Fashion Friday #5: FUN Friday

I haven't been able to fit into any clothes much lately and I was feeling kinda sad because of it.  I understand I'm only going to get bigger and it's natural, but it just made me sad to be so limited... so I needed something to pick me up... MUSIC!  I LOVE music and you know what?  It really helps!  It picks you up, makes you forget about stress, and just makes you feel better all around at any time of day.  So, this Fashion Friday will be more of a FUN Friday featuring MUSIC.  These are some little fun, pick-me-up songs I ran across while just reading some posts.  Mind you, they are not common songs, but they are SUPER sweet and true, not to mention, catchy.  So, feel free to click on the links attached to each image and soak up some fun:

Brandon and Leah - "LIFE HAPPENS"

Carly Rae Jepsen - "CALL ME MAYBE"

Stephen Jerzak - "TOGETHER WITH THE SUN DOWN"

Paolo Nutini - "CANDY"

Simple Plan - "WHEN I'M GONE"

Kate Voegele - "SANDCASTLES"

Taking it slow

This past half year has certainly been a very eventful part of our little family's life.  Let me list some highlights in the past months that we experienced:

January...We find out I'm pregnant...surprise! 17 weeks already with an IUD.
February..."It's a girl!" and my husband gets a call from California for a new job.
March...We leave Utah and I leave behind a wonderful group of Young Women (that I still pray for every night :'-/ ), but I had complete faith in our new journey in California.
April...Hubby's Birthday and we move out yet again into a new apartment. Got anemia again and IUD causes delicate pregnancy. New calling again in Young Women's organization.
May...Most painful month, couldn't even sit. Put on bed rest until I deliver. IUD falls out at end of month, which Doc totally reprimands me for because I removed it myself (totally dangerous, but I felt it almost out, so I went for it. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS, very PAINFUL and RISKY!).
June...1 month left til delivery! Most challenging month as I struggle to keep energized and start really bad contractions. Doc tells me she'd like to induce delivery after 35 weeks due to size and circumstances.

Well, we have had our ups and challenges, but it's been quite memorable and full of joyful news because we're expanding our family.  I've decided to let our little girl decide when she's ready to come to this world and not induce like recommended.  I've also decided to get a midwife this time for delivery and I'll be attempting to go as far as possible without any pain medication.  I want to try natural delivery and have been learning relaxation techniques of all sorts in the meantime.  Although delivering naturally is somewhat scary, I know it's possible and hope to have the strength when the time comes.

So, because of everything still going on and me needing more rest, I won't be able to blog as much as I wish I could.  I wish I could share so much more and do more, but as a mom I gotta learn to prioritize and manage my time appropriately.  I will sorely miss blogging while my boy naps and creating posts that helped inspire me to be better too.  I won't be gone for too long though.

Hasta luego!

Marriage Takes Practice

My marriage is not perfect, it is a work in progress, an elaborate masterpiece in the making. A successful family only comes from the fountains of a successful marriage. So, because I am seeking to better something of great importance to me, I will share what I have found with you.

When we want to be successful at something in life, we usually don't attempt to "see how it goes." That's why those who want to play the piano take lessons. No one can sit down at a piano for the first time and play Mozart or Beethoven. Sure, most anyone can peck on the keys long enough to figure out "Chop Sticks" or "Mary Had a Little Lamb," but that's not musical success.

An instructor will teach what keys produce certain musical notes, what techniques to use to access those keys and how to determine musical notes from written symbols in order to play pieces of music.

Once we've received basic education and training, it is up to us to practice and develop what we we've learned. After years of practicing, one can become adequate at making music with a piano. Clearly, masterpieces cannot be musically interpreted into success by a beginner.

Yet we often assume that success in marriage will come without any instruction or practice. Many times, we rely on some mysterious shared chemistry or compatibility and then when things don't run smoothly, we assume that individual differences are to blame. In the sad cases, divorce lawyers entitle them, "irreconcilable differences."

Usually those struggling in marriage don't question their techniques or decide they are going to start practicing with a resource or a professional. Unmarried couples usually don't seek to learn correct fundamentals and techniques to practice in their future marriage. Because of this, many people are setting themselves up for failure.  According to studies 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Here are the current details and distributions, just look below:

Age at marriage for those who divorce in America

Age	Women	Men
Under 20 years old	27.6%	11.7%
20 to 24 years old	36.6%	38.8%
25 to 29 years old	16.4%	22.3%
30 to 34 years old	8.5%	11.6%
35 to 39 years old	5.1%	6.5%

The divorce rate in America for first marriage, vs second or third marriage
50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end indivorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. - from http://www.divorcerate.org/

Marriage is hard work, but it is well worth it. If your marriage is in crisis, I suggest you seek professional help, to really put forth an effort and get a professional, unbiased view that will help pin-point the real issue(s). If your marriage is not in crisis but you fear it could fall into crisis, I've found the following three points could offer some help in keeping your marriage from reaching a point distress. I am no professional and I'm included in working on always bettering my own marriage.  If your marriage is strong, the following could help you keep it that way.

Things to remember and practice:

1. Marriage is a team sport.  Most friends or relatives of married people often hear only one side of the story. The side they hear is usually one spouse blaming the other for all the problems within their marriage. "If only he'd _________." "If she wouldn't ________." It is never completely one-sided. Sure, one spouse might share more of the guilt in hurting a marriage, like in cases of infidelity or addictions, but it is nearly impossible for one spouse to deserve all the blame. Accept responsibility. Don't expect your spouse to do all the work in your relationship. Each marriage partner has enough to work on personally without attempting to change or manipulate his or her spouse. Be a team player in your marriage and your spouse will likely do the same. To see a big change, you must be part of it.

