2013 | SPOILED ME

This past year was a full one, looking back over it I can't help but smile at all the fun adventures I had and all the opportunities I was given to grow and change. Like so many others in the blogosphere, I too am taking the time to reminisce and recap all the treasures that I will be taking away from 2013.

What I Learned

I learned a lot this year, but the one thing that sticks out most to me is, grasping on a deeper level, that finding joy and contentment in life is greatly impacted by how I look at my life. I've said it before and I will probably say it again... it is easy to compare your life, your circumstances, to all those around you and in doing that it is easy to fall into a mindset of "I'm not where I should be, or who I should be." I know I am not the only one that has battled with the comparison monster. I think we all do in one way or another. Being that I turned 30 this year, I definitely had more battles with that beast than my norm. I was hit with the "What the heck, why do my friends this age have husbands, children, houses, etc. and I am still single, waiting, wishing, hoping?"  It's not that I am impatient for those chapters to start, more it is feeling like because they haven't started yet you are behind and it's because of something you've done. Going through these battles has really pushed me to recognize the blessings and experiences I have. I may not have a husband or children yet but I have an amazing group of people around me that I love and cherish and that I have the privilege to share life with. I may not have my own place yet, but I have the opportunity to save and get out a debt while living with some of my best friends. I may not have the job of my dreams, but I have a job that I enjoy, I'm meeting new people and I am learning new things. Changing the way I looked at these things has helped me truly feel happy about where I am at this moment. I am in no way satisfied, I still want more and I will continue to dream... but I am content and happy and those are two things I will not take for granted.

What I Discovered

This year I discovered YouTube. I know what you are thinking, "where have you been, under a rock?" No, it isn't that I never watched YouTube before, I had definitely seen my fair share of videos before this year, but this year I discovered professional YouTubers that upload weekly and put inspiring content out on the regular. Whether they be beauty bloggers, world travelers, videographers or musicians there is an arsenal of talent and inspiration on YouTube that I have just begun to tap into. To be honest, I don't really watch much TV any more. I have YouTube channels that fill my subscription box and when I have down time I watch them and learn new things and on many occasion laugh my face off.

What I Experienced

This year I had a few new experiences, one of them that sticks out is going back to work in a corporate setting. For the last two years I worked from home, so going back into the work force was definitely a major change. To be honest, it is recent and I am still adjusting but it is something that has pushed me to grow in many ways. One of those ways is to get back on a normal sleeping scheduling. That may sound silly, but when you are single and working from home you can pretty much set any schedule you like. I would work throughout the day but it didn't have to be back to back hours. There were times when I would work through the night and then sleep until 11am. It was like being back in college, on the days I didn't have class I would stay up insanely late and then sleep all day. Why, because I could and I also had the insane notion that I was more creative at night. So that being said, the new job has reintroduced me to 5am. I can't say I am a fan, but it is getting easier. The job has also given me the opportunity to meet new people and just interact with others. When you work alone from home, it can be easy to turn into a hermit. I've really enjoyed having co-workers again and I am hoping to make some new friends and branch out of the comfortable shell that I've been living in.

What I Loved 

I love that fact that this year I was able to spend time with my family and every single one of my best girl friends. It may not sound like a big deal but it is quite a feat because they all live in different States, have full time jobs and the majority of them have growing families. It is honestly something that has never happened in years past and I don't know if it will ever happen again. Being able to connect with all of them has made me feel so lucky. Not only am I blessed to have so many amazing women in my life, but I got to have fun adventures with every single one of them. I was able to make memories that I will cherish forever. This year was full of things to look back on and love, but exploring Epcot with Ashley and her family, rocking out to Taylor Swift with Erin, hitting up Universal Studios with Gerri and her two boys (along with many mini-dates on my trips home,) having sleep overs and dancing around the living room with Jess and her girls, lunch dates with Amanda, talking for hours over coffee with Rachel, exploring Knoxville with Courtney and her family, having daily adventures with Tab and her brood and of course watching my Baby Bro get married to the love of his life and getting to spend Christmas with all of my fam in Florida... all of these experiences take the 2013 cake for me.

This year has been an amazing one, while there were challenging times and scary times there were also times filled with love and joy. I am happy with where I am and who I am at the end of this year, and I am looking forward to what 2014 has in store.

I hope you all have an AMAZING NEW YEARS EVE celebrating with the ones you love.

See you in 2014!

Life Update

Hi friends!

