tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40336677056195328732024-02-07T05:34:47.101-05:00clarity in creation.... life, straight-up.Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-89210536631608302762011-02-24T20:18:00.000-05:002011-02-24T20:18:52.855-05:00trading spaces!hey friends! good news... all you lovelies who put a bug in my ear to start blogging again, surprise! i've moved! <a href="http://faithfromfibro.wordpress.com/">http://faithfromfibro.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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love you all :)<br />
-rRebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-68335310777045761242011-02-07T07:40:00.000-05:002011-02-07T07:40:26.342-05:00HIIIIIIIII EVERYBODY!!!hey y'all! oh my goodness, it's been a long time.<br />
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first off, how the heck are ya?!? you could have moved across the country and i would have missed it since i've been gone! what's everyone up to? school? work? <br />
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goodness gracious, a lot of things have changed in my life as well, and i thought i'd swing by to update you guys. i've gotten some INCREDIBLY sweet comments and emails from my blog friends saying hi and checking on me, and can i just say how much that means to me? you guys rock my world. <br />
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<em>so, where do i begin?</em><br />
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- i finished last semester with straight A's! i think that might have been the first time ever in the history of education. it was doubly a huge blessing because it was my first semester back and i was scared out of my mind! <br />
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- i started taking classes again this semester, but with everything going on health-wise, right now just wasn't the right time, so i withdrew. again. yesss.... i wasn't very happy about this, and i still am not. it breaks my heart to not be able to move forward, but you know, God is good. He's shown me a million reasons why withdrawing was the right choice. it still kinda stings, though, but i know this isn't the end of the road for me :)<br />
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- i have a job interview this morning! i am TERRIFIED to come back to work, since it's been over a year since i had to quit my job before. i am just applying for a front desk position at my local gym, nothing big, but for me? it's HUGE. i am so looking forward to being able to love on people first thing in the mornings. i might be the first face they see everyday, and what better opportunity to show love than that? AND bring in a paycheck?!? i'm psyched (as is my dwindling savings account!).<br />
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- i had to put running on hold right now. just not working out so well with the body, but i have still been able to be active! i'm realizing it doesn't matter whether or not what i do is considered a "workout," that just being active is the key to a healthy body. whether that's a walk or a 100 mile run, who cares? take care of yourself, and let the details rest.<br />
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- i decided to grow my hair back out! who knows how long it will end up, but i decided i really miss the soft femininity of longer hair. when i'm really fibro-y, it would be nice to have something soft and beautiful to kinda "distract" from the bleariness of my eyes, ya know? we shall see.<br />
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- as far as pain/fibro goes, honestly, it's been awful. it's been a struggle every day, and it's taken a lot bigger toll emotionally than i expected. i'm not sure why it shocks me to still be struggling to grasp this a year later, but it is and it does, daily. but God is so good - there isn't a day that goes by where i don't realize how much this has shaped my life, for the better. God continues to bless me through it and by it, and that blows me away. don't get me wrong, it still brings me to tears almost every day, but when you see the purpose in something, it makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it?<br />
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- i've been cooking dinner most nights here! it's been an awesome journey in the kitchen. i'm getting more and more comfortable, and learning tons of new skills/techniques, thank goodness! i have been doing a lot of soups, but also some more "structured" foods for our meals. i did get my celiac test again, and i am sticking to gluten-free from here on out. can i just say, I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER! seriously. if you struggle with bloating, i HIGHLY recommend seriously committing to a trial run of going gluten-free. it might be pointless, but if it could possibly help at all, don't you deserve that?<br />
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- as far as eating by a label, i will just say i am not currently able to eat vegan. my weight was suffering to the point of being dangerous, and i am still working with what is the best food for treating my body right. am i an omnivore/pescatarian/whatever? honestly, i don't really care, nor do i feel the need to "define" myself. i will keep you posted on how it goes!<br />
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<em>now your turn! what's going on!?!?</em>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-58795850496515544492010-11-10T10:42:00.000-05:002010-11-10T10:42:12.550-05:00i miss y'all! and product review.hey friends!!! i hope you all are having a wonderful wednesday morning. i slept until almost 7am, and am home alone enjoying the quiet right now :) what have you been up to? and i can't thank you enough for leaving those wonderful comments on my last post. you seriously made me feel incredibly loved, and it's incredible to know i matter to so many amazing people i've never even "met!"<br />
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a quick update? the fibro is pretty poopy, but God never stops doing amazing things to prove to me that life ISN'T about how i feel. it's about so much more than that! i'm realizing that this illness is the biggest gift He could have given me, because it made me WAKE the heck up and start praising Him for the incredible things He's doing in my life, and in the the lives of those around me. i've had the incredible opportunity to get to know some amazing girls in my life, and i am realizing now just how blessed I am. <br />
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school is going ok, and i can't believe i'm about to finish my first semester back in school! what a gift. life is going well at home, and i have been able to spend a fair amount of time with my mom which is wonderful. i'm helping her cook thanksgiving dinner this year, so keep me in your prayers!!! i've just been enjoying each new day, even though there have been many that were hard and i wanted to give up. if i can encourage you guys at all - never give up! EVER! you have no idea what the very next day will bring... and life is usually best understood when you can step back and look at it with new eyes. they say hindsight is 20-20, right?<br />
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just a quick shoutout of thanks to <a href="http://www.csn.com/">CSN</a> for a wonderful product to review. i was blown away to be able to order 3 2-quart containers from <a href="http://frieling.com/">Frieling</a>. i really needed something to freeze soups in for my mom, and <a href="http://www.csn.com/">CSN</a> graciously came through! i love these containers (yeah, i do. got a problem with that?), and they work perfectly in the fridge or freezer. and ps - if you need soup recipies, email me! i serioulsy have a quite the collection building here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGsP00uLV0T-paTVvbdbaaX4eBHtbs6w1iPmdXkEHT3I2vVGCgZXNw4tNi7nvKgNQXac73WsW7JX57qchYadSluOymixufRCj_eZjJxgDjoVJ5DyV-BIVmO-oelKYvW-66fVmELNptwI/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGsP00uLV0T-paTVvbdbaaX4eBHtbs6w1iPmdXkEHT3I2vVGCgZXNw4tNi7nvKgNQXac73WsW7JX57qchYadSluOymixufRCj_eZjJxgDjoVJ5DyV-BIVmO-oelKYvW-66fVmELNptwI/s320/IMG_0550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yv1ji29QOD1ksalYnWQQwes2Qnx1XiA0omIUk0420GjutAEoTNVwA-9fQ_k2vw8nqmdAe7yDb9mew01sOdLCK9xTWYTP362C1AX03B39aEJiU2_bjJOr_i8x9SJk1sl7sPtGXo0u_l4/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yv1ji29QOD1ksalYnWQQwes2Qnx1XiA0omIUk0420GjutAEoTNVwA-9fQ_k2vw8nqmdAe7yDb9mew01sOdLCK9xTWYTP362C1AX03B39aEJiU2_bjJOr_i8x9SJk1sl7sPtGXo0u_l4/s320/IMG_0549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">in other news, i've joined the dark side. no seriously, i'm a brunette now! i've been toying with the idea to dye my hair for a loooong time, but wanted to wait until the weather cooled down some (doesn't dark hair seem like winter?). and thanks to the evil influence of <a href="http://happinessiswithinblog.com/">this girl</a>, i made the jump! here are a few quick photos i snapped for y'all this morning... up close and personal, no?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9MvXGv1cjuM_dG71Rc24vbY8Z7Zjmhv35532HUJhwFXrbMLMTeLtyB2nR3WcZSfUHddMkrvs9bT2An1F4AyurVnkQpD2v-MKiQ70La1cbKwFIu0NO_d8WD4BPwCEtpF4AVf9kYYaU80/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9MvXGv1cjuM_dG71Rc24vbY8Z7Zjmhv35532HUJhwFXrbMLMTeLtyB2nR3WcZSfUHddMkrvs9bT2An1F4AyurVnkQpD2v-MKiQ70La1cbKwFIu0NO_d8WD4BPwCEtpF4AVf9kYYaU80/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">aaaaanddddd enough of my face. i haven't been reading blogs recently due to school and meeting so many new people at <a href="http://aletheiarichmond.com/">my new church</a>, but i seriously love you and all am praying for each and every one of you. fill me in if i've missed anything big or small, they all are important to me!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">love y'all! hope to be back soon :)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">-rebekah</div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-57011004621947087892010-11-04T05:15:00.000-04:002010-11-04T05:15:10.046-04:00HI!hey beautiful (and handsome!) friends -<br />
