Making it a good day!

I didnt have many words to say yesterday because I was worn out and about ready to explode or burst into tears. It has been a long sad week in the counseling world! I knew that I needed some sleep and destress time! So I went home early from work... took a nap! It was wonderful! Then went for a run in my new shoes!

Life was getting better :-) I live downtown, but there is a great trail just 5 blocks away! I decided to do my new favorite 4 mile loop! After walking the five blocks and dodging rush hour traffic, I started my loop!

Along the river!

All the way to the Lake!

Then return! I was a sweaty hott mess!

By the time I was almost home I was feeling better! Then I saw my father-in-law (lives 45 min away) honking and yelling my name out his car window! He was leaving a baseball game! His smile always brightens my day!

When I got home I did my one of my favorite things... bake!

Today started off even better with my favorite breakfast!  Warm oatmeal, protein powder, and almond butter. With a few strawberries on the side! I have been hanging out at home and went to the gym! Perfect day!

What do you do to turn your mood around or lift your spirits?

When I dont have a lot to say...

I look to my sister! LovingGodTheMost She has always covered my back when I need it! When we were little and I was afraid to sell girl scout cookies... she would do all the talking and I would get all the credit. Check out her blog! I give her all the Credit!

Crazy Day

Do you ever feel like some days are a bit crazier than others... well that is today for me.

It started with an early wake-up call to the gym... I have been going ever since.

I had appointments all morning. Then ran to 3 Grocery stores... YES three!

Costco for Berries, Protein Powder, and GF crackers

Trader Joe's for Almond Milk, Yogurt, and Veggies

Fareway to get hubs his Meat!.... well I need it too!

Lunch with Mom and back to the office for more appointments. Then meetings tonight for Red Heart!

How do you get through crazy days? I know I need lots of prayer! Good thing I can pray all day long and can do any other task at the same time! Thank you Jesus for a direct line!

Who Are You?

Who are you? Not what is your name, but really who are you? This can be a difficult question to answer but it is something I am trying to reflect on and something that I am discussing with  many of my clients who feel lost and discontent. The answer to this question we all need to know... not for others but for ourselves.

What excites you?
What do you Love?
Who do you Love?
How do you rejuvenate?
What drains you?
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
What makes you anxious?

There are millions of questions we can ask ourselves to find out the answer who are you! A few tools I am discovering to help in the process...

R12 by Chip Ingram
Living your Strengths by Winseman, Clifton & Liesveld
Pinterest
Friends and Family
Research
Prayer
Magazines
Blogs

Research and Discover what excites you and what desires God put in you! Find who He created you to be!

I know that I LOVE my husband, I LOVE baking, I LOVE looking at beautiful design, I LOVE helping others, I LOVE relationships....I am discovering more and more!

I leave you with Yummy Banana Nut Mini Muffins I made last night! I enjoy them at dessert with almond butter and SF jelly on them... then again this morning one two crumbled on top of my oats! DELISH!!!!!

Dont Hide!

So often we are fear stricken, causing us to hide our flaws, hide our hurts, hide our insecurities, really hide anything that we don't see as acceptable in ourselves and fear others wont accept. Why do we hide?

I believe we hide because we don't want to be found imperfect or unlovable. The crazy thing is... we are all imperfect and we are all loved by the Lord. So why then is this so very hard to believe?

In my own life I find myself trying to hide my emotions, my struggles, and my hurts for fear that no one will want to deal with them. I try to deal with it myself and with out failure every time it ends up a bigger deal than if I would have just been honest with others about my emotions, struggles, and hurts.

I am learning daily not to hide but to be honest and allow God to work in your life. Allow others to comfort you, support you, encourage you, and even challenge you. Do not be self sufficient because none of us are perfect and we all need each other and God to guide us! It takes a lot of Faith not to Hide and a lot of Courage! God is Faithful! He seeks after us! Its just easier when we avoid the game of Hide and Seek!

A little ME time!

