Category: goals

dedication, food, goals, moving forward, running, strength

Monday Musings

Movin' it with Michelle

Monday musings
A forewarning, this post will be all over the place, and probably not full of unicorns, glitter, or butterflies. I caveat that, with the fact that I am FORCING myself to keep moving forward, regardless of the current situation.
I find it almost ironic that just a few weeks ago I posted about the fact that while although I am thankful I have a job, I don’t love my current career. My career was chosen for me by the Air Force, 23 years ago, and during my 20 year career serving in the military I was at least able to delve into so many other areas of the Air Force, which made actual career as a histology technician tolerable.
I was blessed to march in the Korean War Memorial dedication parade. I was a part of many organizations, and served under the Commander and Chief as an executive assistant for almost a year. I was a fitness instructor. I served on many service member of the quarter/year award boards. I was a training instructor. I even did other aspects of the lab such as Point of Care testing. I led training runs, memorial runs, and more ceremonies than I can count on one hand.
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Yet for the last 2 ½ years…I’ve simply gone to work, punched in, did my job, and came home each night. While completely thankful to HAVE a job, this JOB no longer brings me joy.
And now, knowing my job is being eliminated, I have been on the job hunt for nearly 3 weeks without a single bite.
I’ve remained faithful, with constant forward movement and self-talk that involves a lot of yelling, crying, and begging for God to show me where the heck I am supposed to be in life at the ripe age of 41.
I thought by now I’d have it figured out. But nope…
I do know these few things.
I love to run, and running with friends makes me even happier when the mileage increases.
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I love to cook, invent, and inspire others with the foods I prepare.
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I love to take pictures, and although I’d never call myself a photographer, I love being behind the lens.
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I love inspiring and helping others. It not only makes my crap, well, less craptastic, but it brings me such joy to help someone through a difficult time in their life.
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I love to write. I have been writing since the age of 12, and although I am just an amateur, I truly love the written word.
Yet, none of these passions will provide for my family currently…yet…

With that, I have to keep plugging along, searching for a new job at least 2-3 hours each night, praying that right fit will come along. My family needs my financial, and happy mental support.

dedication, food, goals

Throw in the towel, or run/cook? I choose to Move

Movin' it with Michelle

There are some days in our lives, where we just want to throw in the towel and hide under the covers. Today…was one of those days of me. My 3 a.m. alarm seemed to be a little louder than normal, and my covers seemed to have an extra tug to them, enticing me to hit the snooze button just one more time.
Subzero temps called for a 3rd day in a row of long johns, and as I pulled them on accompanying them with scrubs, I struggled getting myself movin’.
Yet I made it through the work day successfully, and after picking up my youngest Mover I did dinner prep, and hit the treadmill for a couple much needed miles.
Dreadmill miles, are NEVER easy for me….just sayin’….
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Great part of the dinner recipe, is that I used left over chicken. Score! I hate wasting food!
So for the chili, I use Sawyer’s Gluten free mix, but any will do.
Sautee 2 cloves of garlic, 1 small onion, and one bell pepper for about 3-4 minutes. Add in 4 cups of water, and season with kosher salt, pepper. Bring to a boil and add in your chili mix. I added dried cilantro as well. Simmer for about 25 minutes, and drop in about 2-3 cups of cooked chicken (breasts or thighs). Cook another 10 minutes, and serve!
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I made my own “tortilla chips” by taking spinach tortillas, cutting in strips, and drizzling with extra virgin olive oil, and seasoning with kosher salt and pepper. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes!
Dinner was a success, and I spent the last the last 3 hours applying for jobs. Win/win!

goals, moving forward, running, strength

Why I run…

Movin' it with Michelle

For more than 2 1/2 decades, I’ve used running as a source of therapy. I started running in junior high school as a way of trying to find my place in a time where I felt very OUT of place (who didn’t as a young teen, right?).
From a young age, I never felt like I really ‘belonged’ anywhere, and for most of my teen and adult life I suffered from sometimes, quite severe depression.

In 2007 I hit my WALL in life. That moment where in a marathon you feel you just CAN’T take another step, where it hurts to breathe, and even blinking seems painful….Yes…I was there…and it was scary to say the least.

Yet the love I have for my family came bounding to the forefront, and I knew I had to change, to lift myself up, and to start moving forward.

