up up & away

A few weeks ago I saw a video with Brené Brown and she was talking about boundaries. I've been thinking about it ever since for a lot of different reasons: I continue to reflect on my last relationship, I'm thinking about possibilities of new relationships too, and deciding what is and what isn't acceptable. I'm in relationships with lots of other people too - family and friends, colleagues at work. The more and more I think about boundaries, the more I'm coming to realize it's in my best interest do draw a line in the sand: One side is okay with me, the other side is not.

Before I go any further, take a few and check out her video:

I have learned so much from my friends, and one thing from Katie and drastically improved my life: Be honest and upfront when people piss you off, and then it's over.

So last year, when my ex brought up something that had been on his mind for months, years even, I totally understood what it felt like to be left in the dark, and I decided I didn't ever want to do that to someone because it wasn't fair. I am be honest with my family and friends and get things off my chest because I would want the same in return.

It's not easy to tell someone you care about (or maybe even someone you don't care about) things they are doing that are crossing the line. Talk about vulnerability - that's it right that. But the thing is that once you do, you feel lighter. Then, the other person knows where you stand and this really creates the space for self-love. They can choose to do what they want with the information, but then it's off your chest and I'm not even kidding when I tell you that you feel like a balloon, drifting up, up, up, so high above everything, feeling light and happy and having nothing bring you down.

Thank you, Brené for reminding me of this.

Your thoughts?

Protein Shakes for Breakfast

I'm a creature of habit. With the exception of about 10 lunches, I've eaten salads every day for a whole school year. Breakfast wise, I spent half the year on egg whites and apple with peanut butter, and now I'm on to Protein Shakes. I want to tell you about how I am making them now, with awesome new products I've found with Arbonne!

To begin, you're going to get a bunch of berries - I've been using strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Then, your protein powder - the Arbonne brand offers 20 grams of vegan protein, and more than 20 vitamins and minerals per serving. I also throw in another product I've recently started trying: Digestion Plus.

Digestion Plus is a supplement including prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes that support optimal digestive health. This also:

• Supports extensive digestion of carbs, fats, proteins, fiber, and lactose
• Supports healthy digestion to help minimize gas and bloating
• Promotes balance in the intestinal tract
• Supports nutrient uptake from the foods we eat

I top all of that off with fresh squeezed OJ and a little ice. Blend it up and you're set until your afternoon salad!

How do you do your favorite protein shakes?

A Breakup & Some Lotion

That's what brought me to Arbonne. Let me explain.

About 9 months ago, I ended a good relationship because I knew there was something better out there for me. My ex was nice, he was funny, smart and he liked me, but not enough to marry me. For the three and a half years that we dated, I seriously thought that we would get married. I figured that I'd move in, we'd get engaged, and the rest would be history. But things did not go as planned, so I went and got all my crap out of his place when he was at work, left his key, and that was that.

I bring this up because I was banking on having more money for myself when I finally moved in with someone again (I haven't had a roommate since 2010). For all the years even prior to us meeting and dating, after I moved out with my last roommate, I knew I'd be living paycheck to paycheck on my own -- totally okay with it! -- but paycheck to paycheck until I moved in with the man I was to marry. My thinking was that I wouldn't have money - I mean, I have money - but I wouldn't have a cushion until I got engaged.

But then we broke up. For a few months after the breakup, I thought I was back to square one, looking for someone to help make my financial dreams come true.

Meanwhile, the holiday season was approaching, and one of my best friends, who makes a lot of her own skin care products, asked me if I wanted anything she was making for Christmas, and so I asked for body lotion. I had started paying more attention to the ingredients in my lotions and cosmetics - I was going to all this trouble to eat clean by avoiding GMOs, chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides, but at the same time, I was putting chemicals all over my body in the form of Jergen's body lotion and Loreal's face cream. So, when Holly asked me if I wanted lotion, I jumped right on that.

