday, so feel free to get in on the action! You can run, bike, jump on the Elliptical, or even walk. All that matters is that you have some fun, get the miles in, and link up with us all. Yeeeaaah boy.

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One more thing that might be a bit heavy for a Monday...Let me tell you a little story.

There once was a youth program at Cokesbury United Methodist Church that was the hangout for the Middle and High Schoolers of the best church in town {Hey, I'm partial}. Through fellowship and fun, the group grew a strong bond and supported each other through thick and thin. Eventually, they all grew to be doctors, scientists, teachers, Hooters girls {okay, so maybe that doesn't count, but it's the truth}, and one was even called on by God to continue with the Ministry she was filled with. It was as natural as could be with her sweet nature and obvious that it was meant to be. She even had articles written about her because her story speaks to people.

Unfortunately, not everyone can know Mary Ann personally, so judgement has fallen upon her shoulders. Instead of giving her a chance to inspire, motivate, teach, and share her love, they are denying her candidacy to be Ordained and not even giving her consideration. Doesn't sound very Christian like to me...As such, I have answered the call to action, and this is what I emailed the Bishop:

Dear Bishop Dorff,

I was raised in the Methodist church with Mary Ann Kaiser, and I have always been inspired by her spirituality and devotion to helping others. I was not surprised at all when she followed the path of becoming ordained, because it was obvious that she was answering the call of a higher power. It was such a natural decision, that it has stunned us all to find that The Board of Ordained Ministry has rejected her as a candidate. 

We ask you to reevaluate the root of this decision, as it is against the love and justice that Christianity stands for. "This is a case of grace interrupted; we are creating barriers between a person’s call and God. Even Wesley understood that proof of God’s call is found in visible fruits of ministry and believed none who produced such fruit should be barred from ordination." If nothing else...ask yourself if you want to be the one standing in the way of one of God's children or the one exalting a vessel of his love and teachings. She deserves that much.

I hope that you truly reflect on this, and find the spirit of true fellowship and Christianity.

Sincerely,

Janna Renee

Perception Is Everything

http://perceptioniseverything.blogspot.com/

I am sorry that I am not sorry if this story offends anyone. If you take offense it is your own fault, as I am promoting love and equality and nothing else. I hope that you all know that I NEVER judge any of you and try to support everyone in any way I can. I have never been able to stand by and watch someone hurt or helpless, and I'm not about to start now. Mary Ann can run circles around 99% of the people I know with her huge heart, selflessness, and spirituality, and we can only hope that she will be allowed to spread that to our future generations.

If you would like to email the Bishop find more information here. If not, I hope you at least take this to heart and send some positive thoughts and prayers. You would want the same if you put yourself in her situation.

Mary Ann...We got your back!!