Time for a reset

Tux is not amused!

We've had a couple of good visitors but now it's time to get down to business.  As you can see, Tux isn't a big fan of being productive but it's what we have to do... damn adulthood!  But before I get into that stuff, our summer in Alaska is coming to a close :(

Mom's visit...she brought in some good HI sunshine!

Mom came for a month long visit and we had some decent weather while she was here!  We did some tourist stuff but I couldn't take a lot of time off so Mom was left to her own devices and she got familiar with our bus system.  She got out and about and saw Anchorage on her own.

We did the Kenai Fjords Tour which was amazing!  We saw whales, otters, puffins, otters, seals, glaciers, and amazing scenery!

Although this glacier was BIG it has shrunk dramatically over the years :(

We visited an old abandoned mine which is a quick drive from our house.  The park was closed, but we could walk around and it was beautiful.  Alaska amazes me on a regular basis!

We have been busy with Mom's visit but now she is back home in Hawaii and now we are in purge mode!

Like I mentioned in a previous post we are moving from our 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment to a studio apartment AirB&B.  We have a month to purge all of our stuff!  It's a mental process just as much as physical one.

We've been slowly downsizing and I've been keeping my buying down to a minimum.  Whenever I'm out and about, shopping or window shopping, I always ask myself now "do I need this? how will this fit into my traveling future? what will it replace?".  Knowing my goals and what I truly value has allowed me to stay focused in my day to day life.  I am able to ask myself how does this thing or this action fit into my value.  If I can't answer that question, I move on from it.  

For the past few weeks I've been thinking about my bathroom.  As a female we have tons of stuff in our bathrooms.... make up, hair products, face products, and just random stuff.  Today I purged my bathroom and my jewelry.  It is already feeling "more simple" and I'm just getting started!

In addition to this physical purge of all of our stuff we are doing a reset on our bodies.  With our visitors our eating habits have gotten out of whack and we both feel like our mental and physical selves need a reset, just like our purge of stuff.  

24 day reset!

We've done this once before and what we like about it is that we don't have to totally change our diet.  We eat healthy and as clean as possible.  So...for us that means less eating out and no alcohol LOL. So starting on Tuesday, after the holiday of course, it's game on!

one step at a time

Life is crazy and we never know what is next.  Being able to know your true self and your values allows you to keep moving forward in a way that fills one's soul.  

Health & Fitness

So, I didn't get to the gym on Monday :(. We all know that Monday sets the stage for your week right?!  Well, it's Tuesday and I've been going non-stop.  Woke up, had a Spark, a meal bar, and headed over to the gym.  I'm proud of myself for doing as much as I did!

When we had our "eval" the guy stated that walking on the treadmill at an incline is fine for what I want to do.  So 30 minutes, a face pace, and a decent incline!  BOOM!  I then went over to their "quick workout" area which is their weight machines.  They say if you do all of the machines you get a full body workout!  So there I went.  I was grateful that the gym wasn't busy when I got there and there were just a few people on the machines with me.  I worked my way all the way around, doing three sets of the weights.  I think I'm going to be a tad sore tomorrow.  I didn't go crazy with the weight but enough for me to be struggling by the time I was on my last rep!  I didn't time myself :(. I'll need to do that next time. The plan is at least 4 times a week, 4 days of cardio and three of those days do the weights.  I'll probably have to throw in a workout class to mix it up during the week!

Joe is currently at the gym so we are getting to it!  

I bought a crock pot the other day since Blue Apron doesn't deliver to Alaska (it's a bit of a sore spot for us).  So I planned for a few dinners for the rest of the week and all of those we will probably have left overs so that will be good to decrease the amount of times we eat out.

Did some more grocery shopping today and it was nice and empty at the store that was great!  I was in a checkout line behind a couple of older ladies, one with her checkbook, and the cashier was nice and chatty with both of them.  I get up there and she seemed to not want to be bothered with chit chat?!  I was pleasant but once I got the vibe I kept quiet and just waited.  When the bagger showed up from helping checkbook lady out to her car, the cashier was joking and chatty with him.  I dunno but it's definitely one of those things that I have talked about in my psycho-educational groups.

So often we are prisoners of our own minds and making assumptions of others.  It is easy for me to make an assumption about this lady that was directed at me: she doesn't like my reusable bags, I look too young to be shopping in the middle of the day...must be a stay at home wife, maybe I gave her a look without realizing it, she wasn't happy that I was talking to the older gentleman behind me in line...   I could easily internalize her mood and make it personal and all about me.  That's what we normally do.  Things that I tell clients all the time: don't take it personal, stop the assumptions, and if someone has an "issue" with you then they can say something if they don't then it's not important enough to waste your time/energy on it.  

