Be Healthy!

Are you looking for ways to increase your health?

Well look no further. No this is not some substance I'm trying to sell you. Just simple tips and tricks that have worked for me. You know when you read magazines and girls that have only ever maxed out at 130 pounds weight wise give all this advice: just work hard, here's my meal plan that no one in real life ever has time to cook, look at my new body that I got in only 1 day while paying my trainer 140 dollars a minute... It's just not realistic for us simple folk. I've gained weight and I've lost weight. So here's my suggestions, coming from an average, not size 6, I love pizza, woman.

1. Be Careful with Diets. 

I've tried some. They don't work. Everytime I start one, I crave real food and fall off the wagon. Now you might be saying "But Vanessa! If you just put your mind to it, anything is possible!" Maybe. But I like food, I mean I really like food! So just take your treats in moderiation. 

2. Homemade Junkfood.

Why not make a homemade pizza? They're really easy and you can put all your favorite toppings on. It's cheaper than delivery and frozen. I've made delicious burgers, chicken wings, chicken strips and fish and chips. Baking them is easy, and even frying is okay if you use just a little oil in a pan. Instead of buying chips, try homemade guacamole and whole wheat tortilla chips, so yummy! I know we're all obsessed with the Internet so use it! Google for favorite junky food and search for a homemade recipe. This way you know exactly what is going in your stomach.

3. Simple Substitutions.

When you are cooking, try substituting common ingredients for healthier alternatives. Use low fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for all your dips. I don't think I've used sour cream once and everything is still tasty. Sweeten your tea with honey instead of sugar. Are you a baker? Top your treats with meringue instead of frosting. There's tons of healthy food substitutions, just google. 

4. Cut out Soda

If there's anything that I noticed a big difference with is cutting out the sweet fizzy drinks. I actually hate the taste of pop now. And if you can't cut it out, try to lessen your intake. Drink lots of water and green tea.

5. Excercise when you can.

There is nothing worse than going to the gym and fighting for machines after work. I've been going for jogs during my lunch hour. And if you're one of those people who create a work of art on your face and head and don't want it ruined... go for a walk. Even 10 minutes, JUST MOVE! If you work in a 20 floor building like I do, go walk a couple flight of stairs for 5 minutes. Seriously, just lift a pencil like a weight, I don't care.

6. Do it for Yourself

There is nothing more difficult than keeping motivated to loose weight just because you saw your boyfriend glance towards that size 4 big boobed girl. Trust me, you'll just end up eating icecream and working out will not help your boobs grow (you're on your own for that one). But if you want to loose weight and be healthy because it makes YOU feel good about yourself, you'll keep up with it. Don't obsess with your weight and size, I went down four pant sizes in 2 months and now I'm staying steady. You'll notice some weight comes off quick and then you'll stay the same for the next month. Focus on staying healthy, that's the most important.

Do something today to benefit your health.
-Vanessa xo

Relationship Advice

A Cheesy Sunday Morning

Good morning all you lovely people. I'm feeling particularly loving this morning and thought I would share with you some relationship advice. I have a pretty good thing going with Jordon and we work really well together, so I can give you insight into why WE work.

Disney 2013

 Our Story

Jordon and I went to high school together. He was a grade higher than I was. The first time I saw him was at our touch of class dance when I was in grade ten, but being as he was the cool older guy, we never talked. We had a ton of mutual friends, so it wasn't hard for me to creep him on facebook and add him. We still never talked. Many years later, I had just gotten out of a brutal relationship and apparently Jordon was going through the same thing. I make one of those attention seeking facebook status (that I judge everyone else for doing, whoops) that said something like "could this day get any worse?" Jordon sent me a message saying things could always be worse, and things will get better. It was just the perfect pick me up. So we started talking and found out we both work for ATCO so I asked him to lunch. He didn't work in the same building though, but took my number as he was moving downtown. I also informed him of my IKEA furniture expertise (which I screwed up on). He asked me to come help me get furniture and build it and the rest is history.

