Skinny Genes and Stuffed Animals...

Getting skinny isn't easy...but if loving food is wrong sometimes I don't want to be right...SOMETIMES. 

But then I hear the sound of a small child (probably the one from that movie with Nicole Kidman-you know the creepy one) calling to me from my closet, "Koooori, KOOOrrriiii."  Initially I panic, then I begin to realize it is not my stomach calling to me, rather it is the pained sound of my unworn skinny jeans.

This sound is backed up by the multiple comments I have received this week...I mean you try to do something nice and the world just.......

Dear World,

            I got it--I am only 5'2, and I happen to enjoy the art of making people laugh.  Did anyone tell you I also enjoy Karaoke. I also happen to enjoy an occasional game of cards (maybe it's the legal kind, I don't know-stop asking about it).  Not that it is yo business, but I also happen to have inherited the genetic makeup of a ogre.  I have nothing against ogres.  To be sure, I have seen all the Shrek movies, and I believe that they do, in fact, have layers.  I would just like to shed all of those layers, so as to not receive comments like, "Oh, so you must be the one who's pregnant" from an unnamed, distant relative at the family reunion that I didn't really want to go to in the first place because I just hung out with the people I would of hung out with had I not driven an hour and half to mindlessly devour my brother's Satanic brownies and some demon-woman's blueberry crumb cake.  I digress, back to the pregnancy announcement.  To myself I think, "I MUST!!! I MUST be the one who is pregnant...oh really.  Must is a strong word, and since I am not, in fact, pregnant today, I guess we might want to reevaluate our word choices.  Now, if you will excuse me I'm going to go burn the shirt I am wearing in a ceremony where a stuffed animal may or may not be sacrificed and then I will proceed to spend the rest of my evening doing planks."

I breathe...

Inner monologue: "No! Stop! Wait!  (the voice from 'The Help' begins playing in my mind).  "You is smart, You is kind, You is important."  Alas, sanity...

This inner voice becomes an external voice as the wisdom of my sister soothes the burn I received a la family reunion: "Kori, whatevs...who cares, you have had a rough couple of weeks--a rough couple of weeks does not dictate the rest of your life.  Living a healthy lifestyle is a LIFE CHOICE.  And today is a little teeny drop in the bucket.  Get back on the horse and throw away that bag of mini Twix that you are hoarding."

I respond the way I would to any 16 year old, as a 16 year old..."whatever, I'm getting cheese fries."  JUST KIDDING, but if you get that reference you are officially awesome sauce (and if you get that reference-you watch too much TV like me).  I respond to this wisdom in a way that probably explains more than I care to admit--"You're right, but I still want a cookie for having my feelings hurt, don't I deserve it? :("

No, I don't deserve it, but I still want it.  This is a truth bomb that I am dealing with, but the mantra that my little sister constantly reminds me of is what has sustained me on this journey for so long...living healthy is a life choice.  If you have a bad day, a bad week, a bad month, or even a bad summer...think about it in terms of your life.  It is just a drop in the bucket, so get back on the horse.  September is the start of many of our school years or work years.  It is kind of a time to get back into routine because our vacations are over, and we are beginning to hear that little voice in the closet whispering, "WEAR Meeee, WeARrr me."  So, let's rename September, 'skinny September'...(insert Nike reference, which I am scared to use for copy wright reasons).

HERE ARE SOME FUN FOOD FINDS for THIS WEEK:

1. LeanWay Granola...1/2 cup is only 2 pts (I can only find it at Harris Teeter though because it is their store brand, but it is the healthiest, best granola I have found!!!!!)
2. BlueBunny Birthday Party Ice Cream Sandwiches...1 sandwich is 3 pts (I can find them at WalMart always, but I found them at Kroger the other day too!)
3. 100 Cal, Popcorn...1 bag is 3 pts (always a solid go to for the afternoon snacky poo)
4. Yoplait Greek Coconut Yogurt...1 serving cup is 3 pts (seriously tastes like heaven!)
5.  Caramel Apple MilkyWays...1 mini milkyway is 1 pt (but, for real, this is ridiculously fun and delicious)

Weekly RECIPE...This one is for you LinnyB (PS, I had it for breakfast this morning)

My monster smoothie:
1 c.  Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 frozen banana
1 cup fresh baby spinach
4 ice cubes
Stevia to taste
Cinnamon to taste

Directions: combine all ingredients into blender and blend (SURPRISE!)...delicious.  I count it as 2 points, and the banana really sweetens the spinach so you can't even taste it.  Try it, and tell me I'm lying :)

ENJOY!!!!!