So I am changing things up a little bit. I didn't want to go a whole week without posting but I haven't had any time to actually make any posts. As you know most of my posts on here are more about the things that I love and less about my everyday life, but because I'm going through some changes and haven't had a chance to  share with you what I normally do I thought I'd sit down and update you a little on what's been going on these last few weeks. I promise I will go back to sharing all my favorite new beauty products, trends, tips AND I have a post coming up on the progress of my new space. For now though, because I haven't had time to put those posts together I am just going to talk to you a bit. I hope that is OK.

I've recently started a new part time job and with that job came three weeks of training in Lakeland Florida. Lakeland is not close and I've spent a lot of hours on the road going to and from. I now have an insane amount of respect for all those that have long daily commutes. I don't know how you do it. The training is only three weeks so the massive commute for me will end after this Friday. Thank You Lord! I'm going to have a lot more free time after that. Which I look forward to because I miss blogging. I know it's only been a little while but I've come to really enjoy making my blog posts and not having the time to do it has been a little bit of a downer for me. 

For the last two years, since I moved to Florida from Michigan, I've set my own work schedule. I would work on freelance graphic projects, photography and my online classes when I wanted. There weren't set time constraints put on me from anybody but myself. Don't get me wrong, I had work to do and I made sure it got done in time but my hours were my own. With this new job, I'm back to having someone else set my schedule and that has been a transition for me. Not bad, but different. I keep hearing, "you're back in the real world sweetie, it's time to be a grown up" in the back of my head. Not that I think those that are self employed are any less grown up, more so it was I personally wasn't living like a grown up. I want to start saving for my future, but in order to do that I have to make more than what I need to live on... hence the new part time job. I will still have a lot of my time to do freelance graphics, photography and my online classes. I'll just have another income coming in that will help me when those jobs slow down. Anyone who is self employed has experienced the slow season and knows what I am talking about. It's nice to have a little security. Plus I'm ready, for what exactly I don't know, but I feel like this is a step in the right direction.

I've really enjoyed training for the most part. Yes, there are times when I get a little overwhelmed. I am learning a whole new set of skills and sometimes it feels like a lot to take in, but at the same time I like the challenge. I can honestly say that I like having somewhere to go and work. I like meeting and interacting with new people every day. I like learning a new skill.  This new job, while it has given me some boundaries that I don't love (like not being able to leave on a trip at a moments notice, not having all my time to spend with my family when they visit) it has already brought a lot of good into my life. 

Tomorrow, I have the first of two exams. I will be studying for it the rest of this evening and then a little in the morning once I get to Lakeland after my commute. I'll keep you updated. Wish me luck!

xoxo

Briony

Day Five & Six: Fit Body Bootcamp Recap

To start I have a little confession: My least favorite exercises are Mountain Climbers, Jumping Jacks and Planks. All three of these exercises make me feel like my heart is going to explode. I know with time I will get better at them but for now I LOATHE them :)

Day Five: Last night was Detox Monday and we did everything you see in the above picture two times through. I gotta tell you, my whole body was feeling it big time. BIG TIME. Because I had gone all last  week I walked into class with a little bit of false confidence. I thought I had a good idea of what Bryan and Denise had in store for us and then they brought out the list. My nerves came flying back in through the window and made me start sweating before we even started. No joke. Haha.

I was sure to take a picture of what we did because this workout is something that any of you could do at home. The key is to take as little breaks as you can. Keep your heart rate up. During a set if you need a break you should take 5 seconds. In between exercises if you need a break take 20seconds. Depending on where you are health wise you will have to push yourself at times, just be conscious of your body.

Day Six: So instead of going to the evening class tonight (because I have worship practice) I went to the 9am class. Today we did abs and arms, and boy oh boy Denise worked us good. When I got in the shower after class and started washing my hair I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to finish because I could barely hold my arms up. I upped my weights today.... maybe a little too soon. I'm not sure if my arms knew what was happening to them hahah.

As always, JUST KEEP MOVING!

What's for Breakfast: Cinnamon Raisin Toast w/ Honey Walnut Spread

 Ingredients: Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread, Chopped Walnuts, Plain Greek Yogurt, Honey, 1 Peach

 Combine the toasted walnuts in a bowl with the greek yogurt and honey.


 Mix all of the ingredients together.