Why We Work:

1. He's my best friend : I've noticed a lot of people having issues dealing with the opposite sex best friend. I feel that if you're with the right person, they should be your best friend. This is really important for long term serious relationships. As your partner, they should be the one you're calling first when something important happens, and the one you can cry and laugh with. Now I get it, sometimes you need an outside opinion and that's fine. But if you have a male (or female, for you men) bestfriend that is being put before your relationship, you're putting yourself in situations that one day can cause a huge blowup. If they opposite best friend thing works for you, then I tip my hat, but trust me when I say it's awesome to have the all in one package.

2. Trust : now we've all heard this. Trust is a major necessity in a relationship. But here's the thing: sometimes we feel uncertain and self-conscious from PAST relationships (this definitely applied to me). I know you shouldn't put stuff that has happened in the past on your current relationship, but if you were with someone unhealthy for a long time (I was in a very unhealthy relationship for 2 1/2 years) those thing stick with you. You can get over it, but it takes time. I communicated this to Jordon right from the get go and he understood. During the unhealthy relationship, the ex would have girls texting him and sending him pictures all the time, so of course I would constantly check his phone. When I started dating Jordon, it was still in the back of my mind, but if I asked to see his phone (usually for the time or something) he handed it over. He had nothing to hide from me and now I trust him 100%. You have to build trust with someone, it's not just there. If either partner is having a problem supporting their partner in building that trust, you really need to have a talk.

3. Communicate: EVERYTHING! Jordon knows about everything in my past, I know his. We know where we've come from, we know our thoughts for the future, we know when the other is getting ansy and needs to be left alone. I had to work on my communication A LOT (doesn't every woman?) If you're feeling mad, tell him. If you're feeling sad, tell him. If you're feeling overwhelmed with joy, TELL HIM. Don't expect him to know everything that's going through your head. Also for men, tell your lady how you're feeling once in a while. 

4. Laugh, as much as you can: there has been times where Jordon and I have spent an hour just goofing off and I always end up on the floor clutching my stomach. Have fun, go on adventures like a two week road trip (for pointers about a road trip click here ), try something new (we're attempting jogging this spring and just enjoy life!

Well as I said, I'm feeling loving so I'm off to make Jordon some coffee and breakfast.

-Vanessa xo 

Saturday Favorites

Post Final Relaxation

After three finals in two days, I'm spending this windy "spring" day cooking chili, doing laundry, and relaxing with some puppies. Here's three favorites of mine at the moment, to brighten this cloudy day.

1. Game of Thrones 

I enjoy anything Game of Thrones related right now. I'm watching season two right now and am reading the fourth book. If you have not been exposed to this excellent series, I highly recommend it. The books will bring out emotions you don't even know you have (I threw the third book across the room after reading THAT part). The show contains incredible actors, gore, action, and tons of nudity and sex (just fore warning). We also own the Game of Thrones broad game which is pretty stressful, but still a good time. There is a cookbook that I want to buy to have a GoT themed dinner.

2. This song:

3. Homemade Guacamole

The thought of guacamole use to disgust me, but once I tried it I couldn't get enough! Making it fresh is super easy and takes no time at all.

All you need:

3 avocados

lime juice

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tsp salt

3 tbps chopped cilantro

1 tsp chopped garlic

a pinch of cayenne

 (you can add tomatoes too, but I'm not a fan)

Mash the avocados,  combine all the ingredients and you're done! 

I hope you can try one of the above favorites!

xo Vanessa

  

Draw My Life

 

Final Procrastination

 This semester has kept me busy, which is why there has been no blogging. What better time is there to make a video and finally update the blog than finals week? Nothing I say. When I was "studying" yesterday, I came across all these Draw My Life videos and I thought man I wish I could make one....so I did.

So without further adue (and because I'm actually studying) here is my Draw My Life video.