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how are you all!? i miss hearing about your days and what you've been up to. just had to pass on something i found worth mentioning. <br />
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if you have a second, would you read <a href="http://www.beautifulyoubyjulie.com/2010/10/body-image-and-disabilities-time-to.html">this article</a> about body image and disability? it makes you think and might just open up a whole new world to you, one where those with disabilities aren't scary or weird, but beautiful. <br />
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thoughts/reactions? any news i need to hear?! i love y'all!<br />
-r<br />
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p.s. - i will be back with a product review soon, and hopefully a little update post soon!Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-40572502365116267242010-10-16T22:33:00.001-04:002010-10-18T20:35:27.697-04:00thanks are due.Hey guys! How is everyone!??! I seriously miss y’all like crazy. I haven’t really been able to read many blogs or comment nearly as much as you deserve, but such is life, right? What’s been kickin’ in your neck of the woods the last few weeks?<br />
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Unfortunately I’ve still been struggling with getting to school and the pain is fairly poopy at best, but you know what? Praise god for doing amazing things regardless! I seriously have never been more in awe and more grateful for life. If you take nothing else away from this blog, please know your Creator loves you so, so much! It changes your life, y’all.<br />
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As much as I wish I could say I’m back, I’m just stopping in to thank a few companies who have been more than generous to me during my little break:<br />
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First of all, shout-out to CSN for hookin’ y’all up with an awesome giveaway – how sweet of them, right? As if that wasn’t generous enough, they’ve asked me to do a product review, coming soon! CSN is an awesome collection of websites that has everything from <a href="http://www.diningroomsdirect.com/Drop-Leaf-Dining-Tables-C91731.html">drop leaf tables</a> to kitchen appliances, and I have no idea what to review! I’m thinking a vegetable spiralizer...? yes? <br />
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Also, artisana sent me an amazing package packed full of their new raw nut butters, seriously way too kind! please check them out! What an amazing company that runs their business just how i would. They have new flavors out that make me swoon – macadamia nut butter, cashini (cashews and tahini), chocolate coconut butter?!?! Trust me, you won’t regret it grabbing some, and your sammies will thank you. <br />
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And today I got the cutest package from larabar! I won their cocoa mole retirement giveaway, and not only did they send a few bars (my mom’s excited about them!), but they also sent the CUTEST t-shirt! I’ll post a picture soon!<br />
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Thank you to these incredibly sweet companies, and thank you guys for being such amazing friends! <br />
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-rebekahRebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-19003311511064639622010-10-10T06:28:00.000-04:002010-10-10T06:28:28.574-04:00worst post ever.hey friends! i hope everyone is having a rockin' weekend. i got treated to lunch at the Whole Foods hot bar yesterday! definitely a highlight of my week. <br />
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so i'm finally sitting down to write something i've been avoiding for quite some time... and i don't like it one bit. as i've been alluding for the last month or so, <strong>my fibro is moving into a rather poopy place right now, and i've been struggling to accept that.</strong> i sleep most of the day, am having a hard time getting to classes, and just have no energy for anything. i'm not trying to whine - <strong>i'm really ok with it!</strong> it's frustrating, yes, but i'm learning to honor my body for what it is and praise God no matter what is happening physically.<br />
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not sure why, but i didn't take into account how draining the process of going back to school would be. in my mind, i think i'm still in denial about how limited i am - i'm 21 years old, for goodness sakes! but i forget that doesn't make me invincible :) <br />
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i also have had to own up to the fact that i'm completely wiped out emotionally. each day is an enormous spiritual and physical battle, and i'm struggling to handle it. i cry a lot, i wimp out daily, and i often forget how incredibly blessed i am. <strong>i'm realizing i need to allow myself to heal and just learn the lessons God is graciously teaching me - </strong>a skill i've never allowed myself to master in the past. <br />
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while i'm in this place, though, i don't have a lot to give to you guys... there's just nothing left! and you all deserve the absolute best and 100% of my attention. i won't settle with crappy posts and surface-y, feel-good discussions that don't challenge or encourage either of us! <br />
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the funny thing is, now that i'm sleeping all day instead of only 2 or 3 hours, i don't have the time to accomplish everything i want to... and one of those things is blogging. it absolutely breaks my heart because the connection i have with you all is one of the biggest blessings in my life. i seriously can't tell you how much you all mean to me! but right now, i have to get school done and help take care of my family first. <br />
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so please know, <strong>my heart is with you guys each and every second of the day.</strong> you all are constantly in my prayers and thoughts. i seriously wouldn't be who i am without your influence, guidance, and ceaseless encouragement, and i am incredibly thankful for that! i'm not sure how long i'll need to step away from blogging, but know that i absolutely love emailing you guys, and would be thrilled to hear from you - <strong>nelsonrr (at) mymail (dot) vcu (dot) edu.</strong> and i will try to stop by your blogs when i get the time, but know you guys are constantly on my heart. love y'all!<br />
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please keep in touch!<br />
- rebekahRebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-87592643513738214832010-10-06T14:46:00.001-04:002010-10-06T14:47:52.612-04:00can i say something?<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">i haven't been exactly too sure how to approach all the <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/10/ps.html">drama</a> recently, and honestly? <strong>i don't really care about it.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://clatl.com/images/blogimages/2010/09/17/1284764638-drama-queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://clatl.com/images/blogimages/2010/09/17/1284764638-drama-queen.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://clatl.com/images/blogimages/2010/09/17/1284764638-drama-queen.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source.</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i think everyone is so caught up in "whose side" they're on that <strong>they're missing the point.</strong> anytime the poop hits the fan, we should try to step back, chill the heck out, and see the nugget of truth in the situation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">so i don't really care how you feel about the <em>article</em>, truthfully, but i do care about <em>you</em>. instead, i'm asking you to really dig deep and consider these questions: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>how's your relationship with food? how do you feel about the way you eat and your body? how do others react to your habits?</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>-rebekah</em></div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-57362653388929104302010-10-05T20:26:00.000-04:002010-10-05T20:26:54.159-04:00this made my day.1 large avocado + 1/3 cup cocoa + 8 soaked dates + pinch salt + shredded coconut for sprinkling = chocolate avocado mousse from heaven.<br />
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p.s. - i'm an auntie again! Tanner Leigh, 8lbs 8oz, born at 5:14pm!Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-37749462439043245302010-10-04T15:36:00.000-04:002010-10-04T15:36:50.429-04:00p.s.hi again! forgot to include this last link.<br />
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um, i'm not gonna say i told you so... but <strong>please</strong> <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/health-fitness/news/articles/health-blogger-controversy"><strong>read this</strong></a>. oh snap!<br />
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<strong>sounds familiar?</strong> catch my thoughts - <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/beach-recap-and-no-hls-for-me.html">part one</a>, <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-is-healthy.html">two</a>, and <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/thank-you.html">three</a>.<br />
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<em>what are your thoughts?</em><br />
<em>- rebekah</em>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-50178170836125169572010-10-04T15:13:00.000-04:002010-10-04T15:13:37.891-04:00gahh i'm drowning.hey there beautiful people. <strong>today i'm swimming in homework, cooking for the family, and fighting off a cold,</strong> so no deep blogging thoughts for this noggin'.<br />
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instead of my post keeping you entertained, <strong>may i give you some suggestions?</strong> <br />
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- head to your library and check out, <em>or if you aren't a dirt-poor college student, buy</em>, <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Moosewood-Restaurant-Cooking-for-Health/Moosewood-Collective/9781416548867">the moosewood restaurant cooking for health cookbook</a>. i finally brought this little treasure home after taking a hint from a <a href="http://www.healthyexposures.wordpress.com/">very reliable source</a>... check it out! you won't regret it, and you gotta make the southwestern black bean burgers - THEY HOLD TOGETHER!!!<br />
