Everything Matters

How Time Flies

It's been awhile since I last posted. The past few years have been a roller coaster. I forgot what it was like having a toddler. God blessed me with a son at the age of 41! During the Summer months we travel Michigan looking for fun things to do, I know he will be my last and with 19 years in between my son and daughter I want to make sure I don't miss a beat. The things he does and how fast he is learning it amazes me every day. I only wish he would slow down a bit. I am hoping I will be more active on the site. I would love to share the crazy things my son does and says with the world. He is one smart little boy and he brings so much joy to everyone he encounters. … [Read more...]

Unusual Gift Ideas For 2020

Gift ideas for 2020 are something that can seem challenging, particularly if you are struggling finically during this uncertain time. However, it is possible to find them the perfect gift without spending a small fortune. In this article, we will be looking into some of the unusual gift ideas that you can give to your loved ones. A 3D Doodle Pen One of the craziest gifts that you can give to your loved ones is the gift of creativity. Whether it is new paints or a brand-new canvas, this is great for a birthday or Christmas. This is where the 3D doodle pen is the best gift. Whether it is for an older child or someone lightly younger a doodle pen allows them to draw 3D creations. You can either use the templates that are provided or make your own creations and make amazing items with this cool little gadget. Personalised Artwork Another gift that you can give to your loved one is personalised artwork. Whether it is large canvas wall art or a digital artwork this is a great way to … [Read more...]

My Cheat Day On Keto

This has been a very good journey thus far. My biggest weakness is pizza, I love pizza. I have tried a few different keto at home pizza and they just wasn't the same. I got in a stall so figured I would attempt a cheat day to trick my body. I woke up and had me a mocha monster I bought the night before for my cheat day. My eye site was a bit fuzzy I am assuming because I put 37g of carb in my body first thing when I usually have less than 20 g a day. I honestly felt like I was high! I kinda felt pretty good. I then ordered me some PIZZA! I got the lunch combo from Little Caesars, I gave the soda to my daughter though and drank water all day. After two pieces I felt super full. Within an hour I was hungry and eating the remaining two pieces. I would say about 2 oclock my pizza was gone and I was super tired and I was extremely hungry. I just drank my water. I checked my ketosis level with my blood and it was .3 before I cheated it was 1.6 to 2.6. Since I was feeling super … [Read more...]

Keto is based on Ingredients

One thing I have learned while doing keto is why it's important to keep net carb 20g or below, it's even more important to check your ingredients. I have only been doing keto for almost 6 weeks, I am in no way a professional when it comes to the keto lifestyle. I am learning along with thousands of other people. I have noticed people are using carb manager to tell them if a product is keto or not. The problem with carb manager is it only states whether the product falls within certain macros. I have noticed a lot of companies marketing products as keto, when in fact they contain non-keto ingredients. If you're new to keto please research keto friendly ingredients. Look at ingredients first... watch for hidden sugars. Remember, grains are a no, soy is a no, corn is a no, surcralose is a no. If you keep things simple you'll do great. I am currently down 17 pounds and 15 inches. I feel amazing! If you're having problems finding things to cook, utilize social media, pinterest, … [Read more...]

Keto Is It The Right Choice For You

My weight has always been a consistent struggle. I played yo-yo with the scales for years getting to 315 a few different times, losing about 50 pounds then getting back up to 315 and then over the course of a few years losing that weight. With having PCOS and being insulin resistant it's not easy when it comes to battling the weight. I have sat on the fence for a long while on whether I should go keto. I see as those around me do keto and I see all the hype online about keto. I did my research and decided I would give keto a try. On August 31st, I went full on. I love my carbs, my pizza, my pasta, my miracle whip, but my carbs were causing me a great deal of problems. Since starting keto I have learned so much and the way I feel has changed a great deal! In the past three weeks of doing full keto I have lost 14 pounds, I can see a change in my face and the way my clothes are fitting. I have learned that several companies out there advertising keto products, yet the ingredients … [Read more...]