Makes 2 Servings 

Serving Size: 2 Pieces

Calories 250

1/4 Cup of Walnut Pieces

1/4 Cup Plain Greek-Style NonFat Yogurt

1 Teaspoon of Honey

4 Slices of Cinnamon Raisin Bread

1 Peach (or apple or pear) pitted or cored

When ready to serve, toast your bread and cut your peaches (or fruit of choice) into 1/4" slices. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the walnut spread onto each piece of bread. Top each piece with a few slices of fruit... eat immediately. I have to say, this was a delicious and easy to make treat. Definitely a nice way to mix things up in the morning. Bon Appetit!
Recipe is from Ellie Krieger's So Easy Cookbook. 

A Change in Your New Routine

So... one of the biggest challenges to modifying your eating habits and altering your lifestyle is when your routine is suddenly changed. This change can come from life situations, natural disasters, vacations, etc. You name it, if it causes you to stop doing what you've been doing... it can be a stick in your weight-loss bikes spoke. 

Changing your lifestyle is all about breaking bad habits and making new and better habits. Doing so, takes time and commitment. So when something comes along that challenges that commitment, especially something fun... it is a test of will. For me, when I'm on vacation I tend to fall back into bad habits. I don't feel like I am alone in this. I am saying all this because last week I had a few days of so called vacation and they messed with my routine in a big way. That being said, I am not regretting those vacation days. I had a blast, I ate some great food and some not so great food. What I am not thrilled about is how hard it is to break back into the routine I had been in. It feels as though there are all these obstacles, be them big - be them small, but obstacles none the less that keep deterring me. The biggest obstacle is my laziness. I hate grocery shopping. I don't like planning meals for the week, I don't like figuring out what I need to get and what I already have and I don't like walking up and down the aisles trying to find what I wrote down. Not a minute of the process is enjoyable to me. So I haven't done it. I've been home since Tuesday and I haven't gone shopping which means that I've been surviving on Eggo Waffles, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. None of these things are bad, but they aren't filled with nutrients either. 

Today is Saturday, tomorrow is Easter. I am going to make something for dinner... I just don't know what yet. I am going to overcome my laziness and make a grocery list, I am going to go shopping here in a few and I am going to get back into my routine. There are definitely things you can do on vacations to keep up your routine, I wish this post was about that... but I am not that person yet. I am the kind of person that wants to try a little delicacy from every nation represented at Epcot, I am the kind of person that will pull through McDonald's on a 15hr drive to DC. If I keep things up maybe in May when I drive to MI I'll be the kind of person that packs a cooler... we shall see.

Here are some pics from Epcot. 

Here is our menu from the day:

In England we shared Fish n Chips (Delicious)

In France I had a Chocolate Crepe (Not as good as in real Paris but it was yummy)

In Japan we all shared California Rolls (I had 2 they were actually really good)

In Germany we shared a Bratwurst (I took one bite... it isn't my thing) 

In Italy Ali had Italian Ice (I didn't have any but I wanted some)

In China we shared Orange Chicken (Very good... almost as good as Cheesecake Factory's)

In America (we ate dinner) I had a side of Mac n Cheese and a Burger

I am happy to report that even though we ate food in most of the countries I only went over my daily calories by 437... which means for that day I was at 1637. Not as bad as it could of been. I say all that because in all the countries but two we shared everything between the four of us. It saved us money and it made our portions much smaller. I guess that is one tip I have for when you are on vacation - - - SHARE EVERYTHING!

What's for Dinner: Turkey Lettuce Wraps

One of the big things I've always struggled with is finding foods that I think taste good and that I can actually make. Today I decided to make Turkey Lettuce Wraps for dinner. I found the recipe on Canyoustayfordinner.com. I made a few modifications, like cutting out the Ginger and the Onions since I am not really a fan of either, using Garlic Powder instead of cloves because it is easier haha and I decided to go with Hearts of Romaine instead of IceBerg lettuce. Each serving came out to about 355 calories of deliciousness. I was very happy with the end result... I was able to make it quick and it was delicious. Definitely something I am going to make a weekly ritual.

