wellness wednesday: oil pulling

I have to start by acknowledging that this is probably the most hippie thing we've ever done. I mean, using ACV on your hair is pretty hippie too, so I guess don't be surprised if I stop showering all together or something ha! Anyways.
So we've been oil pulling with coconut oil for about a week and a half now, and here are my thoughts, tips, results, etc. I've got a lot of opinions about this so far, so buckle up!

1. If you decide to try it, be prepared for a whole bunch of nastiness right when you put the "oil" (really it's just a clump of solid YUCK) in your mouth. It takes 4-5 minutes for it to liquefy, which equals 4-5 minutes of pure torture. I have a pretty stable gag reflex, but this about kills me every day. Ack.

2. In light of that, here is something you can do that might help. I tried putting a little coconut oil in a glass, and then running the glass under very hot water until the oil started liquefying. That helped a little bit because it didn't take as long to melt when when I put it in my mouth. It also gives you a little more liquid at the beginning to swish around the hard stuff, which feels MUCH more bearable than just letting is sit and melt. 

3. Here's another tip: If the beginning process kind of grosses you out, make it a little easier and try not to let your tongue touch the hard oil, if at all possible. Again, I have a pretty stable gag reflex, but touching the unmelted oil almost killed me. I don't know why, but it's SO GROSS. 

4. Also, if you like the smell of coconut at all, try your hardest not to smell it before/during the oil pulling. I'm betting the chunk of oil in your mouth will make you gag, and if you smell it at the same time, you will probably start to be grossed out by the smell of coconut. I've noticed that happening to me, and I LOVE that scent so I've been trying to keep the smelling to a minimum. Which is pretty hard considering you're breathing through your nose the whole time ha. Thank goodness it's only 20 minutes!

5. I've noticed that my teeth are slightly whiter, same with Christian. It's not a huge difference, but enough that we see it in each other. It's also been great as an ultra moisturizer for my lips, which feels nice first thing in the morning. 

6. Morning breath has been waaaay toned down, which I'm so happy about. I hate waking up in the morning and feeling like Christian and I can't talk to each other unless our mouths are covered ha. This is probably the most significant change I've noticed! And I've also noticed that my whole mouth generally feels cleaner all day long. 

7. Here's the thing I was most interested in: would it help with TMJ symptoms? Rumor has it it's supposed to. For the first few days, my jaw actually felt worse than normal. I couldn't tell if that was because I had been sleeping on it weird, or whatever. A week later and I'm still not sure what to think. This is probably the kind of thing that takes a while to notice, so I guess I will keep you updated. 

8. Last thing. I've also heard that oil pulling is supposed to help with cavities some how? I don't have any (that I know of), so I will be interested to hear what the dentist says the next time I go in. My teeth feel pretty good as of now, but again I think this is one of the results that could take a while to see. 

So did it get any easier (re: less disgusting) after doing it for a week? Ehhhh.....
Actually full disclosure: it's still pretty disgusting. It is, in all honesty, a horrible way to start the day.
It's like this:
Rude awakening #1: Buzzing alarm, followed by snoozing, oh.... probably 8 times
Rude awakening #2: Dragging myself out of bed after 20 minutes, and oh HEY! It's freezing in my room and I'm only in my underwear! Awesome!
Rude awakening #3: Ask myself "what do I have to look forward to today?" Then realize NOOOOOOO I HAVE TO GO OIL PULL ACCCCKKKKK.

Maybe it's grossing me out simply because of being pregnant and having a body that's wacko right now. The good news is even though it's gross, it's fairly manageable. Your cheeks will probably get sore and tired after swishing for 20 minutes, but that gets easier after a day or so, and the ick factor definitely goes away after the oil is completely melted. Just don't think about it a ton. I'm obviously still working on that one. Also I can't guarantee that I will keep doing this if I don't see some BANGIN results over the next few weeks. So stay tuned.

If you decide to try this, good luck and  happy oil pulling, from one makeup-less hippie to another!
I hope you feel a little happier than I do in the process ;)

wellness wednesday: yum (and healthy!) grub

Christian and I made this Taboule salad a few weeks ago, and we are certifiably obsessed with it. 

It might not be as good as Pita Jungle, but it's a fresh, easy, delicious, filling meal you can cook at home.

