2012 Superlatives and Looking Ahead to 2013

I cannot believe this is my THIRD year-in-review! Have I really been blogging that long? I also can't believe that a new year is upon us. Is 2012 really over? I hope all of you have had a few shining moments this year! 2012 had wonderful moments for us and there were also some challenges. I just spent an hour reading all of my posts this year and it was so much fun to relive the year through pictures.

Let's take a quick look back, shall we?

Best Foodie Success/Experiment:

Instead of selecting a successful recipe, I think I have to give this award to my Whole30 Experience this spring. After participating in a Whole30 month, I saw many, many positive changes in my body, energy levels, and general well-being. You can go here to read my recap post after I finished the 30-day challenge.

 

I am actually planning to start another Whole30 tomorrow! You can do it with me! It's absolutely free and you can get all the information you need by visiting this website. You don't have to start January 1- you can start on whatever day you select. I mostly stuck with the Paleo lifestyle after I finished my Whole30, but over the past 2-3 months, I have found myself being lazy and letting old habits slide back in. So I am using this Whole30 as a "reset" for myself.

 

 

Best Trip/Travel Experience:

This one would have to be my trip to Orlando in August for the International Zumba Convention. This was an experience like no other. I would say it was even borderline overwhelming. I don't think I have ever seen so much neon in one place! I had so much fun with friends, and I learned so much. I am definitely hoping to do this again! If you are a Zumba instructor, you should definitely consider going to Convention in the fall.

 

 

Most Emotional Post:

Tis one would be a tie between:

This post, when I made the decision to change jobs...

and

This post after the Newtown, Connecticutt Shootings.

Enough said.

 

 

New Veggies Added to the Repertoire:

Brussels Sprouts (love them roasted!)

Artichokes (How have I not written a post about artichokes? These are one of my new 2012 favorites. I will have to write an artichoke post.)

And Bok Choy! Love this one- it makes such a quick meal or side dish, depending on how you prepare it. Here is a quick meal idea.

 

 

Favorite new Food Gadgets:

1. Julienne Peeler. This little gadget helped me to make zoodles. Easy and delicious. Especially when topped with meatballs!

 

Click here to find out more about Zoodles.

 

2. Steamer Basket. How did I never have one of these? Great for making artichokes and other veggies.

Use this to make mashed cauliflower!

 

3. This set of trays from Pampered Chef.

They hook together, and are GREAT for preparing pan-fried chicken, veggies, etc. I like to put egg in the first tray, crumb coating in the second (almond flour, coconut flour, flax flour), and then use the tongs to put into a hot skillet.

 

 

Well, that's a quick look at 2012. Those are just a few of the things I blogged about this year. Thanks to all of you for reading, and I hope you will stay with me as we move into 2013! Have you set any goals for this upcoming year?

As I mentioned earlier, I am starting a Whole 30 tomorrow, and I am really excited about it. I wouldn't say I am making resolutions per se, but I do hope to stick with the Paleo lifestyle as much as possible. I would also like to do a better job with decluttering and keeping my house clean and organized. And of course the hubby and I are working hard to try and save money. We would really like to move to a bigger house sometime in the next year or two. This includes not eating out as much! We will be doing a "mostly eat-in month" this January.

 

My friend Diana over at The Chic Life hosts Eat-In-Month at her blog each January. We usually do this every January. It is a great way to save some money and eat healthier after the holiday season. Since I am doing a Whole 30, eating in is a great way to stay on track.

 

Happy New Year to all of you out there!!! I wish you the best of love, luck, and health in 2013!!!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Outgrow Yourself.

Well, hello there.  Did you think I had quit blogging?  This may be the longest blogging break I have ever taken.  I just needed to take a little time off.  These past two weeks have been very eventful for me, to say the least.  But I am ready to fill all of you in now and try to remember how to blog get back to my blogging ways!

Two weeks ago today, I had a little meeting.

Actually, it wasn’t just a meeting.  It was a job interview.  And that changed everything.

Now, I’m gonna get a little deep on you, so if deep isn’t your thing, you can tune out now and I won’t be offended.  And you can check back soon for the usual lighthearted posts.

I’ve been very happy in my job.  In fact, I am blessed to have the job I have always wanted.  About 8 years ago, I realized that I loved working with teachers and that my dream job was to be a Literacy Coach.  It took a couple of years for the right opportunity to come my way, but I became a Literacy Coach and loved it.  Working with teachers and students is truly rewarding.  I wasn’t looking for a new job.

