A New Day: Day 4

Every day is a new day. The sun rises again, we eat breakfast again, get the kids off to school again and at the end of the day we will go snuggle under the covers

 only to start it all over.

Every new day is exciting, because every new day is a chance to get fitter, to look better, to make healthy choices and to get closer to your health and fitness goals.

The best thing is that it doesn’t matter what happened today. Thats all gone now. Whether you worked out or not, whether you chose to eat well or not.  You get a whole new chance to try it all over again.

I know that every day is another chance for me to be my best, as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, and as a sister. So, if you are having trouble finding your motivation today, or you have maybe made some unhealthy decisions in your actions for the day then this message is for you, my sweet friends--It's ok. Go to bed tonight and be thankful for all the good things in your life and wake up tomorrow with a clean slate.

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge.

Yep, she's back. Day 3: The Double Butt

I had you at double butt didn't I? 

If there is one thing I am learning about myself it's not to take things so seriously and personal. Tonight, I was with a group of ladies, some that I have known for years. They knew me before being married, before children, before the double butt. I know, your wondering what she is. Well, I wrote about her awhile back. 

After talking about her at dinner with the girls I began to realize she is almost gone. 

For me, this is HUGE! Everyone has something about themselves that drives them crazy. The DB has always been my crazy. What has changed you ask? Honestly, it's been my eating. I am doing the same amount of exercise but changed a lot of my eating habits. It's not nearly as hard as I thought. 

If I am being honest I was afraid I wouldn't know what to eat and just give up. 

I thought that the shelves of my fridge would have to be lined with healthy, organic food that myself and boys would immediately love. That's a lot of pressure. Too much pressure for this momma. It doesn't have to be that way at all. It's about taking small steps, making right choices. Today, I did that and I am thankful. I really challenge you to make right choices and start incorporating changes in your eating habits TODAY.

 Start Small... Start Now... 

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge.

Carboholic: Day 2

  

My issue with health isn't so much with exercise, but with my eating. I am a carbaholic and sugarholic. I honestly could live on pepperment patties and cookie cake icing. I lack willpower. I try, but often unhealthy food wins every time. While I probably will lose a few pounds and inches from my waist line while doing the first part of the 24 Day Challenge, (the 10 Day Herbal Cleanse), I am really wanting to learn how to eat better for myself and also for my family.  

As a working mom with three boys who have crazy schedules often find myself going for the quick fix. I have done this not only since becoming a mom but even in my college years. I would always want the quick fix. What I am learning with this cleanse is how to get healthy for the long run.... eat better. With that being said, I am also realizing I have a long ways to go but I am really shocked at how I feel only 2 days in. 

One of the many things I am loving about doing this with a group of girls are the texts I am getting throughout the day. It's cracking me up. As their 'coach' I am checking in on them, trying to encourage them and give them as much information as I can to help them. Who knew grown woman would be so excited about how many times they have gone to the bathroom!

I am sure some are wondering what I have actually ate the past 24 hours. I have been keeping a food journal from yesterday...

Day 1
Breakfast: 
Fiber Drink

Spark Drink

Oatmeal

Mid Morning Snack: 
Apple

Lunch: 
Salad w/vegatbles and grilled chicken

Afternoon Snack: 
Strawberries & Spark

Dinner:
Grilled Chicken
Steamed Veggies

** I really wasn't hungry. I NEVER eat six times a day but I know I should. Energy level was increased by Spark. It has some caffeine and tons of nutrients. This has been a life saver today!!! 

What are you going to do today to start making changes in your eating habits? I will leave you all with this to think about .... 

                                                                                                       Source:

See you tomorrow, friends.

31 Days: A Journey of Health: Day 1

Every October, The Nester hosts 31 Days of ...

{Whatever is on your mind for 31 days}. 

 Those participating are invited to write about the topic of their

choice every single day for a month.  I have always heard of challenges like

this, and have always admired those who took the time to consistently share

what is on their mind.  I have had this pull of wanting to join but I always

let life get in the way. This year, with the encouragement from so many of

my friends, I am tackling this challenge head on. 

 

As I thought about what topic to write on, my heart and mind immediately went to health and fitness. For years, I have felt like the Lord was going to somehow use me in the area of health and fitness but wasn't sure how.  I

have always had a passion to help women feel good about themselves. To be

able to look in the mirror and not only know that 

"you are created in His image" 

but also be able to look in the mirror and feel good about what you see. 

 That's one of the reasons I became a Zumba instructor and that has

been extremely rewarding. But for me that is only part of it. There are many

of us (myself included) that can exercise all day long and use that as an

excuse to eat however we want. Some of it is not knowing how to eat right

but it also because there is sometimes no accountability. There is nobody

encouraging you asking about your fitness and eating habits.  I believe with

every ounce of my being that you must take time to learn how to be healthy not

only for your future but for your children's future.

This is one of the reasons my husband and I decided to become AdvoCare distributors. It was a way for us to embody many of our convictions on health and fitness and also be able to earn a little extra income.  For us,this was the best way to start our business in hopes of partnering with others and helping them reach their goals whether that be losing weight, gaining energy or 

having an extra pay check that will allow their family

some breathing room.