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- please <span style="color: black;">read <a href="http://thehabitofhealthy.wordpress.com/">one size doesn't fit all</a> by stacy at <a href="http://www.thehabitofhealthy.wordpress.com/">the habit of healthy</a>. it's one of the most amazing posts i've ever read, and should be mandatory for EVERY female to read. leave her some comment love while you're at it... this girl is dynamite, y'all.</span><br />
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- the weather this time of year is MADE for long walks. skip the gym <em>(really gotta twist your arm, right?)</em>, grab your camera, and hit up your neighborhood or a trail or park near you. listen to your momma and go get some fresh air!<br />
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love you guys! <strong>how's the weather near you? </strong>it's in the 60's here! <br />
-rRebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-24037071690786580122010-10-02T07:51:00.000-04:002010-10-02T07:51:29.926-04:00my thoughts: make-up.<strong>hey all. happy weekend!</strong> and thank you so much for your awesome thoughts on make-up! <br />
<br />
<strong>some comments that really stood out to me:</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/">Dana</a>'s honesty about the fact that we DO get treated differently all dolled up, but true confidence comes from within. <em>amen sister!</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.highonhealthy.wordpress.com/">Ayla</a> totally owning that she IS pretty without it, and wishes it hadn't been invented because of how it's impacted us.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10592470255014071421">Katie</a> asking herself if she feels acceptable without it... <em>ohh that got me thinkin, girl.</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://solskinn88.wordpress.com/">Hedda</a> pointing out that we can RELAX and be ourselves without it, seeing who are real friends are. <em>so, so true!</em><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13949923375019227430">Mo</a> stating she feels wearing make-up is expected, so we do. <em>interesting!</em><br />
<br />
and many, many others! thanks again, everyone, for your incredible input!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.calla-salon.co.uk/stock_makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" px="true" src="http://www.calla-salon.co.uk/stock_makeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong>my thoughts:</strong><br />
<br />
<em>i've gotta go get ready to meet someone for tea, so this is a quick-fire version of my thoughts, uncensored.</em> <em>you've been warned!</em><br />
<br />
personally, i've struggled with feeling physically unacceptable for most of my life, and make-up definitely played a part. i have <a href="http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.google.com/health/ref/Rosacea&rct=j&sa=X&ei=0BSnTLnAEIGC8gaRzryNDQ&ved=0CCkQ4wEwAA&q=rosacea&usg=AFQjCNFA4YmXm4_ui7QrTARASv8wrXf6Ig">chronic rosacea</a> that for years left my skin blotchy, red, inflamed, and burning. when i looked in the mirror, it was all i saw! people would ask my if i had just been running, or if i was embarrassed. i hated my skin, so when i got old enough, i accepted that i was doomed to cover it for the rest of my life to feel pretty. this was probably around age 15.<br />
<br />
since then, i've learned a few things about managing rosacea, but more importantly, i've learned about myself. quitting dairy and processed foods has made a <em>huge</em> difference in the blotchiness, but that's really quite minor in my eyes. in the last few years, i started digging deeper into <em>why </em>i felt the need to cover myself with a mask - <strong>why wasn't i acceptable without it, red skin and all?</strong><br />
<br />
i know plenty of my issues stemmed from dating a guy who wouldn't hang out with me unless i was in full make-up <em>(yes, he was a keeper... NOT).</em> but really, i wouldn't have listened to him unless i had already believed he was right. honestly, i agreed with him - showing my "flaw" to the world must not have been ok, so i hid behind a layer of foundation day in, day out... even in my dorm room!<br />
<br />
<strong>the truth is, we all have flaws. it's called being a HUMAN BEING. </strong>and our "flaws" are what make us different. i know it's cheesy and we hear it all the time, but do you really believe it? <em>really?</em> and honestly, who was to say that their skin without rosacea was any more acceptable that mine with it? did it make me any less of a person? i think not (you could sub acne here, if that's your struggle). <br />
<br />
once i realized that i was just as valuable, flaws and all, i started to relax.<strong> i realized that without make-up, you could see who i really was... </strong>and shockingly, i was alright! i have some pretty unique navy blue eyes, hair with a mind of it's own, and albino-white skin with a smattering of freckles. when i donned the daily mask, all these things were lost... and consequently, my identity was, too.<br />
<br />
<strong>does this mean i think make-up is evil?</strong> surely not. i still enjoy swiping some mascara on my blonde eyelashes and feeling dramatic and flirty. i still use some shimmer powder to minimize the fibro/fatigue look from my eyes because, well, i get tired of looking tired. and i certainly don't think perfume is evil.<br />
<br />
i guess i had to learn what make-up stood for in my eyes. <strong>i HAD to own that i was beautiful, unique, and acceptable without it before i could truly benefit from wearing it.</strong> and for the love of chocolate, i will beat up any guy who tries to tell another girl to just "put some make-up on." <em>how about i just put my fist in your stomach???</em><br />
<br />
<strong>in my opinion, some red flags to watch out for:</strong><br />
<br />
- do you feel less beautiful without it?<br />
<br />
- do you feel there are situations you <em>have</em> to wear it?<br />
<br />
- are you self-conscious without it?<br />
<br />
- can you not go to the store, on a date, or in public without it?<br />
<br />
- can you take a compliment when you don't wear it?<br />
<br />
- are you not "yourself" without your face on?<br />
<br />
- do you think other people/men will judge you or dismiss you without it?<br />
<br />
if so, <strong>you may want to dig a little deeper</strong>. what's behind these feelings, and what can you do about it? <br />
<br />
<em>just my thoughts... agree/disagree?</em><br />
<em>-r</em>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-48477502649174395502010-10-01T08:07:00.000-04:002010-10-01T08:07:39.740-04:00make this slaw!<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">hey friends - i'm running an errand in Williamsburg with my mom today so i'm not sure when i'll get to it, but <strong>be looking out for my thoughts on make-up sometime this weekend!</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dwex9AQ8IuA/TIEK3gW2LaI/AAAAAAAAY5g/o-4fUK9vfw4/cole-slaw-vegan-tahini-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dwex9AQ8IuA/TIEK3gW2LaI/AAAAAAAAY5g/o-4fUK9vfw4/cole-slaw-vegan-tahini-10.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>photo: </em><a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/"><em>Happy Healthy Life</em></a><em>.</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">in the meantime, <strong>make </strong><a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/09/seedy-tahini-vegan-cole-slaw-recipe.html"><strong>this asian slaw</strong></a><strong> and die happy!</strong> i know it's crazy coming from a southern girl, but i'd never had slaw before because, um, <em>i</em> <em>don't do mayo.</em> i thought this mayo-free version sounded much less vomit-inducing, not to mention way more interesting (hello cumin seeds and coriander!). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i substituted a bag of <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/">trader joe's</a> broccoli and carrot slaw for the cabbage, and used <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/kickin-in-kitchin.html">homemade tahini</a> in the dressing! don't you guys just love it when you can use homemade stuff in recipes? i feel so domestic :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>am i weird in my mayo phobia? any mayo lovers out there (shudder)?</strong></div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-83741283042728406282010-09-29T17:49:00.000-04:002010-09-29T17:49:34.426-04:00how do you feel about makeup?<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">in typical rebekah fashion, i totally missed <a href="http://www.rabbitwrite.com/">rabbit write</a>'s <a href="http://rabbitwrite.com/no-make-up-week/">The No Make-Up Week Experiment</a> last week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-KAf31ZmE5tLiEcoxeSgyMaoOPFnDwrb7KbCLSJd4-e4qVUUdTUPwEEmGwN90kQUzagjJWDajSMmjO9DFps_3RrwGtJnIlFdjsK-q8VxtOzUhJAsB2s0aCuTdDqZTczWGoflPZxbAUY/s1600/NMW_BADGES-012-575x718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-KAf31ZmE5tLiEcoxeSgyMaoOPFnDwrb7KbCLSJd4-e4qVUUdTUPwEEmGwN90kQUzagjJWDajSMmjO9DFps_3RrwGtJnIlFdjsK-q8VxtOzUhJAsB2s0aCuTdDqZTczWGoflPZxbAUY/s320/NMW_BADGES-012-575x718.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://rabbitwrite.com/no-make-up-week/">source.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">which is a bummer, because i had been planning to participate (i saw the <a href="http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/what-if-i-didnt-wear-any-makeup/">rockin' post</a> on medicinal marzipan, one of my favorite <a href="http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/">body image bloggers</a>). so, instead of posting <em>my </em>experience make-up free (which is most days), i have a question for you guys.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">for most of us, what does our need for make-up indicate we believe about ourselves?