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I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted Perfect Fuel because I could immediately taste the bitterness. I understand that not everyone is a fan of that “bitter” chocolate taste, but for a true chocoholic like myself, the more bitter the better! As an added bonus, Perfect Fuel Chocolate is actually good for you too. What a treat!

Perfect Fuel Chocolate was created by triathlete, Nicholas Warren. Warren got the idea of adding ginseng to chocolate (without using any of today’s genetically modified ingredients) when he realized that he forgot his ginseng prior to an important triathlon.

American ginseng is an herbaceous perennial plant in the ivy family. There are several studies that prove that this herb may help boost the immune system, reduce risk of cancer, improve mental performance and well-being, reduces everyday stress and bolster the immune system. Pretty powerful ingredient, right?  Combine it with chocolate and you’ve got a pretty powerful tool.

The package suggests that Perfect Fuel is taken either in the morning, around 3 p.m to boost the “afternoon slump” or before a workout.

I’ve taken Perfect Fuel at all 3 times of day and have noticed both a spike in energy and mood.

I also love the fact that product is individually packaged. It allows me to bring it with me wherever I go, and also ensures that I won’t go overboard on the serving size.

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Speaking of the serving size, each individual pack of Perfect Fuel Chocolate contains 80 calories and only 3 grams of sugar. Each ingredient is all natural and the product is USDA Certified Organic.

Perfect Fuel is a healthy treat that provides athletes and non-athletes alike, with the energy needed to get through a race, game or even just a tough day.

I love chocolate, but I love chocolate that gives me energy and is good for me even more! If you’re a chocholic like myself, I would strongly suggest checking out Perfect Fuel Chocolate.

I was not contact by Perfect Fuel Chocolate. All thoughts an opinions are my own.

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Have you tried Perfect Fuel Chocolate?

The post Perfect Fuel Chocolate appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

As if the title of this post doesn’t already give it away, I am so excited to announce that I SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST EVER FULL MARATHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That’s right people, 26.2 WHOLE MILES and there’s no turning back!

Now that I have done my job of exhausting the use of capital letters, bolded font and exclamation points (!!!), here’s a little more info on the what, where, who and why of the event itself.

The Marathon

I am registered for the 2013 Maine Marathon!

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Where?

The Maine Marathon features an out-and-back course for all three races — marathon, relay and half marathon. The spectator-friendly course starts and finishes along our beautiful inner bay — the Back Cove. The first and last four miles are mostly flat. All three races are together for the first six miles before the half marathon heads back to Portland. In between, runners enjoy Mackworth Point in Falmouth (just north of Mackworth Island), a short but gorgeous detour off Route 1. The course then returns to Route 1 and turns onto Route 88, where runners pass many stately homes. The marathon course features a mixture of rolling hills and flat sections between Miles 5 and 17, and is mostly flat or downhill for the final nine miles.

Who?

I will be running this race as a member of Team in Training (TNT) in order to help raise fund for the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The funds that I raise will help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

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Along with running for Team in Training, I will also be running alongside one of my BEST friends, Jillian.

Jillian has been my good friend since freshman year of highschool  (10 years!). Not only is she a great friend, but she is also a very inspiring individual. In the past, she has run in several races including a variety of half marathons, marathons and half ironmans. This summer Jill will be completing her first FULL ironman and I couldn’t be any more proud of her! Go Jilly! I can’t wait to share this journey with you!

Why?

Running a marathon has been a life long goal for me. I’ve been obsessed with this idea for a long time, but never thought I could actually do it.  I’m finally turning this dream into a reality because I feel that I’ve reached a level of mental and physical strength required to take on such a challenge.

I also feel more comfortable with the situation since I will be training with a number of experienced coaches and staff. In the past, fear of injury was something that was holding me back from signing up for a marathon. I’ve since realized that there is no use worrying about that right now. I am going to focus on the journey and deal with any hiccups as they may arise. I’m not trying to break any records here. I just want to finish the marathon and have fun!

I chose the Maine Marathon for several reasons. First because Portland, Maine is only a few hours drive from where I live. Although I would have loved to make the Disney World, Marine Corps or a Rock n’ Roll marathon one of my firsts, having to deal with traveling a far distance, on top of a full time job and other activities would have been another challenge in itself.

Secondly, the date and course had a lot to do with my decision. As much as I love to run, running in the winter is just not something I am a huge fan of.  The Disney World Marathon is January 12th, which means that a lot of my training would be done in the freezing cold Boston temperatures. Thanks, but no thanks! Disney is still on my radar, but I’m leaning towards another race, that would not involve lots of winter training.

