The honest company review

lavender hand soap
Love the calming smell of lavender. It doesn't lather up as much as some soaps but I definitely feel clean after using it and it feels gent all on my hands which is a must.

Face and body lotion
It's non scented which is good. It doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy and oily as some do. But my skin feels so and moisturized.

Multi purpose cleaner
This works really well and has a slight hint of grapefruit but nothing over like how other cleaners are. I like that's it's natural and I don't have to worry about my skin or the dogs cause we react to everything and I am personally not good with chemicals.

Body wash and shampoo
It makes my hair feel very clean but not oily like some shampoos. I found it didn't lather up as much as other shampoos and boy washes but it still did its job. I love the light orange smell.

Hand repair
No real sent to it. It's really think but goes on smooth without leaving you feeling greasy like a lot of other hand repair products. I also find it soaks in more so you don't need to use it as often where as other products as soon as the greasy feeling is gone you need to put on more.

Over all I really love these products. I would like to start using them and try some more. I'm not a huge fan that it sets you up for monthly orders on the site. But you can delay it up to 6 months and customize it in many ways. If I decide to order I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad and would be something I could get use to. For the quality of the products it's a small thing I think I could easily get over. I love that the products are natural and I don't need to worry about gluten and dairy in them. Which is a huge plus for me with my allergies and celiac disease

June book overviews

The 100
This is the first book in the series that the Netflix series is based on. I have only seen some of the series but there are a few differences I picked up on right away. Book adaptations are always a little different. They need to change stuff to make it either go faster or slower. I really enjoyed the book and fully plan on reading the next 2. I also plan on watching the series after I'm done the books.

Palo Alto by James Franco
This is a series of short stories of teams who are growing up in Palo Alto. It's a nice short read around 200 pages. The stories have a honesty to them that I don't think we always get in writing. Nothings hidden it shows the darker side of situations. Many of which I'm sure we have heard happen to people we know.

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
I wanted to read this before season3 started up. I love biographies and true crime books so this seemed like a perfect read for me. It was interesting to hear what prison life was like for her and the other women and see how close the show kept things and what parts they left out.

The Bane Chronicles
A collection of short stories about Magnus bane from the immortal instruments series by Cassandra Clare. These stories help tie somethings together and also give you the back story of Magnus.

Carrie and Me by Carol Brunett
This book is emails that carol and her daughter sent back and forth cut in with carol talking about her daughters addiction, rebuilding their relationship and then her daughters struggle and loss of life to cancer. The last half of the book is also the play Carrie was working on when she got sick. She asked her mom to finish it but carol didn't feel right doing so. It's a very touching story that is so true to life so many people struggle with addiction and sickness.

The Isle of the Lost  by Melissa De La Cruz
This is a story about Disney decedents. The violins are all banished to an island without magic and are now trying to raise their children to be more evil in hopes one day the magic will come back and they will get off the island. No one can seem to live up to there parents.

No way back by Chloe Adams
This book is about a girl who is gang raped and afraid to come forward because her family is in politics as is one of the guys who raped her. It's her struggle between what is right for her and what is right for her fathers political career.

Redemption by R.K Ryals
Dayton and Amber lose there parents and are forced to be brought up in an Abby. Weird things start to happen around Daytons 16th birthday. She learns why she fells she doesn't got in with her aunt and sister and what her weird dreams of her father mean.

Dwellers of darkness  by Stacey Marie Brown
This is the third book in this series  now the ember has found her mom she must continue to save the rest of her friends that the queen has captured.  She struggles with her bond for 2 men and which one she really loves and wants to be with.

