I got my first real sugar hankering last night since I gave up the poison on Thursday. I reached for the Blue Bell... put it back. Stared at the fridge wondering what might fix this...realized I was craving something creamy and warm...something with banana. So, instead of baking banana muffins or banana cream pie, I made the best banana oatmeal I've ever had, with lots of healthy kicks!
It went a little something like this:
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup water
1 banana
1 tbsp. ground flax seed
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. almond butter
1 tbsp. unsweetened dried cherries
1 cup rice milk (or your milk of choice)
Make the oatmeal as directed on the package, slicing in the banana into the pot while the oatmeal cooks on the stove. The bananas will puff up, giving your oatmeal a creamier texture. Once the oatmeal is done, add in all other ingredients and stir. Top it with milk, and you have yourself a complete meal... and a sweet tooth fix!
Enjoy!
xoxo
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
What Will You Do?
Is your mind ever muddled with the "what ifs" in life? I have to be honest, things are going extremely well for John and me this fall. He was offered a job, my job is challenging me in new ways, and we added Scout to our family! And not to mention that we have incredible friends, a supportive family and our health.
In the midst of everything, I get caught up in the "what ifs" of transitioning away from where we are now to a new life in another city here in Texas (when we eventually make that move next summer). What if we don't find friends as good as the ones here? What if we aren't able to spend as much time together? What if we get in over our heads? Life is full of those silly questions, right?
I do truly believe that because of God's amazing love and protection, everything always works out just as it should. I also believe that setting and achieving goals help us renew our strength and focus on the here and now. With that said, it's time to set some goals, folks! Instead of focusing on results (lose weight - hello New Years Resolutions that NEVER come to fruition!), I want these goals to focus on the processes. At the end of the day, I might lose weight or be in better shape, but those things won't be the focus.
So, here we go!
1. Practice yoga 3 days/week now through the end of the year (Why? I feel my best when I devote time to my myself through yoga - it makes me stronger physically and emotionally. I can't explain it, you just have to try it out for yourself!)
2. Run a 10k (Why? I run 3-4 miles now, but for some reason, six miles seems SO much more difficult! I need to prove to myself that my body can go so much further than I think)
3. Learn to sew (Why? This is a talent I've been wanting to learn for a while! One of my best friends has agreed to teach me! Our first project is to make a quilt and donate it to the Children's Advocacy Center)
4. Read the Bible (Why? I'm embarrassed to say that I've never read the Bible front to back, and I know this is a spiritual journey I need to take)
5. No more cheese, no more desserts (Why? I know this resembles a new years resolution, but these are two of my biggest temptations when it comes to food, and this is more of a test of my willpower than anything. Besides, I hate a sugar crash, don't you?)
6. Juice everyday (Following Kris Carr's method of reducing one bad thing and increasing one good thing, I want to add a fresh glass of homemade juice to my diet everday. I don't use my juicer often enough, but I do know that I always feel so much better when I start my day with a green juice (if you're new to juicing and want to do this with me, start with a combination of apple and carrot - so yummy. If you want to try something bold, add kale, parsley and beets to that - seriously, so good!)
In an effort to not overwhelm myself, I'm sticking to this short list! I'll keep you updated on my progress! :)
In the midst of everything, I get caught up in the "what ifs" of transitioning away from where we are now to a new life in another city here in Texas (when we eventually make that move next summer). What if we don't find friends as good as the ones here? What if we aren't able to spend as much time together? What if we get in over our heads? Life is full of those silly questions, right?
I do truly believe that because of God's amazing love and protection, everything always works out just as it should. I also believe that setting and achieving goals help us renew our strength and focus on the here and now. With that said, it's time to set some goals, folks! Instead of focusing on results (lose weight - hello New Years Resolutions that NEVER come to fruition!), I want these goals to focus on the processes. At the end of the day, I might lose weight or be in better shape, but those things won't be the focus.
So, here we go!
1. Practice yoga 3 days/week now through the end of the year (Why? I feel my best when I devote time to my myself through yoga - it makes me stronger physically and emotionally. I can't explain it, you just have to try it out for yourself!)
2. Run a 10k (Why? I run 3-4 miles now, but for some reason, six miles seems SO much more difficult! I need to prove to myself that my body can go so much further than I think)
3. Learn to sew (Why? This is a talent I've been wanting to learn for a while! One of my best friends has agreed to teach me! Our first project is to make a quilt and donate it to the Children's Advocacy Center)
4. Read the Bible (Why? I'm embarrassed to say that I've never read the Bible front to back, and I know this is a spiritual journey I need to take)
5. No more cheese, no more desserts (Why? I know this resembles a new years resolution, but these are two of my biggest temptations when it comes to food, and this is more of a test of my willpower than anything. Besides, I hate a sugar crash, don't you?)
6. Juice everyday (Following Kris Carr's method of reducing one bad thing and increasing one good thing, I want to add a fresh glass of homemade juice to my diet everday. I don't use my juicer often enough, but I do know that I always feel so much better when I start my day with a green juice (if you're new to juicing and want to do this with me, start with a combination of apple and carrot - so yummy. If you want to try something bold, add kale, parsley and beets to that - seriously, so good!)
In an effort to not overwhelm myself, I'm sticking to this short list! I'll keep you updated on my progress! :)
What are some of your goals? How will you stick to them?
xoxo
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Whole Truth
I traveled to Virginia and back last week to give a client presentation....Getting to Virginia from West Texas is not easy folks, and on top of that, my nerves were high. Although I worked in the air, thanks to gogo in-flight on American, I disconnected for a few hours to read magazines, my favorite being Whole Living (previously Body + Soul). I adore this magazine because it inspires me to live a healthy life (more on that inspiration in another post).
Anyway, I came across an interview that posed some really great questions. I started pondering over the answers I would give, and am just coming back to the article on this Sunday night.
So, here's the Q&A from my point of view (to give Whole Living credit here, check out the September 2010 issue - love!!).
Q: If I could say one thing to myself 20 years go...
A: Without revealing my age, I was pretty little 20 years ago and may have looked something like this:
Only with longer hair and even more spunk! I would tell myself to take those naps!
Q: My favorite place in the world...
A: Everything feels right in the world when I'm at home with John, cuddling on the couch, sipping on red wine and watching a movie. Nothing beats that..
Q: The lesson I keep learning over and over...
A: Things always work out just as they should... don't fret!
Q: The movie I watch when I want to laugh...
A: Dumb and Dumber
Q: Unhealthiest thing I've ever passed off as dinner...
A: Cheese and wine
Q: Personal philosophy...
A: Give people the benefit of the doubt, have sympathy and remember that you are never alone.
Q: What keeps me up at night...
A: Life's endless possibilities. My dad told me once with utmost sincerity that I could do anything I wanted... no dream is out of reach. I believe him 100% - no matter what, you make the decisions that shape your life.
Q: Book that changed my life...
A: I think there are some books, including the Bible, that are in the process of changing my life. The philosophy in Eat, Pray, Love also helped me think outside the box a few years ago.
Q: I unwind by...
A: Practicing yoga. Although it has fallen off my schedule the past few months, there is no better way for me to really release the stress than by letting it go on the mat. Even when I can't make a class, I'll shift into downward dog for a few minutes and just shake it out!
Q: I feel healthy when I...
A: Make my own juice at home - carrot, apple and beet is my favorite combination.
Q: I define "downtime" as...
A: Having a glass of wine without my phone or laptop in sight.
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Decaf coffee after a big dinner, hot tea in the morning and before bed.
Q: Guiltiest pleasure...
A: Cheese! I also happen to love reality tv, which I understand to be a complete waste of time!
Q: The last time I lost my temper was...
Yesterday :(. Scout had an accident on the couch and I lost it.
Q: I'm currently reading...
A: Eat, Pray, Love for the second time
Q: Whole living means...
A: Feeling complete in the moment. Going to bed at night feeling good about your day's efforts, feeling loved and letting others know how much you care.
Q: Home means...
A: Love. Where my favorite people, where I'm surrounded by my comforts, where we spend late nights talking over wine with our friends.
Q: Prized possession...
A: Love letters from John over the years. Although we faced many ups and downs over 10 years of dating, those letters remind me just how far we've come.
Q: Exercise routine...
A: A combination of running, yoga, walking/running Scout and the 30 Day Shred (Thanks Jillian Michaels!)
Q: Proudest moment in my career...
A: In retrospect, the entire year I spent working in Chicago. It was challenging in so many different ways, and I'm proud of myself for pulling through those days successfully.
Q: My mom was right about...
A: Cleaning the house before leaving for vacation. Who wants to be welcomed home by dirty clothes, dusty furniture and unmade beds? Not me!
Q: My mom was wrong about...
A: Not giving people a second chance. There are so many instances where I'm glad I gave people the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Q: My dad always told me...
A: People brag because they're insecure.
Anyway, I came across an interview that posed some really great questions. I started pondering over the answers I would give, and am just coming back to the article on this Sunday night.
So, here's the Q&A from my point of view (to give Whole Living credit here, check out the September 2010 issue - love!!).
Q: If I could say one thing to myself 20 years go...
A: Without revealing my age, I was pretty little 20 years ago and may have looked something like this:
Only with longer hair and even more spunk! I would tell myself to take those naps!
Q: My favorite place in the world...
A: Everything feels right in the world when I'm at home with John, cuddling on the couch, sipping on red wine and watching a movie. Nothing beats that..
Q: The lesson I keep learning over and over...
A: Things always work out just as they should... don't fret!
Q: The movie I watch when I want to laugh...
A: Dumb and Dumber
Q: Unhealthiest thing I've ever passed off as dinner...
A: Cheese and wine
Q: Personal philosophy...
A: Give people the benefit of the doubt, have sympathy and remember that you are never alone.
Q: What keeps me up at night...
A: Life's endless possibilities. My dad told me once with utmost sincerity that I could do anything I wanted... no dream is out of reach. I believe him 100% - no matter what, you make the decisions that shape your life.
Q: Book that changed my life...
A: I think there are some books, including the Bible, that are in the process of changing my life. The philosophy in Eat, Pray, Love also helped me think outside the box a few years ago.
Q: I unwind by...
A: Practicing yoga. Although it has fallen off my schedule the past few months, there is no better way for me to really release the stress than by letting it go on the mat. Even when I can't make a class, I'll shift into downward dog for a few minutes and just shake it out!
Q: I feel healthy when I...
A: Make my own juice at home - carrot, apple and beet is my favorite combination.
Q: I define "downtime" as...
A: Having a glass of wine without my phone or laptop in sight.
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Decaf coffee after a big dinner, hot tea in the morning and before bed.
Q: Guiltiest pleasure...
A: Cheese! I also happen to love reality tv, which I understand to be a complete waste of time!
Q: The last time I lost my temper was...
Yesterday :(. Scout had an accident on the couch and I lost it.
Q: I'm currently reading...
A: Eat, Pray, Love for the second time
Q: Whole living means...
A: Feeling complete in the moment. Going to bed at night feeling good about your day's efforts, feeling loved and letting others know how much you care.
Q: Home means...
A: Love. Where my favorite people, where I'm surrounded by my comforts, where we spend late nights talking over wine with our friends.
Q: Prized possession...
A: Love letters from John over the years. Although we faced many ups and downs over 10 years of dating, those letters remind me just how far we've come.
Q: Exercise routine...
A: A combination of running, yoga, walking/running Scout and the 30 Day Shred (Thanks Jillian Michaels!)
Q: Proudest moment in my career...
A: In retrospect, the entire year I spent working in Chicago. It was challenging in so many different ways, and I'm proud of myself for pulling through those days successfully.
Q: My mom was right about...
A: Cleaning the house before leaving for vacation. Who wants to be welcomed home by dirty clothes, dusty furniture and unmade beds? Not me!
Q: My mom was wrong about...
A: Not giving people a second chance. There are so many instances where I'm glad I gave people the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Q: My dad always told me...
A: People brag because they're insecure.
What is your favorite place in the world? What keeps you up at night? I want to hear from you!
xoxo
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Praise
Is there ever a better moment to thank God than now?
Whether you're sitting in sunshine or in rain, alone at home or surrounded by loved ones, thank the Lord for the blessings of this life. God has so many plans for you, and today is one of them.
xoxo
Sunday, August 8, 2010
All That Glitters
NYC... so inspired by...
The bird's eye view... looking down on the bustling city from far above and feeling like anything is possible...
The bird's eye view... looking down on the bustling city from far above and feeling like anything is possible...
Friends who call this city home and navigate the busy sidewalks to and from work everyday...
Grand Central Station, where paths cross...
Lady Lib, who is a glimmer of hope and reminds us to be proud that we're American...
Ellis Island... the first ceilings my great grandfather saw as he docked on the island after a long trip from Denmark at the age of 20, anxious to navigate his new life in America all on his own...
The breathtaking view of lower Manhatten from the Brooklyn Bridge...
Sights of Paris at home...
Calm in the midst of the chaos...
The overwhelming beauty of the MET and the art it houses...
More to come...
xoxo
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Peas
Life with this guy is easy.
Two amazing years (and two days) under our belts. Life is so, so good!
xoxo
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