Along with the Maine Marathon being during the right time frame, the course is primarily FLAT, with only a few rolling hills. Actually the last nine miles are mostly down hill. That makes me happy!

Lastly and probably most importantly, I chose the Maine Marathon because Team in Training is affiliated with the event. I told myself that if I ever got to the point of actually going through with running a full marathon, I would without a doubt do it to support a greater good.

Unfortunately, many of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. When I think of the daily struggles that these people go through, it makes training for a marathon seem like nothing and raising money for the LLS that much more important.

I am specifically running this race in memory of my grandfather who passed away from lymphoma a year ago and my other grandfather who is battling leukemia today. They are two of the strongest and most influential people in my life, and greatly impact my motivation to complete this race.

So this is where I need your help.

If you regularly enjoy reading My Yogurt Addiction please consider making a donation to my Team in Training Fundraising Page.  Even the smallest amount will make a difference and help lead us that much closer to finding a CURE for this horrible disease. Please DONATE HERE.

Of course I will be documenting my whole journey here on the blog, so be sure to stay tuned!

Thank you so much for your support! I couldn’t be anymore excited, wish me luck!

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Have you ever run a marathon? Will you? Do you think I’ve gone nuts?

The post I SIGNED UP FOR A MARATHON appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

Sometimes, I have the opportunity to try new products before they hit the shelves.

Other times, I have the opportunity to attend events and meet lots of new friends.

But my favorite reason by far is, meeting new friends WHILE trying out a new product/service/restaurant/menu!

Last weekend I was invited to attend a blogger brunch held at Bar 10 in the Westin Copley Hotel.

Bar 10 recently launched their new brunch menu and invited 15 nearby bloggers to test it out. Needless to say, I was excited to be one of them!

I was excited about attending this event because brunch is one of those things that I love, but I rarely have. I almost always lean towards the breakfast side of things, but what can I say, I like options!

Speaking of options, check out the fabulous menu!

 Before we chose our meal option from the menu, the staff sent out a complimentary champagne shot with berries and pineapple.

It’s almost like they read my mind! Bubbly cocktails are definitely my favorite kind. Pair it up with some fresh fruit and you’ve got yourself a match made in heaven. It was a perfect way to kick-start the day.

I had a hard time choosing what to order for my main meal, so I decided to “create my own omelette”.

My omelette was prepared with egg whites, cheese, tomatoes, ham, spinach and was paired with a side of potato hash.

It totally hit the spot, and was the perfect mid-day meal. It left me feeling full, but not overly stuffed. I am also happy that I stuck with a healthy option. The mini belgium waffles were totally calling my name, but I had a feeling I’d feel sluggish afterwards. All about planning people!

The staff at Bar 10 even sent out a few extra dishes that no one had ordered for us to sample. Among the choices was the burger topped with a poached egg and scrambled eggs with a side of steak.

Unfortunately I don’t eat red meat, so I did not sample these two plates, but it was still super nice of them to do! Plus I was so full, I’m not sure I had any room left for anything else anyway!

A huge thank you to Jen Doorman, the Boston Bachelorette for setting up this brunch and to the fabulous staff from Bar 10!  

Everything we ate was truly delicious and the staff were some of the most hospitable people I’ve met. I’m glad I got to spend time with some old and new friends, while enjoying a fantastic meal.

Thanks again Bar 10!

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What do you prefer, breakfast, lunch or brunch?

The post Blogger Brunch at Bar 10 appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

It’s a beautiful day in Boston today and that makes me a very happy camper! I always seem to be more upbeat when the sun is shining. Spring has finally sprung (for real), and I couldn’t be any more excited about it.

I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone for your nice comments regarding the Twin Lights Half Marathon. I’m holding on to the post-race high for as long as I can!

Today I have a guest post for you from my friends over at FitnessWatch-md. 

FitnessWatch-md is dedicated to helping people find the most practical, real-life solutions for achieving and maintaining healthy weight. On their site they have everything from how-to articles and ‘greatest tips’ to published scientific research. I encourage you to check them out, if you haven’t already!

I love what they stand for, so naturally when they asked me to feature another one of their posts I instantly said yes!

Enjoy!

Does Eating Earlier Really Help You Lose Weight Faster?

