Journey to a New me

Okay. So I've decided to take that leap. Again. I realized I had no energy, that my depressive episodes were beginning to take over parts of my life, and I just wasn't happy. I was super unhealthy. So I decided to start Weight Watchers and the Shakeology system from beach Body. Not to be skinny, but to be healthy and active again. 

Don't get me wrong. One of my goals is to lose weight. 32 pounds to be exact. But I also want to try new things, eat better, get more active, and just enjoy life. My goal is to feel stunning in tanks and shorts by Liam's Birthday party in May not matter what my weight. I just want to feel good! ;-)

And so far I am happy. Tuesday I start my 7th week on WW and 2nd week using Shakeology. And I must say I love both. My weight loss has been slow (about 9 pounds over 7 weeks), but I am getting muscle definition in my arms and legs, so I feel good about that. I am kickboxing 2-4 days per week as exercise. And I try to make 3 healthier decisions each day. Nothing big, but they add up to be huge. Friday, for instance, I took the stairs at work instead of the elevator at least half the time, packed fruit for snacks instead of chips, and after I got home, I jogged around the house and did 10 jumping jacks everytime I was waiting on something (like Liam's spaghetti to warm up). Sound silly? Those extra things earned me 3 extra WW points. YEHAW!

Nothing is off limits with WW, you just have to decide if what you want is worth the calories. I still enjoy my Oreos, my ice cream, and my pasta. I have just thrown out the notion of Jethro Bodine-sized bowls of any of that. If I want a huge chocolate fix, I reach for Chocolate Shakeology. It's ssssoooo good...and good for you. But for me it needs a boost, I can taste the protein if I drink it by itself. My favorite things to add are skim milk, bananas, peanut butter, coconut extract, coffee, and almond extract (not all at one time of course).

If you're intersted, check out my Shakeology girl Liz!


Here is the recipe I tried this morning. I read some online and tweaked them to make this one. It was tasty! And for those of you on WW, it's only 4 points!

Frappuccino Shakeology

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
5 oz cold coffee (I freeze mine in 2 oz dixie cups and just pull a couple out of the freezer at a time)
3 oz skim milk (or almond milk)
dash of cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp Fat Free white mocha creamer
ice to taste


Blend and enjoy! I know I did!

Day 5

The Mocrophilanthropist Project day 5:

Thank you to John's cousin Molly for this idea! She is participating in the University of Kansas Dance Marathon to benefit her local Children's Miracle Network. Good luck, Molly!


Today's Donation: $10

Day 4

The Microphilanthropy Project Day 4

Second Harvest Food Bank. 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While my family (and probably yours) will be stuffing their bellies this year, many families won't. Fortunately, I have never been in a situation where I have nothing for me or my family to eat. But many people face that reality every day. 

The people at Second Harvest can really make that money stretch. My donation was enough to put 3 meals in front of 10 people for 1 day. 1 meal in front of 30 people for one day. That is amazing. And I am humbled!

Today's Donation: $10

Day 3

The Microphilanthropist Project

Day 3 : Hurricane Sandy Relief


While I was home, and the most important thing I had to worry about was the election, there were thousands in the Northeast still reeling from Superstorm Sandy. Forget voting, how about being able to keep their families warm and fed?

So the American Red Cross got my donation today. May the Lord provide for them!

Today's donation: $10

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
-Mother Teresa

Day 2

The Microphlanthropist:

Day 2 Donation: Seymour Volunteer Fire Department

I actually do this every year. It just so happened that the request envelope came right before I decided to do this. These men and women put their lives on the line to save ours (and not to mention our property). The least I can do is do what little I can to make sure they have the right equipment!

Today's Donation: $20 

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
-Mother Teresa
 

A New Calling

I know I have taken a long hiatus. Motherhood, a full time job, keeping the house up,  and starting my own small business have really taken a lot of my time. But I just wanted to let everyone know my blog here for the next 365 days will for the most part be for a new purpose. I will by using it to track my new challenge to myself. I am hoping to become the next daily microphilanthropist. If you are wondering about my inspiration, you can find it here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40607088/ns/us_news-giving/t/microphilanthropist-donations-are-part-daily-life/#.UJh0-IZ1fIU

For the next year (and maybe longer), I will try to put a small amount of money to a cause, organization, or establishment that helps others. I hope to daily post the things I do, so if you wish to donate, too, you can! Please let me know! I would like to keep track and see and the end of this 365 days how much impact just one person (or a few) can make.


Day 1 Donation:  School materials for kids

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1637184?utm_campaign=facebook&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=teacherpage

Jamie (Ms. Berrier) is a friend and the sister of my best friend's husband. She cares so much about the kids she teaches and I can only hope that sometime in my life I can be so inspiring.

Today's donation: $5.00

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
-Mother Teresa

Unconditional Love

Today, I lost one of the best friends I ever had. The wanting started right after we moved into our house in 2007. For me, a house is not a house without a dog. A big one. So we got with one of my mom's friends, and a few weeks later came home with this: 








We struggled with a name, and finally ended up with our little Dakota. He didn't stay little for long. He grew, and grew.....and grew. He chewed up things, broke things, stole things, and lots of other events I'm sure I have no idea about. But he was wonderful.

He took his rightful place around the house....and in our hearts. The front porch swing was his. Every year, we would buy new cushions, and he would claim them. He was the best big brother.

He loved Liam and Liam loved him. He stretched out on my mom and dad's couch like he owned the place. He chased boogers in the dark. He lived through our robbery. He patiently waiting on the last waffle every Saturday morning at breakfast. He was always on the back porch waiting when we got home. Everyone morning we would leave and Liam and I would say, "Bye, Koda! Be good puppy!"

I never thought it would all change so fast. On Tuesday, he started feeling ill. By Wednesday night I had him at the vet. Pancreatitis. Totally treatable. But none of the medicines helped. This morning around 5 am, he gave in and passed away.

My face and my eyes have never hurt so bad from crying. The house seems to empty. And I realize how much I have taken for granted. The sound of the swing hitting the house when he jumped in it (and poked his head out from under the tent that John built around it this winter). The barking as he chased the four wheelers around the farm (and the sadness that he never got to run with John on his, really. He got sick only a few days after John got it.)

But he;s not hurting anymore, and that makes me happy. I will always regret that I didn't see him more when he was at the hospital. And that I wasn't there when he passed.

I miss you buddy. I hope your having fun chasing deer in doggy heaven. Liam asks about you, and I try my best to explain, but I end up crying. I never realized how much I truly love you. Now and always. Sweet dreams, big guy.

I'm sure there's a couch and a swing up there just for you....