Day 31: Why I Blog.

Wow, I have to admit I have enjoyed the 31 day blog challenge! 

I can't believe the challenge is coming to a close. 

Thankfully I have plenty more posts coming up! 

Why do I blog?

For several reasons:

• To express myself
• To hopefully help someone else- if at least one person's life is changed for the better because of my blog, then I am happy :) 
• To share my story

I started this blog when I was pregnant with Baby A to help pass the time and keep me from overthinking about preparing for her. I also noticed when browsing several baby websites, that there were a lot of gaps when it came to advice on preparing for baby. So I decided to share what I was doing while preparing for Baby A's birth. I wanted to help save other mom's some of the stress that I had to go through of searching for answers. In addition, I also wanted new moms to be informed that there is other information out there. 

We live in such a "branded" and "chemical" society, that I wanted moms to know that there is more than just the big name brand washes, and diapers. 

There were more options than disposables, formula, and chemical shampoo. There are natural, gentler options available that are better for body and planet.

I hope that I have helped at least one new mom.

My major passions in life are health, fitness, and healing our bodies from within. I also want to leave the earth a better place than when I entered it. 

We all can make an impact somehow. 

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 30: What's In My Makeup Bag?

1. Very Sexy Blush  in Runway

2. Lancome Color Design 7 color pallette

3. Wet N Wild Color Icon in Don't Steal My Thunder

4. Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation in 100

5. Maybelline Define A Lash Waterproof in Very Black

6.Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent

7. Prestige Browliner in EB-03 BLOND

8. Wet N Wild Color Icon pencil 603 Black Black

9. Eco Tools Brushes

I would like to go more natural with the foundation and some of my eyeshadows/blushes.

Does anyone have any brand recommendations?

Thanks!

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 26, 27 & 28! A Picture, A Recipe, What I'm Looking Forward To!

I forgot to post Days 26 & 27 over the weekend. It was soo beautiful out and I wasn't about to waste it at the computer. 84 and sunny was perfect for some quality family time!

Saturday's Post-

Day 26:  An Old Picture

I like this picture a lot. I was 16, back in P.burg to visit my wonderful friend Ali whom I miss dearly! We were at BW3's with some of her close friends, and her now hubby. I had moved away when I was 13. Too bad we don't live close anymore! It was a great time.

Sunday's Post-

Day 27: A Favorite Recipe

This is a hard one. But I would have to say that this recipe is one of my absolute favorites! I love a fresh pasta salad!

Today's Post-

Day 28: What I'm Looking Forward To...

I am absolutely looking forward to Baby A's 1st birthday! It is going to be a huge deal, I want to throw her a Princess party :) I think that every little girl should be a princess for at least a day.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 24: My Favorite Childhood Book

When I was little I read a lot of books!

One of my favorites was :

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear

It was a fun book. I remember being a child and hoping that the big hungry bear wouldn't get the poor little mouse or the strawberry!

Now that I'm a mom, I read this book to Baby A :) 

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 23: Dream Job

Honestly, I have to say since I was a kid, I always dreamed of being a stay at home mom. 

Now I am. 

I really love being a mom & not just being a mom, but being a wife.

I wanted to be the mom who baked and had a clean house...and was a part of everything. Pretty much super mom.

I am on my way there. The clean house I am working on, and I have been making some awesome new recipes in the kitchen this week.

Aside from being a mom though, I would like to finish studying personal training and maybe go to school for something in the nutrition field.

It's just a dream but I think it would be awesome to own a health & fitness complex with a healing health spa. :) 

Being a mom has always been my dream, and I love it.

Being a mom isn't just about being a mom, there are endless possibilities of what a mom can be.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 22: Best Thing To Happen This Year.

Best thing to happen in the past year was the same as my proudest moment.
The birth of Baby A:
http://reinventing-lolli.blogspot.com/2012/05/day-17-my-proudest-moment.html

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 21: My 10 Favorite Foods!

My 10 favorite foods is one of the easiest posts in this challenge. I love food :) It will be hard to list only 10 though!

