Valentine's Day - Gift Guide with Deals!!!

I previously wrote about a great gift idea for your beau here.  However, there are a lot of deals popping up, recipes to try, and crafts to do, so I thought I'd provide a list of some of them over the next week.  And hey, if you don't have a significant other, you can still do something for yourself right?  Loving you is the most important.  And who wouldn't want an edible arrangement, amiright??  Yeah, I totally thought about getting myself one, not even going to lie (I might still do it, just sayin...).

Without further ado, here are some gift suggestions that just happen to be discounted right now to help you find the perfect gift for your love (even if that love happens to be of the four-legged variety).

21 Day Sugar Detox - Wrap Up & Book Review

Well, I didn't make it all 21 days (sadness).  The night of Day 19 (last Friday) we went out and I splurged at Max's Wine Dive.  It was a HUGE mistake.  Then on Day 20 I was ok but then we went out to celebrate a friend's birthday and I cheated again which was an even BIGGER mistake.  Due to those cheats, I was miserable all weekend.  By Sunday I was back to being good because seriously, EFF THAT!!!

21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 18 - Chicken Thigh Drama

I survived Day 18!  It is definitely getting harder to stick to it as I approach the finish line.  I'm getting that "isn't 18 days good enough??" feeling.  But then I remember...

I want to succeed most and lose some weight.  So my cravings and laziness need to shut up!  Day 18 was a little un-fun though, thanks to a surprise chicken issue when I went to make dinner.

21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 17 - Apple Pie Smoothie and N'Oatmeal

My gosh, I can't believe I've made it 2 1/2 weeks!  How crazy is that?  I have definitely felt like throwing in the towel (like on Day 16) but I've done so well it would be a terrible waste to call it quits.  At least that's what I'm telling myself.  I also try to remember this:

21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 16 - Toughing It Out

Day 16 was really unremarkable except for the fact that I was miserable to the point of tears, but on a happier note, I got some good deals online shopping.  At any rate, I hate to be negative, but right now I'm just so very exhausted, I'm tired of spending almost my entire evening on most nights cooking and then cleaning from cooking.  I want something easy like a pbj to eat for dinner, just for one day to give me some breathing room.  No muss, no fuss.  That's not really possible when you want to be healthy though.  One thing that helped me not give in last night was hearing from P that the reason he hasn't been cheating is because I'm setting such a good example, that if he was going it alone he wouldn't be as accountable and wouldn't be as strict with eating healthy.  I think the only thing that is keeping me going at this point is sheer mental will-power.

21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 15 - Double Pork Tenderloin and Brussels

Let the countdown begin, less than a week to go!  Today was another consistent day.  I am happily de-bloated and feeling a lot better.  Since I was lazy this weekend I didn't have anything prepped for breakfast or lunch.  This resulted in greek yogurt with a green tipped banana sliced over it for breakfast, and Applegate lunch meat and some celery with almond butter for lunch.  Not that fancy, but it worked.

I definitely wanted a drink after work which isn't that unusual, it helps me de-stress and get my mind refocused from work to enjoying my time at home.  I grumpily did not act on that desire though.  Instead I set out to make Double Pork Tenderloin, modified from the 21DSD book, and Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts, modified from Ina Garten's recipe, for dinner tonight.  

 

I'm going to share both of these recipes with you, and I hope you enjoy them.  I promise both are pretty easy but seem fancy.  

21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 14 - Valentine's Gift Idea

My Day 14 was pretty uneventful and lazy.  In the sad news department, I'm still having cravings.  I just remind myself that I shouldn't be a cheater and I'll just disappoint myself.  Then I make some tea which for some reason helps the cravings go away a bit.

Traditional Medicinals tea and my NOLA mug, yummm.

For Day 14 I spent most of the day watching football (go Broncos!), putting a dent in my Perrier stash from Sam's, and working on my Valentine's gift for P.  P if you're reading this, don't read the next part or your gift will be ruined!!!

...are you still reading?!  You better not be.  You know I'll know!!