Staying on Track...lots of greens, lots of exercise (and lots of reading)!

So far, so good this week. I've been filling my diet with big, beautiful salads, juicing every morning, staying raw until lunch (which is mostly raw anyway), staying away from sugar (even chocolate!), and waking up early every morning to go to the gym! It was rough this morning, but I still made myself get out of bed. Its always great once I get there, but its so tempting to stay in my warm bed (especially with my husband snoozing next to me).

I'm on the third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series and it is keeping me quite entertained. Its light and fun and takes my mind off whatever I need to let go. I find reading to be one of the best stress relievers. I have trouble relaxing because I like to be busy, so reading lets me tune out, but still be "doing" something. Sitting around watching tv too much makes me feel lazy and depressed. I always used to force myself to read something that would be "good" for me, but now I realize that its fun to read things that are just plain entertaining. I'm sure its good for my brain regardless of whether its William Faulkner or Charlaine Harris.

Time to juice!! Right now I am enjoying a cucumber, romaine, pear combination:)

ps-I've been listening to a rough cut of the Freeminer Bird's next album and its SO good! I'm trying to book more shows for them in Rochester (NY), so if you know of a venue, drop me a line:)

My Singing Debut!

Well, I did it. I got up in front of a crowd of strangers and sang a song with The Freeminer Birds. I was scared as hell, but it felt great to do it despite the fear. The show was at Potential Life Studios and we had a great crowd! They played with Gregory Paul, an amazing soloist. Hopefully there will be many more shows over the next couple months in Rochester. I don't have a picture of me up on stage, but here are a few from the rest of the show (I doubled as photographer...its not my strong suit).

Em on Keyboards/Neil on Drums

Steve on Guitar

Guy on Guitar/Tony on Bass/Steve on Guitars and Vocals

Abundance Market: Rochester Food Co-op!

I just visited Abundance Market in Rochester, NY this evening. I can't say that I like it as much as Lori's Natural Foods, but it is still a fantastic natural foods store. Plus, its a co-op! I used to think that only members could shop at co-ops, but this isn't the case. I picked up some veggies for my juice, some Sunshine Burgers, and some dark VEGAN chocolate (I still haven't given up the fantasy of chocolate in moderation). Yum! Abundance also offers yoga! I'm back in the 100% vegan saddle again and it feels damn good:)

ps-I'm practicing with the Freeminer Birds tonight! The more I sing with them, the more confident I feel. Tomorrow night will be a breeze, right?

ps-Here is a new guilty pleasure...for some reason the small individually packaged goodies help me pace myself

Happy New Year!

I did it! Chocolate-free for almost 48 hours!

I started yesterday morning with yoga, a shower, and a green juice. In the afternoon I enjoyed a big, beautiful salad with a Sunshine Vegan Burger and avocado. Dinner consisted of another yummy salad and Amy's Vegan pizza. I dabbled in some vegan granola to curb my chocolate cravings. All in all, I'm pleased. Today has been pretty similar. I felt 100% better waking up this morning without a sugar hangover. I felt peaceful. I can't completely change my diet overnight, but I'm learning that slow and steady works pretty damn well.

Some guilty pleasures that I've enjoyed lately include...

Watching the entire season of Freaks and Geeks (it is AMAZING).

Reading the entire vampire love series by Stephanie Meyers.

Starting the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

Singing in my husband's band, the Freeminer Birds! I love that I'm challenging myself to do something that I never thought I would have the courage to do.

This is going to be an amazing year filled with challenges and new experiences!

Confessions of a Chocolate Eating "Vegan"

OK, maybe if I write about this, I'll realize that there is MILK that comes from COWS in chocolate (well, at least the kind that I've been eating). Its like I think that if I don't look at the ingredient list, the milk doesn't exist. Being out of my comfort zone and without my lovely vegan friends has led me into a black sugar addiction hole. Ugh! I've also been terrible about exercising. Blah, blah, blah...

That's enough with the self degradation and pity though. I have dusted off my juicer (which I lugged back to my in-laws house for the holidays) and I've been juicing for the past three days. My morning bagel (that I was becoming quite accustomed to) has been pried from my hands and I'm sticking to juice only until noon. Baby steps.

The chocolate is everywhere. Those shiny green and red wrappers cry out from their ceramic Santa bowls and glass Christmas tree dishes. Its like I become temporarily insane every time the thought of a dark chocolate covered pistachio nuts cross my mind. I really need a slap in the face. Get it together woman! Not only does the sugar make me feel like complete crap (plus my skin is freaking out and my pants aren't getting any looser), I feel like a hypocrite wearing my "Make the Connection" sweatshirt. Hello! Make the connection! Anybody in there?!

Here is the plan for tomorrow (I've said this to myself the past five nights, but maybe if I write it here I will finally follow through): Juice in the morning, salad for lunch, as much fruit as I want, and salad with Amy's vegan pizza for dinner. I'll report back on New Years Day. Wish me luck.

ps-I LOVE Lori's Natural Foods Market in Rochester, NY. All this city needs now is a juice bar and some vegan restaurants (not to mention a vegetarian restaurant).

Freeminer Birds

I had the pleasure of attending a Freeminer Birds show at Boulder Coffeehouse in Rochester, NY this past week.
Here is a picture of my and my hubby (the singer/guitar player) recording some guest viola for the new album!
You can listen to their first album, see pics of their shows, and buy your own copy of Model Cities at their website:) There is another show this Saturday at Potential Life Studios (I'll be joining them on stage for guest vocals for The Auctioneer!).

Crazy Sexy Life's T-Shirts Now Available!!

I'm so excited to announce Crazy Sexy Life's T-Shirts! Check them out here.

Make Juice Not War (Front)

Make Juice Not War (Back)

Crazy Sexy Cancer Goddess

If you haven't already, check out our online community, Crazy Sexy Life!