2. Become your spouse's dream (it's deeper than physical). When you were young, it's likely you had ideas and dreams of your relationship with your future spouse. Your spouse did as well.

Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes people make in marriage relationships is to stop the courtship process. You remember that time in your life don't you? When you were polite, kind, supportive, selfless, thoughtful, attentive, forthcoming and sensitive to your spouse? You made yourself into that dream. You learned what bothered, scared or hurt and you avoided those things. You found out what was important to him/her and you made it important to you even if it wasn't before. Do it again! People don't give up on the spouse of their dreams. You'll likely find that your spouse will do the same for you.

3. Tell other people good things about your spouse. In front of him or even when he's not there (the same goes for husbands about wives). If you focus on the positives in your spouse, you will find that he/she not only does more of those positive things but also adds new positives to the list. Thank him for cutting the grass or taking out the trash. Thank her for a delicious meal and tell others that she's a great cook. Be sure to compliment him on his strong arms or intelligence in front of your friends. Tell her how beautiful you think she is. Tell him he's handsome. Not only will your spouse appreciate the compliment, but you'll find it easier to treat your spouse as you should because you will be programming yourself to respect and appreciate him or her...remember that it's about practice, just like playing the piano.

Marriage takes practice and work, but the rewards are for a lifetime. Remember that great marriages don't happen over night just as troubled marriages usually don't become disturbed in a few days. Start on the path to being a team player in your marriage and don't look back.

DIY Natural Eye Makeup Remover

So I pretty much do this when I have the little bit of extra time early morning to play up my eyes.  These days usually include weekends and date night (Fridays), so before I go to bed, I will take this little potion and lean up my eyes.  The best part is that it doesn't clog your pores nor have negative long term effects...in fact it's very beneficial for you skin round the eyes in the long run (wrinkles...*wink, wink) ;-)

WHAT YOU NEED:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Cotton balls



WHAT TO DO:
1.  Take some EVOO and add it onto your cotton ball that you will be using, keep an extra nearby just in case.  I used an empty spice jar from my spice rack in the kitchen in the meantime.  Remember that EVOO is delicate, so you never want to store too much, expose it to too much air, nor direct light.  It DOES effect it's potency (it will turn to plain old oil, which I'm not sure is good for your skin).

2.  Gently take the skin around your skin and start to wipe.  Whatever mascara and shadows you have on will come off, even the tough waterproof kind.

haha, you can see my puffy fingers here ( I'm 30 wks preggers)

Eyeliner and mascara, be gone!

Easy peasy, lemon squeesy!

3.  That's it! You're done.  Now, I usually let my skin soak up the EVOO for the rest of the night as an eye potion.  You can also follow up with your nighttime routine, but as you can see, I wash my face beforehand and end with this :-) ...all CLEAN!

not REAL! So get REAL!

America Ferrera is such a natural beauty and is seen by millions on a regular basis.  Some of us are blssed to have a fuller body like hers, but then it's also true to see how girls/women let themselves be so mentally judged by social beliefs...So, without further delay:  The lies Photo Editing can "help" tell and problems it creates...

Can YOU tell?

(Photo from PETAPIXEL)

Actually, it makes me feel a bit sick to my stomach to even look at this image.  This was an ad for Ralph Lauren that took quite a bit of heat back in 2009.  I want to show you this image to educate you girls on the power of Photoshop.  This image goes to show you, you can take a seemingly normal body and use a tool called “liquify” that can potentially make your waist look smaller than you head!  Yes, check out the photo…and please say it ain’t so!  Honestly, the poor girl is so warped she doesn’t even look human anymore!  I think the thing about this ad that personally disturbs me the most is, I wonder how many desks this print went across and how many people signed off on it before it went to print…and not one person took a step back and said, “Wait a minute, this just doesn’t look right.”  Have we become that immune to startling thin women in magazines that this doesn’t raise an eyebrow within the advertising industry?

If anyone questions why an estimated 24 MILLION INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COUNTRY SUFFER FROM AN EATING DISORDER, this photo is probably a good indication why.  Girls, in particular, are trying to keep up with a body type that is physically IMPOSSIBLE!  Girls, none of us can compete with a Photoshop warping tool!  Take that in for a moment…you can’t compete with the impossible, so let go of that pressure to compete with what only a computer software can create.  The liquify tool reminds me of those warping mirrors that you sit in front of as a kid where your head becomes shaped like an hourglass alien?!??!  You know what I’m talking about!  The tool takes the normal and turns it into the impossible.

Below are some very interesting and startling facts about eating disorders that I found from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS while trying to pull the most recent data.

*Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness*Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents*47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures*69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape*95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.8*The body type portrayed in advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females*81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat

Now those facts should be a tough pill to swallow.  If you are one of those 24 million people that are battling an eating disorder, or you aren’t quite sure if it is “technically” a disorder, I encourage you to GET HELP HERE.  You are not alone in this battle and there is no need for you to feel that way.  Your story might just save another girl from this deadly disease.

New life in Cali and some projects!

So, I have been super busy here just having fun and mostly settling in and organizing.  It's funny how weather not only effects people emotionally, but time-wise as well.  As for me, I'm in a happier spirit because having constant good weather is cheery and I have less personal time for gadgets because I'm out and about or spending time with my little boy instead of being trapped indoors for months because of the snow.