(All the Ingredients... not too many.)
(2 Cups Chopped White Mushrooms)
(Cook Lean Turkey for 5min on Medium Heat)
(Add Mushrooms and Cook for an Additional 3min - Stir Frequently)
(Dice up Water Chestnuts)
(Mix the Hoisin Sauce, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Salt and Brown Sugar Together)
(Stir in the Sauce and Let it Thicken for 3min)
(Add Carrots and Water Chestnuts. Stir the Mixture and Take Off of Heat.)
(6 Leaves of Romaine Hearts + 1 Serving of Delicious Stir Fry = A Happy Full Tummy)

Ingredients:

Olive Oil - 2 Teaspoons

Hoison Sauce - 1/4 Cup

Soy Sauce - 2 Tablespoons

Sesame Oil - 2 Teaspoons

Brown Sugar - 1 Tablespoon

Salt - 1/2 Teaspoon

Garlic Powder - 1 Teaspoon

Chili Powder - 1-1/2 Teaspoons

Water Chestnuts - 1 (8oz) Can drained and chopped

Grated Carrots - 1-1/2 Cups

White Mushrooms - 2 Cups Chopped

Hearts of Romaine - 1 Bag

93% Lean Ground Turkey - 1 pound

In a bowl, whisk the sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, hoison sauce, salt, garlic powder and chili powder. Once its all mixed up set it to the side.

Put a little olive oil into a large skillet and turn it on medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook for 5 minutes, break up meat with wooden spoon. Add the chopped up mushrooms and cook for 3minutes, make sure you stir it frequently. Watch and make sure all the pink is cooked out of the Turkey and that the mushrooms have started to get soft. Now its time to stir in your sauce mixture. Cook it for about 3minutes until the sauce starts to thicken slightly. Finally, add the carrots and water chestnuts into the mixture, give it a nice stir and then remove it from the heat. 

This mixture will serve 4 people and it comes out to about 355 calories which includes 6 Hearts of Romaine Leaves. I hope you all try this and let me know what you think.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

(Image from Adventures in LuLuLand) 

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Would you change your skin type, your crooked or stained teeth, your eye color or height? For me, I would change my weight. I've been heavy for more than half my life, I don't even remember what it's like to be normal sized. The thing about wanting to change something about yourself, like your weight for example, is that a lot of times it is possible... that wish is something that you can make a reality. Now there are a few things I mentioned above that may take a bit of creative thinking to change, like changing your height or eye color... heels and contacts are the solutions that come to mind for me. Hahah With the other things I mentioned it takes a lot of time and discipline, but they are possible. The problem is that it is a process. In this instant world anything that takes more than 5min doesn't satisfy us. But there isn't a magical wish, where poof, I am a healthier me and your a blemish free you. The process is the important part and it is also where I always find myself floundering. I've made choices in the past and started different diet plans but none of them lasted because I wasn't disciplined. Even though I said I wanted to be healthier, skinnier. My actions were working against my so called desires. I lost sight of my goal because I was focused on the sacrifice. It is in the process where we create new habits and break old ones. It is in the process where we see the benefit of sticking with something and pushing through obstacles. Yes, we have to give things up but what you get in return is always better.

I'm in the beginning stages of my process. At the beginning of February I started to cut back my daily calories, down to 1200 a day. I started keeping a food journal with an app called, My Fitness Pal. I started replacing my diet soda and Starbucks coffee with water and cutting out most fast food and replacing it with meals made at home. All of these actions weren't easy for me, but as I made them I kept reminding myself why I was making them. Reminding myself what I wanted for myself, a healthier life. One without limits because of my weight or the width of my hips. So far I am 14LBS down. It is a step in the right direction and the choices I started making in February that were hard for me are now coming easier to me in March.

I've reached my first plateau, I've held firm at 14LBS down for the last 2weeks. I know this means two things... I need to stay focused and push through and I need to stir up my routine. So, this is my first step to stir things up. I've decided to start writing about my weight-loss. Not because I think my journey is special but because I know there are so many others out there in the same boat as me and I know accountability and encouragement are lifeblood when it comes to facing trials. My second step was to add more activity into my every day. Today for example I took a 30min walk with the pup and I did 30min of Zumba. Last week I was keeping steady at 20min of activity a day.

In February my church did a series called Bod4God, we were challenged as the body of Christ to check ourselves and our hearts on whether or not we were a true reflection of God. As a christian it is important to recognize that your life is not your own, you've given it to a higher purpose. The term christian means to be Christ-like. That applies to how you talk, what you do and how you live. I don't want my physical body to limit what the Lord can do with me here on earth. At the beginning of March we started a 12week Bod4God small group that meets every week. We are going through the Bod4God book and then discussing our personal journeys to living a healthier, Godlier life. This group has been such an encouragement to me. Our Pastor, has personally lost over 30lbs in the last two months and he has been an amazing example to us. I feel like the online world has the ability to be a support group like this small group. I know I'm coming back to blogging at a time where it has reached its peak and I am excited because that means there are lots of you out there.

This is my journey through the process.