One to Nothin'

What I Wore

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 dress: H&M // Shoes: Lauren Conrad 
 Shorts: Ross // Shirt: Old Navy // Dress: Plato’s Closet // Cardigan: target
Shirt: Buckle // Shoes: Target // Pants: Kohl’s // Dress: Roxy // Necklace: INPink
Don’t you love how Ziggy pops into all my awkward mirror pix? You even see her in post-jump position in one of them. That little attention whore. She is currently trying to jump on the keyboard.
Gotta love that crazy pup.
By the way.. I’m feeling very uncreative in the fashion department lately. I need some motivation. Or  maybe just a butt load of spending money so I can shop for new clothes..
Maybe I should stop buying concert tickets on a whim.
…..Nah.

Whole30 Update: 3 Weeks

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Today marks three whole weeks of the Whole30. This means I have nine more days of no wheat, added sugar, artificial sugar, peanuts, corn or legumes. I would be lying to you right through my computer screen if I said that I have had a squeaky clean 21 days. There have been a few incidents, accidental and some not-so-accidental, that probably should have made me start this bad boy over again, but considering my previous bad habits, a couple slip ups and three whole weeks without any wheat (or splenda in my coffee) whatsoever is a pretty big accomplishment for me.
For the record, I started this program as an experiment. On the one hand, yes, I did/do want to lose weight, but not a significant amount. The experiment was really a way for me to be able to better listen to and understand my body. I’ve mentioned on this blog many times my struggle with being lactose intolerant (and being obsessed with cheese) and the thing I don’t-so-much-like-to-talk-about: my IBS. That’s irritable bowel syndrome. Yes, bowels as in the things that make you go number 2. It’s embarrassing to talk about, sure, but mostly it’s a medical condition that I have and it just so happens to be very difficult to understand. The first time a doc told me I had this condition he basically said, “Figure out what hurts your stomach and don’t eat it.” Now that, my friends, is far easier said than done.
I thought of this cleanse, however, as the perfect way to do this. I did not realize all the other benefits that come along with eating clean. I’ve been reading “It Starts With Food” and learning more and more about the inflammation these irritating foods are cause and the problems this inflammation causes, from the obvious symptoms like cramps, bloating, gas and irregularity in the bathroom region, to the less obvious symptoms like sinus headaches, fatigue and tendinitis. 
Some of the success stories in this book are almost intimidating (i.e. getting off of diabetes medication because blood sugar levels are perfect, boundless energy, no sugar cravings ever, etc.) and I can’t say that I feel like a completely new person, but here’s what I can tell you after three weeks of significantly changing my diet:
My Skin: After the first week, I noticed a change in my skin. It felt far dryer than usual. I have always had oily skin and stuck to a pretty regular, strict routine in order to keep from breaking out and suddenly I was having to put lotion on after washing my face to keep from peeling (a couple years ago the thought of putting anything even remotely greasy onto my face would’ve made me cringe). But now, it seems to have leveled out and I’ve even forgotten to wash my face a couple times and it’s clear! No one has told me I’m glowing or anything like that, but can definitely tell that my skin is clearer and my pores look smaller. I love that.
Bloating: Before I started this cleanse, I was in a fairly constant state of bloating in my abdominal region. If I eat the tiniest bit of dairy, my stomach automatically bloats, but I just assumed it was all from dairy. Now I realize sugar (and I’m sure gluten) has the same effect. I have had far less bloating lately. 
Weight Loss: I am not allowed to weigh myself until after day 30, so I can’t give you definitive answer as to have many pounds I have shed, but I can tell you that my pants are fitting way looser these days. I have started having to wear a belt with my work pants and feel more confident in my clothes.
Running: When I first started this program, I had some adverse effects, like feeling super tired and even getting sick, so I took sort of a hiatus from running to allow my body to adjust. I’ve since reintroduced it and brought my dog along for the ride. We both seem to be improving vastly. I really haven’t gone farther than usual, but I have been going more often and faster. Usually I do LSD (Long Slow Distance, you dirty minded folks!) and my first mile is usually around 10:30 – 11 minutes with the miles getting slightly faster as I go and generally averaging out to 10 minutes per mile. Lately (since Ziggy has started getting her groove back) I’ve been doing an 8:30 minute mile to begin with. I haven’t tried running without a chubster beagle-mix trying to chase squirrels/run under my feet in quite a while, but I have a feeling that when I do it’s going to be excellent.
Sleep: I noticed right away how much easier it was for me to fall asleep. This might have something to do with me no longer chugging caffeine-laden Coke Zero every night, but before this cleanse I definitely spent a long time lying in bed before actually falling asleep. Now I’m out almost as soon as I hit the sack. Now I just need to work on going to bed earlier so I can start waking up early. This is definitely one of my goals I need to get crackin’ on.
Cravings: They’re still there. If I smell something awesome, for example, but just seeing bread or cookies doesn’t torture me nearly as much anymore. I miss sweet stuff way more than I do bread/sandwiches/tortillas/etc. I am looking forward to being able to eat honey and agave nectar, but I don’t plan on using artificial sweeteners or eating bread even after the 30 days are up.

