Making it a Habit

One thing that had been keeping me busy was training for my first 5k race : ) From Sept. to Oct. I was trying to "love" running, but let me just tell you there is NOthing to love about running... ha! I was running mostly on the treadmill and I was really trying to stick with it this time. I have not been able get into a running routine before, I just prefer the e-machine. However, I was challenged to do a 5k and I CANNOT turn down a challenge ; )

During the month of training I continued to become frustrated b/c I could never find a passion for it, but I finally accepted the idea that NO one "loves" running, but it becomes a habit. You learn to use that time to think over the day, de-stress, for me talk with the LORD and be at peace. I am proud to say I over came my hatred for running and had an AMAZING time running my first 5k on 10-10-10. I really like the idea of accomplishing something that most people have never even consider doing. I AM A 5ker ; )

P.S. I was REALLY inspired by the half and full marathon runners, but I NEVER plan on doing that! If you ever want to be inspired to run just go watch the ending of their races and cheer them on to the finish line... it is AMAZING! Now I just have to keep up with my running and I definitely plan on doing another 5k run!

I Challenge YOU to take on a Challenge for yourself! 
What have you been putting off lately?

Too Long - Still Inspired

It has been way tooo long since my last post... During summer it was easy to keep up with this and to keep up with my photography. Now with school I get so busy grading papers, preparing lessons, attending small town functions, and READING so many amazing books I never seem to be able to sit down to post. (Currently reading The Host, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda ; ) and The Five Love Languages.)

I will post more updates of what has been keeping me so busy lately... first I would like to share this awe inspiring artist that is working on 50 State Dresses, amazing work and photography. The Willow Creek Dress in Wyoming is AMAZING!

Current Dilemma - What to be for Halloween?

Awe Inspired by New Dress a Day

Check out this amazing journey...
New Dress a Day: 365 Days. 365 New Outfits. 365 Dollars
Inspiring and SO CREATIVE...
I really wish I knew how to sew like that!

BEFORE

AFTER

 

I also love that she loves EAT, PRAY, LOVE which I have 

ALMOST finished!

I hope you are finding things each day that 

inspire your creativity!

It may come in unusual ways ; )

Secret Obsessions

Okay, they may not be obsessions but here are a few things that I just love! I LOVE coffee mugs/travel mugs/water bottles/cups! 

Example my newest addition on the right:

This blue lovely cup comes with an attached lid and straw... I seem to have an obsession for straws as well! The pink one on the the left is my trusty water bottle that I keep filled for school! Tip for consuming more water - add a packet of Splenda to it! I love the hint of sweetness in my water that the Splenda gives it and it keeps me coming back for more WATER! By the way I ALWAYS find these cups on sale like the blue one I found today at Ross for 2 bucks and the pink one I found at Walmart for a dollar last summer when they put all their plastic things on clearance! My hubby did not understand how I could get so excited about a cup : )

Next new found obsession is COUPONS! :) Yes, I am that crazy woman that holds up the line with 10 different coupons, but hey if it saves me a little here and there then I can splurge a little on something else!

The picture below shows how I saved 6 dollars on make-up/toiletry items today... just something small that makes me smile! I love to leave coupons on items at the store when I don't use them/need them right now and the the coupon is about to expire! 

And one more random obsession EMINEM... yes I know, but I have always had a secret love for his music and maybe a little for his "bad boy" image. Do you have any secret/fun obsessions that most people don't know about you?  Also, anyone know of any good coupon websites that are worth my time and effort?

Montego's View

Just something that makes me smile!

Picture from behind Montego towards his Daddy wakeboarding.

Another thing that makes me smile is that last night my husband and I 

went to Dairy Queen and got our own mini blizzards... 

maybe that wasn't such a good find ; ) Means more time in the gym... haha! 

It was the perfect sized treat and we both like different blizzards so it works out where we can get our own and not waste any!

Hope you find the small things to smile about today! : )

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.

Finding Joy in the Simple Things

Okay this post maybe random, but I warned you ; )

So I am starting to find joy in the simple things for example working out. I know this sounds crazy, trust me I am not the workout type. However, I have begun to enjoy it b/c this time I am doing it for ME! I am a short person with a short torso and there is only one place for fat to go... well I have tried many times over the years to get into working out and I believe I just haven't done it for the right reason... its been for weddings, my wedding included, beach body, being single, looking good for a boyfriend, etc. Now, I am doing just for me! Simple thing turned from hatred to joy in each step!

While I was at the gym today the World Cup was on, I am not one to get into this, but I noticed something... when a player makes a goal there is pure joy on their faces after wards. It was amazing to just watch the joy take over the team, the coaches, the fans when someone scored a goal! May I also add that those soccer boys look good doing what they find joy in. I just wonder how do they keep their hair looking that good while playing!?!?!

Tonight the husband is away so I am going find joy in the Chipmunks Squeakquel ; ) I know sounds childish, but when I was little I ALWAYS thought there should be a Chipmunks movie and now there is two!!

Find joy in the little things, happiness doesn't "just happen" you have to make it happen. A pessimistic person can make anything a chore, but an optimistic person finds joy all around them!

~Picture of a salt/pepper shaker set that I HAD to buy b/c I thought it was cute, but now I just see pure joy!~

Trying to become a Crafty DIYer!

I have been dying to find a cheap/creative way to organize my jewelry and the one type I have a lot of is earrings... not much of a girlie girl, but trying to learn : ) Anyways, I was "antiquing" with my mother in-law Friday and found this screen for $3

Expandable and all... Well as with many things I knew a can of spray paint could fix this right up!

The perfect little earring holder and now I realized I don't have that many earrings... hum!

Next project... turn this 5 dollar find:

Into... idea/pic borrowed from another blog

a planter for around the tool shed!

Again, I am in no way a DIYer, but with small projects I am trying to learn to be crafty everyday!