My new Polar heart rate monitor

Worked out with my hubs yesterday with my new Polar heart rate monitor for the 1st time and it was really informative. I strapped it around my chest and turned on my watch and was amazed at how my body reacted to different activities. I learned that A) the elliptical is a liar and I'm not burning nearly as many calories as I thought. B) brisk walking burns WAY more calories than I thought and C) going up and down stairs burns the most calories thus far. So I will no longer feel guilty skipping the elliptical to walk an extra 45min AND I will continue using stairs in my work outs!!! :-) Have a great weekend everyone!! ♥

His grace is sufficient

God doesn't pick the qualified, He qualifies the chosen! Don't let anyone in or out of church make you feel that you don't have a place within the body of Christ because you do! 

My foot update

               As you know if you've been following my posts from my other blog and some of this one that I fractured my foot in early December because of my stupid Reebok easy tone shoes (never again!!!!). Well my foot has made great progress but it's still not normal. My doc told me to wear tennis shoes for the next three months, which would be until June. I'm able to walk and work out, but my foot still hurts every morning, if I walk in bumpy or slightly slanted ground and just randomly some days. I wonder if it will ever be perfect again? The doc said there is no point in having surgery and would not recommend it because it's to small to put a pin in. All in all I'm grateful to be walking, but I'm believe God for full and total healing. It's only been 5 months and to me that seems like forever, but according my doc and my mom (who is a nurse) 5 mths is usually the quickest a fracture heals and most take about 8-12mths to fully recover, so I'm not worried.

               My work outs have been fairly consistent but not as consistent as I'd like. My hubs says he can see a difference which keeps me motivated. The biggest thing is keeping my emotions in check. It's been such a hard season for me (the last 3-4 years). I guess no one really knows all I've been through. One day when I write my testimony it will make more sense to everyone I guess. It's crazy how much our emotions can dictate the foods we crave, the amount we eat and our motivation to work out. I'm thankful I have a husband that's full of wisdom and who is willing to listen to me vent. There is so much freedom in talking to someone.

               Life is never easy, but it's these hard times that can develop the best in us if we let them. God is faithful to carry us through whatever we're facing.

Work outs lately

Lately my workout routine consists of me walking 2-3 miles three mornings a week, doing 40min on the elliptical (-400 calories)three evenings a week, and every other day switching between arm weights (I posted a pic of my arm routine awhile ago), abs and squats. :-) I'm also tracking my calories on an app on my iPhone, which I love. My calorie goal each day is 1,200.

I've learned that keeping myself accountable to my calorie intake is HUGE. Honestly, most of America is completely deceived about how many calories they are consuming and it's not even their fault. Some things are just INSANE! Try getting a meal at chick-fil-a under 1,000 calories! VERY HARD! I've figured out a few ways by mixing and matching, but it was seriously hard! The reason I use chick-fil-a as an example is because many view it as "healthier" than other fast food places. I personally hardly go out to eat for many weird personal reasons lol.

I've never seen much success in the weight loss department. I believe one day we will look back at the stupidity of all this weight loss junk and realize it's ALL HORMONES! Everything is tied up with hormones! Our skin, our weight and our emotions. So many products contain hormones that mess up people's balance, especially women because they are more hormonally complex than men. When we think of hormones the first thing most people think about is food, but hair styling products, makeup that we wear on our face ALL DAY and more all contain chemicals and hormones. CRAZY, right!?!?

Anyways I'll post another weight loss update soon. I have yet to weigh myself! I'm so scared because I fractured my foot in two places in early December and stopped working out completely until recently. I was pretty sedentary through the high calorie holidays. I don't want to see the damage on the scale.So, I'm going to wait till my pants start feeling big, then weigh myself. :-/

Supporters

I'm learning how special supporters are because they are so few and far between. Supports are a beautiful breed of people who celebrate others gifts, talents and adventure. Most would like to consider themselves supportive, but the fruit of a supporter is action. :-)

Fearless

This song has really been giving my feelings a voice. There is such freedom when you find an expression.

Ruby

I've been watching the Ruby series on Netflix and it's been so eye opening. I'm sad I only have 2 more episodes left because Ruby feels like my friend now lol. If you have Netflix and struggle with your weight you should totally check it out. The show follows 700lb Ruby on her weight loss journey, on her path to recovery she visits with lots of counselors and trainers who all share very insightful advise. You also get to know her friends and other interesting characters that help her along the way.  I've found myself laughing at Ruby's fun personality and crying at the pain she uncovers on her way. I think anyone who struggles in this area to any degree will benefit from Ruby's journey. Truly a great show! :-)

Seventy Times Seven

This season has been such a roller coaster emotionally, seriously! So, I wrote this short little devotional to express the healing that's going on inside of me for my ministry blog and thought I'd share it here on my personal blog as well. :-)

Seventy Times Seven

The key to unity is forgiveness.

It's easy to look at others actions toward us and be  upset, but honestly, we need to look at all the stupid, careless and hurtful things we've done. When we see our own short comings we will have more grace and mercy on others. Trust me, it works for me when I'm feeling hurt by someone.

How many foolish things have we done in our younger less mature years? That should be enough  for us to cut others some slack no matter the offense. Plus, loving people in spite of their bad behavior is when it counts. That's what God does for us! :-)

 Matthew 5:46-48 The Message says, "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

This is something we should all reflect upon in every season of our life because every new season comes with new hurts and pains, but those things don't have to rip us apart. We can't still maintain unity if we continue to forgive.

Seventy times seven!! :-)

Yum Yum Coffee!!

I've been having to stay at my parent's house because the roofers have been fixing the roof all week and talk about LOUD!! It felt like an earthquake shaking the walls and pictures frames! I'm so thankful I live near my family.

Well, while staying at my parents I got to have the BEST COFFEE ever! They have a Keurig K-Cup brewer and it's OMGOSH good!! It brews the perfect cup of coffee. If I could have coffee like that everyday I'd be addicted! I now know what I want for next Christmas!! ha-ha :-)

Hazelnut coffee with some cream and Cinnamon

Walking without my boot

Today my hubs and I took Winston on a short walk and I didn't wear my boot! I wore BOTH tennis shoes! I haven't had a real shoe on my left foot since early December! I'm so excited because there was no pain! I believe my foot has finally started the next phase of healing! :-) Thank you Jesus! My doc suggested I wear my book for 3 more wks but did say I could slowly try to walk without it here and there. :-) Hopefully I'll be speed walking the whole 3 mile trail in no time. I miss it so much!

 My hubs and our son, Winston.

Lemon Bars - My 1st Attempt

I love LEMON!

These were surprisingly easy!


Cake Crust Layer:

1 package Lemon cake Mix
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, slightly beaten

Combine and mix with fork. Press down in a 9x13 pan with greased bottom. Set aside while you work on next layers.

Middle layer/Frosting:
2-3 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons butter
Lemon Juice
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, room temp.
2 eggs

Preheat over to 350
Mix powdered sugar and butter
Add enough lemon juice to form a thick frosting (a little goes a long way).
Then mix in cream cheese.
Set aside 1cup of frosting to speak on top after baking (don't skip this step!)

Add eggs to remaining frosting mixture and beat til fluffy.
Spread on top of crust layer
Bake for 20-30 min (every over is different so watch carefully. You don't what them overdone)
Let cool completely and then spread reserved frosting mixture on top

YUM! :-)

Fracture

I went to the podiatrist today and got my 3rd set of X-rays done on my foot. There was no change in my X-rays but doc said he treats the patient not the X-ray and all that matters is my pain level. People's bones heal differently and as long as I'm not in pain and happy with results it's all good. This was actually the first week my foot felt like it was almost normal! So doc was happy to hear it and says to wear boot for 3 more wks and then he will start having me walk without it off and on. It's been a long slow process but I've met ppl I would of never met otherwise so I pray I'm a blessing and testimony of HIS love and faithfulness everywhere I go! :-)

My Current Arm Workouts!

Affirmation

"Words of affirmation have unbelievable power. More power than you can imagine. Words can heal, they can bless, they can open doors of opportunity, and they can bring you untold abundance...........On the darker side however... words can also harm, hurt, destroy and keep you in a state of lack. They can cause hate, fear, wars and create total chaos."

A new lifestyle

Despite all the unhealthy pics of food in the last two posts I am on a "diet". I say "diet" but truly it's a lifestyle change. My hubs and I eat fish, veggies and other healthy things. I avoid cooking with oils or butter and I'm weening my hubs off yellow cheese (only on special occasions)! We were working out so well until I fractured my foot in two places! I've been unable to work out since early December. Talk about depressing! Blah! I finally got enough motivation to start doing arm weights, which has lifted my spirits a bit. Truly, working out releases the happy vibes in my body ha-ha. It's like an all natural anti-depressant! :-) We used to walk 3 miles on a trail behind our place, and then do an hour on the elliptical! I miss it so much!

Now that Valentines is behind us I need to get my act together and start counting calories again! I feel like I've back slid so far this week! Monday, Monday, Monday! I'm starting over Monday! Yes I could start over tomorrow but....umm...MONDAY! :-P

Anyway, I think I've finally got my hubs loving Almond Milk. Yay!!

Our First Valentines

 My hubs is a cookie monster! He can't turn down a cookie cake! lol

 

My hubs wanted me to wear my sailor outfit! He loves it! I need to find him a new favorite! I'm getting tired of wearing it! ha-ha  :-)

My husband at Red Lobster! He is so handsome! We love our sea food! :-)

 My Maple glazed salmon  and shrimp on a bed of wild rice and side of steamed broccoli.

 Gigi's cupcakes are AMAZING!! Find a store near you! Seriously! BEST EVER!

My yummy LEMON cupcake and my hubs CHOCOLATE cupcake

 

I love rubies! *It's my birthstone*

 My husband is the best! He knows what I like! :-)

He also got me my first pair to TOMS! I love the pink sparkles! :-)

 I love this cutie!! <3 I got him some shirts from his favorite clothing store, Express! My husband loves clothes more than he loves cookies! :-) lol *smile*

Our 1st Pizza

I must admit, it was so fun making our first homemade pizza together as a married couple! I'm pretty sure it wont be our last and they will only get more and more creative from here! :-) I love having so many firsts together. It's such a special season for us.

New Blog

This is my first post on my new personal blog! I'm really excited! I figured it's best if I keep everything separated, like food, home decor, devotionals and my personal life.