Everyone wants to know how to lose weight fast, and some say that the key is to restrict eating after a certain point in the evening. But now, researchers have released a scientific study that could indicate that mealtimes do actually play a role in weight loss or gain. The researchers found that those who ate earlier in the day lost more weight than those who ate later. You can find other studies and helpful tips on the best ways to lose weight at http://fitnesswatch-md.com.

While this dieting advice might prove helpful for some, for others it may just add more confusion and unnecessary complexity to the weight loss dilemma. Every now and then, new weight loss studies are released that often seem to contradict the preceding study results.

Eat earlier for fast weight loss

The study, which was published in The International Journal of Obesity, was conducted by Marta Garaulet and Dr. Frank Scheer, the director of the medical chronobiology program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The researchers evaluated 420 study participants for 20 weeks. The first group of participants were the “early eaters,” who ate lunch prior to 3 p.m. The “late eaters” ate lunch after 3 p.m.

Both groups of participants followed a weight loss program that featured a similar diet, with comparable caloric intakes and exercise routines. It should also be noted that the study took place in Spain, in which it is customary for lunch to be the largest meal of the day. For both groups, lunch was about 40% of the total daily calories.

At the study’s conclusion, the researchers noted that the early eaters lost an average of 25% more weight than the late eaters. The study accounted for additional factors that may have played a role, including levels of leptin and ghrelin, which are hormones that regulate hunger.

The secret may be ‘circadian rhythms’

According to one of the researchers, the science of this study could be based on the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Dr. Scheer noted that the cells in the body have a built-in internal clock, including cells in fat tissues. Differences in mealtimes could affect the body’s metabolism, and it appears to be particularly critical for diabetics and those at risk for diabetes.

The human body can more effectively handle high blood glucose levels earlier in the day, so late eaters may be at a higher risk for insulin resistance and subsequently, fat deposition. However, the question of how to lose weight effectively is often best answered by a physician.

Is eating earlier the best solution for weight loss?

Although timing your meals earlier may be one tool for fast weight loss, making other crucial lifestyle changes are necessary when seeking the best ways to lose weight. Such changes should not only include reduction of calories and good eating habits, but they should also be sustainable for the long run.

One group of physicians has shown promise in helping people make lifestyle changes, and the results have been so good they’ve been published in The American Journal of Medicine. The Center for Medical Weight Loss, a national network of physicians with 450 locations in the US, provides customized weight loss programs and counseling, without surgery. The average weight loss for those on the program is 28 pounds in 12 weeks, and surprisingly, the study shows that 93%

If you’ve tried various diet plans to no avail, it makes sense to consider a medically-supervised plan; they have proven success rates, and they are the safest and most effective ways to lose weight and keep it off.

Thank you to fitnesswatch for sponsoring this post!

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What time do you typically eat your meals?

The post Eating Early & Losing Weight appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

The night before the race,  Alyson and I went to the super market and stocked up on some pre-race fuel. We had to make sure that we had the essentials on hand for the next morning!

Considering that the race was only 10 minutes from my house (amazing!), my friends and I had a slumber party the night before. We got to bed by 10:30 p.m, which is surprisingly early considering the amount of chatting and catching up that we did!

Race Day

Waking up was pretty easy considering 3 different cell phone alarms went off at 7 a.m.

We got up, got ready and changed into our race day outfits.

I had a cup of plain Chobani and a protein bar (my usual pre-race breakfast). Since this race didn’t start until 9 a.m, we had plenty of time to stop for coffee on the way, hooray for late race starts!

We arrived at Good Harbor Beach (the race start) at approximately 8:30 a.m.  After we used the porta-potties and ensured that our bibs were securely fastened, we realized that we still had about 15 minutes of time before the race began. We used this time to stretch, and do a photo-op!

The race kicked off exactly on time, which I loved because I hate waiting at the start line (the anticipation kills me!)

I didn’t have much of a strategy going into this race other than wanting to have fun.  I hadn’t been running nearly enough in the weeks prior to the race, nor were any of my runs done on hills. This course was definitely the most challenging route I have ever ran.

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Talk about hills! And by hills, I really mean mountains, at least that’s what they felt like at the time!

Good thing this course was gorgeous, it made the mountains hills slightly easier to deal with.

The 13.1 mile route took the runners from Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, along the seacoast of Cape Ann and through beautiful downtown Rockport. The seashore was visible for most of the race’s route which allowed for some spectacular views.

The weather was perfect, high 60′s with a slight breeze. I don’t think  I could have asked for better race day weather.

This photo was taken around mile 8 or 9. I had to stop and take a picture by the view, this just isn’t something you see everyday!

