goals – Page 3 – Movin' it with Michelle

Chef on the mend

January 7, 2015 Movin' it with Michelle

Tonight is an exciting night for me…

Why, you ask?

First, I came home from work to find my house without heat, so what did I do? I fired up the stove of course, and prepared a hearty seafood chowder! This recipe isn’t exact, but here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing chowder in less than 45 minutes:

Seafood Chowder:

1 large pasta/stew pot

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

1 large white onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 red pepper, diced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 potato, diced

1 cup of frozen corn, or fresh if it’s in season (add this the last 10 minutes if frozen to avoid overcooking)

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

1 can of crushed tomatoes

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 can of black beans (may omit)

2 green onions sliced at an angle for garnish

2-3 cups of stock-low sodium!

Seasoning: Cajun spice, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and kosher salt and pepper-to taste.

1 back 0f 20 count large shrimp, remove the tail, cut in 3 pieces and place in a separate bowel. Add the juice of half of a lemon, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper and let marinate. (You will add the shrimp the final 10 minutes as they are precooked).

Drizzle your pot with EVOO and add all the veggies (minus the corn) and sauté for about 7 minutes until just slightly tender. Add your tomatoes, stock, and beans and season to taste. Let simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

Let it simmer, at least 30 minutes and don't forget to taste before serving! — Let it simmer, at least 30 minutes and don’t forget to taste before serving!

In the last 10 minutes add your corn and shrimp to heat through entirely.

Garnish was sliced green onions, and serve!

I can't tell you how good it feels to be cooking again. I've mastered cooking with a bandaged thumb! — I can’t tell you how good it feels to be cooking again. I’ve mastered cooking with a bandaged thumb!

Second, tonight marks the 3rd season of MasterChef junior season premier of course! (MasterChef/MasterChef junior being literally the ONLY shows I have watched on television in the past year or so).

Wait…before you get all judgy with “reality TV is all scripted,” and stuff…Wait.

Still waiting? Thanks…this truly is important to me!!!

I agree, these shows do have the hint of irritating hidden advertisement and drama nestled inside each episode. I won’t even try to say it’s truly “real” in regards to actual reality. I mean, really…how many people would have access to a pantry like THAT to choose ingredients from?!? I’d be in heaven…lol

BUT…having been on the other side of the show nearly, well not really nearly, I see this particular series in a different light. 😉

For behind even the most dramatic Chef down to the sweetest home junior cook. both share one common theme that is near and dear to me and that, is a PASSION FOR FOOD. Good food, creative food…homecooked food with a touch of flare and big pinch of passion.

Although I won’t be America’s next MasterChef, I know how it feels to want something THAT bad. To have dreams THAT big, achievable or not..

And THAT…is reality.

Oh, and the hubby saved the day by fixing the heat and I finished day 6 of my AB challenge! SCORE!

Keep Movin’ Forward, y’all! And don’t forget to smile!

❤ Michelle

Holidays, Uncategorized

Goodbye 2014

January 1, 2015 Movin' it with Michelle

I read back to my goals for the year, as I am not one to make resolutions. The beginning of 2014 was pretty tough on me…I found out I was losing my job, and we were buried deep in sub zero temperatures for MONTHS it seemed. #Chiberia and I officially were NOT friends, and my miles and mood disintegrated at a very rapid rate.

BUT…spring came along, and I found a new job that I currently still am working at. YAY. I also PR’d my half marathon by a minute, at 2:01, trained for and ran my hubby’s first half marathon with him, as well as prepared for months for my Master Chef audition in Chicago.

Over all, it was a pretty good year. My mileage isn’t where I had hoped, but I did lose 5 of the 10 lbs I set out to lose so I am pleased with that fact. I also remained consistent with my blog, which was another big goal of mine.

Next year brings on new adventures of training for my 3rd full marathon, the Grandma’s Marathon that I will be running with my sister. I swore I’d never run another full…but yeah. We all know how that goes, right?

This past year I have been documenting my favorite recipes, and REALLY want my e-cook book to come to fruition this year…#fingerscrossed

For next year, I have a few personal goals that I want to keep up with that I’ll keep to myself for now, as well as over all I just want to keep movin’ forward. I lived in the past for too many years. I hope to continue to see my sister more often, as well as have ALL. THE. FUN. running another marathon with her on June 20th, 2015.

Lastly, I’ll share a couple of my favorite photos from last year!

Naperville Half, Nov'14 — Naperville Half, Nov’14

Hubby's first half <3 — Hubby’s first half ❤

Cheers, and Happy New Year to you all!!

❤ Michelle

goals

Support 2 ways…

December 30, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

First off, as a caveat to my last post, I had it on my heart to post about something near and dear to me.

Support.

I don’t mean in just tough times, because I’ve found that for many it is almost easier to be there for someone when the times are tough and the dark lined cloud of gloom is looming over your head for what seems like eternity…You know those times…Right?

Yup…we all do.

But what I’ve found is how hard it can be to support others in CELEBRATING their triumphs when you yourself have the impeding cloud of doom following you. Jealousy can set in, and being able to be happy for other’s success is well…hard to do sometimes.

I caught myself recently fighting the demon of jealousy to the death as I was SO tired of feeling that way. Someone else will always have more money, be taller, be smarter, have a more glamourous car/home, be able to take vacations, you name it!

SO. freaking’. WHAT I say to you, dark demon of jealousy that causes the impeding cloud of doom to follow me. BE GONE I say. BE GONE.

I have a pretty darn good life. Despite debt and student loans I’ll be paying until I die, the rest of my life is pretty amazing.

So in the future, my goal with movin’ forward is to celebrate my friends and family member’s joy, and let that nasty cloud rain on someone else’s parade!