Enough about that though. Let me get into some details that a lot of people mistakenly make of where I live now, mostly to educate and share:
1)  Most people think Southern California is nice, but there's "too much violence to raise a family in these parts"...well, I grew up here and I turned out anti-violent and mind you I've never tried drugs, nor stealing, nor was I influenced in any negative way while living here.  Truth is, my home is where I learned to be me and while outside and seeing people's lives, I was able to decide for myself through conviction instead of following the general public.  So no matter WHERE your family is raised, it's HOW YOU raise them that matters and will determine how they will be influenced.
2)  A lot of people think it's super expensive to live out here...it depends a lot on location.  Fact is, renting is not cheap, but becoming a homeowner is cheaper.  Yup, you can buy a nice spacious home for (a bigger family) around $250,000 in a nice neighborhood including a pool now-a-days (and not in the dessert), which I know as a fact due to close relatives currently house-shopping.  Not to mention, utility bills are way cheap...I remember paying almost $190 for just our gas bill one winter month in Utah.  Here, most families think paying $80 for ALL their utilities is too much and can easily control due to climate.  Also, produce is much more fresh and affordable in California.  You can buy up to 7lbs of oranges for .99 cents and food is never taxed so you pay what you see.  For sure car fuel is a killer here, running up to $4.10 a gallon on average right now, but when everything is so close to you in distance, your tank can last a while.  Now, buying merchandise is also at lower cost here depending on where you go.  If you're the type that only buys in department stores or malls, then you're paying too much ANYWHERE.  If you like bargains, then there's a whole world at your disposal.  I'm talking about flee markets, discount factories and outlets, and everything within 3-10 miles from your home.  In Utah I had to wait for a trip down to Salt Lake City (20 miles one-way) to get cute clothing and still crossed my fingers to find a bargain I would love, but since everyone shops in the same places then usually the same style, brand, and shoes are strolling out and about...making YOU fit into a mold.  So most times I skipped the $9.99 blouse on clearance or the $29.99 jeans on sale (total $40 plus tax). I recently bought a 7-piece bed set ($25), a car seat ($10), 13lbs of bananas ($1.50), Covergirl Makeup foundation ($2), a cute maternity top ($1), and still spent the remainder on snacks (same $40 without tax) while shopping here in California.  So, between mortgage and bills, you'll be paying the same as in, let's just say, Utah...since it's the only other place I've lived in and payed bills.  BUT between food, discounts, local stores, and cheaper merchandise, anyone can save in California and anyone who argues this needs to crunch in the real numbers to see reality.
3)  Jobs.  Jobs.  Jobs.  Everywhere you go, people are struggling to find or keep their jobs.  It's a sad stand-point for our nation really, but trials come in every size, we just have to be ready for them.  In Utah, jobs don't pay very high unless you sacrifice a lot of yourself (under the radar) to get there or have connections, which is okay, but benefits stink.  In California, jobs pay higher with no relation on who you know or don't know, and benefits are great.  Not many know that, personally, we went through a very sad job situation with my husband in Utah.  The worst was that it all came down to discrimination and gossip...I know silly huh? A lot of people lose jobs in Utah based on gossip and who your connections are in the line of superiors.  Not all jobs are like that, but those exceptions are few.  The answer to our prayers was in an email and phone call letting my husband know that he had a job waiting here in California.  I was ecstatic, my husband was still re-cooperating from the hard blow from a job he really cared about, but in the end he was happy and we left.  Now, he earns about the same, but earns palpable commission with other perks, covered with full benefits at little out-of-pocket expense, and is recognized at work for ALL he does. We were also looking into having our baby and expenses while in Utah and figured it would cost us over $6,200 for me to deliver under my husband's costly insurance at the time.  In California we are going to pay $0.00.  That's right!  We will be worry-free and focus more on our family's outcome than our financial stress for this lil' baby girl!  Sometimes, when it comes down to jobs, we gotta take the open door blessedly provided instead of being stubborn and staying where we will ultimately lose in this money-driven world run by wolves and hungry sharks.
4)  California loves all races! I will not share my personal negative stories here because I've put it all behind me and learned from what I had to go through in Utah for being LATINA.  I will share this though: the select few Caucasians that do like Hispanics (more than just Mexican food) are absolutely good people! Not only on a personal scale is California more accepting, but the laws are more equal and offer opportunities to those desperately needing hope for their dreams.  I'm talking about illegals.  I'm blessed to be a citizen, but I do admire those that aren't because they are the definition of hard work.  I ran into families in Utah living on pure faith, some being torn apart by state laws, and some so alone.  Some young people hated going to school because they would get treated differently, and I'm not gonna lie, I wanted to take their place instead of watching them become broken.  I could only do so little, and yet I was experiencing the same things while in the park with my child or in the library, even the grocery store.  This is a supposed new era, new times, but some people are stuck...covered in modern masks of ignorance...but that's a whole other subject.

Now, I'm just happy to be back home :-).  We were living with a relative for just a bit and just recently moved into our new place about 2 weeks ago.  I'm exited because I get to decorate and we're only 11 weeks away from meeting out new baby too!  Here are some things I've been working on and want to keep making for our home:  (click on the images to see the tutorials)

...and once I have my rooms fully finished I will post up pictures to share what I've made.  I try to work at a bearable pace since I was put on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy and my little one is quite the little "helper"...when the mood strikes ;-)

A beautiful family truth!

