School has resumed....life gets tougher!

Ok, no excuses I have just let life's curve balls get in the way of blogging.  

I have been quite busy this month, work is always a challenge and my 10 hour days still do not afford me enough time to get things done.  I am sadly a perfectionist, and I hate having work left at the end of the day.  Stress, yes and caused by me.

I began school this past week.  I am hopeful to be done with my associates by the end of May and at the latest the end of summer.

I love learning, but it is so hard with all the other responsibilites in my life right now.  I am still working out, and going to Zumba, doing body pump (which I love) and running.  I will tell you, that I have not seen the scale move much in the past month, I am not letting it side track my goal.

I am just even more resolved than ever to keep focused.  I have not been as good this past week getting in my water.  Why is it, that water is always the first thing to get forgotten when busy.  I do really well when tied to my desk at work, but once freed oh wow, do I fail.

Mental note, drink more water.  I wanted to share with you Dr OZ's prescription to restart your metabolism.  I have been doing it for three days, and I pee like a banchee!  

80z of tomato juice (NOT V8)
1.5 tsp of horseradish
dash of hot sauce

I drink this each morning after getting up, and it really is helping, I can tell.

I also drink water with real lemon juice in it.  Did you all know that lemon helps our bodies rid themselves of excess salt?  Yeap, the lemon juice gives the salt a vehicle to jump on and exit the body.  Try it and you will see the effects and how it works for yourself.

I am excited that I was the BOOB of the day on Friday!  That was so cool and everyone made me cry.  To read what others think of me here is heart warming.  I never imagine that I would have that kind of effect when I began blogging, I am certainly glad I have.

I am so excited as is Nichole about BOOBS 3.0.  It is one month away and I cannot wait.  I know it will go by fast, but the time spent with all of you will be priceless!

I love you all and look forward to meeting the newbies!

What I used to only imagine, I am now living

Ok, I know I have not been the best blogger of late, but working out 6 days a week and getting ready to go back to school, has really zapped me.

I also, feel like my journey is entering a new phase.  The whole theme of my journey seems to be centered around YOU CAN and taking baby steps on a path to self discovery.  A path where I am learning that the only limits that I have are the ones I allow myself to be fettered with.  I look back and reflect on my past and I can plainly see my self confidence and self image die a slow and painful death.  When you become morbidly obese, the walls of your world close in around you slowly until your comfort zone becomes a straight jacket.

I never viewed any challenge as an opportunity for growth, it was always viewed as another opening for all the world to see my ineptness and to suffer embarrassment.  That is the one thing that makes morbid obesity such a killer.  We all know what it does to our health, but obesity is a destroyer of the soul.  This is so much more than merely shedding pounds, it is about reclaiming my life.

This is where I feel that running and Zumba and Body Pump have brought so much healing to my life.  It is far more than simply a redundant process to be endured for the sake of burning a few extra calories in the same sense that one endures the side effects of some medication for the sake of getting well.  Once the desired effect is reached the routine ends. 

Before, I used to just imagine what it would be like to have self confidence and passion, now I am living the dream every day.

Yes Kristin, you can.

I know longer need the permission or approval of others to finally live my life.  Each time I honor a commitment to myself to exercise, when I do not feel like it, or work through a problem and see it through, something inside grows stronger and stronger.  When you begin to climb the smaller mountains the bigger ones do not seem so intimidating.  It takes the same skills.  After awhile one rock looks just like another, except that there are more of them piled up.......I just have to climb a little longer that is all.

One thing that I have learned on this journey is that consistent effort in never unrewarded.  My dreams are not so far fetched anymore.  No bravado, just a deep settled confidence that tells to me to keep climbing.

What a sense of peace this has brought to my life.



NEVER EVER GIVE UP!



The skirt in this picture I have not had on in 10 years!  It is a wrap around skirt with two buttons.  I still think my hips look huge, but my legs are melting away.

Kristin 8-12-12

I still find that I am not comfortable with pictures of myself, I hope that this will go away at some point in time.  Seeing my body change however, is the best NSV in the world.  I am stronger, and healthier than I have ever been in my adult life.

So again I say, "NEVER EVER GIVE UP!"

The Perfect Pico de Gallo

.Ok I know, I have not been blogging and that is just not acceptable. I have been reading though, and I am not sure if my comment problem with blogger has been fixed or not.  Time will tell I suppose.   I have been very busy however, I have so much to get done before school begins for the fall.  My classes start on August 21st. I cannot believe that is two weeks away.  My summer went so fast.  The boys are getting ready to head back as well.  Cole will be in Kindergarten and it is going to be hell for a few weeks I believe.

I am so excited for BOOBS 3.0!  Nichole and I both are.  We look forward to seeing some old faces and meeting some new ones.

It will be a blast.

Ok as promised.  If you are like me Mexican food is my ultimate favorite quisine.  A great mexican meal is not complete without Pico de gallo.  However, I have had some really bad, salty stuff, and I have a great recipe for the perfect batch.  I thought I would share it with you all.

I know some of you may be tempted to buy some that almost fresh looking stuff in the container at the grocery store.....but stop......seriously just try making this at home.  A few fresh ingredients and a little chopping and OLE!  You will have some of the best tasting Mexican Pico de gallo north of the border.

This is one of those loose recipes where the quantities are merely a suggestion than hard and fast rules.  Here are in my opinion the key ingredients for making a KILLER pico de gallo.

1.  Start with fresh vine ripe tomatoes, the fresher the better.  Please do not use ones that you have stored in the refrigerator or bought last week.

2.  Use fresh lime juice.  A lot of recipes skip this and it is just plain wrong.

3.  Use a fresh chilli, like a jalapeno ( my favorite) or if you prefer more heat, perhaps a serrano or habanero.

4.  Don't be shy when adding your salt and pepper.

Perfect Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:

2 large tomatoes chopped
1/2 large white onion, chopped
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 jalapeno seeded, and very finely chopped
1 small bunch of cilantro, chopped finely
1/4 tsp of cumin
1-2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together.  Refrigerate at least one hour for all flavors to mingle.  Check seasoning and add more lime juice, salt or pepper if needed.

Now wasn't that easy?