So I signed up for my first half marathon in September of 2007, with only 8 weeks to train. The San Antonio Rock and Roll half marathon will always hold a special place in my heart.

I could barely run ONE mile without walking, but I was moving…My training brought me a new found respect for running, and re-ignited a fire that had been lying dormant for many years. I would work all day, come home to make dinner and feed my then 8 and 1 year old daughters. As soon as my husband got home from work, I’d pass off the kids, and head out the door to run. And after 8 weeks of hard and grueling training, I completed my first half marathon in 2 hours and 19 minutes. Just typing this recap brings tears to my eyes. THIS choice, to train for a half marathon despite my hardships that I was going through, was life saving.

Since then after retiring from the Air Force in 2011, I have completed several more half marathons (Half Fanatic #3915), and 2 full marathons, with my PR’s being 2:02/4:25 respectively. My favorite race of all time, is the Fox Valley Marathon. The Fox River trails are my home away from home, and also volunteering for this race has made it near and dear to my heart.

My goals for this year are to focus on my half marathon speed, but regardless of the race, you’ll be sure to see me smiling.

Why?

Some say running has saved their lives, and I piggy back that sentiment, partially.

Partially?

Yes. Because for me, MAKING THE CHOICE to run, to train, to race, THAT has saved my life. And this ongoing choice, has made me both stronger, and happier all around.

I don’t run to win races. I run, to keep movin’ forward. #pacesetter @womenraces #keepmovinforward

goals, moving forward, running, strength, training

Three things Thursday on my birthday eve

Movin' it with Michelle

Life is short.
All too often we get caught up in THINGS. But life isn’t about STUFF. It’s about moments, lives, love, family, friends, and moving forward. This week I was told I am losing my job in the spring due to cut backs in budget, healthcare, etc…I found myself heading in a downward spiral, and it terrified me. But instead of throwing in the towel, I maintained my work out schedule after coming home from work, preparing meals and keeping my crazy household maintained.

Life is good.
I have my health so far…and I have made it through almost 41 years without any major illness’s. At work today, I had to process a specimen on a very young (40’s) man that has stage 4 cancer. It never gets easier….23 years in the same field, and it. never. gets easier.

Life is meant for living.
People often ask why I continue to put the work and effort in to my Facebook page, when I am not making a profit from the efforts.
Why?
Because just today, I received two messages in regards to my efforts.
The first:

“Cheers to you my friend. I know this birthday will be filled with lots of emotions. What a great year, you’ve made so many new friends, Moved so many people with your page, food, photos….just remember that you do not have to be defined by what you ‘do’, be defined by what you ‘love’, and who loves YOU. May all your wishes come true.
The second:
I wanted you to know that you have a follower (keeping name private), she does your AB challenge with her daughter, she reads your posts every day and loves your page. Your page is awesome, she loves it. Just wanted you to know you have a strong reach…
Touching lives, inspiring others, MOVIN’ forward is such a joyous part of living to me…

Despite a rough week, my heart is full tonight. And I realize…Life…IS. What it IS, is up to YOU.
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dedication, food, goals

Tonight’s Mystery Box Challenge

Movin' it with Michelle

My husband came home from the store with the following “mystery box” ingredients:

Pork crown roast
Oyster Mushrooms
Mango

For those of you that have been following me for a while, you know one of my dreams is to be a Chef, and own my own restaurant. My husband and I fell in love with the show, “Master Chef” when it first came out, and although he swears I was ready to try out this year, I decided I needed a year to practice, perfect, and hone my skills as a ‘home cook’ that has had NO professional training.
Every couple weeks after our bi-monthly trip to the grocery store, he chooses several ingredients for me to create a dish with for our family.
I try to cook within an hour time limit, but am not always successful yet in that aspect of my goals.
So here is what I did…
I immediately preheated the oven to 375 degrees, and drizzled the pork with good extra virgin olive oil, and seasoned liberally with salt and pepper. I seared all sides of the roast, and popped it in the oven to roast. (Takes about 45 minutes, and I pull it out about 10 degrees early-150 degrees, as letting it rest at least 10 minutes will bring the temp up to the required 160 degrees).

