So, needless to say, when I saw that she was coming to Phoenix on her Maximize Your Life tour, I was intrigued and knew I had to go.  When I mentioned it to my boyfriend, he said “That’s great babe, I hope you and a friend can go see her.” Bahaha.  Luckily, a friend of mine from Tucson loves her as well! 

I love that the venue had booths set up for companies Jillian supports (Pop Chips! Yum!) and that they had created an event special offering granola bars so people had a healthy option instead of ordering popcorn and soda. 

The show was broken up into two parts, with a 15-minute intermission in the middle.  The first half was about diet and exercise and the “science” behind losing weight (ahem-calories in < calories out). Pretty basic stuff (for me) but she discusses how to read food labels, why organic meat and dairy is the way to go, and why HFCS is bad.

A few things that stuck out at me:

-Ingredients are listed on labels based on the amount in the product.  So, if a product is 62% corn, 24 % peanuts,  corn would be the first ingredient listed, peanuts would be the second, and so on.  I’ve always known that, but to get around this, “sugar” is often broken down into five or six ingredients so that companies don’t have to list “sugar” as the first ingredient.  Never realized that!

-Non-organic cows are given hormones to increase their milk production, which is unnatural and unhealthy and therefore leads to sores and infection (among other things) so they are then pumped full of antibiotics to fight these infections.  You are whatever you eat, eats.  If a cow eats corn and gets antibiotics and hormones, and you eat the cow, then you get the corn, the beef, the antibiotics, and the hormones. Ew.

-High fructose corn syrup is not the same as sugar-it is processed in the liver! Whereas table sugar and regular corn syrup are processed by every cell in your body, HFCS is only processed by the liver.     

The second half of the show focuses on the mental aspect and the “why” of being overweight-overeating, psychological issues, fear of failing.  She also shows a quick video about her childhood, growing up overweight, and how she got started in fitness.  That was one of my favorite parts of the show because you realize that she actually understands what it’s like to be overweight, what it’s like to be bullied as a child, what it’s like to have a bad relationship with one of your parents, and that all of those things are ok and that the ability to rise above all of those things and more is within each of us.  She discusses goals, and how to write out a plan of action, and I saw plenty of women in the audience with notebooks taking notes!  And as someone with a background in martial arts, I loved learning that she got her start into fitness with martial arts just like I did

(can you see her? She’s so tiny!)

If Jillian is coming to a city near you, I would definitely recommend seeing her.  It’s a great boost of motivation and has me much more focused on my goals for the remainder of the year! And last but not least-she’s pretty funny!! She had me cracking up for a good portion of the show! 

If you could see anyone speak live, who would it be?

I have a pretty busy week starting tomorrow-on top of my regular work schedule, I’m seeing Jillian Michael’s “Maximize Your Life” tour, I have a preliminary culinary school interview on Monday, miscellaneous lunch dates with friends, and towards the end of the week I have a friend coming into town and we’re planning a visit to the Grand Canyon (among other things).  Needless to say, I’m super stoked for the week but I also know I need to be on point with my meal-planning, fitness routine, etc so that I’m able to still reach my goals. 

The following tips are just some things I’ve been slowly incorporating into my life and maybe they can help you if you’re on a similar journey (and let’s be honest-it also helps me tremendously just to write them out!):

Count your calories in advance-Figure out what meals you’ll be eating for the week, make big batches of certain items (for example: Chicken Sloppy Joes, Turkey Chili, or a big salad you can pick off all week) and write down how many calories are in a serving.  Do the same for your snacks (pre-portion them and leave them in baggies in the fridge for an even easier grab ‘n go option), and other meals you eat on the regular.  I love to make a batch of homemade muffins to eat for breakfasts, and use a recipe calculator to determine how many calories are in each muffin.  Then I can just grab one with my coffee and enjoy.  I do this every week (errr, I attempt to do this every week), and it saves me from having to do the math at every meal-because let’s face it, if I have to do the math every time I want to eat, it’s going to get really old really fast and I won’t be able to stick with it!

I have yet to go to the store this week as I’m still trying to use up the food I bought last week!  Luckily the boyfriend is going to go shopping tomorrow for us while I’m out and about, but until then I’ve got some stuff to hold me over.  Specifically shown here: organic berries, organic cukes and cherry tomatoes, and a batch of Mama Pea’s white bean and basil veggie burgers.  Yum. 

Download the Gympact app- Gympact is an app for your smartphone where you pledge to work out for X number of days per week, and you assign a dollar amount to each workout.  For example, I just downloaded Gympact yesterday and I pledged to work out 4 days per week at a cost of $10 per workout.  When I go to the gym, I “check-in” with the app (your location must be GPS verified), and when I reach my goal of 4 days per week, I get a credit into my account (I think it’s $2.50 per week).  On the flip side, if I miss a day, I pay $10 (because that’s the amount I chose) and $10 legitimately comes out of my bank account (you have to enter a card # when you sign up).  I chose $10 because that is definitely enough to get my butt into gear and go to the gym-I’m broke! Now I can’t afford to miss a workout!

Note: I am not affiliated with Gympact in any way, just happen to think it’s a great  app with a great concept. 

Surround yourself by motivators:  I’ve mentioned in a past post that this season’s Biggest Loser episodes were big motivation for me to get back into the healthy lifestyle I used to lead.  But now that the season is over, where do I turn to? Well, Hulu offers past seasons of Biggest Loser available back to season 6, so that’s an option if you’re like me.  I’ve also downloaded all of Jillian Michael’s past podcasts-they’re FREE on iTunes-and find those extremely motivational and listen to them on a daily basis.  I never used to be a big Jillian Michael’s fan, but lately I’m really getting into her stuff-I’ve downloaded a couple of her books on my Kindle and I really agree with a lot of her philosophies and the way she presents them to the public.  Other motivational things I do/have done would include joining an adult sport league (I totally want to join a local sand volleyball league!), signing up for a race like a 5K with a friend,  or join an online support group like Weight Watchers.  I believe Jillian also has a website you can join which will then give you access to workouts, recipes, and an entire online community of motivators but I personally am not a member. 

Here’s to hoping I’ve set myself up for success this week with these 3 tips!

What are your favorite tips for creating a healthy lifestyle?

You see, my last blog post was about being somewhere in Europe.  But I’ve been back from Europe for 6 months (side note: how is that possible?) and haven’t written a thing.  My Europe trip actually feels like it was a dream-when I think back on it I can’t believe that I really did that, and did it all on my own.  But you don’t know much about it because I never really blogged about it-at least not in the way I intended. 

And then I got to thinking-my relationship with blogging has been quite sporadic.  I would blog daily for a few weeks and then it would fall to the way-side, and this continued for years (fun fact: I started my first blog in 2008!).  But I always felt like something was missing-like it wasn’t me.  So I thought about the blogs that I read on a daily basis (there’s only about 5 that have stuck with me over the last few years) and I compiled a list in my head of what keeps me coming back to those blogs day after day.  Is it the healthy eating tips and workouts that Gina posts? Is it the cookie recipes from Jenna? Is it the running recaps from Meghann or Mama Pea’s wittiness? Nope (although I do think Mama Pea is huh-larious).  While I love all of those aforementioned things, what really keeps me coming back day after day (sometimes more than once a day!) is the person behind the blog.  I love to learn about other people’s lives, watch their struggles and their achievements, learn from their mistakes, and silently cheer them on.  Healthy Tipping Point is probably my favorite blog ever, and it’s because Caitlin is so consistently candid about her struggles, her life, etc etc.  I love that she is honest and open about absolutely everything.  To me, that is the most "real” you can be on the internet.

And then it hit me.