I noted her change in demeanor towards me compared to other individuals, thought about some possibilities to "why" but those thoughts were fleeting and I didn't hold on to any one "story" that would impact my life.  I found the whole thing interesting and peculiar and even mentioned it to Joe but that was the extent of my energy and time given to it.  I've defiantly had days and moments when I was not able to let go of things and my whole day was ruined!  I am finally keeping my power and not giving it to others!  

All the moving boxes are GONE and we have two boxes full of give away/donations.  Next step is hanging stuff on the walls :). 

Bit by bit, more and more this is feeling like our new home!

Happy Girl

I'm starting to get my routine down here in sunny Florida!  Yep, it's early November and I'm still walking around in a tank top and shorts :)  I'm seeing post of friends and family talking about snow flurries already happening!  I'm blessed to be near the ocean and doubly blessed for the warm weather!

Work is calming down some.  Our census, aka patient count, has decreased so I feel that we can all breathe a little bit more.  I'm starting to figure out the paperwork and haven't been making too many mistakes ;) and I feel that the clients appreciate me and I am planting seeds of change in them.  
I had an older client, he was a veteran and not active duty (a majority of our clients are still active duty).  He had gone through the routine treatments for PTSD at his local VA but was still struggling.  I did his intake assessment but was not his individual therapist.  Knowing that he went through the normal VA treatments I let him borrow a couple of books.... "War and the Soul" and "Come to Your Senses".  He was a volunteer client (most are) and he checked himself out on a day I wasn't at work, he returned the books with this note:

I hope he does well in his future even though he left before he got any treatment from our facility.

I'm still trying to navigate getting an intern license here in Florida. I need a letter from the U of U and it's been a struggle to get that from them :(  Out of sight, out of mind.  I'll keep trying and I'll talk to my supervisor here in FL about maybe just getting my LCSW via Utah but here in Florida.  Ugh.... such problems, but at least here in Florida it doesn't matter if I have an intern license to do therapy :P  

I'm not getting the hours I'd like at work, the joys of being PRN but I am enjoying the days off to decompress from work.  The days are long, full of therapy, routine work politics/frustrations so having days off being home alone is good for my self-care!  Plus I'm getting back on that work out routine!  Well.... it's been two days but it's a roll for me LOL  We finished our 24 day challenge and I feel good.  We haven't done our measurements but I do notice that my pants are fitting better along with feeling better.  I'm stoked because I can now have my coffee :D  I missed it in the mornings.  

Overall I am grateful for my life and what I am able to do to help others!  

Part 2 Advocare and onward to my "L"

The cleanse portion is over, now it's on to the next phase... the "max phase".  The three products that we are now taking are to "work together to provide you with sustained energy, appetite control, core nutrition and overall wellness".  I am grateful that the first day of this new phase I am off of work, so I can see how this will play out over the day.  There is more things to take, with some being required to be taken 30 minutes prior to eating.  So again....back to time management :P  

We've been doing pretty well with the clean eating, only a couple of setbacks ( I blame the weekend :P ).  Now that I'm over that blasted head cold I can incorporate working out now also.  Yesterday morning was the first day I managed to make it to the gym here at our apartment.  Nothing like working out at 5 am and then working until 6pm at night! Long day! ugh  So with this new max phase we will see how my energy and everything else goes!

As mentioned, I've been working pretty steady with long days trying to keep my had above water with figuring out how to do everything.  Rumor has it another PRN therapist has been hired and he's prior AF so that should be good.  Plus, currently all the therapist are females so the docs (who are male) are probably glad to get another male in the ranks.

My meeting with the potential supervisor went well so I have secured that and now I'm applying to get my intern license. One more step closer to my "L".  Now a hangup is getting my NGB22 which shows my military history/separation.  Apparently a retirement order doesn't work :(  So I'm making phone calls, leaving messages, and trying to get that handled.  Fun times!

