Back in skinny jeans

For you on this fabulous Thanksgiving!

A quick expression of my thankfulness to you, my lovely readers :-D (vid :35 sec)

7 Ways to Help You Make It Through the Thanksgiving Insanity

Don't get me wrong. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year because one it's all about celebrating gratitude for the abundance we have in our lives, and two eating! But along with all this goodness also comes the insanity: relatives and the awkward social situations, the crowds all trying to buy the same turkey fixins, and let the holiday stress games begin!

Some of us are not drinking that spiked cider just to be merry if ya know what I mean. And the hair, well, we just might be pulling ours out after being asked one more time, "When you gonna settle down? When you having a baby? When you getting a real job?"

So, here are 7 things that you can {or at least try to} do on Thanksgiving day to help keep your sanity in check and your joy levels higher:

• Thanksgiving is basically one big homework assignment. You said you wanted to become more patient, understanding, forgiving, and loving. Well, this is your biggest chance of the year, and even better, you can get some two for ones in there. Remember in Evan Almighty? God doesn't give people patience, he gives them opportunities to become a patient person. You only become by practicing, so remember that when the irritants begin.

• Don't give your fears & insecurities more power than your happiness & joy. Who's really in charge? It's you! And why spend your day miserable? What will you gain? Wouldn't you rather experience joy even if it's just a small dose over nothing. Again, everything is perspective, and you have the power to look at your family and this Thanksgiving day with a whole new set of lenses. The day can turn instantly just based on one decision you make to look at it and everyone involved differently. Remember last week when Nathan talked about how one day you can look into a mirror and see a superstar, and the next day see a haggard. It's the same face looking in the same mirror, so what's the difference? Perspective. That's it. You choose how you look at things.

Quote on Sense of Peace

Better Than Nothin': Picture Your Inner Resistance Monster Differently

Tuesdays are the day when I pat you on the back for making even micro and wee bitty changes or actions towards achieving your healthy living goals like drinking one more glass of water a week or drinking one less diet soda per week. Teeny changes are good as they add up over time and is far better then doing zero.

Who's that browbeating inner monster?

Can we talk about the Inner Resistance Monster because he/she is typically one of the foes in our healthy living journey, yes? The IR Monster is saboteur, driver of the procrastination, and basically the one that is behind why you stop moving along with the healthy habits. Sometimes the IR Monster sounds and looks like a big scary bully that teams up with the Inner Critics to keep you in the comfort zone of your unhealthiness.

So, one thing I do to help me feel more empowered when up against my IR Monster, I picture him as a cartoon character like this. Look, not so menacing now is he? See, it took me awhile to "get" this but if I'm the one that created him, then I have the power to change what he looks like. Before, I felt mostly helpless against him when he turned on the resistance, but when I learned that I could change his costume, voila! his presence didn't seem or feel as daunting.

Bring it!

All of a sudden I'm like, "Oh! I can take you. Bring it cartoon man! I can take you and your Pokemon likeness out!" Then I'd do the boxing shuffle and feel like Rocky against my own self created imaginary foe. In theory, it should be easy to just go to therapy or do some visualization exercises on the couch, and learn how to manage your IR Monster, but I never could. That is, until we learned the power of the cartoon effect which by the way can also help you with bullies in your life real. Next time, picture that bully as a cartoon character and see if that loosens up the fear you feel.

Next time when you start feeling that battle with the inner resistance come in regards to things related to your healthy living goals, try the cartooning method, and let me know what happens.

What other ways or things have you tried that helped you de-power your inner resistance?

Tonerrific tips from healthy living bloggers around the skinnysphere

• Keyalus reminds us of the importance of post marathon recuperation. She is currently following a 5-week Marathon Recovery plan which she links to, and it is some really good sound advice. A common mistake that newbie marathon runners make is not letting their body rest after the marathon, and then quickly jumping into training for the next one. My pets rush-rush is a recipe for injury disaster. Slow down. Rest is especially crucial post marathon including the half marathons. [Determined to Be Fit]

• Emily lives in Chile and Nike was there as the host of her first 10k race where she achieved her "I'm 99% sure I can do this" goal and beat her "this'll be tough" time goal! She reminisces feeling like one of the cool kids on the bus ride with other runners to the starting point. Ah yes! Those are indeed the kind of moments in life where it's not about your fitness or body, but that you are present at one of your goals and about to make it come true. Kudos girl! [Emily in Chile]

• Erin has this most hilarious response to the annoying bombarding questions the relatives will no doubt inflict upon you over Thanksgiving eats about your marital status, job status, and should include baby-on-board status. I'd like to wear this as a t-shirt on Thanksgiving day! [A Day in the Life]

• Remember when Loreal reminded us, "Because I'm worth it" before the Gossip Girl book came out? Well, do you think you're worth it? Chewzlife shares with us the ways she believes she's worth it, and ties in at the end how the scale will never bring you a lasting smile. I found this post very inspiring, so now I'm off to do my own list, and you should too. [Bubble Wrapped]