But an opportunity found me. 

I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason.  And so when a new position unexpectedly opened up in a neighboring school district, I decided to go for it.  I thought, “If this is meant to be, I’ll know.  If it’s meant to be, it will happen.”  And it did. 

My favorite quote has always been “Risk everything.  Outgrow yourself.”  I like to think that I live by this, but true big risks don’t come my way very often.  In fact, this is one of the first times I was truly tested.  This was one of those times that I could truly “outgrow myself.”  You just can’t pass up those opportunities.  I’m still going to be working with students and teachers, but on a bigger scale.  Instead of working with one school, I will be working with several schools now.  I just keep thinking to myself, “Imagine the possibilities.”

I’m still a little amazed at the changes that have happened over the past two weeks.  I packed up my classroom, said goodbye to teachers  and administrators who have touched my heart and my life in wonderful ways.  These are the people who helped me to be who I am today.  And I moved into an office in a new school district, where I have already met countless wonderful people, who I know I will love working with.

So, that’s where I’ve been.  I’ve been packing, moving, crying, laughing, planning, thinking, praying, questioning, and learning.  I’m so excited to begin this new journey. 

Thanks for listening.  :)

Maybe I’ll cook something to celebrate. 

11 Random Things

Lately I have been challenged for time and energy to create interesting food.  Every week I have great intentions… but nothing has been coming to fruition lately.  But I wanted to write something, so I thought I’d have a little Q and A session with myself right here, right now.

1. What movie can you watch over and over again, no matter how many times you’ve seen it?

I think I would have to say Love Actually, Anchorman, Dazed and Confused, and Friday (although I haven’t seen Friday in years!)

2. What’s your favorite band right now?

I am loving anything with Pitbull right now, but actually that’s pretty much all the time.

3. If someone made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?

I’ve been asked this before, and I can never seem to name the exact right person. 

4. One food you wouldn’t eat as a kid that you love now?

I don’t remember eating asparagus as a child, but I love it now. 

5. Last book you read?

I am working my way through the 20 South Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominees.  I finished Wild River recently, and I liked that a lot.  Now I am reading The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg and I can’t stand it.  One page puts me to sleep every night.  But I am trying to forge ahead and finish it.

6. What is your favorite memory from high school?

I loved high school.  I am sure there were rough patches, but I certainly remember it with rose-colored glasses.  I think the best times were hanging out at Pete’s, a local diner-type place.  We would always gather there after football and basketball games and on Saturday afternoons.  I can’t imagine how many hours I spent there.

7. If you could have a dinner party and invite 5 people (famous or not), who would you invite and why?

It it were family, I would have a tough time because there are so many of us!  So I am going to invite non-family members so no one’s feelings are hurt.  I would invite:

Will Ferrell—for the comedic relief,

Barak Obama—because seriously, who wouldn’t want to meet the President?,

Ellen Degeneres—because I imagine that she would be fun to talk to and could get along with anyone,

Chelsea handler—because I am fairly sure she would bring Grey Goose and would stay after the others left to gossip about everyone,

and DJ Pauly D—because he’s bring great tunes, abs, and hair.

8. Scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

Paranormal Activity!  Totally freaked me out!

9. What song is stuck in your head right now?

“Shake Senora” by Pitbull (I learned new choreography for it this week and have had it in my head all week long!)

10. Quirkiest thing about you that most people don’t know – go!

I am not sure if this is quirky… but I make Ryan let the dog out every night and put her to bed and lock up.  I hate when he goes to bed first and I have to do all the night routines!

11. What do you love about yourself?

I love that I help inspire others to healthy living—through blogging or by teaching Zumba! 

 

So there you go… a little bit about me.  I hope to be back tomorrow with a food or recipe post!  I am considering a Dixie-Style Dining Recipe!  I haven’t done one in a while!

2011 Superlatives

Remember your senior year in high school when everyone voted on the Senior Superlatives?  Some were a great honor (“Best Smile,” “Most Friendly,” or “Most Likely to Succeed”) while others were embarrassing (“Biggest Flirt”).  I never got a Senior Superlative.  I wonder what mine would have been if I had gotten one?

Another year has come and gone, and like most of you out there, I’m thinking back over the year.  This year was filled with both happy and sad moments, and a lot has changed since I posted my year-in-review last New Year’s Eve.  I don’t like to dwell on the past, but I do want to acknowledge some of the superlatives from this year. 