In no particular order:

1. Bananas
2. Salmon
3. Quinoa
4. Spinach
5. Tomatos
6. Cherries
7. Strawberries
8. Eggs
9. Chicken
10. Raisins

I could go on and on, but this is a good list ;) 

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 20: A Difficult Time in My Life.

A difficult time in my life. 

This one is hard to write about as it is still new.

Dad & I on his 50th birthday. 

My father died August 15, 2011 at 50 years old. He died from what started out as colon cancer. He fought cancer for almost 5 years....cancer that was diagnosed at stage 4. 

I remember thinking " something is wrong with dad", then getting a phone call that night, Dad had cancer...but it still needed to be confirmed by a doctor.

I sat in the oncologist's office with my dad, squeezing his hand as the doctor said, "yes, you have colon cancer". Dad and I went out to eat & talked nothing of it. He introduced me to the waiter as his "date". ...our last father-daughter "date". 

The rest was a whirlwind. 

Almost 5 years later, my dad died. He was in a hospital. He hated hospitals, yet spent most of the last 5 years of his life in one. He kept his sense of humor through the whole time he had cancer though. He didn't let cancer take his spirit. 

He wanted to meet Baby A, he died 3 months before she was born. So now, we tell her all about him. He loved her though he had never met her.

The hardest part about my father's death, was watching my family fall apart.

He was the glue that held everyone together. The love, the light, the humor, the fun...the one person who didn't judge, who found the good in everyone. He made us a family, he made everything okay. 

Now that he is gone, my siblings & extended relatives have mostly gone their own paths. We rarely talk to each other, and there is little respect for differences.

I want to carry on the message that my father left with me before he died. He said " I don't want you to be sad, I want you to be happy for the life I lived". 

I carry that in my heart. And that is the hardest of all, because I am happy that he lived....but I'd be happier if he were still here.

I am grateful and blessed that my father's and my last words to each other were " I love you. " 

One day I will meet him again in Heaven.

I will be so happy to see him again, until then I carry him in my heart, and teach my daughter the love & joy that he lived his life with.

He was a great man, and is loved & missed very much.

It will soon be one year since he passed.

His headstone was just placed.

Name & birth date blurred out to protect family privacy.

Everything has become "real" and that is the hardest part.

Love you Dad.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 19: What I Collect.

This is a hard one, as I am not much of a collector. To me, less is more. 

With a few exceptions.

I would have to say that I collect photos. I love to have as many pictures of events & family & friends as possible. To me, pictures are memories, and I don't want to forget a single good moment.

Another item I "collect" would be kitchen equipment, you may laugh, but since Hubby and I cook everything at home, having a toaster oven, NuWave, crock pot, and rice cooker...that's important. Next on our list is a juicer.

I could also say I collect free weights....over the past couple of years I have collected free weights up to the weight I could lift. 5 years ago it was 3-5 lb. weights....now there are 15 lb. weights in the closet ( I haven't collected more as Hubby and I go to the gym instead of always working out at home now). Although I have to say I secretly long for some 20-25 lb. weights (hehe). 

I think that what people collect says a lot about who they are. 

A long time ago I used to collect earring and shoes, but those aren't as important to me now, in fact I am pairing down on those items to the most important and getting rid of the rest.

I really only want to be surrounded by important things.

Things that help me to be better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 18: Meaning of My Blog Name

The meaning behind my blog name is very simple.

The name Lolli is my nickname from when I was little, a little known nickname I had, and one of my favorites. My real name is Lauren.

The ReInventing part comes from me constantly changing. I moved a lot growing up and was constantly changing to fit the area I lived. As I got older the change came from trying to better myself all the time. I am always changing. Anyone who has read parts 1-4 of the Relationship with Fast Food series, knows that I have completely changed as a person. 

This year alone I have changed a lot. 

My constant is changing.

I reinvent myself often...to be a better me. 

ReInventing Lolli

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 17: My Proudest Moment.

My proudest moment is a very easy one to choose.

I was most proud when I gave birth to Baby A.
What a marvelous thing. 

I was proud of my hubby for getting us to the hospital.
I was proud of my love for my hubby, my love for my daughter, my strength, my ability to give birth without medication, my trust that everything would be okay. 

