JUICY!

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I briefly mentioned it earlier, but I am officially a juicer. A few weeks ago, a coworker of mine introduced me to the idea of a juice cleanse. She wrangled of group of us to do it together. I was initially sold simply on the idea of banning together and doing something fun. But then I researched the company JuiceRX. Without further ado, please allow me to introduce to you my rave review.

I ordered a 3 day juice cleanse through JuiceRX and from the moment I visited their website through my last sip of juice, I was extremely pleased with their service. They handled us so well as a group and actually delivered our juices right to our hotel. I was able to wake up and start my first day of the cleanse with the juices waiting for me at work. And most importantly, the juices were tasty and fresh.

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After three days I was feeling so fantastic I realized I didn’t want to stop. I couldn’t stop. And so on my last day, I went and purchased my own juicer. I finally watched the buzzed about documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (you can watch on both Netflix and Hulu) and was instantly energized. I committed to juicing for another 4 days, for a total of one week consuming only fruit and vegetable juice.

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I have felt more lively, more awake, more light, and more fresh this past week than I have felt in a long time. And any time I started to waver motivation and to day dream about giving up, I simply googled “juicing.” As I am finished with my 7 day cleanse, I plan to incorporate one meal into my day along with two juices. It is such an addicting feeling. I no longer have any need for coffee or tea in the morning. I wake up either before my alarm or at the first buzz. My skin feels brighter. And the accomplished feeling of setting a goal and actually meeting that goal is so uplifting.

But enough of me raving about juice, I’d love to hear from you. Do you drink fresh juice? Have you ever tried a juice cleanse? Have any tips to share?

if you’re lucky enough to enjoy a healthy habit, you’re lucky enough

 

THERE IS A POSITIVE HERE

I wanted to share a quick tip that I have recently adopted when I’m feeling frustrated / annoyed / angry / negative. It’s so cliche isn’t it to think, there’s always a silver lining right? But what I have been doing is stopping myself and saying, Lizzie I dare you to find the positive here. There’s something good about this situation. It might be really tiny and it might be trying to hide, but it’s there.

For example, I was getting very frustrated with several different people at work asking me the same question over and over. I caught myself even getting short with an employee or two. I took a second, took a step back, and said to myself: Wow, I am very grateful that these employees feel comfortable coming to me for help. It became a lot easier for me to graciously help others when I thought about it in that sense. It can sometimes take courage to admit you need help and I should celebrate the fact that people feel they can come to me whenever they need.

Another example, my friend and I wanted to see Fun. preform at the Taste of Chicago this summer. However, we stalled just a few hours too long and the tickets sold out. I was really, really sad. I even sent my friend a depressing WHY MEEEE? text message … we are talking full on pity party. But then I woke up the next morning and thought, no I’m sure there are tickets out there somewhere. And with a little research we discovered there is an area within Taste of Chicago that is for ticket holders only but, you can also watch the show on the grass. FOR FREE. The positive? We are going to save a few bucks.

Avoiding negative thinking is so important for our mental health. But I find it can be overwhelming to be told, DON’T BE NEGATIVE. So instead of not being negative, what if we worked to find a little bit of positive within the negative? What do you think? Do you have any tips for staying happy?

if you’re lucky enough to have a place to discuss ways to stay happy, you’re lucky enough

MAKING ME HAPPY MONDAY

 

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I have had a great couple of days recently. I finally sealed the deal on a new apartment, YES! I have been having a lot of fun at work. The weather in Chicago has just been spectacular. Overall, I am just feeling like I’m in a good place. And who doesn’t like that?

But here are a few things that are making me extra happy this Monday:

1. This website, The EveryGirl, is so empowering and fun to read. So is the personal blog of one of the creators of The EveryGirl, Breakfast at Toast. Bonus points because this site is based in Chicago!

2. This chair makes me giggle. And now I desperately want it.

3. Have you watched the documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead? Oiy. It’s life changing. There will be more on that later…

4. Fun. I am thoroughly obsessed with this band right now. They are just so talented and interesting. I have spent an embarrassing amount of time youtubing great interviews with them and watching all of their music videos. Are you a fan of Fun.?

What is making you happy today? I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

if you’re lucky enough to have four little things to enjoy on a Monday, you’re lucky enough

A FRIDAY THOUGHT: BE THE TYPE OF PERSON

I stumbled across this quote a few days ago and it hit me straight in the heart. Isn’t it powerful? Be the type of person you want to meet. It’s so simple.

I spent the past few days coming back to this thought and I made a mental (now written) list of qualities the person I want to meet would have:

  • an ability to see the positive in the everyday
  • passion
  • dedication
  • the integrity to follow through with promises made, no matter the size
  • a smiling face

I am making a conscience effort to be more like this, to be more like the person I would like to meet, more like the friend I would like to have. But this theory, this idea can be applied to so many different relationships in our lives too. Be the type of partner you want to have. Be the type of daughter you want to have. Be the type of employee you want to manage. It could go on and on, and the goodness could just spread like wildfire. Oh how I love the joy of feeling inspired.

Do you like this quote? Does it make you think any differently about the type of person you are?

if you’re lucky enough to be inspired to be better, you’re lucky enough