Detox Water

I've posted this before.  I haven't made it in a while.  I started my new job and have been struggling drinking water.  It's hard even using my Brita water bottle. The only water I can use to fill my bottle is the water fountains.  But they either don't come up high enough or are hot water or even warm.  It's hard to find cold water.  And even with the filter, the water is weird.  So I've decided to prepare detox water in water bottles the night before.  I'll make it a rule for myself to drink both by the end of the day.  That way I don't complain about the water and I hydrate.

Are you drinking enough water?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Keep Going

This is so true.  There's times where I feel like I can't go anymore.  I don't want to eat another salad because I want french fries or I'm sore and don't want to workout that day.  But if you push through it and keep going, that's when you'll start seeing a change.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Gratefulness

March 23 - I am grateful for my new job and for time to improve.

March 27 - I am grateful for my parents.  They always show how much they care and love me.  They always show their support and how proud they are of me.  I cannot put into words how grateful I am that they are my parents and that we have a good relationship.

March 28 - I am grateful that I get to see one of my best friends tonight while he's passing through town.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Stretches

Love all these!

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Pad Thai

I love Pad Thai.  One of my favorite dishes.  I've been trying to cook at home and to not order out often.  So after completing a full week at my new job, I made myself this delicious Vegetable Pad Thai and had a glass of white wine.  Watching Big Bang Theory following a delicious meal made for a very nice evening.

This Pad Thai can be microwaved or sauteed in a pan.  I did the latter.  It came out delicious.  I loved how I could see all the vegetables and it wasn't fake looking.

What are some of your favorite dishes?

"Keep Moving Forward"

New Toy

As a present to myself, I bought an elliptical!  I've wanted one for years.  I thought that this was the right time.  It also acted as a congratulatory gift to myself for my new job.

I love this elliptical!  You can use it standing up and sitting down.  Plus it was on sale for $100!

I love sales.  And I'm glad that this was a positive gift to myself versus celebrating with food.

How do you like to celebrate your accomplishments?

"Keep Moving Forward"

One Small Change at a Time

So true.

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Gratefulness

This week has brought change that I welcomed and celebrated.

March 16 - I am grateful for a wonderful first day on the job as an educational interpreter!

March 17 - I am grateful for being independent.  Being my own person keeps me sane.

March 20 - I am grateful for a wonderful first week on the job as an interpreter!  I'm also grateful for a wonderful night celebrating to myself with Big Bang Theory, pad thai and orange meatless chicken, and wine.  Great night.

What are you grateful for?

"Keep Moving Forward"

New Job Adventure

This week I started a new job as a sign language interpreter at a high school.  I now have a job in my chosen field that I have a degree in!  Yay!  It's a lot of work, can be overwhelming at times, and is a huge adjustment.  But I'm loving every minute of it.  Right now, this is how I want to make a living and cannot imagine doing anything else.

What is your dream job?

Are you doing all you can to make that dream a reality?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Dr. Oz's Weight Loss Tips

I found this on Pinterest and thought it was interesting.  Lately, I haven't been eating a lot of wheat.  I've been sticking with quinoa or beans.  I have been meaning to reduce my intake of sugar, but I was surprised that he says to eliminate all sugar.  I already don't consume dairy.  However, I consume too much coffee.  I've been trying to find ways to lower the amount by taking my vitamin B12, consuming green smoothies, exercising and sleeping enough.  This isn't always easy which is why coffee helps.  But I understand why consuming a lot of coffee isn't good.

I do love the veggie list.  I don't eat a lot of these on a regular basis, but I wouldn't mind starting.  I love vegetables.  What veggies do you love?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Stir Fry and Lemon Pasta

I made myself a stir fry this week.  I sauteed garlic in olive oil.  Then I added chopped asparagus, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, onions, and jalapenos.  I sauteed them with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, and chili powder.  Then I made whole wheat spaghetti and then sauteed that with olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper.  So delicious!  In fact, I loved it so much that I made the veggies again the next day with what I had left.  I think when I make something like this in the future, I'd do spaghetti squash instead of regular pasta.

I loved using all fresh vegetables.  Usually if I do a stir fry, its with whatever frozen veggies I have in my freezer because I ran out of fresh ones.  But this is so worth it.  I'm trying to cook in different ways so I don't get bored.  And it has been a lot of fun.