I highly recommend making this. It's SO SO YUM.

photo cred

Taboule Salad:

(with modifications, brought to you by chef Brooke)

Ingredients:

1 package Taboule mix (we use the Near East brand. It's super cheap at Walmart!)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup (4 oz) crumbled feta cheese

1 large tomato, chopped (we use 2 roma tomatoes usually, which probably yields about the same amount)

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (I'm not a huge fan of basil, so we've been omitting this. It's probably good though!)

Romaine lettuce leaves (we also use spinach, which is super yum and super healthy)

Lemon wedges

**We also add shredded chicken breast to ours as well, for a little extra protein and flavor. So good**

Instructions:

1. Cook Taboule according to package directions

2. Chill for 30 minutes

3. Add olive oil and  lemon juice

(I actually just use a whole lemon. It's a little more than what the recipe calls for, but I LOVE my food with extra lemon/lime/citrus, and so does Christian so.... there you go.)

4. Chill over night (Originally you only need to let it chill for 2 hours before serving. We cook it the night before because it's a lot more time efficient during the week when we usually don't home until after 8 every evening.)

5. Before serving, add tomatoes, feta, lettuce, and chicken. If you love lemon like I do, you can also squeeze a bunch of extra juice on right before serving. This is also super good with chopped cucumber, or any other veggies you feel like adding!

Enjoy!

a tip, which you can thank me for later

I know many people are obsessed with the Capri Blue Volcano candle, usually seen in Anthropologie.

I also know many people, myself included, who are more than willing to fork over 30 bucks for the stupid thing. One time I even ordered it off Amazon ha!

So ridiculous right?

WELL.

I have such a good secret for you.

I found a candle a few weeks ago that smells literally almost EXACTLY like it. 

And it's also soy, so win win!

(and you can trust my nose, because seriously I'm like part bloodhound)

Ready for this?

Sicilian Orange candle by Target.

Yes, Target has done it again!

So stop spending the big bucks, and go buy this like.......

YESTERDAY. 

weekly wellness

One of my favorite bloggers ever, Laura Marie, started a wellness series this week on her blog.

Well, I'm all about that!

Especially since this week was all about hydration!

(and I'm sure some of you know how passionate I am about water. And drinking tons of it. I know I know, just when you thought it couldn't get any weirder...)

Anyways, about a year and a half ago, I made it a goal for myself to drink a gallon of water every day. 

At first it sounded incredibly outlandish, but it has made the BIGGEST in how I feel every day!

If my stomach is bothering me, I just need to chug about a liter of water and it subsides.
If my skin is looking peaky, I just drink and drink for a few days and I'm positively glowing!

If I'm suffering from the 3 o'clock blues, another of liter and I'm happy Helen.

If my mind feels a little hazy, another liter and I'm like freaking Albert Einstein.

My point is, I've that drinking A LOT of water is incredibly good for you.

And I definitely notice the difference on the days when I slack. 

So even though I'm a cheater and this week because I didn't really have to make any lifestyle changes to accomplish a hydration goal, I still stuck with it and still felt great!

Try it.

I dare you.

You won't regret it for a minute.

git yer boogey on

When I first typed that, it said "git yer boogeyman on" haha. 

You can do that too I guess. 

So basically one of the biggest reasons why I love running is because of my great workout playlist. 

It gets me almost as pumped as frozen yogurt.

Or Happy Hour at Sonic.

Or watching Modern Family.

Or Josh Groban concerts.

Or no school.

Ok so maybe I get pumped easily. 

Anyways, I thought I would share. You can thank me later!

1. E.T.- Katy Perry. I should probably be embarrassed. But I'm not. When you run to this song and see your mile time improve, you can add it to your playlist too. 

I won't even say "I told you so."

2. This is All Now- Taking Back Sunday. Again, just another great song to help you improve your mile time!

Plus the guitar riff is so catchy.

3. My Time- Fabolous and Jeremih. 

If you didn't feel like it was "your time" before listening to this, I GUARANTEE you will afterwards.

I'm so funny.

4. A Beautiful Lie- 30 Seconds to Mars. 

Definitely the BEST sprinting song on the list. 

Try it. In tempo with the song.

I DARE YOU NOT TO SWEAT YOUR BRAINS OUT.

5. One Time- Justin Bieber. 

Ok how could I NOT have a biebs song on here? Honestly?

6. Love is Only a Feeling- The Darkness.
Did you know these guys are still touring? 

Color me surprised, I had no idea they had done anything significant since "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"

Check it. This is probably the second weirdest music video ever.

