01.13.11

A Good Read.

There is nothing I love more than snuggling up with my girls and reading a good book. Each night they get to pick two books before going to bed. This is my special time with each of them; a time to unwind, connect and best of all- schnoog (our word for snuggling.) This is so important because not only does it develop a love for reading at an early age, but it breaks the cycle of our crazy day. Now that E is a little older , books are the segue to our nightly “pillow talk” where I really get to see what’s going on in that little noggin. Sadly, during the week, this is the only one-on-one time that we get.

So I thought I’d share with all of you some Salmon family favorites; past and present. Each of these hold a special meaning in my heart. Here are the children’s books that made it onto Kiki’s List:

1. You’re My Little Love Bug– $9.35
2. Guess How Much I Love You– $11.55
3. Welcome to Your World, Baby– $5.99
4. Pinkalicious– $10.52
5. I Love You, Little One– $7.99
6. Bad Dog, Marley– $12.23
7. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom– $12.23
8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar– $5.99
9. Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?– $11.55
10. I’m a Big Sister!– $4.99
11. The Giving Tree– $9.93
12. That’s not my puppy….– $8.99

01.12.11

Kiki’s List Giveaway: Standard Process Purification Kit.

A big thank you to Dr. Su, who is giving away one Standard Process Purification Kit (yes, this is the detox that I am currently doing) to one lucky Kiki’s List Follower. This has a retail value of $220.

The Standard Process 21-day Purification Program includes literature to educate yourself on the benefits of purification. The streamlined, easy-to-follow program emphasizes whole, organic, and unprocessed foods; whole food supplements; and water. It’s simple, yet clinically effective.

SP Cleansecontains 20 different whole foods and botanicals, helping maintain healthy liver detoxification and kidney function, and support a healthy gastrointestinal system and lymphatic system. *

SP Green Foodconsists of five organically grown whole food concentrates that support liver detoxification and combat free radical damage.*

SP Complete^™, a whole food nutritious supplement shake, delivers powerful antioxidant protection to support liver detoxification and immune function.*

Gastro-Fiber^®(capsules) provides dietary fiber to maintain regular elimination and a healthy gut.*

I first met Dr. Eugene Su when I was pregnant with Anna. Because my girls were so large (E was 9 lbs. 5 oz, and Lou was 9 lbs. 14 oz…. a week early!) I was having serious issues with my back. It must have been my lucky day because Dr. Su was just bring Dr. Justina Dee into his practice, who specialized in prenatal patients. Since that day, I have gone routinely to Beyond Wellness, and have brought my family members with me. Mike, my sister and my brother are all patients. When Anna was a baby we brought her to Dr. Dee to be adjusted due to issues with acid reflux– it did the trick. Now my niece, Olivia is also receiving treatments.

I can’t say enough about Dr. Su and his staff at Beyond Wellness. I’d be a hunchbacked mess without them!

Here are the rules for the contest:

1.) You must be a Follower of Kiki’s List.

2.) To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post between today, Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and Friday, January 14 telling me why you should win. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced next Monday, January 17.

3.) To receive an additional entry, you can link to this post on your own blog (include the url to your blog post in your comment). It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after blogging about the giveaway.

4.)Post about this giveaway on Facebook for another additional entry. You must enter the link to this post in you status update. It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after FB’ing about the giveaway.

5.) Lastly, tweet about this giveaway for one last additional entry.

Good Luck!

01.11.11

Detox: Day 9.

I feel like a new person. So full of energy, my body feels lighter and moves so much better, oh, and I have lost 6 lbs! Now, I am going to admit I am a little perturbed because Mike, who is doing his “modified” version of the cleanse ate two more pieces of pizza last night and at weigh-in this morning has also lost 6 lbs. A N N O Y I N G. I just need to keep telling myself that men have the ability to shed pounds faster than women.

In other news- here is what I’ve cooked up for the next few days–Asian Chicken.
Baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, cilantro, ginger root, lemons, garlic, sesame oil, a sprinkle of red pepper (grapeseed oil and salt and pepper to saute chicken.) Spicy and delish!

And here’s what it looks like all packed up for the week. I have started pre-slicing the chicken breasts in half to make it easier during the week.

Stay tuned for a giveaway tomorrow that is going to knock your socks off!

01.10.11

Detox: Day 8.

Today marks one week on the detox, and I am feeling fantastic! I lost 4 lbs. last week, but beyond that my body feels so much more svelte! Now I am not saying that you could bounce a quarter off of my a$$ yet, but a little less jiggle provides me with the motivation to stick to the program so that I can experience results in weeks two and three.

More Good Stuff: I am feeling much more energetic. Over the holidays, my energy level was at an all-time low because of all of the junk that I was eating. I am also noticing that some joint pain that I was having before the program has subsided. Both my sinuses as well as my mind feel so much clearer. I feel much less stressed.

Some Not-So-Good Stuff: I am experiencing some irritations in my skin- I have a few breakouts as well as itchy spots. These are normal reactions as the toxins are leaving my body.

My cravings are really starting to subside. Two weeks ago it would have been my own personal hell to watch my family eat this while I ate my veggies… but on Friday night, that’s just what I did.

Mike by the way, has started a modified version of the cleanse. He caved and ate a piece of leftover pizza on Saturday, and felt so much better… so we have decided to add just a few healthy carbs into his diet, but otherwise.. he is sticking to the program and is feeling great.

01.10.11

Loving Lotus.

I adore Farrow& Ball’s Lotus Papers. With so many colors to choose from, I am still amazed at how different each one can look. With just a mixing of positive and negative space, Farrow and Ball has created several different wallpapers in one! Not sure which one is for you? Order this swatch book and you can take your time to decide.

01.07.11

Detox: Day 5. Dreaming of Carbs.

Last night I was dreaming of carbs. Seriously- pizza, bread smothered with butter and pastas of all kinds. But when I stood up this morning and my hubby said “You look skinny” I am able to put all of those carbs out of my mind.

I have been so humbled by the many notes and e-mails that I have received from all of you who are inspired by this challenge. Some are following on the Standard Process plan with me, some are doing a modified version, and some are just gathering the stregnth to start a weight loss journey. Either way- thank you.

I am not going to lie- this program takes commitment. After walking in the door at 6:00 each night, I am generally spending an extra hour preparing our food. Also, you have to go food shopping about every day or two, as organic food does not have a long shelf life… but then again, isn’t that normal? In every other country in the world, people go to markets daily and buy their food. Here, in America, we expect our produce to last a week in the fridge. If your produce does last a week in the fridge, then you are ingesting a ton of preservatives and other chemicals along with your fruits and veggies. My kids are receiving residual benefits from this plan as I see the value in organic food. I used to debate whether organic milk was really worth paying twice as much as conventional milk, but after researching all of the hormones that they pump these cows with, I am convinced.

So, whether you are doing the full program, or a modified version, stick to it… we will all get through it together, and come out on the other side looking and feeling a whole lot better!

01.06.11

Detox: Day 4.

Feeling good. Energy levels are picking up. Not really craving carbs, wine or diet coke. I told Mike that I even felt skinnier today! He has lost 3 lbs. so far but is not fairing as well. I think he has eaten more green vegetables in the past four days than in his entire life! he has vowed to stick it out as everyone is different and some people have a rough go the first four days. I, on the other hand just literally licked the plate from my lunch. My concoction was delish!

Here were all of the ingredients that I used… all organic, of course. I added some mango that I picked up at Whole Foods, sooo good.

Here is was making me drool last night as I cooked it. I had leftover Broccoli Arugula Soup for dinner.

And here it is on my plate at the office today. Not the perfect presentation, but it was fantastic.