Word of the Year

In the beginning of each year, my pastor at First Baptist Orlando, tells us his word of the year and asks that everyone have a word of their own to live by. Most of the time I have to think about it awhile, in order to come up with a word that means something in my life.

This year was different, it came to me so quickly and I knew it was something I have been struggling with in the past. My word is Commitment. In the past, commitment was a problem for me. I always had great intentions of doing things and I would WANT to commit to, but never followed through. I am not sure exactly why I am like this and my procrastination with some things drive me nuts, and I am the one doing it to myself!

So, this year I am making a COMMITMENT. A commitment to everything I do.

* to my sunday school job

* to the Magic

* to my students

* to cooking at home instead of eating out

* to my new eating lifestyle

* to pilates

* to my schoolwork

* to paying off my debts

* to spending time with friends

* to spending time with family

The list goes on and on, but these are the most important for right now. What are you commited to this year?

New Years Eve Glam

New Years Eve was fun and tiring this year! I never do much on New Years Eve, because I don't like being out on the roads. So this year I packed my bags for the weekend and headed to hang out and babysit some of my favorite kids! The night started out with fireworks on the golf course and then the girls and I went inside because they wanted to make a music video! I was chosen to do makeup and hair....

"More lipstick please..."
Things started getting super silly the later it got!
We were up at 1:00am making cake pops! (Note: I can't stand these "makers", they cook weird. I like old fashion oven baking!)
The next morning, we played on this...a crisp 80 degrees on New Years Day!

Starch and Sugar Free What?!

About 2 months ago I had a whole set of bloodwork done, just for wellness purposes. It came back great other than above average triglyceride levels. So my doctor very casually said that "without starch and processed sugars, it will be back to normal in no time". Excuse me? You mean I cannot eat potatoes, or bread, rice, or PASTA?! No pasta?? No SWEET TEA?!! I live off of sweet tea! I sat there thinking what I could possibly eat! I loooove pasta and rice and eat it too much. No wonder my starch level is high :) I always try to eat healthy and eat a lot of organic foods, but just because it's organic doesn't mean it's healthy for you. I take a food based multi vitamin every day, along with Vitamin D supplements.

Soooo with this new eating style in place, my daily menu looks like the following:

Breakfast- organic egg whites and coffee with only half&half. I tried substituting sugar with Stevia, but yuck! So I am going sugarless. On weekends, I will add turkey bacon to the mix

Morning Snack- organic fat free yogurt (I love Stoneyfield Farms) and string cheese and a banana or some other type of fruit. But I like bananas in the morning.

Lunch- spinach salad with turkey slices. I add green peppers, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, carrots, onions, etc. depending on what I want on that day. With the salad I will have fruit.

Mid-day Snack will consist of fruit, cottage cheese or a Starbucks skinny drink :)

Dinner- Fresh fish, chicken, etc. Sides will be an assortment of vegetables. I also love chili and cauliflower soup!

I know with this new eating lifestyle, I cannot have candy or sweets in which I love..and no more ice cream. But I will be just fine...because I know I will be healthy and see a whole new me!

New Year, New Opportunities!

HAPPY 2012!! It's only the 3rd of January and I am already feeling some change coming, along with a packed BUSY schedule. I am starting to take two classes for grad school until I graduate in September. Doubling up on my classes will allow me to graduate much earlier than I originally planned, yayy!!! This September I will have my masters degree, and I am super excited!

I also will be starting two new jobs, both part time. I will still be teaching full-time during the day of course.

The first one relates to what I do everyday... behavior! I will be teaching sunday school in the Special Friends ministry at church. This ministry is for children with special needs. I am excited for what God has planned for me in this area of my church!

The next one is working for the Orlando Magic on game nights and special events. Let's just say it has something to do with Stuff the Magic Dragon and a bunch of children (of course). I will definitely be all over the place, and this does not include my tutoring and babysitting that I do on a regular basis. I am already exhausted thinking about all this!

With that being said, this year is already starting out great and I am excited about these new opportunities!