A Challenge

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Great challenge, really makes you think, but difficult to get into... partially due to a very random thought process.

Would recommend to others, even passing it on to a good friend!

Will you take the challenge to see 
the little gifts all around you?

Friday no Saturday no Sunday no Monday Five

Ha, so I was attempting to make this post on Friday and next thing I knew the weekend flew by. So instead of Random Five Friday it has now turned into Random Five Monday...

1. Make You Smile Project

My mother in-law had surgery therefore I set out to make her another flower arrangement in a coffee mug that matches her previous one, this time with carnations (that's her fav flower).

2. Rant and Rav

So, I don't usually post about make-up, but I really feel ripped off on this new mascara that I picked up in purple. It is by the same company that I love their Define-a-Lash (green tube), because I have really long eyelashes and therefore do not need much for my eyelashes. However, stay way from their "Falsies" just leaves my eyelashes chunky.


3. Just finished a fun book...

I started reading the Sky is Everywhere after it was suggested by Olivia Carter from Gnome Sweet Gnome, she has an awesome book list called Year of Books to check out! I really enjoyed this book which had a different kind of love triangle going on, lots of emotions, and also brings out your creative side/thinking.

4. Finished an Eating Challenge
I tried this 7-day eating plan called Eat to Loose Pounds to rev up my metabolism and I am very proud to report I DID IT! It felt really good to be able to resist LOTS of temptations, especially on V-day! I stuck to it lost a few pounds as a bonus, but gained so much confidence in my determination to eat healthy everyday. I no longer like the word "diet", but enjoy the challenge of eating healthier choices to make my body run like a machine ; )

5. 2nd 5k of 2011
Another challenge I want to try to tackle this year is at least 1 5k per month for the year. I just started running these at the end of last year (2 total) and have become addicted! NO I don't just LOVE running, but I have learned to enjoy the challenge. "Quitting is forever, pain is temporary!" So, I ran one in Jan. in Houston, this weekend I will be running one in Fort Worth, signed up for one in Tyler for March, and look forward to running the Blue Bell race in April! 2 down 10 more to go!

Coupons! Coupons! Coupons!

Just got back from Walmart and saved 15 dollars in coupons... these websites are easy to use and do not require membership!

Red Plum Coupons

Smart Source Coupons

Coupons.com

One of my goals lately is to get back into coupons and not buying things just b/c I have a coupon... but instead finding coupons for what I know I normally purchase. Well, so far this goal has bee successfully lets see if eating better will be!

Dreaming of Summer Vacation...

 

Dreaming of Summer Vacation and BEACHES!

Interesting Fact:

About 80% of all vacations are completely charged and the average cost of a vacation is $3,155.  – Third Age Survey

Glad I have my July cruise booked and paid for even before the money is due! I believe we all deserve a break, but don't put yourself into debt over the belief you deserve that high priced trip. There are many ways to get away without even going anywhere! 

Save your money up and have it paid for before you book that trip! 

August Already

Well, I realized it has been over a month since my last post! Sorry for being a slow blogger! I guess my summer goal of blogging once a week is WAY out of the picture! O Well! I included pics from our Cancun trip... which was AMAZING! We had the opportunity to go with another couple and stay at The Royal in Cancun (HIGHLY recommended). I realized after looking at these pics I must have an obsession with taking pics of my feet, but then it hit me its just My View : )

Enjoying the last bit of my summer since August means the start of a new school year, but a plus this year it means my 1st anniversary with my hubby AND my 25th b-day! The Cancun trip was our anniversary celebration since the couple that went with us will also celebrate their first ann. this Sept., but he will be in Afghanistan by then : ( For my b-day present I got a heart rate monitor watch/chest band to keep me motivated with my exercising!

I guess that is enough for now, but what keeps you motivated to exercise? Are there any really fun workouts that just keep you going?

Sweet Treat

Another rave goes out to a new peanut butter I have tried from Peanut Butter & Co. I first tried their Dark Chocolate Dream and used it with bananas in my Green Monster for a sweet twist! After trying this flavor out in their sample/individual sized squeeze pack I decided to invest in the White Chocolate Wonderful in the full size. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! At 180 calories for 2 tablespoons it is similar if not better than normal peanut butter. I have chosen to use this on my Bagel Thins in the morning and it is a nice change to regular peanut butter. So, if you are looking for something to tame that sweet tooth or you are one that likes fluff-a-nutter sandwiches check this out!

I promise my next post will be about something other than food and I will include better photographs ; ) Hope you are enjoying the "sweet" life!

Trying New Things - Food Rants and Raves

Came home today to find my flaxseed in the mail! Super excited about trying to use it in my Green Monsters! I am just trying to find small ways to become a healthier eater and trying to see food more as fuel for my body than just something I consume!

Well, that inspired me to post about some of the  new foods I have tried this week... Bagel Thins, Sandwich Thins, and Greek Yogurt. I love, love, love the bagel thins... everyone tells you to stay away from bagels b/c of high calories, however now I can enjoy one at 110 calories (BOTH SIDES) and consume some whole grains. I even found Philadelphia Low-fat Strawberry Cream Cheese at 2tbl./40 cals. Really hit the spot for my craving of bagels. Also, been eating 1/2 of a bagel with PB for breakfast along side a small green monster, great way to start the day!

A lot like the bagel thins is Sandwich Thins which I enjoyed with avocado and turkey for lunch the other day. It was yummy and another way to get in some whole grains! However, there are many breads out there that are low in cal like Nature's Own Honey Wheat Light 2 slices/80 cals. So, its a toss up on the healthy side, but a good way to change up the sandwiches!

One last new food item Greek Yogurt... I have heard SO much about this product and how great the protein is in them, but I was hesitant to test it out. I just was afraid of the taste and texture. However, I was surprised by the texture was not strange at all... the yogurt just tastes very plain. Thought I had the plain flavor, but I actually picked up the honey vanilla and did not find it to taste anything like its name. I just added some fresh raspberries to the mix and enjoyed this high protein snack after working out. Don't think I will pick this one up again at $1 6 oz/130 cal. I'll probably just stick to my light regular yogurt.

Well, again I would like to just point out I am NOT a healthy nut nor workout junkie, but I know its the small things that can turn into bigger things and maybe just maybe become a habit! I hope I did not bore you and instead inspired you to think about what you are eating and why you are eating it.

Rants and Raves

First the Raves, I have completed one of my summer goals to finish reading Catching Fire and boy am I glad I did. I completed the book in four days and now I am left waiting until after summer to finish the series when Mockingjay comes out! This series starting with Hunger Games has a very strange concept, but is worth the time! Again, being a middle school teacher I enjoy books from their library ; )

Now for the rants... UGH I looked at our flight schedule for Cancun and noticed that I could pick seats for the four of us however when I completed selection for both departing and returning flights I noticed it wanted me to check-out... turns out they will allow you to pick your seats for an extra 8 dollars a person per flight!!! This on top of having to pay 20 bucks (one way) for our first bag, and let me remind you this is an INTERNATIONAL flight,is just plain rediculous!!!

Okay, rant over!Hopefully more Raves to come!

~ Pictures of waves from Canyon Lake, By ME, Inspiration the thought of sitting on the beach in Cancun Finally!~