How To Prepare For A Fast

This is first day of my 21-day fast. Yes, I’m fasting for the next 21 days and although I’m barely a few hours in, I feel confident that I can make it to the finish line. The reason I feel confident is because unlike attempts to fast in the past, I actually prepared myself this time.

While trying to mentally prepare myself for the  journey, I realized that there are quite a few things to keep in mind while you prepare for a fast and decided while I’m up and fully committed to this upcoming few weeks, that I would share just exactly how I got here. So, keep reading.

Reasons To Fast

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One of the main reasons people choose to commit to a fast is for health reason, such as to lose weight and/or detoxify the body. My sister-in-law does multiple fasts throughout the year whenever she feels a negative change in her body or health. She feels it helps filter out anything unhealthy that didn’t agree with her body. Her fast range from weeks to months and I’m so envious of her dedication.

Personally, I’m fasting in part with my church’s annual corporate fast that always happens at the beginning of the year. We are called to use that time to pray and increase our hunger for God while focusing on the upcoming year and things we would like to see happen in our life.

I will be the first to admit that in the past I haven’t been very good at sticking to fasting for various reasons. However, thanks to being focused on things I want to see happen in my life this year and proper preparation, I feel confident that I can make it.

Types of Fasts

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The common method and definition of fasting that most people think of is not eating anything and drink only water. I will admit, I used to think was what it meant to fast. However, over the years, I’ve learned that fasting just means giving up something you’re dependent on for a fraction of time.

There are countless types and ways you can fast, but the three popular types of fasts include:

  • Dry Fast – The most extreme of the types of fasting, dry fasting has spiritual roots, and consists of foregoing food and water for short periods.
  • Liquid Fast – Like the name suggests, you only drink liquids with this fast. You can opt to drink only water or even a juice only. Fasting with detox waters are a great option, too.

Here are some other fasting suggestions:

  • Daniel Fast – With this fast, you don’t eat any meat, sweets, or bread. Drink water and juice.  You can only eat fruits and vegetables. Read more about the Daniel Fast here.
  • Full Fast – Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).
  • Partial Fast – A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.

You can even just fast off certain things that you are “emotionally dependant” on such as breads, dairy, and some people choose to fast social media, TV, and technology all together. It’s really up to the person on what they which fast they would like to do that they would benefit more from doing.

To really make a commitment, I’ve decided that this year I will do a partial full fast, which means that I will not eat anything from sun up to sundown and only drink water. I thought about the 6 a.m to 3 p.m, but I really wanted to challenge myself.

How I Prepared For My Fast

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You would assume that once I decided that I was going to commit to fasting from sun up to sundown everyday for 21 days that I would spend the days leading up to it inhale any and every food that I can…while I can.

Although I was tempted to use that as an excuse to “carb up” this past weekend, I actually did the opposite. I only drank water and ate small ans sensible meal throughout the day. I tried to avoid anything too heavy (i.e. bread, pasta, beef) and stuck mainly to salads and lean meats.

What I Hope To Take Away From This Fast

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Overall, I hope that I’m stronger in all aspects of my life, including my faith, career, and relationship. Hopefully, this will also be a jumping pad toward an healthier lifestyle, too.

If you have questions about fasting or question you would like for me to keep in mind to pass on to you after completing, please share them below, because I plan to do a follow up at the end and  can any questions you might have that I can address for you. I’m in guinea pig mode.

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LINK-END ROUND-UP: January 8, 2016

 

I hope you had an amazing week! My week was pretty good. It was my first full week back in the office in the past few weeks as well as everybody else’s. Started off a little rough, but it feels like everything and everyone is back in the full swing of things including the return of Link-End Round-Up.

Oh, this was also the first full week of consistent cold weather, which I never thought would show up. It’s supposed to rain this weekend. So, I’m not doing anything that requires me to leave my house. Takeout, Netflix, and wrapped in my down comforter is all I’m going to know for the next couple of days.

Here’s to a chill weekend and enjoy this week’s (first one of 2016) Link-End Round-Up:

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Lip Products for Chapped Lips

Since it’s winter, it’s also chapped lips season. Pardon me as I let a deep felt ‘Eh!” at just the thought of chapped lips. Although people with chapped lips is one of my pet peeves, it’s also one of the things that I obsessed with not having myself. I’m so paranoid about having chapped lips that I feel like I’ve used every imaginable product for chapped lips.

Despite the tens (maybe triple digits) of number of moisturizing lip products I’ve tried, there have been a quite a few that made lasting and positive impressions on me and my lips. Keep reading to see some classic (and cult) favorites.

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  • Fresh Sugar Lip Polish – It’s still hard to believe that some people don’t understand the importance of exfoliating your lips. One of the easiest ways to do it is with a little Vaseline and toothbrush. However, Fresh’s Sugar Lip Polish is nicer way to gently buff way dry skin while softening and conditioning your lips.
  • Vaseline Lip Therapy – Speaking of Vaseline, their lip therapy products not only help to soften lips, but also lock in moisture to prevent the chapped lips from happening. This also comes in the classic Vaseline formula and cocoa butter. However, I recommend the rosy lip for formula for a hint of pink.
  • Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm – The latest addition to my makeup bag is also a really great compact that includes scrub and lip balm. It’s available in various colors, but I’m all about any and everything in Clinique ‘Black Honey’.
  • Josie Maran Argan Lip Treatment – Josie Maran Argan products are some of my favorite products, including the lip treatment. It’s very light and perfect everyday balm for those who don’t necessarily have chapped lips, but want to keep it that way.
  • Korres Lip Butter – If you want a moisturizing lip balm that moisturizes, conditions, and gives the same consistency of  color as a lip gloss, then Korres classic lip butter is for you. Very smooth application and very absorbing. Lives in my make-up bag.
  • Carmex Lip Balm – I’ve been addicted to Carmex lip balm since sophomore year of high school when a friend of mine would pull out her jar from her jacket and apply it throughout the day. The heavy menthol smell is what drew me, which can be a little too strong for some. It’s a heavy balm that instantly melts into your skin, but the is very moisturizing. Some people even use this cult fav as cuticle cream, me included. Carmex lip balm is available in a various containers and a different “flavors/scent”. However, I always get the original scent in the tin jar. Nostalgia for life.

 

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LUST-HAVE LIST: January 2016

Welcome back, Lust-Have List!

Although last month was the first time in years that I didn’t publish my monthly Lust-Have List, it feels like it’s been more like 6 months instead of only 2 months since the last LHL. However, it’s back.

The things I’m currently lusting for this month are mostly practical and things that I can easily incorporate into my everyday casual chic life. I’m a simple girl.

Here’s this month’s and the first Lust-Have List of 2016:

  • Clean Reserve Six Piece Travel Set – Clean scents are my bread and butter and they an excellent job at creating scents that are simple, cleans, and blendable. This travel set combines 6 travel size scents will make it even easier to create your own mixture of scents.
  • Mug Warmer – This is a necessity for me at the moment, because the mug I use at work doesn’t do a great job at keeping my beverages warm. So, this mug warmer would be clutch to have on my desk.
  • Slip-On Calfhair Sneakers – For the past couple of years, my favorite shoes to slide on have been a pair of leopard print slide-ons from Sam Edelman. However, they have seen better days and I need a new pair of classic slide-ons that are comfortable to wear anywhere, but chic enough to wear to the office. Therefore, I’m fawning over this pair from Kate Spade. The contrast black and white with the touch of leopard print make these shoes a perfect contender for my next pair of shoes.
  • Between the Wolf and Me book – As I mentioned in my ‘Hey 2016!” post, I plan to read/finish more books this year and Between the Wolf and Me is the next book I want to read in February. I’ve heard great things about this read.
  • Fossil ‘Sydney’ Satchel – A money green leather satchel is perfect for winter and is an easy piece to transition from winter to spring, when the time comes.
  • Kendra Scott ‘Auden’ Earrings – I want a new pair of statement earrings to add a little sparkle on those days when I more concerned with being bundled up and warm than styled. These Kendra Scott earrings are breathtaking, but still can work with everyday looks.

 

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Hey 2016!

Happy New Year!

First thing first. Let’s go ahead and put out there that 2016 is going to be so incredibly awesome in all realms of our life; including relationships, career, and financially. Plant those seeds, nurture them, and watch them grow.