She came out a beautiful and healthy 8 lbs. 4 oz & 19 inches long.

One of the most happiest days of my life.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 16: What's at the Top of your Bucket List?

To be honest there are so many things on my bucket list, that I cannot really say which one thing is at the top.

I would say though that I would love to travel.

I want to live in a state other than Ohio.

I want to get my personal training & sports nutrition certifications.

I want to learn more about making raw food recipes.

I would like to have a job as a personal trainer.

I would like to go sky diving.

I want to change people's live in some way, to help them to live better, on a larger scale...I just haven't decided what that is yet. 

Make Baby A a tutu dress.

Learn to speak Japanese.

There are sooooo many more things I would love to do.

I just don't have the time to list them all here.

What is on YOUR bucket list? 

I would LOVE to hear from my readers. It's been a little quiet on the blog lately.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 15: Timeline of my Day.

Well, the timeline depends on the day.

So I'll just pick a Monday.

8 am- Wake up and see hubby off to work.

If Baby A slept well that night then I stay up. If not, I go back to bed until 10-10:30.

Lets just say I go back to bed then.

At 10:30 I put coffee on, then I change Baby A, brush her hair, lotion etc for the day.

11 am- I feed Baby A, then I put her in her jumper so she can play and bounce around.

We usually turn on music.

I check my blog and emails. 

Then around noon, I start cleaning the house top to bottom. Usually trying to take a break for lunch around 1. 

Baby A and I hang out and do tummy time or play games for a while just before she naps at 2 pm.

While she naps I get more cleaning done.

The cleaning, feeding & changing Baby A continue until hubby comes home around 5 pm.

We hang out with hubby a bit, then hubby and I take turns at the gym.

We get showers after the gym & bathe Baby A.

After the gym we eat dinner & feed Baby A. 

( Baby A eats every 2 1/2 hours through out the day)

Then we play with Baby A until bedtime.

We read her a story.

Then it's lights out for the night.

We start over in the morning.

What's your day look like?

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 14: If I Won The Lottery....

If I won the lottery....

I would pay off debts, buy a house, buy reliable cars, save for Baby A's college, and I wouldn't tell you the rest.

I also probably wouldn't even tell you if I won the lottery. 

That's realisticly speaking.

In a dream world there are so many things that could be done. 

Open a gym.

Make a gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, clean eating bakery.

Open a restaurant...the healthy kind.

Go on vacations.

Have an indoor pool.

The list goes on.

If you could imagine what you would do with lottery winnings, what would you do?

Realisticly?

Unrealisticly?

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 13: My Earlieast Childhood Memory.

My earliest childhood memory was singing songs in the car with my dad on the way home from Grandma's. He and mom would take us to grandma's house a lot in the summertime. It was usually a 4 hour drive. 

Our favorite song was " One Tin Soldier". Dad and I would sing it over and over and over. I was too little to remember the name of the song so I always called it " The Horsey Song". I believe that the first time I can remember the song was from when I was 3 or 4 years old. 

One of my favorite memories. 

Now I sing that song to my little girl.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 12: What's Inside My Fridge?

What's inside my fridge?

Well, this is what is in my fridge today. We are halfway through to a grocery trip...

Main Fridge:

Almond Milk, breastmilk for Baby A, spinach, juice, coffee.

Hubbys greek yogurt, rice, my soy yogurt.

Roasted red peppers, some leftovers, lots of eggs.

Drawer:

Tomatos, broccoli. lots of carrots, asparagus, 1/2 a purple onion, Daiya "cheese".

Door:

Italian Dressing, SanJ stir fry sauces, Lea & Perrins Low Sodium Worchestershire, Simply Heinz , Sweet & Spicy French dressing, Mustard, Dijon Mustard.

All of Hubby's cheese.

Freezer:

Ground Turkey, Turkey burgers, Lots of berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), ice packs, leftovers, chicken, and on  the right are bananas frozen for "ice cream".

That's what is in my fridge :) 

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 11: 15 of my Favorite Things

1. Weight lifting.

I love  weight lifting because there is always such a sense of accomplishment when I am done. It takes hard work and it shapes my body. It makes me feel strong.

