Sweet Tooth: Worth the Risk?

I started writing this as a Facebook post, but it grew pretty long and so I decided to blog it instead. So I'm doing this thing this year (and actually my goal is forever, but I'm saying a year to prove to everyone I can do it), where I'm going without any dessert with sugar in it, including soda and "sugar-free" things. I've bought a couple Gatorade's to help me when I want something sweet because, you know, they're "better for you." Well yesterday, I realized that a 20oz bottle of Gatorade contains 34g of sugar! The safe amount of sugar for a woman to consume a day is 6 teaspoons or 25g per day! It made me realize how I really need to start looking at labels more closely and not assuming I'm eating/drinking something "good" for me. On that note, a 20oz bottle of pepsi has 69g of sugar. That is WAY more than either a man or woman should be consuming in a day. Sugar intake for men is 37.5g or less per day. We have let drinking/eating double, triple, and quadruple+ the maximum safe amount of sugar daily become it is societal norm. There is already enough sugar in the food we eat such as bread, milk, and sauces - to name a slight few. In this day we have more processed and sugary foods at our fingertips than ever before. However, I can say the same about produce and every other healthy food, so why aren't we reaching for those more often? Some people argue that produce is too expensive. Um excuse me, but if you can afford a bag of chips, candy, Goldfish crackers, or a bottle of soda, you can afford a $1 bag of carrots. Produce is not as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. Go eat an apple (they contain healthy sugar)! Anyways, that's what I was thinking today! Thanks for reading! Hopefully you are inspired to take one step today towards a sugar-free lifestyle. Okay that might be a little extreme. At least do one thing today to not eat or drink as much sugar as usual. Unless you already stay within the healthy amount, then good job!

Here are a couple of interesting articles about sugar:

14 Mind Blowing Facts About Sugar:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4543/14-MindBlowing-Facts-About-Sugar-Infographic.html

You'll Stop Eating Sugar After Reading This Post

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/25-things-about-sugar-that-will-terrify-you/

And for the nerds out there: Why Sugar is Worse Than Darth Vader:

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/06/17/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sugar/

White Pants?! What to Wear!

So between semesters of college I found these super cute white jeans! Fast forward to today: First day back to classes (and last semester before graduation - Oh Yeah!). I decide to put on my white jeans and... uh oh. What do I wear with white jeans?! So after looking up "What to wear with white jeans" and perusing Google images, I finally settled on something. Don't you hate when you go to your closet completely confident that you will quickly put together a super cute outfit in just a matter of seconds. Then reality sets in and, before you know it, there is a huge pile of clothes all over your bed that you'll need to put back later. And you still haven't decided on something. Grumpy face here. So, I decided to start a style blog to help myself, and maybe possibly others, when we need some new ideas. Now, I know you don't have my exact clothes, but hopefully you can take my ideas and apply them to your own wardrobe. Happy out-fitting! :)

What I found out.....

    Don't wear anything too light with white pants. Colors are the best! As you can tell, I love lighter colors, but obviously any color goes with white. Below are some pic of examples of some ways you can change up your outfit while wearing white pants.

                                               

Jewelry Box Makeover!

I've had these two jewelry boxes for years. My favorite color is pink and I've loved them for so long. However, they have sat in my closet for the last few years because now that I'm in my mid-twenties, they are too "little girl" for me. Instead of throw them away, I gave them a makeover! :)

This is what they looked like beforehand:

Afterwards:

I used acrylic paint and a damask stencil. I then added vintage beads to the turquoise one.



Pet Peeves

Okay. So everyone who knows me knows that I'm a pretty upbeat, positive person. But let's get real. EVERYONE has pet peeves. Even happy people. I've happen to come across three of mine just today and so I thought "Why not blog about it??" Because we all love to vent, but don't always say what we want to say because then others might think we're super negative. Or annoying. Or just plain crazy. But there is this thing about the internet. For some reason it just feels better than actually speaking (out loud) everything we want to get out. And, in our minds, its completely acceptable! Its like the internet has become this place we can dump all of our feelings, emotions, thoughts, ideas, anything. Well you my friend are in luck because that's just what I'm about to do. Pet peeves... here we go.

