to: all the single ladies

So I had an epiphany over the weekend and wanted to share.
I've been away from my computer so this is the first chance I have really gotten to write about it.
So here it is:
Singleness. Really. Is. A. BLESSING.

I know, I know, you've heard it before and almost too many times to bear or believe...but it's true.
Why does the world have 19 (almost 20) year old little me worrying about finding a husband as soon as possible to complete my life?
That's not the way it's going to go.
I realized that I can't keep waiting for my husband to start living my life.
I am a young, capable, intelligent, adventurous lover of life and I need to take advantage of my (sometimes selfish) desires while I can!
THINK ABOUT IT: when you do have that wonderful, special person in your life (honestly, that was without sarcasm. I can't wait to meet that man) you are not allowed to be very selfish.
But without the old ball and chain to pin you down, do what your heart desires in life! The Lord put those things there for a reason.

For example,
TRAVEL (I'm getting a slow start on this one, but it's happening soon and after that, often)
Finish school.  Or even, go to more school if you want to.
Buy some ish.  Go shopping at anthro and j.crew because you can.  You don't have to justify it if you can afford it because it's your money that you don't have to share.
Move wherever you want.  There's no better time in your life after school and when you're looking for a job or taking your next step in life.
Hang out with your friends and stay up all night (if you're into that); go on road trips, sit around and watch Netflix.  Just spend time with people that you love right now!

I'm telling you guys, singleness does not have to be this black hole of depression and fear of dying alone that society makes it out to me.
There is nothing else like being single in your 20s (listen to me, I'm not even there yet).
Now, I don't have a doubt in my mind that marriage is wonderful and fantastic and I seriously can't wait for that day to come, but for now I am going to enjoy life.
And I am not sorry about that one bit.

Happy Wednesday! xo

twenty (on) fourteen

So in two weeks I will be doing just that.
Turning twenty on the fourteenth, that is.
Birthdays sure have lost their glimmer over the years...
I don't have anything planned and if my friends don't either then that's that.
It's just that I have one of the latest birthdays of my friends so I always feel like I just turn the next age along side them.  Until I can't do something because of age limits...

However, this year I do have a wish list.
Which usually never happens.

(if you're curious or feeling generous...):

• RayBans (cats 5000 classic)
• ESV Study Bible (preferably leather)
• money for the Netherlands (I'm struggling a bit)
• Ed Sheeran's new album (X)

I've been alive for almost two decades y'all.

I feel like I'm in this in between age of everyone who is younger than me thinks I am so old and everyone who is older than me thinks I'm so young.

I am somewhere in between those opinions when I think about being 20.

Anyways, here's a baby picture.  (circa 1995 probably)

My mother is a pretty lady.

WARNING...MY BLOG IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION...I PROMISE THERE WILL BE IMPROVEMENTS.  (I just have to figure out how to work the internet).

nicknames

Hello readers!  I know I haven't posted in a while...winter took a toll on my motivation levels all around.  But it is almost summer and I am back in business. 

I was randomly inspired this morning for this blog post in particular, and thought I should get back to blogging.  There are a lot of exciting things coming up that I can write about, so get ready!

Today I come to you concerning nicknames.  You know, those silly pet names that can catch on after one person dearly comes up with one?  

Do you enjoy things like that?

Well, I know I do.  Heck, the name I go by is a nickname.  (Lizzi = Elizabeth)

I am very fond of the names people give me, even if they are to make fun.

I think I just like having someone know me enough to think they can call me something new.

Here they are, listing the ones that I can think of:

Liz

Laz

Lizzi B.

Lizzi Bean (or just Bean)

Lizard

Hearn

Hearnie (wow, that's an old one)

The Hulk (not my favorite)

Pup (pet names are great)

I'm sure there are a few that don't derive from my name (I guess the only one that stuck was the hulk), but none come to mind currently.

My favorite nickname ever is Laz, but that one is reserved for only a select few.  

Lizzi Bean is a sweet work nickname, and fitting since it's at starbucks.  I could be a coffee flavor! The Lizzi Bean, I wonder how that would taste.  Hopefully light and fresh (hehe).

Enough about me though, what are some of your favorite nicknames? Feel free to comment, and I will talk to you again soon.

xoxo

DAY SEVEN: CABBAGE SOUP

By the time I wake up in less than 12 hours, this dang cleanse will be OVER.
I'm sorry guys, it really wasn't that bad but today was by far the hardest day to not cheat.
I didn't cheat! I ate my cabbage soup like a champ.
But I wanted to cheat, and I justified it in my head multiple times.
But guess what...I GET TO EAT OATMEAL IN THE MORNING AND I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER.
yay carbs!!!
I also got a nice Halloween surprise from my oh so wonderful committee family tonight after club.
It contained (are you ready for this?): dark chocolate covered pretzels, mini reeses cups, and sour patch kids.
wowza, I am going to have a great car ride home on Friday because those will be my snacks.

Today wasn't so bad until this afternoon.
I felt sick all day in general, so having diet limitations just was not making anything better.
I also have had tummy trouble all day, so hopefully that will get better by tomorrow.