update on how I feel after the stress of the other day

So after the day moxxi went missing. I spent that nice resting, took a relaxing bath and used some essential oils to calm my nerves and muscles. The next morning I woke up fed the dogs and was reading when I heard some noise out side and some birds flying around. But it stopped so I continued reading. Well muffin woke up and we found moxxi out side munching on a dead rabbit that an owl kindly dropped on our back step for us. Moxxi was so proud and I'm sure she thought it was her kill she was pretty  chocked that we cleaned it up and bathed her so quick. As you can see this just seems to be her week first peanuts then second breakfast! My legs were really bugging me and I was so drained. I rested tell muffins family got here then we spent some time with them. I rested some more after and did more stretching, essential oils and a warm bath. Today is day 3 of feeling exhausted after that day of emotion when I thought she was missing. My legs are still really bothering me and my feet as well I have been doing stretches and walked the dogs around the yard a few times today to try and get things moving. But just standing feels like my legs are gonna give out. Days like this is when if I have to leave the house I try and use my cane. Other wise i end  up worse after and in more pain. But since I'm at home I have been able to take it easy while still trying to get moving. I can definitely feel that I pushed my self today but it feels like a good push like when you have a good work out. The pain is still in my legs and feet. It feels like a restlessness but painful like when your legs fall asleep and start waking up. This is what happens when the weather changes or is bad, when I push my self to much,when I have a flair or when something stresses me out. I have been lucky that it hasn't been happening as often as it was. It use to be every day and my legs and arms would give out on me a lot. this is just to give you an idea of what it's like and how with a chronic illness you have to watch you self how much you do and your stress level otherwise you can pay for weeks.

10 thing you might not know about me

1. I went to see pope JP2 at world youth day in Toronto
2. I have a irrational fear of pudding
3. I can't stand having chipped nail polish I have to redo it as soon as it starts chipping
4. I have been sick for as long as I can remember living at least half of my life undiagnosed with celiac disease
5. Besides my brothers wedding I haven't spoken to my father in roughly 8 years
6. I took dance for 12 years but claim to have no rhythm
7. I don't like people walking behind me especially up stairs
8. I was never taught grammar in school
9. I won a second place award for one of my paintings at a fair
10. The thought of chewing gum or someone chewing it near me can make me vomit

Stress and fibromyalgia

What a day! Things were going along as normal when I look down and don't see my little shadow (moxxi) fallowing me. So I go look out side when I don't find her I search the house checking window sills, cabinets, closets etc calling her name still nothing. She's usully right by my feet and if she isn't she comes if she hears her name or food. So I check about 5 times  shake some food call her name and at this point I'm worried so I call muffin at work. He said to check the back tree line that leads on yo a field and take our other dog mater cause maybe he will help. So we do that check the whole yard and by the field. Come in check the house again and nothing. So I call him again in a panic. He said to call some people in town like his brother and see if they can help look and take mater for a walk. So that's what I did. Along the way I saw that our friends kid was at home so went to ask them to keep an eye out. Of course mater goes crazy and wakes her up! ( she's working nights) so I felt so bad mater woke her up. Walked some more and  came home checked the house again opening all the doors and closets. Go to check the yard and I heard a car. It was muffins brother so he came and  helped me check the yard again and checked the house a few times as well. And nothing. So we went out side again and suddenly hear a little cry. Come in side call her name and nothing. Go out side and we hear her. We come in cause unsound a like its inside and I open a cabinet  that I looked in for her earlier and there she is munching on peanuts in the shell.  What a little stinker! She could have pushed the door open cause it's not heavy but she just thought she was in heaven! I have been working with her to not cry or bark all the time and obviously it back fired on me in this occasion. I'm so happy she was safe I was so scared. She is my baby and I felt so helpless. She doesn't understand cars and is so little someone could easily not see her. We live near the highway so she could easily get in someones way. As well as being in the country so she could get in trouble with wild life or injured and be stuck some where. I'm so happy this ended good today and hope it doesn't happen again anytime soon.
As soon as I was home and the adrenaline started wearing off I could feel all my muscles in spasm. I had pushed my self physically and emotionally. I find with my fibromyalgia even a little spike in stress can cause a flair. So you try and stop it from being to horrible  I took a nice long hot bath with Epson salts  did some stretches and uses some of my essential oils.  I can definitely still feel it but I have learned ways to lessen the pain or discomfort. It's a lot of trail and error and what works for one person might not help the next. All of us are different.
I am looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow where I can enjoy some tea and read my book and let my body recover.