I’m fortunate and beyond blessed enough to say that I enjoyed my 2015. No awesome life changing events happened nor did I hit the lotto, despite trying on a few occasions. However, I also didn’t experience anything bad either. Well, there was my car accident that happened at the very beginning of the year, but even that wasn’t bad for a few reasons. First, I didn’t get injure and thanks to car insurance, I was able to upgrade to a “newer” car. So, in the end, I look at that as a win.

Still, I’m super excited for 2016! Towards the end of last year, I was really honing in on things I wanted to work on in 2016. When I say “things” I don’t mean internally, I mean ideas and projects I’ve been working on for the past few months and which, if any, do I want to put on the back burner for a while.

So, what’s my 2016 New Years Resolutions? Well…

2016 New Year’s Resolutions?

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Nope. I don’t participate in making those. I haven’t made a “new year’s resolution” in years and haven’t stuck to one even longer than that. When I think of the words/phrases of “new years resolution” I think of the cliche’ “I’m going to lose weight” “Stop dating this person” “Stop shopping so much”. Most of these are definitely things that are worth working on, but somehow when people put that new year’s resolution tag on those proclamations, they don’t really get taken too serious for too long and ultimately fade away. Well, that’s what happened to me and I eventually got tired of this annual pinwheel of no results.

Stop Saying “Stop”

When it comes to achieving and reaching goals, I’ve learned that it’s best to cut out using negative words and proclaiming you’re going to “stop” doing something. Focus on the positives.

So, I eventually decided to do a slight re-shifting. The thing about the resolutions that people make is that they are based around cutting back on doing “negative” things such as eating too much, illicit activities, and the list goes on. Therefore, I decided that every year, I would pick three things that I would  like to achieve by the end of the year and/or least try for awhile. My list of things that I would like to try can easily get limitless and fill up to 2 pages (front and back) of ideas and suggestions that I would like to try. So, I make sure to limit myself to only 3, realistic and attainable goals that make me feel happy and accomplished in the end.

I will admit that at least one of the goals is always very easy to do and achieve. For example, the year before, I vowed that I would be able to physically and financially get my nails (nails and/or feet) done every other week for the year of 2014. Well, I thought that would be easy, but there were a handful of times that I had to rearrange some things to make time to do it, but I did. I was going through a lot of family stuff with my mom and any free time I had, I devoted to my mom’s health and well-being. So, I was old enough to know that I need to devote a some relaxation time for me to be in a better space for her. Even after she passed that September, I still made sure to stick to that help put me back on course for my life. It’s crazy that something so trivial as bi-weekly manicures helped me so much mentally and emotionally.

My Goals for 2016

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Back to Now

For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about what three things I would like to try before 2017. After creating a list of about 20 things, filtering out things that weren’t that fulfilling, and overall careful consideration I narrowed it down to 3 things:

  1. READ ONE BOOK A MONTH….COMPLETELY
    I love books. Giving me a book is a safe bet gift idea (second to gift cards). However, I’m sort of notorious for not finishing books and or taking too much time to finish a book. I have plenty of excuses, but none of them are legit. So, I vow to finish reading at least one book a month; fiction or non-fiction.
  2. EMBRACE THE PALEO DIET (at least) ONE WEEK A MONTH
    When I actually sat back and thought of my ideal meals, it consisted of just meats and veggies. Although your girl loves a good chunk of hearty lasagna followed with a bowl of ice cream for dessert, I’ve been gravitating more to healthy meals made at home with little to no carbs, salt, and sugar. So, the Paleo diet spoke to me. You read more about the paleo diet lifestyle.
  3. JOURNAL DAILY (weekends, too)
    In college, I used to journal all the time and I mean all the time, including multiple times throughout most days. I recently came across a few of my journals from that time and reading what was going on in my life back. Despite a few cringe-worthy moments and thoughts that most college students deal with, it was interesting to reflect on things that I forgot I stressed on and thought would crush my future. Thankfully, I can look back at those moments and laugh knowing that they were not as horrible as I thought. However, it has made me want to start journaling more, because writing things down that are on your mind and heart have a way of working itself out once you transfer it on paper, or at least I and 22-year-old me can attest. I’ve been journaling occasionally over the past few weeks, but I’m committing to journaling every single day in 2016.

So, there are the three things that I’m committed to try and stick to this year. Feel free to share some things that you are committed to trying this year below!

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