If you all have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments or e-mail me at mackensieg(at)gmail(dot)com.
And if you’re interested, here are the recipes shown in the photos above for bacon wrapped scallops and paleo mayo.

InstaFriday/Friday’s Letters

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Dear Whole30, I’m over halfway done with you. Please keep doing good things to me and help me to continue these good habits even after September 6. I’m really enjoying cooking your recipes, but these dishes are driving nucking futs. Forrealz. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, those are bacon-wrapped scallops and they were AMAZING.

Dear Britni, Thanks for making me laugh and continually making fun with Avril & Nickelback Dude’s recent engagement with me. Dear Creative-Nail Bloggy Friends, I keep wanting to do fancy designs on my finger nails and what not but I chicken out for several reasons. One, if I mess up, I do NOT want to have to start over — I’m really impatient when it comes to painting nails. Two, if it looks really cool I’m going to be so distraught when it chips over within 24 hours (and it always does. wtf, mate?). Three, I don’t know how to make straight lines with a nail polish brush. I think it’s impossible but then I see all you ladies doing it like it ain’t no thing. My mind keeps going back to tape, but that would involve waiting for the bottom layer to be completely dry, and then I imagine the tape would pull it off anyway! Help a sista out. Dear Ziggy, You are the cutest ever. I really, really wish that I could be even half as excited about going running on a daily basis as you are. You are simply giddy the second I put my sports bra on! (See photo below and imagine very loud begging accompanying a very pathetic-looking face when she thought I was going running outside at 10pm when really I was just hitting up the treadmill. Poor pup.) And speaking of running, you are improving like crazy! A couple weeks ago I thought she was going to die from heat exhaustion and she could barely walk after a mile and a half, and two nights ago she ran 4 and half with me no problem!

Dear Florida, This rain every day has been a little crazy. I often find myself sitting in my car taking pictures, waiting for you to let up so I can go inside. You make for quite a pretty painting though! Dear Addison, You are seriously the cutest, sweetest little girl I’ve ever seen. I just love you. Dear Jessica, Thinking about your bridal shower this weekend makes me really excited about your bachelorette party and the actual wedding! I can’t wait!! Dear Gaslight Anthem, you are amazing.

Dear Readers, Happy Friday!!
Love,
Kensie
Linking up here, here and here!

Tilapia, Mango Salsa & Kale Chips

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 How pretty are these things that grow from dirt?

While at Publix picking up some wild-caught salmon — my go-to — I decided to give tilapia a chance. I’m sure I had tasted it before, but I could never remember if I liked it or not, but after this experiment I think I’ll remember that it can, in fact, be super ultra delicious.
All I did was pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees, coat the tilapia in coconut oil, salt and pepper and bake on an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet for about 12 minutes.

