OT – Bloggers, join Sverve to gain traffic and opportunities

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Every once in a while I share something off-topic about work and life.  Hope this information is helpful.

I love blogging.  I started blogging for fun and never expected to earn from it.  When I started, it was just for me.  I wanted to share and chart about things I liked and disliked.  I wanted to make people laugh, cry, get angry, or find a new book, movie, or workout to enjoy.  When I decided to take things more seriously, I joined blogging communities to learn more about blogging and social media as business platforms and not just fun mediums.  One of those communities is a wealth of information and generally a good place for new or experienced bloggers to drop in.

Sverve offers a place for bloggers to connect, grow, and earn a shot at paid blogging opportunities.  You sign up for a free account, set your preferences, and start the search from there.  You’ll find other blogs and bloggers to add to your reading list and see what tips, recipes, advice, and laughs you’ll find.  There are over 20,000 members in the community and so much to learn.

Swing by and take a look.  If you join, please drop me a line.  I’d love to read your blog.

What are you reading?

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My name is Sherrie and I have a book problem.  Am I the only one?  I can’t be.

Worthy Evans is a College of Charleston alum and brilliant writer.

Worthy Evans is a College of Charleston alum and brilliant writer.

My problem started years ago and only became worse after a few months of library work followed by bookstore work.  I loved every second of shelving and discovering new titles and topics.  I love it when I get lost in a story or can almost taste the recipe by reading the ingredients.   When I drop by the library I can’t seem to help myself.  I walk in to return the stack I spent a month pouring through and leave with more.

Taking time for myself is a necessity.   Reading for pleasure reduces stress and helps me relax.  Even if the story has me wound up and jumping at the slightest sound, I’m more relaxed than if I’m working all day.  Do you take time to read?  What are you reading now?

Raw or cooked, plant-based comfort food rules!

Raw or cooked, plant-based comfort food rules!

This is perfect reading when I need a laugh.

This is perfect reading when I need a laugh.

I’ll catch you later.   It’s time to curl up with a good book.

June already? What’s your plan?

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Can you believe 2014 is already six months old?  June is already 11 days old?  Where did the time go?  Are you on track?  Anywhere close to where you wanted to be?  I’ll admit it,  I’m not.   And I won’t let it throw me much.  I’ll tweak my plans and go month to month.

My plan was in part inspired by a dream.  I’ve been back and forth to the doc and specialists (yes, plural) trying to finally figure out what all ails me.   It’s exhausting and frustrating and frightening if I K et my mind wander too much.  More so if I consult Dr. Google instead of waiting to for a specific diagnosis.   According to Google,  cold symptoms could be anything from a cold to a rare syndrome that would put someone just outside death’s door.  No one needs that kind of stress or fear without knowing what’s going on inside them.

So, back to this dream.  Of course I dreamed about a doctor visit.  I mean, it’s been at least 33% of my focus for a while now.  So, I’m waiting for the doc to walk in, and it’s Kris Carr!   You know, the woman behind Crazy, Sexy Cancer.  Her.

I was so in awe and blown away.  I think seeing her was a sign.  Not that a cancer diagnosis is looming, but that I’m doing the right thing by following up with the docs and working on healing.  Another round of physical therapy starts next today   My diet is cleaning up and even more greens are coming in.  My healthier cookbooks are my main kitchen inspiration and I’m eating to live.

There they are, two of my inspirations!

There they are, two of my inspirations!

One of my go-to's for healthy vegan eats.

One of my go-to’s for healthy vegan eats. Lindsay Nixon photo.

A fav dish from Crazy Sexy Kitchen.  Sherrie Thompson photo.

A fav dish from Crazy Sexy Kitchen.  This and the tahini dressing that is.

I'll hit the library more often than the bookstore for new inspiration.

I’ll hit the library more often than the bookstore for new inspiration.

I don’t want to just survive anymore.  I want to thrive, glow, and kick ass.

So, what’s happening with you?  Have any good dreams lately?

What I’m reading these days

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Your friendly neighborhood Sherrie has a cookbook problem. I know it and own it.  I read them like novels and can tear through one in a couple of days.  I also have a money problem, so I pick most of my books up from the library, Mr. K’s (used and new, but always cheap), and free Kindle books (for reading on my Kindle app).  I’ve wanted to hold books more than reading text on a screen lately, so I’ve hit the library practically every week. Here’s a sample of what I’ve gone through in August alone.
I first heard of Angelica Home Kitchen thanks to an early 90’s copy of Vegetarian Times.  Back then I was playing with the idea of he veggie life and loved the idea of a all veg restaurant. Good book, great recipes.   

This one needs no intro.  I checked it out for more ideas on healthy whole food vegan goodness.  I like it, but don’t think I need to add this one to the permanent collection. 

