Challenge 1.0

So I think it's about time to get back to working out... I was running and loving it until my knee started acting up and it just hasn't been the same, but I need something to motivate me and get me working out.  I called my mom and asked about all the popular workouts like P90X, Insanity, Jillian Michaels and she didn't have great reviews for those programs, but she had seen something online called "Bikini Mommy something or other" and told me it had great views so I should check it out.  Turns out it's called Bikini Body Mommy.  Now I know what you're all thinking... "you're not a mom" or "bikini what?" Well you just have to check it out before you say anything. Okay?

It's a challenge with about 20 minute workouts for 90 days.  She's real.  She does the workouts right along with you and is huffing and puffing and sweating just like you.  All the other workout videos you see of the perfectly trim instructors doing every workout like it should be the easiest part of your day are a JOKE!  I am loving Bikini Body Mommy!

I have never sweated so much in my entire life... okay maybe that's not true, I probably sweated like this in high school when I played sports, but still for only 20 minutes a day she gives you quite the workout.  I just finished Day 3 and I'm walking around like an old woman in need of a hip replacement!

If you're looking for an awesome way to get back in shape I highly recommend checking out Briana Christine's program!  You'll be sorry, but definitely not sorry.

Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0AlZHNUnml2-VHUyfSxCig

Website:

bikinibodymommy.com

College Student Food...

I realize I'm kind of on a food kick... sorry, not sorry.

I promised myself that no matter how poor I got during my college years I would never allow myself to consider Ramen as dinner... and so far I'm doing well :)

You can still eat well when on a stretching budget, and I absolutely HATE spending money on groceries... it makes no sense at all, but I really do.  So tonight I made BBQ chicken pizza and boy was it delicious!  So simple and pretty quick too!  I had some extra dough so I decided to make some breadsticks... not too bad either.

I Splurged!

MANGO!

Every now and then you just have to go for it! 

So whatever it may be that you must go for, feel free to splurge so all your wildest dreams can come true!

On my mission in Colorado I was introduced to mangos. And thanks to Mama Queisner I know how to properly prepare them for scarffage (aka: eating them).  They are a sweet treat and bring back so many wonderful memories of Aurora, my companion Sister Hunter, and living with Mama Queisner. 

If you have never tried a mango you must try them immediately so your life can be forever changed!

Pancakes

I make sure to do the most important meal of the day right!  These are my mom's buttermilk pancakes and they are by far the greatest pancakes you will ever eat in your entire life! 

I like mine with wheat flour, but they are fabulous with regular flour as well!

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 egg

1/4 Tbsp. oil

1/2 tsp. sugar

(makes about 4 pancakes)

A little something I've learned about HAPPINESS...

"Men are that they might have joy." This is an important lesson that the prophet Nephi teaches us in the Book of Mormon, but how do we live out this life lesson when everything seems to get in its way?

My mom has always taught me that happiness is more important than anything else.  Happiness is more important than being right, more important than holding a grudge, more important than stressing out about life, more important than anything.  She even bought me a decorative sign for my apartment that says, "Happiness is something you decide ahead of time."

Why is this so hard in our lives?  Why do so many of us struggle with having joy each and everyday? We want to be happy, and I honestly don't believe that anyone (or any sane person) wakes up any morning and says, "Nah, not today.  Today I don't want to be happy."  And yet despite our goals of wanting joy we don't always do very much to keep our happiness before it is stolen by the smallest little insignificant negativity.  I don't know the exact reason for the difficulty, but I do know that anything worth having in this life take time, effort, and dedication... why would joy be any different?

Now, please don't make the same mistake that I did (and probably will continue to make from time to time) which is to believe that you must go from 0 to 100 with the snap of your finger.  Change takes time.  Heavenly Father just wants to see progress.  He never intended for us to become perfect in this life and will never be disappointed in us for not being perfect.  He will only ever be disappointed for us is when we decide to roll over, give up, and stop making progress.  Pick yourself up, use the atonement and get back on track.

No one is saying that from this moment on we should never be unhappy again, that would be impossible and insane.  However, we should realize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is real, He is our Savior, He atoned for all of our sins not just the ones He wanted to, and because of Him our burdens can become light and He will lift our sorrows if we let Him.

These people bring me happiness, they're not necessarily the reason for my happiness, but they sure do contribute to it.  My mom and sister are my most loyal and true friends and I don't know what I would do in this life without them.

The Little Things in Life Really Matter

  So it's 11:05pm and I have to be dressed and ready to go to work at 7:45am tomorrow, and should probably be laying my head down on a wonderfully soft pillow to get a good nights rest.  But sadly, I know that I'll lay down and billions upon billions of memories and thoughts will enter my mind and I'll just lay there awake wishing I could find the off switch or convince myself to shut-up! So I will share some things I have learned recently.
  I am not good with medical diseases or most terms (and yet I work in a doctor's office every day, five days a week) but any-who, there are so many inspiring people that come into the office.  We have old people, and I'm talking old, old like late 80s and they are still walking around, driving and acting like they are in their 50s.  Man! If I can still be that active at their age I will be one happy woman!  But, that is only one inspiring concept I have learned over the past five months working at Excel Eye Center.  Yesterday, this woman came in for a follow up appointment.  Pretty straight forward, just do some simple, preliminary patient work and then let the doctor take over, but this visit was different.  The woman came in with her three adorable kids, one of which could not use his arms or legs and mom had to pick him up and set him down every time they moved locations.  She sat him down on one of the chairs in the exam room and sat herself in the exam chair.  This little boy was the cutest and happiest little kid.  He accidentally slipped so his back was where you sit and his siblings didn't help him and obviously mom was in the exam chair, so knowing he needed help I picked him up and sat him back up.  Such a simple form of service, but I knew it meant a lot to him.  He wanted to tell me about his plans and who he was going to be spending time with.  This little boy has every motive to be angry or sad about his condition and yet he was so, SO happy.  As they left the appointment the little boy looked up and told the doctor to have a nice holiday.  I just wanted to pick him up and take him home.
  I have so much to be happy about and be thankful, and yet more often than not I complain about stupid, little things that should just brush past me like nothing.  God has blessed me with so, so much and I need to be able to see the positive through the very few negatives.  Put a smile on.  Everything will be okay and work out.  He has a plan for us as long as we can do His will and put aside our own wants and needs.  The little things in life really matter.  I know that for me I never take the time to just sit or focus on what really is important.  I want to be able to see the forest instead of the trees.  I want to slow down and hone in on the tiniest, most precious moments in this life.  Trying to remember special moments that I should have savored is the hardest thing for me and I really wish I had spent more time and not been so scared to just put myself out there.
  I know that was just a bunch of rambling and I hope it makes sense to someone... as my Grandpa Openshaw always says, "Have a Super and a Happy!"

Oh right I have a blog...

Well... I remembered that I have one of these things and that I should probably post something so my very few followers (who also see me on Twitter, Facebook and what have you) know I am still alive.  Since school ended I have been living in a 55+ Community; yes you read that right, a 55 and older community.  Now I know you are all thinking that I sit around playing Canasta, Bingo and all those stereotypical old folk games, but I actually sit in my basement watching tv or on my computer, work, or hang out with family.  The summer has been good.  But I have been a little lonely.  I miss my friends and the wild times I had become accustomed to since the end of August last year.  The 55+ Community, Crystal Cove, is starting to rub off on me: I can't stay up too late without getting tired, I watch the news like it's my job, and I sit on the back porch to just sit there. I'm excited to be back on campus and hanging out with people my age and always having people around to do something with.  Hope y'all are doing well!