Stronger

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending Kelly Clarkson's Stronger Tour.  I have always been a huge American Idol fan, and have loved so much of Kelly's music!  However, it was seeing Kelly live that made me realize what an amazing person and role model she is!

The concert opened with her singing "Dark Side", an enchanting song from her newest album, while she was behind a screen that flashed many of the negative things that have been said about her in the past.  By the time the she reached the chorus, the screen opened and she emerged, strong and beautiful!  She has really endured so many negative comments and not let it get to her.  Still, she serves as such an inspiration, and so much of her music is empowering and just a lot of fun!

The whole show was fantastic, and I loved the overall atmosphere inside the stadium.  In many of the more well-known songs, you could look around and nearly everyone was singing along, belting out the lyrics to Since You Been Gone and Stronger!  One surprise I was not expecting that really stole the show for me was her performance of my all time favorite song by her, Maybe, from her My December album.  I absolutely love the lyrics and melodies, and sometimes when I'm feeling lonely or being a little too reflective about love in general, I channel these emotions within this song.  If you haven't heard it before, here is a video from the concert!  I urge you to check it out!

Key Lime Pie

It is clear that the weather this past year has been unseasonably warm.  Throughout the winter, I kept telling myself that the worst was coming, and that I should brace myself and keep my winter clothing ready just in case.  However, now that it is almost April, I feel as though it is safe to say this mysterious cold front we had been anticipating is not going to come.  And, to embrace the delightful-summer-like Spring weather, why not make a Key Lime Pie?

Makes 1 pie

10 Body Resolutions

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When we tend to think of resolutions, many of our minds flashback to January, perhaps proud of our accomplishments, humored or disappointed by failing to keep our resolutions, or perhaps skeptical or annoyed by the whole spectacle.

But why do we tend to think of resolutions as a one time event each year, when, in reality, every day, and even every moment can be the chance to start something new?

Here is an excellent list of resolutions to help develop positive body image starting right now!  I received this list at a Body Image workshop I attended a few weeks ago and decided to share them!

World Water Day 2012

It's time to mark your calendars, because Thursday, March 22 is World Water Day 2012!

Each year, World Water Day has a particular theme, and this year focuses on Water and Food Security.

While I definitely try to watch my water consumption, I was amazed to find out just how much water is used in the production of other goods.  A few facts that shocked me were that it takes 37 gallons of water to make a cup of coffee, 49 gallons to make a bag of chips, and 400 gallons to grow cotton for a t-shirt!  So much water!!!

Here is a graphic I found from the Nature Conservancy that I also found shocking.

Perhaps as you go about your daily life, you can think about some of these "hidden" uses of water, as I know I will be thinking about this in the days to come.

I encourage you to learn more about World Water Day by checking out this site.

You can also check out this awesome World Water animation.

Like Crazy

Today was my first day back home for Spring Break, and it is definitely great to be back!  Life got a little crazy the past few weeks, hence, no posts.

I think it's amazing how sometimes returning to your roots really keeps you grounded, and reminds you what is most important.  I found myself feeling so alive today, especially when my younger sister and I went to our old elementary school playground to swing.  The swings have always been my favorite thing to do on playgrounds, and I was reminded of how magical it is to feel weightless, with the wind blowing through your hair and the sun on your face, and to just laugh, loudly, out in the open air, without a care in the world.  It was beautiful!

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Also, this evening, after my family and I rented the movie "Like Crazy", and I personally found it to be amazing!  I won't spoil anything, but I just loved how real everything felt, and it was interesting to watch this particular couple on their journey through life. I find that I am always fascinated by others' relationships, probably because love is such a salient part of my life, and I find myself feeling all of these different emotions for certain people in my life that I am constantly trying to figure out.  The music in the film was also excellent!

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The Truth Behind What We See in the Media

I am sure we are all familiar with what society deems as the "ideal" body type. Whether we are watching TV, walking by magazine covers, or looking at images online, we are bombarded with images of thin, yet curvy women, and sometimes this makes us feel inferior. 

I recently watched this video, and I found it to be very helpful, especially if I am not feeling as confident about my appearance.  These perceptions of beauty are so engrained in our heads, sometimes we forget or don't realize that they are not necessarily real.

Next time you begin to subconsciously compare yourself with some of the women you see in the media, please know that everything you see is not reality.  And you don't need someone to spend hours a day on your hair and make-up to look beautiful, you already are beautiful!