Day 5 Challenge - Then and NOW!

Day 5 : How have you changed in the last 2 years?

There are a few things that pop into my mind upon reading that question : weight, love and acceptance. And all of those kind of relate.

Almost 2 years ago to the day.

Taken a few months ago...

Weight : Two years ago... I was about 40 lbs heavier than I am now. It’s been a struggle to lose weight, always has been for me. But my dedication to it has fluctuated. Never at any point have a I GAINED any of the weight I’ve lost back. You know how people kind of yo-yo, like they lose weight then they give up and gain it back? Well that’s never happened. I am a PRO at MAINTAINING my weight. Whatever I lose, I work to keep off, then I go through periods of time where I double that effort and then I start to lose again. I never give up, I never gain it back, I’m just a little slow at losing it ALL! But as long it’s coming off, that’s all I care about. I have about 20 lbs MAYBE 30 lbs left to lose, but I won’t let it take another 2yrs. I’m in a good place in my life where things can continue to move forward… which leads into love and acceptance…

Just over 2 years ago.

Taken a couple months ago.

No, I haven’t found some great companion or anything. But I have found love! And that is LOVE and ACCEPTANCE for myself! Never have I EVER hated myself, nothing of the sort. But I have been too quick to hide, run and cover for myself when a threat was sensed. I know that sounds kind of confusing… Since I was little, I’ve always been pretty skilled at lying and covering for myself, masking the truth and putting the right face forward. I was always playing a certain character or conveying the right role. It seems that I’ve been hiding the truth of WHO I am as a way to protect myself? It was very confusing, especially when you’re trying to discover yourself, learn and grow! And it took awhile for me to realize what was happening and come to terms with it.

Well, I’ve stopped caring so much about what others think of me, and I’ve stopped concerning myself with what the right image is that I’m supposed to be portraying and I’ve become much more comfortable in my own skin. I’m being vague, on purpose. No need to hurt anyone’s feelings or anything. I will do what I need to in order to take care of myself and continue to be happy.

Why do you think I’m living in Southern California, taking risks I’ve never taken before, daring to dream, and believing that I can achieve those dreams. I’m at peace and I’m incredibly comfortable with who I am. I’m surrounding myself with people who are deserving of my friendship, and I’ve eliminated or lessened interactions with those aren’t.

Two years ago, I was happy and healthy. Today, I am the happiest and in the healthiest shape I have ever been in. It can only get better from here !

Oh and I have infinitely better hair now!!!!!

Breakfast & MIni AM Workout

As soon as I woke up this morning, I unrolled my yoga mat and did a mini morning workout just to get my body ready and going for the day. I love finding workout routines on Pinterest, and this one that I found is GREAT for first thing in the morning. I completed the following sequence twice in a row:

Mini AM Workout

50 Jumping Jacks
5 push-ups
20 sit-ups
20 mountain climbers
30 second plank
7 burpees

Today’s breakfast turned out especially delicious! I made my own version of a breakfast sandwich!

Heather’s Breakfast Sandwich

Calories : 282

2 Egg whites
1 slice Low-Fat Provolone Cheese
2 Whole-Wheat Waffles
2 T Salsa of choice for topping

Scramble (2) egg whites, then add 2T of salsa to the scrambled mix and top it with one slice of provolone cheese. Toast 2 Whole-Wheat Waffles while cheese melts. Sandwich the egg whites between 2 Whole-Wheat waffles. Consume and ENJOY with a GIANT mug of Chai tea!

I’ve gotten into a really good habit that I want to sell you all on… I eat ½ a grapefruit before EVERY meal. I have noticed good results with weightloss and how I feel after each meal. Grapefruits have GREAT vitamins in them, and they are a miracle fruit! I sprinkle some Truvia sweetener on my ½ grapefruit and usually enjoy it while I’m making my breakfast.

Day 4 NEW Challenge

Turns out I highly dislike the 30 Day Challenge I found online. I’m glad it’s gotten me back into the blogging spirit of things, though. I like the idea of a 30 day challenge, so I’m going to keep it up, but I found a new list that is more suitable to my personality. I mean, seriously, one of the days on my old list was: “a time you considered ending your life…” UM? NEVER?

Day 4 of NEW challenge : What Weird Things You Do When You’re Alone
(See, isn’t this better than discussing my views on drugs and suicide?!)

I am alone, MOST of the time. I like to be by myself. I don’t know if what I do is weird, or if the fact that most everything I do is done alone is the weird part? You can be the judge.

I work alone, on location. At work, I will organize my week into daily tasks, make my menu for the week, and plan my grocery store trip based on my meal plan. Many sites that I use at home, like Facebook and my Blogspot account, are actually BLOCKED at work, so I entertain myself with other things. I’ll surf the internet news stories, pin things on Pinterest for awhile, and I’ll work on entries in a Word document for future blog posts (*like now for instance).

When I’m home alone… I like to jump into Yoga pants IMMEDIATELY. I can most often be found in yoga pants, and a sweatshirt when I’m at home. I’ll knit, catch up on shows on Hulu, write in my journal, or read whatever book I’m onto at the time. Right now, I’m reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which was recommended to me by my friends’ mother. I’ll write a review about it later. I’m still trying to figure out a way to read WHILE knitting, that would be awesome!! I guess audiobooks are an option… hmmm ponder.

Since I work for The Walt Disney Company, I have a pass that gets me into the park for free whenever I want to go. So I like to go alone. I actually really LOVE to go to the parks alone. I prefer it, in fact. Unless, I’m there with a close friend, members of my family, or my sisters. But other than those cases, I REALLY like to go alone. I wander around, go on Ariel’s Undersea Adventure 3-5 times in a row if I want to (most others would find that to be torturous), grab a tasty lunch (either soup in a bread bowl or pesto pasta!) and people watch. I guess that’s the weirdest thing I do alone… It does sound a little creeperish to go to Disneyland alone and people watch… maybe I should stop… NAH!!

I guess there are some other weird things I do when I’m alone … I LOVE to sing in my room. I will blast my “FaLaLaLa” playlist on my iPod (which contains songs from musicals, Glee, etc.) and belt it out if I know that no one is around to hear me! I also spend way too much time staring at myself in the mirror, tweezing my eyebrows, whitening my teeth, and wearing clay masks.

One time one of my roommates came home to find me knitting on the couch, watching a Law and Order: SVU Marathon on tv, with a green clay mask on my face. Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4U” was blasting from the bathroom, too. Definitely, one of my classier moments.

Ya, so I guess I’m mild creeper status. I hope I don’t become more eccentric as I age… oh wait, that sounds AWESOME.

Day 3 + WAFFLES

Day 3 : Your Views on Drugs and Alcohol

(If you can get through this... you'll find a buttermilk waffle recipe at the bottom!)

Well so far I don't like the 30 day challenge... sure it's been helpful in getting me back into the blogging feel of things, and I guess that's it's intent. So I'll answer the question then move on to FUN things....

Drugs - not a fan. Never would do them. Don't have an interest, AT ALL. Although, I approved of prescribed medications when used for appropriate medicinal purposes, and are used as directed/needed. I respect that others use drugs recreationally, that's your choice, I'm just not interested.

Alcohol - stickier subject. I know that I would be a social drinker, if I consumed alcohol. But I choose not to for my own personal reasons.

All in all - do what you want, I don't judge nor care. It's your life, your choice, and your body. This next statement applies in all aspects of my life : whatever you choose to do, is your choice, but if your choices start affecting me negatively, THEN we'll have a problem... otherwise, have at it!!

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On to the fun stuff!

BUTTERMILK WAFFLES!!!!!

As we all know... I LOVE baking and cooking! I'll have to make a post about what LexiLu and I did for our version of "Thanksgiving," hehehe.... MOVING on!

I made waffles this morning! LexiLu has been requesting them recently and since December starts our Fat Ass Removal Month, today was the day she got her waffles just before Dec 1st.

I used my Disney Princess Waffle Iron and made these perfect beauties! LexiLu likes her waffles with butter, syrup, and powdered sugar. Our other roommate, Caroline, had NEVER had a waffle before. She's from Brazil and we call her our Alien. She tried one, and LOVED it! She divided her waffle into 4 sections and tried out different waffle topping ideas. She decided she likes syrup and strawberry jam the best!

I like my waffles with a light layer of extra chunky peanut butter and a layer of strawberry jam. I enjoyed my amazing waffle with a grande skinny hazelnut latte (130 calories only!). It was a perfect breakfast for my day off!

BUTTERMILK WAFFLE RECIPE

1 1/2 C all purpose flour

2t baking powder

3/4t baking soda

1/2t salt

2T sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 C buttermilk

3/4 C butter, melted

1/2 C milk, if needed

Put flour into a mixing bowl & add baking powder, baking soda, salt & sugar. Stir with a fork to blend. In another mixing bowl, beat eggs until well blended (*I do use a hand mixer for this recipe, I haven't noticed a difference between an electric mixer vs mixing by hand... just don't over beat the batter, which is true in ANY recipe). Stir in the buttermilk & melted butter (*make sure the melted butter is cooled off a little. I usually melt the butter at the beginning, then let it sit off to the side until it's time to use it). Add flour mixture & stir until well mixed. If the batter seems too thick, add milk to thin it out. (*Batter should FLOW from spoon, NOT plop).

Whole-Wheat Variation : Replace 3/4C of all purpose flour with 3/4C whole wheat flour. Proceed through recipe as directed above!

Lasty - ENJOY!!!!

Time for Hobbies

I LOVE having the time for hobbies!!! When I was in school, I always felt guilty when I would do anything crafty or artsy, or read books for fun, or anything like that. I was supposed to be focussed on school, ya know!??

Well....

Time to get crafty!!!! I LOVE knitting!!! It's so fun to work on a project, drink chai tea, and watch a movie! Great way to spend time!

I am currently working on a scarf for my roomie, LexiLu. I'm, also, starting on a pair of black mittens for myself this evening. I'll post more pix soon!

Ummm seriously 10 YEARS?

Day 2 of 30 Day Challenge...

"Where you'd like to be in 10 years"

10 years from now I will be 33... wow WEIRD?!?!?

In 10 years... WOW... I don't know what's going to happen 6 months from now. I love working for The Walt Disney Company. LOVE it! I cannot tell you how much I love working for this company. I can hope that something pans out with the company.

Ideally.... I become CEO hahaha

I love working, it's amazing how much I love it. I hated school, that's nothing new to anyone who knows me. I'm grateful to have the degree because it has helped me get this incredible job opportunity.... so I have no intention of returning for grad school, unless I find a degree that makes sense and is worth working toward... and someone else pays for it!

Being 33... I don't know if I'll be married? Or if I'll even want to be married or in a relationship. Who knows what will happen.

10 years is a little too far to look in the future for me! Let's hope that tomorrow's challenge will provide more to write about...

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On a side note ...

I'm being a crafty crafty girl!!! I have been working on knitting projects. I finished a scarf last week, and I'm working on another for my roomie, LexiLu. I'm starting on a set of mittens tonight, for myself. I've never made mittens before, so the project should be interesting. I'll post pix as soon as I get going on the projects!!

Back AGAIN, I See... DAY 1!!!!

Hey friends!!

I have been living a life of splendor in Anaheim, and I seem to have forgotten that I had created a blog that was meant to keep you all entertained since we all know how much everyone LOVES hearing about ME!

To get back in the groove of blogging... why is it that when I hear the word "blogging" I start singing "a blog a blog a blog a blog" to the tune of "a potter a potter a potter." ANYWAY... To get back into the groove of blogging I'm going to do some 30 Day Challenge thing.

Ready? Set? GO!

Day 1 - Your current relationship, if single discuss how single life is.

I am single and extremely content! I don't date, at all. Ever. I basically suck at relationships and I don't have interest in the whole dating/relationship thing. Relationships are great and all, I'm sure.

I'm a walking contradiction, or so I have been told. I am a socialite who prefers loner status. Meaning: I CAN be social, I CAN be fun and outgoing.... but I prefer to be alone and to be left alone.

Example: A group of girls I work with met up for dinner and were insistent that I join them... huh OK. I went out, had a GREAT time with them and made some great friends/connections. The next night, they met up again and tried to insist I join them - because I'm just SSSOOOO FUN! This time, I did not join. Nope. Instead, I stayed at home, curled up with my favorite quilt, did some knitting and watched Love Actually. Guess which night was more fun? BOTH were equally fun, but I prefer the night I was alone and got to do my own thing and be alone. Like I said... I CAN be social. I just prefer to be a loner.

I don't want you to think that I'm someone who is lonely or something. I, genuinely, honestly and truthfully LOVE to be alone!

Disneyland -- ALONE and SMILES

My roommate, Lexi, is a very much like me. Which is why we get along so well. We respect the others' space and leave each other alone. We can also sit in the living room, eating pizza together and watching a movie without constantly chatting at each other. SO pleasant.

Some people get freaked out being home alone or they get lonely with no one to talk to or do things with. Not me, AT ALL! I have NEVER experienced a time where I felt "lonely" or something like that. Hell, I go to Disneyland by myself and I PREFER it that way. I have gone to movies and out to dinner by myself and never blinked at the idea that it was weird.

ALONE again -- See, I'm fierce

I was a junior in high school and I think the new Spider Man movie was in the $1.50 theater and I really wanted to see it... so I went. It was AWESOME! I know people who swear that they would NEVER see a movie by themselves or anything of the sort.

I think it comes from being overly independent, and a crippling desire to not want someone around all the time. This part of my personality is definitely a blessing, but it's also a curse... well I haven't found the down side, yet, but I'm sure it exists!

I get to do what I want, be where I want, and enjoy my life! I love my job, and I have a great time with my friends. Not that relationships are some sort of trap where you can't do what you want or anything... see what I mean by sucking at this? I just mean that I've never done well with someone checking in on me all the time, or taking me into consideration for their plans, or being expected to take someone else into consideration in my planning. Maybe, someday, I'll desire to have someone join me at the $1.50 movies or silently read next to me... but for now, I'm content and very happy to be on my own and left to my own devices.

I'm sure that someone exists who would compliment my personality and preferences, but that would require being social and going out to meet people... oh and heaven forbid *gulp* DATING. Gag. Nope, I will stick to my way of doing things!

ALONE -- AGAIN!

OK... new theory as to why I'm alone all the time... I go to Disneyland WAY too much, by myself, and clearly, I repeat outfits. Shoot... Maybe it's time to re-evaluate

.... NAH!