Whole 30: My first week

Food is Fuel. I’m sure we’ve all hear that expression from our textbooks in our high school health classes to every nutritionist ever and it’s true Food is fuel. The food we choose to put in our bodies has a direct link in how we preform in our daily lives. As much as I love macaroni and cheese and chocolate everything, I do notice a difference in how I feel when I eat certain foods more regularly. There is nothing wrong with these foods…in moderation.

This is my third whole 30 and I thought I would share my week by week experience with you. First, I originally started Whole 30 because of my friend, Sam, who tried it and she looked amazing; her skin was glowing, slimming down and seemed so much more focused . She motivated me to start and shared with me great tips and delicious recipes that challenged me to explore so many ways to prepare sweet potatoes and the exterior of the supermarket.

My first Whole 30, I was so excited, I ate my last piece of chocolate (my favorite) for 30 days and dove  in head first. The results were amazing, skin was clear, my clothes fit so much better that I was even able to expand my wardrobe options with outfits I hadn’t been able to wear in long time. Energy levels increased, I was thinking more clearly and the best night zzzzs I had in a long time.

Whole 30 round 2, was a little more challenging to start. I was facing a lot of challenges personally, professionally and my mind wasn’t focused. In retrospect, whole 30 is what I should’ve been doing. There was always a celebration of some kind that involved a birthday, family vacations, free lunches at work etc. that I fully wanted to take part of. When I finally decided to go all in with the second Whole 30, I had a co-worker doing the program with me. Having the accountability and support of another person was a great help because there were many times I wanted to give into all of my cravings.

Week 1 of round 3 of Whole 30. I’m excited and focused; I have planned for my meals and snacks. Round 3 is motivated by my lab numbers from my visit with my doctor; the acid reflex was getting to be unbearable and my lack of energy was robbing me of  peaceful nights of zzzz’s and  pursing personal projects and goals. I hand to make a change (again).

week 1: I’m excited and pumped, I went grocery shopping and I’m prepared for my clean eating. The headaches and sugar withdrawals seem to hit harder this time; maybe it’s because I’m expecting them. I’m apologizing in advance to family and co-workers: “if I snap, please know that it is not personal; I’m going through withdrawals; the sugar monster is real.” My acid reflux is gone already and I’m falling asleep easier.. oh and I don’t feel so bloated.

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Turkey and kale stuffed butternut squash

I’m trying new recipes; the kale and ground turkey stuffed butter-nut squash is amazing!

It’s easier to turn away from my temptations. We had happy hour this week and I felt ready to face the menu and decided on a bun-less burger with avocado instead of mayo.

If this your first time around, you’ve got this! And stay posted for week 2

Branding a business: introduction of thestudioblacksheep.

Creating a brand and a business is one of the most exciting and stomach turning ventures one can take.  It is filled with sketched ideas, many day dream moments and moments of genius creativity that are met with halting realities. however, once your vision is realized, it is amazing to see your once sketched idea a reality. Once you have established idea into  your product/service, you need to market your now product/service which requires the  services of thestudioblacksheep.  An up and coming  multidisciplinary service that creates logos, websites, business cards, videos and more to put your brand on the map. Since the inception of  Style by Syraluna, I have used the services of thestudioblacksheep for the logo (which I love), my business cards for my  tutoring business and project that is currently in the works. I have watched the busisness start as just an idea among Brian and his partners to a budding service that is growing daily.

I met up with Brian Cauthen, 1/3 of the design studio, to over my latest project and to get an insight into the development of the brand; I’ve known Brian from our time working at J.Crew and we would spend many hours discussing  our individual business plans, the importance of marketing ones self. Especially with the uncertainity with so many business (especially retial) going out of business. We meet at out usual spot Nordstrom café to talk the next phase of my project and the current state of theblacksheepstudio.

Brian meets with many individuals who dream  of being their own boss and collaborates with them to bring the ideas to fruition. Thestudioblacksheep.com has  done various projects for up and coming clients and has established  two key elements that determines the success of a product/service… follow through and passion.

Brian and his partners see many potential clients that have great ideas but no follow through. Meaning he can see the clients that are willing to go the extra mile and not rely on the digital aspect alone, they are accountable and dedicated to their brand and they are willing do to the hard work and make the essential investments into their brand. However, they also have come across many individuals with dreams but no hustle and no follow through with the result of an idea staying just that…an idea.  Passion is another key element that Brian sees that will determine success. The group is very passionate about their work and that translates through the finished product including my design label for Style by Syraluna and my business cards. ” I sometimes feel I’m more passionate about the project than my clients” syas Brian. Which is a good and bad thing. It’s great because it means the Brian and his team are dedicated to a project until the end and it feels like I have a business partners every step of the way. It is disturbing, if others show more passion than the creator of a product/service it already spells disastor.

The Studio Black Sheep is comprisesd of Jamire Eggleston, who has studied film at Chicago Institue SALC,  Jaylen Blades, Photogopher and of course Brain Cauthen who works with graphic design, photograpy, videography. The team dedicates long hours to ensure that they have delivered a product that is beyond the images of the client. I personally can attest to this because they listened to every idea, critique and edit that I had.  Being one of the first clients of theblacksheepstudio, I have seen where they have started and watching them grow as they expand into different disciplines and explode into the market one project at a time.

Check out the talents of thestudioblacksheep ay www.thestudioblacksheep.com and decide for yourself.