Finding Excitement in the Mundane

Try Try Again and Accomplish your Dreams

2024-09-22T11:05:00.006-04:00

My elementary school teacher taught me the poem "Try Again" by William Edward Hickson and I think it really did stick with me:

Click Image to Enlarge

(full text poem and video reading available to copy and paste at the end of the blog)

I faced many challenges coping with my bipolar disorder and finishing my college education and getting a job in my field. This is my journey and what I had to overcome to accomplish my dreams:

❀ While in college at University of North Georgia, I had to take a semester off to get my mania under control, and refocus on my personal and spiritual life. I graduated later than the 4 years typical, but I got a bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art. I graduated December 2010.

❀ I was told to work in the field of psychology, I would need to get a graduate degree. I did apply to psych technician jobs and other entry level positions in the mental health space, but never got hired. I thought Art Therapy would be a great career that I could incorporate my psychology and art degree. I applied to about 5 graduate schools all around the country. I even flew out to do an interview with one school in Virginia. I did not get accepted to any of them.

❀In the meantime I worked at a pizza shop and as a nanny and at a diner as a waitress and then I tried caregiving. I took care of my great grandmother in her home and I really enjoyed doing activities with her. We did cooking, games, gardening, and even embroidery. But I did encounter a mental breakdown and had to leave taking care of my great-grandmother. This experience got the idea of working with seniors in my mind and doing activities with them. There were several mental health hospital stays after that.

❀ I continued to do caregiving with a company and decided to apply for Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate school at Georgia Southern. I got accepted and moved to Statesboro, GA in fall 2014. I moved down there all by myself. I paid for my rent on my own, my own car note on my own, for the first time in my life. I worked full-time and was in school full time. I worked as a personal care assistant in a group home for people with mental health and intellectual disabilities with Pineland Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

❀ It was very difficult managing all of that on my own and I encountered a lot of mental health challenges. There were periods of depression there were periods of mania, and I was quite lonely. I ended up being in the mental health hospital while I was down there probably three times within a one and a half to two year period. I lost my job at the group home as a personal care assistant, and I tried to work as a caregiver. Ultimately with the additional hospital stays and lack of income, I had to drop out of the graduate mental health counseling program, and move back home to Marietta, GA with my parents.

❀ During one of my mental hospital stays down in Savannah, GA, I learned about recreational therapy. There was a recreational therapist at one of the hospitals I was at and she printed me out like 50 pages of coloring pages to help me pass the time while I was in there. She did other fun activities with us. I was like I could do that, that's the job I want I want! I want to be a recreational therapist! I had never heard about recreational therapy before. They actually had a recreational therapy program at Georgia Southern; however, it was a bachelor's program. I talked to the director of that program and he said, since I already had a bachelor's degree, he suggested I go for master's in recreational therapy, instead of getting a double bachelor's.

❀ I moved back to Marietta, Georgia with my parents and worked as a nanny. I got accepted into a Masters in Therapeutic Recreation online at SUNY Cortland, out of New York. The online program was a lot less stress. My parents were gracious enough for me to live at home without rent. I was able to focus on my education and also have a little money for my living expenses from my nanny job.

❀ When one family I was a nanny with did not want to hire me for the summer time, I applied to some activities director's jobs. I got my first Activities Director job at a nursing home - Pruitt Health in Marietta, GA. I didn't really know a whole lot about being an activity director. Many of the staff members guided me and helped me learn the different aspects that I needed to do for that job. Planning and leading the activities came naturally for me. I had some experience leading some art classes, and was able to use my creativity to think of activities to do with the patients. But there are other things involved like doing assessments and care plans and different regulatory things I was not familiar with.

❀ While I was working as an activities director I was doing my last year of Therapeutic Recreation Masters program. I had to make the decision if I was going to get the Master's certificate program or the full Master's degree. The teachers and the NCTRC (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification) staff member recommended that I go ahead and go for the full masters degree which included an internship, which would allow me to sit for the certification exam. Otherwise with the Master's certificate I would have to get a job under a CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) and work for 5 years, to be able to sit for the certification exam under the equivalently path.

❀ I was blessed to get internship at Skyland Trail which is a wonderful mental health treatment facility. They have a great adjunctive therapy program with art therapy, music therapy, horticultural therapy, dietician (cooking) group, along side the recreational therapy program. My internship supervisor allowed me to work with all those different disciplines. I also led my own recreational therapy classes, leisure education, team building and team sports. I still needed to have some income during that time. The recreational therapy internships are designed to be full-time, so I had to leave my activities director job to do the internship. Most internships are not paid, and mine wasn't, so I got a part time job caregiving. I was able to do about 30 hours a week at the internship instead of 40 to meet the requirement of the full-time internship. Instead of completing the internship in like 3 months, it took 6 months to complete it. My internship lasted from January to June of 2019. I got married in April 2019, during that time 💕

❀ I finished all the requirements of the Master's program, but because my internship lasted through the summer I would officially graduate December 14, 2019. In October 2019 I got the job of Activities Manager at Dunwoody Health and Rehabilitation. It was a really large nursing home and rehab around 200 patients. I managed three activities assistants. I was able to sit for the national certification exam for recreational therapy, and was officially awarded my CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) in December 2019.

❀ COVID hit our nursing home hard. I worked all throughout that time. Our census went from like 200 to like 75 patients. Some of this was due to deaths of patients to COVID or other illness or age, also our census dropped due to hold on admissions due to survey results giving us an immediate jeopardy, or limiting admissions with covid. It was a very difficult time. We had to adapt and bring activities to rooms. We even did painting activities and BINGO in room. Of course we followed all the PPE requirements with N95 masks and and goggles, and gowns and gloves going into the rooms of patients with an infection. We had to get tested sometimes twice a week for COVID. We also received the COVID vaccine immediately when it came out, and it was given to all the staff members at our facility, besides those who had a waver.

❀ So when me and Chris started courting, he was working in Chattanooga, TN and living in Calhoun, GA. We started courting in February 2017. We got married in 2019. During our courtship I applied to jobs in Chattanooga, as well as Atlanta. I got the job in Atlanta, at Dunwoody Health and Rehabilitation. We lived in Marietta, GA, renting out the basement apartment in my parents' house.

❀ Chris started his own business doing diesel truck repair December 2019. He was doing road service in the Atlanta area in Cartersville. The opportunity came up to where he would be able to rent out my late grandfather's truck shop in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. After the eviction policy during COVID was lifted, my Grandmother was able to remove the renters of the shop at that time. He did a lot of work to remove all the garbage that the previous renter had piled up in the shop. For a time he did stay up there to try and build business in the North Georgia area, going back and forth from our home in Marietta. But it was difficult. I was still working in Atlanta.

❀ I continued to apply and go on job interviews while I was working at Dunwoody Health and Rehab in Atlanta. I applied to nursing homes mental health facilities in both the North Georgia and Chattanooga area, and also Atlanta. I always had a passion for the mental health population, being that I had a Psychology degree and lived experience. But I began to realize that working with the senior population and rehab. population would be less stress than mental health. Some led to job interviews, some did not; some led to job offers, some did not. None of the job offers really seem to provide any better opportunity than the current facility that I was at.

❀ After 5 years of job applications, interviews, and declined job offers. In spring of 2022 I applied and interviewed at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation in Chattanooga Tennessee. They gave me a job offer exactly what I asked for. I accepted the job offer and said I would need 30 days before I could start. During that time my Aunt Gloria passed away. I took it really hard and I was also stressed with work. I took some time off for grievance. I planned on going to the funeral, but I became manic and had to go into the mental health hospital. I returned to work and I put in my two week notice at Dunwoody Health and Rehab. And even planned a large event for skilled nursing care week before my departure.

❀ I finally got a job in the greater Chattanooga area allowing Chris and I to move to North Georgia or Chattanooga. We were looking for places to rent in the Chattanooga area. But nothing was suitable for our needs. My cousin, who is a mortgage loan originator, told me about the USDA mortgage where you can buy a home in a rural area with little to no down payment. My dad is a realtor and he worked with me to find a home in the Tunnel Hill, GA area near my extended family. By the grace of Yahweh and the hard work of my cousin and my dad I was able to purchase a home 🏠. That was a miracle 🙌.

🦋 Shortly after starting my job at Siskin, we found out I was pregnant 🤰 🙌. I worked with a psychiatrist that was also an obgyn, that specializes in Women's Mental Health. She helped me before during and after the pregnancy to ensure my mental health was stable. She knew all the research to help her know what medications had low risk for harming baby and would be effective for maintaining mental health stability. This was a miracle, as many people think you can't have a baby when you have bipolar, or that you can't be on mental health medication while pregnant. I also had PCOS, Thyroid disease and Gestational Diabetes that needed the help of High Risk Obstetrical Care Specialist. I would some times have to visit that specialist once a week to check on my labs and ultrasound. The pregnancy progressed safely, HalleluYah.

🦋By the grace of Yahweh, I safely gave birth to our baby boy David James 👶. It is nothing short of a miracle. He is over a year and half years old now, and so smart and sweet. I have worked at Siskin for about 2 and a half years as of this post in fall 2024. And I couldn't be happier! Siskin is a wonderful company, I have friendly coworkers, and supportive supervisors. Both staff and patients really value the recreational therapy program, which some activities directors can't say. Plus there are opportunities opening for advancement.

🦋 Throughout my young adult life I dreamed of having a loving husband and having a baby and having a career that I could pursue my passion. I went through a lot of obstacles but I kept Trying Again.
I persevered, I did not fear. With patience, I did prevail. And I received my reward.
HalleluYah!

Reading and Video of Poem "Try Again" link to YouTube

Full Text Poem for copy and paste:

"Try Again"

by William Edward Hickson

'T is a lesson you should heed,

Try, try again;

If at first you don't succeed,

Try, try again;

Then your courage should appear,

For, if you will persevere,

You will conquer, never fear;

Try, try again.

Once or twice though you should fail,

Try, try again;

If you would at last prevail,

Try, try again;

If we strive, 'tis no disgrace

Though we do not win the race;

What should you do in the case?

Try, try again.

If you find your task is hard,

Try, try again;

Time will bring you your reward,

Try, try again.

All that other folks can do,

Why, with patience, should not you?

Only keep this rule in view:

Try, try again.

Celebrating Victory in My Health!

2024-06-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

🥳🎉🎊🤗👍🏼🙌🫶🚶‍♀️⚖️🧮🕶️📉🗓️

*Celebrating a victory!*

June 9, 2024

I have a history of thyroid disorder, fatty liver, and prediabetes. I went to the endocrinologist today and all my lab levels were normal! I am no longer in the prediabetic range!

Over the past 5 months these are the changes I have made to make progress:

🟡 I have learned how to measure how many grams of carbs I am eating, limiting to 30g a meal, and keeping a meal log.

🟡 I have been adding more movement through my day. I used to get around 3,000 steps a day and now I am getting 5,000-6,000 some days extra I did this by walking more through my regular work day activities.

🟡 I have been drinking more water and natural sugar free flavored drinks (bottled flavored iced tea, and flavored lemonade packets) A big help in this was buying a water bottle I liked and I also got a lanyard that I can carry the bottle when I am walking around.

🟡 Having healthy snacks available that include protein.

🟡Developing health habits like sleep hygiene and limiting caffeine to the mornings. Giving myself time to relax when I had a long day and winding down. I use a habit tracker app and medication reminder app to help me keep my schedule and track my progress on my goals.

Personality and Meeting Goals and Creating Habits

2023-10-29T10:15:00.005-04:00

Exploring my personality, if there are certain characteristics about my personality that effect my habit forming, goal reaching, and routine.

For some people routine is something they like, something that comes natural. For me, I go by feeling. What do I feel like doing right now. Of course in the back of my mind there are tasks that I want to get done, but I'm not ridged about when I need to get them done.

What are some things that are routine for you? Some options:

Cleaning off the dinner table after eating and putting dishes directly in the dishwasher
A Bedtime routine - like brushing teeth and taking a shower, take medication if you have them
A Morning routine - Getting dressed, drinking coffee or tea, eating breakfast
A Home from work routine - get dinner ready, tend to children

There are some things I do like to do regularly. I want to focus on them because I want to acknowledge, that yes maybe I do like some routines. I do like to watch GMM (Good Mythical Morning on YouTube) if not in the morning, when I get home from work. I have gotten in the habit of having hot tea first thing when I get to work.

How about bad habits? That is something to discuss, because the truth is I do have some habits, but they are not healthy. I have the habit of laying back in bed when my morning alarm goes off. Not taking care of doing dishes or cleaning right when it needs to be done.

I have studied and tried to get started with the FlyLady routines to help with house chores, and it just didn't happen. I think that is too ridged for my personality. I can be structured when it comes to planning, but not in execution.

So back to exploring my personality type. I talked about it with my counselor today. We discussed TYPE (A, B, C, D) personality types. I think a lot of people are familiar with Type A or B, but did you know there was a C and D? We came to determine that I am a type B, possibly some traits of D.

