dr oz metabolism busters

Okay, so I watched Dr. Oz yesterday, and like a good girl, I took notes.

As we get older our metabolism is starting to slow down...and we may need a little push to get things moving in the right direction.

{funny that the first thing is fiber...hmmmm}

Anyway, here's what he said WORKS!

Konjac Root Fiber

~helps keep you full longer

~take 2-4 30 minutes before meals with LOTS of water

~most potent natural fiber

~stabalizes hormones (HELLO!)

Shiratake Noodles aka Miracle Noodle

~Asian Markets and online

~no calories (what the?!?  sign me up!)

~high fiber

~keeps you full

Raspberry Keytones

~helps burn fat

~take once a day

L-Carnitine

~500mg 2x a day

~helps keep you energized

~make sure to take Vitamin C with this

White Kidney Bean Extract

~keeps carbs from being broken down into sugars

~take with meals that contain starch

His advice?

Don't take them all at once.

Try just one at a time for a few weeks or so, so that you can really see what really is working for you!

I don't know about you, but I'm getting some of those noodles.

No calorie pasta what?

Sign me up.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

parenting advice you didn't ask for but need:

I hear crickets chirping in my brain when I think of blogging today.

So, instead of breaking something (in my brain) I went to the archives of my blog to find something that would entertain the masses. 

{um, ya, who am I kidding?}

Anyway, lately I've been in a rut with being a stay at home mama and so I've been eating up advice on how to keep things fun....(anyone?  bueller?)...

So, I thought this post on parenting advice was a timely one to bring back.