While the roast was cooking, I knew I wanted to make a puree’ with the mango to set off the pork nicely. I chopped 2 mangos and put them in my food processor. I added a splash of chicken stock, drizzled with EVOO, and seasoned with salt, pepper, cilantro, jalapeno flakes, ginger and lemon juice and gave it a few pulses until it was pureed. Set this aside for plating.

Next, I thought since we had 45 minutes for the roast to cook, I’d make an appetizer with the oyster mushrooms. I cleaned several caps for the appetizer, and also sautéed half the mushrooms with garlic to serve in my brown rice-and the appetizer filling.

Stuffed Oyster Mushrooms
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I added 1 dollop of low-fat cream cheese and light sour cream into a bowl. Chop 2 tablespoons of the sautéed mushrooms, a handful of green olives, 1 teaspoon of capers, and 1 chopped green onion and add them to the mixture. Mix well, and spoon onto the caps. Bake for 10 minutes and serve!

Prepare brown rice according to the package directions, and add in dry cilantro, salt, pepper, and the remainder of the Oyster Mushrooms.
Next, sauté your favorite veggie to serve along with the roast once you pull it out to rest for 10 minutes. I chose Asparagus and button mushrooms, tying the dish together.

Plate, and serve!
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This delicious dinner can be prepared and served in just about an hour! Enjoy!!!

❤ Michelle

food, goals, moving forward, strength, training

Monday’s Movin’…who’s cookin?

Movin' it with Michelle

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Tonight’s dinner was off the cuff, and I was plainly just trying to be creative.  Was I completely successful?  I’d say no….but the dish turned out regardless; I simply missed the ‘wow’ factor.

Ingredients:

4-6 pork chops, thick cut

3 oranges, to include the zest/juice

3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 gloves of garlic, minced

1 tablespoon of organic honey

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

Kosher salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (pinch), basil, and parsley

Mix the above ingredients together in a food processor, pulsing until completing incorporated.  Coat your chops, and let marinate for about 30 minutes to an hour.   Save about ½ cup of the mixture to drizzle over the chops for baking.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees

Seer your chops on high heat in a pan coated with extra virgin olive oil, both sides.  Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with remaining mixture, and finish baking in the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes. 

 

Serve with your favorite veggie; I choose zucchini and mushrooms tonight!  Quickly sautéed them in a pan and VOILA!  YUM!  Gogolowcarb!

Tonight’s work out was a great #TDF start…

Day 6 of the AB challenge done:
25 Sit ups
15 crunches
15 leg raises
25 second plank

Added with:
30 second wall sit x3
3 sets of bicep curls
3 sets of tricep extensions…

A great Monday, all around! #keepmovinforward

food, goals, Uncategorized

Day 3…I got this…

Movin' it with Michelle

I sat at work most of the day in a fog. My head was/is stuffy, and I just wasn’t feeling myself. I know I have a decent job, and will never complain for being gainfully employed. But I have dreams, hopes, and aspirations. And working in a lab just isn’t one of them.
This brings me back, to over 22 years ago when I joined the Air Force under “open general” status. I wanted to be an Air Traffic Controller….something that was on the flight line, in the deeps, trenches, and you name it. ANYTHING but medical I said…

Here I am, 22 years later, almost 23, wishing I had been given another path. Wait. I may work in a lab…BUT…

But our paths in life, lead us to our destinations.

And my goal as a writer and a Chef are just around the corner.

I felt it today, and found myself nearly giddy with ideas.

So in the crazy winds of the Chicagoland weather path, I found myself shopping for photo books, scissors, and accessories to make my vision REAL.

What a perfect way, to spend a cold and ill feeling weekend, than to cut and paste my future into a vision.

I’m ready. me and Graham

food, goals, moving forward

Exciting times!

Movin' it with Michelle

I currently have a terrible head cold. You know, the kind where you feel like you are living on a cloud, but not the fluffy, white, whimsical type of cloud. No…the kind of cloud that is fog laden and makes your head feel like it weighs more than a ton of bricks.

Yup…that kind.

With that said, I still have managed to work nearly the entire holiday ‘break’ despite looking a bit like Rudolph from blowing my nose so many times.
I did manage to get my AB challenge done, and was satisfied with that despite wishing I was outside running in the newly fallen snow.