Also, if you’ve ever tried raw kale, you will NOT believe how good it tastes after baking it. I was skeptical at first, but trust me when I say kale chips are addictive.

I followed this recipe because I had no idea how kale chips worked.. at all (I was almost as clueless about kale as I was about mango..).

I just washed a bunch of kale, doused it in olive oil and salt (I actually used too much salt. It really doesn’t need much at all) and baked in a 275 degree oven for 20 minutes, flipped it over and cooked for another 20 minutes.

While all that business was cooking, I chopped up a mango (which is way more complicated than it looks..), onion, tomato, cilantro, bell pepper, then added salt, pepper and lime juice. (I loosely followed this recipe, but I’m too impatient to marinade and find several of these ingredients).

It was a truly satisfying meal. I was very please with how it turned out. I’m always really excited when a Whole30 meal I make tastes so good that it doesn’t seem like I’m “dieting” or “detoxing” at all. This was definitely one of those.
Cheers to 17 days of clean eating!

What I Wore

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 Shirt: Old Navy/ Skirt: Target/ Shoes: Gift/ Necklace: ??
Jeans: O’Neill/ Shirt: Buckle/ Earrings: Betsy Johnson
 Shirt: Old Navy/ Pants: Kohl’s/ Shoes: Payless/
Shorts: Made from AE jeans/ Shirt: Dashboard Confessional Conert/ Flippy-Floppies: Rainbow
Shirt: Ross/ Shorts: Volcom
You guys, I am halfway through the Whole30! Hooray!!
I think I’m starting to reap the benefits too. I’ve been sleeping like a baby and breaking out far less.
Still waiting for the boundless energy to kick in, but I have faith. It’s getting easier to make good food choices and I’m learning so much about cooking. I’m excited about all of this business. I have so many recipes to share with you all.
But for now, I must run.
Happy Wednesday!

Sunday Confessions

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I’ve been a pretty big fan of Every Day is a New Adventure for a while now, and I’ve always thought about participating in the “Sunday Confessions” linkup, but I felt as though my confessions would pale in comparison to hers. Plus, I’m a saint, so there’s not much to confess (it has nothing to do with the fact that my actual confessions should not be shared over the internetz… not at all.)

But here I am on Sunday, givin’ it a whirl. Here goes nothing. Now entering.. *No Judgement Zone*

I confess that I have slipped up a little on my Whole30 diet in the past couple of days. This cup of coffee contains coconut milk creamer, but I didn’t realize when I bought it that it had some added sugar of some sort in there. It tasted way too good to not contain some sort of sweetener. I don’t, however, feel that this calls for a whole 30 more days. I don’t think I can handle it when I’m already almost half way through. Also, last night I had a piece of lactose-free cheese that contains dairy.. I was punished with bloating and stomach ickiness, so live and learn I suppose. No more of that. Promise.
I confess that this coffee cup made me miss Seattle. Like, a lot. I wish I was still there.

I confess that this little girl, my baby cousin Addy, makes me want a baby. Despite not having a legit salary/husband/stable living situation. I don’t care. This angel smiles, gives me a hug and makes me want one of my own*. However, I confess that I’m not sure I’d ever be selfless enough to have my own child. Ever. Oh, conflicting confessions. What’s a girl to do? 😉
*So not actually going to happen. Don’t worry, mom.

I confess that I could eat the ENTIRE tub of this sunflower seed butter. It’s freaking amaze-balls. 
I confess that going 13 days without weighing myself has been driving me a little crazy. (This is part of the Whole30 program, you’re not allowed to know your weight until 30 days are over.) I wasn’t anticipating this, but I so want to know. I didn’t even used to own a scale when I lived in my apartment, and apparently living at home has made me dependent on it. Who knew I had so many addictions? Speaking of.. I confess that I really miss drinking Coke Zero. I know I shouldn’t drink it, but I want it so bad. I confess that running has not been easy for me lately. Maybe it’s because I’ve been bringing my fat pup along on my runs, or the crazy humidity, but I’ve been seriously slacking in my mileage. I guess I still haven’t experience the rejuvenating effects of the Whole30 yet, but I still have 17 more days to go. I confess that I’ve been daydreaming about what foods I’m going to indulge in on September 7. And yes, food is on my mind a lot lately. I think I’ve landed on sushi. 

