::*::random:random::*::

We arrrreeee moving!! 

Did I already mention that before? Well...I'm telling you again if I already did. T-minus 5 days! I was very excited in the beginning...lost interest, got stressed out, and now I am excited all over again! 

Overall, things have been going really well! 

Since I am obsessed with this lists thing I am going to list all the new things going on with me since the beginning of January!

1. I lost 30+ pounds! 

Yes...that's right...thirty pounds is a heck of a lot! But it had to be done...I am feeling lots better for it, but it's not to say that I still have many more goals. 

Which leads me to also being...

2. A heck of a lot stronger!

I can do 15 burpee's in a row! I remember back in August when I started going to the gym and going to classes that I could barely....BARELY do 3-5 in a row...let alone 15!! They're freakin' hard! Not only that but I can do 10 legit push-ups...I can left a lot more. I can squat til the cows come home and even do some with weights..I can also leg press 210lbs! My heaviest back in the day was 135lbs! 

3. I still have a pooch, but I ain't letting it slow me down. 

4. I am a registered holistic nutritionist!

5. I drove! I actually drove around with my bestie today! I did my driver's training classes and now just need to get behind a wheel. 

6. We are moving!

7. I am a lot busier at work and movin' on up! I'm not going to get into too many details on that because it probably wouldn't interest any of you, but this is something I definitely am optimistic about. 

So yea! It's been soooo busy....packing is pretty much all done...just need to do some moving this Thursday....and Friday! And then we have a long weekend...and I'll be taking some time off work as well to unpack and settle in {especially help the babies settle in}. 

Oh and my 30th birthday is coming up! How crazy!?! 

Yes, LOTS going on....

Lot's to look forward to! 

That's my update! 

-S.*

::*::52 Lists::*::

People say that moving is one of the most stressful times in one's life that one has to undergo. I guess it's only as stressful as you make it for yourself, am I right? What if you move a gajillion times?!

So far, the stress is at a minimum but it's possible that that is because I'm not allowing it to get to the point where I might lose my freakin' mind. 

I used to do that a lot...I had the tendency to magnify minute problems into gargantuan ones. 

I don't think I wasn't bored as much as I didn't have the means necessary to just deal with life's problems all that well at the time. 

::*::protein protein protein::*::

Do you believe when they say that your taste-buds change every seven years? 

I could never fully grasp the concept of that until quite recently. 

I'll fill you in on a little secret that many people in the past would despise me for. 

I. 

HATED.

SWEETS.

Like, legit...didn't like em AT ALL. The pantry could be filled with chocolates, the freezer overwhelmed with ice cream and cheese cakes, there could be cake on the counter and cookies on the table and all that I thought of was..."meh". 

If I had to choose between a bowl of mashed potatoes and a chocolate bar - pass me the fork and add a little gravy, baby!

But...the last few months, something infinitesimal has shifted.

I could quite literally describe it as waking up one morning and thinking to myself, "Dear God...I really could eat a pie for breakfast!!"...and the rest...is history.

::*::16 for 2016::*::

I'm curious as to how certain people hold onto their motivation..if you will..if that is something that you can even do. 

Man oh man, was I ever gung-ho on the gym lately - and still am!! But then there are days like today...where I really cannot be bothered to get out of bed. And all it really takes is just one day...ya know? Friday I was sick and couldn't function even remotely normal so passed...yesterday was too busy and today -- too rainy? Lol. 

I guess there is a lot on the go as well - did I mention we're moving?!!! YA!!! 

As much as I am going to miss this place {and the view!} we decided we wanted something bigger {cheaper!} and more home-y. So have signed a new lease on a townhome about 10 minutes from where we live now {and closer to work!}. Not only that, but it's close to everything else {grocery stores and the mall!!} and it is just a fabulous new place to make NEW memories in all over again. :) 

I'll be sure to share a tun of pictures! 

I'm still going to probably drag my ass to do a sesh of cardio - but in the meantime, I am going to share a recipe post as well as my beloved book post - as my email is being bombarded with new things to read and I did promise myself and my GoodReads app that I am going to read 16 books in 2016. I have already read one...so 15 more to go. :) 

Make sure to let me know if you've read any of the ones below or if you have any suggestions for great - new - books! 

HA...I just figured out how to do split screen on my MAC - this is going to make posting this a heck of a lot easier. Lol. 

The 52 Lists Project: A Year of Weekly Journaling Inspiration by Moorea Seal$16.95 CAD

I wanted to pick this book up immediately ~ unfortunately, you cannot find it anywhere! This book in Canada is available in select stores...and the only store closest to me that has it, is Woodbridge {TOO FAR AWAY} and they only have one copy! Regardless...it's definitely at the top of my list despite it's 3-6 week waiting period. Ugh.
Why I love this book and want to get it, is because I want to really get back into writing this year. I always used to be a HUGE writer...journaling constantly, writing short stories and poems and just haven't been able to get back into it for some reason - a workbook like this is ideal for me. To ge the creative juices flowing. It's technically a journal - but to me, it's so much more.

::*::sweet:smoothie::*::

Apple Pie Smoothie

Lately, I've been seriously craving a mountain size amount of sugar - now if you know me, you would think that this is absolutely bizarre because I don't like sugar! I don't like anything remotely sweet! But in the last 6 months, I've done a complete 360 and all I want is apple pie, Turtles, Ferrero's, ice cream, cake, cheese cake, cookies, muffins...you name it, I want it all!!!! And no, I'm not pregnant, lol. 

But, with my current training going on and eating hella clean, apple pie is just not in the cards for me. :( Sniff Sniff. 

That's why I am always ecstatic when I find new smoothie (or health-conscious recipes in general) that satisfy my new-found sweet tooth. :) 

This recipe is one I stumbled upon on the MBG site - enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

5 raw almonds

1 red apple

1 banana

3/4 cup nonfat strained yogurt

1/2 cup organic nonfat milk (or almond milk)

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

-S.*

{Image: LeanItUp}

::truism::

So much has been happening so far this year ~ and not in a bad way! I remember beginning the new year so many times with the mentality of "New Year, New Me" as I am sure you have probably seen or heard of a million times so far this past January from social media, TV commercial, radio shows, etc etc etc bombarding you every which way you are able to turn. 

I always did a list of things that I wanted to accomplish that year, but somehow, most of the time, I never got around to it. For example, in 2012, I told myself I would try creme brulee. Something so simple...and guess what? I never did. 

To put so much pressure on oneself with these "New Year's Resolutions" and then to allow something as trivial as trying creme brulee to ruin the way you feel about yourself and what you have accomplished thus far is ludicrous in my opinion.

Of course, this is not to say that I don't have goals this year, but that's just it. They're GOALS. And I will strive and work towards these goals no matter what. 

I've come to the realization that we must do things that make us UNCOMFORTABLE in order for us to grow. I learned that in the second half of 2015. 

I know this sounds so cliche and when you hear it you kinda just want to say "SHUDDUP!" but it's so true when people tell you that "baby steps" are important. I hate the word "can't"...so when you tell me I can't take leaps and bounds, that frustrates me, as I am sure it does with others too. But it's truth...and I guess the only way you'll learn is if you make your own mistakes and go on your own journey, but baby steps REALLY are important. 
It's hard some days when you sit there and think to yourself "WHY am I not any farther?!" but you need to give yourself credit. You're probably a heck of a lot farther then where you were on Day 1.
It's hard, but it's worth it. It really is! 

Anyways, no promises on this blog for this year. I'll get to you all when I can. But just wanted to impart these little words of unvarnished truth. 
I sorta needed to get it offa my chest since I feel like I've hit a wall myself. And it's only the 25th of January! So, let's keep pluggin' away, shall we? :)

-S.*