Great Day! Did someone say Mac & Cheese?

Today was a good day. Make that a GREAT day.

I got up and did my C25K program, had a green monster shake and then went off on my first ever trip to Whole Foods. OMG! I'm in love! I wish it was closer. Its about an hour away, but I think I may make it a once a month destination. Great atmosphere, it appears to be decent pricing, lots of organics, and everything a healthy girl could want! :D

I was so excited to make a couple of new recipes that I got from Oh She Glows. If you haven't been to her site, click the link ASAP!  First I got distracted by making my own almond butter. I was able to grind my own at Whole Foods, so then I decided to come home and make more. After making some cocao almond butter I set off to make Vegan Mac & Cheese . I modified the recipe based on what I had on hand. First, it calls for cashews and I only had almonds. I forgot to pick them up at Whole Foods. *doh* They worked great but I highly recommend having a full size food processor. My tiny one made for a lot of extra work and I don't think the almonds were as smooth as they could have been. I used Turtle Mountain SoDelicious UNsweetened coconut milk instead of almond milk and I believe that worked just perfectly. Thick and creamy yet not sweet or coconut-y. I also used 1/2 cup of Nutritional Yeast because I really wanted a "cheesier" flavor and bright color. I'd maybe back down to 1/3 cup but overall I am SOO very pleased with how it turned out. I can't wait to try it again with the original ingredients.

Angela's Picture:

 

My less professional looking one: 

 

This was my first attempt at baking anything specifically Vegan. I'm SO happy with how it turned out. I am looking forward to trying more recipes soon. Next up is Protein Power Goddess Bowl.  Looks YUMMO!

Can't wait to get my workout on tomorrow and then make a Power Smoothie with another new discovery.... Chia Seeds!

Attitude of Gratitude

One of the things I put on my list for 2011 was to cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude. Each day I want to be aware of at least one thing to be grateful for. You can't be unhappy and grateful at the same time. ;) I don't think it is just me, but I know I tend to get sucked into the negative downward spiral sometimes. So I intend to create a habit that will help ward that cycle off. It will be so good to focus on my blessing and the positive things in my life. Things won't go perfectly this year- or at least not how I always plan them to go. But life will move forward and 2011 will turn into 2012. Instead of wasting energy focusing on what isn't right, perfect or all the pain and suffering, I will shift my focus to the positive so that I may be lifted up, reminded of how good I do have it, and that I might be truly thankful for my life.

Today, January 1st, 2011, I am thankful for all the positive energy a new year brings. For all the hopes, dreams, wishes and intentions for a great new year all coming together. I am thankful for the feeling of a fresh start- though each day gives us that chance, the energy of a new year is just bigger.


I recently got a book called Attitudes of Gratitude by M.J. Ryan. I'll be reading this and hoping to use it in developing a strong practice. :)

And here is My Official 2011 List

So the Bucket List remains the same.

The 2011 Goal List is here.

1. Over the course of the year donate 65-70lbs of fat energy and maintain that.
2. Get my own dog! 
3. Take pictures for and make a 2012 Calendar
4. Enter at least 4 photos in the Medina County Fair
5. Build my ViSalus business to the point that I am self-sustaining! National Director
6. Develop photography skills - do more photo shoots and group explorations! At least 6 photo shoots with models/friends and 6 explorations.
7. Develop business plan for photography business
8. Go hiking at least 4x 
9. Go camping at least 2x
10. Become a Tea Connoisseur- learn the art, methodologies, history, etc
    
11. Run a 5K
12. Run a 10K 
13. Raise money for Alzheimer's Research- participate in a Memory Walk
14. Cleanse, De-clutter & Purge un-needed items- SIMPLIFY my life
15. Do PIN UP calendar- as the model!
16. Transition to a more whole foods and vegan diet
17. Watch at least 1 Cary Grant film a month
18. Improve my Photoshop Skills
19. Go on 2 Wine Tours
20. Blog at least 1x a week
21. Go to the Arnold and take lots of pictures!
22. Vacation out of state- NYC, FLA, Portland, or OBX?
23. Do 100 Push Ups
24. Spend more time with family
25. Everyday find at least one thing to be Grateful for. Attitude of Gratitude
26. NO ice cream in 2011
27. Sugar Detox- this will go in line with other parts of the diet shift- but won't coincide with the wine tours!
28. Shop at more Farmer's Markets
29. Grow some herbs and veggies
30. Develop Yoga Practice

Its a big list I guess! Many things will overlap and many are processes that I hope to say I developed and/or completed by this time next year. Somethings are just plain accomplishments with deadlines. I know it seems like a lot but I should be able to accomplish this list. :)

BRING IT 2011!

Reflections on 2010

I am going through my lists of last year. I went through my blog posts. A couple of things stood out to me.

First, I need to blog more! LOL When I blog I tend to stay on fire. I guess I felt like no one was really reading it anyway so I stopped, but I need to keep at it! I was amazed at the things I wrote. As I re-read the posts, I was like - Wow, I wrote that? LOL

Second piece edited out for personal reasons.