Last night Hubs had dinner with his dad which meant I had an evening to myself! I will always choose spending time with my husband over not, but sometimes having a free night is nice! I met a friend for an early dinner at Django and had my most favorite salad in the ENTIRE world! Beet Salad! This salad is piled high with beets along with goat cheese, YUM, walnuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette! It was better than ever!

After dinner I went home and had good quality ME time! I made lunch for today! Cleaned the kitchen and then painted my toenails while catching up on HGTV! It was a glorious night!

We leave for the lake today and I cant wait!

Trust

Trust can be very hard at times and other times very easy! I find it east to trust my husband, I find it easy to trust my parents and my siblings, even close friends. When trusting so many people so easily here on earth. I don't know why I find it so hard to trust the Lord. Some days are harder than others. I have found it particularly hard to trust Him in the area of health and my body! I think it is so hard for a few reasons...

With my health, I have absolutely no idea what is going on inside me. I cant tell if my endometrioma's (cyst like growths on my ovaries) are growing or shrinking. I have to trust God that he is in control! I have no idea if the medicine that is causing my lack of trust in other areas is actually doing its job...which brings me to the other area's my body... I find daily it is changing due to the medicine. Yet its hard to trust that its not me that is causing the change. That its not my diet or lack of exercise or whatever it is. So I find myself contemplating often... WHAT IS GOING ON?!

In the end, I have to trust that God is in Control and that we have chosen this medicine to help me right now and that trust it is for my good and not to harm me, even when I feel like I am being harmed on so many levels.

I have this verse hanging on my computer right now...

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Psalms 25:1

Trusting for me, means stop worrying, and stop letting the medicine rob my joy and happiness each day.

So last night... I really struggled with it. So I did some of my favorite things to try and enjoy life

1. Walked

2. Talked with Hubs

3. Made Dinner and a healthy summer Dessert

Stuffed Pepper with Chicken Sausage, Veggies baked with Marinara sauce, Fresh Basil and Goat Cheese, along with Whole Wheat bread and truffle salt! YUM

Fruit Pizza--Peaches, Walnuts, Coconut, and Agave on whole wheat pizza crust!

Celebration Night!

I got home last night and was welcomed with a VERY NICE SURPRISE from Hubs!... Babe, lets celebrate tonight! It was official that I am a licensed counselor! He made me feel so special and loved all night long! We started with appetizers at one of our favorite restaurants Centro! It is always a go to staple in our house! We split an order of fried Brussels sprouts with truffle oil (Brussels sprouts are healthy!). Hubs and I L-O-V-E truffle oil... maybe as much as we love each other! After apps we headed to 801 Chophouse! It was a real treat! Yes, it is a nice expensive steak house to most people... but to me it is so much more! My grandparents and parents would always go to 801 when we were growing up and the kids were left at home with pizza... well not last night! My husband spoiled me rotten!

We started with splitting a Garbage salad. We both loved it! Description from menu...

Garbage Salad

Romaine lettuce, Maytag blue cheese crumbles,

hearts of palm, tomato, English cucumber,

calamata olives, pepperoncinis, salami,

Champagne Dijon vinaigrette dressing,

and a jumbo shrimp

Then moved on to our entrees

Halibut for the Lady, topped with grapefruit and avocado, on top of a bed of watercress, drizzled with grapefruit oil... Mouth watering!

Seared Ahi Tuna for the Gentleman, topped with a carrot slaw, along with a delightful soy glaze... wasabi and ginger on the side!

We finished the evening with a Strawberry Rhubarb Tart and Vanilla bean ice cream! It looked too good and I forgot a picture! Whoops!

The night was PERFECT!!!!! We kept asking the waiter if we could take our time... we just wanted to sit and enjoy! The night might not have been the healthiest night ever, but it sure was a celebration! I will be eating healthy today!

Belated Birthday Celebration!

