River rocks...my DIY tile job (recommend to everyone)

After we replaced the carpet on my main floor with bamboo hardwood we needed to tile the entry ways. Well I waited and I waited for my wonderful husband to do that and after two weeks I took to google to find out how to instal the tiles myself.

The great thing about the tile I use was that they were rocks and came in all sizes so I didn't have to cut...woohoo no scary wet tile saw. 

First things first was a trip with my trusty sidekick to my local home improvement store...my little black pug, Ezmee.

The options were slim at my local store, black or beige for the rock tiles but that was ok with me because I wanted something warm like the tone of the floor. After purchasing the tiles and matching the grout I also bought a sealer (make sure it's the right sealer for you tiles), grout bag (oversized piping bag), mortar and a v-notch trowel. 

So there I was, all set with the items I had decided I needed from watching YouTube videos and my Googled instructions. I set right to work. 

Step 1: lay out the tiles on you floor. (Hot tip, don't take them off the mesh that they come on.) When you reach the edges of your section use scissors or an exactoknife to cut away unneeded stones. If you find yourself in an area that just doesn't look right you can swap out stones. For example in a corner one stone might be to big but it would also leave too big of a gap if you left it empty, cut out the big stone and on another "tile" or grouping of stones cut out a smaller stone and insert it. Super easy, super simple!

Step 2: Seal your stones. Go to the store and read the different products. Make sure to get one for you specific type of tiles. Follow directions and when dry move on to step 3.

Step 3: Instaling the tiles. Lay your tiles back out on your floor so you know where they are going, then remove a small are of the tiles. In that area you're going to spread a thin layer of mortar with the flat side of your trowel then remove some of it using the v-side. Now press in your tiles. I used my grout float to push the tiles into the mortar at an even height but you could use an old book or anything you have that is flat. Your hand will create hills and valleys as your hand is not flat. 

Continue on till your floor is complete. (Hot tip, overlap your float on previous sections and new sections to keep consistency between areas.)

Now all your tiles are installed so we wait....and we wait. Follow your mortar directions to find out how long to let them dry before applying grout.  

Step  4: The grout. This part is not the most fun but it is quite rewarding, and very time consuming. Mix your grout to package directions and be prepared, you will need WAY more grout then you would assume you would need. Fill your grout bad with grout and like icing a cake, pip it into all the holes. Work in small sections as to not let the grout dry before removing the excess. I worked in about 2x3 sections. After all holes are filled and filled good (even under the stones) use a damp sponge to remove excess. When my doorway was done I got fresh water and gave it all a very good cleaning, let that dry and did it again.

Now the whole area is completed we have to let that dry and if you live in a very dry climate or it's the middle of summer you need to be careful not to let the grout dry too quickly or it will be more likes to crack. On other blogs and websites I saw recommendations for hourly sprays with a water bottle and tapering off as time went on. 

The Fifth and final step other then enjoying your floor is: sealing the grout. You probably need a different sealer then you used on the stones for this but read the labels and follow directions!

Like I previously mentioned it was a very time consuming job but I am very proud to say I did it!

Happy homemaking

Juice continued...

Wow, the longest 5 days of my life are over...I did it with no cheats, that part wasn't the hardest. It was the time. I highly recommend that if you are going to do a juice cleans get a juicer. Since mine broke I decided to just blend and strain which ate up hours of my day!

Truthfully I felt no affects of the cleans, I didn't sleep better or have more energy, but maybe if I had gotten further off course I would have. I did however loose 4lbs which put me back into my comfortable ( but high) range. 

Two big questions I got while on the cleans...where are you getting your protein and isn't that a waste with all the pulp going in the trash? Well the answer to number to is NO, and in posts to follow I'll show you how I am using the pulps but this post is about question1. 

Where are you getting your protein? 

While I like to think of myself as some what educated on nutrition I am not a nutritionist so I took to googled. Take these pictures as you will just know that I am not certifying that the information is correct I just found them helpful!

This one is one of my favourite resources when making salads because it gives options other than meat as a protein sources. I also love that it has the recommended daily allowance because I think often times we forget that we don't need mass amounts of protein for the average human being. As per the information on these images 1 cup (8oz) of Hemp Seeds has almost all the protein that a woman needs in a day...food for thought isn't it?

Started a juice cleans...Juicer broke!

I weighed myself and I hit a number I NEVER wanted to see, so after a few days I thought its time to get real! My little of this and little of that approach was not working so I had basically thrown in the towel and ate whatever I wanted for the past couple of months....so now I had hit my "wake up" number! 

What now, where do I go from here? 

I am a certified Personal Trainer and I am not happy with my weight! I am 'too busy' to work out (I no longer work in a gym) and lately have been giving in to all my cravings. You name it, sweet or salty I would eat it and I know better!!! That is by far the worst part of this for me, that I know better! I know what I have to do to be in shape and healthy. I am cursed with genes that say I am destined to be large, I`ve got `birthing hips` people used to say.  Well that`s all well and fine but I don`t believe in destiny, I make my own so I am determined to do the same with my size!!!!