Here is the time she snuck in the fridge while I was cleaning it 

What a little stinker!  

Things I love.... A little bit funky

I stumbled apron this blog a few years back and I have been fallowing her ever since. I just love how honest and positive she is in the face of all the the challenges the world throws at you.
On top of her blog she also make hohos. No not the snack cake! They are adorable little stuffies that are unique just like every owner of them.

 I'm not ashamed to say it but of course I own one of these little fellas! Everyone needs something to cuddle or look at to remind them they are special because they are different. Since I have gotten mine she has exploded and is always busy coming up with new items for hohos or with hohos on them. And all of them are adorable!
http://www.littlebitfunky.com/p/about-hohos.html

Dinner and a show #3

Friday my mother in law came in for one of our usually rainbow stage show. It was west side story.  We went to the the empress of China on Henderson. We love it there cause we both love Chinese food and this place is amazing every time and also they will make almost everything gluten free for you which is perfect for me!  The food was outstanding as always even with them being packed and everything came really quick.
We were in the front row as usually. She hand never seen west side story and I had only seen the movie. This is honestly one of the first rainbow stage shows I have been slightly disappointed in. It was still great tony was amazing. The smaller roles everyone did a great job. But both of us found Maria's accent horrible. she was suppose to be from Puerto Rico but she sounded like she was from the Ukraine. Also when she sang she made the accent stronger which bugged us both. When many people sing who are from the UK, Australia etc they lose a lot if not all of their accent. Over all we had a good night out :)

Blogs I'm loving

http://memyselfleanne.com

I love Leanne's blog. As someone who also suffers with chronic illness at a younger age (30 is still young!) I find I can really relate to what she is going through. She is honest but also light hearted. its hard to not get down on your self when you are struggling and she shows all sides of being chronicle ill. She really is an inspiration. She manages to do it all with style and flare cause that's just Leanne!

A week in photos

Explored the forks 

Fun at the children's museum with the nephews

Took baby to the vet and did a big house clean 

Time in the yard and enjoyed some yummy summer salads 

My weekend

Here are a few shots of how we spent the weekend. 

Food trucking

Bon fire at home

Yard work

Replacing some lights and a fan

Exploring Winnipeg 

Time I the yard with the dogs

Food truck festival

Today is the start of the food truck festival in Winnipeg at club regent. We snuck out between my events at my brothers wedding last fall to check out the food truck contest. Which was a huge street fair on Broadway. They actually closed the street down and had bouncy houses etc. we have yet to be to food truck ally at the forks. But it's on our list for this summer as well.
But in the mean time we headed to the casino early and did a little gambling cause why not!

There were 8 food trucks. Something for everyone. Sushi, wraps, fries and hot dogs, Jamaican, French, Greek, smoked pork and fair food like candied apples and tacos in a bag.
They were not really prepared  for opening at 5 they were still bringing out more chairs at 5:40. I don't think they expected so many people. The food trucks were also not ready for opening. But there was a bar and  music set up so we relaxed enjoyed the weather and have some rum and cokes. We both decided to order from Up South Barbeque.

Muffin got the the 3 pig sandwich (pulled pork, bacon and pork sausage) I got fries and brisket. They were really backed up cause the fryer wasn't hot enough yet. We waited 30 min and noticed a bunch of people who ordered after us were getting their food so I went to ask. And as usually I'm the person that if it will go wrong it will. They lost the order but tried to tell me that it was cause the fryer was behind. I told them being behind and losing and order are two different things specially since people were ordering the same thing we did and getting orders. They were good enough to  whip up out order and told me to come back later for something special. I wasn't looking for something extra or a deal I just wanted my food!

The food was really good fresh homemade fries and smoked meat. We both really enjoyed the food and mood. My only suggestion would be if you say you will open at 5 try to be ready by that time.  I understand there are little blips I wasn't upset about waiting like I said I was just hungry! But other people were getting bothered by the wait.

Insomnia

insomnia you gotta love it. Be it because you are in pain or because your mind won't stop going. It just plain sucks. Last night I layer there all night to weak to move and be productive but in to much pain to sleep.
What's keeping you up at night?

Spring cleaning

I'm trying hard to simplify my life. If we don't need it or use it we don't keep it around. We have a few things for sentimental reasons. People are usury surprised with how little we own. But lately I feel like we own a lot. Maybe it's cause I have been cleaning and sorting through things. Or maybe it's cause I spend more time at home now. We always have a bag going for the homeless and the good will.
I think I constantly feel I need to clean and weed through things cause I grew up in a house where nothing was throw out. You would come home from school and a new dresser or end table would be in you bed room. Things were ever changing trying to fit it and mash it together. When my grandma died my parents moved most of her belongings including couches half ways across Canada. As a result we have 3-4 couches in the basement and some arm chairs. Lucky we had the space. But really is that what we do as people buy bigger and fill all the space and then just buy a bigger space again. I don't get it sometimes you need to let go. A couch is just a couch you have the memories of the loved one who owned it so why keep everything. Keep a few things that really matter to you.
I love the feeling of cleaning and getting rid of stuff. It makes me feel light and like it's somewhat of a fresh start. Anyone else love cleaning?

Growing sprouts

so while at gf expo this weekend I bought my self a hydroponic sprout grower. I am starting out with mung beans. You can get this kit at scoop and save for around $30. Mung beans take about 36 hours to sprout. You will the bottom with water and the beans sit on mesh. You don't want them to be submerged. The water should just be touching the bottom of the mesh. You well need to change the water every 12 hours (so twice) and leave the cover over the beans. When you change the water it's good to move the beans around so they don't sprout through the mesh.  That's it! It's that simple you can eat them just like that or you can use them in soups, salads or a stir fry. Keep you sprouts in a closed container in your fridge. My dogs and I are loving these! I can't wait to try some other blends of beans and might even get in to sprouting micro greens if I'm daring enough! It's rather cheap and easy to do even for organic beans and they have loads of health benefits such as aiding in digestion.

1hour

                                                                          24 hours

30 hours

Gluten free expo

Today was the gluten free expo in Winnipeg. As I have celiac my hubby convinced me it was a good idea to go. I'm so happy I went. I only payed the $5 to walk in and see the vendors and samples. I got so much amazing information and samples. I ran into a friend I haven't seen in years who was working there. Her and the person she was sharing the booth with had so much to tell me and so many helpful things to look into. I'm always at loss for supplements etc there are just so many and I don't know where to start and what will help and how much to take. They talked me through some and gave me some great info to look into. I made one purchase when I was there although I could have spent a small fortune on products! I bought a hydroponic sprout kit to grow organic mung beans. I'm so excited to get this up and running. If will benefit my digestive system which I have nothing but problems with. The good news is I can also share them with my dogs who love veggies.  Next year I think I will pay the full price for the full day with all the talks. But I think this was good to dip my feet in there was so much info to take in even with out the talks. Now to read through my pamphlets I received today.

Living with chronic illness

So I haven't been writing much the last week or so. I over did it pushing my self to meet with someone and then also go out for wings with the boys for hubby's birthday. Honestly it's sad but it is my reality. Just getting dressed wears me out. Having someone over for tea for an hour or two means resting the days leading up to it and then feeling horrible and wiped out after the fact. Any one with a chronic illness knows what I'm talking about. Today all I have don was run the dogs to the vet for a quick check up then watered my garden. I'm so sore and tired. The thought of making dinner or loading and unloading the dish washer seems near impossible. I know it will get done as it must but I will likely not be doing much tomorrow and need a long soak in a bath with essential oils to help my muscles. The fatigue is the worst. Never feeling rested and I haven't found anything that helps it. Obviously eating healthy and staying active ( as active as I can) help. But the fatigue is always there. Rest doesn't make it go away. It may lessen it or make it more bearable but it's always there.
Hope that explains my absence from writing.
Hugs