Engaged and Book Club Slacker...

Well hello again! I am the worst blogger everrrrrrrrrrrrr! But have a few things to report! First off, Jeff and I are engaged!!!!!!!! woo hoooo. Which I'm sure anyone who is reading this already knew that for weeks now... I'm going to post the engagement story soon, so people can read it in all it's glorious details...and not Jeff's version of "Oh, well, it was sunset dinner, top of South Mtn, and I asked her and she said yes..."  I told him you must describe the emotion and the sky, and the words that were said!!! He says guys don't do that...whatever!

So my motivation to blog today is the book I'm reading. Today's blog is titled "Book club Slacker" because tonight I'm suppose to be done with my book when I meet with the girls, but still have over 100 pages to go! My slackerness certainly doesn't have to do with my lack of interest in the book, I am just a slow reader and have had verrrrry little time... We are reading Redeeming Love.This is probably the most amazing book I've ever read!!!! I've already cried 4 times, and I've still got a ways to go. It touches what is at the heart of most women, to just be wanted and loved despite anything! I read it today while at Starbucks during my lunch, with 3 conversations around me and music blaring in my ear. Any other book, there's no way I would have been able to concentrate, but THIS book, I'm captivated by every page, every word! 

The book is intense, and my problem (or one of many) is that I get very absorbed into books I read and movies that I watch. When the chapter ends sweetly, I'm joyful and lovely dovey. But today's lunch hour and chapter ended on a very upsetting note, and I was so upset. I called Jeff, just because I wanted to hear his voice to feel better. I left him a message just saying hello, and hoped he was having a great day, and he called back hrs later saying "you sounded very sad on your voicemail, is everything okay?" "It's just the book again!" Poor guy, but he's been warned how emotional I can get...

Bottom line, I haven't finished it, but already recommend it!!! I can't quite say its a favorite since I've not finished it. Endings definitely make or break a book/movie. So when I do finish, I'll give my final stamp of Best Book Ever.



And as my arms jiggle while I write this, I'm reminded of my purpose for creating this blog, to workout. Report on that: inconsistent and rare. But hopefully this hellish Arizona heat will soon go away, and I can start running outside!

PS Word of the Day:

sardonically

 Used a lot in Redeeming Love, and I didn't know it until this book...

I need to train my brain!

I'm first going to start out by stating the obvious. My whole attempt at using this blog to help motivate me to eat better and workout more frequently isn't working all that well. It's been over a week since I've blogged. I worked out three mornings in a row, then hit a I'm-so-exhausted-no-one-talk-to-me wall. I want to be a morning person soooo badly but I'm afraid it's not in my DNA. I'm trying, and I don't want to give up on the morning workouts just yet. My dilemma is I really do love how I feel after evening workouts, but evening is when life happens; boyfriend, church, family...

So after reading some articles I came across after googling "how to become a morning person" I'm motivated to get myself on a strict sleep schedule to train my brain! I am definitely wired to have at least 8hrs of sleep a night, so if I want to get up we're looking at a 9pm bedtime schedule? ahhhhhhhhhh will this work?!?!? Like tonight I won't be getting home from work until 9pm, and often it's 9:30 for church nights.

So today my favorite co-worker Lina! asked if I wanted to train with her for the PF Chang's Half marathon. I hate hate hate running! 1.5 miles for 14 minutes to warm up before a workout is about as much as I can take. I tried for 6 looong months to really lie to myself to trick myself into liking it. I would be running the canal, or on the treadmill saying "You feel good Laura" "You love this!" "Your legs feel so good!" "Despite that feeling, your lungs won't really explode in your chest!" Yeah, didn't work! my lung exploded...j/k. I told my co-worker how much I hate to run. She told me to read an email that had this article in it, and it made me kind of think I could do it. Half Marathon Training for Beginners The email was from a person who also thought they hated running and could never do a half marathon. The thing that got me the most on this email was the line that said: "I firmly believe that anyone can do a half-marathon (check with your physician first, etc.), even if you've never completed a 5k event. What it takes, I think, is a total shift in thinking about 'running'." That's what I need to train my brain on too! my idea of running... that would also be something to blog about AND support my strict schedule! hummmmmmmmmmmm

SO I haven't committed yet, but I might do it! Jeff has been really motivated by signing up for his triathlon that's next month, this might be just what I need!