My Team from work went out to celebrate my co-worker PJ and my birthday today. I cant think of a better way to celebrate that with Sushi and Frozen Yogurt! It was a perfect refreshing meal for a HOT HOT HOT Summer Day... the heat index is around 114. We could cook dinner on the sidewalk to day!

We started off at Appare for Sushi! I ordered a Salmon/Avocado Roll and an Avocado Salad with Ginger dressing on the side! I love ginger dressing! I meant to take a picture... but forgot... so here is one off the Internet

Source

We then headed to a new FroYo place for a sweet taste of heaven! I had chocolate and red velvet cake frozen Yogurt topped with an overwhelming amount of fruit! The toppings at Yo2Go are AMAZING!!! If you live in the area you have got to try it!



I could do that lunch all over again! YUMMY!

Great Start to a Monday!

It is Official!

After 2. 5 years of school, 250 hours of Supervision, 1500 hours of counseling, countless hours of studying... I passed the test and Iowa seems to think I am fit for the job...

$$$$

Finances have never been my strong suit. I just don't enjoy keeping track, watching my bank account, budgeting, worrying, ect. Needless to say, money isn't something that we just cant think about. We are called to be good stewards of our money. Thankfully, my husband is great when it comes to finances and has helped me a long the way!

I know in order to be wise, I need to write down when I use a check, I need to keep track of my bank account, and for all this to work I need a budget! I know that I love to shop and I know that I love to buy groceries and cook yummy healthy meals. Also this can be possible in the confounds of a budget.

One of our favorite budget tools is mint.com. It is a free site that helps you create a budget and track your spending... I have quickly learned that a lot of my money goes to groceries. In order to keep that category in check, I try to go to the store fewer times, create a list, have mental note of meal plans, and know what our week looks like so I don't buy to much or too little that will send me back for another trip.

I also have key ingredients that I buy at CostCo or Sams for a better deal. Make sure what you buy in bulk you will use in bulk!

We buy Spinach, Almond Butter, Protein Powder, Oats, In season produce occasionally, and meat.

Make Sure when you make a budget its manageable and you are held accountable to it. lastly make it fun!... Budgets really can be fun, like a came!

Pink Rays of Sunshine!

I love waking up in the morning in our room... it always absolutely beautiful! Each morning our alarm goes off around 5:40am, I wake up look to my right and see the sun rising. This morning our room was glowing the most beautiful pink color! I am amazed at Gods creation and the beauty he blesses us with daily!

It makes getting up so early enjoyable! God has really blessed us with a beautiful home that he shines down on each morning... my praying is his spirit would shine in our home all day long!

"The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us." Psalms 118:27

La Mie

Its 10am and I have already had a wonderful, full day! Hubs and I went for a 5:30 run! We like to do a little sprint/ jog/ walk pattern. We sprint a block, jog a block, walk a block. It is great interval training! Then I headed to work for an early morning session. Then to my favorite breakfast spot with some of my favorite people! My sister, her kiddos, my mom and I went to La Mie... its one of those restaurants I think I could eat at every day and never get tired of it! They have a super healthy menu, with tables and tables of fresh not so super healthy pastries! I just try not to look at them! Then order my egg whites, spinach, avocado, and multi grain toast! YUMMY!



On a scale of 1-10 I would give La Mie a 10 in food presentation and taste! Atmosphere is defiantly a breakfast joint... maybe a 5 but sitting outside ups it to a 7! Either way, I am always pleased!

In English La Mie means "the soft part of bread" interesting! The more interesting part is...

I often get on Biblegateway to look up verses and to do some research. Well, today when I happened on the website the verse of the day is...

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” Matthew 4:4 NIV

My morning was great at my favorite soft bread breakfast spot, but my day will never be complete or full of life, without the word of God!

Enjoy your day!

Weekend Fun!

This weekend was filled with blessings!