May we all learn.

~~~~~~~

Parenting advice is tricky, but since you didn't ask....I am more than happy to share with you what I've learned thus far.

To those about to become a parent:

Sleep now. Because you will never know sleep like you know it at this very moment. Children have this weird way about them. They actually love life, and they look forward to waking up every morning. And so they like to do their best to beat the sun. And then they feel that they should drag you along with them. This starts immediately after birth and doesn't seem to have an end in sight, so sleep now.

To those with a newborn:

It will get better. A full nights sleep does exist...when they move out.

Breathe. Take in the moment. Inhale that sweet scent. Savor the loveliness of a non moving, non opinionated infant. Cherish it. Because time moves quickly, and they will soon turn into toddlers....and you could have missed the innocence.

To those with a toddler:

Xanax. Lexapro. Prozac. {for you natural folks then 5-htp & Pharma Gaba}

Seriously, just take whatever they offer you. You. Will. Need. It.  Then add in Jesus and lots and lots of prayer.  You. Will. Need. That too!  

To those with a Preschooler:

Grab a notebook. A recorder. A journal. And then write down the hilariousness that comes out of their mouths. You will never want to forget the beginning of their own well contemplated thoughts. Hug them. Teach them. Make the hard moments a chance to learn. They are about to leave you, and what you give them now, they will bring into the world...

Other bits & pieces:

This awful stage you're in that you feel like will never end? I promise you, it will. Just when you think it can get no worse and you are about to lose it, a new annoying thing will take it's place. God seems to be clever like that.

When you're eating something yummy and you don't want to share, tell your child it's your healthy food and they wouldn't like it. It works, and now I never have to share my special treats.

Rather than telling your child 'no' or 'no-no,' say 'no thank you.'  You will adore it when it's repeated back to you one day.

Don't put up with tattling. Send them to a place where they sit facing each other and have them work it out themselves. My rule is, they have to stay put until the problem is solved and a hug has ended the war.  This teaches them to 1) think twice about tattling, and 2) learn problem solving skills with friends.  Most importantly, it allows you to get back to your tv show, book, or other extracurricular activity you do while ignoring tattling children.

Advice that matters most:

We as parents are all learning. We are all (most) doing the best we can. We are all giving and loving and parenting with what we believe is right for us and our home. We are all in this together. So we should all have grace, extend grace...recieve grace. What is right for one, may not be right for another.

If you are loving the guts out of your children, then what other advice really matters? 

You're already doing what matters most.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

there's a fitness app for that!

Before I go into the great app info....let me share my confession...

After 7 months of ignoring my scale and having NO idea what I weigh, yesterday I finally broke the fast.

And here's why.

On Friday, after a great week of workouts and eating pretty well, I was feeling mighty fit.

So fit in fact, that I thought, ahhhh today is the day my "skinny day" jeans will fit....and ever so enthusiastically I pulled those babies out and worked my way in.

And when I say worked, I mean, I. had. to. WORK.

And sweat.

And pull.

And work some more.

And suck in.

And pull a little tighter....

until I let out a breath and gave up.

Fit I was not.

{although pat on my back for being so accepting of the body i thought was fit!}
Did I just write "fit" too much?
I think I did.

Anyway.

So, I decided it was time.  

Time to get accountable and get back on track.

I have to say though, I was ready.

I fully believe that I have overcome those issues, and that the 7 month fast was JUST what God called me to do in order to find healing.

And when I stepped on the scale yesterday morning, and saw a number that was not "ideal," I didn't even bat an eye.

There were no tears. 

There was no sadness.

There was just an, "ahhhh, okay....so this is where I am....time to make a few little changes."

Okay, to you, that may sound like your every weigh in.

To me???

That has NEVER happened to me before....I have never walked away from a scale date without emotions.

But, today, I did.

My day went on happily....and other than my workout time, I didn't really give my body much thought.

It is FREEING.

God has been so faithful....and I am incredibly grateful that I can now move on to my next issue that needs attending to.

ha!

Anyway, the REASON I needed that number was because of this AMAZING fitness app that my friend Bethany turned me onto.

My Fitness Pal. 

{it's also a website!}

And seriously, it's the best ever. 

You put in your stats, and it tells you how many calories you need a day to reach your goal.

Then as you enter your food, (they have EVERYTHING!  even fast food & restaurants!), it lets you know how many calories you have left for the day.

AND....

you can enter your workouts and it then factors in those calories used into the additional calories you need to eat.

It's really quite brilliant.

THEN at the end of the day, when you complete your entries, it tells you something along the lines of...

"if every day were like today, in 5 weeks you will weigh ____" 

Genius.

It's absolutely the most user friendly fitness app I've come across, and I am quite hooked.  

I'm kind of geeking out about it, I know.

An entire post dedicated to talking about it, and it's not even a sponsored post

...and the dang app got me to weigh myself after 7 months, so you know it's gotta be good!

Oh, AND!

Did I mention that it breaks down the nutrition at the end of the day as well???

Telling you how much you got of what, and if you're over or under certain things like fat and sugar?

Freaking fabulous.

I just love that there is an app for that.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

its what i wore out

dress: vintage, thrifted {i'm such a sucker for pleats, love!}

leggings: f21

boots: thrifted 

jacket: stiletto, found at a little boutique

ring: f21

necklace: thrifted
sunnies: dziner eyes

occasion: easter church service
{did you have an amazing easter???  ahhhh, it's such a special day for me, and i loved every moment of it!}

~~~~~~~

It's been awhile since I've been thrifting.
I'd say a good month or so.
The issue is not that I don't want to go...it's all about a lack of space.
That's the problem with a little house.
There is just no room for hoarding vintage furniture and clothing.
And while I like not having a big house to clean, I am in mourning for all those fabulous items just sitting in my thrift stores needing me.

So much mourning in fact, that I may need to purge some of my things JUST to make room for the ones that need me.

Noted.
On my To Do List for the week.
Or month.
Check!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

winner!!!

Yes, I know I was supposed to pick a winner on Friday....but then I got busy with the holiday weekend!

But finally, the big winner is....according to Random.org...

#21!

Angela said...

I love the black and white "Home Sweet Home" print!

I follow you!!

Yay, Angela!!!!  Email me and I'll get you all set up to pick out your art!

And for those of you that didn't win, don't fret.

I am getting together some more awesome giveaways of stuff that I LOVE!!!

More to come!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

inside the actors studio parody

On the eve of Easter....this is what Jimmy and I are doing for fun.

Watching Le Musings YouTube....

We are all kinds of wild and crazy, and we certainly didn't want to leave you out.