2. Running.

I love running because it is a great time to think and to listen to my favorite music. I also love how it feels to run really fast....I feel free and light.

3. Summer.

I like summer time because of the sunshine, swimming, fresh fruit and all the beautiful plants. I love warm weather.

4.  Being a stay at home mom.

I like staying at home with my daughter and teaching her things. I could never put her in daycare, it would break my heart to not see everything she does every day. 

5.  My Birthday.

It's my own special holiday.  It's a day where I feel like I matter. My hubby always makes my birthday really special!

6.  Vanilla Body Spray.

I have worn the same vanilla body spray for years, it smells yummy.  I have tried several other body sprays here and there but I  decided to stick with the vanilla because it just suits me best.

7. Candles.

I like candles. Mostly fruit scented ones like cherry and blueberry. I am not a linen or flower scented candle person, I think those kind of candles smell disgusting. Candles have a way of making a room more relaxing.

8. My daughter.

She makes me smile when I wake up. She has so much energy! I cannot believe she is 6 months and growing so fast. She is pure light and joy.

9. My hubby.

He is my other half. To say he completes me would be silly because we are each complete people, but he compliments me. We are opposites and truly pick up where the other leaves off. He is the love in my life, the positivity, the adventure. 

10.  Sleep!

I love to sleep. Too bad I don't sleep much anymore! 

11. Home Pedicure.

I love to have pretty toenails. But I don't like to go to the salon to get them done. They never turn out well at the salon, I always do them myself now...and they turn out perfect :) 

12. The beach.

There's nothing like the ocean and the sand. The smell, the air, the waves on my feet. The sky. It's perfect.

13. My iPhone.

It's entertainment, it's a phone, it's organization. I don't leave home without it.

14. Chocolate & Peanut Butter together. 

I used to like Reese's years ago before I got healthy. Now I love to make healthy chocolate peanut butter ice cream ( it's in my recipes tab, try it, it's delightful).

15. Pictures.

I am a picture nut. I like to have pictures of all the special moments in my life. Pictures are memories that have been captured and when I look at a picture I can remember the memories that might otherwise escape me.

These are in no particular order. I hope you enjoyed learning more about me!! 

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 10: My Best Physical Feature

It's hard to choose what my best physical feature is, as I am pretty happy with myself overall. I won't say my hair because it can be pretty unruly most days if not tamed with coconut oil and a flat iron.
I won't say my abs anymore, not yet anyway until the loose skin from having Baby A disappears.
I would say my boobs because, well right now they are pretty nice, but they most likely aren't a permanent fixture.
I have nice eyelashes, but they look better with mascara.
I really like my legs, but they are shorter than I'd like.

The one feature of myself that I have always loved and never found anything wrong with...is my eyes. I love that my eyes are green, and big, and bright. They used to be a grayish blue as a kid, and changed to green when I was 12 years old.

Me and my green eyes :) 

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 9: What Are Your Worst Habits?

My worst habits are:

• Being too much of a perfectionist some days, so I don't relax when I should.
• Weirdly enough, I am also a procrastinator. 
• I drink too much coffee. But considering I don't do anything else & I don't put any sugar or cream or stuff like that in it. I don't worry about it that much.
•  I can't stand too much silence when other people are around. So I fill in the quiet with talking. Awkward silence annoys me. 
• Not refilling the soap right away when it runs out....I'll just go to the other bathroom and use the soap in there. Weird but true. I have an aversion to  it.

So there are my worst habits. 

At least the ones I can think of right now.

What are your worst habits?

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Day 8: What's In My Handbag?

What's in my handbag? 

Here's a picture:

• Hand sanitizer
• Mini Hair brush
• Mirror
• Eye liner
• Lipstick
• Body Spray
• Red Bag to put the makeup in 
• Lotion
• Good Greens Bar
• Phone ( not pictured because it's taking picture)
• Hair ties
• Pen
• Usually theres a grocery list or receipt in there, but not today.
• Usually there's a baby bib or toy in there too.
• Hair clip
• Change
• Inhaler
• Sunglasses
• Glasses ( inside case)
• Wallet

What's in your handbag?

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli