Recipe I had to share

As you readers know, I'm currently on the South Beach diet as part of keeping with my New Years' resolution to be healthier. Well Ryan and I have come along several new recipes, but this one was sooo delicious I couldn't keep it to myself. In the mornings, sometimes I feel a little rushed so I can't exactly eat a serving of eggs and turkey bacon, let alone wait for it to cook. So, this recipe has been a blessing for those busy mornings.  Try it.  Ya never know...you might like it!

Morning Mocha Smoothie
1 cup of vanilla, low-fat yogurt (if you get plain then it isn't as sweet)
1/2 half of 1% milk
2 tbsp of chocolate syrup (yep, this is part of my diet)
Instant coffee, to taste
6-10 ice cubes
*1 tbsp of peanut butter: This isn't part of the original recipe, but Ryan and I like this extra yumminess.

You can find the original recipe in South Beach Diet: Supercharged under Day 14 of Phase 1.

Hope you enjoy!

Week 1: Recap

Ok.  So, not too too much to recap, but I figure that the first week is the hardest to keep New Years' Resolutions.  So let's see how I've added up so far.

1. Keep up the good work on all of the successful New Year's Resolutions from 2010.  Well, so far I think I have continued to be successful in these.

2. Don't let too many things go to the back burner.  Keep making progress on dwindling down the to-do lists.  No, Mom, I haven't made that doctor's appointment yet, but that's partially because I don't have the new insurance card.  So, that's still at the top of one of my many to-do lists.  Maybe I'll research that a little more today.  But!  I have crossed off clean the house...well pick up the house.  My living room, kitchen (minus one load of dishes), hallway, room, and bathroom are all picked up.  Pledge and my vacuum will be my best friend today.  That'll be it in terms of cleaning.  I will need to reorganize, but at least it's clean for now.

3. Become a healthier me.  I have worked out a total of 4 times since the last time I posted using the EA Active 2 game for the Wii.  Now let me just give you a little review, and Ryan can totally back me up on this, it is a real workout.  If you are truly looking to get in shape and work out but don't have the money for the gym, or walking isn't cutting it, or the Wii Fit is only good for having some fun, then this is the game for you!  (Gosh, I sound like a salesperson. Good thing I'm going into Business.)  I get so much out of my workouts and I'm having a lot of fun.  In addition to working out, I have been drinking lots of water, which is something that I have always been horrible about doing.  I'm at least up to 6 glasses a day.  :) In addition to working out, I have been eating much healthier.  Ryan and I are currently following the South Beach diet.  We both have been successful on this diet before so we are trying it again.  I haven't really been craving too much, not sweets surprisingly.  I have been craving chicken wing, garlic Parmesan chicken wings with some ranch dressing.  I know, that's very specific, but that's what I want.  Ryan and I will be on Phase 1 of the diet for another week, then we can start reintroducing good carbs and fruits.  Yay!

4. Call my parents more and visit more than just holidays.  So I think I have done better.  I have called Mom at least 4 times this week, which is better than 1 or none.  In terms of visiting, well, hopefully soon.  We will just have to plan on that later...

5. Send cards. Well, it's only been a week and I haven't had anyone to send cards to!  I do have one particular birthday coming up in the family in the next couple of weeks and then a very special one on the 3rd of February (cough:Mom:cough).  Let's see how I do come week 3.

6.Quit smoking As of today, Justin has been smoke free for 9 days!!!!!  :)  I have given 1 inspirational quote of the week so far (I hope he realizes it was from me).  I am just so proud.  It is nice because now it's not just me supporting, his step-dad, and his boyfriend are quitting at the same time.  I'm so proud of all of them!  :)

7.Go to church more often.  Well...church tomorrow?  Maybe?  I can say that I have been reading my devotional book and this other Christian book in the mornings when I get up.  That is better than before.  I am starting to reconnect more.  I won't go too much into my testimony quite yet, maybe some other post.

8.Go Camping!  Considering it's about 9 degrees outside, at least 2 inches of snow on the ground with a 50% chance of more snow tonight, then 100% chance on Monday, there's no way I have even started on this resolution.  Check back on this one around April.

9. Finish my craft projects.  Almost bought some fabric to make those place mats, but I decided to pass.  I've been focused on some of my other resolutions so this one kinda goes on the back burner.  :/  I know, one of my resolutions is not to let things sit on the back burner.  It won't be too bad for one week...right...right?

10. Continue to blog about life. Well, readers, how do you think I'm doing on this one?  :)  I kid.  I kid.  I actually enjoy blogging.  I just wish I had a little more to write about other that what I think is my boring life.  I guess in the future I'll have things to write about like having a house, weddings, babies (no I'm not pregnant so don't start the rumors now...I meant like waaaay in the future), and I don't know, being a millionaire!  lol.  That would be nice.  Oh, but while I mention that, Justin and I spent some time dreaming about homes that we would love to live in.  Just check out: www.sothebysrealty.com.  You will fall in love with at least one house, if not several.  Be careful.  It's addicting.  :)  Anyway, it's time to turn in now.  I have to get up and work out.  Goodnight world!

Happy New Year!

So...I know it's a little late, but there are some excellent reasons as to why this post is so late (I mainly blame the hotel craziness of New Years' Eve and Day, but I won't divulge further.).  New Years is an excellent time to look at how far we've come during the previous year and set some goals for the future.  I'm sure a few of you (well hopefully a few b/c I don't know who reads this really) remember last January, I made a few resolutions for the year.  Throughout the year I tried to post resolution checks so someone, whoever is out there reading, would keep me somewhat accountable for my resolutions.  So...last resolution check for 2010...

1.) Try not to get upset when life has a few unexpected bumps.   Well, I think over the course of the year, I have done much better in comparison to other years.  I did have a little bump in the road around October, but I think we have gotten past it...well I think.  I guess we will see after having a few more conversations in the upcoming week.  

2.) Realize that plan b or c or d may work out for the best. I could say that this has been the resolution with some pretty hard core evidence that I have accepted this resolution.  I am currently in graduate school for Business Administration and I absolutely love it!  There are some other minor plans that have changed, but I'm just rolling with the punches (definitely last night included).  Look here 2 for 2!  I say that's pretty good so far for New Year's resolutions.

3.) Lose at least 35 lbs. before graduation by eating better and exercising.  Ok.  Epic Fail!  If anything, I've gained weight this year.  I blame it on the stress...and I guess me being lazy...and yea.  Maybe in 2011.  :/

4.) Make all A's this semester. Almost, all B's, but for not having any business classes previously, I think that's pretty good.  Also, I have applied much of what I have learned in my classes to my job, which has been awesome.

5.) Take more pictures. School...work...sleep.  Pretty sure that none of you would like pictures of that.  Seems to be my life right now.  Now I did take several pictures on the Philippines trip and some other occasions.  They are probably on Facebook.  So...I will say that I did take more pictures...ok I will give myself half credit.  So what's our tally...2.5 out of 5...well that's still half!

6.) Call my parents more often. Oooo.  This is a tough one to determine.  I'm going to say maybe another half credit.  My mom would say, "No, no, no.  I never get to talk with her!  She's a complete stranger!"  I kid, I kid...kinda.  It's kinda interesting.  I PROMISE to do better this year, I promise! 

7.) Send birthday cards.Another one of those epic fails!  I even failed at this on Facebook, and it reminds me who has a birthday!  Ok.  I will send birthday cards or e-cards next year.  hopefully.

8.) Have more laughs and smiles than "grr" moments.  Definite Check, thanks to family, friends, and an awesome set of co-workers!

9.) Save some money. Ok.  This one I kinda cheated.  Well the first 6 months, Ryan and I saved quite a bit of money, but we blew it on the Philippines trip.  But!...I recently received a generous gift for Christmas from my Grandmama's Legacy fund.  I am happy and proud to say that I have put all of that money in a savings account and will not be touched until I am ready to buy my wedding dress.  (Yes, I already have a few items budgeted for that one day eventually, and thanks to Grandmama I will be able to buy the wedding dress that I have budgeted for.)  So...check.

10.) Blog more.  Well readers, you be the judge.  Ok...well, I'm counting this as a check.

Ok.  Drum roll please!  That's  6 out of 10!  :)  I think that's pretty good for keeping New Year's resolutions.  Now for this year's list.

New Year's Resolutions 2011:

1. Keep up the good work on all of the successful New Year's Resolutions from 2010.  This includes: saving money, "rolling with the punches", laughing and smiling more, etc.

2. Don't let too many things go to the back burner.  Keep making progress on dwindling down the to-do lists.  This includes big things like making that doctor's appointment (see I remembered, Mom) to small things like making sure that our living room is vacuumed.  I know cleaning definitely went on the back burner in the past 6 months (If you don't know me very well, let me just tell you I'm kinda OCD, but you would not be able to tell from my house!)

3. Become a healthier me.  I figured instead of a very specific resolution like lose 35 lbs or workout 7 times a week, etc.  I'm just going to say healthier.  Ryan and I are going to start eating healthier (starting Monday because today was kinda a bust with all the craziness at work).  I bought the EA Active 2 Workout game & Just Dance 2 for the Wii so hopefully I can get back into the exercising routine.  Nate, one of my co-workers, also said he would come workout with me at the CPA sometime because exercising is one of his resolutions.  (Ha!  Now it's publicly known so we both need to be accountable!)

4. Call my parents more and visit more than just holidays.  For 2010, I only received a half point, but this year I am going to do better.  Mom, this means we probably need to set a time that we talk because before it was 10PM my time (which I work now during that time). 

5. Send cards.  I love sending cards.  One thing that I truly appreciated when Grandmama and Ate Jean sent me notes throughout the year, even if it was just to say "Thinking of You".  I have to do better.  Lots of their cards touched not only me, but others.  So, let me keep with the legacy.  January birthdays, check your e-mails and/or your mailboxes.  You should receive something from me.  At the least, a Happy Birthday on Facebook.

6.Quit smoking...Ha!  Got ya.  No, I do not smoke, however, a particular co-worker of mine (cough::Justin::cough) is going to quit starting yesterday.  I have been a horrible support of the last couple of times that he has tried to quit, so this time I will be super supportive.  If needed, I will use tough love!  (Be ready, Justin!)  So, if you have quit before or have supported someone who has quit, please give me tips!  Ok...homework assignment to my readers: What is your favorite motivational/inspirational quote?  Your answers may help me be a better supporter!

7.Go to church more often.  I need to make time in the busy schedule for God.  I used to be very active in church, but now with school, work, sleep (see a trend of my life?).  So...church.  Definitely a must.  People, hold me accountable for this!!!

8.Go Camping!  So Ryan and I have all this camping stuff and we have never used it (Relay for Life does not count!).  So, sometime this year, even if it is just once, we are going camping.

9. Finish my craft projects.  So I have been working on several knitting projects since the summer (Sorry, Alex.  I will have your scarf made sometime before next fall!)  I also have told myself that I was going to learn how to sew.  I received my Grandmama's sewing machine and I really want to learn.  My first project: place mats for the dinner table.  According to a "how-to sewing" book, place mats are the easiest to start learning.  Hopefully I don't botch it. 

10. Continue to blog about life.  I know that sometimes I feel like my life is so boring since it's mostly school, work, and sleep, but I would hope that someone out there is still reading and wanting to know more about what's going on in life.  :)  Plus, it's a nice little way to document life's little changes, miracles, surprises, etc. 

All right.  There we go.  Set up for the New Year 2011!  I'm ready.  Any suggestions, comments, questions, please comment on my post (or for my Facebook readers, like my note so I know you're reading).

HAPPY NEW YEAR