Regardless, I promised myself I would write more with the New Year, so here I am…aimlessly writing about a whole lot of nothing.

With all that, I pray for quick healing so I can rock the Polar Dash 10K with my friends next weekend. No matter what, we will look cute in our tutus and penguin hats.

My holiday decorations are nearly put away, and my weekend will be that of organizing and cleaning as I ready myself for a new year full of adventures.

My cook book project will start THIS weekend, and I have the hubby on board in researching starting our, wait for it, very own RESTAURANT. Those that know me, know this is my dream. He’s studying the business side, as am I, as well as we plan to research American cuisine paired with regional wines. Just. wait.

My running will continue, but I plan on holding back to the half marathon distance so I can have time for my family, and ME. The last two years of full AND part time work, along with marathon training taught me that I can ONLY DO so much. And although I love the 26.2 distance, I have found it almost silly to try and do with all I have on my plate. I just can’t give it my ALL again a third year in a row, so stay tuned for some rockin’ half marathons.

With that, I bid you all a wonderful evening. May your hearts be full, the wind at your back, and wonderful food on your plate.
#keepmovinforward3-10souschef

dedication, goals

A new year….

Movin' it with Michelle

I don’t like to look back, too much…yet sometimes I find it soothing to look back on where I once was, and find where I now am is pretty darn incredible.

Today is the first day of 2014, and sadly I woke up to a completely stuffed up nose, and foggy head. I could say it was due to too many drinks last night, but I partied “smart” drinking water in between each of my four cocktails.
But sometimes, working too hard and sleeping too little tends to catch up with the body and eventually that strong body, breaks down. I missed my group run this morning, even after waking up on time as I knew I needed some extra rest.
But the missed run won’t take away from my goals this year.
I don’t ‘do’ resolutions, more so I focus on goals.
So for this year…my goals are as follows.

I will WRITE, daily, if not weekly as time permits.

I will run, 3 times per week, regardless of snow, rain, or inclement weather.

I will start my half marathon training, THIS WEEKEND, and not look back.

I will run for FUN, with friends, and as often as possible.

I will focus on what I HAVE, not what I want…

I will learn more about photography and cooking, which are my two ‘other’ passions besides running.

I will sleep more. Drink more water. Smile more. And eat better.

I will lose 10 lbs, come hell or high water.

I will work on my e-book. Will it be a cook book, motivational book, or inspirational story? I’m not sure yet. But I won’t put it off another year.

Bring on 2014…I have big plans, to build my page, my passions, and my happiness. All of which will benefit my family.

And I’ll stick to this Ab challenge, DAILY!
#keepmovinforward

goals, goodbyes, running

Only ran twice this week…

Movin' it with Michelle

I was only able to get in 2 runs this week, but managed to work in IT Band stretches 3 days, as well as some Wii work outs.  It’s a start right?
Been a rather rough week, knowing my husband leaves on Friday, but I’ve tried to channel my emotions with writing, school, and my workouts as in-frequent as they still are right now.  I know I’ll “get there” and I will get my issues worked out, but right now I am doing what I can to hang on to each moment with my husband before leaves.  I am trying to give him his space to play his computer games and wind down before he has so much stress put on his shoulders.  But I do find myself hugging him more often, wishing he was near, more often. 
With this added stress I too am trying to build bonds with my daughters as both are Daddy’s girls which adds to my weight while he is gone.  They “want” and “need” Daddy…so far I am just an afterthought and disciplinarian.  I hope to find a common balance while he is gone.

My little Sophia loves to go to the gym with me, so I look forward to giving her big sister some quiet time while we work out a few times a week.  Once spring hits in a couple months I will be back to running outside. 

I have four weeks left of school.  FOUR.  Four weeks and counting until I finish my Graduate degree, obtaining an MBA in Health care Management.  I started this schooling journey back when my eldest daughter was merely one years old…and I will finish it in her 12th year of life.  It has been a long and tiresome journey, but another I needed to complete no matter how many hours of sleep I lacked.  Once this journey is finished I will venture to my next which is training for this marathon.

My current goals are to get in shape and eat better before my “real” marathon journey begins in a few months.  I want to be able to run more than 3 miles without having to stop and walk, and I want to rid myself of aches and pains so that I can run with peace and joy.  That is my goal.  For today…