Blogging was frustrating me because I was never being completely honest-I felt like I had to put on a front, and act like everything was peachy and rose-smelling.  And just like that, instead of being an outlet for me to be open about my life and share both the ups and the downs, blogging simply became a chore.  I was always worried about what people would think (would they think less of me? would they look down on me?), I would re-think every post a hundred times, and I would end up deleting half of what I’d written before I hit “publish.”  What’s funny to me about that, is if you really truly know me, you know I don’t give a flying hoot what other people think 99% of the time, and if you ask me a question I have no problems being open and honest about my life.  But there is something about putting something on the internet that makes me think twice.   

It’s probably because I’m old, and can clearly remember a life without the internet. 

So this is me being honest about myself, my life, and where I want to be in the next month, year, 5 years, etc: 

My name is Raya Pickett.  I currently (as of 10 minutes ago) weigh 179 pounds.  This means I have 1) definitely gained weight over the last 2 years and 2) have approximately 50 pounds to lose over the next 6 months or so.

Right now I work as a cocktail server in a job that does not utilize my degree in any way, shape, or form.  Last year I was fired from not one, but TWO jobs.  One was another serving job that I was planning on leaving anyways since I was going to Europe, and one was a job that promised me a lot in the beginning and ended with me being a glorified receptionist who dreaded going to work.  But even though I was secretly glad to not have to go back to both of those jobs, before that I had never been fired in my life, so to me it was crazy. 

I have lived in Arizona for a little over 2 years now and it has not been easy to make friends!  I miss my family and friends in Florida like crazy, and if I didn’t have a boyfriend here whom I love, I would most likely move back in an instant. 

In the fall I have plans to attend a culinary program at a community college here.  I have wanted to go to culinary school for years and years (cooking is absolutely a passion of mine) and I’m finally “biting the bullet” and doing it, without regard for the little pay I’m sure to make once I graduate with a certificate in culinary arts. 

And lastly (for now), I’m also going to get my real estate license with the goal of flipping houses with my dad (he used to be a contractor and flipped houses when I was younger).  Eventually (we’re talking years down the road) I would like to end up with a house of my own, and a couple of income properties to supplement the little money I’m sure to make as a new chef starting out.

And there you have it.  This is me, these are my goals for now, hopefully you’ll be along for the ride.

Interesting.

My first full day in Amsterdam I went on a walking tour in which it rained almost the entire time. However, I did learn a few interesting facts!

This is in the sidewalk, and was simply put there by a miscellaneous person. See the lock? Only the miscellaneous designer has the key. It was removed once, but then people kept wondering where it went to, so it was put back.  It is meant to symbolize freedom in every possible way-that is what Amsterdam was founded on. And that is why sex and marijuana (to name a couple) are not only permitted, but are very much out in the open.

Our guide also told us that the people of Amsterdam were the only ones to openly defy Hitler in World War II.  Of course, it ultimately did no good, but I found it interesting.

There are seriously bikes everywhere and I’m certain that all tourists almost get hit by at least one. My friends and I even saw a man on a bike run full on into a little boy who was running away from his parents trying to cross the street. 

Amsterdam is actually a group of 90+ islands due to the large network of canals that run through the city.

The Royal Palace in Dam Square

The National Monument, also in Dam Square. This is to memorialize the victims of WWII.

Anne Frank House.

I found the walking tour interesting, and it’s main point-as with any general walking tour in any city-is to give you a general idea of the layout of the city, and from there you can form your ideas and opinions about where you’d like to go and what you’d like to visit/do during the remainder of your visit. I do, however, think I was spoiled by the excellent guide I had in Berlin.   And although the rain did put a damper on it to a point, I still enjoyed myself.

View from the restaurant with the famous shrimp sandwich!

Poseidon:

We stopped in at a museum to take a look….

I loved this NY art:

One day we took a long walk along the water (the river Kiel)

Stopped off for a beer!

Skol!

And we visited a fort! (Or as I like to pretend, it’s a castle)

So so so so so pretty!

Some final thoughts:

This is a pretty picture-heavy post, but I think that’s the only way to do justice to the gorgeous scenery!  And actually, with regards to the climate and the landscaping, this part of Sweden really reminded me of where I grew up in upstate NY.

Another thing that I loved was that everyone was able to speak English, and not only that, but they seemed excited to be able to speak it to me!  I know this is not the case everywhere. 

(Side note: I do not expect to go to another country and require them to speak English to me. I just enjoy it when it happens!)

I really really enjoyed Sweden and am so thankful to our friends for all their caring and hospitality! I would love to explore Sweden further, starting with Stockholm on my next visit! And of course, Goteborg again!

I’m not going to lie-in Sweden I napped a lot (jet lag caught up to me!). I also ate a lot, watched the Olympics, and also did a bit of sight-seeing!  But for now we’ll talk about the food!

For dinner almost every night, my hosts (who, while technically are not related to me, definitely feel like family!) cooked amazing meals that make my mouth water and also make me want to go back!

Salmon with a cream sauce, salad, potatoes:

Swedish Candy!

Some of these are salty, which was different at first but now I love it!

Tea and cookies:

Swedish meatballs!!!  This was my only request and they were everything I dreamed they would be!

We also went out for a couple of meals! Although I could have eaten in their kitchen forever!

Kebab pizza:

Coffee and apple pie with vanilla sauce:

Ice cream!

And a delicious shrimp sandwich!!

Eaten with a gorgeous view, by the way! But more on that in the next post!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to see about getting that meatball recipe…

First Impressions: Berlin

Remember That Time in Berlin…

Berlin: I Kinda Like You!

Berlin: Rich in History and Character

After leaving Berlin, I took the train to Goteborg, Sweden to stay with some family friends for a week.  After being in the hot muggy air in Berlin, the crisp clean air of Goteborg was a welcome change! And, after 18 hours of traveling, I was greeted with my own room (even after only one hostel stay, this was a luxury!) and this dinner:

Roasted pork with dried plums, mushrooms in a cream sauce (they were hand-picked!), salad, potatoes, and sparking wine.

I hadn’t eaten all day and it was heavenly. 

After dinner we took a stroll down towards the water and I was amazed at how beautiful it was!

The next day we woke up early (!!!) for a morning workout which I desperately needed

Followed by breakfast:

(Missing from this picture is this creamy shrimp salad that I fell in love with)

And then it was nap time…

I was in Berlin for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, and we went to a nearby bar to watch the festivities.  I must say, watching the Olympics with people from all around the world was a very cool experience. 

Everyone cheered when their country walked in-Australia and USA were the loudest!!!! Although Brazil and Italy were quite well represented too.

My favorite day in Berlin was probably my last day there-this was also the day I finally made it on that free walking tour! (Remember when I tried the first time? Oops!) We had a really great guide and I learned a lot!

Some highlights

The Holocaust Memorial:

And in contrast, this is the ground above the underground bunker where Hitler killed himself:

It is now a parking lot for an apartment building. 

Checkpoint Charlie:

(Nothing about the current checkpoint is authentic-it’s completely been fabricated and probably looks nothing like it did back then!)

The Berlin Wall:

The Berlin wall was literally constructed overnight in about 6 hours.  Before the wall, there was no such thing as East Berlin or West Berlin…and overnight the city was divided. 

One thing our guide told us really stuck with me-imagine if you were a young couple with a newborn and you dropped off your baby at your grandparents house so you could have a night out.  You go out, you have fun, you go home….and in the morning when you wake up and go to pick up your child, you find that a wall was constructed and your child now lives in East Berlin….while you and your husband live in West Berlin.  Your child now has to be raised by its grandparents.

Crazy.

Fun fact about this building: Before the war, the statues/figurines were removed and hidden. During the war, the entire building (and surrounding buildings/areas) were destroyed because Berlin was being bombed day and night. After the war, it was rebuilt…and then the original statues were returned. 

See how much darker they are than the rest of the building?  So cool!

We also visited the square where Hitler burned all of the books-and there is a memorial under the ground (it’s very small and hard to see unless you know where to look) but there is a glass over the top of it, and you look down and simple see empty white bookshelves beneath the ground.