Most Mysterious Post:

“Out of My Hands”

When I published this post, all sorts of people were asking me, “What’s going on???”  Many people thought it was job-related… and it was!  Just not related to my full-time job!  Last January I made the decision to audition and join the Instructor Team with Queen City DanceOut.  Since then, my life has changed.  I’ve danced on a lot of stages in front of a lot of people since then and even performed in a parade.  And I have met some amazing people, too!  That’s the best part!

 

Most Emotional Post:

This one’s a tie between “A Different Kind of Valentine’s Day”

and “Special Blessings.”

If you’ve been reading for some time, then you know this year was extra tough, as we lost two of my grandparents this spring.  We have missed both of them so much this year, and it was hard to lose them so close together.  But their memories live on and we know the two of them are together in Heaven.

 

Funniest Post:

“A Sisterly Guide to Running Your First 5K”

This has probably gotten the most laughs this year.  It’s my honest look at how I got ready to run my first 5K. 

 

Most Popular Recipe:

“Dixie-Style Dining: Mimi’s Christmas Breakfast”

This is the easiest brunch/breakfast casserole you’ll ever make.  But it’s sooooo tasty.  I shared this in September and it it has been my most popular recipe EVER.  It was crazy popular on Pinterest.  Have you tried it yet?  If not, make it for your New Year’s Day breakfast!

 

Favorite New Recipe (for me):

Chicken Divan (my grandmother’s recipe)

Even though it wasn’t really a difficult recipe to make, this was one of my favorite recipes that I made this year.  It’s so hearty and warm.  I need to make this again soon! 

Biggest Celebration:

That’s easy: “I Do: Cheers to the Happy Couple”

It was so wonderful to end the year with such a fabulous family celebration.  My sister Adrienne got married to Paul in Greenville, a week before Christmas this year.  I am so happy for them!

Other things I have loved about 2011:

• countless Zumba classes
• sushi
• 90210 reruns on the Soap Network
• my new Canon Rebel camera
• Pitbull songs
• fun times with friends and family
• celebrating 10 years of marriage

So there you have it… a little tiny look at 2011 in the Confessions House.  I want to thank all of you for reading.  When I started this blog in 2010, I never could have predicted how much I would love keeping up with it.  It’s a lot of work and sometimes the husband wants to throw my computer out the window because I spend so much time on it, but he put up with me anyway!  (Thanks, husband!!!)

I am so excited to begin a new year.  Here are some goals I am hoping to accomplish this year:

• do more running and run an 8K this spring (I hope!)
• do more yoga and weight training
• keep cooking my way through my grandmother’s recipe box
• do a better job with keeping our house clean and organized and free of clutter

What are your year-end celebrations?  What are you hoping to do in 2012?

(photo from New Year’s Eve 2010)

Happy New Year, friends!!!

Mexican Chicken Stew and Spiritual Gifts

Happy Sunday to everyone!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  We had another weekend of amazing weather here in South Carolina.  Today, it was about 80 degrees here!  Can you believe it?  In February???  The weather in the south is so unpredictable in the spring and fall.  It could be 80 one week and then 40 the next!  I actually would like it to be just a little bit cooler.  When we start running the air conditioner, our power bill skyrockets!  I was hoping for a few more weeks or months of little-to-no air conditioning. 

This morning, I slept in a little (until 8:00)!  Woo hoo!  Amazing.  I used to think sleeping in meant sleeping until noon.  Now if I sleep until 8, it’s a small miracle!

I have a new breakfast favorite. 

Toasted whole wheat flat bread, topped with ham slices and a fried egg.  LOVE runny eggs!  This breakfast will really stick with you for a while, too.

While I ate, I was busy taking a “Spiritual Gifts” quiz.  Stay tuned for more information on that.

I quickly ate lunch and then threw ingredients in the crock pot for dinner tonight before heading out the door to Zumba!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that we had a “Souper Bowl Party” at work. 

Everyone brought in soups and stews, and we voted on our favorites.  I have been wanting to make the winning stew for a couple of weeks, so today I finally did! 

This PRIZE-WINNING recipe is courtesy of my coworker, Jennifer. 

Mexican Chicken Chili:

• 1 package of boneless chicken breast
• 1 can of corn, drained
• 1 can of black beans, washed and drained
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 1 can of Rotel tomatoes and chilis
• 1 large jar of salsa

Dump everything in the crockpot and cook until the chicken shreds when stirring.  Great on rice, baked potatoes, chips, and as burritos. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, and jalapenos.  EASY!