One thing about living here is that there is always something to do here!  This past weekend we attended Unwined which I have described as speed wine tasting.  We tried a handful of wines and walked away with a nice one that supports military members!  Since it was at Pier Park, we walked over and had dinner at Hofbrau Beer Garden and then over to Tootsies for a couple of drinks and some people watching!  We took it easy on Saturday and then took in a Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival which was very relaxing.  It was at a park on the water.  Sunday was a lazy day, I took care of things and Joe went for a ride and then that evening we took a ride together.  We stopped at had salads at Longhorn Steakhouse and the manger, David, hooked us up with a free desert!  We couldn't be rude and it was yummy.  On the way out we talked with David some more, about the area...he gave us some local hot spot recommendations.  People are friendly and welcoming here and we are enjoying it here immensely! On Wednesday the big bike week is started so this weekend we'll probably check that out...and who knows what else. Unfortunately I'm working on Sunday :( 

My parents will be here next week so that should be interesting :P  I'll work every other day next week while they are here so they can have some free time in the area and then we'll have days to do stuff together.  I think that is why I'm working Sunday... since I have a weird schedule next week.  

Cleanse and Work!

I am on day 5 of the 24 day challenge.  If time management skills are a frustration for you, this may not be the cleanse/program for you!  
Over all it's not bad.  I never feel hungry with the amount of water I'm drinking now, which is good.  I was worried about the cleanse because I had visions of spending a lot of time in the bathroom, I am going pee a lot but the "cleansing" portion isn't bad for me.  I say "for me" because everyone is different.  As I've mentioned, Joe and I were not terrible overly unhealthy eaters so the switch hasn't been a dramatic change.  Granted, with starting a new job I would have LOVED to have a glass a wine here and there but that's a no go :(  Alcohol is in the "limit and avoid" list.  

It's hard to tell how I'm feeling right now due to a head cold, but I can say that compared to past head colds, I do feel mentally more clear during this time, I feel that I'm communicating better (which is good because I'm a therapist and having a "foggy brain" is not a good thing), and I don't feel as run down even though my body is fighting off this illness.  

So far I'm enjoying the Advocare 24 day challenge.  

Their Spark drink is their energy booster.  You drink it first thing in the morning and if needed in the afternoon.  I haven't missed not having my daily cup of coffee in the morning.  You can have coffee but I tend to use a good amount of sugary cream in my coffee, so for me I've had to take coffee out of the equation for me right now.  The Spark drink doesn't make me jittery, and it's like a low key wake me up.  I've only taken Spark once in the afternoon and again, not a drastic increase in energy but a nice sustained focus for my afternoon.
One of my concerns was the schedule, do this 30 min before you eat, do this at this time.... I was worried how that would work with my work schedule, hell even my life.  Overall, it's been working out nicely.  I haven't been timing myself all the time, but I am aware of my body with when I feel like I need to be eating and also ensuring I'm drinking water regularly throughout the day.  Additionally, being new to Florida and all the new restaurants I was bummed to think we were on an eating out ban during this challenge.  Not so.  We just have to pick things that match our allowed food suggestions.  We had a early dinner at a beach restaurant, it overlooked the beach....absolutely beautiful!  We had tuna sashimi, and a fish creole dish with beans and rice.  DELICIOUS!  

Today is the first day that I'm drinking one of their meal replacement shakes, chocolate mocha, and I must say it is YUMMY!  You can do a replacement shake, of course, to replace a meal but it's optional.  Thus far, I've been packing my lunch and making a breakfast before going to work (usually a oatmeal with peanut butter and honey) but I felt lazy this morning and wanted to give the shake a try.  I'm impressed with how good it taste and it mixes well with no big chunks or weirdo taste.  

Since I have been fighting this head cold I have yet to incorporate working out but soon!


I'm in my second week at work and it's been a typical baptism by fire situation.  After three days at work, I had two groups by myself.  Technically I wasn't suppose to be running the groups by myself (I was suppose to lead and have a co-facilitator) but my wingman had some fires she needed to put out so I was on my own.  My first group focused on emotional baggage and I tried to give examples and relatable stories to my audience, which are mostly active duty military with a few retired or separated veterans.  There were two members that had sat through that education before (they've been there  a little bit longer than some of the others) and they both said they got more out of my way of explaining it than last time!  *high five* and I had a member stop me in the hall and told me he appreciated what I had to say also.... I'm glad I got to at least a few of them, got them thinking about their emotional baggage, and hopefully motivated them to start unpacking some of the stuff they've been holding on to.  It's a good group of folks, there is a good amount of them that are talkative and will share in group.... is it because they are military or because they are at a place, personally, that allows them to open up? Who knows...  Either way I'm grateful to be working were I am at, working with my brothers and sisters and aiding them in their recovery.