Here's 2 quotes I found that I absolutely love, which I dedicate to my supportive parents for giving me this example:


Family is what grounds you.
 - ANGELINA JOLIE, interview, Jun. 13, 2001


Focus on your marriage. Because that's the nucleus of the home, whatever you do to restore its health and strength will naturally restore what's broken among the other relationships. If you have no children yet, this will make a comfortable nest for them to begin life well. If you have children, the changes you make in your marriage will affect the rest of the household more quickly and dramatically than you think. 
 -CHARLES R. SWINDOLL, Marriage: From Surviving to Thriving

I have parents that love each other, like for real! They love us (their children) and they support me in my endeavors and let me fall down to learn on my own...it wasn't always that way, but they too had to learn and when they learn something they act on it, not just keep it as knowledge.  They guided me and then watched me walk away into my own life, keeping to themselves and really letting me learn valuable lessons and truths that no parent can try to force into the mind of a growing child and less into a growing young adult.  I've learned of the good and the bad in life, though I have so much more to learn, I know I can say I was blessed to have parents that let me learn...they taught me to be receptive, honest, true, strong, not gossip, dedicated, just, cultivate my talents, to discover and never stop learning...and taught me important life skills that I actually use like cooking, socializing, manners, emphasis on education, cleaning, love of music and art and to have a genuine interest in the well-being of others without judgement, but to instead love, understand, and serve.

As I grew up at home, I knew that life wasn't perfect, but I knew I always had a mom and dad that loved me very much because I saw the love they had for each other.  They made it look so easy!  Yeah, they would disagree at times, but then made it a hilarious joke and would end up teasing each other at the end.  They always had date night!  We would make their patience run out, but they apologized for being frustrated and would talk to us about our lives no matter the amount of time it took out of their day.  They had/have family councils to let every member in the family express something and make plans.  I would sometimes hear them talking in their room late at night if there was an issue that needed resolving, and I would hear them pray.  They were interested in knowing who our friends were and cared to see us not get hurt.  They would cry...when we would feel alone...they knew us all to well.  When now I'm feeling down, I don't even have to tell them why, they just comfort and love...they remind me of my worth, my purpose and give me strength. To this day, I don't know how they did/do it all: 8 children, church callings (bishopric, stake, youth leader, etc), bills, teenagers, school, meetings, and they still have children in elementary that will have to go through years of growing before they can be on their own.  Just thinking about it all takes a toll on me!

Now, as a mother and wife I have only but to apply what I've been taught.  Life is harder than when you're living at home with your parents.  Life is challenging, yet lovely.  It can break you and you have to learn to rebuild yourself without a soul to comfort you at times.   Sometimes I give into the small things in life that others may take lightly, but then I feel horrible inside and have to quickly re-adjust because...I should know better.  I guess I can be hard on myself, but I recognize I'm human with weaknesses, but that's no excuse to not do the right thing.  My comfort comes from only relying on my Heavenly Father.  I know He loves me and He helps me.  That's also something that my parents let me learn on my own and so I have a burning testimony that it's true.

I'm not ashamed to let the world know I love my Mami and Papi.  Afterall, they gave a lot of themselves for me :-)

5 Forget-Me-Not tips for life

This was all inspired and paraphrased from a talk given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf from the LDS presidency and Relief Society Worldwide General Conference.  As Woman, we were reminded to value ourselves and that our Heavenly Father loves us ever so much.  We are strong and we are chosen to lead our families, the greatest responsibility in the face of the earth...to raise your children to walk their life on their own :-)  Among many other great and amazing talks given during the session, this is a fun and simple one I loved.  See the image below for a visual of a forget-me-not flower.  Five petals, five forget-me-nots:

1.  Forget not to be patient with yourself.
   DON"t spend so much time comparing yourself to others and celebrate your efforts.
2.  Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
   Give up something good for something of far greater worth, never jeopardizing your family time. Ask if you're committing your time and energy to the things that matter most.
3.  Forget not to be happy now.
   Stop desperately yearning for your golden ticket (perfect marriage, stress-free life, money and riches, etc). Look at what you have, do not miss the tiny wonders around you...the daily moments of sweetness.
4.  Forget not the WHY of the gospel.   Don't see the gospel and work therein as a list of more stress you will add to YOUR life and do not focus on HOW to do things, but WHY.  Remember why you committed to having that light and joy in your life.
5.  Forget not that the Lord loves you.
   You are not forgotten...wherever you are, whoever you are.  No matter how dark your day may seem, nor how overshadowed you may think you are, nor how many mistakes you make...He loves you!  You are his child.

There is so much more to this and all the talks.  If you're interested in listening to these talks, just check out the LDS webpage if you're a member.  If you're not a member yet, then you can check out MORMON.ORG

LoVe is in the AiR!

My birthday just passed this weekend and it was quite a nice day!

Well, since then, I've been in a good mood...i don;t know, I guess it has to do with the fact that everyone treats you a bit nicer? Mmmmh, yup!

My son has also recently become a big Star Wars fan, calling it "Staa Woo!" and even making lightsaber sound effects and it's super CUTE!

Now, since I've been in a better mood, I feel all lovey-dubby and stuff so here is a video i saw as I opened my internet browser this morning...very adorable and it keeps making me cry everytime I see it!

ENJOY! DISFRUTEN!



May all of you be able to share this with your special loved one.  Remember that a family essentially consists in the true happiness between wife and husband to truly have a positive atmosphere wherever you go.  It's never about spoiling your kids, buying the latest electronics or gadgets, and definitely not about focusing on money.  Sure, stress from bills and debt can supress you, but your spouse is there...you're not alone any more and you're also there for them. I think that's the best part of being married.

We sometimes forget also that we as parents aren't just providers and figures of discipline, but before everything, we are examples.