Fast forward to Valentine's Day, and my friend Mary had posted on facebook asking for people to comment with their favorite Arbonne lip color for a chance to win one. I had heard about Arbonne before, but a long time ago, and so I was pretty unfamiliar with the company, but who doesn't want a free Valentine's gift? (Especially us single girls!) So I commented, won, and then went over to Mary's one February afternoon to pick up the lipstick and learn about more of the Arbonne products and what she had to offer.

One meeting, I was sold. I didn't purchase right that moment because I'm a teacher and I'm poor, but a few weeks later, I ordered the FC5 skin care line. Loved it! A month later, I upgraded to the RE9 line and also got the protein powder; I did all that as I signed up to be a consultant, which brings me here now.

You see, I love my teaching life - I love coaching teachers and working on reading and writing with students. But, as much as I love that, I know that my teaching life will never allow me to have the kind of financial independence I so desire. I have a whole summer off, to travel, one would think. But, I can't afford to leave home. I'm 35 and still renting a place - I want to own a cute place in Chicago Proper! I want a Golden Doodle and I want her to have her own yard. I want to go to Cabo! I want the financial freedom to be able to visit my family in friends who live out of state more than once a year....and maybe take them all on a trip. How am I going to realize all those dreams on a teaching salary? I most certainly am not.

Enter Arbonne. Great products that are Vegan and clean, and a team of women to coach me on how to share that joy with people I meet. And teaching on the side... until I make enough money to go part time... I could never give it up!

No more waiting on a guy to make my dreams come true. I'll go ahead and take care of that myself.

Totally not trying to come off arrogantly, but some lucky fella is going to be living the good, good life when our paths cross!

Rat Race

My alarm went off at 5:20 this morning but I was already awake. Because I went to sleep at like 8:45 last night. Because I was so tired and I still hadn't prepped five chicken salads for the week so I could have healthy lunches.

I got out of bed, showered, fired up the little grill on the stove, started cooking chicken and chopping lettuce, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and green onions. I got everything divvied up and I got my hair done, makeup on, made a protien shake and was out the door at 6:50, with a coffee in my hand (and the trash I had to take out.)

Drive to work. Get to work. Finish up a book list inventory, deliver books and inventories, remember I have to get some kind of presentation ready for tomorrow, realize I didn't make those AIMS Web copies, finished the slides for my 9:00 writing lesson, made some other copies for kinder teachers and ran them over, got the chart paper, my lesson plans, and laptop and hustled to fifth grade.

Nine am writing class and they were loud. I mean, not crazy loud, but too loud for a stressful Monday morning, and this is how I felt:

I have been teaching long enough to know I could bring the kids down from the noise, so we did some deep breathing while I tried to reconnect the wifi (as if my Monday wasn't annoying enough.)

We went on to have a good lesson, but all day I've just been thinking: Is this it? Is this life? Please don't misunderstand, I love teaching. Being with those writers today, and talking one off the whiny ledge, "I'm just nooooooooot goooooooood at writing memoirs." It's totally rewarding.

But you know what else it is? A mental and emotional beat down. Today at lunch in the lounge, everyone said how tired they were. And then went on to say they went to bed so early...myself included. It's Monday. MONDAY!

I know what you're going to say. "Oh, you teachers complaining all the time. Did you forget you're off all summer?" Well, no, we didn't. And that's part of our current problem... May is stressful and busy as hell wrapping everything up. Yes, I'm off all summer *and I should have the funds to get myself to a beach every year. And this year I can't because of the new car (I'm thankful) but I should get both. Because I work my ass off and I deserve it.

There's got to be a better way. Something else.

And there is. Plans are in the works. Stay tuned.

Whyyyyyyyyyy

Seriously. I cannot.

Met a cool guy at the beginning of April - first guy I actually liked since the ex. For two weeks things were really good. He pursued, like a lot. It was nice and exciting and fun and I loved it.

Then, he tells me, "I have to be really committed to my work, so I don't have time to date you."

What?

