Progress Report.

Well, let's see. I've pretty much completely given up soda in favor of Polar, Naturally flavored seltzer - no carbs, no calories, no sodium. I was drinking strictly water, water with True Lemon, Lime or Orange, or tea (unsweetened or sweetened with either agave syrup or Sun Crystals-half stevia, half sugar) but I realized I really missed having something fizzy.

At any rate, that's a huge source of sugar totally gone from my diet and Polar's Vanilla Seltzer is kinda like Vanilla Cream Soda for grown-ups.

Even Hubby is loving the soap nuts and is taking a handful to his parents tomorrow, we managed to talk them into trying them.

We're both packing lunch nearly everyday and I'm even having breakfast more often than not.

We're getting there.

This past weekend we did a ton of planting in the garden(s). Pansies and Daffodils out front - which gives the added bonus that we can add the pansy petals to salads if we want. And we put in Asparagus roots and Onion sets out back. Not sure what other veggies we're planting yet, but we're thinking of hanging strawberries on the fence.

It's been almost a year, and I'm still loving the Diva Cup although I did pick up a Glad Rag the other day for "those" days.

I've always had a hard time making myself eat yogurt, but StonyField Organics seems to be the answer to that one. They have awesome flavors like Strawberry-Pomegranate and a French Vanilla that's so creamy even I love it plain (although it's good with Cinnamon graham crackers) and my personal favorite and every chocolate lovers dream yogurt Chocolate Underground. It's their same awesome Vanilla yogurt, but with a layer of chocolate hidden under it. Not chocolate yogurt, CHOCOLATE.

I still haven't needed to replace my Crystal Deodorant, although I did buy a second one because Hubby started using it too, and I got tired of sharing. I like to put it one when I'm wet, but since he showers at night, but likes to put on deodorant right before leaving in the morning, he was wetting the deodorant crystal. Totally valid option, but I got tired of freezing cold water dribbling down my side in the morning.

I'm totally natural for treating my allergies for almost a year now also. Stinging Nettle daily and sinus rinses as needed are taking care of me better the traditional prescriptions ever did.

All in all, so far, I'm still kinda fat, but I'm happy. We're living better, eating better and saving lots of money in wacky little ways. I haven't bought new deodorant in almost a year and couldn't tell you the last time that I bought pads. We're off to a good start. If only I could actually remember to take my reusable shopping when I leave the house, we'd be awesome.

Another Convert

A while ago, I bought my friend Lisa a stick of Crystal Rock Deodorant. I gave her some time to give it a try and asked her the other day what she thinks of it. SHE LOVES IT. That is all.

Put it to the Test

So a while ago, I decided to switch to an all natural deodorant. I bought Crystal Body Deodorant, which is a mineral salt, aluminum free "chunk" of deodorant. (also, you can use it on your feet.) I feel like it's not as good an antiperspirant as Mitchum, but I don't think anything is, and it seems to be, for me anyway, a better deodorant. **edit** I checked, Crystal Deodorant isn't an antiperspirant at all, duh **

The reason I looked into this in the first place was because I was getting huge pimples in my underarms. I mean, pimples that felt like I was sprouting a 2nd, evil, head from my armpit. And nothing, not even a prescription borrowed from a friend seemed to clear them up. It hurt like there's no words to apply deodorant over them or even touch them, and going without deodorant seemed to make them get even worse.

Well, this Crystal stuff seems to be doing the trick. No break outs, it keeps up with me in spite of my hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) and I don't stink. A winner all around. Of course with summer getting here, we'll see if this stuff continues to keep pace.