Aside from the hills, I felt pretty comfortable throughout the race. It was only when I reached mile 11 that my hips, knees and overall body started to ache. It was at that point that I wish I had trained more, but the past is the past and I only had 2 more miles left!

I crossed the finish line in 2:17:03 which is actually a minute faster than my first half marathon! I ran the entire race, only stopping to walk through water stations and to take that amazing picture by the view.

Although this race did not offer medals to the runners, they had our names printed on our bibs, and also had a commentator who announced each runners name through a microphone as the person crossed the finish line. As cheesy as it sounds, I really liked the idea of hearing my name called out on the microphone, it was my little moment of fame

Considering the challenging course and my lack of training for this race, I am very happy with the outcome.

I had a blast! I run simply because I love to do it.

I’ve never been someone who is super inclined to run a “fast” race or to “beat my previous time”. Of course I would like to do that, and as much as improving my time as well as becoming faster are definitely some of my goals, I find that I get more of a high from simply being able to run long distances.

Distance over time for this girl! Doesn’t that sound like a math formula from 6th grade? Haha.

Post-Race

After finishing the race I chugged as much water and Gatorade as I could. I also had a Power Bar and some other snacks that were offered at the finish.

I’m quite sore, but that’s to be expected! I’ve iced my knees a few times and have stretched a considerable amount. 

I am going to take it easy for the next few days and embrace the “post-race high”. Yesterday was certainly a day that I will never forget!

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What was your most memorable race?

The post Twin Lights Half Marathon appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

Happy May! This month surely did creep up on me, but that’s not a bad thing. I’m excited for so many things this month, especially my trip to West Palm beach for my cousins wedding!

Although I’m happy about it being May, April was a fabulous month too! Here is a recap of all my favorite April posts.

Enjoy!

Paint Nite

Paint Nite is one of the newest events in the city. The concept is simple–you go to a local bar or restaurant and learn how to paint a canvas, while sipping on some drinks and munching on some food. Have you tried Paint Nite yet?

 Tips for Staying Healthy & Active at the Office

Sarah’s guest post with some fabulous tips on how to beat the dreaded weight that a typical 9-5 job can sometimes bring on!

5 Tips for Healthy Traveling

Traveling and eating healthy can be tricky. They don’t always go hand in hand, but with a little effort you CAN be healthy while on vacation.

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle After College

Transitioning from a college lifestyle to the “real world” can be tough. Preparation and staying active are key in helping you avoid falling into bad habits.

Why YOU should Practice Yoga

Amy’s guest post really opened up my eye to why everyone can and should practice yoga! It really is good for the mind, body and soul.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy is already difficult enough, throw having a budget into the equation and it’s even harder! Tracy’s guest post offers some fabulous pointers on how to get the most bang for your buck!

Ft. Lauderdale

I visited Ft. Lauderdale for the first time last month. The occasion was my cousins bachelorette party and it was a blast!

#PrayForBoston

My take on the horrific attacks in Boston during the Marathon.

You Are More Beautiful Than You Think

My take on the latest installment of Dove’s Real Beauty Campaign. I’m totally and full support Dove on this endeavor. Genius I tell you!

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Do you have any fun plans this month?

The post My Oh My, It’s May! appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

Happy Monday to you all. Sorry to have fallen off the face of the blogging world for a few days. Despite the Boston Marathon bombings happening well over a week ago, it’s still very difficult to believe that what happened in my own city is a reality.

I have been finding it difficult to blog about my usual topics, when there are families suffering losses, innocent people fighting for their lives and others who now have to learn to live their lives in a completely different manner.

Yesterday was my first time driving on Boylston Street ever since the attack. Although I did not stop to see the memorials, it was still a pretty emotional drive down a street I used to frequent on a regular basis.

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Unfortunately what’s done is done, and we all have no chance but to move on. With that being said, I’m finally choosing to move on from the situation, but am never going to forget about what has happened or about the victims. Like I said in my previous post, sometimes it takes unfortunate circumstances like this to make us realize that our life is truly precious.

I’ve found myself being much more conscious of my thoughts, words, actions and how I treat the people around me. I’m making sure that I tell my friends and family how much I care for them, and that I truly appreciate having them in my life.

Tell the people in your life that you love them, and tell them often. Many of us often forget that, tomorrow is only expected, not guaranteed.

 Country Music Playlist

On a completely different note, I’m running the Twin Lights Half-Marathon this weekend!