Why did you text me all the time asking me about my day and why did you have me Facetime your niece and tell me a bunch of personal stuff?

Whyyyyyyyy?

One of my girlfriends had a second date on Wednesday, so I texted her to ask how things were going and I guess the dude texted her after date number 2 saying, "We need to slow down. Maybe we should wait to talk again until after my test."

What?

How come guys can't say, "So, I'm really busy with ___, but I want to see you too, so how can we make it work?"

Why is dating so black and white with them?

Safe. Pure. Beneficial.

A few months ago, I met an awesome new friend, Mary. She teaches at one of the middle schools in my district and came to see me for some teacher-related business. Shortly thereafter, we became facebook friends. I had no idea what Arbonne was, but then I won a lipstick around Valentines day from her. And then, she invited me to come over and hear more about these products.

Arbonne is a health and wellness company from Switzerland who specializes in clean products. The company adheres to Europe's standards for ingredients, which eliminates 1200 of them. In the USA, only 10 of those ingredients are banned. (!!!) For me, it was no brainer... If I am going to try and eat clean, and eliminate GMOs and other chemicals from my food, why was I then going to put lotion all over my skin (our biggest organ) that could be making me sick?

By the time Mary and I crossed paths, I was already using some lotion that was handmade by one of my best friends, and wondering when I would have time to make more so I can keep my beauty regime clean. So, coming to know Arbonne happened for me at just the right time.

Safe, pure, beneficial products aside, there are a few other reasons why I just love this. First, launching a company with Arbonne will put me in new circles of people doing new kinds of work. I love teaching, but it's exhausting, and the last thing I want to do over summer break is more of it. So, I am hopeful that this new opportunity will not only bring great products into my home, but also put me in touch with amazing women (& also some cool dudes?) who can be new friends!

And while I know that the compensation I bring in from Arbonne is reliant on my work, I am hoping to create something that can afford me all the things in life I'm dreaming about, and if I'm being honest, I know that teaching never could.

So cheers to you, Mary. Thank you for welcoming me into a company who makes products I want in my home, and walking beside me on a journey I can't quite even imagine yet!

how to do a breakup #likeaboss

Yes, you heard that right. Currently living the breakup world. Luckily I'm super pissed so there's way less tears than last time, but anyways it still sucks. That being said, here are some tips for getting through it.

1. Make a kick-ass breakup playlist and spin it on repeat until you can't take it anymore. Here's a few from mine:

What Goes Around - Justin Timberlake

Forget You - CeeLo Green

Tears Dry On Their Own - Amy Winehouse

Irreplaceable - Beyoncé

Fireball - Pitball (ha, I just like it)

Something in the Water - Carrie Underwood

F*ck You - Lily Allen

Elastic Heart - Sia

She's so strange. Good song though.

2. Make a secret board on Pinterest and pin all kinds of breakup things. You'll most certainly come across things like this that will cheer you up:

Here's the complete buzzfeed, which is pretty amazing.

3. Go order this book and read it cover to cover so you don't let the same shit happen again.

Let his words be gospel.

4. Clean up your social media. Delete him and his family from all platforms. No contact. For realsies.

5. Call your girlfriends and go out and get blitzed. Make sure you get some hot pictures of yourself in the process, too...but you probably won't and if you end up puking on your bedroom floor instead, hey, you didn't drunk dial, so we can call that a win.

6. Do the thing you love a lot. My thing is writing, so here you go. Actually, it's quite therapeutic.

7. Remove all the things from your house that will remind you of him. Then, clean the hell out of your apartment and then go buy new stuff to make yourself feel better. So far, I've got new sheets, a new decoration for my bathroom, and a Buddha statue.

8. Workout. And then do it some more. I'll be running a 5K in no time. And eat right. Except in the event of #4, in which case you can eat some pizza and a donut from Stans, provided you have enough energy to go get one.

9. Watch season 2 of Sex and the City.

10. And when you feel like crying, look at the funny things on that Pinterest board.

Seriously.

What's your strategy?