Five on Friday | 1.23.15

ONE | Seahawks vs. Packers

Sunday, the Green Bay Packers (22) lost a hard fought battle to the Seattle Seahawks (28).  Jack and I watched the game with a group of friends and one of them is a die-hard packers fan. With about 5 minutes left to go in the game and the Packers were up by 12 points. We were all giving our friend a hard time because there was about a 13% chance {via online stats} that the Packers would lose. Well the Packers did end up losing. For a minute by minute breakdown of what went wrong check here.

Our friend the entire last quarter of the game + his quote

TWO | Sweet Free 30 Day Challenge

Yesterday I updated everyone on my challenge. If you missed out, you can find it here.

THREE | Shake It Off

I must admit that I listen to T. Swift almost all day, every day. Listening and sometimes singing along puts me in a better mood. Lately, Shake If Off has been playing on repeat. #obsessed

FOUR | BHI

My friends and I just booked our trip to BHI for a nice long relaxing weekend in May and I cannot wait!! Hello spring/summer!

FIVE | 919

This weekend I am heading back to Raleigh, NC to celebrate my dad’s birthday. I am excited to spend some quality time with my dad and relax after this long week.

It's Friday...and I am linking up with: Darci, April, Christina, + Natasha | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer's Wife

xoxo

Update | Sweet Free 30 Day Challenge

Wow—let me apologize—I have not updated anyone via A Frayed Knot on how my challenge is going. Oops! To be honest, Sweet Free really incorporated itself into my lifestyle easily—though the first week was REALLY tough {thanks to the ever abundant candy, cakes, donuts, and cookies always around my desk}.

Onto the Challenge:

The challenge has been going as best as it possibly can. I have been eating even more fruits and veggies (I know-- hard to imagine because I really love them so much, seriously I do!) and I have cut down to almost ZERO sugars in foods OR cakes/cookies/desserts! Wahoo!

I will fess up and say that I have eaten: a piece of cheesecake (1/9/15) for Eve's birthday celebration, some chocolate fondue at Erin's for "The Bachelor" (1/12/15), a piece of bread crumble cake (1/16/15) at Fahrenheit, and just had and ice cream/brownie/caramel combination last night (1/21/15) at 300 East with my girlfriends. So 4 sweets in 18 days is where I'm at-- hints the" best as it possibly can part". 

300 East dessert-- ohhh such a yummy treat!

Although I have eaten sugar a few times, I can see a noticeable difference in my skin and my energy. My skin looks so pretty, smooth and “glowing” --- a stranger came up and told me so at a party I was working- what a confidence boost!

Not eating sugar started as a challenge. Even though I am not finished with the 30 days, nor did I make it completely without sugar, I am now making a lifestyle change {which coincidentally was why I wanted to challenge myself in the first place} . Yes it’s tough in the beginning but now I don't crave the sugar {+ obviously my body does not need it}.

I challenge you to try not eating sugar. If that is too hard try not eating sweets. See how your body changes and reacts without sugar, but don't forget to reward yourself every now and then. Believe you me you will be so happy you did.

xoxo

30 Day Challenge | #SugarFree2015

Today, 1/5/15, I am challenging myself to not eating sugar for the next 30 days!!! EKK!! I know. I am already thinking to myself how hard this is going to be, but I am up for the challenge. No sugar means no refined sugar, natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners. Naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods will be acceptable. I want to start enjoying the real taste of foods!!

My Guidelines:
Foods with added sugar of any kind are no allowed.
No added natural sugars or sweeteners of any kind, included but not limited to: honey, molasses, stevia, agave nectar, mayple sugar etc. 
No added refined sugars (white sugar, corn strup, brown sugar)
No artificial sweeteners (Splenda, Equal, etc.)

Note:  No sugar means no added sugar. There will be naturally occurring sugars in milk, plain yogurt, fresh vegetables and fruit, that’s okay. The idea is to give up ADDED sugars that are in most all processed foods. 
Note: I will allow myself to "break" the no sugar rules if I am eating dinner (not desert) that a friend has prepared--but am only allowed this TWICE during the 30 day challenge.

Here's to NO SUGAR!!



xoxo