Apr 25, 2014

Josie and a New Blog



Via

Today, as I went out onto my driveway to watch my little ones play, I was reminded of my childhood.  Time stood still, for a moment.  My mind went quiet.  I felt the delicious wind rush through my long hair, and felt alive.  And really aware of the beauty of this world. 
I remember when I was a little girl.  I was a tom boy at heart and played outside for endless hours.  I didn't have a care in the world.  I didn't care about looking presentable, or if my make up was on, or even if I took a shower.  I didn't worry about getting dirty.  I just played.  And I loved being outside. 
In my adult life....my mind is always whirling over my endless to do lists.  Worrying about not being a good enough mom, or if other people will see me without make up and judge me that I have given up on myself, or if my house is clean enough, and the list goes on, and on, and on.
As I stood outside today,  I remembered how exquisite it felt to let all my worries go.  I hadn't taken a shower or put on make up.  I was out in my scrubby clothes because I had been cleaning.  And for a moment, I forgot all about my to do list.  I was acutely aware of what I looked like with my scrubs and no makeup, laying out on the sidewalk.  Yeah.  I laid down on the pavement, like I used to when I was a little kid.  I let my anxieties go.  Normally, I'm too uptight to do something like that, because I don't want to get my clothes or hair dirty, because that means more work for me that I don't have time for.  I then wondered how I became the way I am.  Caring about what others think, or letting pure and simple pleasures pass me by because I was in too much of a hurry.
 I was able to look up in the bright blue sky, with the sunshine warm on my skin, and the wind rustling by, and I felt happy.  I mean really happy.  Tears welled in my eyes as I realized the beauty of this place that I am in.  I've mentioned before that I have struggled living here in this small town in New Mexico.  At times I have felt that there is no beauty and that it is miserable here.  But as of recently, I've been noticing rare and beautiful treasures.  Which brings me to my next point.  I found a new blog.  It might be my favorite blog of all time.  It's called http://www.rareandbeautifultreasures.com/ .  The woman who writes this blog is an inspiration.  Her writing and photography skills are FANTASTIC.  I'm almost finished reading her entire blog.  She reminds us so beautifully of the simple things that bring true joy in life.  She is Christian and writes about God in a most beautiful way.  It will touch you deep down to your soul.  Beware if you read it.  I'm sure you'll find yourself in tears at some points along the way.
Next I wanted to talk about Josie.  I met this single, 24 year old young woman last night at a birthday party for a friend.  She woke something up in me that has been asleep for a long time.  I can't stop thinking about her.  When she walked into the room to greet everyone, it was like a ray of sunshine, filling the room.  She then proceeded to captivate every single woman in that room, with her "crazy" stories.  Her stories were about a project that she decided to do on her own.  She decided to travel all over the United States in her car, by herself, for 100 days.  During those 100 days, she interviewed 444 random people that she met along the way.  She slept in her car and showered at community swimming pools.  She asked questions like, "what is your biggest regret in life?", "what makes you the most happy?", etc. 
I think she is a free spirit.  Driven to find answers to some of life's most meaningful questions.  I used to be like her many years ago.  Free.  On top of the world, and thought I could do anything....and did. 
I am now a wife and mother.  I couldn't, or wouldn't give that up for ANYTHING.  It brings me more happiness than anything else in this earthly life.  But with this responsibility of caring for others, comes stress, that I inflict upon myself.  Like I said before, I wondered how I came to this point in my life, worrying about silly things that don't really matter.
After reading the above blog, and meeting Josie, I feel renewed and alive.  Like my old, carefree self.  It feels so wonderful.  I feel so blessed to have experienced these two things.  I know God puts these things in my life to lead and guide me, so I can experience a happiness and peace that is endless...even in this life.
Lastly, I wanted to mention a quote from a book that I am reading.  A woman asked a man who had previously lived in California, near the ocean, who currently was living in a dry,dry, desert in New Mexico, "Don't you miss the ocean?", to which the man replied, "The sky is my ocean!". 
If anyone knows me, they know I LOVE the water.  It can be a lake, or swimming pool, or ocean.  I love it all.  But here in New Mexico, the sky is truly gorgeous.  I have never seen anything quite like it.  The sunsets are spectacular.  Breathtaking. 
It really is about perspective, as I am reminded over and over again.  The sky here in beautiful, raw, New Mexico, truly is my ocean.  I thank God for letting me see clearly again and for putting beautiful people in my life to help me see and enjoy the rare and beautiful treasures that He has in store for us.

Xo,
Amber

Feb 6, 2014

Progress!

Okay peeps!  Here are a few meals I have been loving (WARNING: pics may look DISGUSTING...but trust...they are delicious!):

Ezekial toast with half mashed avocado, pico de gallo, and fried egg


Grilled chicken, apple, and walnut salad with fat free balsamic dressing






Grilled chicken, quinoa and pico
 
I made up a HUGE batch of pico, and use it to flavor everything....because I love the stuff! :)
Each of these meals was about 300 cals. 
Last weekend I was so ill, and wasn't able to work out until Wednesday of this week.  Also, on Saturday night, I had my cheat meal and cheated so bad I made myself ILL.  I probably stuffed my face with about 1300 cals of just dessert!  Plus a 300 cal dinner.  I was SICK.  I learned my lesson and will NOT do that again.  On top of eating myself sick...I had some sort of stomach bug.  I hardly ate anything on Sunday, except popsicles and saltines (not part of the diet).  It took me until Wednesday to get back on track with eating healthy again.  That is where my progress lays.  Usually when I fail with diet for a couple of days, I throw in the towel and don't get back on the wagon.  But I've done it!  I'm back to clean eating and feeling terrific!
My weight fluctuates a LOT, but as of this morning, I am only down a total of 5 1/2 lbs....so it seems I may have gained a lb....but I'm not going to let that get me down.  It could be from muscle gains?  I've been lifting heavier these last 2 weeks.  Most likely not...but I'm committed.  I know I need to believe in myself if I am to ever achieve my dream. 
My mind is weak sometimes, and fear takes over.  I start thinking negatively.  Putting myself down, or believing that I will never achieve what I dream of.  It's bad news.  I'm constantly reminding myself to think positively.  Eventually I will conquer my mind.  Baby steps.  I think the first step is to put up some positive quote on my wall, so I can read it everyday....something about believing in myself!  I'll let you know once I figure out which one I'm going to use.
Have a great night! 
xo,
Amber


Jan 25, 2014

At It Again...and again....and again!

Yet again.....I am trying to get into the best shape of my life! :)  My baby is now almost 17 months old, and I'm finally feeling ready as far as energy goes.  He just barely started sleeping through the night last month!  He still gets up every now and again....but mostly he sleeps.  Hallelujah!  Last year around this time, I took an 8 week challenge with a bunch of friends ($20 buy in) and the winner takes all.  I lost every "baby" pound during that challenge....but interesting enough, my waist was still 2" bigger.  I didn't do a lot of lifting...mostly cardio and diet.  Even though I was down to my pre-baby weight, I despised my body.  Then in August, I scaled back to 2 cardio sessions per week and stuffed my face with sugar and carbs like there was no tomorrow....for 4 long months.  Put on 10 lbs.  Ouch! 
Well enough is enough.  I finally hit the point to where I wanted to do something about it.  So, as of January 6th, I went off of sugar!  Oh my GOSH.  The headaches that followed were unbelievable!  I never knew a person could have withdrawal symptoms...but low and behold....I did.  It made me think about how horrible sugar actually is for the body.  I'm so glad I am off it now.  That first week...I dropped 5 lbs.  Insane.  You can only imagine how much sugar I was consuming.  I'm pretty sure that I have a very fast metabolism.  I should be obese from the amounts I was eating.  No joke.  Anyways, after that first week, I put a pound back on.  So after 3 weeks, I am down 4lbs.  I know that is not amazing.  I also know that you shouldn't lose more than 2 lbs/week.  So I'm okay with my progress.  I've been lifting weights (I know this will truly transform my body because I've done it before), which is probably why I am not losing as fast.  I'm following the plan I always follow, and my body responds incredibly to it:

5 meals a day at approx. 300 calories a pop (in these meals I make sure to have protein, complex carb (like brown rice, sweet potato, whole wheat tortilla, ezekial bread, whole wheat past, oats), and either fruit or vegetables.
If I feel really hungry, I'll eat a little more (maybe 200 cals more).
If I don't feel hungry, I eat anyways.  It's super important to fuel your body for the workouts, to grow your muscle and have the energy to workout.
I'm working out 5 days/week.  For the first 4 weeks, I am doing 4 days of weights (2 upper body, 2 lower body), and then 5 days of cardio for about 20 to 30 mins. 

I already feel so much better at only 3 weeks in.  I've lost a lot of bloat in my tummy (although it still looks atrocious), and the foods I eat don't make me feel sick or bloated.  I've found so many delicious healthy recipes on pinterest and instagram, and I've been LOVING the food I'm eating.  I still crave chocolate and sweets, but I keep it at bay by eating fruit, or cocoa powder mixed into banana, and oats and a little water.  Tonight I'm about to eat this:


It's not pretty (but of course you could make it look edible...I just didn't care), but it is divine!
Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream!  Yummm!  Recipe is as follows:

1 frozen banana
1 Tbsp of natural organic peanut butter (I used Trader Joes)
1/4 cup of skim milk

Put all ingredients in blender, blend until smooth,  then scoop into a bowl and freeze for 15 mins.  Easy, delicious, and yet still healthy.

I forgot to take "before" pics of myself at the beginning....but finally did today.  It is not pretty.  So, I'm not going to show them yet.  If, or actually....WHEN I make some serious progress....I'll think about posting them, just so you can see how much weights and the proper nutrition can transform ANYONE's body!
Hope you try the dessert recipe.  Also, I'm going to try and post more healthy recipes as time goes on.

xo,
Amber