</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>p.s. - thank you all <strong>so much</strong> for your support <a href="http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/what-if-i-didnt-wear-any-makeup/">yesterday</a>! it's wonderful to finally have another piece to this puzzle of my health figured out. if anyone has any questions about going gluten-free or dealing with food allergies/intolerances, i would love to help you!</em></div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-74776759290096804752010-09-28T12:33:00.001-04:002010-09-28T12:38:52.159-04:00Kickin’ in the kitchin’.<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>hey friends!</strong> <em>(and happy tuesday, </em><a href="http://www.healthyexposures.wordpress.com/"><em>jess</em></a><em>!)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">thanks so much for your sweet words about my insomnia. i really appreciated all those who chimed in with personal experiences, but i wish you guys didn't struggle too! it breaks my heart that insomnia is so common these days, ya know?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">by the way, if you're interested in extra <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/sleep-and-what-to-do-when-its-elusive.html">better sleep tips</a>, check out the expert advice in the <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/sleep-and-what-to-do-when-its-elusive.html#comments">comments</a> from <a href="http://tatiannalives.wordpress.com/">tatianna</a>, <a href="http://thedelicateplace.wordpress.com/">both</a> <a href="http://www.melissanibbles.com/">melissas</a>, <a href="http://peacebeme.wordpress.com/">peace be me</a> (what is your first name?), and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07897733975604744859">bitt</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but now that we're all awake, <strong>how about a picture/recipe/life update, shall we?</strong> i finally found the darn escapist camera cord, so no more excuses for me. in no particular order, here are some recent happenings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhganMdyRUWOtMEEwBjI2KtoLvhEPZkMX4R_WfZHAiBSeBFc7z9AfrhFUn5pJ2tHaFvl9oO6f2uySyVsdW55HOV153Ns5QaGa_r3fp0puZjceiL9A0WURuZ1_SVaEmxkcV9XSqtWNmqLrI/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhganMdyRUWOtMEEwBjI2KtoLvhEPZkMX4R_WfZHAiBSeBFc7z9AfrhFUn5pJ2tHaFvl9oO6f2uySyVsdW55HOV153Ns5QaGa_r3fp0puZjceiL9A0WURuZ1_SVaEmxkcV9XSqtWNmqLrI/s400/IMG_0879.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>first day of school.</strong> <em>look out </em><a href="http://www.vcu.edu/"><em>VCU</em></a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uhXB6Z319gPMXsrn8ZZCBGCzu9ub-sdCTH6crmOjJMBwMW5RPn05Fq5dtUGtHWcB0-Ry2qXx86tCiEYSC06mWNL9KTqJYcLHY6D-9mCD8gk8n19HUbMnuzbtw7qV2MutwfOCwWFUKxE/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uhXB6Z319gPMXsrn8ZZCBGCzu9ub-sdCTH6crmOjJMBwMW5RPn05Fq5dtUGtHWcB0-Ry2qXx86tCiEYSC06mWNL9KTqJYcLHY6D-9mCD8gk8n19HUbMnuzbtw7qV2MutwfOCwWFUKxE/s400/IMG_0892.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>pinto bean and plantain stew, sans parsnip chips</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">this soup is crazy good! i didn't make the chips because i'm poor and parsnips are like gold around here, but hello - a little recognition for cooking with a plantain!!! they were on sale for 54 cents at <strike>wal</strike>dirtmart, so one magically jumped into my cart somehow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but no, your eyes don't deceive you - i did finally made a recipe from <strong><a href="http://www.theppk.com/nomicon.html">Veganomicon</a></strong>, one of the cookbooks i got for <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/bottom-line.html">my birthday</a>. i was super excited about this book specifically because i see <a href="http://www.healthyexposures.wordpress.com/">jessica</a>, <a href="http://www.nomeatathlete.com/">matt</a>, the <a href="http://www.getsconed.wordpress.com/">other jess</a>, the <a href="http://www.thedomesticvegan.com/">other other jess</a> (haha ok enough), and many others refer to it as "the vegan bible" and cook from it fairly regularly. good enough for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>... honestly? </em>i hate to say this, but i was a tiny bit disappointed. for someone who doesn't see the appeal in "mock meat" or soy meat substitutes, i wasn't thrilled to see a good portion of the book devoted to seitan, tofu, and bean cutlets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">don't get me wrong - certainly all those things have their place in the freezer section, and if you dig 'em, it's totally cool! i'm just not a fan of eating food that mimics other food... if i wanted meat, i would eat it, ya know? i'm already cool with soybeans and black beans, so i don't feel the need to "transform" them into a substitute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i like food that just <em>is what it is. </em>no imitations. but<em> </em>that's just my deal, yo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XmiPYzGp0B_dpht7HZK_xmoQtU4AoX3vZ0QwzRcy_-yHYfm4ThZA_UUdf9U4bzXdBIgrWcbC-zfRVo4233eE1vj6KllRz0Q5-LE8LxGkjJTS4rlIECKj9twhiSRi0rv-RUrFqYLOuVQ/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XmiPYzGp0B_dpht7HZK_xmoQtU4AoX3vZ0QwzRcy_-yHYfm4ThZA_UUdf9U4bzXdBIgrWcbC-zfRVo4233eE1vj6KllRz0Q5-LE8LxGkjJTS4rlIECKj9twhiSRi0rv-RUrFqYLOuVQ/s400/IMG_0894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>spicy coconut curry squash soup</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">after i just ragged on their cookbook full of homemade tofurkey, i gotta give the ladies at the <a href="http://theppk.com/">Post Punk Kitchen</a> a shoutout... those girls can make some SOUP, man. hopefully that makes up for it? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i modified <a href="http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=212">this recipe</a> because, well, i had squash and not sweet potatoes, and can't leave well enough alone!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGFOF_QvLfSCz5A8uNSSTvao1IOFvM1UoaAeASF8knJw3odmZEhBxhHMt0q0BmEGeegl8DKUllF0fJTyz3qKHVhi11t395iDHB-UHJyjOv8ebiObzYssz7T7b3rOXwuFyy_728xcvfZQ/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGFOF_QvLfSCz5A8uNSSTvao1IOFvM1UoaAeASF8knJw3odmZEhBxhHMt0q0BmEGeegl8DKUllF0fJTyz3qKHVhi11t395iDHB-UHJyjOv8ebiObzYssz7T7b3rOXwuFyy_728xcvfZQ/s400/IMG_0896.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>i made guac. alton brown's guac. </strong><a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/attention.html"><strong>no explanation needed</strong></a><strong>.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><strong>and what's not pictured?</strong></em> in the last week or so, i've made <strong>gluten-free millet and flax crackers</strong> (like <a href="http://samisbakery.com/">sami's bakery</a>, but waaay cheaper), mom and i tag-teamed some delicious <strong>veggie bean chili</strong>, then some <strong>enchiladas</strong> (with beef for my brother, and without for us lettuce heads), various <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/04/wanna-know-secret.html"><strong>kitchen sink salads</strong></a>, <strong>gluten-free orange sweet potato muffins</strong>, <strong>quinoa coconut "rice pudding,"</strong> homemade <strong>peanut butter</strong> and <strong>tahini</strong>, <strong>chocolate coconut cherry laraballs</strong>, <strong><a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/05/blessings-recipe-and-giveaway.html">pesto</a></strong>, and two kinds of <strong><a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/05/few-recipes-to-share.html">hummus</a></strong>: roasted red pepper and jalepeno cilantro.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">um, yeah. <em>i've been busy.</em> <strong>if you want details on how to recreate anything i made, comment or shoot me an email! </strong>mostly i just throw stuff in the pot and cook, but i'd be more than happy to share my "recipes" with you guys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">................................................................................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">to continue on in this insanely random post, <strong>remember how i finally got around to a </strong><a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-to-reality.html"><strong>gluten-free trial</strong></a><strong>?</strong> yes? well houston, we have a problem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i gave it a month gluten-free before i "tested" my stomach again with my old foods, and let's just say that yes... <strong>it's clear that the remainder of my ibs issues are from gluten.</strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i won't die if i eat it (like when eating out), but for what i can control, i'm sticking with eating gluten-free. practically, it just means i avoid sandwiches and wheat pasta (almost everything in our kitchen is safe because of my sister), which is cool because i'm not a huge fan of those foods anyway. we have plenty of <a href="http://glutenfreemommy.com/baking-gluten-free-bread-millet-oatmeal-bread/">gluten-free bread</a> should i get the urge for a sandwich, but that's pretty rare.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it's awesome though because i thought i was doomed to being bloated all my life, and hooray - no more! if you struggle with this, you might want to test for a gluten-intolerance... why not? and head's up you guys, unless i mention otherwise, <strong>the recipes i post from here on out will be gluten-free.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">phew. you guys have been along for quite an interesting journey with me, no? now i leave you with the most hilarious food face i've seen in a while:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGikkKytPFW8ISJ_pnr9wvW1iREDJHla4tFEKx4ayVHm32JVcgfEB_a7Pvqzc1L2Va8dfxu1KNAOI09B3Nd5ospPQ-kR_jaVN0LQ-MsTdwVXkru6JKB8bKo44xK2J01E2UilWJzePGHis/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGikkKytPFW8ISJ_pnr9wvW1iREDJHla4tFEKx4ayVHm32JVcgfEB_a7Pvqzc1L2Va8dfxu1KNAOI09B3Nd5ospPQ-kR_jaVN0LQ-MsTdwVXkru6JKB8bKo44xK2J01E2UilWJzePGHis/s400/IMG_0902.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>mom's blueberry goat cheese english muffin.</strong> oh snap, he has a moustache!</div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-12405960941686822452010-09-27T12:22:00.000-04:002010-09-27T12:22:12.458-04:00Attention.The best lunch I ever ate…<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Cilantro jalapeno hummus + guacamole + quinoa, + side of carrot sticks.</strong><br />