I'm not going to tell you I have a perfect marriage, but I can tell you with all my heart that I love my husband with every fiber in my body and that I try everyday to make our marriage worth something for me and for our own future while building our family.  My expressions of love, on a daily basis, are very simple: I wake up as he gets ready for work and iron his clothes and his tie, sometimes I put notes in his pockets or lunch bag so he can find them at work. Everyday, I call him while he's away, just to tell him I love him and he always says, "awww!" even though he's heard it hundreds of times already.

Everything too good to be true is attainable, the catch lies in YOU keeping your part.  For more ideas and advice for your home, check out Happiness in Family Life from lds.org.

Now, I gotta get back to working on some wedding  and family pictures...ciao!

NEW lens!

So, I forgot to mention that last I was in Los Angeles, I bought a very large zoom lens at a great deal in downtown.  It's a Nikkor 70-300mm G.  I LOVE how close I can get to things without having to go so far and get a bigger picture just as quickly by zooming out! I use pure manual focus all the time now and so it's tons of fun.

Well, yesterday I got a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D and I have to say it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! All the raves and reviews on it are 4.5 and above out of 5, so I definitely went for it.  Everyone apparently loves it very much and I have to say that I join that fan club.  It's amazing quality for a fraction of the cost of any other lens in the same category.  You don't break the bank and I'm having so much fun testing it out before I have another photo session to shoot this weekend.  Oh, it'll be great!!!!

Here's a review on the specifics from the Ken Rockwell site.  His details are spot-on and I rely heavily on what he has to say about lenses before I buy.

I'm definitely loving all my lenses right now!!!

EEeeeeeeek! I'm squealing for joy because I'm get on to playing with them more and my son doesn't mind being the subject for attention!

Later peoples!!

Black beans, less-gas style!

My mother always cooked black beans at home and pinto beans too.  Through the years, with my dad getting very well acquainted with healthier habits and tricks, he read of a way to cook beans in a way to reduce gassy effects on people. Ever since then, my dear mother has cooked them as such and taught us that same way. This technique can be used for all types of beans to reduce the effect bloating and gas.  Remember that beans are a great source of fiber, iron, and protein!

PERFECT!

YOU WILL NEED
dry beans ready to cook
water

NOT THIS!

cooking pot, with lid, NO openings!
salt to taste
garlic cloves, one tooth (or powder if you REALLY don't have the real deal)




MAKE IT
1. Prepare the day before you want your beans: pour out the uncooked beans in the pot you'll be using, rinse them and pour out the water.

2.  Fill up the pot with water.  Let this sit overnight (or at least 6 hrs) in water, no lid. This process lets the beans release their "gassy" qualities into the water, not absorbing them at all naturally!

3.  In the morning, or after a minimum of 6 hours, pour out all the water the beans were in.  I leave my pot on the cool stove overnight...

   COOL FACT: you'll notice before you pour out the water, that the water is slightly bubbling...it's gas in it, not in the beans anymore!  It was all released into the water!  Now, get red of that water and do a final quick rinse of the beans.

4.  Fill up the pot and newly-rinsed beans with water again.  This time fill up to one third more of the bean's mass and sprinkle in some salt and one garlic tooth....

so if you have 3 cups of beans, then 4 cups water.  If you have 6 cups of beans, then 8 cups of water.  Get it?  I rarely measure, but this is the general rule so I just eyeball it and cook enough for the week.

5.  Finally, cover your pot of ready-to-cook beans with the pertaining lid, making sure it seals all around.  You want the beans to cook in their own vapors and flavors.  If you don't have a lid without holes, you can cover the pot with just enough foil to cover over all edges and then put your lid on.  Slow-cook, below medium heat, and check on them every 2 hours or so. They should be ready to eat in another 5-6 hours and super delicious!  You can use a clean fork to see how tender they are getting.

TIPS for keeping beans good:  As a general rule, beans can get easily contaminated, so always use a clean kitchen utensil to scoop out amounts.  Also, they can be cooked ONCE, and then refrigerated up to 7 days safely.  Once you re-heat beans, they cannot be stored, they must be consumed because they will go bad if you re-re-heat beans...the gassy quality can return and you can get an upset stomach.  Always taste a set of beans before re-heating, they should taste good, not sour.

MASHED BEANS:  Just pour the desired amount of refrigerated  or just-cooked beans into a blender, add about a 4th of that amount in water and blend on high.  If you'll be reheating this to eat, then spray cooking spray or very lightly pour canola oil in a pan or pot to reheat.  Stir often and serve.

CANNED BEANS:  If you really want canned beans your whole life, you're asking for constant gas.  They are sometimes re-fried, which is not good either for you.  Remember, beans are very beneficial, but try to make a good habit of eating them fresh and healthy.

New Clients

I love getting new clients to the small services, in music and photography, that I can offer.  Today, I booked another wedding to a very nice girl over the phone.  Funny thing, she's getting married on my anniversary!  So, yeah, I will be working on my anniversary this year, which I talked to my husband and he said it was OK.   I hope we get to plan something out on another day then.  Also, I've been getting so many new customers from my online adds in KSL.  It's a local newspaper and news source in Utah and I love that I've gotten responses.  I don't charge a whole lot anyway since I do mostly all of this for the love of fine arts and being more accessible to those who just want to spend bigger money on more long-term goals, at least that's how I think.  I just hope I don't go broke from traveling around for resources, locations, and other stuff I need to maintain all of this. 

I actually offered my services to people from my Spanish church building first, making calls and answering questions without really selling anything ( I don't think church is for that anyway) and everyone approached me from performances I did or callings I held instead.  Unfortunately, no body really responded besides questioning so I went the old-fashioned route and posted onto a newspaper source.  I used to teach to just minorities back in California to help out my community's enrichment, but minorities here are focused on other things maybe.  I was hoping it'd be different and maybe it will be soon.

