WHOLE 30

whole 30.

yes, whole freaking 30. It looks obscene to be writing this and yet here I am. I finally hopped on this treacherous bandwagon. #thanksjenhatmaker

I'm updating here more for myself than anything. I want to keep a log of all that transpires over these next 30 days.

Day 1. - pretty decent day until after dinner snack/dessert time kicked in. I want to die. I am miserable and flashes of popcorn and chocolate dance through my head. It all the sudden went from serene health inspiration to the absolute longest day of my life.

I'm doing this because I need a fresh start. Too little restrictions on diet and too little exercise have left me sick and tired. I'm ready for this uphill battle... although I may cry every day for the next 30 days. Lord help me.

Here are some shots of what I have been eating/prepping. My life is just one basic food calendar now.




Spaghetti Squash Taco Boat - variation of the whole 30's recipe but still all compliant. This was surprisingly awesome, I really couldn't believe it. Patting myself on the back for this one.

Praise be to God for La Croix which is working really well in place of my diet coke addicted self.

Playing no games-- prepping HARD

Raising a glass to the future me who hopefully will look back at today and say, "Thank You.... finally"

To the next 30 days, 

K

Consignment With A Conscious

Navigating through a small Conshohocken neighborhood, I thought I was in the wrong place until I saw it. Tucked away between streets lined with homes, is Conshy Consignment. This store, albeit small in size, is home to many great finds. Clothes, shoes, accessories, and art are all available in such a quaint location!

A friend of mine told me I just had to check this place out, and I am so glad I did!

Beyond the cool consignment finds, I found that this little shop is setting out to make a huge impact on it's community. Conshy Consignment is run by a small business owner, Libby Broggi, who has more in mind than her own profit.

Libby Broggi, Owner, Conshy Consignment

"Our mission is to invest in our community by offering income opportunities for consignors, and local artisans, as well as provide income opportunities for charities and organizations. This is not just shopping, it is reinvesting in a community"- Conshy Consignment

Libby Broggi (pictured right) used to head up the PTO at her school, and would organize a yard sale for the school. She ended up turning her business model from a yard sale into the model for her small business. It's forward thinking like Conshy Consignment that other businesses, especially ones that work on a local level, need to start modeling.

If you're wondering why someone would work so hard to invest into their community, you are not alone. The answer is simple, however. "That's just who she is" said a member of Cradles to Crayons at a Conshy Connects! event the consignment store hosts once a month.

  "Once a month Conshy Consignments hold a sidewalk sale, Conshy Connects, to benefit a local charity or cause. 100% of Conshy Connects sales are donated (and they mean every penny) to that month’s charity. The next Conshy Connects is Sunday, June 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

June’s proceeds will go to Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis, in support of team “Hershey Squirtzzz.” This team is in support of Molly Liska’s (Conshy Consignment’s Internet Sales Manager) 13 year old niece, Michael Elizabeth Liska, who suffers from Crohn’s." morethanthecurve.com

Just a few of the unique finds at Conshy Consignment!

You really can't forget about the clothes! This store is laid out so well. When you walk in you can instantly tell this place has a classy feel without classy prices! (A hard find these days). I'm talking Coach sneakers and gorgeous Steve Madden wedges for $30 or less! The clothes are brand name and cheaper than you'll find in any department store.


What is even better-- yes it gets better-- is that the longer an item has been there, the cheaper it costs! How great is that?! You can get your prices checked for you at the register, or just view the month the clothing came into the store on it's tag. Cool, right?! You can also buy clothes from their online inventory from their website!

A store that won't hurt the wallet, and yet stretches every dollar to help organizations, artisans, and the community. What more could you ask for?

Check out Conshy Consignment!

244 East 8th Avenue

Conshohocken, PA 19428

484.919.4039

Info@conshyconsignment.com

Want more info about Libby Broggi's business model? Click this link




To the future of small business,

K

Forgetting

I remember reading over verses of scripture in the Bible and seeing a lot of "Do not forget", and "Remember" over and over. At the time I thought the writers were trying to emphasize their thoughts as being very important by saying "Remember" and "Do not forget". While that is true, I don't think it's the only reason.

As I shift to new experiences in my life (new apartment!) new jobs, etc. it feels like I could leave behind my life prior to these moments if I wanted to. Old heartaches, and burned out friendships can be traded in for my shiny new life, my bright new future. However, in the recesses of my mind and the depths of my soul I know the experiences I have had, the people I have met, the places I have been, and the things, all the things, I have done-- it's all shaped me.

The residue of a former life sits among my unpacked boxes in my new apartment. Evidence of times past, and memories made. Pictures, trinkets, journals, and letters all point to things I have held onto over the years; they point to things I wish to remember. Even without these mementos, there is no denying what my life has been up to this moment. All any of us has are the memories we've made and the things we pack in boxes along the way.

In examining this process of keeping things to remember from my life, I am reminded consequently of the many exhortations made in the Bible, "Do not forget", "Remember". Over and over and over we are reminded to never forget. I used to think that I could never forget such things as God's promises. I used to think I would never deny or challenge God's faithfulness. In life though, we can distance ourselves from those memories, and what was once flourishing and hanging on the walls of our heart can become something we fit into tiny boxes. Sometimes, more easily than we'd like to admit, our faith can be labeled nicely and put onto shelves, tucked away, awaiting the thick layer of dust that is bound to develop over time. Our faith, our remembering God (just like anything else we once held dear)  will sit, and it will wait.

It's in times of forgetting, when our faith is tucked somewhere far away, that I think the verses cautioning us to remember make the most sense. If our faith was something we could never forget, then it wouldn't be imperative that we should be reminded of it. However, time and again we see examples of the faithful forgetting, and needing to be reminded of their purpose, of their faith.

Search for the Lord and for his strength;

continually seek him.

¹² 

Remember the wonders he has performed,

    his miracles, and the rulings he has given.

1 Chronicles 16: 11-12

So I'll sit, gently dusting off those boxes, peeking inside, and I will be reminded again of what was.



To Remembering,

K

I'm a Warrior in My Head

I'm a Warrior in my head. I am courageous, deeply passionate, dangerously outspoken and ruthlessly unapologetic. Outside of my head? Well, that's a different story. In the real world I'm not exactly a warrior. I might have bright spots where my passion outweighs my fear, and my courage beats my timidity, but by and large the lesser wins. Why? Why can I be so full of life inside, and so demur outside? Is this simply a reflection of my introverted personality, or is it something more?

These are things I have been thinking about in my life recently. Where can my imagination and personality fit in a world that overlooks it so easily? I'm not an up front and center kind of person, and I'm not showy, but I also don't want to go through life completely unnoticed, so where do I fit? 

Even though I have been thinking over these questions I have not come to any definitive answers. What I do think is my courage needs to be worked like a muscle. I need to use it regularly in order to make it grow stronger. The more I use it, the more it grows, and the more familiar it feels to me. I think I need to do more things I am passionate about and that passion will speak louder than I can.

Are there any warrior-like qualities you exhibit?


To the Warriors within,

K

I Really Like My Job, Really.

"I seriously enjoy my job" is probably the single craziest thing I have ever said. It's not very common to hear that today, is it? I've had many jobs, with various degrees of likes and dislikes.. but my current one is pretty fantastic. I am a gymnastics and dance instructor for children. I work with kids anywhere from 4 months - 12 years old. My job is to help teach specific age appropriate skills and lessons to grow children physically, socially, and emotionally. Personally, as an employee, I need to have a mission I can stand behind. My job provides me with that.

As I explain why I like my job, I want to first say my job is NOT always:

• Glamorous - sometimes I clean up pee. Yep, no glamor there.
• Easy - try lifting a 12 year old who is your size. Go ahead.
• Boast-worthy - again, with the pee. Also, I work weekends, no bragging there.
• Lucrative... self-explanatory. 

Although there are a good number of things that make my job not so likeable, I find that I'm moved to liking it because of two specific qualities. First, it's composed of kids. When I first applied I remember thinking to myself how insane working with kids all day was going to be- I thought they would drive me batty. It's been exactly the opposite. Working with kids this consistently has taught me so much, and I believe this experience will make me a better parent someday. The second reason why my job is so likeable is it's composed of making kids' days fun. When one's goal is to help a child (or anyone) grow physically, socially, and emotionally, and make it fun, it's kind of hard not to like the job.

Co-worker's baby shower. So sweet.

Now do I always feel this way about my job? No. Do I love this job enough to do this forever? Possibly, in a different role, but probably not.

So why write about it? Well, I've worked a bunch of jobs in my short life, and I imagine I'll work a bunch more. Sometimes though, it's good to stop and consider what we're working towards. Is it worthwhile? Do we feel good about what we've done at the end of the day? Does it fill us beyond our bank accounts? Do these things matter? They matter to me. It is my hope that as I continue on with my professional life, the qualities in the jobs I like will steer me towards a career I love. Whatever that may be.

Learned how to do a handstand! Small but noteworthy achievement for me!

To jobs,

K