So here was the menu:
Breakfast -
cabbage soup

Lunch -
cabbage soup

Dinner -
cabbage soup

exciting right? nope.
All I wanted was an apple all day, but I didn't.
I'm very excited about the amount of apples I have at my house though, because tomorrow I am experimenting and making homemade apple crumble! (a recipe will be posted, obviously).

Here's the cabbage soup recipe! (I made 1/2 of what it called for on the website and it was more than enough):

• 1/2 red onion
• 1/2 vadalia onion
• 1 can organic diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper
• 1/2 cabbage head, chopped
• 4 celery sticks
• 5 cups of water
• 1 packet of Lipton herb garlic soup mix (the original recipe calls for beefy onion)

Directions:

Dice up all of your veggies and throw them in a pot.

Pour the water in until it barely covers all the vegetables.

After cooking for 15 minutes, empty soup mix into the pot.

Let that cook for a while on the stove until everything is nice and tender

I made my soup on Monday so that I wouldn't have to deal with the hassle.
It was pretty good! I'm really glad it was, since it was literally the only thing I ate today.

Cheers for finishing strong!

Today was a great day.
Not just regarding the diet, but over all.
I woke up (not too early), cooked breakfast, read my Bible, and went to class.
But on my lunch break I took a wonderful nap because leftovers from last night and breakfast allowed for a quick lunch.
I had to go to class but afterwards I grabbed a quick snack and went on a run with my good friend Myles.  I think a friendship goes to a whole new level when you exercise together.
I exercised with my friend Emily for the first time yesterday as well!
It's been a big week for new things I guess.
After my run, I biked to Verde to get dinner and bring it back home.  That's when God just reminded me where he has me right now in this beautiful city of Charleston, full of quirkiness, wonderful friends, and great atmosphere all around.
I love having the ability to walk wherever I want or need downtown, and perfect weather days like today made it even more enjoyable.  I love the vibes this city gives.  It's always giving them, I just need to stop and be thankful more often.
After dinner I had class and nursing club.  After that I went to campaigners with my wyldlife girls and it was great.
My team met at one of our wonderful committee family's house to talk about Halloween club tomorrow.  There, I was reminded of my love of jigsaw puzzles and tried to help for a few minutes.
It made me sad that I don't have time to make that a stress reliever (or causer) in my life right now, but that's what rainy days at the beach are for. (which is coming up soooooon!)

Today I cheated a bit but you can be the judge of that:
Breakfast-
vegetable skillet (with a dab of olive oil and fajita mix seasoning)
1 egg white

Lunch-
left over vegetable skillet
left over tilapia
2 carrots
salsa

Snack-
1 carrot
salsa
2 celery stalks
1 egg white

Dinner-
"Mesa Verde" salad from Verde
-romaine
-cherry tomatoes
-red onion
-corn
-avocado
-chicken
-tortilla chip strips (the cheating element. I tried to stop him but it was too late...)
-squeezed lime
-lime dressing (on the side!)
-I added salsa as well

I ate dinner pretty early because I had a lot to do before class and knew I would get back late.
I'm a little bit hungry right now but a piece of celery is just not going to cut it for me so I'm just going to study and go to sleep!
Last day of the cleanse is tomorrow - Hallelujah!

(Happy Halloweek)

Let me just tell you,
today was AWFUL.

I am not a huge fan of tomatoes by themselves.  I just cannot do it, so i cheated a little bit..
Today was the first day of the cleanse that I wanted to say screw it and give up.
I pushed through it though and made it to tonight!
Only two days left - yay!

I can say though that I honestly do not feel any physically different.  I'm pretty sure my pants still feel the same and I had some tummy trouble (as recorded earlier) along the way.
These facts are somewhat discouraging and very frustrating but what I can tell you that changed was my mindset on food.
I fell that I will no longer be so mindless and uncaring when it comes to what I'm putting in my body.
Eating is as mental as it is physical and food does not have to defeat me.

It's kind of funny because my mom has been sending me other detox diets that I want to definitely try just not any time soon.
She is also sending me work out routines and plans which I don't know if I should take offensively or graciously.
She always means well.

Okay, my menu today:
Breakfast:
2 egg whites
1 tomato
(scrambled together)

Lunch:
salad from Moe's
-romaine lettuce
-chicken
-pico de gallo
-tomatoes
-cucumbers
-cilantro
-salsa vinaigrette
-salsa

Snack:
sautèed tomato
spaghetti squash

Dinner:
spinach salad
1 tomato
tilapia
squeezed lemon juice

Workout:
cycling class

I "cheated" by eating lettuce, cucumbers, and spaghetti squash, which I do not feel too guilty about because what harm are those things really going to do, right?
I had to make eating all of those tomatoes bearable somehow.
I still didn't eat 6 like I was supposed to either.

By the way, I did Pilates after I posted yesterday, so yay for exercise!  My roommate Stephanie did it with me, which was awesome.  The only bad thing is that I used it as a substitute for studying for my Spanish test this morning...oops.

Side note: I am making the cabbage soup I have to eat all day Wednesday as I type right now and it is smelling oh so tasty.  I can't wait to give it a try! (It better be good because it's my breakfast lunch and dinner on the last day).

Keep rooting for me! So close...