Well, as far as me managing my businesses, I try to give it my all when I do service others because that's what I would like if I were a customer, no matter how much I'm paying.  I think quality doesn't have to come at the price of a limb!  I think quality is just that...quality, not a price tag.  No gimmicks, no half-efforts, no lies, no sales pitch, no strings.  What's most important is helping the community and society through individuals.  I know for a fact that music, for example, stimulates better, shall we say, karma.  While photography is an art medium that records moments and hopefully helps pick up our mood or teaches us to meditate about memories and experiences so we can reflect on more uplifting things.

Connection Obsession

I know we all live in a very high tech society now a days, but the truth is, how much are we living through electronics and connections rather than living real life?  I once  read a wonderful talk by Elder David A. Bednar, titled Things as They Really Are, in the Liahona LDS magazine we subscribe to, and it was like I was struck in the face with a harsh realization.  I highly recommend reading it.  I loved it and I realized how we ultimately have the control of either living through connections or if we live to make real connections with real people.  I quote one of my favorite parts, " Sadly, some young men and young women...today ignore “things as they really are” and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions, and detours that have no lasting value." 

I never noticed how intense our sometimes "addictions" to these cyber lives can effect our overall effective human experience; it's misusing the true purpose of our physical bodies as well.  I can't sit for hours, mostly because of my hyper-active child, and lose myself in the Internet, but I realized that we don't have to be too submersed in it for it to take over, in some degree, the reality of reality.  I hope I'm making sense.  Elder Bednar explained this better than I.  Well, after reading his article, I have been working hard to limit my own time on the computer and even have set scheduled posts to limit my time and instead write ideas as they flow into my mind or write experiences as well for reflecting.  Writing helps me see clearer, let things flow out and Internet helps me learn, connect and expand my knowledge.  I plan to keep my relationship with Internet limited and real.  I have witnessed how people are so consumed by their Wi-Fi connections, iPhone, texts, facebook, Internet, and media wants to such a degree that I rarely see people sitting in public places just looking at the world in front of them.  Instead, everyone's faces are directed down to screens of some sort.  Why?  Sometimes it takes some time for others to get someone's attention that's entrapped in cells phones or media.  Cyber entrapment only stiffens our sensibility towards feelings and emotions.  Have you noticed it? 

Let's get better people.  Let's look at the world, our families and get back in touch with our senses.  Let's not let the opportunities of life pass us by as we give our somewhat addictions "5 more minutes."  I know my feelings have sometimes been hurt by people close to me ignoring the fact that human interaction is essential, that communication through talk is more important that staying up-to-date with other people's lives.  I tend to leave the computer on all day because of my photography business and for tutorials I follow along while I'm learning something new fro my home or self-enrichment, but I'm not perfect and sometimes I fall into the stride of clicking away.  I usually log onto facebook because I like to write, like I said earlier.  It's a good thing to write, but to get consumed in surfing the web or dulling my senses is bad.  Some days, I try not to turn the computer on, but there are many times I need to.  I'm striving, just like everyone out there, to be better.  It's hard, yes, but I have priorities and that's when Internet and electronics have no room to fill in the big picture.  It's all up to me.  I have the control, not a lifeless electronic.  I have a divine potential and I cannot waste the precious time in life that has been given to me.  When we want to see a change in something, no matter how big or small, it starts with us.  So, I need to be an example to my little one and show him that device enticement is not healthy nor a priority.

Well, until next time.  I've written to my little heart's content in the past 15 minutes and need to get back to finishing details on my husband's presents.  Like always, I love my life and opportunities I have had and will have soon and look forward to everything that my real life can offer.

My measurements and almost ending the detox/cleanse

So, last week on, Saturday, I started my diet to just get my insides better. So far, I've improved in stamina, energy, activity, less dry skin, and especially my mood. I can't even try to explain how great I really feel overall. Well, on the plus, I've lost some weight. From what I remember at my last doctor's visit, I was 137lbs. I will also give out my measurements(no shame): 45, 39, and 47. Yeah, pretty thicky-thick, huh, considering my height, 5'2. I know, but the good news is that I'm now: 39, 33, 39 exactly! So I lost: 6in, 6in, and 8in. The latter I believe I lost more because I've been taking walks daily. So, as you can see, the results are just 7 days away everytime I cleanse and detox. All I did was the Pineapple diet. Everyone around me, except my family because they do it too, was thinking I was starving....I wasn't. I was full all the time and cleasing while kicking out junk from my insides and also making my metabolism a bit faster as well. I loved it! I can't lie, nor put up a hype...it was simple and luckily, I will be doing it again with my husband in 2 weeks to help support him since he now wants to do it as well.

Since I don't think it's a good idea to do only Pineapple Diet repeat in such close range, I will combine it with the Raw Foods Diet Cleanse and Detox.

Oh, when I get a chance to weight myself, I will and post those results too.

Wow, free exercise videos that work for women!

So, I was going to out today in the morning again to walk, but the weather is really cold.  I would do it, but I  take my baby with me and I also have some bronchitis issues that return everytime I expose myself to extreme cold weather unneccesarily.  So, I really wanted some cardio done and I walked up and down our two story condo a few times until my legs gave in.  Guess what?  Even though my legs gave in, my body still had energy so I wanted to do one of my workout videos I have for home in DVDs...problem is: I'm so energetic from still going through my detox that those workouts just seem boring!  Well, to make things come to the end, I found a website hosted by a woman that has posted FREE videos to download on computer and save!  I used to see YouTube vids and then followed along, but it's so much better to see things on a TV screen and still have tons of space to use for exercise and have free hands. Besides, I have a DVD movie maker/converter I bought and I love making quick videos on it for my kid...now it's my turn to have a DVD.