I'll keep you posted on my decision!

geeeeeeeeeeeeeez cooking is a lot of work!

Welp, I cooked a really yummy meal tonight that was relatively healthy.

Boneless skinless chicken breast, with onions, diced tomatoes, artichoke hearts,  mushrooms, zucchini, garlic and olive oil, and red potatoes. Sauteed first, and them baked at 350 for 20 min. Easy peasey! And I've got lunch for the next couple days.

All the veggies were great, and the chicken was very juicy, just a little on the chewy side. I did cook it with the foil on the entire time so I'm wondering if that had anything to do with it?? Avid cooks out there, help me! Maybe I'll try a marinade next time...

And for dessert I made Whole Wheat Orange Cranberry Muffins. They are a great healthy substitute to your standard muffin, it's just not good to eat 3 like I just did... buuuuuuuuut they're so yuuuummmy!

As my roomie would say, our house is currently produce-arrific! Lots of veggies and fruits, and now it's time to get creative to really enjoy them.

Setting the clock for 4:45am to wake-up early for the gym tomorrow morning. Classes are my favorite to do at the gym. Classes help you push yourself to your limits. However, I have taken a gym class before and the instructor was gasping for air more than I was, so a good instructor is key as well! There are the Glance-at-the-clock-instructors, either they are boring you that you can't wait for class to end, or they are working you so hard you want to crawl to the corner of the room and throw-up =) I once took a kickboxing class at my gym with an instructor that had some serious issues with men. With every new move she kept yelling "Kick him! Punch him! Push him away!" lol. So beware, choose your instructors wisely.

my favorite at the gym

No class tomorrow. I'm on my own with 20 min jog/run, 20 min stair climber, weights on legs, and end with 15 min bike.

I remember when I was afraid of the stair climber. I kept envisioning myself mis-stepping and somehow losing a leg as the stairs kept rotating!

I have the same fear of tripping on the treadmill and losing front teeth as I do a face-plant onto the belt....

...Happy April Fools Jeffrey ;)

Turkey Spinach Burgers

 Turkey Spinach burgers! Yummmmy. I think I'm going to try this recipe tonight, from Prevention.com. I love the magazine Prevention. It's got really great, reasonable tips for incorporating healthy eating. I'll probably throw some avocado on it too. I put avocado on everything! I like to use mashed up avocados instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches!

The Truth about avocados

I have a blog?

Alright, I never thought I would do a blog, but here I am.

Here's my motivation to start this blog: MY LACK OF MOTIVATION!!! Over the past 2 years I have been steadily improving my health, relationship with the Lord through service, and finding the love of my life! But recently I feel that my dedication for healthy eating and exercise has fallen by the wayside with busyness and lack of time. But recently I've realized that busyness and lack of time isn't going to change, so I've got to figure out how to fit in shopping for healthy foods, cooking at home, and making it to the gym on a more regular basis without having the luxury to have a real consistent schedule. I'm hoping this blog can serve as a place for me to do some homework a couple times a week. Through this blog I will be dedicated to search and post healthy recipes and new ways of working out. And I need your help! I'm hoping that if you read this we can motivate each other too!!!

Working out and eating healthy aren't the only things I would like to gain motivation for. I want to do more studying and preparation for my jr high group of girls too, scrapbooking, and I really want to become a reader. It's all these things that I don't seem to have time for but am convinced, if I'm more intentional, I can find time to do!

Lava Tube hike in Flagstaff, AZ

Plus Jeff and I are always looking for new adventures, so I'd love to share what we've been up to, and hear some more suggestions from you!