Fifteen ways...

A friend and fellow blogger, Miss Danielle of High Heels and Shotgun Shells, challenged her readers to list 15 ways they are different from their significant other. The idea originally spurred from the Pioneer Woman...what a lady.

I'm that type of person who can't turn down a challenge; I always completed the email surveys sent to me in 1998 and forwarded them on to others (I'd hate to have seven years of bad luck if I skipped one). In truth or dare, I always did the dares (yes, I have streaked across the street and back at 2 a.m.). Obviously, its necessary that I complete this post.

15 ways my man and I are different:

1. I have an obsession with taking pictures and will gladly pose for 600 takes until I get the perfect one. 

He gets a little annoyed after picture #7, but puts up with it because it makes me happy. What a keeper!

2. He's a really fast runner.

I'm slow. Really slow. 

3. He's allergic to dogs.

I am not allergic and see no reason why we can't have 12 of them (or at least foster some fluffies from the Central Oklahoma Humane Society). 

4. He likes to read really deep books.

I'm content with reading my latest copy of Cosmopolitan. 

5. He eats brussel sprouts....and likes them.

I wrinkle my nose at the name alone.

6. He drinks his coffee black.

I like lots of cream and sugar.

7. He listens to bands like "At the Drive-In" and "System of a Down."

I like happy, peppy music like Passion Pit, Imagine Dragons or MGMT.

8. He watches ESPN on weekends.

I catch up on Grey's Anatomy or watch reruns of The O.C.

9. He puts lotion on his hands and feet, religiously. 

I put lotion on my legs and arms....when I remember to.

10. He doesn't care what kind of car he drives.

I dream about all the cars I want to drive.

11. He never learned how to drive a stick shift.

I can drive stick, and I'm pretty darn good at it.

12. He likes pickles on his burgers.

I do not like pickles on my burgers.

13. He enjoys spending time by himself.

I get really lonely and bored if I'm alone for more than a few hours.

14. He doesn't like his food to be super spicy.
Gimme those jalapeños!

15. He doesn't care about making plans and always goes with the flow.
I'm a planner and I "act like the holocaust is upon us" if plans are broken (his words...). 

I'm not gonna lie to you, it took me a little while to come up with 15 things that differ between me and my tall drink of water. I even had to console him for a few ideas. We have a lot in common (ie: dimples), which is fantastic....but if he were just like me, I wouldn't be nearly as smitten with him. The differences are what keep it exciting. The fact that we can work through our differences and compromise to make each other happy is what matters, and I am so thankful for that. 

What are the differences between you and your love? 1, 2, 3, go! Trust me, its harder than it seems.

He's pretty darn cute. 

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Me, Cavewoman.

My metabolism isn't what it used to be. Long gone are the days of eating donuts, Lunchables and mac and cheese without it appearing on my waistline soon after (don't get me wrong, I still sneak some every now and then). I have to work hard to look good; I run, I do yoga, I do a lot of cardio and I am a conscious eater...most days. It doesn't come easy, despite what some people think.

I've spent the last few weeks in Tulsa working the Pinto World Championship horse show, and my healthy lifestyle has gone out the window. Working 18-hour days means that sleep is more important than squeezing in a workout. My food options have been anything less than healthy: lasagna for lunch, chicken fried steak for dinner and mashed potatoes galore (not the mashed cauliflower version, either). There is a smorgasbord of junk food available 24/7; everything from ice cream to M&Ms, Cheez-Its to poptarts. Calories on calories on calories. Its dangerous, lemme tell ya. I have tried to stick to my guns, but some days I fail miserably. I just can't say no to cookies.....its a serious problem. I need a cleanse. I never thought I, Amanda Bradley, would crave vegetables, but I would kill for some green beans and asparagus right about now.

In light of my recent unhealthiness and my upcoming Caribbean vacation, I've decided to go Paleo for a month when I get home from Tulsa. Luckily, I have Paleo experts Cole and Ryan to assist me throughout this endeavor (I'd be a failure without their support, for sure). I may still slip up on 4th of July weekend...but it would be un-American of me if I didn't eat homemade ice cream and cobbler on the US of A's b-day, right?!

Paleo Pancakes - tested and approved. 

I thought it would be hard to give up things like goldfish, yogurt, cookies, cheese and bread. I mean, they are major staples in my diet, lets get real here.... But there are a ton of clean eating options to substitute with. Ice cream made from coconut milk, honey and fruit, Cheez-Its made from nuts and seasonings, pancakes made from bananas, eggs and almond butter, dried green beans, kale chips....the options are endless. Clean eating can be delicious. You better believe I will be experimenting to find the best Paleo-friendly cookie out there....

So, what is Paleo? Its clean eating: whole food, real food, natural food. Nothing processed or refined. Its often thought of as the "caveman diet." Meats, eggs, veggies, fruits and nuts. The good stuff.

I've been living a "semi-Paleo" lifestyle for a while pre-world show, so I won't be switching over cold turkey (thank goodness). However, giving up those last few staple foods will be challenging. Breakfast is going to be a tough one for me to conquer; I need my yogurt and granola... But don't worry, I'm not going to be a crazy crash dieter. I'm more focused on living a healthy lifestyle than losing those five extra L.B.s. I promise I won't turn into one of those crazy health nuts, either. I'll be craving a Big Mac like nobody's business before long (its a fact). Until then, I will be enjoying my last few bags of goldfish while I still can.

Wish me luck! 

*side note: I apologize to anyone who follows me on Pinterest for the excessive amount of Paleo recipes I will be pinning. Also, if anyone has recipe suggestions, please let me know!

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