7. The Show Goes On- Lupe Fiasco.
K so maybe he ripped off a Modest Mouse song, but this is still great to run to.

8. Little Secrets- Passion Pit.
The first 15 seconds of the song speak for itself.

9. Hysteria- Muse.
If you don't feel like you are in a Bourne movie while listening to this then....
Well, I'm sorry. You are just plain missing out.

10. Kings and Queens- 30 Seconds to Mars.
The BEST song on the planet to end an epic run with.
Again....  Try it. Your life will be changed.
I'm not even trying to be dramatic, for once in my life.

Ok well, now that I have been all reconnected with this playlist, it's time for me to go be hardcore.
Aka MATH FINAL DOMINATIONNNNNNN.

that feeling when you don't want to blog

And then I'm all:

"I feel obligated! MY READERS NEED ME!!!!"

So then I do it. 

Aka my current circumstance.
Aka here I am.

So here's the business on life right now. 
It's crazy, but really good. 
It feels so weird to be back in school... I am amazed at how quickly last year wen, or rather flew, by.
Remembering all my classes from last fall, the various weekend activities, rendezvous with friends, it all feels like yesterday! I need to give Father Time a call and ask him to slow things down because this is ridiculous!
But really things are good.
School is going to be hard, but good.
Roommates are good.
Church is good.
Health is good.
Boy is good.
(BOYSAYWHAAA??)
Life is just really good.
That word is so boring, but so incandescently perfect for how I feel about everything.
Just peaceful.
And.... well... GOOD.
There is something so refreshing about this time of year.
When you can smell the change in the weather, the nights get colder, the sun sets sooner, the leaves are threatening to change color, and there are just a whole lot of changes going on. It's such a nice familiar season, and I'm really happy that fall is almost here.

In other news, I did a triathlon this weekend.
Oh wait, no I didn't.
Because my Cannondale decided to go all pancake on me, and I got a flat tire about 10 miles into the bike portion. And then I couldn't finish the race.
*Queue angered tearing out of hair*
Needless to say, I was pretty frustrated. And as such, I have attacked my half marathon training with much-needed vigor. It feels great. And I'm pretty sure I won't have to be worried about my bike wigging out on that race, which is always a plus.
Wanna see some pictures of my cool half race? Ok!

Fun fact: that drink I am holding is the best pre-workout supplement OF YOUR LIFE. And it smells horrible.
Funner fact: Jenny, Abby and I have matching running shoes. Asics Gel Blur33 hollah!

So basically that's it. 

I'm a happy girl with a happy life.

The end.

ode to a healthy life

I don't like to do things like this very often. 

Aka ever. 

It makes me feel like a prick.

BUT.

It's something I'm passionate about, and this is how I get when I'm passionate about something...

(hence the 98,000 music posts. no shame)

...I must talk/blog about it. 

So here we go.

I'm doing a triathlon in approximately 19 days, and running the Halloween half marathon in October.

(!!!)

And here is what I've learned over the last 2 1/2 months as I've been training with loves Jburk and Abbers:

- I've learned (or re-learned) to love exercising. It's so cool to see an improvement in strength, endurance, mileage etc after working hard for weeks.

The burn, the sweat, the blood, the tears. It just plain feels awesome! 

(Ok maybe there hasn't been blood involved. But I like to pretend it's that intense.....)

- I've learned it's so important to be conscious of what we put into our bodies. 

Like maybe it's not a good idea to go run after eating $4 worth of frozen yogurt.

*voice of experience*

But when you eat a ton of protein, gobs of vegetables, fruit, good carbs, and a workout supplement or two, WOW your run/bike/swim gets taken to a whole new level!

It has taken me a while to learn, but you really should consider the effect of your food on your workout.

It makes a big difference.

And when you do decide to eat that much frozen yogurt 

(I'm an advocate!)

you better plan on running like 3 days later.

- I've learned that sleep is also a HUGE determining factor in how well your workout goes. 

Also learned this the hard way, more than once.

It's basically the worst thing in the world to run and feel like you are going to fall over the whole time.

Couple exhaustion with aforementioned frozen yogurt-eating, and you might as well be dead. 

- I've learned that strength training is also incredibly important. 

Say goodbye to sore knees, hips and shoulders... and say hello to POWER!

- I've learned that it's great to pick an event (like a tri) to have an actual goal you are working towards. 

It makes workouts seem even more important, and it's especially fun if you can get friends involved too. 

So basically it's important to set goals, eat consciously, sleep lots, lift weights, and ENJOY IT. 

Life lessons that have taken me a few months to nail down, but man. It's so worth it!

So take it from Nike, and: