Day 14 - Challenge Means Challenge

I remember when my son Daniel was 2. He loved the movie Toy Story. We watched it over and over and over again. He had a Buzz Lightyear doll and a Woody doll. Woody was his favorite. He carried the Woody doll everywhere. And, just like in the movie, we were constantly losing and looking for Woody's hat.

Every time we lost it, it made me think of the movie and how smart they were to actually make the hat a separate feature. I assume they made it that way so that when you were looking in toy boxes and under beds, it would make you feel just like in the movie.  And, it worked.  Every time we were looking for that hat, I thought about the scenes in the movie when they were on the hunt for Woody's hat and it always brought me back to the movie.

Today my daughter was home sick...again. This is the second time during this challenge. As I have mentioned in the past...sick days at our house equal comfort food. So much so that as soon as the Ibuprofen kicks in, we often make runs to the store for say, oh...I don't know, Doritos.  These same sick days on the 24 Day Challenge equal, well, a challenge.

So, just like Woody’s hat always brought me back to the movie, days like today bring me right back to the meaning of this program. This thing is called a challenge for a reason. For instance today, Day 14 of my Advocare 24 Day Challenge, I was challenged. When I recognize that I am being challenged, it reminds of the name and then I think how smart those Advocare folks were to name it that. Not all that creative, but a really great reminder of what I signed up for and brings me right on back to the program.

I can honestly say that I wanted to go off the deep end several times today. In fact, I found an old Fun Dip at the bottom of my purse and seriously considered it. And, there wasn't even a need to run to the store, as there are Doritos here...at my house. But, I thought about "the challenge" of it all. I only have 11 days to go. 24 days of healthy eating. Why give in now?  Why not just keep on challenging myself. So, I had a banana and some almond butter and it was pretty darn delicious.

So, I am choosing to stay challenged.  Some days are way easier than others.  Do I have it so bad?  No way.  And so, the challenge continues.

Side note...I did have a great salad today. It was so delicious! I chopped up spinach, chopped up a chicken breast, sliced almonds, cut up some cucumber, onions, cut up an apple and added Broccoli Coleslaw mix (sold at Super Target by the packaged lettuce) and then added Panera Asian Sesame dressing (only 4.5 grams of fat). It was SO good and crunchy.

And, speaking of nutritious and delicious food, my friend and Nutrition Coach Liz Blom has heard your feedback for healthy meal ideas and is going to start posting recipe and menu ideas on her Facebook page.  Make sure to visit and "Like" Liz's Facebook page, so that you can be notified when she posts new menu and meal ideas.  Today she posted information on the Ezekial Bread that I love so much.  In no time, you can build your own meal planner!  I intend to.  The more healthy options that I have to choose from, the easier this challenge gets.  Check it out... https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness