On to New Adventures...

After a lot of reflection over the past few weeks, I've made some decisions about how I want to live my life from here on out. I've thought about what I value, who I value, how I want to live, how to find balance, what my goals are, and how I want to challenge myself in new ways. I've also thought about time and how to use it to create my best life, and for things that are truly important to me.

That being said, I have made the decision to shut down my blog Live It Up with Monica.

HIIT It Core and Butt Workout Challenge!

I just finished a great workout and I'm challenging you to beat my time!  I'm feeling so good after that heart-pumping, sweaty, endorphin-releasing workout.  You HAVE to try it!  My time was 18:38...push yourself and I know you can beat me!

Does Your Dress Size Determine How Sexy You Are?

I posted the pictures above on my facebook this week and asked for your feedback.  I have to say, I was pretty impressed by your responses.  Not one person bashed anyone, which makes me happy and proud to be a part of our community here.  The overwhelmingly positive response was one of beauty diversity, recognizing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and is admired across the board.

Solar Tube Sun Tea--Alternative Energy--Hell Yeah!

Hey guys!

Remember that cool solar thermal water heater I showed you?  If not, you can watch that video here.  Then check out my current video:

Today I'm showing you the sun tea I made in one of the solar tubes!  You can pretty much cook whatever you want in these tubes--they become a solar-powered oven that gets up to 300-400 degrees.  My boyfriend, Owen, takes them out on the boat while fishing and fills them up with hot dogs, chicken or veggies so that he has a hot meal when he starts getting hungry.  These are perfect for camping or RV life too!  Once you cook your food in any kind of solar oven, you realize that sun-cooked food is oh-so-much-better than food cooked in a conventional oven.  Soooooo much better!  If you don't have a solar tube, you can always email me to get your own or you can make a solar oven out of a cardboard box, tin foil, and saran wrap.  Search youtube for videos, because there are a ton out there!

Run Like a Kid, Not an Athlete

Have you ever watched your kids or dogs run?  They look so carefree and happy, like they are simply enjoying the speed and movement, and the sensation of wind rushing across their faces.  Have you also noticed that they aren't timing themselves or tracking their distance?  That would take the fun out of it.

A few weeks ago, I started running....um, jogging.  Ok, ok, more like jog-walking.  Never before in my life had jogging felt so good.  It had always hurt.  This time I paid special attention to my breathing, which made the experience so much more enjoyable.  Proper breathing made jogging feel like a moving meditation, where I could clear my mind and enjoy the trees swooshing past me.  I timed myself and tracked my distance.  I jog-walked a 13:48 minute mile for my very first time ever.  Not bad, but I definitely expect more of myself.  So for the next week or so, I set out to the same park with my Gymboss timer and pedometer, beating myself by a few seconds each time.

10 Ways to Live a Free Life

I've had a couple of people say to me now, "You just seem so free.  I'm jealous."  It got me thinking.  I AM free.  I have my bad days like anyone else, but I live a very carefree, joyful life.  There was a time when it was the opposite.  I was miserable and weighed down.  So, I've been asking myself, how did I get here?  This is how:

1. Free your mind. My mind used to be a repeating loop of negativity, worry, anxiety, planning, poor self-talk, fearfulness, analyzing, ruminating, and excessive dwelling.  It took time and consistent effort to break the loop.  It took self-awareness and educating myself.  After many years of hard work to break away from my conditioning, and after many years of yoga and meditation, I can happily say that I have become fully aware of my ego.  

My Mom's Patio Garden

A love of gardening runs in my family.  I inherited my green thumb from my mom and she inherited hers from her mom.  Last week, my mom sent me these photos of her patio garden in Germany.  She has a beautiful little patio that is private, sunny, and lush with plants.  Across the way is a yard full of chickens and rabbits.  I love soaking up the sounds and listening to the neighbors speak German, trying to figure out what they are saying to one another. I hope you enjoy some of her pictures. :)

I want to see your gardens too, so post them on my facebook, twitter, or email me at liveitupfit@gmail.com. <3

Her tomatoes

Tomatoes