feb day 7

buttons

When I think of buttons (which these aren't really buttons) I think of this keyboard. Our Macbook pro is our lifeline! We work full-time on this laptop to make our money and survive. If it wasn't for this laptop, we would be living on the streets, or worse, having a real job! Y I K E S! 

If we aren't on the laptop, we are  on our iPhones answering emails from the other corners of the world and checking up on our accounts and social networks. If it wasn't for technology, and social networking, we would not be able to do what we do. Benjamin uses the laptop for selling his vintage on eBay and his freelance work for video production. I don't know what ben would do with out his trusty sidekick, his work is what defines him. Since we share the laptop, I hop on any chance I get to sell and promote on my Etsy account, houseofstash. 

I can't imagine our lives not doing what we do. We have met some really amazing people along the way and get to connect with others all over the world. Our time spent is so rewarding and we stay creative and hard working, which pays off so much more in the end. This past year has been such a learning experience that will only grow stronger and bigger the more we move along! 

feb day 6

dinner

The only downside to the subject for the February Photo a Day being dinner, is that you can't take your snapshot to the sun is down. This got me really backed up for my photos. After dinner, I just started to wind down, and didn't have to motivation to get on the computer and update the blog as well. So, here is it, Monday nights dinner. I have to say, I have a soft spot for Chipotle (and that we needed to go grocery shopping). I always let myself get to the point of hunger where I need food now! And monday was a prime example, I was starving, and had hardly and ingredients in the fridge to work with and by 8 pm I threw my hands in the air and caved. For all "fast food" choices, I usually go for something like  Chipotle. I'm getting full off not even a cup of rice, black beans and every topping that's not meat or dairy. I know it's a sorry excuse to eating healthy, but you'll never see me pulling up to a drive through!

clean eating day 2

Here is just a little update on my Clean Eating weekly challenge just 2 days in. For breakfast, I have stuck to my usual fresh juice. Right off the bat, after I take my morning pee and have washed my hands I open the door to what I call heaven, my fridge. For the past two months of completely ex'ing out dairy from my diet and finding new ways to challenge myself (so I don't get bored), my kitchen and my fridge have been my sanctuary. Is it bad that I've let food revolve around my day?

I've cut down on my empty carbs, my portions and anything pre-made, really. I love preparing my own foods and knowing how fresh it all is. By lunch time, I like to make a sandwich on sprouted wheat bread. Right now our favorite is Food for Life's Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Sesame Bread and costs around $4-$5. For me, cutting out bread is the hardest part because I grew up with bread everywhere. When we would visit my Grandparents, my Grandma who is from Belgium, would always feed us toast with chocolate. Even with chocolate being my number one comfort food, it wasn't anywhere near this difficult to remove chocolate out of my diet than it is bread!

During the day I make sure to snack once or twice which is mostly some fruits and nuts. I really try not to graze throughout the day, but when I work from home and don't really leave my house it gets a bit tricky. I try to do small portions to not turn my smacks into meals.

Ben and I somehow manage to eat dinner like an old married couple, at about 5. Lately I've been doing an awesome mix of vegetables on top of rice or quinoa. Since I've been doing a lot more grocery shopping lately, I've been having to consciously make sure I don't over prepare or we'll be in bed by the time our plate is clean!

It's been a little over a month since I have been eating vegan (this isn't my first attempt), and I love it. Its not much of a insanely crazy difference, but I don't feel so weighed down and tired after I eat. And since the beginning of February, and passing on alcohol, I have seen a huge difference. It's been one week, and I've lost about 5 pounds already! It's crazy what a few beers does to your body, I can't believe I didn't do this sooner!

As for Ben, he's at about a good solid two weeks of no dairy. He still eats meat, but very rarely at home. I have seen a slight difference in him as well. We've been experimenting with his diet trying to figure out what his allergies are. Canceling out dairy has helped him out a lot, but there are still somedays where his symptoms come back. Next week I'll have him try to stop eating is wheat, which has been a food he'd eat and he would notice himself feeling itchy and and groggy and on the toilet within 20 minutes of a meal. It's super hard to find what he has an intolerant to when he would eat all the same foods at once. Breaking it down for ben will help him see what makes him react a certain way so we can both live in peace.

feb day 5

10am

My morning ritual, for the most part..I wake up and juice for two (not like that, for ben too!). I suck it down and get enough energy to something, anything, whatever, I don't care I just had the most delicious fresh juice and nothing is going to stop me from doing something to make me feel accomplished! SO REFRESHING! 

On that note, tomorrow is Monday which starts my Clean Eating Week Challenge! I'm so excited to push myself to doing something so healthy for myself. being able to know exactly what I am eating and taking in will not only cleanse my body but help me cook a lot more at home. I will keep a log on my progress.

A good morning from little zip who wanting in on the this mornings breakfast! haha

feb day 4

Stranger

Of all the photo ideas to take for "stranger" I had to take a picture of a crowd at a bar. Such a cop out but this is the first time I've left the house today. Since the beginning of February, if sworn off alcohol and empty carbs. So far, so strong! Tonight I'm out in a really noisy place with a bunch of people I don't know, sucking down ginger ale. I deserve a pat on the back!

Feb day 3

Hands/paws

The photo was suppose to be of hands, but let's face it, these are the cutest thing to hands I've got in my life. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my little family and I see little zippy as a real boy. He's the funniest to watch and to see him understand what we're saying makes me a proud mommy!

feb day 2

words

Ben and I love Netflix, but when ben has ahold of the computer, old/weird horror movies are our bedtime lullaby. Most of the time I'm am okay with it because I am usually scrolling through my phone right when I settling into bed, so the background noise just helps me get a little more cozy. 

p.s.

I'm doing this again, goal is at least once a day but aiming for twice. I usually just throw a bunch of stuff together, but here is this mornings recipe:

3-4 apples

3-4 handfuls of spinach

2 carrots

4 strawberries 

6-8 blackberries