1. It was relaxing!
2. Lots of Sun time = TAN
3. Spent the entire weekend with 3 special kiddos!
4. Lots of time with Hubs... and some growth :)

With all the many blessings from the weekend, I also am continually reminded it is TOUGH being a woman! This weekend proved to me that I am not in control! My husband asked me last night what do you feel like God is teaching you through all of this (this being endometriosis and all the medicine I have taken or currently taking) My answer begrudgingly is... Patience and I am not in Control! I am not one for lack of control!

I am out of control of my emotions, I am out of control of the weight I am gaining despite how healthy I eat and the amount of exercise I do! So what do you do when life feels like its OUT OF CONTROL! First ... give it up! Its hard to do, but its best for you and all around you! I know when I try to take control... I act like a nut case trying to manage all those around me! It is not pleasant!

So give up control! Give it over to the Lord! He wants us to trust him with our lives and give it all to him!

So I am truly going to try and give it up! Not worry! Not worry about what I eat, what I wear, or what the future holds! Matthew 6: 25-34

This is very hard for a girl who always wants a plan and always wants to know what is next!

Trust God to do His magic! He is the only one who has the Power! Really no matter how Wacko I felt this weekend (I was a not so nice girl to those around me) It really was a blessed weekend!

PS-- I am so thankful for my husband who puts up with all my craziness! He listens to me cry about the same thing over and over and over and is so sweet each time! Thanks for being patient!

This is us celebrating his 32nd Birthday! He is a keeper!

Fast Forward Week!

This week has flown by! It is a perfect get back to work week after the 4th. Hubs and I are headed to the lake for the weekend for some R&R! We have been going going going for so long, I am excited to sleep in! Long walks, lots of grilling, reading, and sun bathing! I hope the weather holds! If not, I have already looked up movies at the theatre.

Lake weekends can turn into a 24/7 snack fest on junk food and ice cream! Not what I need right now after all I am in recovery week! So this is my game plan...

Drink lots of H2O...fizzy water is more fun so don't drink flat all day
Like I said earlier... grill grill grill... lean meats and fun veggies! Spice up your life and your food!
Work out every day! Working out at the lake is fun! Walk to town, Run a new path! Ride bikes, Play Tennis! Best part of it... Hubs and I work out together (well I guess we do almost every morning, but its more fun at the lake, no rush!)
Don't buy junk food!

I am vowing to eat Clean till my great friend Brooke gets married in August! WOO HOO! I have to fit into a bridesmaids dress! What doest eat clean mean... if it didn't come from God... don't eat it... Food shouldn't be made in a lab! Also, NO SUGAR!!!!! YIKES! I will be creative with my ice cream addiction! Hello Yogurt or Almond/Stevia Ice Cream like mixture!

I have lots of excitement so hopefully it will last... but I know the Hump will come! What helps you stick to a plan?

My Plan is to rely on the Lord to fill my heart and my belly! We don't need to turn to the world to fill us up! Oreos are fleeting but the Joy of the Lord is everlasting! The nutrients of God made food will benefit me for years to come!

Enjoy your weekend!

Time to SLOOOOW Down!

We have had such a busy week! 4th of July is always my favorite holiday of the year, it calls for late night firework shows, which means lack of sleep!

The past four days... we have seen countless displays of fireworks... eaten more than I care to admit. I think I had ice cream daily! Haven't worked out much and now feel 5lbs heavier! Ugh...what do you do after a busy holiday weekend to get back on track?

Here are my tips for slowing down and recovering from diet bust (which are good for you sometimes, but we have to get back on the health train)

1.Don't beat yourself up for enjoying a holiday!
2. Work out hard the day after!
3. Purge ALL sugar from your diet for a week or so
4. Eat lots of vegetables the week after
5. Have accountability to keep you going! After taking break it can be a challenge to start up again.
6. Make sure to go to bed early all week (need to recover from a busy holiday)
7. Don't beat yourself up for enjoying a holiday!

Hope you had a fun and safe 4th of July! We had a blast! Hubs even enjoyed fireworks with me!