Sweet Summer- I welcome you!

Good morning, friends, 

I write to you from my humble abode, complete with the pitter patter of dogs walking around, Rachel Ray coaching me through a creamy and delicious recipe that I will soon turn clean, and the smell of a strong cup of coffee.  Of course I won't describe the pile of dishes demanding my attention, or the laundry that could be done.  After all, this blog is about loving life, not dreading to clean.  :)  

One lesson I am so grateful to have learned from my Mom is that cleaning can wait.  When you have company present, or you are enjoying a pleasant moment with your spouse, family, or even just a quiet moment to yourself, leave the cleaning for later.  Last night, I saw one of my very best friends and her daughter depart on her way back to Minnesota.  We had such an amazing visit and I was so sad to see her go.  Needless to say, any cleaning or organizing was put on hold.  I don't care if it would have taken two minutes or 20 minutes, those were minutes that she took out of her busy schedule to visit me and two minutes where I could make memories with her little one.  It is so special to me that she was willing to make Minot, North Dakota her vacation destination for this long weekend.  Of course, Tim is left to hold my hand and try to make me smile when the tears start to fall.  He did a great job with that task.  We walked into the house and he immediately asked if I wanted some chocolate covered popcorn and to snuggle on the couch.  We recently started watching Arrested Development on Netflix, so that provided a few laughs for us.  Oh, and if you scroll to the bottom I will be providing a few of my favorite recipes (as of the late) and chocolate popcorn will be included. 

I have had quite a few people ask me how I have transitioned into a healthier lifestyle and how I have transformed my body.  The introduction to this portion says it all.  I transitioned into a healthier lifestyle.  Fad diets scare me.  Supplements freak me out.  Yo-yo dieting isn't for me.  I tried to take the most natural route into getting my body and health back on track.  I started using www.MyFitnesspal.com and downloaded the app on my phone.  If you haven't used it and are interested is maybe losing a little weight, or just tracking that you are getting a balanced diet, try it!  At first it seems like a lot of work, but the more you use it, the quicker it gets.  I have learned so much about what goes into the foods I eat.  The biggest lesson I have learned, is the way my body feels after I have a day with unhealthy eating decisions.  

The first few months of my transition to cleaner eating required me to be much more strict with myself.  I didn't have cheat days because I had to create a routine and a structure.  I am a creature of habit.  I knew that if I started exercising more and only provided my body healthy options, that my body would crave those things.  It worked!  I take a prenatal vitamin as my only supplement.  My doctor told me that of all vitamins or supplements I could take, that was the best out there.  She told me that instead of overloading with powders, and multiple vitamins that I should focus on taking that once daily vitamin and EATING my vitamins and nutrients.  After reading more about clean eating, I realized I didn't need those other things.  Half of the "healthy" from fruits and vegetables are the fibers that help clean your digestive system, rid your body of toxins and purify organs.  Maybe beyond the exclusion of processed foods, that it is how clean eating gets its name?  

In six months I have lost right around 20 pounds.  I had a few skeptics who asked when I would be done or why I was still trying to get skinnier.  It was important to me to explain myself.  I am not trying to get skinny.  I am trying to get FIT.  I want to have muscle definition.  I want to have strength.  I don't want to deprive my body of anything it needs, but rather provide my body EVERYTHING it needs to function the best way possible.  Even though I have lost about 20 pounds, I have probably gained pounds of muscle.  I see definition in places I have never seen before.  Even after being a three sport athlete in high school and cheering all through college.  The results clean eating and body weight exercise have provided me is unbelievable.  I run a lot.  I do a lot of push ups.  I do a lot of burpees.  I squat until my legs want to give out.  There is nothing easy about this process.  There are no secret potions.  The only tasks on your to-do lists are to hold yourself accountable, eat foods with ingredients you know and are closest to their natural form, indulge from time to time, and make your body move.  I prefer to make myself sweat as often as possible, but movement alone is good enough.  I set goals like a boss, and I achieve goals like a beast.   

My whole body has felt better.  I sleep better.  I wake up easier.  Overall, I am happier.  I have confidence.  I am able to wear clothes that I bought in high school (yes, I have held on to things for a long time!).  When Melinda was here last weekend she told me I didn't need to get any skinnier.  I agree.  But once again, this journey isn't about being skinny.  To me, this journey is about creating a physique that looks strong, healthy, and fit.  I don't have a weight that I want to achieve, but I have muscles that I want to develop and strengthen.

Yes, sometimes I crave a double cheeseburger from McDonald's.  What do I do? I make a cheeseburger on my own grill with sweet potato saucers used as buns (I try and stay away from refined white flour).  Last week my cheat meal was a greasy cheeseburger.  It tasted good, but after eating it, I thought my stomach was going to bust out of my body and search for a new human inhabitant.  It was soooooo mad at me for that decision.  I felt gross.  The taste was not worth it.  My grilled at home cheeseburger was sooooo much better and made me feel good.  What a difference!  

This blog is going to continue more regularly now.  I have had requests from facebook friends especially to start a blog with the food that I make or have made.  Please sign up to follow me, and if I fall off the face of the earth for a few days, have patience.  I am going to try and create a new habit (creature of habit...remember?) and on top of that, this is my  summer.  I may be busy gardening, spending time with friends, sleeping in, cuddling my dogs, working out, or traveling.  That list has me excited for summer :) 

After this long weekend, tomorrow marks first day of summer as a teacher.  It is such a funny feeling.  "Funny" is about the only word to describe it.  Surreal could also be used, but that seems much too serious when describing anticipation and excitement for summer, even on the adult level.  Last summer at this time I was still working at an office job and I was laughing with my co-workers about how I didn't understand how grown-ups were supposed to work during all of the beautiful weather.  Apparently my need to educate and teach is genetically ingrained within me.  I'm not complaining!   

Now, time for a throw back....  I had a wonderful year of teaching.  I was over-the-moon ecstatic when I got the job offer at about this time, last year. I had worked so hard for four years of college and I was watching my hard work and dreams take tangible form.  I had moments throughout this year where I would be walking through the halls and couldn't help but smile because I felt whole.  How great is that feeling?  The feeling that your heart has found its fit and your passion has found its niche.  My little life in Minot, North Dakota developed into something so great.  We moved here two years ago (May 31st to be exact) and I told Tim that we had about two years.  That I wasn't going to be able to stay this far away, for that long.  He actually brought up that proposition a few months ago.  Pretty sure my response surprised him.  It surprised me when I responded with, but I have a job I love, I have friends here that I will miss, and even though travel is expensive, it gives us a reason to go.  I miss my family, my friends, and the trees of Minnesota every single day.  Now you may be thinking, "Trees...trees?  Really Carly?"  It's the truth!  Flat North Dakota has its own beauty, and it took awhile for me to get used to it and really appreciate it, but would love a little bit more coniferous, forestry action in my life. :) Maybe I'll have to plant some more trees in my back yard! ha. The neighbors would LOVE that ;) Who knows if this will be our forever home, but I am ready to feel settled.  After Illinois, Minnesota, College, Student-Teaching,  packing up for ND, and switching jobs- I SO am tired of transitions.  I am ready to feel like I have found a home and this little house has turned into just that.  How blessed were we that we were given an opportunity to explore new places, make new friends, and develop our relationship as husband and wife in a way that we were able to figure things out together and on our own?  Sure, having help would have been great when we were figuring out home ownership, but even our dumbest decisions were our own.  That is something special. 

So, to finish my first blog post of this summer, I provide you with my latest snack obsession, lunch for the day, and dinner for tonight.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  They aren't difficult to make.  Healthy choices aren't difficult to make!  We just have to try :) 

Craving something sweet? 

Chocolate Covered Popcorn

3 tbl of unpopped corn 
1-2 tbl of dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup of mini marshmallows (optional- unclean, but low calorie & a sweet treat/cheat) 
hint of ground coarse sea salt

In an air popper (No oil!), pop the corn kernels.  When the kernels are about half popped, start stirring in your chocolate chips and marshmallows.  With the hot air from the air popper and the hot kernels, the chocolate will begin to melt.  Keep the air popper on while you stir the mixture.  stir until the chocolate has melted and has lightly coated all of the popped corn. 


For Lunch Today? 

1 can of tuna fish in water
Romaine lettuce
Kale
Cherry Tomatoes
1/2 Avocado *optional
Red Onion
Cucumber
Helman's with olive oil mixed with minced garlic and basil to taste

Mix the tuna with mayo mixture.  Place over the fresh bed of greens and vegetables. Simple and yummy.  Also, don't be alarmed.  This may look low carb, but you are getting your carbs from vegetables and fiber.  Carbs help to cleanse your digestive system, allow your brain and body lasting fuel, and slow the absorption of nutrients, which will help regulate blood sugar and reduce cravings.  Sugars and refined white grains are the guys to moderate or stay away from...I moderate, otherwise I go hog wild when I do have sweets around me!


For Dinner Tonight? 

Caprese Grilled Chicken

4 Boneless, Skin-less chicken breasts
Fresh Mozzarella (Part-skim)
1 Plum tomato 
2 tbl Olive Oil
6 tbl Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 c. Fresh Basil
Minced Garlic

*** for the mozzarella, I buy this in the cheese section of the grocery store, not the deli or gourmet cheeses.  Unless you are very particular, There is usually a grocery brand that is fresh and it is half the cost. Every once and a while it is a treat to have the expensive stuff, but after all, we are a young couple...$10 on a ball of cheese just isn't an option!


For the chicken, I always weigh mine to ensure that they ring in at between 3-4 oz.  Some of them are much larger, it overkill when it comes to portions.  Put the balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pan. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and let it reduce to about half.  Mix olive oil and garlic in a small bowl.  Gently brush the chicken breasts with the mixture.  brush the grill with a little olive oil as well.  Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on the chicken breasts.  Place on the grill for about 5 minutes a side or until the thermometer reads 165 degrees when placed in the thickest part of the chicken breast.  Remove from the grill, top with a slice of fresh mozzarella, tomato, and fresh basil.  Serve beside a small Greek salad.  


Have a great memorial day and remember to be mindful of the men and women who have the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.  

God bless! 

C.