Do you have any favorite recipes or ways to cook?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Just Keep Going

Progress is still progress.  Don't give up.  Keep Going.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Gratefulness

This week I am grateful for...

March 10 - I am grateful for finishing paperwork and getting cleared to start my new job as a sign language interpreter at a high school next week.

March 12 - I am grateful for wonderful friends I made at my job and a great last day there.

March 14 - I am grateful for getting what I needed done and taking care of myself.

What are you grateful for?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Ice Skating

I went ice skating with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago.  There's a new outdoor ice rink here in Chicago called The Ribbon.  We went out on the ice for about an hour and a half.  It was such a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and it wasn't too cold.  Perfect for skating.

My favorite part was that we got to catch up on our week as we skated since we hadn't seen each other very much.

They have a "pope's box" on the zamboni. Not sure why.

But I did get to sit in it!  You can see my guy standing down below.

Have you done anything fun this week?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Breath

The importance of knowing how to breath properly during exercise is tremendous.  Breathing wrong can cause your endurance to go down and possibly hurt yourself. 

I remember growing up taking dance classes, my teacher would always remind us to breath.  Later when I became a teacher, I would do the same.  Sometimes when you are concentrating so hard, you forget to breath.  

Breath and you can exercise longer.  I hope this chart helps.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Chocolate Coconut Pancakes

I need to go grocery shopping and I wanted to make something with what I had in my pantry.  

Chocolate coconut pancakes were the answer!

These were easy to make and just as easy to eat.  So delicious!

Chocolate Coconut Pancakes

1 cup flour

1/4 cup baking cocoa

2 tbsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup non-dairy milk

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup shredded coconut

2 tbsp applesauce

1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Combine first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  In a smaller bowl, combine remainder of ingredients.  Let sit for five minutes.  Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  I made these on a skillet with vegan butter.  After they were done, I sprinkled with coconut and enjoyed.

So delicious!

What do you enjoy to eat for breakfast?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Belated Gratefulness

This week was full of surprises and love with my guy.

March 5 - I am grateful that my guy shared his dreams with me and let me know that he wants me in his life, by his side, to share them.

March 6 - I am grateful for a date out with my guy.

March 7 - I am grateful for a fun night out with my guy.  He always makes me laugh.  

Who are you grateful to have in your life?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Create a Good Present

I think this is accurate.  The key to happiness is doing what makes you happy today...in the present.  If you wait for tomorrow...for the future, what kind of future would you create?

Create a good present for a better future.

What makes you happy?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Wreck This Journal 2

More of my entries in my Wreck This Journal!

"This page is a sign what do you want it to say?"

"Figure out a way to freeze this page"

"Write one word over and over"

I love this one.

How do you like to get creative?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Slimmer Legs

I love a good leg workout.  Now that I'm prepping to run, indoors while it's still cold outside, this will be an excellent addition to my workout.  Last week's ab workout post, this leg workout and using the stairs in my apartment will help me prepare to run before it gets warm outside.  

What are your fitness goals?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Sweet Potato, Corn and Kale Chowder

Terry Walter's Sweet Potato, Corn, and Kale Chowder

1 tbsp grape-seed oil (I used olive oil)

1 small onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

3 carrots, diced

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

3 cups corn, fresh or frozen (I used frozen)

2 tsp dried thyme

2 cups vegetable stock

2 cups rice milk, plus more, if needed (I used coconut milk)

2 tbsp cashew butter, dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water (I used Earth Balance soy free butter)

1 bunch kale, chopped into small pieces

Water or stock as needed (I used more vegetable stock)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1.  In a large pot over medium heat, saute the onion in oil until soft, about 3 minutes.

2.  Add celery, carrots, sweet potatoes, corn, thyme, and stock, and simmer for 5 minutes.

3.  Add enough rice milk to cover the vegetables.

4.  Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.

5.  Remove it from the heat and add the dissolved cashew butter.  Partially puree the mixture using handheld blender.

6.  Add the kale, return it to heat, thin it with water or stock to achieve the desired consistency and cook until the kale is tender.

7.  Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

This is so delicious!  I loved it fresh and as leftovers the next day.  I will be making this again.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Truly Love Yourself

I strongly believe this.  You have to love yourself first before you can love someone else.  Show yourself love, love others, don't hurt others.

LOVE.

"Keep Moving Forward"