Let there be LIGHT!

Ever since we bought our condo in December 2011 I dreamed of doing some home improvements.  This weekend I finally replaced the light in the dining room!!

I never liked the blue pendant halogen light in our dining room.  The whole room was dark except for the one little spot light of crazy bright light.  It was hard to play boardgames with the poor lighting and if the table was not under it -- you would hit your head on the darn thing too!   IT HAD TO GO! 

Before - No light, cobalt blue night time forehead-smasher.

The light is on.  The room is still dark.

 So I used my birthday cash to buy a much needed replacement light for the ceiling! 

After

Let there be LIGHT!!!

What a Change!  I am so happy to have lots of light in the dining room!! 

Alexandria also liked this project because she got to play in the box the light was delivered in.

10 pounds down in January

My New Year's Resolution was to stop drinking sweet tea.  It is like drinking liquid type II diabetes and makes the "lab rat" part of my brain so happy to be flooded with sugar.

I used to only get it as a treat when I had to travel south of the Mason-Dixon Line for work -- but after living in Atlanta, GA for going on 4 years and having daily access to the beverage -- it took it's toll.

Of course that wasn't the only factor to dropping my weight last month -- but I like to think it was a big contributing factor.   Why blow my daily calories on a beverage!

I have switched to drinking a zero calorie all natural diet soda that is sweetened with STEVIA and not something that causes cancer.

Zevia All Natural Soda, Cola, 12 Ounce (Pack of 24) Frustration Free Package

 

 

I like it but it may be more of an aquired taste if you are not used to stevia.

 

 

I've also been trying to follow my own advice and wouldn't you know it?  I was right!

 

 

Tip #1

Drink Lots of Water Every Day!

Most people do not get enough water. Water is vital for the function of the kidneys that purify the blood. When the body does not get enough water some of the load is shifted to the liver. The liver's main function is to metabolize the body's fat for energy. If it is busy doing the kidney's job, you are not burning off fat! (Not to mention all the other benefits of a well hydrated body!)

Some recommend drinking 8 glasses of water each day, but that is the amount of water it takes for a sedentary 128 pounds person to stay hydrated. If you are bigger or more active, you will need more water to take care of your body's needs. (Makes sense to me!)

An easy way to figure out the minimum amount of water you need is to divided your weight (in pounds) by 2 and drink that many ounces of water daily.

Example: A 200 pound person would need a minimum of 100 ounces of water to stay hydrated daily.