August Foodie Penpal Experience

In July I particiapted in the July foodie penpal experience, and I LOVED it! I was so fun exchanging a box of goodies with someone you never met. I loved so stuff more than others, but the coolest part was my box was filled with stuff I had never tried before. I have never heard of Trader Joe's and most of my goodies came from there. I am seriously in love with their products!

I had so much fun with the exchange in July that I couldn't wait to sign up again in August. I signed and was immediately paired with someone who lived in Virgina. We exchanged a few emails and I was beyond excited to get my box.....I waited and wait......and it never came! :( I was very disappointed with my match. I had a lot of fun getting my box ready and sent it to her by the deadline, and even provided a tracking number. I did get an email saying she received it, and thanked me for the goodies.

Each month we are encouraged to share what was in the box we received, but since I didn't get one, I will share what I put in the one I sent!

I decided to decorate my box like I do with the care packages I send to the troops each month. I think it feels more personal and is a nice little surprise. This month I included the new dipin' products, which I was told were debuted at a local food festival this summer. I also included some macaroons, trail mix, honey sticks, 3 types of Oloves, a jar of Coutts Blueberry jam, and a my favorite cookie from my favorite bakery.

I like to include products that I find a local markets or farms. I have tons of fun hunting for products for my box! We have a local market in our town called, Mill Market, it's packed with cool little goodies that I don't see in a lot of places.

Overall when the exchange is done correctly, it's tons of fun! I decided to take Sept. off, but I am super excited for the October exchange. If you would like to check out how to get involved check it out here.

Hope you join us soon!

XOXO

Thoughts on this?!

So I saw this picture on my news feed this morning, and I literally stopped scrolling and just stared at it....like what has society come to?! In all honesty, there are some days when I wish it was just this easy. Weight is something I have struggled with my whole life. The other night I was at work and a co-woker was telling me about his sister, and referred to her as "my size". I just looked at him and said nothing. But my size? What is my size? Is that how I measured? By how wide I am, how big my boobs are, what size shoe I wear? No one asks how big your heart is, or what your goals are! Nope you are measured by how you look. Now I am sure he meant nothing by it, but it got me thinking, my size! Hmmmm what is my size?!

I think this picture speaks volumes because it is a young girl....but the truth of the matter is, yes that's what we as society are teaching these girls. We all want to look like that girl in the magazine, and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to. Of course I want to! But that's not a reality for me. I will never be a size 0 and be skin and bones. I am me, and if people can't accept that I have fat, then well I don't have room for them in my life.

This picture hits home for me. I was this girl growing up. I hated what I looked like. I still don't like to look in the mirror, I still don't believe people when they tell me I am pretty or what not. I wish I could see what others see just for one day.....what a world it would be if we could look at ourselves through someone else eyes.

Thoughts?! How do you feel when you see this picture?!

Shhh........

 

Today I am sharing my secret that brightens each and every on of my days.....It's so simple and literally only takes a few seconds each day.....so are you ready for this?!?! About 8 months ago I decided that I was going to keep a gratitude journal. It started with the November challenge.....each day you choose something to be thankful for and post about it. Well, I loved the idea behind! It made me really reflect upon each one of my days. It's so easy to say, oh this was a bad day, or I can't believe that just happened, can I ever catch a break?! But how many of you can say that each day, you look at every little thing you did, and choose to be grateful for something, even if the only good part about your day was that you woke up.....well hey, you woke up and have another chance at this thing called life!

So I choose to keep a journal, and reflect on my days. I try to choose one part of my day and write why I am thankful for it. Some days, I am just thankful that I have the use of my limbs, or that I am able to communicate with others. I teach special education, and if there is one thing about this profession, it makes you realize how blessed we are. I love what I do, and I love the kids I work with. It makes me who I am, but I am grate for all the things my body allows me to do.

So that's my little secret.....I choose to focus on one little aspect of my day each and every day! I noticed that after reflecting on the good, the bad parts of your day don't seem that bad after all. I try to distance myself from negative people. This world is so filled with hate and depression, and all I can do is try to surround myself in a positive bubble and keep a smile on my face.