Hope you guys are having JUST as much fun.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

good friday reflection

One of my favorite worship songs....

perfectly fitted for Good Friday.

This is where my hope comes from.

Hope you have an amazing Easter weekend.

~~~~~~~

TO THE CROSS I LOOK AND TO THE CROSS I CLING 

OF IT'S SUFFERING I DO DRINK

OF IT'S WORK I DO SING

ON IT MY SAVIOR BOTH BRUISED AND CRUSHED

SHOWED THAT GOD IS LOVE

AND GOD IS JUST

AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME

YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES, AND I AM

LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE

I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED

WHAT A PRICELESS GIFT UNDESERVED LIFE

HAVE I BEEN GIVEN

THROUGH CHRIST CRUCIFIED

YOU CALLED ME OUT OF DEATH

YOU CALLED ME INTO LIFE

AND I WAS UNDER YOUR WRATH

NOW THROUGH THE CROSS IM RECONCILED

AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME

YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES AND I AM

LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE,

I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED 

AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME

YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES AND I AM

LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE,

I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED

IN AWE OF THE CROSS I MUST CONFESS

HOW WONDROUS YOUR REDEEMING LOVE AND

HOW GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS

AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME

YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES AND I AM

LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE

I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED 

AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME

YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES AND I AM

LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE

I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED 

IM BROKEN FOR YOU

IM BROKEN FOR YOU MY LORD

JESUS, WHAT LOVE IS THIS

I AM SWEETLY BROKEN

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

when you wonder where your purpose is...

It was late and the car was dark...his heart was sad, mostly tired, but sad.

So was his mom's.

Same tears, different fears.

And as she reached her arm back to take hold of his sweet hand, she needed only to squeeze three times.

One. "I" Two. "Love" Three. "You."

Their secret code.

She glanced back and caught his eye.  

He softly smiled.  He knew.

And then in sweet perfect timing, he took his other hand, holding hers in both, and squeezed back with all his might.

One. "I" Two. "Love" Three. "You."

And with that last squeeze, there in the dark, in the silence... 

there became an unspoken comfort in both hearts.

I breathed in the moment...THIS is what it's about.

THIS is what he'll remember.

~~~~~~~

It's the end of the day.

She's tired and worn down, exhausted from fighting the fight, ready to listen to nothing but silence.

There's a creak in the hall, yet she turns and sees nothing.

Five minutes later, another creak.

With a heavy sigh, she walks to her daughters door and opens it gently...only to see the darkest brown eyes standing there staring up at her.

"Worship Jesus, Mama," she whispers.

And so "Mama" scoops up her baby girl, takes her back to her bed, where she pulls out her music...

it's not time to be silent after all.

It's time to worship Jesus.

Two voices, one song, Sweetly Broken.

And when it came to an end, she held on tighter and whispered again...

"More Jesus, Mama."

More Jesus Chloe....and we sang, Came to My Rescue.

And with that last note sung, there in the dark, there in the silence...

there became an unspoken comfort in both their hearts.

I breathed in the moment....THIS is what it's all about.

THIS is what she'll remember.

It's moments such as these....that remind me....

exactly where my purpose lies.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

making changes: entry way

Don't forget to enter my Etsy Art Giveaway!!!
{open till Friday!}

~~~~~~~

I got a little distracted from finishing my room, because of that amazing spray paint (rustoleum gloss night tide) that I discovered for the lamps.

Suddenly, I found some other things that needed to change...

What used to look like this:

Now looks like this:

{still need to hang the mirror back up, after I scrape off the little bit of paint on the edges}

~~~~~~~

As for the bedroom, the fabric from the curtains came in, and Mari will be sewing those bad boys soon...

Then I just have to finish painting the desk, and wa la...the room will be ready to be presented.

I can't wait!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

just enough peace for the day

My most favorite devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, continually speaks to my heart.

Todays was just what I needed, so I wanted to share with the ones I love.  