I have a meeting with a potential supervisor today at lunch. Florida is different from how my supervision would look like in Utah.  First off, I have to pay for supervision!  Ugh :(  I emailed the Florida board to get a list of authorized supervisors in the area and made a call yesterday to a gentlemen that has been working in the social work realm for about 25 years.  I wanted to avoid the fresh off the boat supervisors.  Additionally I cannot apply for my Intern Clinical Social Work license until I have a supervisor!  I was worried about doing therapy without my intern license but after talking to the other therapist at work, it's not an issue! In Utah you cannot do therapy until you have your Clinical Social Work license!  You can apply for that prior to even having a supervisor lined up and you do not pay for supervision in Utah.  Weird waters I'm navigating here in FL. Hopefully Ed will be a good fit for me, and vice versa, and I won't have to delay counting my hours longer than I need to. I need to ponder if I want to count my hours here and use them to apply for my LCSW license for Utah also.... hmmm Things to ponder.

Clean eating

This coming week, Joe and I will be doing a 24-Day Challenge. Not any challenge but the Advocare one.  Now I've seen post about Advocare on my FB page from another friend, and Joe did the challenge last year in getting ready for his PT test.  He researched it and liked what he read, it's simple, and it helps you get back to eating healthy foods.  The goal is to do the challenge and then maintain the healthy eating.
Joe and I eat pretty well as it is, we keep things in moderation, but we do enjoy our wines and craft beers ;)  Now living in FL we have access to great seafood so that's a bonus from living in NC... a lot of fried foods :(  Joe's annual fitness test is coming up and I told him I'd do the challenge with him.  So he ordered two challenge packages and on Tuesday it's game on!  
I'm a little hesitant, not for the diet change but for the supplements that are part of the challenge and the cleanse.  I've done some reading on it and some people, mainly women of small frames, have some issues.  Which makes sense.  Most medications and supplements are "tested" on an adult male, so if one is a petite female..well, there could be issues.  I explained this to Joe and he understands where I'm coming from and I told him I will try it out and if my body seems to have a reaction then I'll cut back on some of the supplements and/or the energy drink.  
I am not a distributor of Advocare, Joe is, so I am gaining nothing by talking about it so I'll keep it real in regards to how things go for me.  I haven't weighed myself yet but just for a frame of reference I'm about 120 lbs, 5'3".  I'm not doing this to loose weight, but to get back on track with healthy eating and tone up.
From what I can tell the challenge has two major parts, and you can watch a video and read up on it here.  The first 10 days are the cleanse phase and then it's the "max phase".  It's a pretty strict schedule with taking/drinking stuff 30 minutes before eating. Now I am NOT good with this sort of schedule, planning ahead and doing something 30 minutes before or after I'm "scheduled" to eat. So I was happy to find that they have an app that will help you stay on schedule with these reminders.  Joe said he didn't like the app too much but he does good with the 30 min before eating thing, he's done it before so he's fine.  He uses a different health app to track his exercise and diet.  I'm going to use the Advocare app!  
So when you get the pack, it comes with a daily guide, which I'm assuming follows the app.  It has what you do every day, what type of food you should be eating, and a place to write down your physical activity.  
Now, normally when you do some sort of program like this, not that I have a lot of exposure, but most will give you a meal plan with actual menus/recipes to follow.  That's been my experience with the Beachbody work out programs.  With Advocare they give you food suggestions for proteins, vegetables, complex carbs, snacks, and what to limit or avoid.  This makes eating, in my mind, easier.  The recipes and menus tend to be complex, or you get a lot of food, and with just one or two people doing the challenge this opens the door to a lot of diversity in how we do these foods, and control in the amount of what to make.  Additionally the physical activity portion is all up to me.  If I want to run on the treadmill, or do one of my Beachbody programs I can do whatever... as long as I DO SOMETHING!  Again this is cool for me because I get bored with workouts and I like not have to stick to a certain workout program during this whole time.  I can go running, do some T25, and then some PiYO.... whatever floats my boat on that day!
The no "menu" just what to eat appeals to me because Joe and I tend to shop like Europeans ;) We don't stock up on a lot of food, we buy what we need.  For example the other night I swung by the store and picked up some stuffed chicken breast and asparagus, we already had a "side" at home, and for a little over $10 had a delicious pretty healthy meal with little to no waste, and some left overs.
We are starting on Tuesday.  Monday is my first day of work/orientation and I don't want to play the figure out food on that day especially since they are giving us breakfast and lunch!  So, come Tuesday it's game on for us!
I'll try and post on a regular, so if anyone is interested in this whole thing :P