I’m going to be completely honest in saying that I have NOT trained for this race. I won’t go into telling you my “excuses”, because that’s just what they are, excuses.

Of course I have been super busy (tax season), but there’s always time to fit some sort of activity into your daily routine. I’ve been running here and there, but certainly not enough to say I feel prepared for this race.

With that being said, my friend Aly and I decided that we are going to go through with the race for FUN. We are just going to get out there and run. We may have to jog at times, perhaps even walk, but we signed up and we are going to go through with it!

I don’t really care if this race takes me 3 hours. I want to do it and I am going to it, for Boston.

Music is a huge motivator for me while running. Throughout the past few days I’ve created a few different playlists that I will probably switch around during the race.

I’m a lover of almost all  types of music, but country music is by far my favorite genre.

Here is my latest country music playlist, I hope you enjoy it!

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What is your favotie genre of music?

The post Country Music Playlist appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

Today I have an interesting guest post brought to you by the fabulous people over at FitnessGuruMD.

A little bit more about the company itself:

Fitnessguru-md.com is brought to you in association with The Center for Medical Weight Loss, and is dedicated to helping people find the most practical, real-life solutions for achieving and maintaining healthy weight. We understand there is often no straight path to success with long-term weight loss, and we strive to bring you the most current thinking, the best techniques, the most helpful tips and the latest research on what’s happening in the field of weight loss

Enjoy!

7 Top Weight Loss Myths Revealed

A team of obesity researchers have published a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine exposing what they consider to be some of the most persistent weight loss myths around. Their aim is to provide useful ways that will help to better educate people on the best way to lose weight and avoid wasting time on methods that simply don’t work. However, critics of the findings suggest that the researchers may have an agenda to promote diet drugs and bariatric surgery products manufactured by companies for who they receive consultant fees.

Weight loss myths: debunked?

The examples of bad advice were compiled from books, internet posts, and even government health tips. The lead researcher, David Allison of the University of Alabama, said “if they are sending messages to the public that are based on erroneous understanding, arguably they may be wasting time and money.” The list was whittled down to seven of the most commonly held – and purportedly incorrect – beliefs:

1. Eat a little less and exercise a little more. This sensible-sounding advice has been bandied around as the key to long-term weight loss for decades, but the most recent data shows that people lose less weight when they burn it over a longer period of time, suggesting that a focused diet and exercise regime in the short-term is more effective.
2. Set realistic goals. According to the researchers, setting moderate goals is not the best way to lose weight. Several recent studies have shown that an aggressive, ambitious weight loss plan is far more likely to work.
3. Slow and gradual is the way to go. An analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing rapid and slow weight loss found that the more extreme diets resulted in an average weight loss of 66% more than slower, easier diets.
4. Dieters must be “ready” for weight loss treatment. The research has called this a myth, and point to the failure rate of patients who sign up for weight-loss programs as evidence. Being prepared for a new, healthy lifestyle is no indicator of how successful an individual will be at losing weight, according to the study.
5. P.E. classes prevent childhood obesity. The research has found that physical education in schoolchildren does not have a significant impact on obesity.
6. Breastfeeding prevents obesity. Even the World Health Organization has put this myth about. The new study suggests that historically, researchers have only published breastfeeding reports when the findings support the statement, massively skewing the results by the time they reach the public.
7. Sex can burn 300 calories. Not true, according to the research. The myth that sex burns between 100 and 300 calories has been around for a long time, but the most recent estimate of average energy burned is a paltry 14 calories.

To find more information on the best ways to lose weight, you can visit http://fitnessguru-md.com.

Best way to lose weight: consult a physician first

There is widespread disagreement over whether the study is truly a list of weight loss myths or just some commonly over-simplified but essentially sound weight loss tips. It’s true that some individuals looking for the fastest way to lose weight can benefit from the findings, but for people who have struggled with their weight for a long time, expert advice from trained physicians may be their best hope.

The Center for Medical Weight Loss is the largest group of non-surgical weight loss doctors in the country. With published studies in medical journals to back up their claims, the average client loses 28 pounds in just 12 weeks. That’s on average. They meet one-on-one with each client to craft a personalized diet and exercise plan that focuses on balanced, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and positive reinforcement through individual counseling. The Center operates 450 centers across the U.S. For more information, you can visit www.centerformedicalweightloss.com.

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Have you tried any of the weight loss myths before?

The post 7 Top Weight Loss Myths Revealed appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

Do you notice bags under your eyes, freckles, blotches and other faults? Most people do. We always seem to focus more on our imperfections instead of our beauty.