You.

~~~~~~~

Peace is my continual gift to you.  It flows abundantly from My throne of grace.  Just as the Israelites could not store up manna for the future but had to gather it daily, so it is with My Peace.  The day-by-day collecting of manna kept My people aware of their dependence on Me.  Similarly, I give you sufficient Peace for the present, when you come to me by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.  If I gave you permanent Peace, independent of My Presence, you might fall into the trap of self-sufficiency.  May that never be!

I have designed you to need Me moment by moment.  As your awareness of your neediness increases, so does your realization of My abundant sufficiency.  I can meet every one of your needs without draining my resources at all.  Approach My throne of grace with bold confidence, receiving My Peace with a thankful heart.

Exodus 16:14-20; Philippians 4:6-7, 19; Hebrews 4:16

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

8x10 ahhh.mazing etsy art giveaway

I have a handful of favorite etsy shops (okay, maybe more), and it's all I can do NOT to shop and buy each and every one of them out.

Today, you guys are getting hooked up like May-jah from one of those favorites.

(of which i have TOTALLY shopped from)

Jena has graciously agreed to giveaway ONE FREE 8x10 to a reader* of this blog.

Look at just some of what she has to offer:

AND you can redesign any of her prints by choosing your own color palette!!

And what else is great is that Jena will email you samples with your choices to make sure you love it before she ships it, so that you know you absolutely are getting what you want.

I kind of adore I Adore Decor...and you should too.

To enter this giveaway, it's the usual...

~ *you MUST be a follower of this blog {I will be checking!}

~ visit Jena's etsy shop and pick out which print you want to win, and then leave the name of it in your comment.

EXTRA ENTRIES!!!
~tweet it (leave the link)
~facebook it (leave the link)
~blog it (you guessed it, leave the link!)

I'll be picking a winner this Friday!!!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

glee medley

When we drive in the car, there's a 50% chance we're listening to worship music.  

The other 50% belongs solely to the Glee Soundtrack...

At least we're balanced, yes?

I so wish I had a hidden camera in there, so I could show you the CONSTANT singing that goes on, and to brag just slightly that my kids do, in fact, know every word to every song in our rotation.

But since I don't, the best I could do was put on the camera at home, and hope that they'd perform in somewhat the same manner.

Ya, ummmm....not so much.

At least the attempt was humorous....and in the midst of outtakes, there is SOME singing.

Check it out:

Have a great weekend!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

rest your worries with truth

I have found that there is rest from my worries and anxieties when I take a moment to reflect on what is true.

But I think the key, at least for me, is having that truth written down.  
{must be why the bible exists, huh?}

Because when we are in our mess of stuff, remembering it by our own will seems to be the last thing we're able to do.

So, I've created my own little Truth List.

In fact, lately I've added to that list (see below) by writing down the lies I catch myself believing, and then next to it, I write what is true....

then I keep it close by for the next time I catch myself wrapped up in those same lies.  

Because after all, aren't they always the same ones that run through our minds?

There is healing and rest in the truth.
You just have to remember what it is.

So, I thought I'd share my own list that I've been compiling over the last three and half years...
the list that brings me rest and peace.
The list that will never be complete, I'm sure.

~~~~~~~

My Truth List
{i also have quotes which are on the lower right hand side of my blog, those are huge for me as well}

You will keep in PERFECT PEACE 

him whose mind is steadfast, 

because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

The Lord WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; you need only to BE STILL.

Exodus 14:14

I lift my eyes to the hills-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

he who watches over you will not slumber.

Psalm 121:1-3

He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord your God is with you.  He is MIGHTY TO SAVE.  He will take GREAT DELIGHT in you.  He WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE.  He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

For God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of A SOUND MIND.

2 Timothy 1:7

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,

for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings 

until the disaster has passed.

I cry out to God Most High,

to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

Psalm 57:1-2

He who dwells in the shadow of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, 

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror if night, 

nor the arrow that flies by day,

not the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, 

nor the plague that destroys at midday.  

A thousand may fall by your side,

ten thousand at your right hand, 

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes 

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling --

even the Lord, who is my refuge --

then no harm will befall you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

they will lift you up in their hands

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him,

I will be with him in trouble, 

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him 

and show him my salvation."

