My New Mantra - Focus on the things you can control

I am starting to look back on my life experiences and was feeling a bit old when I heard myself say "if only I knew then what I know now." There is so much in our lives we cannot control. I could put myself in the looney bin trying to (my apologies if that offends - going for comedic effect). So I've adopted a new mantra and it is really helping! I'm focusing on the things I can control. Making sure my girls and husband know they are loved, making time to take care of myself, getting my life organized and in order. Last week I cleaned out 2 of my kitchen cupboards. It was so therapeutic. Clearing the clutter seemed to help clear my mind as well. 

Love this quote:

“We have a right to decide how we want our bodies to look and feel, but unfortunately we do not exercise these rights. Instead, we tend to drift along, victims of our own ignorance of the fact that we can have what we want, if we are willing to take that first step toward developing the self-discipline to govern our thoughts.”
― Holly Mosier

Back to Focusing on my Diet

My energy has been low, PMS was the worst is has been in months and my food baby is starting to show again! No excuses, I know how to solve this problem and it is simple - no more bagels from Tim Horton's and start eating clean again!


Yesterday I decided to try making the 

Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini Boats I posted on my recipe page a few months ago. I had not attempted making them until this weekend. Stacey did warn me that they are a lot of work - but I was not expecting this. 3 pots on the stove, slow cooker was started at noon with the chicken. Oven finishes off the dish and the rice cooker was also going. Without counting the 5 hours to make the shredded chicken, this meal took me an hour to make. The good thing about the labour put in to make this dish is that with 3 burners on and the oven pre-heating I sweated out 5 lbs! Kayla and Troy both said they liked this dish and would eat it again. Next time I make this I would do it with left overs, so I don't feel like I'm cooking all day.

It's another Monday and I am getting back on track with my goals. This morning I made my shake filled with all of the nutrients and supplements I need. I brought snacks to keep me energized throughout the day and will be heading to the gym before my class tonight to get in my workout. Breaking old habits and sticking to my MONDAY plan!

Diet Definitely Helps with PMS!!

It is so nice how many people are interested in how I am progressing with my goals! Lately my answer to everyone has been that I am in a valley right now. I've deviated a bit from my nutritional goals - as we all do when we get stressed. I'm not eating horribly - but I have not been taking my supplements or making my shakes in the morning. I got out of the habit at the end of August and am realizing how much it was helping me! The supplements and the Shake I was making every morning were really helping with my PMS symptoms. The pain in between periods is bad again and I had not realized how all of the other symptoms that come along with our monthly gift had improved. 

So, the good thing about this set back... valley...or deviation from my plan is that it is actually motivating me. Reminding me of how good I was feeling, and now I know how to get back there! Silver lining found! 

Don't fret the set backs, learn from them!

What is healthy?

I was watching Eat Pray Love on the weekend and thinking I wish I could go to Bali, make friends with a wise medicine man and find my inner peace - the life balance I have been working towards over the past 4 months. I know I've written about this before, but it keeps coming up. There is so much more to being healthy than eating well and exercising. Your mind and inner wellbeing plays such an important roll in your over all health. 

My life has been out of balance for a while, a long while and I think it has caught up with me. I cannot go into great detail about what is/has been throwing off my balance because I do not think it is appropriate (at least at this point) to go into detail. However, I can guarantee that I am not the only person who has gone through this or a similar situation. 

There is no such thing as an easy life. Happiness, good health and Love (with a capitol 'L') all take commitment and  work. It took Julia Roberts 3 country's to find her inner peace.  I wonder if I can find mine in one?

Our little peace keeper

Kayla (our oldest) and I have a very good, unique relationship. We communicate well and come across as bickering sometimes (drives Troy nuts). Last night we discussing my cooking lately and the addition of healthy food to already healthy meals - more specifically the addition of red peppers. Kayla does not like red peppers and was expressing her frustration. 

We did not even notice that our discussion had turned to an argument. Until Isabel asked us to stop fighting and told us that we needed to go to her office to "find a positive solution." It was so cute. She set herself up at the dinning room table and had us stand across from her. She gave us both an opportunity to provide our side of the story and she took notes. When Kayla appealed her case, she tried to relate Isabel's dislike of cooked carrots.
Kayla: "you know how you don't like cooked carrots?"
Isabel: "Kayla, we aren't talking about me right now. Let's stick to finding a solution for you"

Oh, my goodness - did we laugh!! Isabel's mediation resulted in an agreement that I will not try ti hide red peppers in our dinners and Kayla will be responsible for dinners if she complains again. I think I may hire her to help with some of our staff issues!!   

I am planning a 2 week jumpstart. for 2 weeks I will stick to a clean, fresh, well balanced meal plan and exercise 6 days out of the week. Krista will be helping me with a workout schedule sure to jumpstart my metabolism and fitness endurance. Each day I will provide my meal and exercise plan, as well as how I am felling and making it work with my already busy schedule. This also means every meal I make will have added nutrients hidden inside. Good thing Kayla does not read my blog - she won't know what I'm hiding in her dinner!!