My Exercise Secret...

I have been on this "clean-eating" journey since December 27, 2011. The first 30 days were easy and wonderful. I ended up losing 12 lbs! woohoo! However, I have been side tracked the past week....of course, it is my fault, no excuses. However, I would love to share with you my favorite workout secret....

an exercise ball and a free weight.

I love using the exercise ball for crunches and push ups. I also add in the weight occasionally. I feel like using these two tools each day at home in addition to going to the gym has boosted my energy/metabolism greatly. 

Just use these two tools for about 15 minutes extra a day. I usually use them while watching TV.

Super easy but makes a HUGE difference!

Back on track this week for another 30 day goal...See you soon March 12. 

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...

Pay It Forward...

Hello All,

I felt today was a super day to blog. I was greatly blessed today at work! I am even still excited about my day as I am relaxing on the couch. Full of joy, it is hard to relax!! At the beginning of December, I watched a segment on WREG News Channel 3 called "Pay It Forward." It is about giving back to people who have blessed you and others in many ways. Richard Ransom, the news anchor, gives someone $300 to give to a deserving person. When I watched it in December, I thought about who I would give the money to, if I could. I immediately thought of Rosa at Germantown Elementary. She is our janitor and I chose her for many reasons...She is humble, kind, giving, and hardworking. She comes to school each day with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. Our school is always squeaky clean and in tip-top shape....thanks to her. Then, when she leaves work, she often works another job and works on the weekend. Not to mention, she has a husband and three children. I just feel so blessed by her giving spirit and what she does for others without complaining. She has really taught me a lesson...and that is to always have joy in your heart. With that being said, I wrote Richard Ransom an email in December telling him about Rosa. He responded saying that he gets lots of emails and that he would consider it because two other people from GES have written him about her as well! I never heard anything back.

Little did I know...that today he would surprise me, camera in hand, ready to interview me about Rosa.
Our assistant principal opened my door and said "I need to see you in the hallway for a minute." I thought..."Oh, no...I have not followed my schedule perfectly today, I am in trouble!" To my surprise, it was Richard Ransom with a smile on his face. Of course, excitement, shock, and surprise on my face! My face turned bright red as he immediately asked me, "Why did you choose Rosa to pay it forward?" Of course, from that point on, I was just overyjoyed/speechless/nervous/bright red face/etc.....but that doesn't matter...it was all about Rosa at that point....I wanted it to be perfect.

The best part of course was being able to give Rosa $300. Although, I did not say everything I wanted to or probably sounded absolutely country and ridiculous (actions speak louder than words), it brought so much joy to Rosa, and that is what I wanted to do- to tell her how much she is appreciated at GES!! She didn't think it was real, she wanted me to pinch her afterwards to let her know that she was indeed receiving the money! Richard asked her how she will spend it, she said she would spend it on her kids. What a blessing she is to us and what a blessing today was for all involved!

Three lessons learned today- which I also taught my students right after:
1. Always pay it forward to those who deserve it.
2. Actions speak louder than words.
3. It is better to give than to receive.

Snowman burlap hanger....

I got in a super crafty kick a few weekends ago...what else is new? My in-laws gave me a gift card to Hobby Lobby for my birthday (best gift ever!) and of course, I spent it all in one go....and then some. 

This is just one creation I made. A snowman burlap door hanger, which I  must say, was super easy! I will probably be making more soon for other occasions...perhaps a Valentine's heart...a shamrock...a basketball...who knows?!

All you have to do is get some burlap, double it over, draw the shape you want, and cut it out. Then, staple around the edges, leave a small hole for stuffing, stuff it with plastic grocery bags, and paint! Then take a thicker wire and push it through the burlap at the top as a hanger. Add some bows and then...

VOILA!

There you have your very own door hanger. 

I borrowed the snowman idea from pinterest. Enjoy!

Alive at 25

My birthday was just last week and I must say I was SUPER spoiled. It was one of the best birthdays that I can remember. It was just an ordinary day but it was special. I have finally grown to learn that sometimes ordinary & simple days are the best days...and it was indeed. It was a peaceful and happy day. My kids absolutely spoiled me at work- I got gift cards, gifts, & cupcakes! I wasn't expecting any of it! Not to mention, that morning my husband woke me up with a God tag which I have been wanting...it is a custom designed necklace with our names and wedding date engraved on it. Check out the website of the store where he got it... Bella Vita. When I came home from work, Chris had another gift waiting...an ottoman I have been admiring for our den. Super chic...check out the picture. The best part is that it came from Costco..$70! Then, we dined at Seikisui with my family....super delicious!

 More pictures to come soon...I have been crafting like a crazy woman!!

Pizzadillas!

Many of you have asked for the pizzadilla recipe...here it is folks...fresh from the Crains!

It is delicious and husband-approved...he gives it a two thumbs up. I got the idea form gracious pantry; however, we adapted it to our likings and also made it for TWO...enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 Ezekiel tortillas

Organic Spaghetti sauce

4-5 baby bella mushrooms

1 zuchinni

1 squash

1 breast of chicken

olive oil

garlic powder

onion powder

low-fat cheese-(for the husband)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Slice chicken into bite size pieces. Pour a tablespoon of olive oil into skillet and cook chicken on medium heat until it turns white. Meanwhile, slice the veggies into thin slices. Then, place them in your food processor and blend them until it is like a fine cut mixture of the veggies. Toss the veggies into the same pan as the chicken. Sautee chicken and veggie mix with a teaspoon of garlic powder and a teaspoon of onion powder. Let simmer for a few minutes. Place wax paper onto a cookie sheet. Lay two tortillas flat onto the sheet. Spread a spoon full of spaghetti sauce onto the tortillas. Then, divide the chicken and veggie mix and place one half on each tortilla. (Add cheese for husband). Place in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and fold each tortilla in half. There you have it! Delicious! Yummy! Scrumptious...Pizzadillas- Crain Style. 

Day 13

Woa! Day 13...I can't believe I am almost halfway through my challenge. Yesterday, was my first "cheat day". Chick-fil-a gets the best of us. However, today I am back on board! It has actually been fairly easy, much easier than I had anticipated. Eating right and exercising makes me feel physically and mentally better. Not to mention, when you have super delicious recipes it makes it all worthwhile! My favorite part so far has been the shakes in the morning or as a mid-afternoon snack. It's like dessert, but I am still getting my nutrition and veggies! I would like to share my favorite shake with you....

1 cup of spinach ( trust me, it is delicious and you won't even know it is in there!)
1 cup of pineapple
3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
3/4 cup frozen bananas (slice and freeze ahead of time)
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
3 ice cubes
a dash of cinnamon (delicioso!)

Place in a blender and blend until smooth and green! Promise...you will love it, it is like a slice of a tropical beach vacation right in your on home. Enjoy!

I have loved searching for recipes on pinterest and my favorite site so far has been the gracious pantry. I have not tried one thing on their that I didn't like! The recipes are scrumptious!
Check it out...you will become addicted! The Gracious Pantry

30 Day Challenge

Hello All...I can't believe it is the last day of 2011! 2011 has been a super year....Chris and I celebrated our first year of marriage, I began my third year of teaching, I graduated with my Master's degree, Chris began a wonderful new job, we got to spend a lot of time with family and friends, we've made new friends, and in fact we got two new family members (Chris & Bryce)...there is so much to be thankful for! We have also had our fair share of "hard times" this year that we can look back and be thankful for because it has made us stronger. I look forward to 2012...it's going to be a beautiful year...so much to look forward to.

With the beginning of a new year, I am starting a 30 day challenge. 30 days of eating very healthy and exercising. Notice I didn't say "to lose weight." I am simply doing it to better my health, mentally and physically. I began the 30 day challenge on December 27...so I got a jump start on the new year. Today is day 5 and it is going very well so far....25 days to go.

My hope is that at the end of the 30 days, I will adopt my changes as my new healthy lifestyle...we'll see.

So with these days off from work, I have decided to try some new recipes. It is not the easiest to cook only for two. So I have taken some recipes and adapted them for two. Check out our delicious stuffed bell peppers!

Sauteing the veggies....

There you have it folks...a stuffed bell pepper!

Delicioso!!

(Lean turkey meat, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, garlic powder, onion powder, tomato sauce)

Have a happy new year! See yall in 2012!