Well, you know me… I never stick to a recipe completely.  The only changes I made were due to available ingredients in my pantry.  I started with 3 frozen chicken breasts.  I added in a cup of frozen corn kernels, 2 cans of light red kidney beans (I didn’t have black), and 2 cans of Ro-Tel.  I omitted the salsa and the taco seasoning.  I added some cumin, diced onion, and cayenne pepper.  I cooked on high for 2-3 hours, then turned it down to low for an hour.  I took out the chicken, shredded it, put it back in, and stirred.  Then it was ready to go.  I ate it like a chili, with tortilla chips on the side and cheddar sprinkled over the top. 

It was delish!  If I’d had sour cream on hand, I would have used that as a topping, too. 

Thanks, Jennifer for the recipe!

So… about that quiz from this morning… I wasn’t sure whether I was going to write about this today or not… because I normally don’t get too spiritual on my blog.  But I decided I am just gonna “put it out there” anyway.

Our Sunday School class is reading a book called Equipped for Every Good Work.  It’s all about finding out what your spiritual gifts are, so that you can find places and ways to be involved in the church.  I was really interested in taking this quiz to see what my gifts might be.  Ryan and I both took it.  This quiz was no joke!  200 questions!!!  It took me 2 cups of coffee to get through it.  It turned out that my spiritual gifts were Faith and Healing!  When I saw that, I was like, “Wait!  What?”  But then I started thinking about it.

I think that if I had taken this quiz 2 or 3 years ago, I probably would have gotten completely different results.  But several things over the past couple of years have really taught me about letting go and keeping the faith.  When Ryan lost his job and ended up with a job with much lower pay, I wondered how we would make it through.  And I was pretty angry at what was happening to our family.  But he’s had an amazing year, and even though money is tight sometimes… we’ve learned that sometimes there is a plan that we can’t always see.  Sometimes you have to have faith that everything is going to work out the way it is supposed to… even when it happens in a way other than what we would expect. 

A good friend of mine said to me a few months back,

“If you’re going to worry, why pray? 

If you’re going to pray, why worry?” 

That quote has really stuck with me, and I am really trying to live by that now.  You know what?  It’s making like a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. 

So… I’ll leave you on that note… Have a great week!

Liz

Scared of... the Scale?

So, first I need to play a little game of catch-up.  I've been away from my blog for a few days.  Oh, how I miss those lovely winter vacation days...

As many of you know, I am participating in the Eat In Month Challenge.  The first couple of days were easy.  The past couple of days... eh... not so much. 

Let me take you back to Tuesday.  Tuesday was a special day: the Hubby's 36th birthday!  (Hope he won't be mad that I am posting his age!)  Unfortunately, it was a SUPER busy day for us.  When I asked him what he wanted for his special birthday dinner, he said, "Cheeseburgers."  Of course.  So I made a plan.  The night before I went and got ingredients to make healthy sliders with spicy baked fries.  But Tuesday afternoon I taught Zumba, and then we both had a churh meeting to attend, so we didn't get home until almost 8:00 p.m.  Poor hubby!  What a birthday!  We wanted to cave.  In fact, he said, "Let's just go pick something up."  I'll admit, I thought about it.  But in the end, I went ahead and cooked what I had planned to cook.  You know what?  We ate a little later than normal, but it was SO worth it. 

The sliders were so good and way better for us than picking up some greasy burgers and fries.  Then of course we celebrated with cupcakes.  (Actually, we had to celebrate with cupcakes FIRST so that the munchkin could be a part of the celebration before her bedtime.)

Singing "Happy Birthday to You"

So... I bet you're wondering what the hubs got for his birthday.  Well, I think I may be winning the Wife of the Year award.  I got him...

wait for it...


a Wii! 


I have to admit, the Wii was actually a "we" gift.  I think I will enjoy it a lot, too.  (Especially since I got the Wii Fit Plus with the Balance Board to go along with it!)

So last night, after church, we got the munchkin in bed and decided to try out the Wii Fit Plus.  Do any of you have this?  It's pretty cool.  We both went through the initial fitness test together.  I made him go first.  We found out several things about each other.  I can tell you about Ryan's weight, balance, BMI, and more.  Now that's trust, right?  Then it was my turn.  I let Ryan watch me do the balance test.  (I am WAY more balanced!)  And then came the moment I was dreading... the weight and BMI part.  I have been very lax about keeping track of what I eat and not exercising as much as I used to.  When I lost most of my weight, I was doing all sorts of activities.  Lately, it's been just Zumba.  I haven't been weight training, either.  So I was afraid to see the numbers on the scale.  And the BMI.  And... ugh... it wasn't good.  I KNEW it wasn't going to be good.  You know?  It's like when you've been shopping for clothes all day, and you know you've spent a lot and you are dreading adding up the receipts?  Yeah, that is the feeling I had.  And to make matters worse, I let Ryan WATCH.  So he knows the numbers.  (Now, if that's not serious marital trust, I don't know what is!)

