Satisfying the Cravings...

I don't profess to be an expert in the health field but I have learned a few things over the years in trying to  loose weight. One of the major battles I seem to always face is that I crave certain foods like pizza, cookies, ice cream, etc. I am currently watching my Carb intake compared to protein and calorie in which I can eat the things I crave just in smaller portions. Which indeed sounds great but for me when I buy a pizza I don't want to eat just one slice and call it a day. So for me I have to find alternatives that allow me to eat  more than one slice and not feel like I let myself down.

Last night I made homemade pizza (picture below). I will not say that it is quick because it is not however it was extremely simple. I not only made something that satisfied the desire for pizza but also help me stay in the parameters of what I have been doing (2 points for me). It encouraged me to see every craving as a challenge to find an alternative.

I am still on the hunt for more alternatives to the things I desire. As I learn I will keep you abreast of all the failures and triumphs in hopes that it helps you find a way to enjoy this amazing life we have been given.
I will also be posting links to the recipe websites in case you would like to try something a bit different.

The Recipe for the crust can be found at: http://www.eat-drink-smile.com/2011/04/cauliflower-crust-pizza.html

Making Saturday More...

Saturday always seems to be a lack luster day when it comes to finding motivation to make it to the gym. For most of us we have Saturday as a day off and for me I seems a waste of time to drive to the gym to get a workout in and then coming home, cleaning up just to get clean the house and yard. So I find while doing house chores to put in all effort and make it a fun time of cleaning and exercising.

If you feel that house chores are boring and take up so much time; turn the music up go to town cleaning everything. When you listen to your favorite music it tends to turn your mood around, does it not? When sweeping the hall or any room dance, no one is there to watch you have fun so go all out. The more you move the more you burn. If your in the yard and mowing the grass choose the push mower for half or all the time to get moving, put the headset on and jam out your favorite tunes. Who said you have to go outside the perimeter of your home to change your life.

When you are finished you will feel even more accomplished then you did when your started. Make your Saturdays your own by getting engaged in all life has for you. Life is too short to waste it sitting around doing nothing.

Have to get Saturday moving to make it more.

An Summer Full of Fresh Starts

I could not have asked for a better summer. It has been a summer of blessings and changes. Since June my career has changed, I am happier and at peace. I have started a new work-out and training for my first 5-K. I never thought I would be at a place where I could do and be who I wanted to be. But its amazing what you  can do and how believing in who you were created to be can change the playing field of life.

Since changing jobs I have been able to focus on my health and truly begin to live a healthier lifestyle. As of August 1st I began a new low carb journey which is  changing my life like never before. I have lost 9 lbs in 3 weeks. I could not ask for anything better because it is causing me to explore new food and desire for fresh foods. I no longer crave fast food , though I do have my moments of missing french fries, popcorn & chips. Not to say that I can not eat those foods but I know the portion I "should" eat and what I "will" eat therefore I personally have chosen to STAY AWAY.

In the attempt to discover a healthier me, I am developing an inner chef that I did not realize was there. My palate has changed helping to realize the wide world of foods I have been missing out on. Below are some photos of my culinary feats. I will attempt to post more in the future on the work-outs and the cuisine in hopes to inspire someone to take on the challenge of becoming a healthier you.

Bacon & Eggs

Pork Chop (cooked in crock-pot) w/ mashed garlic cauliflower

Garbanzo Chili

Asian infused Chicken w/ Sesame Ginger Slaw

Make it a great weekend. :)

A New Perspective on Living

I never dreamed that when I started out in a career path, how it would greatly change my perspective on the things of life. I am in awe at my choices and how my path feels to be taking a turn, a turn for the better. I have learned over the past several months that the things I hold close to my heart have nothing to do with my career. I love my life but I want to have more of a life out of the workplace by cherishing every moment given to me. My nephew showed me quickly that life is about giggles and fun. There is no need to stress all the time or to worry if what you are doing has a meaning. It was all about the moment and choosing to be in it and not just an observer.

 Sometimes it is so easy to pass off the important things because we believe we are too busy. When the truth of the matter is this , that one important thing to the 2 year old is truly not something to miss out on. The busyness of life will be there 5min, 5hr, 5days and 5 years from now but, that little boy being 2years old will not.

 I have come to love those two minute giggle sessions from playing Kung Fu Panda or Buzz & Wood Adventures. How blessed we are to have people around that want us around, that desire to know us. This life can be simple or extremely complex. I prefer the simple. It is in simple things that I find true Joy.

Thankful Year Round

November is one of the greatest months of the year. It allows us all the chance to take on the challenge to find something to be thankful for each day. This task seems simple. However, I tend to be a generalist in my thankfulness to ensure that I did not miss anyone. Therefore my list shrinks quite fast which causes me to think about what I am truly grateful for. When I start pondering on what I am thankful for it puts my priorities in check. I find myself giving more and resisting the urgency to put "things" first. The sad fact about this entire concept of November being the month of Thanks is that we as a people (not all people) tend to not carry the mindset of thankfulness through the other eleven months of the year. This is the same concept as those who only donate to shelters and food banks only in December.