Try it for a week and see if you find a smile on your face more often!

Well now that the cat is out of the bag....share your gratitude with those in your life!

XOXO

Once upon a time....

In April my mom and I took a trip to Savannah, Georgia, which is also known as one of the most haunted cities in the country. I didn't know this when I was booking our trip! After a few days of checking out the city we couldn't help but notice the amount of ghost tours that took place every night! Well, if you know my mom, you know she is obsessed with shows having to do with hunting ghosts. So of course, I asked my mom if she wanted to go on a tour, and her immediate response was.....NO! I my opinion she watches to many of those shows, and thinks a spirit will attach to her. But, whatever the case, she didn't want to go! I knew that deep down, there was a small part of her that was curious! As the week progressed we talked with some friends who had gone on them, and they highly recommended going! So that was it, I was making the reservation, we were going!

It was our last night in Savannah, so it was a now or never type of thing. I made the reservation and paid so that there was no backing out! I'm not gonna lie, I was scared! I thought we would ride around the city and hear scary stories for an hour or two and then go home! Well, I was in for a surprise, upon arriving to our trolley, I quickly learn that we are going to get off at two different stops and look for spirits.....yes that's right....WE HAD TO GET OFF! So I was ready to shit a brick, no lie!

So we board the trolley, and some young girl, probably just trying to make some extra cash, begins telling us scary stories about the city. We drive around and look at some houses where some crazy things happened. The one house they showed us was  The Sorrel-Weed House. The story behind this house is the wife found her husband cheating on her with a slave and in return the wife committed suicide. The first stopped we made was at the site of the Gribble House, the scene of a triple murder in 1909. We get off and are escorted in to a warehouse. The murder scene is laid out and the lights are turned off. We are told the story of the triple murder and then had our choice of a device where you can hear ghosts, (EVPs) talking or a temperate gauge. I thought go big or go home! I choose the voice one! I was scared to death, but quickly became fascinated by everything. I was so into it, I was shocked. We did see orbs, if you believe that sort of thing. Many people said it looks like reflections, however the room was black. So take it for what it is.... 

Just as I was getting super into it, it was time to leave and move on to our next stop! The next stop was Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery. Inside was filled with things found in ship wrecks. As we were standing there my mom got the strangest look on her face. She said she could feel something on the back of her neck. We were taken into another room and told to sit. As this point I was feeling very nervous because it wasn't like the first place. Someone jumps out and scares you. I was scared and not fond of it. I was fascinated by hunting for them, and I am not a fan of the "haunted house" type stuff.

Overall the tour was really cool and I would love to try another one! What was even more cool was that when we got back from our trip the places we stopped on our tour were featured on one of my mom's favorite ghost hunting shows! I was so glad I talked her into going! It  is definitely something we would so again! We went on the Ghosts and Gravestones tour, but there are many others! One you even drive around in a hearse. If we make it back to Savannah, I would really like to try that one! I think it adds a little something to the experience!

Hope you get a chance to try one!

XOXO

July Foodie Penpal Reveal!

This month I came across a group called Foodie Penpals! I decided to join in and check it out! The idea behind the group is that you are paired with someone and you exchange a box of goodies with one another! I thought it sounded fun! I was so excited to fill my box, and couldn't wait to get my box in the mail! There is a $15 spending limit and you pay for shipping as well!

I was shocked when I got my box in the mail! It was full, and I mean full!!!! I instantly felt a little bad that I didn't put more items in the box I sent! What I was even more excited about was the fact that it was filled with items that I had never had before! A lot of the items came from Trader Joe's, which I had never heard of before!

I would say my favorite item in this box has been the cookie and cocoa swirl! Oh my gosh is it good! The next thing that caught my eye was the Chile spiced mangoes! I would have never thought to pair these flavors, but they really compliment each other well! This box was filled with so many yummy surprises! Since I have received it, I have brought a different item to work with me every and let my co-workers try some new stuff as well! One of there faves is the "this apple walks into a bar..." cereal bars! They have such a cute name and really are a tasty treat! One of my other faves is the almond bark. I love almond flavoring and this little treat has just the right amount!

Overall this was such a fun experience!I loved that I had never heard of these items before, and now they are some of my favorite things! I have already signed up to participate next month! I can't wait to see what next month brings!

If you are interested in joining, you can sign up here!

Hope you join us next month! You won't be disappointed!

XOXO

Life is just a Mirror.....

They say you are actually three people...the person you see yourself as, the person others see you as, and the person you really are.....this is a post I have thought about writing for awhile, but when I would start I just wouldn't finish....so I ask myself why?! I think deep down the reason is because when I look in the mirror, I don't like the person looking back at me. I see an overweight, self conscience, shy girl. I hold back and don't always do everything I want to because I am embarrassed of what I look like.

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me I was beautiful, because maybe I wouldn't need a second job haha. I wish just once I could see what they see. No one goes out of their way to compliment you if they don't really mean it, so why is it so hard for us to accept compliments! It's really hard to believe what others say when you have such a negative self image. Don't get me wrong, there are things I love about myself, but one of the hardest parts of this journey is learning to be confident in my own skin. It's not easy. I have put some weight back on, which I know I will get off, but I don't feel comfortable.

What do you hope others see when they look at you?! Strive to be that person! I hope others see me as a driven, passionate, kind, and beautiful person. At least that's the person I strive to be. If I can put a smile on just one persons face everyday, then I say that's a successful day!

Lately, I have been a bundle of stress and an emotional wreck. Life has been crazy lately, especially in my career department, but I am so grateful for all of my family and friends who have been there for me these past few weeks!

I think part of this journey has really been finding the person I really am. I started all of this because I didn't like the person I had become. Lately, I have to remind myself of my goals, but we all need that little reminder right?!

I may not know the person I am yet, or the person you see me as, but I do know that each and every day I strive to be a better person than I was yesterday! I know that I am not going to let my weight, or my self image define who I am. Life is a journey, our experiences along the way, and the decisions we make, define who we are! I know that I am going to keep that in mind, and push harder every day to reach my goals, and become the best person I can be!


XOXO 

Attitude is EVERYTHING......

I know it's been way to long! Why is that.....well the truth is that my heart hasn't been in it. I lost sight of my goals, and I fell on my face. I have been mad at myself for about a month now. I have no one to blame but myself. I have been avoiding the scale because I knew the number would upset me. I know that I have gained weight. Why, well because I didn't give it my all and I have been eating like crap! It's my fault! I gave in. I let my stress eating get the best of me.

The moment we loose focus, the darkness sets in. It's a struggle! I knew this wouldn't be easy. But it's time to get my head back in the game!!!  Monday I took my measurements and jumped on the scale once again. I have only gained about 10 pounds, and to be honest, I thought I gained a lot more. My pants are snug and I hate it.

The past two days I have been giving it my all! I am eating clean, drinking shakeology, and working out. I am happy to say that I have lost about 3 pounds since Monday. This is just the start.....I have regained focus and I am ready to kick some butt.

I have felt like a failure. I have not been the best coach, friend, or inspiration. Why?! I got caught up in focusing on the negatives. I have been going on job interviews and hearing nothing, or rejections....that alone makes me feel like I am not good enough. I have gained weight and lost sight of what I have been working so hard for, I failed myself.

I have come to realize that we choose our own attitudes. We are so quick to blame others for what we are feeling, but the truth of the matter is, we choose to feel that way. Yesterday, I was miserable! It was no ones fault but my own. In fact, many people tried to cheer me up and I just choose to ignore it. I am blessed to have so many people in my life that support me.

This week I made the decision to get my head straight and pick myself up and start again. It's ok to fail. What's most important is to realize when you are losing focus and do whatever you have to do to get back on track and work towards your goals!

I'm back baby and ready to kick these goals in the ass!

XOXO

"A bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don't change it, you will never go anywhere."

The Bulky Bitch