I confess that while I’m totally happy for all these couples getting engaged lately (i.e. everyone), I die a little inside every time I see a Facebook status changed to “engaged.” And really, Facebook? Is it really necessary to remind me that they’re all happy and have their lives figured out by displaying it above the birthdays and events? As if I’m not already stalking the $hit out of these people for lack of anything better to do? 
I confess that I am beyond ready to move out of this small town. January could not get here quick enough. I confess that I’m going to need to do some serious learning about budgeting before January comes. Anyone want to teach me about extreme couponing? Not to mention ridding myself of my hoarding tendencies.
And lastly, I confess that I spent Saturday night after work in bed reading my kindle. Grandma status.
Happy Sunday, friends. 

InstaFriday/Friday’s Letters

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Dear Readers & InstaGram Followers, Turns out the only thing I take photos of these days is my food. Considering I don’t have much of a life outside of work and cooking Whole30-approved meals, I suppose this makes sense. I apologize if it’s obnoxious, but at least it all looks pretty put together in a collage! Believe it or not, before this week I had never cooked my own steak before. It still totally grosses me out and I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it’s quite delicious. So at least I’ve got that going for me. Also, I’m now obsessed with coconut water and green smoothies. Awesomeness.

Dear iPhone, Thanks for being flippin’ awesome. I can barely remember a time when I couldn’t make my photos look 300x cooler than they actually are with photo editing apps. Dear It Starts With Food, After reading you, I think I’m going to be very conflicted about eating bread, sugar or consuming alcohol ever again.. Again, I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m already starting to feel hostile when I see commercials with Olympians enjoying a refreshing coke (There’s no way you drink soda while training! It’s terrible for you!) or skinny, beautiful people nomming on some KitKats and singing about it (You’re probably one of those skinny people who are secretly storing sneaky-heart-unhealthy-fat in your midsection waiting to turn into a heart attack!). Which is when I calmly remind myself that these are paid actors and that it’s just the carb-deprived crazy in me talking. I’m really starting to wonder what my eating habits will be like after the Whole30 is over. There is much research and decision-making to be done in the next 19 days. Dear Weather, Chill out. Every single day I’ve been seeing crazy lightning and it keeps scaring me away from running outside. I know everyone has been saying it, but I, too, am about ready for chillier, autumn weather to get here. I’m ready for pumpkins and running in sub-90-degree-weather-without-bipolar-rain-storms-every-five-minutes. And speaking of running, I keep forgetting that I have a half marathon coming up! The Disney Wine & Dine is in November. I cannot believe it’s almost been a year since the last one. Crazy, dude. Dear Will Ferrel, You’re hilarious. If you haven’t already, go see “The Campaign.” I lol’d the entire time.

Happy Friday, friends!

Love,

Kensie

Linking up here and here!

What I Wore

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 Shirt: Brit NYC // Shorts: AE // Flippy-Floppies: Rainbow
Dress: Old Navy // Belt: Charlotte Rousse // Earrings: Betsy Johnson // Sandals: Gifted
Shirt: Old Navy // Skirt: Ross // Necklace: F21
Since I have been sick and unable to partake in libations due to the ole Whole30 deal, the only reason I’ve gotten dressed this week is for work and errands. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did download some new photo editing apps on my iPhone and yes, they are awesome. I’m practically singing “Beauty School Drop Out” in that top right one. Oh yea.
I also haven’t been running, however, so I’m going to go force myself to do that.. sick or not, the running must be done! Adios, mis amigos. Feliz Miercoles!
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