 The act of giving should be daily remembering that you are not here alone. There are others who need our companionship, camaraderie and heart. When blessings are being poured out to you, you should be think outside the box of "you" and think of how to share the blessing with others. Not to say that you need to neglect you and your family but it could simply be sharing a smile with a cashier, a phone call to an old friend, a kiss to the spouse who you just had an argument with, a hug to a parent you haven't seen in awhile, or a card to someone who greatly contributed to who you are. These are just a few things that we as compassionate people can do to make this world an even greater place to live. We don't have to go outside the borders of our city, county or state to make a difference.

 My hope is that this will encourage you today to look beyond your situation and make it better by making someone else's day light up. Pay it forward, pay beyond what you have and give from the heart. Do not make Thanksgiving a chore, yet enjoy those who surround you by showing you thankfulness for them. These small acts are not small to someone who needs to see the caring heart of one person. One person can change the world by one Act of Random Kindness.

 To conclude I think it would be best to say, "I am thankful for those who everyday and every hour give beyond themselves, letting someone know that people are still kind and good."

The Path Unkown

I have spent the past couple of weeks trying to determine the best job/place in this world for me. Knowing where I can utilize each gift I have been given, to in turn gain the gratification to make each day worth while.

This is what I have come to learn.

I am 25 almost 26 years old and I still have not clue what I want to be when I grow up. Which means I do not have all the answers. But it does mean that I have learned that I enjoy seeing people grow, learn, change and choose the path that best suits them. I fancy helping people achieve their goals.

I do not know that what I currently do will every fulfill the things that I enjoy doing the most. The dilemma will always be, is this fully satisfying or is there something in this world that I should be pursuant of?

Now I know this might be questionable to those who have never been in a situation like this. Or questioning why I should ever think about leaving a job in this economy. I have not made any decisions nor will I make a hasty decision. Deciding to take on additional debt for a number of years it not something to take lightly. I will however forever be pursuant of the things that will make this life most fulfilling no matter what it entails. I will find a way to use the gifts I have been given, those of compassion and armor bearing.

My dream would be to aid wounded soldiers by water physical therapy. However that could be an additional 4 yrs of college. I maybe nuts. Who knows this may be what I am called to. Or it could easily be teaching.

Maybe one day I will find the one thing that clicks. Please do not assume this is a "pity me" blog. It is straight from the heart.

Sometimes life choices are written plainly and sometimes they are to be discovered. Right now I have an opportunity to discover more about myself. The journey is never over and neither are my dreams.

I want to say this to anyone who reads this.
NEVER STOP DREAMING OR BELIEVING IN A DREAM TO COME TRUE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN LIFE WILL SURPRISE YOU.

What is a dream

What is a dream?

A dream is a desire to have an inner ambition come to fruition.

Sometimes it seems as though the dream is standing on the other side of the street temping you to cross during rush hour traffic. However, you know that the crossing right now would lead to certain death but you need to be on the other side. You are stuck in a dilemma of whether you should chance it all and cross the street or wait it out just a little while so you will be able to withstand whatever is on the other side. This is not “the grass is always greener on the other side” moment, yet a realization that pursuing the “American Dream” is not exactly as easy and the movies, tv or books pave it out to be.

Entertainment venues of all sorts are inspired by dreams and the ability to overcome adversity to become the person “they” have always wanted to be. By making life changes such as changing careers, getting married, having children, or moving to start fresh. These epic stories tell the observer to look inside themselves and answer the question, “Is there still something you desire (dream) of doing but have been putting it off?”

I do have a dream that I have been waiting for the opportunity to see it happen. I have been praying, putting out job applications and trying to save money. Not so much on the last part because of unexpected occurrences. I know that persistence will pay off but keeping that faith is a hard thing to do.

Faith and dreams go hand in hand. I am a firm believer that you cannot have one without the other. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14). I believe with all my heart that I am doing what I need to be doing to see my dream come. I know that I would like my dream to be fulfilled a lot sooner than what is actually occurring.
A dream was birthed inside of me in January 2010 to not only go but move to Seattle, Washington. I began pursuing this dream by sending out applications, by the bucket loads and saw no return for 7 months. In July I finally had a response from a job that I had wished for but did not receive that most vital second interview.

I continued my pursuit of happiness, which led to a position in my local area. I began swiftly with all the excitement I could muster (which was a load of energy). I quickly took off and I began seeing possibilities at this new job. However my dream still sat in the back of my mind pestering me not to settle for anything less than what I was dreaming of.

So I sit here today still pursuing the dream that was set alive a year and 4 months ago. But I hold fast to the truth that ‘“For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:11-13).”

I am grateful for the blessings that have come my way and will continue to forever be thankful. However, I know that if God opened the door for me to the University of my choice (especially since it was the only one I applied too) he will fulfill my heart’s desire.

So if you happen to be in similar situation, remember that wherever you are or whatever you are doing that dream that is deep inside of you waiting to burst forth, can come true. I know I am still waiting for mine to come to pass but I will never loss hope and neither should you.

Never give up hope.