<br />
Jesus loves me.<br />
<br />
That is all.Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-26832885920656323372010-09-26T04:45:00.000-04:002010-09-26T04:45:55.565-04:00sleep, and what to do when it's elusive.<strong>morning, sunshines!</strong><br />
<br />
hope my fellow americans are sound asleep right now, and everybody else, well, i still haven't figured out what schedule you guys are on, but <strong>i hope this finds you well!</strong><br />
<br />
it's about 3:30 AM right now, and i've been up and at 'em for a while now. this is the latest i've slept in quite a few days... strange, right? weirdly enough, i've actually gotten used to it and don't really mind it too much most days (insomnia is a really common part of <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/p/my-issues.html">fibromyalgia</a>).<br />
<br />
because of this new habit, though, i've been trying some new techniques to help me sleep, and thought i'd share a bit. <strong>so can we talk about sleep real quick?</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.the-product-review-site.com/fat-burning-program-reviewed/images/Insomnia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" px="true" src="http://www.the-product-review-site.com/fat-burning-program-reviewed/images/Insomnia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=insomnia&FORM=BIFD#focal=d85b279c34861c99b87a75fa6d3d51b5&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-product-review-site.com%2Ffat-burning-program-reviewed%2Fimages%2FInsomnia.jpg">source</a></div><br />
i'm obviously no expert, or i'd still be sleeping right now! but i have tried a battery of different methods to deal with sleeplessness, and thought maybe my experiences would help you guys navigate your own potential issues (that i pray you don't ever have!).<br />
<br />
<strong>ambien - </strong>i tried this drug when i first got diagnosed with <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/p/my-issues.html">fibro</a>. it was a while ago, so i'm not sure how fair my evaluation is but i do remember it not working for me, and the little bit of sleep i did get made me terribly groggy when i took it. however, one of my good friends has used it for years and he swears by it, so i think it all depends on how <em>your</em> body chemistry reacts with it. i don't think i had any other side effects, so i'd say if you're desperate, it's worth a shot at least.<br />
<br />
<strong>antidepressants </strong>- there is a strong connection between insomnia and decreased serotonin levels in the brain, which is also (not shockingly) a cause of depression. while i was on Prozac for a very short while in high school for depression, i recently was prescribed a different one (Lexapro?) to manage my sleep. <br />
<br />
i know plenty of people who have amazing results with them for both depression and sleep issues, but my body <em>does not like </em>these kinds of drugs! i become paranoid like someone is "watching me," my heart races, and i sweat a lot... not good! i've always come off antidepressants quickfastandinahurry.<br />
<br />
<strong>fibromyalgia prescriptions (Cymbalta, Lyrica, etc.) </strong>- fibro and nerve issues are characterized by a problem in the same part of your brain depression is, so many medicines prescribed for fibro are also prescribed as antidepressants. i know fibro doesn't apply to most of you (praise God!), but i just wanted to let you know my opinion on these medicines. i've met and heard from many people that thrive on them and feel like the meds have given them their lives back, and i'm very grateful for that! but for me, i would consider these meds a last resort: they are <em>incredibly </em>hard on your body. the process to adjust to them is severe, and the side effects can be crippling. i have never felt more like a zombie than when i was on these. just my thoughts!<br />
<br />
<strong>melatonin -</strong> this is a natural supplement often used to promote healthy sleep patterns. it helps your "body clock" establish a sleep schedule. it took me a few weeks to realize that my problem wasn't <em>my sleep patterns, </em>but that i couldn't <em>stay asleep</em>. while melatonin did help me feel sleepy at the same time each night, i would still wake up after a few short hours. if staying asleep isn't your problem, just getting asleep in the first place, i would definitely recommend melatonin! i didn't experience any side effects, other than frustration :)<br />
<br />
<strong>5-HTP - </strong>this is the supplement i'm currently taking. i just started taking it a few days ago, so the verdict is still out, but i have high hopes for this one. 5-HTP is the herbal version of tryptophan, which promotes raised serotonin levels in the brain (my problem in the first place!). i'll let you know how it goes!<br />
<br />
<strong>SAMe - </strong>this is the next one i might consider trying. it is commonly used to help patients with chronic pain sleep through the night. a few nights i've realized it actually was the pain responsible for waking me up, so i feel it'd be worth a try possibly. SAMe is also a natural supplement, but it's a bit pricier than most supplements so i'm trying it last (college kid!).<br />
<br />
<strong>tequila </strong>- haha i'm just kidding, i'm not getting <em>that </em>desperate!<br />
<br />
...................................<br />
<br />
i hope my experiences help shed some light on insomnia and the methods available to you, should you need it. we all go through times of struggling to sleep, and that's normal! <strong>when you do have that random, restless night, here are some things you should try:</strong><br />
<br />
- concentrating on relaxing breathing. take a deep, slow breath for a count of four, then slowly release it for a count of for. repeat ten times.<br />
<br />
- don't allow your mind to run away with itself. nighttime is the time to <em>shut off your mind</em>. if you can't stop it from running, keep a notepad next to your bed and jot down all your thoughts before you sleep each night so you don't lay awake trying to remember something important.<br />
<br />
- i know i sound like your mom, but establishing a routine is <em>crucial. </em>if you don't regularly go to bed around the same time, your body will constantly struggle to know when to sleep. please, please, please honor your body and its sleep patterns! we're big kids now - let's be responsible if at all possible. <br />
<br />
- do something that deeply relaxes you before bed, as well as if you wake up in the middle of the night. meditate, pray, do some gentle yoga (one of my faves), stretch, or read a calming book (no stephen king!). <br />
<br />
- don't turn on the light if you can help it, and use a small, soft glow to read by. your computer isn't a great bet because the screen can be stimulating to your brain. bright lights tell your brain it's morning, so this applies to going to pee, too!<br />
<br />
- if all else fails and you're still awake 30 minutes later, get up! laying in bed will only stress you out and reinforce that sleepless pattern. do something quiet and non-stimulating until you feel sleepy.<br />
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- as much as possible, <em>don't stress. </em>yes, not sleeping sucks, but worrying about it pretty much guarantees you won't sleep, and that you'll feel like crap the next day. take one day at a time, and don't allow your mind to wander about how you'll function tomorrow. you can do this!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.imontvbitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/relax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://www.imontvbitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/relax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.imontvbitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/relax.jpg">source</a></div><br />
<strong>the best comfort i've had though my insomnia?</strong><br />
<br />
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, <strong>for my power is made perfect in weakness</strong>." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. <strong>For when I am weak, then I am strong.</strong><br />
<br />
<em>2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (New International Version)</em><br />
<br />
this has been my battle cry for the last year or so. what a gift to know that even when i am an absolute wreck (which is often!), God still provides the opportunity for me to be powerful! i am capable of living this life victoriously even though i will struggle so much - praise God!<br />
<br />
..........................................................<br />
<br />
<em>have you tried any sleep remedies?</em><br />
<em>what are your tips for sleeping well?</em><br />
<em>-rebekah</em>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-67147271553236611942010-09-23T19:13:00.000-04:002010-09-23T19:13:38.157-04:00pet peeve.<strong>today's <em>what the kale?</em> moment:</strong> <br />
<br />
"hey girl, i can't talk now, i'm on the way to the gym to earn my dinner. gotta burn some calories before i can eat!"<br />
<br />
<strong>here's a fact:</strong><br />
<br />
if you're a human, you deserve food.<br />
<br />
you <em>kinda</em> need it to live.<br />
<br />
shocking, i know, but <strong>please, please, please</strong> just trust me on this. <br />
<br />
<em>do you ever hear disordered thoughts like this?</em><br />
<em>are you oblivious?</em><br />
<em>-rebekah </em>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-26950540207730771802010-09-23T11:04:00.000-04:002010-09-23T11:04:33.223-04:00oy.<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>hey rebekah, don't you have a blog?</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>... oh yeah. oops.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.volusion.com/demo/37408/upload/uploadedFiles/forgot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://www.volusion.com/demo/37408/upload/uploadedFiles/forgot.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.volusion.com/demo/37408/upload/uploadedFiles/forgot.jpg">source.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>hey friends! long time no see.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">although you may have been concerned i fell off the face of the earth (logical conclusion <a href="http://eatrunknit.blogspot.com/">sarah-mae</a>!), rest assured i did not. i didn't really have <em>intentions</em> of abandoning you, i swear. and i've been slowly working my way through my google reader! <em>i think i'm in the 400s now... oy vey.</em> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">in the last few weeks, i've been blessed beyond what i ever could have imagined: i went back at school (finally!), got plugged in to a new church i absolutely adore, and have started making incredible new friends. i've studied for challenging classes, worked a church yard/bake sale (thanks for the <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/last-call-giveaway.html#comments">suggestions</a>!), and met girls for coffee. i've hiked riverside trails in the crisp, fall air. i've laughed, cried, and went on a fabulous lunch date with my mom and sister. and praise jesus, we finally got a new blender!<em> my raw vegan heart rejoices.</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>really, i'm incredibly, amazingly thrilled with life.</strong> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">with exquisite beauty, however, there always comes unavoidable pain. for the last month or so, i've been up well before 4 a.m., struggled to keep food down, battled lonely, depressing days, limped from <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/p/my-issues.html">fibro pain</a>, gotten runner's knee, and haven't ditched this stinkin' headache yet.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i'm still been facing some other pretty testy health issues, too. after going off the pill again, i'm still cycle-free (anyone have a solution to this?!?), and discovered i may not be the one lucky fibro patient without IBS... sigh/burp.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>ok, so you're still with me?</em> good.<strong> because of all these changes, i'm not really sure what the next few months will look like for me.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i'm kinda at a loss concerning the blog. over the summer, i had so many things i was dying to blog about: <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/07/love-your-body-even-when-it-changes.html">accepting our bodies</a>, <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/makin-chop-why-i-cut-my-hair.html">why i cut my hair</a>, <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-work-out-effectively.html">exercising efficiently</a>, <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/whats-that-really-mean.html">food labeling</a>, and <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/behind-closed-doors.html">animal</a>-<a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/questions-answered-factory-farming.html">free</a> <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/part-three-living-out-of-our-food.html">eating</a>, to name a few.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i blogged on bad days, good days, and busy days. i couldn't wait to hop online and channel my passions into a post, hoping to encourage just one person to keep on keepin' on in their healthy lifestyle. but things change, and right now, i feel stuck.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i'm not the same person i was a year ago (phew!), and i'm not sure how the blog will follow that. after spending years researching nutrition and wellness and finally regaining positive body image (<a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/pride-comes-before-fall.html">most days</a>), i couldn't imagine blogging about much else! i actually still have a few post topics lined up when i'm ready to pull out more tidbits of trivia from this crazy brain of mine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">honestly? life is just different for me now. in case it hasn't been obvious in my posts, let me be transparent: <strong>i've sort of gone through a life overhaul in the last year or so.</strong> thankfully, i no longer waste my time on abusive relationships, distractions that numb emotional pain, or reckless friday nights "just because it's fun." i wish i could take credit for it, but everything really has been God working in me. seriously y'all, i'd be passed out in a drug-induced stupor in a ditch somewhere if it weren't for God's grace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">do i still love learning about health, exercise, food, and body image? you bet! but i guess my motives aren't in the same place.<strong> my priorities have changed.</strong> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">now i'm rambling, and i don't know where i plan on taking the blog from here, but i do know this: anything i post i want to be straight from my heart to yours. i'm not as concerned with <em>information</em> anymore as i am concerned with <em>people. </em>this means my posts will be different, and i'm totally fine with that. <strong>if i post, i want to post on life: what God's been teaching me, lessons i've learned dealing with chronic illness, something that has cheered me up, recipes i've swooned over, and details from a body image workshop i'm taking at school.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i hope this doesn't alienate anyone. i love answering your questions and researching things with y'all more than anything, so shoot ideas/questions/comments for future posts my way! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">y'all cool with that?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-rebekah</div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-16084096558949609342010-09-16T18:06:00.000-04:002010-09-16T18:06:05.759-04:00giveaway winner!<strong>and the winner of the $45 CSN giftcard is.................................................................................................................................................................................................................</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05451831882546668412">The Crave to $ave</a>!<br />
<br />
<strong>congrats on your win! i'm jealous!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>please email me at <a href="mailto:nelsonrr@mymail.vcu.edu">nelsonrr@mymail.vcu.edu</a> so i can forward you the company's information! </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>thanks to everyone to participated, and i can't wait to catch up on all your blogs!</strong><br />
<strong>-rebekah</strong>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-83967237476553700892010-09-15T06:11:00.000-04:002010-09-15T06:11:42.570-04:00last call - giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5kG6oiOkwup2Qw251pBiXEA3-6IRpQSGBGCVnQCoWGGafD2_TkSE_DhB52fj-wwDs6y9RbTVqDR1SXlwT5sz4P-KxH9YSDMn16KV9IbnCYVjueDxMjWvvWe2X1rJBMcGJDenP5Klhmk/s1600/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5kG6oiOkwup2Qw251pBiXEA3-6IRpQSGBGCVnQCoWGGafD2_TkSE_DhB52fj-wwDs6y9RbTVqDR1SXlwT5sz4P-KxH9YSDMn16KV9IbnCYVjueDxMjWvvWe2X1rJBMcGJDenP5Klhmk/s320/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<strong>don't forget that my </strong><a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/gift-card-giveaway.html"><strong>$45 CSN giftcard giveaway</strong></a><strong> ends tonight, september 15th, at midnight... get those last-minute comments in to win that baby!</strong><br />
<br />
ok guys - i need your help. i'm working my church's yardsale saturday and want to bake things for the bakesale, but am not sure what to make! i've been thinking about making some kind of banana oatmeal muffin, some kind of cookie, and some kind of quick bread... <br />
<br />
<strong>thoughts? suggestions? secret family recipes? </strong>thanks for your help!!!<br />
-rebekahRebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-55249224153266565052010-09-14T07:04:00.000-04:002010-09-14T07:04:40.946-04:00national invisible illness week.<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>hey friends!</strong> i'm still catching up on my INSANE google reader back-up, so bear with me! i really can't wait to get to read all your lovely posts!<br />
<br />
i want to bring light to something that's close to my heart today. this week is <strong><a href="http://www.invisibleillnessweek.com/">National Invisible Illness Week</a>, </strong>raising awareness for an issue i pray you guys never deal with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71EP0TzyBcDFWywc2xqdRL0zKqL-ddXLRzziPR9f_MGgM19whpnic6CtYbmSo4B-fIYQR7oj0x03u7-8TAUcl0nAufgodCTelEPUiUvKqODJIzR-XXAxLsugeevK3eQ0dSGN3i_2y9Bo/s1600/1235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71EP0TzyBcDFWywc2xqdRL0zKqL-ddXLRzziPR9f_MGgM19whpnic6CtYbmSo4B-fIYQR7oj0x03u7-8TAUcl0nAufgodCTelEPUiUvKqODJIzR-XXAxLsugeevK3eQ0dSGN3i_2y9Bo/s320/1235.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>1 of 2 americans will have a chronic illness at some point in their lives, and 96% of them won't be physically visible.</strong> whether it's diabetes, heart disease, chronic fatigue, or many others, each day millions suffer in silence. they look fine from the outside, but please don't underestimate the intensity of symptoms they hide behind their eyes. when you live with chronic illness, you learn many tricks to maintain some level of normalcy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">chronic illnesses can be depressing, heartbreaking, and make you feel it's not worth the effort to keep going. the best thing in the world to combat those emotions is knowing <em>your life does matter.</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">this week, please take the time to remind someone that's sick of just that: <strong>their life matters.</strong> give them a (gentle!) hug. tell them how much they mean to you, and how brave they are. tell them they make you so proud, and how much you appreciate all their efforts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>some of my favorite incredible warriors, overcoming their daily obstacles?</strong><br />
<br />
melissa, from <a href="http://www.melissanibbles.com/">melissa nibbles</a><br />
susan, from <a href="http://www.coffeeandthepaper.wordpress.com/">coffee and the paper</a><br />
christie, from <a href="http://www.honormyhealth.com/">honoring health</a><br />
sarah, from <a href="http://www.glutenfreetriesvegan.com/">gluten free tries vegan</a><br />
chuck, from <a href="http://www.feerlessfood.com/">feerless food</a><br />
the daily bloggers from <a href="http://restministries.com/">Rest Ministries</a><br />
ayla, from <a href="http://www.highonhealthy.wordpress.com/">high on healthy</a><br />
nattie, from <a href="http://morsels-of-life.blogspot.com/">morsels of life</a><br />
<br />
and many, many other sweethearts who have written me emails about their challenges, be they food allergies, chronic conditions, emotional eating, or family struggles. i am so blessed to know you all, and you keep me constantly amazed... i thank god for you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>please, will you join me in celebrating those lives that most definitely are worth the struggle?</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>is there someone with chronic disease in your life? </em><em>what struggles do you see them face?</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>if you have an illness, what makes your day brighter?</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>-rebekah</em></div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-77671676387031228232010-09-13T22:03:00.000-04:002010-09-13T22:03:36.796-04:00hello fall, goodbye monday!hey fellas. busy, busy day today, but i wanted to stop in and say hi! how gorgeous is the weather near you? <em>hello fall!</em><br />
<br />
first of all, if you only make one recipe for all of september, <strong>please please please please please please make smitten kitchen's </strong><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/04/peanut-sesame-noodles/"><strong>sesame peanut noodles</strong></a><strong>.</strong> holy junk... those are some sexy noodles!<br />
<br />
also, don't forget that you only have two days left to enter <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/gift-card-giveaway.html">my giveaway</a>! comment for your chance to <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/gift-card-giveaway.html">win $45 dollars to any of CSN's websites</a>! deadline for entry is by<strong> midnight on wednesday, september 15th</strong>. good luck, y'all!<br />
-rebekahRebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-28293071908666926142010-09-11T11:22:00.000-04:002010-09-11T11:22:02.720-04:00pride comes before a fall.<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">hey guys! i'm gonna keep <strike>nagging </strike>gently reminding y'all of my giveaway to <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/gift-card-giveaway.html">win a $45 giftcard to CSN</a>! enter before wednesday, september 15th at midnight to win sweet stuff!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4MbeJqMzw8QXnsp5iowBx2ADhUdyc5KGi9awDsDOsx0i1_P0gC7hZ-AeXapWy9t_fl2_tpeRyyK6D-xCm5YYjlJ3kvwO8gQBsCZwZb0tVciL-MDCxvB2D8IrlSA_d4-Iu10SxmYWzy4/s1600/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4MbeJqMzw8QXnsp5iowBx2ADhUdyc5KGi9awDsDOsx0i1_P0gC7hZ-AeXapWy9t_fl2_tpeRyyK6D-xCm5YYjlJ3kvwO8gQBsCZwZb0tVciL-MDCxvB2D8IrlSA_d4-Iu10SxmYWzy4/s320/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">and p.s. - i am absolutely thrilled to see all the new-to-me faces that entered! thank you so much for stopping by, and i can't wait to catch up on all your blogs!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">so i woke up this morning with a dull sense of dread. not because it was 3:00am (yeah, my body goes there quite often), but because i would need to eat again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>wait... what?</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">yes, those words came from my mouth. <em>my mouth!</em> yes, i'm still the same old rebekah who thought that <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/ask-me-anything-and-body-image-week.html">i was doing wonderfully with my body</a> like ten seconds ago, i promise. and yes, apparently i still have more issues hanging around than i realized.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">maybe i should get this shirt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://image.spreadshirt.net/image-server/image/composition/19433472/view/2/producttypecolor/1/type/png/width/190/height/190/white-i-m-not-perfect-just-awesome-2c-hoodies-sweatshirts_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://image.spreadshirt.net/image-server/image/composition/19433472/view/2/producttypecolor/1/type/png/width/190/height/190/white-i-m-not-perfect-just-awesome-2c-hoodies-sweatshirts_design.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://image.spreadshirt.net/image-server/image/composition/19433472/view/2/producttypecolor/1/type/png/width/190/height/190/white-i-m-not-perfect-just-awesome-2c-hoodies-sweatshirts_design.png">source.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">on a more serious note, though, for years i just <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/05/part-three-open-at-your-own-risk.html">let my emotions run</a> away from me. i never stoped myself to figure out what was <em>really </em>wrong and why i was <em>really </em>struggling with food. i truly believed i must not have been strong enough to be skinny and never associated emotional stress with my eating habits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">instead, i absorbed every bit of knowledge i could from diet books, fashion magazines, and health articles. thank god that didn't last long! it took me a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears to realize that my insecurities weren't about my body, but about my life! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i've felt (nearly) totally freed from the "diet mentality" for a while now, so i was a bit taken back to feel myself... <em>dreading eating???</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabIn-TnnIOD3BmSjpGWYbYe0YHl3hx8ZngUoC322Ihir0zsTWlpoGz5onXGuR_s5oXmGw-nteHnPbnGjegw7UXh4pW1E6vdu8ncB0hj3SPlUWaQzD2bukEgZcC2cOtbJgbu2dt9z_vf8/s1600/baggage.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabIn-TnnIOD3BmSjpGWYbYe0YHl3hx8ZngUoC322Ihir0zsTWlpoGz5onXGuR_s5oXmGw-nteHnPbnGjegw7UXh4pW1E6vdu8ncB0hj3SPlUWaQzD2bukEgZcC2cOtbJgbu2dt9z_vf8/s320/baggage.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabIn-TnnIOD3BmSjpGWYbYe0YHl3hx8ZngUoC322Ihir0zsTWlpoGz5onXGuR_s5oXmGw-nteHnPbnGjegw7UXh4pW1E6vdu8ncB0hj3SPlUWaQzD2bukEgZcC2cOtbJgbu2dt9z_vf8/s1600/baggage.gif">source.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>during my run, i realized i was subconsciously still holding to some old baggage:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. <em>my new eating habits sorta scare me.</em> eating to appease a testy fibromyalgia-y stomach is like trying to feed a colicky newborn: i eat all day long. while i know this is what my new body needs (hence this week's post about <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/ask-me-anything-and-body-image-week.html">eating enough</a>), to a chick who's had a few run-ins with binge eating, eating like this kinda can look "like a binge." i didn't realize i even still had that fear of binging, but i guess a few really hungry days was enough to bring those old feelings to the surface.<br />
<br />
just to clarify, i haven't felt the need to emotionally <em>eat</em> in years, but i guess i still haven't gotten over the fear of <em>possibility.</em>.. follow me? <br />
<br />
2. <em>new schedule means packing and thinking about food A LOT. </em>since i've been sick, i've basically been home all day. i've eaten when i was hungry and didn't really have to worry about packing it up, getting enough, or fitting in to a schedule. with school, all that changed. suddenly i had to plan my meals, and i think the sudden attention to how much food i actually eat in a day kinda freaked the old "diet rebekah" out. stupid, but true.<br />
<br />
3. <em>i break every get-slim-diet-trick daily.</em> i eat almost entirely from the dreaded food group: carbs (*GASP*). i don't eat any of the recommended bikini diet foods: grilled chicken, egg whites, greek yogurt, nut butters, or protein shakes. half my diet consists of simple sugars: fruit. i eat about 50 times a day, don't drink water before meals, don't chew gum, don't <a href="http://www.healthforthewholeself.com/2010/02/turn-off-the-television-eating-without-distractions/">distract myself from my hunger</a>, and always eat after 7 pm. a lot.<br />
<br />
do i know this is best for me? of course! would i change it? probably not. but that doesn't mean that every once in a while, i still don't wonder if <strong>i'm the crazy one.</strong> i mean, i'm crazy, but am i being food-stupid? i know the answer is no, but still, i'm not emotionally invincible.<br />
<br />
<strong>so am i totally over my fears yet?</strong><br />
<br />
probably not. i am, however, very grateful for the body i do have, and am at peace with the lifestyle it takes to get this body out of bed each day. i know what makes me feel my best, and i also know my weight is fine! but this is all head knowledge. the heart is a touchier subject!<br />
<br />
i see this as a life-long process for me, and at 21, it seems i still have a bit of growing up to do :)<br />
<br />
<em>thoughts?</em><br />
<em>struggles of your own you're working on?</em><br />
<em>-rebekah</em></div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-34860090692684630492010-09-10T06:55:00.000-04:002010-09-10T06:55:15.160-04:00to whom it may concern...<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WBfK1eLYSjgH0jeAlDChwF9n2LalWDBqpxp3EPU2oPTwNPh9oFsOKoRATIV389CnxdtOHUvOg3GQeLevXerOEAiIj4Sd_Xm1nJ7KL3kf85jkRXElkF_50p5CwrRI8XYYs9htgVUP8qM/s1600/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WBfK1eLYSjgH0jeAlDChwF9n2LalWDBqpxp3EPU2oPTwNPh9oFsOKoRATIV389CnxdtOHUvOg3GQeLevXerOEAiIj4Sd_Xm1nJ7KL3kf85jkRXElkF_50p5CwrRI8XYYs9htgVUP8qM/s320/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>sweet friends - don't forget to enter <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/gift-card-giveaway.html">my super-easy-to-win giveaway</a> to CSN Stores! it's a free $45, for cryin' out loud! comment before midnight on september 15th, and good luck!</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>..............................................................................................................................................</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>dear </strong><a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/ask-me-anything-and-body-image-week.html#comments"><strong>anonymous</strong></a><strong> -</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">first of all, i wish you had <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/ask-me-anything-and-body-image-week.html#comments">left your name</a> when you commented. this blog is a place where we embrace ourselves, and i don't like it when anyone feels they can't be who they are. not cool. but that's neither here nore there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">secondly, <strong>i want to thank you</strong>. no, seriously! you brought to mind an issue i've been struggling with, an important lesson that by god's grace i've accepted over the last year or two: <strong>the importance of not judging others. </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">when you commented on my weight, did you realize how that would crush me? although i am proud of who i am, i'm still human and vulnerable to criticism. did you stop and think about that before you pressed submit?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">you mentioned how i looked <em>"before i lost of bunch of weight..."</em> did you know i lost that weight because i was bedridden? that i slept 20 hours a day and just got up to pee? that i had to call my mom to carry me down the stairs? <strong>i didn't crash-diet, i was in a medicated coma. </strong>not shockingly, food wasn't too appealing. it took energy, and i didn't have any. simple as that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">if you had been in contact with me over the last few years, you would have know that i've desperately struggled with my body. praise God that improving body image is now <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/p/my-passion.html">one of my biggest passions</a>. and i <em>still</em> struggle with eating enough and exercising to this day. i still am so grateful for each mile i can walk, because there was a time i couldn't walk any. <strong>did you know that?</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">all questions aside, that's not what i'm thanking you for. i appreciate <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/ask-me-anything-and-body-image-week.html#comments">your comment</a> because it brought to light a realization i've had since i got sick that's worth mentioning: <strong>who am i to judge anyone because of their body?</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://xe5.xanga.com/e75f246375733244208852/z193529548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" ox="true" src="http://xe5.xanga.com/e75f246375733244208852/z193529548.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://xe5.xanga.com/e75f246375733244208852/z193529548.jpg">source.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">when i see someone walking down the street, the <em>only</em> thing i know about them is their appearance. how on earth do i think i have any business commenting on what they look like, <strong>when</strong> <strong>i don't know them? </strong>i hate to admit i used to gossip mercilessly about anyone i deemed too fat, dressed too slutty, or wore too much makeup. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">the second i opened my smart mouth, all i accomplished was showering my pride, arrogance, and hate on everyone around me. i thought i was better than this person because in my mind, i wasn't "too" anything (although i did hate my own body, but <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hate-to-burst-bubble.html">that's another story</a>). how it shames me to even admit that! sadly, it took me <em>years</em> before i could face my own shortcomings, realize God is the only true Judge, and in turn accept <strong>we all struggle, we all have flaws, and we all have a story behind them.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>that critically obese person at the store? </strong>they are an incredible gift of God. who knows what they are struggling with in their own life? <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/06/thought-for-monday.html">people have no more or less worth because of their weight</a>, and if i truly cared about their health, i would pray for their lives and heart instead of mocking their body. <strong>that trashy-looking girl at the movies? </strong>who knows what she's been through? what does she deal with on a daily basis that i've only seen in movies? if i really cared, i would hug her instead of condemn her. <strong>that girl whose bones jut out from her skin? </strong>after the weight struggles i've gone through, if anyone loves this girl, it should be me. how dare i make her as the butt of my jokes, when i've been that girl! i could be the <em>one</em> voice she needs to keep believing there's hope in life, and each time i criticize her, i confirm her worst fears.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI95LNEylrw4i8hXSSeqiDFyFcDh785pLCZOMIk6XMsA4m8ImjE-MJ7F8Tk_tW3ZcaYfz5UX_iQgB1QfCvfBhi6kWddSMiyKmumdmHFmdAuYn49nZ27z6Am1R_GoVvTAR9lCRN1jxnHc/s1600/LoveOthersLoveYourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI95LNEylrw4i8hXSSeqiDFyFcDh785pLCZOMIk6XMsA4m8ImjE-MJ7F8Tk_tW3ZcaYfz5UX_iQgB1QfCvfBhi6kWddSMiyKmumdmHFmdAuYn49nZ27z6Am1R_GoVvTAR9lCRN1jxnHc/s320/LoveOthersLoveYourself.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">there's been a huge focus on self-love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Operation-Beautiful-Transforming-Yourself-Post-/dp/1592405827/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284113719&sr=1-1">over the last few weeks</a>, and i'm thrilled! before you can help others, you certainly must deal with yourself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">but sometimes, i think it's easy to forget the power in our words. it's not just about <a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/ob/fat-talk">fat-talk</a>, although that's a pretty big deal. <strong>more than that, though, we need to deal with what <em>doesn't </em>happen when we judge - love. </strong>when we choose to criticize someone, not only do we reenforce our own negativity, but we sever any chance we had to positively impact that person, and that might have been the only kind word they got for quite some time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">next time we're tempted to judge, let's own up to the fact it probably comes from our own insecurities. how about we stop and consider what they're going through first, or compliment them instead? we have millions of opportunities to impact lives for the better - why not take them?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>so <a href="http://clarityincreation.blogspot.com/2010/09/ask-me-anything-and-body-image-week.html#comments">anonymous</a>, thanks for bringing that up, and thanks for reconfirming what i already knew to be true - because </strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A14&version=NIV"><strong>i am wonderfully made</strong></a><strong>, i treat my body right. because i treat my body right, i accept what i see in the mirror. because i accept what i see, what <em>you see</em> doesn't threaten me. i know who i am and the victory that my life is. <em>do you, anonymous?</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">are you aware of how your words impact others?</div><div style="text-align: left;">what can we do to build others up instead of tear them apart?</div><div style="text-align: left;">- rebekah</div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033667705619532873.post-50985470460604919622010-09-08T17:01:00.001-04:002010-09-10T15:25:16.024-04:00gift card giveaway!<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>it's my first giveaway! woohoo!</strong> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPy1mtQI-8rdr4wYv2N7Vjtk17MB97EM9TZrXVSHKmtCw2mjx4OR26W9xClDBT6SU4JWhqL6oCkvfS9X4XN9gkyXT7ZzMCEd0-873aM6sZ2wCr7oQlRUo9fnEgT4VRrOXWZl0t0_i6MI/s1600/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPy1mtQI-8rdr4wYv2N7Vjtk17MB97EM9TZrXVSHKmtCw2mjx4OR26W9xClDBT6SU4JWhqL6oCkvfS9X4XN9gkyXT7ZzMCEd0-873aM6sZ2wCr7oQlRUo9fnEgT4VRrOXWZl0t0_i6MI/s320/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">CSN is an awesome parent company of shopping websites, with everything from <a href="http://www.diningroomsdirect.com/Bistro-and-Pub-Sets-C7086.html">bistro sets</a> and gym equipment to baby shoes and blenders. check <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">them</a> out!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>the $45 gift card can be used at any of their sites, on anything your little heart desires (my heart desires <a href="http://www.luxebycsn.com/Diba-02032-Coconut-DBA1053.html">these shoes</a>).</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">you <em>don't</em> have to write a blog to win! however, it's for US and canada residents only :( so sorry foreign friends! i love you guys too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>how to win? please pick at least one of the following:</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. for one entry: introduce yourself! and leave me a comment about how you discovered my humble baby blog.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. or one entry: leave me a comment telling me the first thing you'd buy if someone handed you $45.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. for five entries: blog about the giveaway, and leave five seperate comments telling me you did!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. for five entries: twitter about the giveaway, and leave five seperate comments that you did with your twitter name (so i can follow you!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>make sure to get your entries in by next wednesday, september 15th at midnight (wherever you are). </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>good luck y'all! i'll announce the winner on thursday's post.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">- rebekah</div>Rebekah (clarity in creation.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611223395550935438noreply@blogger.com229