Pet Peeve #1
Facebook. Statuses. ...Cool. Whatever. Except when people post those "Dear" notes. Like "Dear Facebook, Stop changing the website. It's dumb and I don't like it. Love, Me" or "Dear Gym, I'm sorry I've neglected you. I hope we can still be friends! I promise I'll come see you today, k? Sincerely, Me" or "Dear Weather, Thanks for sucking today and raining. Oh and I didn't appreciate the wind either. Always, Me"
You get the picture. And if you're a FB user, chances are, you've come across some of these statuses. It was cute back when people first started doing it. But now its just annoying. Do you really think FB, or the gym, or the weather are getting the memos you're writing them?? Okay okay I know you really aren't doing it for their benefit, you're just trying to be "cutesy" in your status. Well, "Dear people who write "dear" notes as their stauses, I know you are just trying to be all cute and clever, but everyone else is doing it too. So not only is it not cute anymore, but its cliche as well. So, pretty please stop it, mm-kay? Thanks, you rock! Love Always, Heather"

Pet Peeve #2
I'm a huge fan of Pinterest. And I'm a huge fan of working out. Pinterest has a ton of great ideas for workouts, healthy eating, losing weight, etc. Love it. Except... when people post ridiculous goals from websites promising unrealistic things. One I saw today said "Thin Thighs in Thirty Days!!" with, of course, a pic of the backside of a young woman with half her butt cheeks showing pinching her pretty much non-exsistent fat on her perfect upper thighs. First of all, THIN thighs... in THIRTY days? I don't care who you are, if you don't have close to thin thighs, you're not gonna get em in 30 days. Unless you're going in for liposuction soon. That's just the truth. ThinnER maybe. And then there's the pic. First of all, that pic is probably airbrushed and the model either eats nothing, is naturally slim in all the right places, or has a TON of time to devote to the gym (it's her job to look good). And that's awesome if you want to get fitter, healthier, w/e, but for those of you who are looking at ads like that and thinking, "Yeah! I'm going to look just like that pretty soon here" then um, sorry to burst your bubble. Don't take this the wrong way - I totally believe anyone can accomplish anything they really work hard at. Really really HARD work. A few squats and lunges in one month isn't exactly going to get you ready to wear a bikini if you weren't practically there to start with. My roomate saw one that promised a loss of 12 lbs and 22 inches in 2 weeks. That is not even healthy nor probable. Except maybe if I were DREAMING. What did that person do? STOP EATING? No. And while we're on the subject, I have seen my fair share of almost naked women on Pinterest showing off their abs, or butt, or legs. I think people who repin these are trying to show the world what they hope to have one day. Okay, cool. Kind of. Only kind of because I really don't care to see that all over Pinterest, but cool because it's great to have goals. But again, how realistic is that? Out of ALL the women I know, almost none of them look like that. Even the ones who eat well and exercise. Come on. And if there's a website with a caption like "Great Cellulite Busters" or "Visit this site to get great muffin-top-be-gone exercises" or "99 diet foods" WHY do 90% of them have to feature an insanely buff or skinny almost clothes-less girl as the picture?! Not necessary.

Pet Peeve #3
I will make this one short and sweet: Celebs? Who cares? They're hot, they're famous, and some of them are talented. That's good for them but why do people OBSESS? They aren't THAT big a deal. Just people. With a lot of money and a personal trainer to make them look great. Real people are what its all about. The End.

: )

In closing, "Dear all people who read this, I'm going to go work out now so that I can get awesome abs that will probably turn into a six pack by tomorrow. Pinterest told me so. And then I'll drool over pics of Channing Tatem and then talk about it with my friends. Love, Me"

Perspective

She Had Supposed We Had Perished by Walter Rane

 

Nephi 5:1-9

 1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she truly had mourned because of us.

 2 For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.

 3 And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.

 4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.

 5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.

 6 And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.

 7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.

 8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.

 9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel.


This painting has always been my favorite. It is a picture of Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness waiting for their sons to come home. Sariah is mourning because she believed that her sons had perished. She also complains against Lehi because of his revelations from the Lord. At the same time, we see Lehi looking up and seeing his sons coming home safely. He does not have doubt or fear for he trusts in the Lords plan for his family. I often think that if Sariah would just "look up" she too would have a peaceful confirmation that everything will turn out right.  In life we go through hard times and don't always understand what is going on. With our sometimes limited view, it is hard to see the eternal perspective that God has. That is why faith, trust in the Lord, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost is so very important. When we trust in the Lord and do the right thing, we are blessed. Sometimes though, doing His will is really hard, but we always need to remember that He is right.


Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways remember Him, and He will direct thy paths.


Like Sariah, I know how it feels to want to look down and cry. However, if we look up, like Lehi, we will be filled with strength and peace! Through doing so we can begin to have a better perspective. However, this still means that we might not understand why things happen. But I know that when we follow God, He will help us through hard times. Something to always remember is that God loves us and wants the best for us. Through trials, we become stronger and more refined. Just like a diamond has to go through immense heat and pressure before it can become perfect, so do we need trials and tribulation along the way to help us learn and become more perfect. I love to hike, and sometimes, the trail is very steep and hard to climb. But when I look down from the top and see how far I've come, I feel good that I didn't give up. I know we can overcome the "mountains of life" if we persist.

My favorite scene from Joseph King of Dreams is below. I finally fully understand every word in the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcgpExqkLwE


I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loved me enough to put me on this earth, out of his presence so that I can learn and become the best me. Just like we need to leave our parents homes when we get to a certain age so that we can continue growing on our own, we need this time to learn things we can only learn by living here on earth. I'm grateful that I can always go to Him in prayer and rely on His guidance through the Holy Ghost every day!

"On my knees I stand much taller."


I love the song below because it talks about how we all have burdens, but if we "look upward in joy And take hold of his hand; He will lead [us] to heights that are new." So, let us not look down, but look UP and know that everything will turn out right if we follow the Lord's will. :)


Does the Journey Seem Long?  LDS Hymn 127

1. Does the journey seem long, The path rugged and steep?
Are there briars and thorns on the way?
Do sharp stones cut your feet As you struggle to rise
To the heights thru the heat of the day?


2. Is your heart faint and sad, Your soul weary within,
As you toil ‘neath your burden of care?
Does the load heavy seem You are forced now to lift?
Is there no one your burden to share?


3. Let your heart be not faint Now the journey’s begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new


4. A land holy and pure, Where all trouble doth end,
And your life shall be free from all sin,
Where no tears shall be shed, For no sorrows remain.
Take his hand and with him enter in.


Click on the link below to hear it.

http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=127&searchsubseqstart= &searchseqend=127&searchsubseqend=ZZZ


D&C 112:10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

LDS Hymn 79: "Amidst a thousand snares I stand,
                           Upheld and guided by thy hand.
                           Thy words my fainting soul revive
                           And keep my dying faith alive."

Don't forget to "Look Up"! Especially when things aren't easy.

Life Goes On

This is how lazy I am: I go to eat an apple and realize there are no regular sized knives to cut it with. So instead of washing one, I'm using the only other one I can find: a 12 inch steak knife. ...Don't judge me. I know you all have your lazy moments!

So today I made it through two whole classes without my back hurting. Does this happen usually you ask? Oh you know, only when you have a spazzed out back. Nbd. ......Except that it IS a big deal. Especially when there are a million and two things you need to do and you can't even stand without it hurting. And it hurts even worse to sit. And when you have classes for hours a day, that's not so much fun. However, today is the first day I've felt good enough to attend all my classes. I might even go see my best friend, the gym, later. I love the feeling you get when you know the pain will soon be non-exsistent and you will be healed. Kind of like life, huh? I realized that not only are you made stronger after your trials, but when you look back, you can see all the tender mercies God blessed you with during those times. Hard times in life are deinitely NOT fun, but they help you grow as a person, learn patience and charity, and teach you to be more grateful for all that you do have. In those times, if you reach out to the Lord, he will take your hand and help you. He can do this because He has felt EVRYTHING we have felt, feel, and will feel. Therefore he knows HOW to help us, because he's already been there.

So now that I'm feeling better, my guy friends can stop acting like an old lady with a cane everytime they see me. I can stand up strait now. Mostly.

Below are some pics of our fabulous Valentine's Day Dessert Party. It was so great! Who says you need a "special someone" to have an awesome V-day?! Uhh not me!

TENOR SANDWICH!!

Nummies

Cool peoples:

Spencer: Ladies love him

And here is an article in the Scroll, BYU-I's newspaper, featuring... MOI. Okay, okay it's really not that big of a deal (I mean its not the New York Times or anything), and I feel super un-humble, but come on, its not everyday you get an article printed about you. Basically I got interviewed to share my good healthy-lifestyle decisions and ideas. So hopefully it helped at least one person put down the peice of cake, pick up a carrot, and go to the gym.

Speaking of, I have a fitness meeting in 14 minutes that I musn't be late to. I got Fitness Instructor of the Week last week, and so I can't start slacking off now. Auf Wiedersehen.

Oh, you know....

Oh. Heyy! Welcome! :) So I've been sitting here for a couple minutes trying to figure out something cool to start out with. You know, an attention getter sortathang so you want to keep reading rather than getting distracted by the sparkly things on my border... (they are pretty, aren't they?). Instead I just decided to be real and say I couldn't think of anything better than this story of how I commented on how cute a couples granddaughter was only to find out it was their own daughter. Heh. Ooops. There's a total Heather moment for ya. Let me just stuff my other foot in my mouth while I'm chewin' on the first one. One day the world is going to catch on and everytime someone says something retarded or trips over their own feet (I'm goin' on twice today already) people will refer it as "Pulling a Heather." Maybe that's why I like to go by "Legally Brunette." That way everyone knows I'm really not a blonde. So ya still with me?

These last few weeks have been pretty adventurous. School is going quite well! The winter here is super mild compared to last winter. I actually wish it would snow MORE. And that is a lot coming from a Californian. Speaking of, I just bought my very first snow-window-scraper-thing. Yes, that IS the official name. Psh. Don't question me now that I'm already into my whole second winter living in a place with all this white stuff called snow. I'm practically expert now. My driving skills are even pretty awesome: Haven't slid on ice, or crashed, or anything of the sort. I've found the secret to this success: Don't drive. Ever. Walk. Run. Skip. Cartwheel. Just don't drive. And you and your car, and the other drivers, and all pedestrians will be safe! You're welcome, Rexburg. Now if Utah drivers will just catch onto this concept. We could start a campaign! HKUDAAOUDOTR: Help Keep Utah Drivers And All Other Unsafe Drivers Off The Road. ..It'll catch on.

Anyways, where was I? Oh yes. Adventure. So if you missed my last blog, I'm all into the fitness teaching thing this semester. It's so awesome! I love watching the students tortured looks as they struggle through an---- Umm I mean seeing them come to class and improve themeselves through exercise! I also love seeing a lot of my friends and roomates come support me! You guys are great! Thanks! It almost makes me want to change my major to health exercise somethingsomething. However it's a little too late. I'm kinda way into the whole musical singing thing by now. You know, on my "Ten Year Bachelor Degree Plan." But anyways, here's a couple pics of my officiality as Abs That Rock teacher below. They finally put our pics up on the board. Not that I care or anything. Its not like I look proudly at my picture everytime I walk through the Hart building......... Check it out:

Heather Brown: Abs That Rock!

Teachers for the Welness Program: Yoga, Cycling, Zumba, Aerobic, ABS, etc..

Also below is a photo from the 80's party we had in our apt. This was taken at the beggining of the party, so this was only a few of the people who showed up. Fun stuff.

I would have uploaded a couple videos from this party and a couple other events but since I am also technologically challenged, then you're gonna have to be cool with just pics. I'm having a great time being a part of From The Heart. We just had a retreat this past weekend in a couple of wicked-sweet cabins. Someone in the choir knows someone who knows someone. I forgot my camera or I would have taken pics. The one below is from a friends camera. We stayed up late on a Friday night stuffing our faces, playing games, watching a movie, and having fun. The next day we sang for about 6 hours trying to get our songs ready for our first fireside -which is this Sunday and we're all pretty excited. It's gonna be all sorts of awesome!

Well I know you probably have ALL day to sit here and read about me, and you probably want to. I mean, who doesn't? But I'm sorry, I have class and homework and a work-out sesh with my fhe bro's where they will attempt to kick my butt with their manly workouts. We'll see. Hope you have a fantabulous day, and, don't pull any Heather's. But if you do, hold your head high, and own it. It's not so bad.