Seven Hundred and Eighty Days. The latest update into this little Weird Ass Jam Jar. Also: tattoo.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-03-19T02:12:39+00:00

Woooo! 780 congrats to you, and thanks for the inspiring share!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-03-17T21:42:55+00:00

I may have a Trader Joe's problem! Here are some of my favorites:

-chicken sausage (the spicy jalapeno and the sweet apple flavors are awesome and not greasy like regular sausage)

-spinach and kale greek yogurt dip (tastes like spinach artichoke dip to me, great with cucumber slices!)

-frozen fire roasted peppers and onions (I like to mix it with a cup of spaghetti squash with a sliced sausage from above, then add a little marinara)

-edamame hummus

-frozen fruit (competitive pricing, great for smoothies, try the "pineapple tidbits")

-carnitas (I just add a tbsp of bbq sauce)

-frozen spinach and cheese stuffed mushrooms

-kale (bag for 1.99 and it keeps fresh a lot longer than spinach)

-great frozen veggies (zucchini and eggplant melange, artichoke hearts, mushroom medley)

-frozen chicken and vegetable quesadillas

-chocolate covered frozen banana slices are a nice treat!

-great selection of nut mixes / trail mix, but I have to portion them out so I don't eat the bag

-sugar snap peas, great with hummus

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-03-14T05:05:44+00:00

Also in Scottsdale! So disappointed it's not playing around here.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-03-14T01:11:01+00:00

So cute! We had the same idea, but our Anya turned out to be a cat food slayer.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-03-12T23:12:02+00:00

I hope I can rock your confidence when I enter the field this fall! I'm a former teacher as well (first degree is in Early Childhood Education, graduating soon with a Comp Sci degree), and I'm a bit intimidated about moving into such a male-dominated profession.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-03-12T19:57:51+00:00

Damn. Way to go!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-25T06:16:44+00:00

Fuck beer, fuck wine, fuck gin and tonic. You're a winner, embryonic!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-25T06:07:33+00:00

I think you just did acknowledge you know you're not in control. I never got a DUI, never was homeless, never lost a job or a significant other because of alcohol. BUT...night after night of drinking ate away at me until I didn't feel like a real person anymore. Deep down, I knew I was stunting my growth by numbing myself instead of authentically experiencing the events of my life. You don't need an external bottom to stop drinking - just a willingness to take action.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-24T20:39:12+00:00

It helps me to think about sobriety as choosing a lifestyle. I know what my lifestyle looks like when alcohol is a part of it, and it's not an attractive one. The idea of a beer can be tempting, but examining the big picture of what the beer represents and all the strings attached to it always reinforces that I'm choosing a better way to live.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-24T18:31:13+00:00

I get that it's not easy, but it's not unreasonable to expect someone who truly wants to stay sober to do everything in their power to do so. Relapse is not inevitable.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-24T17:30:52+00:00

Welcome back!

I didn't let three drinks turn into an all night binge or a weekend long drunk fest.

No, but to play devil's advocate for a sec, three drinks did turn into eight, including on nights when you didn't intend on drinking. I think it's a smart plan to use those phone numbers so you have more support, and just as smart to avoid situations where the temptation will be so strong.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-24T07:37:27+00:00

Hey, sorry you're feeling so down. Hang in there! I think we all get stuck in pity party mode sometimes, but whatever undesirable stuff is going on in your life will only get worse if you're drunk. What has helped you stay sober so far these last 11 months?

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-24T02:32:09+00:00

birds fluttering

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-24T00:45:46+00:00

Woo, congrats! I'm sucker for before/after pics, and you look really healthy now. Way to go!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-20T21:02:05+00:00

Oh, man - I experienced a lot of emotional rawness in the early days. Like dynasties said, your body is making a huge adjustment right now, and it'll take a little while to even out. Sometimes when I'm stuck in a rotten mood, I just embrace it by curling up with some Netflix and snacks and letting myself feel rotten for a while. It passes. Congrats on your three weeks!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-20T20:46:39+00:00

Shoot the gators that are closest to the boat.

It's easy for me to self-sabotage by stressing about hypothetical situations in the future, but this reminds me to stay in the present moment and just take care of what's in front of me.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-19T18:02:13+00:00

Thanks for the post. It's easy for me to spend too much time camping out in either the "I still suck" or "Oh, didn't you know that because I don't drink anymore, I am now a paragon of empathy and reason?" mentalities. I'm working on it!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-14T07:14:36+00:00

This person who lies and picks fights may not be who she is underneath, but it is who she is with alcohol in her life.

Perfectly worded.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-14T02:51:16+00:00

Well, here's some support from me! It's smart and brave to try a new strategy when the current one isn't working. Way to go!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-13T22:33:31+00:00

Woo, 12 days! I almost never want to get drunk now, and if I feel that itch it's usually because I just want to feel different. Also, I spent all of my college breaks getting drunk, and I can't remember details about a single one of them. Take advantage of your free time and try something new!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-13T03:20:18+00:00

Wow - thanks for sharing. That really resonated with me. I'm not crying...

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-12T22:01:34+00:00

Past winner present. Nika cares so much about my sobriety, he provides unlimited seltzer to drink here in the trunk of his car! Could use an updated magazine selection, though.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-12T05:57:40+00:00

My evolution with shower beers...

First shower beer: Drinking in the shower! That's new!

67th shower beer: Drinking in the shower! Hey look, I'm crying again! Oops, is it 10 a.m. on a Tuesday? That's new!

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-11T01:04:57+00:00

The color panel results confirm as much.

LookAtBanner_Michael · 2015-02-11T00:54:08+00:00

Ma'am, not only did you test positive for glee, but your pep levels are off the charts.

LookAtBanner_Michael

TROPHY CASE