"Type B Personality: People with a Type B personality are typically more relaxed, laid-back, and easy-going. They are less likely to experience stress and may be more patient, creative, and imaginative." Type A,B,C,D simple description

history of type personality and descriptions

So if you have been following this blog, you have seen I did set some goals mainly pertaining to exercise. Lately I haven't been making it to the gym, but I have been getting some good steps in. Since the start of October (its Oct 24 now), I have meet my goal of 1.5miles of steps or more a day for a grand total of 14 days! Sometimes getting close to 3miles in a day.

So I am modifying my exercise goal to getting at least 1.5 miles of steps in a day for 3 days a week. Or 1 day at the gym a week.

With my current schedule of activities at work I have a lot of days where I am walking to every room (45) in our 2 floors. And some days I help out the nursing staff by taking patients to the adjoining hospital campus which is 1.5 miles on its own. This is great, and because the weather is nice out the past two days I have taken the scenic route (walking outside) from the other building, even walking inside is a long walk, but outside I have some elevation to climb.

I also have started seeing a Dietician. With her I have the goal of documenting everything I eat, in a paper form. with the goal of only 30g carbs per meal. I am trying to learn how many carb grams are in different foods/portions.

Reflecting on Missing the Mark

2023-07-27T18:45:00.012-04:00

As a recap I went to the gym to exercise 7/6,7/7 - 7/10,7/11,7/12,7/13 - 7/17,7/18,7/19. I did not exercise 7/20-7/27(today). Basically I missed exercise 7/20, and Also this week I did not exercise.

Why didn't I make it to the gym recently? I think the housework and laundry got the best of me. I didn't have gym clothes clean. I have been in a rut and just haven't felt like doing much around the house. I had the objective to write about the fly lady program 7/16 (Sunday). I looked at my notes, and felt overwhelmed. The flaylady talks about not jumping into the whole program all at once, but slowly picking in habits slowly. I was over thinking it, and trying to do too plan on doing too much at once. So I need to regroup and figure out how I can do things better. I could try to follow the 30 day habit building that the flylady teaches, the program that lets you tackle one objective per day. But I just am so behind on dishes and laundry and other household chores. I think when I would get home I just want to go into relax mode, and couldn't get the motivation back to do house work. Another thing is my energy levels, I think I need to get back to taking my b vitamins and methyl-folate. They seem to give me more energy.

I've just been feeling overall down. I feel like I have gained so much weight, and not having the laundry done and wearing old clothes, just made me feel bad. I am starting to buy some new clothing items, so hopefully I can replace some of the skirts I have been wearing for almost 10 years, which really aren't the right size anymore.

I need to have a game plan in place for when *I just don't feel like doing (insert whatever here)*. I do meet with my counselor next Tuesday, so we can discuss my wins and losses and how to continue on a positive goal reaching path.

Over and out, Keep on being Determined 2b Determined to Find Excitement in the Mundane.

Met my weekly goal!

2023-07-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

My goal this week was to go to the gym and exercise 4 days in a row Monday through Thursday. And I did it! 🎉 Woohoo 🎉 In addition I clocked in by 8am all four days and Friday I clocked in only a few minutes after 8am. 🥳

This is a great accomplishment. I have been working on clocking in by 8 with my counselor for a very long time. Many months. I am really proud of myself.

I am tracking my habits and medication taking time on the apps. I think it is helpful. There are reminders and I can see any trends.

I am also tracking my exercises in my healthly lifestyle incentive program sheet (below)

Reflecting on how I felt all week. I was feeling tired earlier in the night. Thursday night and Friday (day and night) I felt really tired. On most days me and my husband worked together to get the dishes put up even though it was late. I woke up easily many times before my alarm even. I averaging 6 hrs of sleep. I am trying to track my sleep in the Samsung health app. I automatically registers when you are asleep. It works pretty good but isn't 100% of you wake up in the middle of the night.

So this was a great week. I plan on building on this progress with the exercise and clocking in by 8 next week but I want to focus on adding more of the flylady routines. And I plan on writing more about the flylady routines in my post on Sunday.

Until next time, Keep being determined 2b determined to find excitement in the mundane!

Consistency - I'm doing it!

2023-07-13T05:31:00.001-04:00

An excerpt from my first entry in this blog in March 2012:

[All of these things], goals you can call them (I never liked the idea of a goal though), require consistency - a trait I don't naturally have. It is something I have to gain through desire, determination, and commitment. Motivation is hard to come by. It is my motto of the season to find excitement in the mundane. This is the only way I believe I can conjure up some motivation to do all the things I need to do for a better life but don't want to do. It is about convincing myself that I want this. I am not determined, but I want to be. I want to be determined, I want to be consistent. I need to be. All of my goals are nothing without consistency.

I want to meet my goals. I don't want to be still working on the same thing a year from now. I felt like every time I talked to my counselor, it was the same story. I'm pressing snooze, turning my alarms off without waking up. Still arriving to work late. It was getting old. Like when was I going to finally break the cycle!?

I am really happy to say that this week is day 4 in waking up early and clocking in by 8 and exercising. 🙌👏

I need to keep it up. Today is Thursday morning. Yesterday I clocked in before 8am and went to the gym. 3rd day in a row!

As I wrote in exerpt above "desire, determination, and commitment" this is what I need to keep it up. It isn't just one week that it takes to loose weight. It is consistently showing up to the gym and exercising. It consistently choosing healthy foods instead of sugary, fatty or greasy foods. Desire, I've got to want to accomplish my goals, and do what I have to do to get it done. Pack my bag the night before. Wake up when the alarm sounds. Even when you don't feel like it, you may be tired and just want to go to bed before taking care of the dishes or packing your bag, but get it done! A little more push, a little more desire, a little more determination. And the commitment to keep the consistency every day.

I don't want to be in the same place a year from now. I want to meet my goals, and keep moving higher to other goals that are greater.

Until next time, Keep being determined 2b determined to find excitement in the mundane!

Tuesday 2nd Day in a Row

2023-07-12T06:31:00.002-04:00

Okay so turns out my title is a pun. It's 2nd day consecutive and second day rowing machine.

I made it to the gym and did HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

5min warm up 20 s/m
8 sets 45sec on 45 sec off (11:15)
26-27s/m
5min cool down 20 s/m
Total 21 min

July progress on Healthy lifestyle incentive, click to enlarge

I have done 4 workouts in July with 2x 2 days in a row. My goal is to get 4 days in a row at the Gym this week.

It seems my main obstacle to going to the gym is having my gym bag packed. And since I have been getting in the routine of before bed packing my bag and picking out my clothes for the next day it has been going well. It seemed like such an obstacle over the past few months since I joined the gym, but this is really helping me focusing on my bed time routine.

I am tracking my habits in the app Habitnow Android App. It has been helpful. I have some habits that are yes/no, and others that require a amount like hour and minutes (time).

Habits I'm tracking:

Take meds at 9pm (yes/no)
Go to bed at 10pm (yes/no)
In bed time (time value)
Clock in by 8am (yes/no) and time value
Exercise (yes/no)
Shiny sink b4 bed (yes/no)

So far I have gotten two days in a row clocking in by 8am and going to the gym (exercise).

I am also using the app My Therapy Pill Reminder (Android app) In this app I put in all my meds including my prn, with the time I'm supposed to take them, and set up a custom reminder. So I get a gentile tone alarm to remind me to take them at a certain time. If you don't log it, it will continue you remind you after awhile. It also allows you to imput the time when you take them which turns off the alarm. So if you alarm is at 8:30 to take it at 9, but you don't take it til 9:10 you can put that in. It also tracks prn meds. So I can keep track of the times I had to take a sleeping pill.

I'm excited for the next day! Let's keep this streak going. Got my gym bag packed ✔️

Until next time, Keep being determined 2b determined to find excitement in the mundane!

Monday - Great Start

2023-07-11T06:26:00.002-04:00

Monday was a great day. It started with me waking up to my first alarm. And I made some tea for the road. I had a bagel and cream cheese and a premade healthy muffin. I wasn't very hungry so I took it with me. I had my gym bag and baby's bag packed the night before. I choose our outfits the night before. So it was easy getting ready. I left at 7:10 just as my time to leave alarm went off.

I clocked in at 7:53. Perfect! Early!

I had a great day at work. And went to the gym after. I did a steady

30 min row 20s/m 5 damper 3811m 195cal

I was a minute late to pick up David by 5:30. So I need to leave an the gym/finish a few minutes earlier.

I came home and watched good mythical morning (GMM), it was better not to watch in the morning, so I can focus getting ready. I spent some time with my husband (Chris) and baby. I folded one load of laundry. Chris pretty much took care of cooking dinner, grilled beef flanken. After dinner we jointly cleaned up the dinner table, loaded the dishes. And because it was just one meal I had space to add some of the larger dishes [from the night before] to the washer.

I took my meds around 9:30pm. And was in bed by 10:10pm. I took a melatonin at 10p. I said if I don't fall asleep by 10:30 I will take a sleeping pill. I turned on ANS on YouTube (Art Nature Sounds) ambient and I feel asleep no need to take sleeping pill. [YouTube Link] ANS Ambient it puts me to sleep every time.

Here is to the next day! Consistency.

Until next time, Keep being determined 2b determined to find excitement in the mundane!

Sunday New Week Get it done.

2023-07-09T22:43:00.003-04:00

Today I had a leisurely morning. I did my devotional books. Reflected. Looked at my bible verse text journal. I got some things done around the house, I will list everything I did below. My mother in law came over and she had fun seeing baby. I had bought some meat for dinners, beef ribs and stew meat. I found a recipe for braised beef ribs and cooked up a storm. In addition to the braised beef, I made homemade mashed potatoes. I followed the recipes from "Tastes Better from Scratch" website. When I find the link I'll add it. It was delicious.

Things I accomplished today:

Cleaned the dining room table before and after dinner
Threw away all trash around the house
Unloaded and reloaded dishwasher
Shiny sink B4 bed
Packed my gym bag
Picked out my clothes for tomorrow
Shower/brush teeth
Picked up toys/clutter in living space
Wiped counters down
Baked muffins
Cooked a special meal
Took care of baby -feeding-playtime-naps-bed

Shiny Sink, Fly Lady routine

Goals for tomorrow: clock in by 8am, exercise at the gym, finish cleaning dishes (pots and pans) and put away dishes from dish washer.

Until next time, Keep being determined 2b determined to find excitement in the mundane!

Commiting to Consistency - Lets make it stick!

2023-07-06T22:28:00.001-04:00

Today I had the day off to take care of my son who was sick. I took it as an opportunity to get a soft start on some of my goals. I looked into a couple of options for my fitness goals. First I thought I would do the empowered abs program. I laid out mat and got started doing the exercises. One set in baby started crying. After tending to him I tried the next two abs body weight exercises. One of them was very uncomfortable and I realized this program wasn't going to work for me. I am just not a fan of bodyweight exercises like that.

baby png from pngtree.com/

I didn't let that stop me from doing my exercises for the day. I decided to take a walk. The rain had stopped (it was a thunderstorm). In the past I had walked a mile around the neighborhood with the stroller, which is 3 laps. This time I decided to challenge myself and walk with baby in the Moby wrap (baby carrier). I thought it would be comforting to him and would also give me some more strength training. He weighs almost 19 lbs now. I needed to get 30min of exercise in for the healthy lifestyle tracking (more on that later). So I did 4 laps (1.5 miles) instead of my usual 3 (1 mile) to get 30min. And the average speed was was actually .3mph more than usual even with the extra weight. I could definitely feel like it was more of a workout with carrying the baby. But it wasn't too much just a little more strength needed, rather than a leisure stroll.

My walk workout summary

So at work we have a healthy lifestyle incentive program. If you workout 90 mins a week basically 30 min three times a week, you get $5 off your insurance each pay period. This is my accountability.

July 6 first entry 30 min

So instead of doing the bodyweight exercises (abs program), I looked on YouTube for some rowing exercise plans to loose weight. I know I like this form of exercise and I feel it is the best option for me to do something I enjoy and is effective. It is a full body workout. And if I am at the gym and have some extra time I can do some arm strength workouts as well.

I took a screenshot of the YouTube example rowing workout

So this program seems like I could follow it. I don't have to watch a YouTube exercise each time, I just follow the simple plan and do it. The program alternates from a HIIT (high intensity interval training) one day and a steady row the next day. With four days of active rowing and 2 days of leisure exercise such as walking or hiking. And one rest day. I think I would like to go to the gym M-T-W-TH, 4 days in a row, so I have Friday to get ready for sabbath. If I have a week where I have counseling on a Tuesday I might switch my gym day to Friday (sunset) time allowing.

Last quarter I had the intention of doing the healthy incentive program, but didn't follow through. I did go to the gym several times but not consistently. And I forgot to track it on the sheet. Also on days I missed, I kind of felt oh well I missed it this week so I guess that's it... And kind of gave up.

I need to think of the reasons why I wasn't able to have consistency last quarter.

There are barriers to my consistency that I need to accommodate for:

Challenges I have with making it to the gym are:

Packing my gym bag the night before
Arriving and leaving work at the correct time

So part of packing my gym bag the night before is going to be a part of my nightly routine that I am trying to develop as part of the flylady system (more on that in another post). These routines are developed to help get in the habit of doing things on the regular so you don't get bogged down when it piles up.

Some of the things I am utilizing for tracking my habits is an app called "Habit now". I am still playing with it to see how I can best utilize it. Currently I have habit tracking for night meds at 9pm and bed time at 10pm. I'll have to see if I can add some of the flylady routines in there. But so far it had been helpful with reminders and tracking if I did it. I just added tracking for clocking in at 8am. Waking up on time has always been a problem for me. I have the tendency to press snooze and lay back down. THIS IS A CRONIC PROBLEM for me. Developing those habits of taking my meds a 9pm or earlier and start winding down so I can fall asleep at 10pm is so important to starting the next day right. Lately I have been needing sleep aids to help me fall asleep and I don't take it right off the bat so it will be 11pm and I'm still not asleep when I finally decide for that extra boost with the additional pill. It is all a part of my bipolar illness.

Well that was a lot to post about, but I know it is helpful writing it and tracking it. It is a form of accountability and also helps me get in the right frame of mind. If I discuss my goals iny blog it helps me process and see how I am doing.

Until next time, Keep being determined 2b determined to find excitement in the mundane!

Great start to the week

2023-06-05T21:44:00.002-04:00

Today was a great day!

I made it to work 15min early! And I had time to stop at the store.

I packed my bags the night before to prepare me for workout. I ate breakfast at work. I made tea for the road.

I was able to leave work 15 min earlier than usual and still got my 8 hrs. Gave me more time to get dressed and workout at the gym.

So happy I worked out! I did the rowing machine for 15 min 22s/m level 7 and bicep cable curl 30lb 15 reps 3 sets, tricep pull down 40lb 15 reps 3 sets.

I stopped at UPS to mail a crochet gift to my cousin's baby, and return Amazon package. Since I had baby in tow I had to use the stroller to be able to carry the 2 boxes in. But it worked out because I was able to walk the stroller across the street to the Dollar Genral to pick up a few things I needed. These little inconveniences are actually for the better, I got more steps in, and killed two birds with one stone.

I cooked dinner shepards pie filling! It was quite easy and tasty. I didn't miss the potatoes. Here is the link to thw recipe. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/skillet-shepherd-s-pie/

I am looking forward to tomorrow for a hope to another on time day!

Make it happen.

2023-05-24T21:50:00.000-04:00

Wednesday.

I woke up late, didn't have an outfit picked out, didn't pack my bag. I was late waking up. But I made it happen. I picked out an outfit to wear for the day. And also to pack to change into for the gym. I was committed to making it to the workout, because I had made the appointment. And even though I was late waking up, I got my bag packed and made it to the work out.

I had scheduled my free workout with the trainer today. I had rescheduled it a couple times. I started out on Friday. But then moved it to Wednesday because friday is too busy. I wasn't sure if I should do it at 4pm or 4:30p or 4:15p. It is a whole hour workout but that is pushing it when the day care closes at 5:30 and I get off work at 4:30. So I got off work a little early so I could change and get the whole hour in before the 5:30 pick up time. So I went at 4:15p.

It definitely helps packing the bag the night before. But I failed to do that. I didn't let that stop me. I pushed through and made the commitment. Sometimes it is like that. The circumstances aren't perfect but you do what you got to do.

Make it happen.

So the trainer had the workout planned. Some arm exercises and some abs exercises. I did learn a lot. I had not done those exercises before. I listened to my body and he was guiding me on how much weight and reps to do. He encouraged me to push to a failure to finish the rep rather than stopping too early. I have the tendency to want to stop when it gets a little uncomfortable, because I am not uses to using those muscles and haven't felt what it is like to push myself in awhile. I think the more I work out the more I will feel the vibe of pushing past the hurt.

This week I made it to the gym 2 times. Monday and Wednesday. That is meeting my goal. Along with a mile walk around the neighborhood Saturday. And then I will complete my goal.

Reflecting on this week, some days were better than others as far as going to sleep on time, doing my chores and nightly routine and waking up on time, and working out. These are all the areas I am focusing on to meet my goals. Little by little it will be come a habit. I just have to push though and make it happen even when the circumstance aren't perfect or I just don't feel like it.

Make it happen.

Wake up on time and Workout

2023-05-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

Last night I worked hard to get the house in order for the next day. Load and run the dishwasher. Fold and put away clothes. Pack my workout bag and David's bag.

I had a hard time falling asleep. After several attempts of using a sleep aid, I was still awake after several hours. I finally fell asleep around midnight.

David woke up hungry and wet at 5:30. My alarm is set for 6 am. I have learned if I got back to sleep I won't be awake in time. I tried to stay awake and not go back to sleep. I made tea (for the road) and ate some cereal for breakfast. I took my vitamin, but I think it caused me to throw up. 🤮 I took it in strides and didn't let it ruin my day. I put make up on because when I throw up it turns red.

Got dressed (me and baby). I packed my snack bag and water bottle. I made it on the road by 7:05. I still seemed hungry (I ate the cereal around 6 am and it is after 7 am now). So I stopped to get a chicken biscuit. If I had not stopped I would have clocked in at 8 or b4. But I was 5 minutes after.

I had a great day. I was excited to wear a new dress I got at the thrift store and the first time I wore these scarfs I inherited from my grandmother. Played a new activity at the nursing home.

I made it to the gym. Woohoo 🥳

My workout:

12min rowing avg 23 stokes/min

15 3x bicep curl

15 3x triceps curl

I have an appointment with the physical trainer Wednesday. To get my free session in. I am hoping to learn a framework to help me have more direction in the gym.

Great day

2023-05-15T21:52:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! Today was a great day. I woke up on my first alarm. NO SNOOZE! 👏. My husband made me breakfast. I took my vitamin. I had time to drink my tea and read my devotionals. Got dressed and had my bags packed for the most part the night before. I was on the road before 7:15am.

I had time to fix my head covering nicely. I got a lot of compliments on my outfit. It helps to have compliments. 😃

I had plenty of energy to get all I wanted done at work. I was proactive at meeting the new patients. And I really felt in my groove giving my activities spiel.

Count your victories.

2023-05-01T18:26:00.000-04:00

Focusing on things you didn't do can be discouraging. Lets count our victories to show what we do right not wrong!

Developing daily habits, routine, and mental health habits, and "adulting" responsibilities.

Things I did today that are victories.

(Sunday)

Cleaned both bathroom toilet sink and mirror
Cooked dinner
Cooked on the go breakfast cookies (so I don't have to buy at work)
Folded baby clothes that had been clean for awhile
Swept the kitchen
Pumped breast milk, I have a tendency to put it off
Took care of the baby. Because I deserve credit for that even though it's a given

Things I accomplished in my nightly routine:

Took by medicine at 9pm
Took sleeping aid before 10
Washed bottles
Loaded the dishwasher and set it to run
Took a shower AND shaved
Cleaned up dishes from dinner

Didn't make it to bed until 11pm but I am happy I got a lot done to be better prepared for the morning.

Goals this week

Wake up at first alarm and do not go back to sleep
Arrive at work and clock in at 8am
Make it to the gym at least once
Try exercising in the morning at home once
Limit carbs and sugars

Chai Masala- Indian Spiced Tea recipe

2023-04-30T14:21:00.021-04:00

I wanted to share my adapted recipe for Chai Masala

Masala Chai is my favorite type of tea. It is comforting, spicy, creamy, All the things I love. I drink it year round. When I am in a rush I use pre made tea bags. But if I want a special treat for the *real thing*. I make a pot on the stove to share with my guests. This recipe is simple enough that anyone can do it. The only special equipment you really need to a sieve or strainer, or a tea infuser. If you do not have that you can use individual high quality black tea bags. I prefer to pour the whole pot through the strainer but I am sure you could improvise with a coffee pot basket and filter. (If you try that let me know how it turned out.)

First you need to make your spice blend.

This is a recipe that uses ground spices, you can grind your own, or use already ground. I like to use ground so that I can store the spice blend and use it over time. Or sprinkle on other desserts. It's great on Greek yogurt or toast. You could brew your tea with whole spices as well using a different recipe. This recipe is not just for one serving of spice mix (makes about 4oz jar), so you will definitely have enough to brew another batch of tea later or sprinkle on coffee if that is your thing. 😉

Chai Masala Spice Blend Recipe

Ingredients

2 tbsp ginger powder

2 tbsp cardamom, ground

1 tsp nutmeg, grated

1 1/2 tsp cloves, ground

1 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground

3 tbsp cinnamon, ground

1/4 tsp saffron (optional)

*Link to recipe I used

The Tea

Next you need to buy your tea. Assam black tea is traditional for Indian chai. It is actually not considered a high quality tea, like a full leaf tea. It is typically tiny rounded ball like texture, even after it is brewed. This tea will give you the signature dark brown almost orange color you will find in chia tea. It is stronger brew so it lends itself better to milk. I like tea India brand you can buy it at their website here Tea india link or on Amazon here Amazon Tea India. These are bulk quantities of plain black tea and they do not contain the spices. Tea India also sells tea bags with the spices in it (Amazon link here) and instant chai latte (Amazon link here) which has the milk [powder] in it already. But we are using the pain black to to make our own more authentic recipe. I use the Chai Masala bags from Tea India regularly but when I want to make a strong milky homemade chai I use the loose leaf and spice mix. It is more special. And it tastes better with the tea brewed in the milk with the spices.

Tea India is available locally in some ethnic groceries as well. If you have that locally, check your stores.

Now to the recipe of how to make traditional Chai Masala (aka chai latte)

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1 cups milk (I use whole you can add more milk and less water if it is lower fat or nondairy) Evaporated milk is also commonly used (may want to add less)
3 tsp loose leaf black tea (You can use high quality plain black tea bags if you do not have a strainer)
1 tsp spice mix (more if you are a spice girl like me)
Sugar to taste - 3 teaspoons for 3 cups is a good regular amount of sweet or zero calorie sweetener or honey

Directions:

In a small saucepan bring the water to Boil on high
Add the milk and tea and spices and sugar*
Turn to medium heat bring back to boil
Turn to level 3 simmer for 3 min to 5 min depending on how strong you like it. You will notice the color should turn a milky orange. Be careful to not let it boil over. Give it a stir so the milk doesn't burn.
Strain into a tea pot or another pot/ bowl and let cool to drinking temp
Pour or ladle into individual tea cups *(you can add your sweetener at this stage if each cup wants different type or amounts of sweetener)
Enjoy!

* Adapted from this website https://indiaphile.info/chai/

Developing a Routine

2023-04-15T23:30:00.000-04:00

One thing that helps reach my goals and live a optimal lifestyle is to develop a routine. I have never been good at keeping a routine and that is part of why I created this blog. I tend to slack off and let things slide. Finding excitement in the mundane, get excited about doing every day ho hum activities that add up to create a healthy and happy lifestyle.

There is a morning routine a get home from work routine and a nightly, before bed routine.

I now have a newborn to take care of which adds another layer to my routine. More responsibilities and more tasks to complete.

I also want to get in the habit of working out. Whether that be at the gym after work or an at home exercise before work. Another option is exercise at the gym before work and after I drop the baby off. The daycare and gym open at 6:30 so that is enough time. But I am not a morning person so I'm not going to try that now.

Let's start with the morning routine. My baby has gotten to where he can sleep through the night, but usually wakes up around 5:30 am wet and hungry. So I change him and feed him. My first alarm goes off at 6am. Lately I have been laying back down to sleep and it makes it more difficult to wake up on time. I need to stay awake and start my morning routine then. I want to be on the road by 7:10 am and get to daycare around 7:45 so I can make it to work by 8am.

Morning Tasks:

Feed and Change baby at 5:30 am (20min)
Make and drink tea and or eat breakfast while watching a morning show or reading devotional (15min)
Exercise (30min)
Get dressed
Pack bag for baby and me
On the road by 7:10am
Drop baby off at day care by 7:45a
Get to work by 8am

I have more flexibility on the after work routine. Some times I need to run errands, have a counseling session, or go to the gym.

After work routine with exercise at gym:

Clock out at 4:30p
Move my car to gym
Change clothes
Start exercising by 4:40pm
End exercise by 5:10pm
On the road at 5:15pm
Pick up baby at 5:25pm

Home from work routine:

Relax watch some TV have a snack or tea
Pump/Nurse
Do some chores
Cook dinner at 7pm
Eat dinner around 7:30pm
Clean up from dinner
Get ready for bed (start below)

Making sure I get to bed on time is the number one thing to help me stay mentally stable. It also helps me get good sleep and prepares me to wake up on time. Getting my tasks done the night before helps me prepare to be more easily ready for the day.

Night time tasks:

Clean up dinner dishes
Pump or Nurse baby
Put baby to bed by 9pm
Clean bottles and breast pump
Pick out my clothes and baby clothes for tomorrow
Take meds at 9pm
Wind down caffeine free tea/watch TV or browse phone (this could also be after dinner)
Shower
Go to sleep by 10pm

This is a set plan to help guide me in my process to develop a routine. Following this will help me be better prepared in the mornings so I am not late to work. Help me maintain my kitchen so I have clean dishes to cook and eat with. It will help me get in the habit of exercising. And help me to feel better and do better. I will keep you updated on how it pans out.

Finding excitement in the mundane.

Sausage Skillet

2021-03-08T22:35:00.001-05:00

We often cook sausage onion potatoes and bell pepper for an easy affordable dinner. I started cooking it from watching Simplified Saver on YouTube. But I was out of bell pepper tonight, but we had some cabbage left over from last week's groceries. It was still good and I was glad to find an opportunity to use it. I knew it would go well with the sausage because Irish meals often eat sausage with cabbage. My husband loved the meal so much he ate 75% of the whole pot, and was licking the plate. He thought it was revolutionary, and thought it must be shared with the world. So here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

Turkey smoked sausage
1 onion
1/2 Cabbage (I used nappa cabbage, so I can't say if regular is just as good)
3 medium russet potatoes
1 - 2tsp coriander
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
3 pats of butter
2 Tbps Oil

Directions:

Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat
Rough chop onion put in pan
Dice potatoes and put in pan
Sauté onion and potatoes for a few minutes
Season with salt and pepper to taste and 1 tsp coriander
Cut turkey sausage length wise then chop in other direction down the sausage
Put the sausage in the pan and cook until it starts to get brown you can let it sit for a while for it to darken
While it is cooking chop your cabbage first separate the leaves and clean them and cut into one inch pieces
Stir up the pan and then put in the cabbage top with 3 pats of butter and garlic powder and another sprinkle of salt.
Cover and cook until cabbage is wilted.
Stir and taste to see if you need to add more seasoning.
Enjoy!

Chocolate Greek Yogurt Pudding - Empowered 30 approved

2020-11-17T20:43:00.001-05:00

I discovered something magical...

Chocolate (Greek yogurt) Pudding.

Since plain greek yogurt and honey are approved on the empowered snack list (other dairy or other sweetener is not approved) I thought wouldn't it be wonderful to make a chocolate pudding out of greek yogurt. This also works with chocolate protein powder for a meal replacement but this is more for a dessert.

Based on this recipe:

Chocolate Greek Yogurt Recipe Link

Modifications: sub teaspoon of honey, add pinch of salt and a dash of vanilla extract. If you are a spice girl you have the option of adding cinnamon or cayanne. I added chai spice because I have that on hand.

Enjoy!

One Pot Yellow Rice with Chicken and Veggies

2020-10-24T21:05:00.001-04:00

I was looking for a recipe for a one pot yellow rice with chicken and veggies using the packet but I couldn't find one online, so I thought I would publish the recipe after I made it successfully on my own.

This recipe is really adaptable, so just use what vegetables you have on hand.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts (you can make it with frozen like I did)
1 bell pepper diced
1 onion diced (I was out of onion and it was fine without it because the rice has onion in it)
2 carrots peeled and diced
1 ear Corn (I had an ear on hand that I cut off)
Or you can use frozen or canned peas corn and carrots
1 packet of yellow rice and seasoning packet (2.5 serving size)
Water according to package directions
Oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in pan on medium high heat sautee onion bell pepper and carrot until they have softened (carrots will soften more later)
Add chicken and season with salt and pepper and brown or if it is frozen cook until it is thawed through
Add water according to rice package directions if you are using frozen or canned veggies you can add those now or add the fresh corn
Once the water has come to boil add the rice and cover and simmer on medium for 20 min
Towards the end of cooking shred the chicken with two forks, Stir. If there is extra water take the lid off and lower the heat to very low
Enjoy

$1 30 day Challenge Conclusion (Week 4 Recipes)

2020-06-29T20:59:00.001-04:00

Caprese Spaghetti Squash Boat

(I added red bell pepper)

These were surprisingly really good. So simple but tasty, vegetarian too. Hubby approved. (This was actually from week 3 recipes)

No left overs so I had to order out for lunch the next day, chose a healthy option.

Spicy Salmon with Cauliflower Rice (I added red bell pepper)

Such a simple recipe just seasoned with paprika and garlic. I ate the left overs the next day with salad and a homemade dressing I had saved.

Chia pudding for breakfast

This turned out really good I added the frozen berries the night before with vanilla almond milk honey and chia seeds and nuts and gave it a shake. As the berries melted it created a flavorful sauce. Best chia pudding I've made yet.

Chicken Burrito Bowls

Served with plain Greek yogurt and salsa, garnished with fresh jalapeno and cliantro

Spaghetti Squash Hashbrowns (from week 2)

Wanted to use up leftover spaghetti squash. Seasoned with larwys seasoning salt. It was very tasty. A little sweet I don't know if it was the seasoning or the squash.

Vegetable Cauliflower Fried Rice

This was SOOO good. I even went to the trouble of getting the gluten free soy sauce alternative coconut album and seseme oil. This was delicious. I will definitely have to make this again. I was quite full with it too, even though it didn't have any meat.

Bonus recipe: Strawberry Milkshake/Soft Serve

Refrigerate a can of coconut milk. After it is cooled give it a shake. Blend half a can with frozen strawberries and a little honey. Just use a ratio enough so the blender doesn't get clogged. So delicious 😋

I didn't make the chicken avocado salad and sweet potato egg bowls. I think I made the berries and greens smoothie but I didn't take a picture. I remember it being too green. Maybe I didn't get the ratio right or didn't get it mixed up good enough.

I think I'm going to wait to go grocery shopping and try and use up some stuff I have before I jump into returing to week 1 that I skipped. I still have some ingredients to make smoothies. And some chicken and eggs. As I have ended week 4 recipes I have been ordering out and eating bars for breakfast. It really is nice taking my lunch to work. It is also better on the wallet. I have been making healthy choices. I'll talk more about some of the things I have been eating off plan on my next post.

At the end I have lost about 13 lbs and about 1.5 inches in each of my major areas.

Week 4 (Week 3 meal plan) $1 30 day challenge

2020-06-13T12:12:00.001-04:00

I did week 3 meal plan this week. Even though my count is on week 4. I will be doing week 4 recipes next week. So I will be going over the 30 days. I might even go another week after that and do week 1 meal plan that I skipped, because I did the welcome package meal plan first. Go to the bottom to see my results this far.

Monday (Day 24) I made turkey quinoa stuffed peppers. Sorry no picture.

Tuesday (Day 25) I made spaghetti squash pizza casserole. A recipe from a previous week. I made a larger portion. Chris ate half the pan.

Wednesday (Day 26) I made Balsamic Chicken and vegetables.

Thursday (Day 27) I made roasted vegetables and fish salad. It called for shrimp but I don't eat shrimp, so I used Pollock.

Friday (Day 28) morning I made the Banana Cinnamon Pancakes

I was surprised it was basically just banana and egg. It reminded me of French toast.

For Friday Dinner I made Southwest Chicken and quinoa. I think it was supposed to be a sauce over quinoa, but I made it into a soup. I put the quinoa in uncooked doubled what it called for, and a whole carton of broth. It turned out like a chowder. It also had coconut milk milk in it that made it creamy.

I exercised Wednesday. It was really difficult. But I was proud I actually exercised. I did exercise 4 from week 2. Hip taps, wall situps, hip dips, Mason twists 20-15-10.

I have lost 10 pounds since I started the detox. And about one inch on each of my measurements.

Looking forward to loosing more as I move on to two more weeks. I need to get in the mind frame of being Determined2bdetermined in getting my exercises done.

I was off from work Friday. I was really happy I was Finding Excitement in the Mundane and got some housework done. The shower and tub, sink and toilet are now white white after being dirty. I also did some laundry and put away clean clothes that was laying around. Washed the sheets. It was nice to take a shower in the clean bath and get into a clean made bed. It was a true prep day. Now to rest for Sabbath.

Week 3 -$1 30 day challenge

2020-06-11T21:27:00.001-04:00

This post is technically week 3 for me but I am at the end of week 2 recipes and improvised before I got a chance to buy groceries for week 3.

Wednesday (Day 19) chicken butternut squash chili. I made it on the stove top till the chicken shredded. (Pictured below top)

Thursday (Day 20) I made chicken curry with red peppers and tomatoes. I served mine with cauliflower rice and my husband's with regular rice. This meal was not on the menu I was just done with the recipes from week 2 besides the avacado chicken salad. I still had some chicken left though, so I used it to make the curry. (Pictured above bottom)

Friday (Day 21) I was off work and went to the doctor. I had to fast in the morning, but after I got a smoothie bowl.

I got the dragon bowl with chia seeds and almomds no chocolate syrup no granola. I also got freshly ground peanut butter from there too. For snacks later.

I stopped by the mall to get my ring cleaned but they were closed. I was temped by the food court and bought a squewier of Mediterranean chicken. I saved it for dinner.

I also bought some grab and go food from Newks. I got steak, homemade coleslaw, and their version of cowboy caviar. I couldn't resist their homemade pimento cheese, but mainly was for my husband. I did taste it though. I was really pleased with the grab and go from Newks. I don't think I got any pictures of dinner.

Saturday (Day 22) I mostly ate leftovers.

Sunday (Day 23) I worked Sunday and ate the rest of the curry chicken for lunch. We were waiting for money to come in to buy groceries, so we ordered to go food for dinner. I got brisket enchiladas with black beans, it also came with a salad but I didn't eat it. It did have cheese which was not approved. But I did do gluten free.

Day 18 - $1 30 day challenge

2020-06-02T22:25:00.001-04:00

Tuesday - Back on Track

Breakfast I went through the Planet Smoothie Drive through. I chose from their lite menu and added pea protein to a medium smoothie. It kept me full.

Lunch I had leftover rositerie chicken and garlic broccoli.

On the drive home from work I was mentally preparing for the work I had to do to get dinner ready, because I really wanted to eat on plan. I also was mentally preparing for laundry. I got the dinner ready first, because I was pretty hungry. It was Turkey Kale Sweet Potato Skillet. I used spinach instead of kale. I was surprised how quickly the sweet potatoes cooked on the stove.

After dinner I did my exercises, YAY! It had been so long since I did the exercises. So I am really proud of myself for getting dinner and exercise both done. Back on track!

Exercise was squat jumps, crisscross abs, skiers, and tricep dips. I did 25-15-10.

I had a little indigestion from exercing right after I ate, but I didn't throw up.

I am really happy about getting back on track. So far I have lost about 9 pounds. I've gotta keep going!

Day 17 - $1 30 day challenge

2020-06-02T22:13:00.001-04:00

Monday - Discuss Eating Restaurant Food

Still didn't get the Crock-Pot going, so I still haven't had the chicken dishes ready. So I had to improvise for breakfast and lunch.

For breakfast I had banana and apple.

Lunch I had a leftover steak. It wasn't seasoned or anything, so I added salt pepper and ketchup. It was pretty though, but the ketchup helped.

I was pretty hungry when I got home and it was too difficult to get the dishes ready. So we ordered Togo from the rotisserie chicken restaurant. For the sides I got garlic broccoli and quinoa veggie salad. I also tried some of their sauce, but just a little. The garlic broccoli was really good. The quinoa salad wasn't my favorite. I would have liked a warm quinoa side dish better.

I thought I made a really good choice about my to go food. I kept it gluten free, green vegetables and not fried, lean meat.

Sometimes you will have to eat from a restaurant and it is important to still eat healthy. I think I made a good choice in my food.

Finding Excitement in the Mundane

Try Try Again and Accomplish your Dreams

My elementary school teacher taught me the poem "Try Again" by William Edward Hickson and I think it really did stick with me:

I faced many challenges coping with my bipolar disorder and finishing my college education and getting a job in my field. This is my journey and what I had to overcome to accomplish my dreams:

🦋 Throughout my young adult life I dreamed of having a loving husband and having a baby and having a career that I could pursue my passion. I went through a lot of obstacles but I kept Trying Again. I persevered, I did not fear. With patience, I did prevail. And I received my reward.HalleluYah!

Celebrating Victory in My Health!

Personality and Meeting Goals and Creating Habits

Reflecting on Missing the Mark

Met my weekly goal!

Consistency - I'm doing it!

Tuesday 2nd Day in a Row

Monday - Great Start

Sunday *New Week* Get it done.

Commiting to Consistency - Lets make it stick!

Great start to the week

Make it happen.

Wake up on time and Workout

Great day

Count your victories.

Chai Masala- Indian Spiced Tea recipe

I wanted to share my adapted recipe for Chai Masala

First you need to make your spice blend.

Chai Masala Spice Blend Recipe

Ingredients

The Tea

***Now to the recipe of how to make traditional Chai Masala (aka chai latte)***

Ingredients:

Directions:

Developing a Routine

Sausage Skillet

Chocolate Greek Yogurt Pudding - Empowered 30 approved

One Pot Yellow Rice with Chicken and Veggies

$1 30 day Challenge Conclusion (Week 4 Recipes)

Week 4 (Week 3 meal plan) $1 30 day challenge

Week 3 -$1 30 day challenge

Day 18 - $1 30 day challenge

Day 17 - $1 30 day challenge

🦋 Throughout my young adult life I dreamed of having a loving husband and having a baby and having a career that I could pursue my passion. I went through a lot of obstacles but I kept Trying Again.
I persevered, I did not fear. With patience, I did prevail. And I received my reward.
HalleluYah!

Sunday New Week Get it done.

Now to the recipe of how to make traditional Chai Masala (aka chai latte)