You Want Me To Eat What?

One of the MAJOR problems I have in life is that I love food. Not just any food, good food. That usually consists of anything fatty, high in sugar, everything that makes all the nutritionists out there wince in pain.
Since I decided to do the Biggest Loser challenge though, I knew that I needed to change that in a big way. I found a cookbook my Grandma Stahle gave me for my birthday years ago. It's called Low Fat, Low Calorie, Low Cholesterol, Light Cooking. I have been amazed and pleasantly surprised how good the recipes are in there. It is a thick book too so you are sure not to run out of options anytime soon. BTW, if you mouse over the name of the book, it is a link to view it.

The Biggest Loser

This title applies to me in so many ways! I can't believe it has been so long since I have blogged. I have been busy but not overly so. Anywho, to update, I have been doing a Biggest Loser challenge with my sister, my mom and some of my sister's work-related friends. I have been working out like a mad woman and I have totally revamped the way I eat. So far it has been going great for me. I have not seen a whole lot of weight come off (yet!) but my inches are going down and I am really starting to see the definition in my arms and legs. Plus I feel so much better on the days I work out and eat right. I have an admission of guilt though; the other night, I not only fell off the no sugar wagon but I pretty much blew the wagon up! We have had no sweets at all in this house since New Years. Well Ross and I were watching a movie the other night and it was like I was having a nicotine fit or something! I was freaking shaking and I could not get chocolate off of my mind. I came upstairs to look for something, anything but there was nothing. I ended up making a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough and eating way too much. I was so sick to my stomach! I figure, even the strong fall sometimes, right? (I built a new wagon the following morning and I am happy to say have been back on ever since.)
We have had a ton of snow lately. We have been snowboarding a few times. It has been a total riot. I really feel that I have stepped up my boarding skills this season which really makes me, and Ross!, happy. It's nice to know that I am only getting better with age.

Resolutions

I am one of those people out there who actually keeps most of my resolutions. Some think New Year's resolutions are a joke; I think it's a great time to re-visit your life and see what needs to be changed and start fresh. Especially since none of us are perfect. Here are my resolutions:

1) Attend the temple diligently. (at least twice a month)
2) Get better at studying my scriptures.
3) Believe in me and who I am.
4) On a daily basis, find a way to connect with and show love to, my husband and children.
5) Run the Ogden Half Marathon in 2 hours and 30 minutes. (last year, I did it in 2:55)
6) Eat clean so I can be a smokin' hot babe!
7) Pray. Often.


Here's to being a better me!

Wise Men Still Seek Him

It's Christmas! I love Christmas. There is a magic in the air. My whole life I have been trying to put a finger exactly on what that magic is. It seems to be so many things wrapped up in one so I can never quite explain it very well. It's the lights, the music, the love, the excitement, the giving, the sharing and so on and so on.....
We went to church today and Brother Fuller talked. He hit it right on the head for me and I had one of those epiphany moments. "This is the magic of Christmas: that Jesus Christ was born and that He lives today."
It all flooded over me and I cried. This is what we live for, whether we know it or not. And me, in my totally imperfect state, am so THANKFUL for that babe that was born who was willing to pick up the slack for me and all of us. I can only pray that I am a good representative of what He means to me.

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus." -Neal A. Maxwell

Make Poverty History

There are an estimated 3 million people in the U.S. every year that go homeless. About 40% of those people are employed. The really scary thing is that 1.35 million of them are children. It is said that the average american is one paycheck away from becoming homeless. I complain that I am too hot, so I turn down my heater. Then I complain that I am too cold so I put on a sweater while I am turning my heater up again. I complain that I have 20 pounds to lose because I have so much food to eat all the time. I complain that I don't sleep well on my nice cushy bed in my big house with all of my family close around me. It's insane how much people suffer. What's more insane is that I don't always help when I know I could be. I am going to make this year the one to reach out more and to do my part no matter how small it might be. We are all God's children and so we are connected. How can we look the other way when it is our brother or our sister who is suffering?

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Apron

I think I have posted before about my 3 friends. They are my dearest friends in all the world. They impact my life every day. You know I recently moved up here to Eden. It is about 45 minutes away from Clinton. Has that stopped me from driving there every chance I get to see my sisters? Heck no! The gas and time are well worth the fun and the bond that I share with these people. Krista moved to St. George last Friday. It was so hard for me to know that she is that far away. I am so glad that I have a house there so I can see her whenever I am there.
We friends wanted something to connect us continually since we are all separated by distance. We all have a passion for cooking great food. Or should I say, a passion for EATING good food. The cooking part of it is just a perk. We came up with the idea to have a traveling apron. We found the cutest, girlie, frilly, red, pink, and purple apron. It is beyond cute. We took it to Krista the day before she left and gave it to her. In a month, she will send it to one of us who will then keep it for a month and pass it to the next person. And so on. It just goes on and on. I am really excited to do this.
So here's to good friends, good food and cute aprons. I know these things don't happen for a lot of people. I am really grateful that they have for me.

No Longer Homeless

We are finally here! We moved into our new home the Friday before Thanksgiving. It seems like it has been so long. Actually it has; it took a year and a half. It really seemed like we would never be here. But it was worth the wait. It turned out so great and it just feels like, well, home. We have had much fun already climbing the rock wall plus we hosted Thanksgiving for the Walker side of the family. We had so much help getting here. I just want to give thanks for ALL of the many things I have been blessed with. When I think of it all, I lose count. I am truly, truly blessed.