Between the abundance of rain, a bad spine summer, and crazy schedules,  our garden is a sad, bare wasteland.  Except for mint and huge tomato plants which may or may not bear fruit.  Microgreens, baby vegetables, and sprouts, oh my!

And, you know, I cannot leave anything these two touch unread.  And hubby is a pie addict.  Vegan versions of his beloved blueberry, pecan, and key lime pies will be mastered! At some point.

No pictured are Crazy Sexy Kitchen and Crazy Sexy Diet.   I have the Kindle versions, but can’t spend all my time looking a a screen.

So, what are you reading?

My stalker

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I cannot leave the room without this guy following.  If I close a door, he waits patiently for me to open it.  He literally lean against me when I lose my balance and keeps me upright on wonky days.  On painful days (like the past few days), he snuggles when I need it and just watches to make sure I’m ok.

Or maybe I’m giving him too much credit.  He’s a goofy ball of love. Good boy, Victor.

Thoughts on Father’s Day 2013

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Let me start by saying that I am exhausted, in a lot of pain, and wide awake. This one may ramble a bit. Short and rambly – my new style? Nah. Maybe. We’ll see.

Sometimes I really miss my dad. Father’s Day is almost here and it’s one of those times. My brother is celebrating his second and hubby is celebrating his 15th (technically 14th, but R was born two weeks later. I count it). My brother, husband, and kids didn’t get to meet dad, so it’s weird in a way to have them celebrate him.

He’d be beaming at the mention of his grandkids. I know this because he beamed with us. When we didn’t work his last nerve that is. There are many pictures of all all smiling together. Real smiles, not the family portrait smiles. And baby bro looks so much like him that it blows me away.

I envy those who still have their dads. By ‘have’ I mean have a good relationship with him as adults. Believe me, I know you can have someone in your life but no really have them. But that’s a whole other series of posts.

Miss you, dad. I’d like to think that on some level you know how I’m doing. I think about what it would be like if you were sill here. You would like hubby. And the kids. You’d like our house. You’d be blown away by baby bro – his brilliance, sense of humor, and the resemblance. And you’d be totally wrapped around baby girl’s finger. She is something else.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad, Hubby, and Baby Bro. You all rock.

March Challenge – You in?

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I’ll hit the big 44 on March 30 and am celebrating the milestone by kicking up the wellness a notch.  Care to join me?  

You don’t have to buy anything.  You just have to commit to 30 days of something better for you health.  Cleaner eating, regular exercise, mediation, less coffee – you decide.  Me, I’ll be eating cleaner (vegetarian, good fats, lots of produce and good protein) and starting Chalean Extreme (strength training for increased strength and fat burning).  These are my goals, my plan for the month (and beyond).  What are yours?

The goal is to push beyond where I am now.  I am my own competition.  Well, and hubby in a way.  We challenge each other to move toward our goals and sort of compete to see if my home workouts or his gym workouts are better.  I know home workouts are better for me, period.  The hermit in me would rather get my sweat on without the potential audience.  The dogs watch, but they get bored and move on.  I’m sure people are focused on their own workouts at the gym, but in my mind, they’re peeking over at the limping big girl, wondering why she’s bothering.

I know.  It’s my messed up way of thinking.  I’m working on it.

But for March, it’ll be a better focus on better eating, lifting heavy four days a week, and at least one cardio workout on a fifth.  For cardio, I’ll mix it it between my favs.  Why Chalean Extreme?  Shorter workouts (which my aching back will appreciate), lots of lifting (which I love), and less cardio (not my favorite thing).  I lift now, but I don’t think I’m lifting enough or following the most effective routine.  So I’m turning to an expert.

So, what do you say  – wanna kick it up with me in March?  Join me here, G+, or on Facebook.  How will you challenge yourself?

Until next time, peace!    

October went fairly well.

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Even though it’s the month of Halloween (meaning candy & other tempting goodies), I think I came out of October pretty well.

Straight up, with almond or soymilk, with fruit or
almond butter – this stuff is yummy!

  • I ate clean 80% of the time – which was the plan. 
  • I pushed play at least four days a week – also part of the plan.   
  • I cooked more than I ate out.  But still ate out more than intended.
  • Chocolate Vegan Shakeology daily.  Oh my word is that stuff good!  
  • Less pain all month.  Yay! 
Well, less pain until around midday November 1.  A migraine came on, as expected, but this one is a doozy. I cheated a little, so I’m paying for it in a big way.  I know I should not eat any gluten, but I got lazy/experimental and thought a little wouldn’t hurt.  Meh.  It hurt.  It’s still hurting right now.

And on that note, I need to bring this to a close.  Time for another dose of meds and quiet time.  Peace!