Motivational Monday…

Today I am going to share a little more with you about my journey to become a healthier person. I have talked about it a few times on here but not much and now it has been almost a year and I truly can see a change in me so I think it is time.

Let me first start by saying that my weight has been a struggle of mine most my life and I have never had any dreams of being a skinny mini. I just want to look nice in clothes and be healthy for me and my family. Last year in early September I was at the park one beautiful day with my amazing child and she was playing like most kids her age do. She had asked me a couple times to come and see her do this or to push her on that. Each time she asked I had the same response “Sweetie can you wait just a minute momma’s tired.” I guess the Lord knew I needed a wakeup call, because suddenly I was looking at what was happening through different eyes.

I saw me sitting down barely able to focus on my kid, wasting that precious moment. I was that mom the one who had let herself get so out of control of her health that I was missing out on my kids’ childhood. Oh I was so so sad. I had always dreamed of playing with my kid and running and screaming with them and there I was missing out. Why had I let this happen? I knew I had to do something, what I was going to do I had no clue.

Seriously the Lord knew I needed help with this because just a week or two later I was getting my nails done by the lovely lady who always does them and she started talking about this group that was forming called “Slater’s Biggest Loser.” She told me that yes it was going to be a weight loss competition but much more. Including a support group, weekly weigh-ins, group exercise, and nutrition classes, to support overall health not just weight loss. To say the minimum I was hooked and was ready to sign up, just tell me where and when.

This group truly has been a God send. I am so so blessed to be a part of this group. Simply the accountability I feel to this group has me making better decisions for my family and I each and every day. Because of the tools this group has given me, I have become a more health conscious cook, I have found a love for exercise, and I am just making overall better decisions about my life and where I want to see it go.

Speaking of exercise…the first group introduced me to Zumba and then in January a wonderful group of ladies started teaching Zumba classes right there in town. They call their group N.E.W You Crew. The group meets twice per week for Zumba classes and also provides nutritional and weight loss support. They are such a blessing to our little community I am so glad they have come to provide a much needed workout spot for us.

Now my journey is nowhere near over as we say this is a lifestyle change not a diet. But I am proud to say that to date I have lost over 60 pounds and without the support of both of these groups I know I would not be where I am today. So to my “Losers” and” Zumba Ladies” thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have not judged and been supportive of me from thick to not as thick I cannot thank you enough, we have laughed and cried together and sometimes groaned (Zumba) together but you were always there for me. Yes I still have a way to go, I have some lofty goal and I know I can achieve them. I also have to say thank you to a few more people. The ladies I work with have been amazing cheerleaders, and one even jumped on board with me on the workout train, she is my motivator! The hubs says I loved you in every shape and size, but he has been a great supporter and now is adding exercise into his life. Also to my parents and brother, you guys are awesome and have been so amazing, let’s keep it up! Lastly just THANK YOU to anyone who has helped me on this journey you know who you are! Ok finally here it is my before and now picture, I am not calling it my after because I am still going!!! Thank you for sticking it out through this post!

Jan-2013                                      Sept-2014

Remembering the Loss of Innocence...

I know many are talking about this today and I am fairly certain that there isn’t an American who isn’t at minimum remembering this date. A simple date September 11, prior to 2001 it probably didn’t have much significance. Sure it was a birthday, an anniversary, a first day at a new job for some, but it didn’t really affect all of us. That morning in 2001 the date became engrained in all of us; we can remember just where we were at, and everything that happened after the moment we found out. If we aren’t old enough to remember we are told all about it, our parent’s share where they were at and how it affected them.


For me I have shared my story of where I was at before, senior in high school second hour English class. So today I think I will share how that day has affected me every day since. 9/11/2001 stole from me and from many other Americans a sense of innocence. I was a senior in high school my whole life was ahead of me, I looked at the world through rose colored glasses. I didn’t see the terrible things that went on in other countries and if I did see them I knew they could never happen here.

Since that September day I have never looked at things quite the same, sure I am still at eternal optimists and look for the best in every one. But after that morning in English class a small amount of doubt has always been in the back of my mind. I haven’t taken a plane ride since that I didn’t wonder that I didn’t look around and I hate to say it but possibly pass judgment on an innocent person. I haven’t been in a large crowd and tried to see the quickest way out. I haven’t and will never forget the gut-wrenching feeling that morning brought.

I pray for peace. I pray for the ones lost. I pray for the ones left behind. I pray for our country.

But mostly I just pray that we never face another day as that.

Cheesy Rice (Rice-a-Roni Copycat)

As a child one of my favorite dishes was Rice-a-Roni, I know I was gourmet from the get go! I just loved the yumminess of it, plus then they had the awesome jingle “The San Francisco Treat”, and the commercial with jingle always played during my favorite show Full House. Seriously I was the coolest kid of the early 1990’s, no questions asked!


Back to the rice. I also remember Rice-a-Roni being one of the first dishes my mom let me “make” while she fixed the remainder of the meal. I cannot lie I still really like Rice-a-Roni, but I don’t often buy it. I do get some serious cravings for it occasionally and the night I made this one was one of those nights. Plus the bonus is I was controlling the ingredients and how much of everything that was going in the dish. What can I say I like knowing what all is in my food!

Cheesy Rice

1 TBSP EVOO

1 TBSP Butter

1 cup long grain rice

10 spaghetti noodles (broken into small pieces)

¼ onion (finely diced)

2 ½ cups Vegetable Stock (Chicken will work, Aldi just has an awesome Veggie stock, Oh I love Aldi)

½ cup Monterey Jack Cheese (Shredded, I like to shred my own)

Salt and Pepper to taste

5-6 Basil Leaves (Finely Sliced)

In a large non-stick skillet with a lid melt butter and EVOO over medium heat. Add in the noodles and onion, cook for a few minutes until noodles have toasted a bit and onions started to soften. Pour in rice and stir in together with noodles and onion, it is really important that the rice gets some of the oil/butter/onion juice to coat it. Add in you stock, bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for 20-25 minutes adding more liquid if necessary. When rice has absorbed all the liquid and is tender, stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper. You may need to add more stock to get the consistency you like. Lastly top with basil. And ENJOY!!!

Off the Grid

I have kind of been off the grid for several days...oh man was it nice. But I glad to be back. Reason I was gone see above...Family Vaca! That right the Hubs and I headed out with Charlot on a good old fashioned family road trip! We headed to Gulf Shores Alabama! All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!! We had so much fun and didn't want to come home! Even the Hubs kept asking "are you sure you don't want to stay another day?"

I will have a full run down on this later in the week I just needed to let you know I am back and share possibly my favorite picture from the trip with you! Happy Tuesday, it is Tuesday right I'm still on vaca time :)!

Peach Glazed Grilled Chicken...

I told you guys that I cooked my momma a whole peach themed meal a few weeks ago for her birthday. But I never really got around to posting all the recipes for what we had. Will that changes today with the main dish!

You see when I asked my momma what she may want for her birthday meal she said chicken and some kind of rice(I'll post that a different day!) when she said thus my dado say yuck chicken! You see he is not such a fan of chicken unless it is pan fried. But fear not I was determined to make chicken he would like! 

It is all about the marinade here it creates a sweet, savory, and juicy chicken! Plus I kept some back to bast the chicken as it grills. Let's just say I thing I may be changing my dad's opinion of chicken;)!

Peach Grilled Chicken 

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts ( I like thinner ones for grilling)

Marinade 

1/2 cup Peach Preserves

1 cup  EVOO

1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1tsp Honey Mistard

1/8 tsp Kosher Salt

1/2 cup fresh basil sliced thinly 

Mix all ingredients for the marinade and reserve 1/2 cup for basting. Place chicken breasts in a large zip top bag pour marinade over the chicken. Close the bag and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken. Allow to marinate for at least three hours but up to six. 

Place chicken on a hot oiled grilled allow chicken to cook approximately four minutes per side. Basting as you go. Enjoy!