Our tour ended here, and then I went back on my own to visit the museum underneath the Holocaust memorial as well as the Berlin Wall in more detail, and the Topography of Terror exhibit.

Some Final Thoughts:

I really appreciate the fact that the Holocaust Memorial is so large and so much money and time and effort was put into it (there’s an entire museum beneath it!) while the spot of grass above where Hitler killed himself has nothing, not even a plaque.  Now of course he is not buried there-his body was removed and was cremated (twice, I believe) so that he would not have a final resting place and so he could not be memorialized.

One thing I missed is that I was not able to make it to the East Side Gallery to see parts of the Berlin Wall that have been painted-I would have loved to have seen that!

And after all that, while I don’t think Berlin is a place I could ever call home, I was thoroughly engrossed and even enchanted by all of the history it had to offer.

I mastered the trains all by myself. 

I found a breakfast place I liked that was cheaper than the hostel breakfast and had some delicious German pastries…luckily “coffee” is mostly a universal word!

In the morning I would bring my coffee up to the rooftop of our hostel and enjoy a few moments of solitude (and quiet wifi) before starting my day!

Speaking of rooftops, our hostel had a rooftop bar and I met some new friends and we had a fun night chatting over drinks!

I stopped worrying about eating German food and instead tried the Vietnamese place across from the hostel, as well as some street food (doner kebab? yum!), and a California Burrito place. 

I visited an electronics store three times to figure out how to get my SIM card to work…but eventually it did work! Win!

And I probably learned more about WWII on a three hour walking tour than I did in all my history classes in high school combined.

Yeah. That happened.

My first day in Berlin was uneventful…I find my way to my hostel, wander around aimlessly, and somehow end up with this for dinner:

In the morning I wake up impossibly early (hello jetlag) and attempt to have the hostel breakfast (for 3.70 euros!).  And what does the breakfast consist of? Raisin Bran, Cheese, Bread, and…of course…Salami.

Not. Worth. It.

Then one of my roommates and I brave the heat to attempt to find the free walking tour that leaves from the Starbucks at the Brandenburger Gate.

I mostly just follow him, as I have no idea where the heck I am going (let’s be honest-the fact that I made it to my hostel from the airport by myself is pretty shocking!) and we arrive at the Starbucks just as the tour guide is walking out. 

We tag along with about 40 other people as the guide leads us down to the metro and we hop on a train.  As he tells us this will be about a 45 minute ride, I am wondering what kind of “walking tour” this is. 

When the guide tells my roommate and I, once we are on the train, that the tour will be 13 euros, we stare at him blankly…

Us: “Isn’t this the free walking tour?”

Guide: “No…do you guys even know where we are going?”

Us: Awkward staring….”Uh….apparently not….”

Guide: ”We are going outside of the city to Orianenburg, to visit Sachsenhausen.  This is the Concentration Camp tour. It will take all day…”

At that point we just look at one another and start laughing.  I had planned on going to see the camp the next day on my own, so we decide to go anyway.

We ended up not staying for the entire tour because we found it kind of drawn out (a lot of history though!), and if I were to go again I would go on my own and do the self-guided audio tour for only 3 euros.  But regardless, it was interesting. 

Sachsenhausen was more of a concentration camp-meaning a work camp or a prison-instead of a death camp, like Auschwitz or Birkenau.  Although there were cremation chambers, and they were used, working/living conditions were also terrible and often caused death.  I think visiting a place like this is personal and it means something different to everyone, so I will just let the photos speak for themselves. 

The majority of the barracks were torn down after the war, and they are now in the process of slowly rebuilding them to give a more accurate representation. So when you look at the pictures and you see wide open spaces, the truth is that there were dozens of buildings there at the time when the camp was active.

Since we left before our guide, we had to attempt to navigate back to our hostel on our own.  This involved a bus, a train, another train, and a German lady on her bicycle trying to point us in the right direction with me using terms like “supermarket?” and pointing. 

Hilarious.

But we made it back safely and had a beer on the metro to celebrate!

Prost!!