So to the point of this story, I decided to do a juice cleans. Recently I had watched FAT, SICK AND NEARLY DEAD, and its sequel which prompted me to think a reboot was the way to kick me back into a healthy, active lifestyle.

I Googled juicing and found a 3 day cleans on Dr. Oz`s website based on Joe`s journey.

(if  your not familiar with the movies they follow Joe Cross on his Juicing Journey for 60 days and profiles others he meets along the way.) http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/

So, I go to the grocery store and purchase everything I need for this juice cleans but I decide I am going to do it for 5 days not three. Yes I know how crazy that maybe to a lot of you but I need to do this...remember I need to get my buns in gear, high gear! 

There it was my quick and easy `reboot`that I jacked up...Off I go to get started with my budget juicer that had work well so far on the rare occasion I used it.  Then, halfway though my first day juices it died...Just like that DEAD!

Ok, plan B-blend and strain.

Tips to blend and strain to make juice:

Start with fruits that contain the most juice (Cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.)

Slowly add other items, pulsing along the way

Blend only till everything is chopped not to the point of mush

Use a strainer with VERY small holes (wire mesh works best)

Work liquid through the strainer with a spoon, scooping out solids when minimal liquid remains

If you want pulp free juice re-strain not working it with the spoon.

Double straining will also cut down on your liquid. First strain results in about half as much product and second cuts that in half.

My verdict the juices...

Carrot, Apple Ginger Juice - The best by far but beware of over using the ginger

Mean Green Juice - its ok...tied with Citrus Inspired Green Juice for third

Gazpacho Juice - This one is NASTY, probably because I don`t love raw tomatoes or parsley. 

Sunset Blend Juice - is surprisingly good. I give it second best

All in all they were for the most part tolerable or better except lunch. However I do recommend giving it a try, even though I will skip it next time and try a different juice from Joe`s website.

Follow me for the rest of my juice cleans and other updates on my health make over!

Ombré Walls

 

So my puppy's are accentually my children so my first DIY project had to be their room! 

So here is my quick tutorial of how I created this look....

First I started with a all white room and 3 cans of paint. Each color was off the same color paint chip, the lightest, the darkest and somewhere in between.
I painted all the walls and the ceiling the lightest color, allowed it to dry and then marked the walls in thirds. I painted the bottom third with the darkest color, but did not end the top of the section in a straight line but rather more of a zig zag look.
Then I mixed 5 shades from the 3, the lightest with the middle and the middle with the darkest. If I could do it again I would have mixed a sixth shade in between the lightest and the new second lightest to create a better blend.

Ok so how I actually put the paint on the wall... I worked in sections, about 2 feet wide slapping on the paint from the 5 shades then worked quickly with a dry brush to blend the colours.
Once the whole room was done I blended out the seams between sections by putting a little paint in areas that looked blotchy and dry brushed them until I was happy with the results.  It took some work and like I previously mentioned I would have preferred more blend at the top.

Happy painting,

Happy 2015, time for new goals, mine is to post on here more and actually take my own advice. How about you? Did you make one?
I have fallen off the healthy wagon and need to get back on, need to be accountable and putting it out for the whole world to see seems like just the way to do it.
So here's to a great 2015 and us getting to wherever we want to be by 2016!

I am going bananas!

I totally did not write this, any of it but I do fine it very interesting and thought I should share this! 

After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

www.FactsGallery.com

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER:
200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

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Hummamole (Hummus and Guacamole)

I am on a big health kick right now and eating tones of veggies, but this week as I plan my meals for the week I am not really feeling the plain veggies. So I got looking at dips and I saw a few variants of hummus and when I saw the picture of a green hummus I started thinking about guacamole. However I sometimes find guac a little too strong....That brings me to Hummamole...This is my mix of hummus and guacamole and trying to keep it the healthiest I can!

So to start of course we an avocado and beans.

Normally hummus is made with chick peas but for today I am using white beans because they are softer I am assuming I will need to use less oil to get everything to mesh in the food processor.

Next, I added the juice of a lime, some onion and a crushed garlic clove (crush before putting it in to help it chop up better).
Tip: roll your lime on the counter before cutting because it loosens juices. Also if you're squeezing directly in to food processor squeeze it in to your hand first so the seeds don't end up in the mix.

I pulsed that all together adding olive oil as needed to make it all come together nicely.

Once it all had a good consistency I checked the taste. At this time add salt and more garlic or any other seasoning you like.

My last step is to add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

I am not a big fan of tomatoes though they are a part of guacamole so you could use fresh tomatoes if you like. Add them already chopped to the mix once you take it out of the food processor cause you don't want to purée them. If you want your dip chunkier you could add the onions here instead of to the processor as well.

One Avocado

One can White Beans

Juice of one small Lime

1/4 cup chopped Red Onion

One Garlic Clove

Olive Oil and Salt as needed

1/4 cup Sun-dried Tomatoes



You could make this mix thick like a spread or a thinner dip, it's your call. Either way, Enjoy!

Spinach Wheat Thin dipped in Hummamole