Psalm 91

May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in Him so you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

~~~~~~~

What are your truths?


I encourage you to share them in the comments...
as I would LOVE to have a place to come where I can sit and read through mine and yours and just simply breathe and find peace.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

it's what i wore out: granny style

shirt: miley cyrus/max azaria, walmart
granny sweater: tag says UTY, thrifted
skirt: tag says worthington, thrifted
tights: the ones they sell at Costco, best tights ever!!!
shoes: jeffery campbell, platos closet
necklace: jennifer zeuner
ring: f21
kid: mine...my sweet almost 6 year old Taylor who wants to be a part of anything and everything if he's around.
and the last picture is to show my fave lipstick, CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Smitten.
occasion: church!

This is the kind of outfit I envision wearing when I'm an old granny.
Long skirts, thick tights, granny sweaters, and chunky shoes.
Although, not sure I'll be rockin' the heels at that point, but ya just never know.

So, this week, eh...not feeling the bloggy love.
It comes and it goes, I guess...

Yup.
Um.
So.
Ya....
I've got nothing.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

so that's what the macro setting is for

Just by taking a minute, a second, a breath...

I am able to drown out the busy noise of life, and focus in on what's beautiful in the right here and now.

In that single moment suddenly the details appear different, and I discover beauty from a new perspective...

I think it's where He wants me.

To pause.

To breathe.

To see it differently.

Instead of looking beyond,

to look deep within...

And then suddenly there is beauty in the details.

these pictures are all untouched & unedited....
what you're seeing is what i discovered with the simplicity of a point and shoot and the macro setting.

Who could know the lessons buried deep within the macro setting?

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

it's what i wore out: vintage dvf, i die

jacket: i meannnnn...i. die.  can you even believe it right now?  vintage dvf?  she is. so. iconic, you don't even know.
{best rachel zoe impression ever, if only you could hear me say it, you would totally think i was her!}
So this was sent to me (awhile ago!!!) by one of my most favorite bloggers and gals EVER....sweet Angela, who discovered it at a Goodwill!!!  Could you DIE?  And what's crazier is that she found TWO!!!  Who is that lucky???
There is so much I can do with this, and I'm thinking of having it hemmed a bit shorter (above the knee), but oh, how I love it so...
{thank you ANGELA!!!}
dress: tag says tiana b, thrifted
leggings: f21
boots: f21
necklaces: f21 & jennifer zeuner
ring: found at a toy store for $2 when shopping with a friend...we got matching ones, ya know, circa 1985 style. {if you're my age}
sunnies: f21
occasion: birthday lunch for Taylor at John Incredible Pizza.

So, this is what I call an outfit to wear to a pizza buffet restaurant.
Because that's exactly where I went in this getup.
I needed something cute and comfy, but most especially something that would hide the large amounts of pizza that would soon be in ma belly.

And that dog?
{funny thing, i keep typing god when I mean to type dog, hmmm, what does it mean?}
So...
Taylor has been begging and begging for a dog, even promising he will ABSOLUTELY pick up the poop if we were to get one.
Then Jimmy said that IF we ever got a dog (again, third time's a charm?), it would need to look like a mans dog.
SO.
I called one of my besties and requested her dog for a long weekend, so that we could test things out.
I wanted to see how it would be with a bigger dog in a small house, how we handled the responsibility, and of course...
to see if Taylor would actually pick up the massive poops.

I kid you not, not even 24 hours into Tia's (the dog) stay, Taylor happened upon a pile o' poo.
And when Jimmy told him to go ahead and pick it up, this is what Taylor had to say:
"I'm not picking that up!  It wasn't MY idea to get a dog!"

Um, excuse me?!?

Of course, 48 hours later, we are all madly in love, fighting over who gets to pick up the poo (okay, not really), and talking baby talk to a dog that may never see her owners again....if we have anything to say about it.

But then she'll fart, and we begin to reconsider the whole dog thing after all.
I mean, I have two boys in this house.
Do you have ANY idea the smells they come with???

Guess I must forget easily, because I just got on petfinder a second ago to look up Vizslas (Tia's breed).
I didn't think I was a dog person, but maybe I just needed the right dog....

We'll see....

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"