 

Many have asked how I got my husband on board.

  You see, those who know him well know he is pretty conservative and not one to take risks (must come from that accounting background!).  He researched the business opportunity for a couple weeks and my heart leaped for joy when he called me from work and told me there was very little risk and he was "all in".  That's the

moment I knew this was our journey. For some, the idea of a home-based

business like ours rubs them the wrong way.  But like any decision in life,

you aren't going to have everyone love it and for once in my life, that's

ok! For us, we look forward to the day when we have a team of individuals

all over the US helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle.

 

For the next 31 days I am going to write about the journey of a group of

people taking on the 24 Day Challenge and what happens after it's over. 

What it looks like in real life. What I personally learn about myself and how it

is impacting others around me. I'm excited to see the way the Lord uses this

journey and how I am challenged and changed. I hope you will follow along.

I will leave you all with this verse:

 

"She is clothed in strength and dignity

 and laughs without fear of the

future." Proverbs 31:25

 

Lesson in Motherhood

Photo

I try to be the kind of person that is always thinking positive. I try my darnedest to see the best in the people that are around me. I believe that every thing happens for a reason, and that if I could do this mom thing over again I wouldn't change a thing.

For me, the reality is, if I could go back to the very day I became a mom there is so much I would do differently. I am sure at some point all of us moms have thought this but its another thing entirely to admit it out loud. Almost as if admitting it would serve as a confession to failure.

For me, when I say I wish I would have not worried so much about the nap schedule I had my boys on or how meticulous I needed my house to be, or been so darn strict about their schedules and tv time, or went on more play dates, or read to them more or snuggled them just a little bit longer. If I admitted these things out loud, I would also be pointing out my shortcomings as a mom.

Isn't it funny how we always are thinking about our shortcomings? It's what we do as moms. We spend our nights thinking about what we could be doing better or what we should have done when they were smaller. In many ways I believe with my whole heart that those are some of the very things that makes us good moms. WE love with every ounce of our being. Which at times means we worry a little to much, we over think things WAY to much and doubt ourselves daily. We make 5 different dinners in hopes that everyone will eat something. We cut our shower time in half and sometimes are lucky to jump in the shower. We function on very little sleep or no sleep. We sneak in the bathroom just to get 5 minutes of alone time.

I am realizing after almost 8 years of being a Momma that I need to cut myself some slack. We all need to cut ourselves some slack, give each other a pat on the back and realize that this motherhood thing is not for the faint at heart. It is by far the BEST job in the world but  I would also say it's the hardest.

We momma’s deserve to feel like we’re doing a good job, don’t ya think?

A 'Skinny' Recipe For You

Happy Monday, Friends! 

The temperature here is finally starting to cool down. I have my hooded sweatshirts out and this girl is excited.   Every year around this time I start to crave Chili. So, I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes with all of you . Here is the kicker... if you know me {which HELLO you all do} then you know I like to try and watch what I eat. This yummy recipe is made 'skinny' which means  For a 1 cup serving, the chili has about 227 calories, only 2 grams of fat . Friends, this is why I had to share and the fact my fabulous friend over at Family Fun Mom is having a soup swap. Go check out all of the others! I was so excited to be cooking something {since I never do}I had to put on my favorite apron of all time.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 package ground turkey (about 1- 1¼ pounds)

1½ cups onions, chopped

1 clove fresh garlic, chopped or 1½ teaspoons from a jar.

1 (14 oz) jar pasta { I use Prego}

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz) can tomatoes, chopped

½  cup water

1 tablespoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼  teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a large nonstick pan, brown the ground turkey over medium-high heat

2. Drain cooked turkey {I always blot with a paper towel to make sure I get as  much fat off as I can}   

3. Return drained turkey to the pan.

4. Place onions in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft.

5. Add the cooked onions to the turkey and stir in the remaining ingredients.

6. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Happy Monday, friends! Enjoy the beautiful weather and grab a bowl of chili!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes to getting back to blogging. 

Yes to participating in a 'soup swap'.

Yes Yes Yes to being an aunt again. {My sister has her baby on Thursday!!!}

Yes to really applying what I hear on Sunday morning to my life.

Yes to more dates with my running shoes and i-pod.

I say yes to laughter and enjoying my family.

Yes to Pumpkin Spice Lattes. 

Yes to prayer.

I say yes to God.  

I say yes to a heart of gratitude. My boys are loving school.

I say yes to getting things DONE.  

I say yes to confidence in the abilities that I have been given.

I say yes to good thoughts that energize, uplift and encourage me.

I say yes to wearing my favorite hooded sweatshirt.

I say YES to lovin on the three sweet loves of my life!

Yes to patience.

Yes to a Friday night football game with all my boys.

Yes to watching my boys play soccer. 

Yes to a positive attitude.

Yes to a week of taking in special moments with my one guy left at home.

Yes to hearing his sweet sweet voice as he talks to me.

Yes to noticing the little things.

What do YOU say yes to this week?!