I'm sharing this with you so that you can do it too or just take a look at everything she has to offer on health too.  She's pretty savvy and intense, so be prepared to really get out of your comfort zone and face the reality of food and health.

Workout Routines for Women by Rumi

This will also be a perma-link on my "sites I love" tab.

Pineapple and Chlorophyll

Here are some pictures of this tasty, cleansing and weight-loss juice.

The color comes from the yellow Pineapple and green from the Chlorophyll

Here you see the pulp.



The taste is sweet with a hint of mint!

My Needed Detox and Cleanse

So, I've been gaining some weight recently.  I know I don't eat wrong, like junk food or fast food, and I cook everything I eat, but...I'm very stressed.  Stress is our bodies enemy because it releases toxins into your bloodstream, as does anger and fear.  I've gotten married and I just worry about everyone else over me...but I love lovin'.

Anyway, I don't get panic attacks, but I do worry a lot.   Lately, it's  money.  I don't mind saying it because everyone worries about it, a lot.  Ever since I stopped "working" I've stepped back from that control panel and my hubby has made some regrettable decisions, but he fixes them if possible.  He's learning, and I just have to let him learn about how money management is also a partnership, whether or not I get a payroll.  I'm kind of a control-freak too and I love to make plans. Plans make the world go 'round, in a very organized way.  I also have an IUD as my contraceptive.  Unfortunately (we are all adults here) this makes me have a super heavy menstrual.  I need a Tampax and Maxi change every 2-3 hours for 5 days straight.  No light days.  Im' regular though.  So, I inevitably developed anemia.  Another thing, Andrew is super active and I've had to channel some of his brain's activity to reading and learning since he was a year, but he's a never-ending human circus.  He's been like that since he could walk.  Many are impressed he's not in his terrible twos yet.  I love him though!  Then, there's a Guatemala vacation my husband wants to take with his family, which means more money, and we have to take our baby too because his family says he needs to experience it.  I know he won't remember a single thing though, but I gotta go with the flow and enjoy the ride fully to avoid any unnecessary stress.  It seems I'm almost venting, but I'm not.  I use music and art for that, and recently running too.

So, what am I gonna do to remedy at least partial of the stress and get rid of toxin loads?  A cleansing of course and detoxification!  I used to do this all the time before I married and maintained my weight at a healthy 123-125lbs.  I'm no doctor, but my dad is a self-taught nutritionist and while he was reading and testing things for himself, I followed/read along since I was a female and so we compared differences in results after trying our individual experiences.  My mom was always so busy and I was at a peak of wanting to know more...I guess I still am, haha.  Well, after I was married I became pregnant and ended at 179lbs right before my baby was born a little earlier than expected, but healthy.  Now, I weight 132lbs.  You gotta realize I have big cheeks and a round face, so my weight can be seen instantly.  I am also very short, 5'2. Don't get me wrong, I love my body and myself, but I know when my body needs to start getting in gear again from the inside.

I love cleansing my body and going through a detox because it rejuvenates me and maintains my weight without sacrifices.  Of course, I don't eat much junk food anyway or fast food, but I can get away with eating almost anything I actually like.  The reason I used to maintain my weight was because I cleansed my body  every 3 months or so.  Our bodies are like cars, you need to tune them up and make sure things run good from the inside.  Otherwise, that's how you start to get problems and buildup of toxins your body can't tolerate and we are such beautiful creations that it's a waste to be careless of our organs. Symptoms that you may be accumulating toxins at a rate higher than your body can process include fatigue, irritability, skin problems, digestive issues, aches and pains, stress, and even other behavioral problems.

Now, I've written very much and it's time to tell you the specifics of cleansing and detox so you can get a "tune up" if you wan to try.   I'm no doctor and you need to know your body well before committing to these methods of naturally cleansing.  I'm currently on my 3rd day of Pineapple and Chlorophyll juice.

Pineapple and Chlorophyll Cleanse/Detox
PURPOSE: Kicks your metabolism into high gear naturally from the pineapple, and chlorophyll acts as super nutrients and supports your intestinal and circulatory health, so your body gets a vacation from eating bad fats, but still gets all it needs.
EXTRAS:  Lose up to 10lbs along the process. My dad and I tried it at the same time and he lost almost 12lbs, while I lost 10lbs.  The juice is really tasty too!
WHAT YOU NEED:  Natural pineapple juice (no sugars or concentrate)and lots of it, 32oz Liquid Chlorophyll from Nature's Sunshine (it's the best/purest we've tried without "adding" more unnecessary ingredients), Spirulina tablets.
WHAT TO DO:  During 7 days, all you consume is pineapple juice with the Chlorophyll in it.  Nothing else.  I combine both in a clean, empty gallon and put it in the fridge and keep refilling until the 7 days are up.  For every 8oz of juice, add a teaspoon of chlorophyll.  If I go out, I carry my bottle with this mixture inside.  Take a Spirulina tablet in the morning and again at night, varying to how much meat you're used to consuming.  So the more meat you eat, then up the ratio, read the label too.
NOTE:  The first 2 days are always the hardest, mentally.  Realize that you need to fully commit to get through it. 