Third- Here is my blog post from last year

Bucket List & 2010

So the holiday season has kept me abundantly busy at work. I have been super busy and sick on top of it. Great combination to wipe someone out. During my brief downtimes I came up with a bucket list. I won't accomplish all this in 2010. Its meant to be more of a long term list. I would love to accomplish some select things. I will highlight those...
BUCKET LIST

1. Go Skydiving
2. Ride horses again
3. Photograph in Africa
4. Photograph in Galapagos
5. Compete in Figure/Bikini Contest
6. Learn to fire a gun
7. Take martial arts class (tbd)
8. Learn to ballroom & Latin dance
9. Run a 5k
10. Play the guitar
11. Run my own photography business
12. Do 100 push ups
13. Go to England
14. Go to Italy
15. Make my own pasta from scratch
16. Do pin up calendar
17. Go downhill skiing
18. Accomplish the these yoga poses: Scorpion, Crane, Headstand, Wheel- variations too
19. Own and train dogs
20. Go ice skating in Central Park
21. Visit NYC
22. See the Redwoods in California
23. Visit Portland, OR
24. Hike the Appalachian Trail
25. Do a fitness photoshoot- as the model not photographer!

2010 Goals-

1. Hit goal weight
2. MAINTAIN healthy goal weight. (may fluctuate from comp weight)
3. Compete with my Diva friends in at least one show.
4. Do fitness photoshoot as model
5. Do pin up calendar
6. Do photoshoots for friends and new clients
7. Go skydiving
8. Increase Photoshop skills
9. Get more photography equipment
10. Go hiking and camping at least 3x !
11. Enter photos in contests
12. Go on at least 1 wine tour
13. Do 2010 Calendar
14. Run a 5k
15. Learn one ballroom dance
16. Go ice skating in central park (this may have to wait til Jan 2011 depending on my job situation)
17. Consume more organic foods
18. Be more environmentally friendly
19. Learn more about Alzheimer's
20. Put scrapbook together for my grandma (to help her with her struggle with Alzheimer's)


I'll say that I didn't accomplish all that much on my list. :( I did accomplish a lot not on the list though. I have 2011 already ramped up to achieve quite a bit off the Bucket List and Goal List. New Goal List coming soon. I just thought it was good to reflect on 2010 first.

I really did learn a lot this year. Even though I didn't make all my goals it sure wasn't a wasted year.

Motivational Quotes...

"We are repeatedly what we do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."— Aristotle

"Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." ~ Glade Byron Addams 

I'm feeling great. More energy and really excited about the direction my life is headed.

Life is GOOD. :)

Day TWO of my ViSalus 90 Day Challenge

Day Two is here!! :)

Day One was a success!
I ate healthy and I wasn't starving all day. These shakes taste wonderful and they are filling. The nutrition packed into them is amazing and it makes me feel good to know I am getting quality nutrients.
I discovered Coconut Milk last night!!! OH MY! It was like heaven! I used frozen peaches, coconut milk and blended it up in my magic bullet. SUPER YUMMO!!! It was like ice cream! This morning I used bananas and ice and it was much more drinkable instead of eatable. :P Frozen bananas would have made it like ice cream again.

I have more energy today. Not sure what its from, but I'm rolling with it! It feels awesome to feel good!

Day ONE of my ViSalus 90 Day Challenge

DAY ONE!

Day One is always a good day. Fresh start, new program. It always feels good to me. It feels like I get a new chance to make my dreams and goals happen. On the down side, it means pictures. I hate taking pictures and measurements. I know I will be proud of the changes I make but UGH!
It hurts to look at where I am. I have to accept that I let myself go, that I was hurting and the only way I made myself feel better was with food. I have to accept that I hid away, slept a lot and that meant not exercising much at all. It hurts to face the pains that brought me to this place, but its okay. I'm safe and and filled with hope. My current state of being is only temporary. I will change my body with proper nutrition and exercise. I will also love it for keeping me safe, being strong enough to carry the extra baggage when my mind and heart couldn't. 
Today is DAY ONE of an awesome opportunity. I GET TO make healthy choices. I GET TO be positive. I GET TO track my progress from this point forward. And one day I will GET TO be an inspiration hopefully to someone else. I GET TO use my weight loss and health building to encourage others and earn income while doing it. Today, I start a new chapter that will lead to many more positive chapters in my life!

My SUPER YUMMY ViSalus shake this morning was an Eggnog Shake. I used a raw egg in it (I guess I've never been afraid of that....) pumpkin pie spice, almond milk, ice cubes and 2 scoops of Vi-Shape powder.  It was SOOO fantastic and filling!

Starting Measurements:
Weight- 206
Chest- 41" / 38" (across breasts / above)
Waist- 31" ( this one is particularly painful!)
Hips/Butt- 46" / 48"
Thighs- widest and above knee - 30" / 21"
Arms-13.25"
Calves-15"

I am resisting the urge to bawl my eyes out and begin a tirade of hateful self flagellation. Instead I am saying thanks to my body for the good blood work I had, for not failing me despite my failing to care for it properly and for protecting me the best way it knew how. The transformation and healing have begun. I can't wait to post the end results on Day 91. You won't see pics until then!

If anyone wants to join in, check it out: