And The Adventure Continues…

Well, my life has come to a screeching halt. After nearly three months of the work/school/commute/study/sleep combo, and being on the go practically every waking moment, I crashed and burned pretty bad.

I am recovering from surgery from an abdominal hernia. FUN.

So, I was overdoing LIFE just a little bit. Just a little. (Okay, lots)…

The good news is, I’m back to blogging, because it’s easy to look at the good things that have come up from this crash, (and no, dropping Microbiology isn’t one of them). I’m actually sad I had to drop Micro. (Really! I mean it!)

I’ve taken the Dave Ramsey plan seriously and have been getting on track with my finances. It’s been absolutely amazing, since it really has shown how God has been working in my life.
If you want to follow along with the plan here is the link: http://www.daveramsey.com/tools/new-to-dave/

It’s something I highly recommend, it’s helped me enormously, especially during my unexpected surgery. Needless to say, it made things a LOT more secure.

This is my progress board. It’s easily visible from anywhere in the room (it’s RIGHT next to the TV and computer) so when I feel like making an unnecessary purchase, it’s right there to remind me. If you can’t tell from the pictures, we’re on Baby Step 2, which is to pay off all debts. I’m VERY excited about this plan, and it really makes me feel good about our upcoming future together!

So I’m learning to slow it down and look at the simple things in life. Becoming more organized, loving what I have and figuring out this windy path up a mountain that I’m climbing. I’m still trying to figure a lot out, and having a plan and a budget is making that a little bit easier.

My “Office”

There is SO much to come this next year, I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of big life steps that are coming in waves. I’m excited about the holidays and family, and really making my life a fulfilling one.  I’m extremely glad to get back into one of my favorite hobbies, blogging, since I now have the time.

(I’ll be back, I promise!) 😉

❤ Hojo

Breakfast and Grouchy Cats

Well, today is the day I go in for a second interview with a company I’ve been in contact for the past few weeks. I’m nervous and excited over the idea of this job. Okay okay, that’s all I’m going to say for now, because I can’t jinx myself and post about it. Fingers crossed, prayers said, I’m ready.

30-Day Shred
Yesterday, I completed day 5 of the Julian Michaels 30-Day Shred, and while I am noticing some results, it’s hard to keep up with it day after day. It’s just making it a part of my daily routine, just like the running and home management, and it will become easier as the weeks go by. I am noticing things are getting tighter and trouble areas are going away already, even though the scale hasn’t budged. But, like I said, you can’t judge your figure by the numbers on the scale. I feel healthier and stronger, and that’s what counts. Day 6 of the Shred is going to be completed this afternoon, I’ll let you all know how it goes.

If I can get my cat off of my yoga mat. –___-

Kind of rivals this one…

(I LOVE grumpy cat!!!)

Breakfasts

The past couple days, I’ve been craving protein to soothe the sore muscles in my legs and arms. So, of course, I’ve turned to some pretty delicious egg dishes. I’ve also learned to put Mrs. Dash (the original flavor) on everything. I think I’ve become obsessed.

This is a 2 egg-white omelet with spinach and about a teaspoon of feta. I topped it with half an avocado and Mrs. Dash, and I was in absolute heaven! This was probably one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a while, restaurants included.

This next dish was sautéed spinach. shitake mushrooms and half a diced red pepper. I topped it with two poached eggs, and, you guessed it, Mrs. Dash. Both recipes are loaded with veggies and are salt-free. So, for those cold mornings, or when you’re craving a big breakfast, there it is! 😀
I think people make poached eggs out to be more complicated than they really are. It’s as easy as boiling water, in my opinion. I found a great instruction on doing it here.

(Can’t forget my morning glass of mean green!)

That’s what’s been going on so far. Tomorrow is Meal Planning Day, so I might post my meal plans for the week. I’m a big fan of food from other cultures, and I periodically have cravings for Asian, Mexican, Indian, etc., so I’ve been trying to find creative ways to incorporate healthy versions of these dishes into my meal plans.

Here’s Tuesday’s Sukiyaki:

(Tofu, Shitake and Enoki mushrooms, sliced beef, Chinese cabbage and Soba Noodles.) One of my absolute favorite cold-weather dishes. It makes a TON of food for about $12-14.

So, that’s it for today.

Are there any dishes from other cultures you regularly prepare?

<3Hojo

New Beginning

I love being fit. I love the feeling it gives me when I’m able to run three miles nonstop without any trouble. I love that I have endless energy and I feel good about myself. I tend to make better eating choices, and have more restful nights. I like having clothes fit and that healthy glow added to my skin and hair. That’s why I make the decisions to take care of myself and my body.

We all fall out of our routines sometimes. Due to distractions, like work, school or family situations. We’re not perfect. It’s whether or not we decide to restart our routines and make healthy choices is what sets the healthy apart from the not.

I needed a break to sort things out. Last semester (or winter/fall, or what you would call it) something had to give. We all have those times in our lives where our faith, stress levels and willingness to persevere is tested. I was a stress case last year. I felt like I had to just wipe everything away and start new.

Now that I have my life sorted out, and a plan for the next few months, I can finally start expending my extra energy to blogging and keeping healthy. As a nurse (or a nurse aide), I find myself with a lot of extra time, and that extra time somehow fills itself up with so many hobbies and chores. I love blogging and writing, and since this semester is most likely going to be a low-key semester, I’m going to make a point to keep up with my writing.

Over the next few days, I’m going to start Week ne of my new fitness routine. Since the gym thing didn’t work out, I’m going to find ways to incorporate running and yoga into my life.

Week one is going to include routines from the Julian Michaels series, (Level One, found on Amazon) brisk walking and abs workouts. The idea of this first week is to establish a routine of waking up early and making exercise a priority.

Week two is when I intend to start yoga again. The focus next week will be adding vegetable juice to my diet and centering myself. Again, I want to create a healthy routine in my life.

Another thing I want to make a priority is my bible studies. I’ve been falling behind in my daily bible. I found the best quote on Pinterest the other day, and I think it really fits my situation.

I’m going to start praying more: about my career, my job, school and relationships. I haven’t been doing my half of the work and expecting results.

That’s all for now. I’m expecting to do a day-by day workout journal here, as well as postings to recipes that I find and try.

Wish me luck!

-Hojo