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Have you ever taken a picture  of a friend, only to waste time taking another 10-15 more because this one “makes their arm look fat”, the next one “makes them look short” and the next is “taken from the wrong angle”? Yet you didn’t notice anything at all?

Dove’s latest installment of its Real Beauty Campaign discusses this very subject. Unlike their last campaign, this one depicts women as the view themselves, as opposed to how society views them.

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The campaign went something like this. A group of women all from different backgrounds and ages, were asked to describe themselves to a professional FBI-trained sketch artist based on their own descriptions of themselves. He asked them to outline every detail from their hair, skin color, bone structure, wrinkles etc. And he did this all with his back turned–never once seeing the woman behind him.

Once the artist finished the sketch, he drew another sketch of the same person based on the descriptions a complete stranger who had just met the subject earlier. Neither party was aware that they were being sketched, or why the were asked to spend some time with a stranger prior to entering the room.

The final two drawings were hung side by side, and the results were quite unbelievable. Just watch for yourself.

You would think that being a model would make me less critical of myself, but I’m still a 20-something year old  girl living in today’s media-driven world. When I am passed up for a job, it’s because my appearance did not fit the perception of how the product should be portrayed. I’ve learned not to take things personal and be happy in my own skin, but I wouldn’t say that rejection is an easy thing to deal with.

I am happy with my appearance, but of course I still nit pick. I’m a work in progress, but isn’t everyone? Being a 5’10 freshman in high school among my average or normal sized peers was not the most fun time, but why was it such a big deal? Each day we must learn to look beyond our pale skin, above or below average height or bags underneath our eyes and see what other people see.

We need to stop being so self-critical of ourselves and tell the mirror that we are pretty no matter what. Our shortcomings do not define us. Imperfection is beauty and it makes us who we are. 

Lets embrace our beauty. Lets embrace ourselves. Because you are more beautiful than you think you are. No really, you are. 

The post You are More Beautiful Than You Think appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.

Shortly there after my good friend e-mailed me saying “There were two explosions at the marathon!” I immediately took my head phones out of my ears, called and texted my loved ones and pulled up Fox News on my computer.

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What I began to read, not only made me feel shocked and sad, but also incredibly lucky. As someone who had seriously considered running the Boston Marathon (for charity of course), I could have very well been much closer to the scene of this tragedy than I was. Who would do such a thing? Why?

On a day when we should be celebrating the accomplishments of runners who have poured there hearts and souls into training for months, we are left feeling horrified, scared and sickened.

My heart aches for the runners, the bystanders, the volunteers and anyone who is directly or indirectly affected by this horrific tragedy.

Evil has no boundaries and can strike at any moment unannounced and destroying innocent lives forever. What has the world come to?  This makes me angry. Angry that someone could hurt so many people and angry that we can never be certain about being safe.

My heart is heavy.

Today I am asking you to pray. I don’t care who you pray to: God, Allah, the planets…just pray. You do not have to be religious to pray; prayer is a simple way to send positive energy towards the world. Pray for everyone affected by this horrific tragedy and for their loved ones. Pray for Boston.

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It is very sad, but also true that you find out who really cares about you during times of turmoil. 

I instantaneously received texts, e-mails, Facebook messages and phone calls from people asking if everything was ok. Of course most of these people were my dear friends and family, but some were people I haven’t talked to in weeks, months and years.

In the mass chaos that has burdened my beautiful city, there is a shred of hope that lies in humanity itself as several runners continued to run to the hospital to donate blood to those injured after already having completed the race. People opening there doors to strangers, donating food, water, shelter and comfort to those in need.  Brave souls running towards victims they don’t even know. Cops, paramedics and National Guard members all putting themselves in danger to help the people in need.

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If you start to lose faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon. Your faith will be restored.

Although I still cannot comprehend how something like this can happen, I feel lucky to be from a city that has united together in the face of such a selfish act. 

I feel proud when I see the outpouring of support, compassion and thoughtfulness of total strangers to help in any way they can. And most of all I feel gratitude that there are so many heroes among us that choose to run towards danger instead of against it.

We cannot be certain of many things in life, but during these times it is comforting know that good always prevails over evil.  President Obama couldn’t have said it any better himself. 

“Boston is a tough and resilient town, so are its people. I’m supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city and as they do, the American people will be with them every single step of the way.”

The post #PrayForBoston appeared first on My Yogurt Addiction.