• Leah is one kick ass story and literally she can Tae Bo kick her way to anything she puts her mind to. Let's see, here's just a couple of the highlights, she dropped over 100 pounds after the birth of her child and kept it off, she appears in one of the new T3 Tae Bo DVDs, and she's currently pregnant and still doing Tae Bo {modified} under her docs okay. Oh, and there is still more to find out. Geez woman, I'm feeling kinda Wayne's World, "We're not worthy!" Learn more about this amazing fit lady. [Workout Mommy]

• I'm making an effort to read more healthy living blogs written by men because I like the different and sometimes almost the same point of view on ways to live healthier. Andrew is a new find, and today, he gets the major "Awww!" moment kudos for a picture of him having a smashing workout in the back yard with his 5 year old daughter. So cute! [Male Pattern Fitness]

We all win something!

Before I announce last week's winners to the BISJ 3rd Birthday Bash, our birthday sponsors have extended some really nice deals for those wanting to make purchases for the holidays!

• Joe's Jeans: This is really cool! Joe's Jeans is offering friends of BISJ a 25% discount until 12/2 on any pair of jeans Women's and Men's from their online store. Purchase must be made at online store. Please enter this code at checkout: joesfriends

• Steaz is offering a coupon for Buy One, Get One Free of their new Organic Teaz while coupon is valid which I reviewed at Noshtopia. These are really tasty teaz my friends!

• Sephora has these two offers which I thought you my readers would like:

• Get a FREE Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy sample plus applicator brush with any online order. Enter code THERAPY at checkout.Valid while supplies last

• Receive a FREE Urban Decay Eye Shadow card and Primer Potion sample with any merchandise purchase. Enter code URBAN at checkout. Valid while supplies last

And now the winners. The date specified is the post date not the comment date. For example, "on 11/17" was comments submitted for the post, "What I've Learned in 3 Years of Blogging About Healthy Living":

For Joe's Jeans

• Amy on 11/17
• Kristin on 11/18
• Rene on 11/19
• Lauren on 11/20
• SG on 11/21

For the Steaz Organic Teaz Gift Baskets

• Christy on 11/17
• Susan on 11/19
• Cebca on 11/21

For the Sephora by OPI "Skinny Jeans" Nail Polish

• Janet on 11/17
• Rachel on 11/19
• Amy on 11/21

All winners have been notified by email already as a reply to your submitted comment. If you see your name, and not the email, check your SPAM box.

A big warm thanks to everyone who commented as you all left some very impressive and inspiring words! Those of you needing a pick me up this week, please do check out the comments people left because my heart fills with happiness every time I read through last week's comments to these posts:

• What I Learned From 3 Years of Blogging about Healthy Living

• Better Than Nothin': You'll Be Okay. You Have Support

• Guy's Perspective: Comparing Yourself to Others May Make You Vain or Bitter

• Gratitude & Happiness: Just Say Hey, I Love You!

• Health & Inspirational Haikus to Get You Motivated

And from moi, thank you again so much for coming to read BISJ. I am very grateful for all of you who continue to read and support us! :-D

Are Full Face Shots the New Cover Trend, and Is That Better?

Angelina Jolie is the cover girl for November's Harper's Bazaar UK, and what caught my attention right away was the fact that it was just Angelina's face.

Now granted, this cover is definitely photoshopped to make things like her eye color pop and her skin flawless, but I was trying to remember the last time I saw a women's magazine cover that was only face and no body. My memory is hazy and I couldn't recall any. Can you?

So, then I got to wondering if the full face shot would be the newest trend in cover shots, and would that be better, worse, or make no difference in terms of the beauty illusion that the mag covers keep trying to brainwash us with. Here's my thoughts:

Upside
Faces are interesting. You can read much in a person's eyes especially when it's close up. You can get a huge smile, and just see smile. A face can convey way more emotions. The face/headline combo could emphasize more the "this is what we think" image kinda like the bubble sayings we add in a scrapbook. Focuses less on what a woman's body looks like. Opens the door for more models who have a beautiful, interesting face but not necessarily the perfect sub-size 4 body that editors tend to pick.

Downside
Focusing on the face just gives women something more to nitpick and compare themselves to. "Now I gotta worry about how perfect my face looks because it's all about the face." Full face shots of perfection are just going to catapult women to buy more anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cream out of fear.

No Different
Doesn't matter if it's face only or full body shot, it's still selling unrealistic standard of beauty. No one has perfect flawless skin like that, and has a face that looks like near perfection. Preference will still go to those models and celebs who fit a certain look and standard of magazine cover beauty.

Now then, what do you all think?

Nosh delights: Health-upped Grilled PB&J, Garlic Scallop Tacos, and Goji Food Bar

Over at Noshtopia for your eating wellness pleasure, and food picture fascination:

• Look at that PB&J sandwich above. Drooling yet? Charlie over at Back to the Fridge brought back some great memories so come take a look at how I make a health-upped grilled PB&J version where you can also get good fiber with your PB&J delight. It's possible!

