It's been too long since I have posted here at my blog. I sure do miss it! The days are so busy and when I finally have time to relax, I usually fall asleep on the couch!
A lot has been going on lately, and I have a lot to process. God is doing big things. I know He is Faithful and that I can Trust He is leading me down the right path. It just all has come at once!
I have 4 more weeks until school is out for the summer! I can't believe this month is finally here. May is a wonderful month for a teacher, because it flies by and then we are DONE. Another year in the books and more student who flourished within our care, but it is also the busiest month of the year! So much to get ready for, like our Kindergarten graduation and parties. It will get done, it always does.
I am asking for prayer within the next few months. These are unspoken prayers. Nothing is wrong, but I have some decisions to make and for others to make. I pray that these decisions are made quickly. Thank you :)
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Let Food Be Thy Medicine
I wanted to keep my blog updated with my new health journey. I posted awhile back that I was on an clean, mostly whole food, organic diet, and am very particular about the foods I eat now.
I am proud to say I am down 22 lbs in 5 1/2 weeks!! It amazes me every day that I have had these results in such a short amount of time. I am thankful that this is working the way it is for me.
People continue to ask what and how I am eating. So I thought I would share!
Here is a typical day:
*all organic ingredients*
Breakfast:
Egg muffins (egg and veggies scrambled together made in a muffin pan)
or
Rudi's whole wheat honey bread with almond butter
or
Cereal (flax flakes with blueberries). Sometimes I add chia seeds :)
I also eat in moderation- whole wheat pancakes (homemade) with pure maple syrup and fruit
Lunch:
Amy's meals. Love her foods!
I get the Light and lean versions only
Dinner:
Baked chicken or Fish with lots of steamed veggies and Quinoa blend or some sort of brown rice blend. I rarely eat starch.
I stay away from all refined sugars, sweeteners, and anything white. Including potatoes.
So there ya go! I am loving this new me :)
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Joy
It's New Years Eve and I am laying on the couch at 8:00pm. I am sure I can make it to midnight, right?! Well, yes of course.
I have a lot to reflect on this past year, and to be honest, I am thrilled that 2013 is OVER. I have gone through some rough patches this year and am so ready for a new beginning. New Years reminds me of a scripture in the Bible, "The steadfast love of the lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23
This verse gives me such peace. His mercies ARE new every morning, even if things seem to be too big to conquer.
I have conquered a lot this year, and can say I am proud of myself. I got through the first full year of losing close friends, which at times I think about. I just sometimes wonder if I am ever on their mind too. I believe that God brings people in and out of your life for certain reasons.
I continue to be on an awesome track to great health. I know 2014 will bring a new me. That meaning my old lifestyle is over, and I cannot wait to see what God does this year in my life.
Late this afternoon, I took a long 2 mile walk around my neighborhood. It felt great to be outside, and I thought why have I been missing out on this all along? Forget the YMCA treadmill- I am walking outside!
Each New Year, I choose a Word of the Year. My prior church started this a long time ago. I have stuck with this tradition awhile now. This year, my Word is JOY. I have this canvas that my friend made for me, hanging in my kitchen above my stove. It will be a constant reminder this year to find Joy in life, and in all I strive to do. During the ups and the downs, I will find Joy and peace. This is something I have struggled with this past year, and I am making a point to change how I look at the small stuff, and even the big stuff.
In Romans 15:13 it says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"
This is such a great reminder as we head into this new year.
Happy New Year 2014! May you be a blessing to others, and find the Joy in your journey.
Mallory
I have a lot to reflect on this past year, and to be honest, I am thrilled that 2013 is OVER. I have gone through some rough patches this year and am so ready for a new beginning. New Years reminds me of a scripture in the Bible, "The steadfast love of the lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23
This verse gives me such peace. His mercies ARE new every morning, even if things seem to be too big to conquer.
I have conquered a lot this year, and can say I am proud of myself. I got through the first full year of losing close friends, which at times I think about. I just sometimes wonder if I am ever on their mind too. I believe that God brings people in and out of your life for certain reasons.
I continue to be on an awesome track to great health. I know 2014 will bring a new me. That meaning my old lifestyle is over, and I cannot wait to see what God does this year in my life.
Late this afternoon, I took a long 2 mile walk around my neighborhood. It felt great to be outside, and I thought why have I been missing out on this all along? Forget the YMCA treadmill- I am walking outside!
Each New Year, I choose a Word of the Year. My prior church started this a long time ago. I have stuck with this tradition awhile now. This year, my Word is JOY. I have this canvas that my friend made for me, hanging in my kitchen above my stove. It will be a constant reminder this year to find Joy in life, and in all I strive to do. During the ups and the downs, I will find Joy and peace. This is something I have struggled with this past year, and I am making a point to change how I look at the small stuff, and even the big stuff.
In Romans 15:13 it says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"
This is such a great reminder as we head into this new year.
Happy New Year 2014! May you be a blessing to others, and find the Joy in your journey.
Mallory
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Thumbprint Cookies
I have been tortured with sweets all month and I finally decided that on Christmas day, I wouldn't be left out while everyone was devouring desserts!
I went on a search and found a recipe for Thumbprint Cookies, using whole wheat pastry flour, and no refined sugars. I will be bringing these with me tomorrow so I can have a treat too!
I wasn't sure how they were going to turn out, because they are not your average cookie, and don't have all "the bad stuff" that makes cookies taste good. To my suprise, they are soooo good!! Here is the recipe if you are looking for a "healthy cookie" :)
Ingredients: (All Organic)
I went on a search and found a recipe for Thumbprint Cookies, using whole wheat pastry flour, and no refined sugars. I will be bringing these with me tomorrow so I can have a treat too!
I wasn't sure how they were going to turn out, because they are not your average cookie, and don't have all "the bad stuff" that makes cookies taste good. To my suprise, they are soooo good!! Here is the recipe if you are looking for a "healthy cookie" :)
Ingredients: (All Organic)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Put almonds and oats into a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and add flour, oil, syrup and salt. Stir to combine well. Roll walnut-sized balls of the dough in the palm of your hand to form each cookie, then arrange on 2 large baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart. Press your thumb gently down into the center of each cookie to make an indentation. Spoon a teaspoon of jam into each indentation.
Bake cookies until golden brown and just firm around the edges, 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to let cool completely, then serve immediately or store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container.
Bake cookies until golden brown and just firm around the edges, 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to let cool completely, then serve immediately or store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
A Great Reminder
There are days like today when I am reminded why I do what I do. Almost daily, I have someone tell me or ask me- "How do you do it?" "I would go crazy!", or they simply bow to me. I am not sure why they think I am a Saint, but I have been called it more times than I can remember.
Kindergarten. A (small) classroom where you have around 20 children who love to tattle. ALL THE TIME. You are constantly re-directing- reminding them to sit down, talk quietly, stop talking all together, pick up your trash that you spilled all over my floor that I JUST swept. I am a a doctor who applies bandaids to non existent injuries, and a tooth saver who saves freshly fallen out teeth.
I am a counselor to the children who need to talk about their imaginary friends, children who are going through divorce or who simply love to be dramatic (my lovely 6 year old girls). My lunch time is surrounded by constant tattling about how someone is eating, what they mixed with what, and who put their ketchup on what part of the plate, as I open 17 drinks, yogurts and clean up spills. Don't forget that I have to TEACH. Math, Reading, Handwriting, Science, Social Studies and Art.
This is my life- every single day.
You get the picture. My days are hectic, and simply exhausting. I used to work in a school where the kids had everything they wanted, and more. The kids in high school had nicer cars than I did. It was the norm to see a 16 year old driving a brand new Mercedes.
The parents were so involved you wished they would go away! Thats how it was, and that's all I knew.
Now I am teaching in a school where most of the students are not so fortunate. Some of my kids have home lives that we can't even fathom, and it has made me realize that what I do as a teacher to these little ones, is so very important. When I start to get overwhelmed, I have to remember why God put me where He did. And I was reminded of that today.
I have a student in my class who's family is in great need. God put this child in my class for a reason, and it was shown today by another mother in my class who is stepping up and doing something for this family that is truly the hands and feet of Jesus. I just wanted to say Thank You-
Kindergarten. A (small) classroom where you have around 20 children who love to tattle. ALL THE TIME. You are constantly re-directing- reminding them to sit down, talk quietly, stop talking all together, pick up your trash that you spilled all over my floor that I JUST swept. I am a a doctor who applies bandaids to non existent injuries, and a tooth saver who saves freshly fallen out teeth.
I am a counselor to the children who need to talk about their imaginary friends, children who are going through divorce or who simply love to be dramatic (my lovely 6 year old girls). My lunch time is surrounded by constant tattling about how someone is eating, what they mixed with what, and who put their ketchup on what part of the plate, as I open 17 drinks, yogurts and clean up spills. Don't forget that I have to TEACH. Math, Reading, Handwriting, Science, Social Studies and Art.
This is my life- every single day.
You get the picture. My days are hectic, and simply exhausting. I used to work in a school where the kids had everything they wanted, and more. The kids in high school had nicer cars than I did. It was the norm to see a 16 year old driving a brand new Mercedes.
The parents were so involved you wished they would go away! Thats how it was, and that's all I knew.
Now I am teaching in a school where most of the students are not so fortunate. Some of my kids have home lives that we can't even fathom, and it has made me realize that what I do as a teacher to these little ones, is so very important. When I start to get overwhelmed, I have to remember why God put me where He did. And I was reminded of that today.
I have a student in my class who's family is in great need. God put this child in my class for a reason, and it was shown today by another mother in my class who is stepping up and doing something for this family that is truly the hands and feet of Jesus. I just wanted to say Thank You-
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Holiday Perfection
This post is written for the person who has visions of holiday perfection :) That person is also me-
Every year; during the fall season leading to Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have visions of what the holidays are SUPPOSED to look like. In my mind, a big family gets together- at a perfectly decorated home where the table is magazine perfect with the Christmas tree ready on Thanksgiving morning while you cook and watch Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. HA! Well, I can tell you now that this is not how it really is. Not during my childhood at least.
As an adult, I have spent most of these years half with family and half with friends. I would rush out of my house to get to my best friends house for a holiday. They were just as dysfunctional, if not more than my family! I don't really know why I was in such a rush to get there, it was definitely not from Norman Rockwell.
The past two years, things have changed, and my holidays are now spent with my family. Last year, I went to Williamsburg VA for Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle. Even though I loved the trip- it didn't feel "right".
This year- I am going to do my best to start my own traditions. I go to a wonderful new church where I feel that I am welcomed with open arms, and love it. So many familiar faces are there and it feels like home. This Thanksgiving Eve, I will be attending my church's Thanksgiving Service and Pie Social.
I am also hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. I have a small family, so I have to make the best of it! I am cooking myself (except the turkey, gross) and have it all planned out- and yes, I am putting my tree up the day before and watching the Thanksgiving Parade while I cook :)
Every year; during the fall season leading to Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have visions of what the holidays are SUPPOSED to look like. In my mind, a big family gets together- at a perfectly decorated home where the table is magazine perfect with the Christmas tree ready on Thanksgiving morning while you cook and watch Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. HA! Well, I can tell you now that this is not how it really is. Not during my childhood at least.
As an adult, I have spent most of these years half with family and half with friends. I would rush out of my house to get to my best friends house for a holiday. They were just as dysfunctional, if not more than my family! I don't really know why I was in such a rush to get there, it was definitely not from Norman Rockwell.
The past two years, things have changed, and my holidays are now spent with my family. Last year, I went to Williamsburg VA for Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle. Even though I loved the trip- it didn't feel "right".
This year- I am going to do my best to start my own traditions. I go to a wonderful new church where I feel that I am welcomed with open arms, and love it. So many familiar faces are there and it feels like home. This Thanksgiving Eve, I will be attending my church's Thanksgiving Service and Pie Social.
I am also hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. I have a small family, so I have to make the best of it! I am cooking myself (except the turkey, gross) and have it all planned out- and yes, I am putting my tree up the day before and watching the Thanksgiving Parade while I cook :)
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Princess Pizzazz
Yesterday, I went to my friend Kathleen's for her daughters 5th birthday party. She did such a wonderful job with the decorations and I just had to take pictures and share! The theme was Ariel, but with a princess twist.
The party was set up outside, which was a great idea since there were some messy activities :)
Pink lemonade filled little teacups :)
Nail painting, glitter tattoos, and hair pieces were a hit!
The girls loved decorating their own cupcakes. I put all the sprinkles and icing in cupcake liners, so it was easy access for little hands, and everyone could have their own set of goodies!
Sugar overload!
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
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