Raw Foods Diet Cleanse/Detox
PURPOSE:  This really sets your whole digestive system in good, clean shape.  Your body will get a rest from toxins and soon after you end you will immediately see what foods your body does not take well or what effects they bring if you do consume them.  Even the apple of your cheeks become naturally flushed!
EXTRAS:  Lose up to 10lbs if you do the 10-day liquids.  I lost 8lbs and my father lost about 10 with this too.  Your taste buds will also become very sensible afterwards and tastes of cooked foods can be powerful and some very sour.
WHAT YOU NEED:  Raw foods and a blender. Distilled water.  If you are deficient in anything else, please, take the necessary supplements.  Raw foods are all fresh foods like vegetables and fruits.  Nothing cooked or with preservatives, nor grains or meats.  Lemon or limes to help with digestion, cleansing, flavoring, and purifying.  Other than fresh produce, you can consume raw oatmeal, EVOO (first cold pressed), sea salt, natural honey and soy milk(minimally).  No nuts.
WHAT TO DO:  Start by eating only raw foods for 2 whole days.  On the third day, you will start with liquids counting as your first day of liquid raw foods, so you need to blend everything and make smoothies. Get creative and explore how satisfying this can be.  Here, you let your digestive system not do any work as far as breaking down your foods goes and so your body will naturally focus on other parts that have been needing some work or attention.  Amazing, huh?  There are three options while on the liquid part which are 3, 5, or 10 total days of liquids.  The longer you go, the more you clean, but 10 days is very cleansing and should be done about twice a year only.  While on the liquid phase, you cannot chew gum or stimulate your mouth to produce saliva in any way.  This will set your digestion into gear and defeats the purpose of letting it rest to detox.  If you do, drink water immediately.  Finally, after your liquid phase, end with another 2 days of eating raw foods and continue eating as normal afterwards.
NOTE:  Try eating rich fruits that will help still bring in Omega3 and other good fatty acids still in your system, like avocado.  Also, consume your smoothies fresh, do not store for more than 2 hours at a time.  Also, if you cheat(meaning even a bite of that nasty hamburger), then you must start from day 1, meaning eating raw foods.  It's not that hard, but we mentally make it a battle.

Well, I hope this inspires someone to detox or cleanse.  Get to know your bodies and find out why you have certain triggers or problems.  If anything is changing that's not normal, then try a cleanse and see if it gets rid of it.  Sometimes it takes 2 weeks up to a month for your body to get rid of something bad in the system.  Otherwise, see a doctor and tell them what you really are experiencing that is bothersome.  Whether you decide to see a doctor or cleanse, do it now.  Don't wait for things to get worse or decide to live with it because it will only result in something bad in the long run that could have been prevented.

I love Yoga!

I don't have any strict regime on working out, but one thing I always do to keep flexible and not get cramped is YOGA.  The best thing is that you can do it at home.

It's relaxing, calming, and gives me a sense of self-control when I get the chance to do it. I don't overdo it of course, but I try to keep at it 3 to 4 times a week, for about 20 to 30 minutes.  I have a DVD and follow along or just wing-it(not often though) since I've done this for a while now.  The most important thing is breathing and not quantity, but quality.  It improves my breathing control for singing too.  Start small and you'll see the increase of your flexibility soon too.  Here are some links for poses and why it's good for you:

Women's Health Magazine

Yoga for beginners, a practical guide

Try videos too and follow along:

You tube users: Yogatic(featured below), Yogabody777, and YogaYak.
Either way, look into it, I highly recommend it and please, talk to your doctor before starting or phone-nurse corresponding to your medical records.




It works! I haven't had a leg cramp since I was a senior in high school.  That's 7 years and that's no lie!  I know it's because of Yoga and because I've committed to drinking more water.  Not to mention the benefit of not having to worry about having a hunchback as I get wiser(older).  I hope that when I get old I can still wrestle my younger brothers or snatch them into a choke-hold.  JK, sort of.

Tratalo! Try it!

Job updates for our FaMiLy

So, as I said earlier in some posts, Hugo is now sitting in a banker position at work.  He has been approved recently for another raise as well.  He has managed to be one of the top salesmen in his district and I'm proud of him! 

Most recently also, we all found out my family was moving back to California, the sunshine state.  Why?  Well, my father is a mechanic and he wasn't making as much as he needed to make here in Utah, with only most jobs being pure commission.  You have to know that I come from a family of 10 people!  I was the eldest of eight children and the youngest is now 4 years old.  That being said, my father got a call from his old boss in California offering him his old position back, no sales, no commission, just hourly pay and full benefits.  Of course, my father seized the opportunity and said YES.

Now, I tell the story of my family after talking about my husband because they are most definitely related since now we are considering moving out to California as well.  We are both Californians anyway, and I would love to live near the pacific ocean again!  I'm not too fond of living in winter snow and I've been in it for the past 4 1/2 years now.  I love my family too and having their loving support as I venture into motherhood and homemaking is beneficial and I get one-on-one advice on being wiser too.  There's no substitute for the friendship a mother can bring to a daughter learning about life.  So, Hugo has been applying for jobs in California as a transfer employee.  Not much success so far, considering all the applications he's submitted, but all of the reasons were because he doesn't live close now.  Most recently, he received an offer which he needs to go in person for an interview.  I'm exited, but since we have to work around what money we have available, we've decided on taking a small break to California until May.  I'm ecstatic!!!!  I can't even wipe the smile off my face thinking about it!  I hope everything works out well and that we just get what we need.

Oh, since I'm already on here: I will be posting simplified and healthy recipes every week.  I cook often, but posting daily would be very time consuming, and I tend to post only when my child is still sleeping or napping just so I can focus 100% :-)  I'm honestly just happy to be sharing with whomever wants to learn!