• I found a bag of frozen medium size scallops on sale so I've been scalloping up this week. Here I made an easy appetizer, Prosciutto wrapped scallops on top of cucumber slices with Thai sesame lime drizzle, and then for dinner one night I made some simple tacos with garlic scallops, tomato, spinach, and arugula. Did I mention that I LOVE arugula? I eat it almost every day.

• And speaking of tacos, I've been eating all kinds of tacos this week because I found a pack of 12 Whole Foods 365 brand organic corn tortillas for 99 cents. This has got to be one of the best food shopping deals of the week. So, another taco I made were these green salad with roasted turkey tacos. Yup, it's basically salad bar in a corn tortilla, and a cheap, easy, and healthy meal.

• Want to try the super fruit Goji? I've been trying to find the Goji in a food bar and found them in Dr. Weil's Goji Moji Fruit & Nut bar. Here is what I thought of the bars.

• And finally, let's get Naked, woo-hoo!...juice that is. Have you tried Naked Juice's "New" flavors Peach Mangosteen Bliss, Watermelon Chill, and Banana Chocolate Protein Zone? I took some pictures of the drinks so you can see what they look like. I enjoyed only two of three. Which ones did you like?

Health & Inspirational Haikus To Get You Motivated

The week has come to a close but we are not yet done partying and celebrating Back in Skinny Jeans' 3rd blog birthday. Oh no my pets!

At the end of this post, will be your last chance to enter to win a pair of Joe's Jeans, Steaz Organic Teaz, or Sephora "Skinny Jeans" nail polish. If you just got here, you can go back to any post this week and enter a comment to win the designated prize for that post. The only stipulation is one comment per day meaning you have up to 5 chances to enter for the week. Nice huh!

For some Friday fun, we are gonna get creative and write Haikus. I love the Haikus! Thanks CopyBlogger for inspiring the idea!

To enter to win one of the giveaways you must submit a Haiku related to Health or Inspiration in the comments. As a refresher, a Haiku has 3 lines. First line has 5 syllables. Second line has 7 syllables, and Third line has 5 syllables. Here are some examples:

I sit on your step

I think you are beautiful

Hope brought me to you

(Fun fan fiction:Know what TV character point of view this haiku is referring to?)

or

Back into Joe's Jeans

Did it the holistic way

Bootie's bodacious!

or

Living in the now

The present is all we have

Grateful and conscious

And at every party you gotta have Madonna because well, enough said. My favorite of all Madonna's songs is Music. Oh how I have had many a Cosmo and red Solo cup cooler grooving to this tune..."Music makes the people...come together...yeah!" 

So put your creative thinking caps on, and get your Haiku on in the comments.

Here's all the details for today's giveaways which are qty-1 pair of Joe's Jeans (gals or guys style) to first winner, qty-1 Steaz Organic Teaz gift basket to a second winner, and qty-1 Sephora by OPI bottle of "Skinny Jeans" nail polish to a third winner. Winners will be picked randomly.

Only one comment per person. Comments open until midnight PST Sat Nov 22. US residents only. {Much apologies global folks.}

Gratitude & Happiness: Just Say Hey, I Love You!

What an amazing birthday week this has been so far, and today I want to talk about gratitude, a key to happiness. And at the end, you'll get a chance to win a pair of Joe's Jeans (gals or guys), some of the hottest jeans on the market. Even if you entered on any other post this week, you can still enter again today. Just one comment per day is all. So, that means you have up to 5 chances this week. Woo-hoo!

And just to brag a bit, here's some celebs who love the JJ's. I've been wearing a pair of the Cigarette style (as seen above in this idea for a potential book cover pic, hmmm?) Yours truly is full of gratitude for the soft forgiving denim which make the junk in our trunk look, well, hawt! If you're looking for weight loss goal reward jeans, then definitely take a look at Joe's Jeans.

First, to get you all in the mood, you MUST take a moment to enjoy "Say Hey [I Love You]" by Micheal Franti & Spearhead. So catchy, toe tapping. Right now, this song is at the top of my "happy songs" list, as the tune just brings out all kinds of joy! And indeed, you will get out of your chair and dance! I also love to run to this song.

Now that you are all jazzed up beaming with loving joy, I want you to take the next 2 minutes to focus solely on what you are grateful for in your life. Take a deep breathe and start, "I am grateful for...." and go on and on for 2 minutes. Write down too if you like so you have a reminder in your own words.

In this moment, you are living in the now and being fully present. When you start filling yourself up with gratitude, you will quickly see just how abundant and beautiful your life truly is.

For some, the inner critics and "But..." will start rearing their bully heads, but oh-no! Not for 2 minutes. Respectfully, send the bullies away for 2 minutes because you are in charge at this moment, not them.

Here are some things I'm grateful for: