{Still Recovering}

My word.

I've forgotten how terrible getting sick is.

Mostly I've felt better.

Last night my throat began hurting again and the cough just is not getting better.

I decided at 5:30 this morning to take some Delsyum P.M. cough medicine.

Yuck. Now I just feel groggy and tired.

With all that, I have not been back to the gym.

I am still eating better though.

Woot! 

Last night was my transition night to working nights.

I decided to meet the guys I work with at a local pub to watch the BCS game.

What a great game!

Talk about nail biting on both sides.

I was definitely rooting for Auburn since they are SEC.

Just to be clear though, I'll never root for Alabama.

I'm an LSU girl through and through. :)

*sigh*

Until next season, y'all!

{Food Prep}

For work today I made Dirty Shrimp and Beer last night.

This was posted by Shredding_Meals on Instagram.

My word. This was good.

I did change it up though just a tad.

Here's the original recipe:

DIRTY SHRIMP AND BEER. . - 2 lbs. shelled & deveined shrimp - 4 Tbsp. coconut oil - 2 Tsp. minced garlic - 1 Tsp. dried oregano - 1 Tsp. dried basil - 1 Tsp. dried thyme - 1 Tsp. cayenne pepper - 1/2 Tsp. crushed red pepper - 1/2 Tsp. sea salt - 1/2 Tsp. ground black pepper - 1/2 c. Beer DIRECTIONS - Sauté garlic and herbs in coconut oil until garlic is slightly browned. Add shrimp stirring constantly until shrimp are pink and done. Pour in beer, simmer 1-2 minutes. Serve and Enjoy !!

The only thing I changed was using Grapeseed Oil instead of coconut oil.

I don't have coconut oil and Grapeseed Oil has a good flavor to it also.

That's the only change I made.

I should've had enough shrimp for 2 work meals but my mom thought I was cooking dinner and not my lunch.  Who says no to Mom when she's been sick and took good care of me when I was sick?

I also made this amaze-balls Guacamole Quinoa with Mango side dish.

Talk about heaven in your mouth.

It's bursting with flavor and I loved it.

Another dish I made I got from online too but didn't save the link!!

Agh!! I hate doing this buuuuuuuuuuuuut, (and if it's yours please know I'd totally give you credit) it's a cup of yogurt and the original recipe calls for Nutella.  I don't remember how much exactly. Two tablespoons? 1/2 a cup? F*ck. I don't know because I didn't save the link.

Anyway, I hate hazelnut so did NOT buy Nutella.  Instead I bought a chocolate spread by Hershey's (in the same section as Nutella).  There is less sugar content in the chocolate spread than in Nutella. I checked.  I didn't check the rest but... Meh.

So, I used a cup of plain greek yogurt and whisked in a 1/2 cup of the chocolate spread.

It looks and tastes like a light and fluffy mousse. 

I plan on eating that with apple slices for a snack today.

I plan on going to the gym tomorrow after work for a light workout as well.

I've been feeling better, tired but better.

I still have a stupid cough.

Yuck.

Here's what I'm eating today:

                                  

{20 Things To Let Go Of Before The New Year}

So, I read this article a friend sent me earlier this week and I positively loved it.  The article itself is called 20 Things To Let Go Of Before The New Year.  I wanted to talk about it before the new year but getting sick got in the way.  So, here's my  thoughts on each item on the list and what I need to do to let go and get this year going on a good note.  

1. Let go of all thoughts that don't make you feel empowered and strong.

       - Ugh. It's true though.  There are too many thoughts going on in my head that do not make me feel empowered and strong.  I will definitely have to work on this but I'd like to say those days are gone.  I've been through and done too much to not feel empowered and strong.

2. Let go of feeling guilty for doing what you truly want to do.

      - I was feeling guilty for wanting to leave my current job.  My lead is a great guy and really worked to get me the job I'm in now.  However, I do want a job in my career field and that means leaving where I'm at and applying for a job at an art museum.  That's a scary change but once I know I can afford the pay cut, I'm absolutely going to try.

3. Let go of the fear of the unknown; take one small step and watch the path reveal itself.

      - As I mentioned above, the change to a new career field that I've never worked in before AND is a huge pay cut is scary as hell.  I won't let that stop me though and I'm working now on being able to afford it.

4. Let go of regrets; at one point in your life, that “whatever” was exactly what you wanted.

      - Last year is 365 days of regret.  I try not to regret anything but I thought a lot about everything that happened last year and what I "should have" done.  The point is taken though... at those moments, it was exactly what I wanted.  

5. Let go of worrying; worrying is like praying for what you don’t want.

      - The only thing I'm too worried about right now is passing a test I need to finish my Bachelor's degree and getting accepted into my Graduate school of choice. One of them I can control by studying my ass off for it and the other... Well, if I don't get accepted there are more schools out there.

6. Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for your own life. If you don’t like something, you have two choices, accept it or change it.

      - This is not something I really do.  If anything, it may be the complete opposite in that I take all the blame for everything.

7. Let go of thinking you are damaged; you matter, and the world needs you just as you are.

      - This may be a hard one for me also.  I do feel like I am damaged but the rational side of me says it's not true.  I will try my best to let this one go. I am not damaged. My experiences have made me who I am today.

8. Let go of thinking your dreams are not important; always follow your heart.

     -  Finding a career that suits me in an art museum is important to me and I will follow that.

9. Let go of being the “go-to person” for everyone, all the time; stop blowing yourself off and take care of yourself first … because you matter.

      - This mostly happens with one person in my life.  I do not know why I feel obligated to be there for him whenever he needs me.  That's the only time he makes an attempt to have me in his life.  I will stop this.  My feelings on the matter are important and I will no longer let myself feel used by him.

10. Let go of thinking everyone else is happier, more successful or better off than you. You are right where you need to be. Your journey is unfolding perfectly for you.

      - I really try not to live my life through other people.  

11. Let go of thinking there's a right and wrong way to do things or to see the world. Enjoy the contrast and celebrate the diversity and richness of life.

12. Let go of cheating on your future with your past. It’s time to move on and tell a new story.

      - Okay.  :-)

13. Let go of thinking you are not where you should be. You are right where you need to be to get to where you want to go, so start asking yourself where you want to go.

      - I'm working on it!  :)

14. Let go of anger toward ex lovers and family. We all deserve happiness and love; just because it is over doesn't mean the love was wrong.

      - This.  There is peace in letting go.

15. Let go of the need to do more and be more; for today, you've done the best you can, and that's enough.

16. Let go of thinking you have to know how to make it happen; we learn the way on the way.

17. Let go of your money woes — make a plan to pay off debt and focus on your abundance.

      - My plan is in place.  If it falls apart, I will make a new plan.

18. Let go of trying to save or change people. Everyone has her own path, and the best thing you can do is work on yourself and stop focusing on others.

      - There is no one I want to change.  Well, okay.  I would like to see my sister more independent but she's living hew own life right now and I can only be there for her when she needs me.

19. Let go of trying to fit in and be accepted by everyone. Your uniqueness is what makes you outstanding.

20. Let go of self-hate. You are not the shape of your body or the number on the scale. Who you are matters, and the world needs you as you are. Celebrate you!

      - This is a work in progress.  I don't necessarily have self-hate but sometimes there is self-dislike.

{So much to catch up on}

I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

Last Saturday was the day I was to begin eating better and working out more.

I did great with making and eating my food for the four days of work.

I even brought my workout clothes with me Saturday to work so as soon as I left work I could head over to the gym.

It was cold after work so I parked my car as close as I can get to our gym but it's still a short hike to it.  On the way to the gym, I felt something funny in my lungs as I was breathing. It just didn't feel right or normal but I attributed it to the cold air and the little hike.  I took my "before" pictures here. Yikes. Talk about scary.

Man, have I let myself go again.

That's okay though because I'm working on it.

Anyway, so these were taken December 28 and I weigh 153.6 pounds.

Today, I'm at 152 even. 1.6 pounds lost so far.

I did have to wear my HRM watch attached to my tank top that day and it worked the entire time.  I've found that if I wear it on my wrist then the watch will lose my HR and the results won't be accurate.  Until I change the battery in the watch, this method worked the entire time and I burned 620 calories during this workout!!  I know 307 of those calories were from the full body workout I did.

Even as I was working out, I could tell my breathing was off. Again, it just didn't feel right.  I'd decided to do 20 minutes on the elliptical and when I had 5 minutes left I was going to quit. I wanted to so very badly. I didn't though and just pushed through. I mean, 5 minutes. I could suffer through that.  Then I had a 10 minute cool down walk on the treadmill.  

The following day I woke-up with a terrible cough and sore throat.

I was sick all day at work.

I had to work nights Monday and Tuesday (NYE) but called out for Monday.

Fever, chills, headaches, cough, sore throat.

I was miserable!

Suffice it to say, eating well and workout out went out the window for the last few days.

Yesterday was the first day I ate semi-well.

I'm feeling much better but still have the cough.

I want to start back to the Boxing gym I joined.

I just haven't decided if I'm going to try to go back Saturday or Monday after work to make sure I'm well enough.

{Meal Prep}

I made meals for the next 4 days of work last night.

I made a large batch of chicken avocado salad (to go with a whole wheat pita).

4 Salads with the homemade ranch dressing (made with plain Greek yogurt).

4 days worth of egg muffins with chives and Canadian Bacon.

I've also got Gala apples, yogurt, oatmeal, and boiled eggs for breakfast and snacks.

Since I'm always tired after work, I'll pack a gym bag and head straight over to my work gym immediately after work.  That way I won't have any excuses.  Monday and Tuesday I should be able to hit the gym before my night shift.  If I'm up early enough those days I may even be able to go to my new boxing gym for a kickboxing or boxing class.

So, I tried out a new recipe last night for eggplant.  

Oh. My. Word.

Well, just one word... Delicious.

The recipe called to steam sliced eggplant in chicken broth, 3 minutes on each side with a lid covering it (I am a rebel and did not cover... or I just couldn't find the lid).

While that's steaming, press 2 garlic cloves and mix with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, and a dash of salt (I used sea salt).

Once the eggplant is done steaming on each side, add it to the mix.

It was amazing and I will forever make this dish.

I also asked my mom to go ahead and make those cinnamon rolls for us.

I didn't want to be in the middle of eating well and then eff up because of a cinnamon roll craving.

Since I was already craving it last night I figured I'd just get it out of the way.

{It's been too long}

Crap it's been way too long.

Now that school is {pretty much} over I can devote some time to the blog again.

School isn't quite over for me because I still need to take one more test.

It's a test for Intro to Philosophy so I don't have to take the actual class.

Womp Womp

I should find out sometime after Jan 31 if I got accepted to the Graduate School I applied to.

I {really} hope I got accepted since it's the only school I've applied to.  o_O

For the weight loss part of my life... Well, it's really more of a weight gain.

I've gained back every.single. effin. pound I lost earlier this year.

I am working on getting back on track though.

For instance, last night I {really} wanted to make the cinnamon rolls my mom bought and are in my fridge.

I even went so far as to go into the kitchen with the intent of making them.

Mind you, this was at 10:30pm.

I opened the first cabinet looking for the pan.

I opened the 2nd cabinet looking for the pan.

I did not see the pan.

I turned around and saw the packet of ranch dressing on the counter, of which my intent was to make a homemade dressing using plain Greek yogurt.

What do I do?

I make the dressing.

I cut-up a Roma tomato.

I cut-up 1/2 a cucumber.

I drizzle that homemade dressing on top and, Voila!

It IS what I ate instead.

I've been exercising off and on but more off than on.

I'm working on that also.

I got a Polar HRM watch and strap for Christmas so hopefully that will motivate me more.

I want to SEE how many calories I am burning.

I will work on using this blog to keep track of what's working and what's not working for me.

Oh, and I did decide to go through with cutting my hair.

{Pain, Pain - Go Away}

So, about a week and a half ago I finally tried out a Boxing class.

It was an insanely intense workout.

I hated it.

I loved it.

Seriously, it made me sign up for that gym it was so awful but wonderful.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to go back yet since that first class.

I am looking forward to trying out their kickboxing class also.

Because they are a smaller gym, the class times for boxing and kickboxing are limited and with my crazy schedule, it makes it harder to attend during the 4 days I work.

A week ago I tried snowboarding for the first time also
A week of firsts!!
Snowboarding was a lot of fun and I definitely learned some things.
For one, and most importantly, stay on the bunny slopes until I get comfy and know how to "steer" and stop.
Steering and stopping are key.
Here are a few photo's from that day.

This is actually the view on the way home.

Loveland Ski Resort

My mom and myself

These ski lifts go up to the 2nd run I did (and should not have done).

If you notice, there's a Y. The right side is where the bunny slope comes out at.
The left side is where the 2nd run I did comes out at (and the harder runs as well).

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I fell.
The 2nd run I did was the scariest to me. I'm afraid of heights so coming down the mountain scared me the most. Crazy, right?  I was lucky though and had 2 different friends stay with me on each run (the bunny and scary one). Overall, it was good times and I'll definitely go again.
I'm anxious to get it down pat so I can enjoy it fully.  :)

I had 2 really hard falls which made me thankful for the helmets.
The rest were easy falls.
I had lots of bumps and bruises though.
I didn't take a photo of the one directly below my ass cheek. haha