Intermittent Fasting For Weight Loss

I have been up and down on the scales most my life. It seems like once I start losing weight and doing well, I go through a depression state where I love to snack. In my mind having a snack here and there isn't hurting anything I mean it's only so many calories. However, those calories can add up quickly. I love my coffee, but my coffee is made with roughly half coffee half delicious creamer. So I guess you can say I love my creamer. I can drink coffee all day every day, but the problem is my own cup okay it is more like two cups of coffee in the morning is roughly 200 calories. If I had three a day that equals 600 calories and isn't including any of my meals! No wonder I can't lose weight, no wonder the scale was slowly climbing. I was counting calories, I was somewhat portion controlling, I would lose 5 pounds then bam it came back, until I discovered Intermittent Fasting. I still am not sure of all the science behind. However, I do know I can only eat between 10am and 6pm. … [Read more...]

Summer Is Around The Corner

Sometimes I wonder is Summer is actually coming. We go from 70 degrees to snow over night. Michigan weather is so unpredictable. I cannot wait for the weather to get warm and stay warm. Living in Tennessee I got so use to the hot weather, we stayed inside a lot because it was just to hot. Here in Michigan my daughter and I will be doing a lot of walking. I miss living in the country at times, but then at other times I am glad I live in the city. Everything is in walking distance. Here is Michigan we have so many walking trails. I have always been a nature girl so I cannot wait to hit up some of the trails. This is my second summer back in Michigan, however, this summer is going to be a lot better, because I am settled into my new home, so my daughter and I will have the ability to actually enjoy it. I want to take her to a few different places this year, so she can experience the beauty this state has to offer. What are some must sees here in Michigan that I need to take my … [Read more...]

Trying To Figure Out This Weight Loss Thing

Losing weight has always been a challenge for me. When I left my husband back in December 2017 I ended up losing 50 pounds within 4 months. I went through a depression state a few months later and ended up gaining some of the weight back. December 2018 I was finally after a year of living with family members able to get my daughter and I into our own place. Having my own kitchen gave me the ability to cook and stay away from fast food. This kept my weight pretty stable. I then decided I had to do something so I started counting calories. I will never understand this whole counting calories... One place says stay between 1500 to 1700 to lose weight another place says I should be eating almost 3000 calories a day... The key I guess is the foods you eat. That I think is the hardest part the cutting the sugar and carbs out. I love my carbs! I went and bought a bunch of healthy choice freezer foods. I mean its all counted out for you how can I go wrong right? I was doing pretty good the … [Read more...]

If Fitness Is A Mindset, How Do You ‘Think’ Your Way To It?

You likely know that the fitness lifestyle is one worth living, and can improve your life in so many ways to make the time investment negligible. However, it’s not as if you can simply flip a switch to turn off your bad habits and start anew with care and consideration. It’s not as if in a week of exercise you’re going to think like someone who can perform ultramarathons, nor might you want that level of obsessive drive. However, the fitness mindset is essential to living healthily. The hardest fitness battles are won in the mind, the same as anything in life. The good news? Working hard on your body can help influence your mind to be more positive, and to know have the potential within you. But can you artificially ‘think’ your way into this mindset? Can you force it? We’d say that the results are middling on this. But you can prioritize your emotional development in order to allow the fitness mindset to become only natural for you. Here’s how: You Have To Want It You have to … [Read more...]

Improve Yourself to Improve Your Parenting- Here’s How

As parents, we put all of our focus and energy into our children, and when it comes to ourselves we’re often bottom of the list. While your kids will always be your priority, it’s important not to neglect yourself in the process. Taking care of yourself can actually make you a better parent- here’s how. Focus on your health We all know that raising little ones is exhausting. We’re up early, we’re in bed late and we spend almost all of our day running around after them, picking up after them and taking them to the places they need to go. This is tiring enough within itself, but if you’re carrying too much extra weight and your fitness levels are poor, then every day is going to be a huge struggle. While you might not feel that you have the time or energy to exercise, if you can prioritise and push through it in the beginning, you can make things much easier for yourself in the long run. If your fitness levels are low, you’re likely to feel a big difference in as little as six … [Read more...]