Inspiration 2011 continues

Today instead of fitness inspiration, I thought I'd bring some kindness inspiration!

This morning I read a friends facebook comment that wondered if postal workers were allowed to accept home made goodies in lieu of all the hard work they do. I thought, what a great idea! Though a large part of me thought... I don't have time to make cookies, I've got other stuff to do! I didn't think much more of it.

Later in the day, I finished a babysitting job, and picked up my friend Nina and we headed to the lake. The forecasters have predicted the blizzard of 2011 is happening tonight so we figured we would go check out the waves. After the adventure of finally getting all the way out there, we found that you couldn't even see the lake when you were standing right in front of it. So, we took a few pictures and headed back.









We stopped for a quick bite to eat and since the storm was picking up even more, I figured I should go get some groceries. So I headed to jewel to pick up some essentials for weathering a storm. Fresh fruits and veggies, good hearty soup and of course, hot chocolate! When I returned home I noticed that a street light was down on the corner and being the adventure lover/ding-a-ling that I am, I decided to walk the two blocks down the street and take pictures of it! I left the groceries in the car and headed for the corner.











As I made my way back to my car to get my groceries and head inside, I started realizing just how cold it was! I had water dripping off my face from the melted snow that was pelting me as I walked into the wind that made my eyes water and I couldn't feel any of it because my face was numb!
I grabbed my bags and headed inside when I noticed someone on the corner. It was 6:45 and our mail lady was still out delivering mail! What a day she must have had! I started thinking back to this morning and whether or not postal workers were allowed to accept food or beverages. I started to run down the block. (Which is quite a work out in boots, with wind blowing in your face and 4 very heavy bags in your hands.) I made it in the door, took off my boots and raced to the kitchen to make some hot chocolate! I happened to have some styrofoam cups in the pantry and so I ran back outside just in time to catch our mail lady across the street. I waited for her by the side walk and when she came out I yelled "I made you some hot chocolate" and she yelled back "hallelujah!" I told her I made it just the right temperature so she could chug it. I also said "Thank you for what you do. You are appreciated." I couldn't think of anything else to say and it was freeeeeeeeeeezing so I smiled, she said thank you and I waved and started to run back across the street. She yelled out "Its delicious!" and I gave her a thumbs up! My mail lady made my day! Knowing that I might have made her smile or feel appreciated makes me feel blessed : )

Inspiration 2011

First post of the new year and I've been waiting to do this because I wanted to show a few people in person first... I found my fat jeans and boy was I shocked!







This post is dedicated to all of you who have set health and fitness goals for yourself for 2011. If you started a work out program/ diet/ joined a gym/ bought Sweatin to the Oldies or Buns of Steel Congrats! You've taken a step in the right direction. I'm here to encourage you to STICK WITH IT!!!

I started meeting with my personal trainer and changed my eating habits in October of 09. To date I have lost 62 lbs and went from a size 18 jeans to size 8. I didn't set out to make such drastic changes which is probably why I was able to do it. I did my best to look forward to hitting the next 10 lbs and wearing the next size smaller jeans. Every time it happened, I was was very excited and mildly surprised. I realized but it didn't sink in that working out and eating healthy really does impact your body in a huge way.

My advice?
Set realistic goals for yourself and keep a positive attitude. Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you when you make good choices (like not having ice cream for dessert). There is no magic pill, piece of exercise equipment, or fancy shoe that is going to do the work for you. Buckle down and stick to it! (It's ok to have fun along the way, infact you should!!)

If you're wondering, I've followed Tosca Reno's Clean Eating book (http://www.eatcleandiet.com/tosca_reno.aspx) and I've been working out at Evolution Personal Training which you can check out here: http://www.evolutionchicago.com/

If you need someone to hold you accountable to your work out plan or just provide occasional encouragement, hit me up! The goal is to be healthy and happy! : )

just call me Cookie

Grandma does! Every year growing up Grandma C has made the traditional Christmas cookies. As most of you have experienced, one taste of a loved ones baked goods will transport you right back to the magical joy you experienced as a child at Christmas. Since Grandma has come here the last two years, we have started a little tradition of our own where we make cookies together. I love our time together and we usually end up eating some dough and giggling along the way. This year we finished our cookie time by making spritz cookies!

Grandma C and "Cookie" in our matching aprons! LOVE her TONS!

Peppermint Choc-oooh-latte! Yum!

I walked over to Sbux today and got an Americano. The chick in front of me ordered a peppermint mocha. I should preface this story by mentioning that I used to work at Sbux and spent some of my free time on my shifts creating masterpieces via steamed milk and flavored syrup.
I was quite tempted to butt in and give her my recomendation (which I usually have to stop myself from doing when I'm in line at that particular coffee dispensary) but I have you all instead so I'll share with you how to make that holiday favorite better.
**Disclaimer** this recommendation is not for the faint of heart or one who doesn't thoroughly enjoy coffee/espresso

Next time you frequent your local sbux try this out for a holiday drink that will keep you going long enough to get ALL your shopping done!

Triple Grande
Soy
Peppermint Mocha
With whip
and an extra pump of peppermint.

The soy makes this drink so hearty you will feel like you should be out in the forest cutting down trees! It really is so delicious though. The extra shot lets you still be able to taste the espresso flavor over the chocolate and peppermint. And the extra peppermint really just adds the kick that makes it the perfect holiday treat!
If anyone does decide to try it, let me know!


Side note, unrelated to the above note, don't be like me and eat an entire bag of Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate with carmel center Chocolates. It hurts your tummy, and its stupid to eat that much candy at once. If you have more self restraint than I in regards to chocolate, PROPS to you but I wont be buying anymore of those anytime soon. And if I do, I'm asking my roommate to hide them! You never set out to eat the whole bag but when they're sitting there staring at you, you start thinking... one more? eh, yeah just one more. Ok, last one, one more. Ie-yie-yie : )
Delicious. Aka, Guilt.

Deck the halls (aka apartment)

It seems in the movies people are always complaining about the holidays. I don't really understand this. I love the holidays. I am so blessed to have wonderful family and friends and I genuinely look forward to spending time with them at the random get-togethers and holiday celebrations through out November and December.
This year I went and got a tree all by myself! As I was decorating, I ate a few candy canes, lit a few candles and sung all the parts of Christmas carols that I could remember acapella. I'm guessing my neighbor upstairs was probably pretty curious about the commotion, I don't sing quietly, haha!
Here are some pics:

















More pics soon!

Rewinding to Africa

I went for a run in the freezing rain tonight to try and clear my head from all that's been going on lately, (or more like not going on) and when I got back I felt like looking through my Africa pictures from last year. Here's a few that really hit my heart

Mmh, dark chocolate!

I'm sitting at my apt tonight, eating tiny squares of a large bar of dark dark chocolate, one at a time. I've been thinking way too much lately.
The kind of thinking you do when you have too much time on your hands
and you dont have anyone to talk to during the day

I've come up with some funny inventions (which I must remember to write down) because that's what I do when I'm bored.

Mostly what I've been thinking about is how odd it is that the older I get, the less sure of anything I seem to be. Shouldn't it be the opposite? The more experiences you have and the more people you meet and the more places you go should help you to be centered shouldn't they? Is it only things that are familiar that give you a sense of stability? Can't you carry around the familiar with you and therefore never be unsettled? (Which begs the question, does the familiar have to be physical or can it be mental?)

This is what chocolate does to my brain.

: )