But now that I have seen the numbers and I know the damage, I can start to do something about it.  I read magazines and other stories all the time where people say, "I never step on the scale.  I just go by how I feel."  And to a degree, I believe this works.  I mean, I didn't have to get on the scale to know I was up several (ok, I'll be honest... 15) pounds. My favorite black pants are too tight to put them on right now and my jeans are tight, too.

BUT... I HAD to get on the scale in order to face the facts that I need to get busy doing something about it.  That means more cross-training, and DEFINITELY better eating habits.  I'm following the new Weight Watchers Points Plus plan.  It has been a challenge.  It's TOTALLY different from the old plan.   

So, it's a new year, and I am facing new challenges.  But I am up for it!

Have you ever been afraid to face the scale?  What did you do about it?

A Look Back at 2010

So, I wasn’t going to write a review of the year.  I don’t know why.  I guess I thought it was kinda cliché or something.  But this morning as I have been catching up on all my blog-reading, EVERYONE is doing it. And I’ve really enjoyed reading about everyone’s high and low moments of 2010 and I like knowing what goals others are working toward.  So that brings me to this post I’m about to write.  Since there are only 7 hours left in 2010, I better get on it quick.  So these are some of the moments/hours/days/experiences I most remember about this year.  Many of these are things that weren’t in my blog, because I didn’t start my blog until August of 2010.

Our “baby” turned two years old!  WOW!  Where does the time go?  It seems like just a few months a go she was this tiny little baby.  And now she’s running all over the place, speaking in complete sentences and ordering her own food at restaurants (yes, she really does this!)  We actually celebrated together since her first birthday party was cancelled due to snow.  Our birthdays are only 5 days apart.

You know, with the recession, we’ve all been hearing about the rate of people without jobs and how many people have been affected.  Well, Ryan and I were like everyone else.  We thought, “Wow.  This is terrible.”  But we weren’t personally affected, so it didn’t really impact is.  Until March of this year, that is.  My husband’s school district decided to eliminate several positions from their payroll.  And his job as Assistant Principal was one of them.  Fortunately, there was a P.E. job for him (that’s what he taught before going into administration).  However, his job that he loved and had worked so hard for was gone.  And so was about 1/3 of our income.  It hit us pretty hard.  However, he’s handled it so well—much better than I could have.  We’ve had to learn how to budget—I mean REALLY budget.  For the first time, we’ve really had to think about wants vs.. needs.  But I think it’s made us both stronger. 

July was an incredible month—I received my Zumba Instructor License! 

I was so excited to go to the Instructor workshop… and then I realized how much I still had to learn!  I spent the rest of the summer choreographing and practicing so that hopefully one day i would have my own class.  And then it happened!  I am teaching 2 classes a week now.  

Also in July… I got to watch my sister get married!  It was such a special day and she was a beautiful bride!  She and her new husband David are now settled into their house and doing great.

I started working a a new school… sort of.  My school, Harold C. Johnson Middle School closed in order to be renovated into an elementary school.  I am now working at York Intermediate School with 5th and 6th grade students.  I miss so many of my colleagues that moved to other schools, but I love all the new colleagues I have met. 

I started this blog in August.  I have been so inspired by many other bloggers.  I had no idea so many of you were out there!  Check out my Blog roll for some of my favorites.  This blog has helped me to try new foods, learn new techniques, and meet people from all over the world! 

I hosted a dinner party featuring pomegranates and created recipes such as Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and Breakfast Cups!

Finally, my family said goodbye to our special dog, Rosie, on Christmas Eve.  We got Rosie when I was in college.  She was such a sweet and special dog.  She was really my mom’s fourth child, because she was there when all of us moved out and my mom retired.  We will all miss her so much. 

So there you have it….  There have been some highs and some lows this year, but it’s all been a learning experience.  There has been a lot of laughter and tears this year—sometimes both at the same time.  I am ready to see what 2011 has in store. I hope you’ll stay with me for the ride.

Liz