Secondly, I’ll be doing my AB challenge again to start the new year off and build a strong core/support for my body as full blown marathon training starts mid February!

Who’s with me?

❤ Michelle

goals

Two things Tuesday-Unplugging and Social media

December 24, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I have been reading several posts on “unplugging” more in the upcoming new year. This has something that I have been thinking about for quite some time. I started paying attention to how much time I WASTE ensuring I see everyone’s posts on Facebook, twitter, etc. HOURS sometimes each night are spent pouring myself over newsfeeds and tweets, tumblrs and IGs. Ugh…really?

And for what?

Sure it’s fun to keep up with my friends and family who live all over the world. It’s great to be able to see baby pictures and accomplishments. I really enjoy seeing race photos and family updates.

But wouldn’t it be better if I got a phone call or a text, telling all this very same information PERSONALLY to me? If they really wanted me to know what’s going on in their life, wouldn’t they reach out to me vs. having to blast it on social media? And vice versa as well…Couldn’t I just shoot a text out, or make a phone call to my loved ones vs. posting on FB?

Maybe…

But life gets busy, I understand that all too well. It’s hard to keep in touch, it’s hard to fit in a phone/text conversation when our lives are…so busy? Are we really that busy? If we have enough time to sit on social media for a length of time, couldn’t we use that time differently to communication with one friend, family member or loved once twice each week? It’s a catch 22 of sorts, for sure…

So my goal, moving forward is to do two things…this is a two things Tuesday post, right?

1. Unplug more from social media. I will do this by not checking fb AT ALL during the day on my breaks/lunch etc. I will keep my IG account, because I love photography, but the same thing goes. I will only check it after my youngest daughter goes to bed. Both my kids deserve more attention. I will also make an effort to make at least one phone call each week, to catch up with a loved one. I do realize text conversations would better for some, so that works too. Dust off your ear pieces and thumbs my friends. 🙂

2. Continue putting more efforts into my blog/writing of my cookbook venture. I really am proud that I actually stuck with it for the better part of 2014, so I truly hope 2015 rolls in with continued successful efforts.

I hope with my proposed plan of unplugging somewhat will form a habit that lasts a lifetime. Realizing we all have choices, I do know that social media CAN be a blessing so I won’t unplug completely. I will however start living more of MY life, vs. scrolling newsfeeds about OTHER’S lives. No offense, gang. ❤

Happy Holidays, y’all!

❤ Michelle

food

Gravitational pull

December 9, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

As of late, the dreary, cold, and bleak winter days have left me with little motivation to run. In fact, I only ran once last week and probably because I put it out there for all to see in order to hold myself accountable. I’m just not feeling it ~~again~~ this winter. Although our temps are actually quite manageable, leaving for work in the dark, and driving home from work again in the dark DRAINS me. Ultimately, winter blues suck. That. IS. ALL. My hubby and I DID sign up for a 5K on Sunday called the Underground Polar Express, where ALL proceeds go to Suicide Prevention/awareness, a cause that touches my heart. Check it out….www.undergroundpolarexpress.com

So I’ve really continued to pour myself into my cooking. (HAHA, see what I did there?) I’ve kept on with my studying recipes, techniques, and experimenting with different dishes. I have spent the better part of 2014 actually writing out my recipes, and pray I can get my E-book/Cookbook in the works next year. Why?

Well, because I know I meant to do something OTHER than work in a hospital. A job I didn’t choose for myself…But it’s been a good job for the last 24 years, and for that I am grateful. I think I am just at a point in my life where I KNOW I need to be doing something I LOVE. All the signs are there…pulling at me in a million directions. I just need to find my “IN” so to speak. I need someone else, other than my amazing family and friends SEE that I have a gift when it comes to creating food and say, “Hey…I think we could use talent like yours, let us mentor you…”

So yeah…that call hasn’t come yet. So I keep putting myself out there on social media, posting my recipes, my dreams, my goals…PRAYING someone out there will see the fire I have in my soul.

Sure…I love to run, and it’s a part of my life that I wouldn’t trade.

But I LOVE to cook. I love to create….to plate…to make my food not only pretty, but amazingly tasty too…

Even more…I love when someone takes a bite of my food, closes their eyes, and sighs in appreciation. PURE. BLISS.
Last night while watching the “Hundred foot journey” it hit me like a ton of bricks. The opening scene shows the main character, Hassan, as a young boy in small food market. There were dozens of people crowded around to buy some sea urchin. The merchant saw the crowd of screaming potential buyers, but he watched young Hassan pick up a single sea urchin, close his eyes, and deeply breathed in the fresh scent. He sighed, and took a small bite and smile. The merchant immediately sold the entire lot of sea urchin to Hassan and his Mother. Because he “GOT IT.” He recognized the beauty of the product, with the smells, the sight, and the taste of the food. And it hit me…THIS is what I do. I LOVE food. Good food. Fresh food. CREATING food.

Later on, as an adult Hassan made the 5 staple sauces of the French for his Chef friend. They can be found here: http://culinaryarts.about.com/od/sauces/tp/Mother-Sauces.htm

He starts cooking with her, and asks her if she thinks he is a real Chef, not just a cook. “Yes!!” She replies, in which my husband turned to me telling me he thinks I am real Chef…of course, I nearly cried. If you haven’t seen this movie, I recommend it highly.

At the end of the day, we have to provide for our families, often times doing jobs we don’t love. But as I’ve told my husband, “You just watch…ONE day I’ll make my mark on this world, and it’s going to be amazing.

Until then, I’ll keep movin’ forward.

❤ Michelle

dedication, food, goals

Surgery and smiles, and some shrimp too…My nearly Wordless Wednesday post

November 6, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I finished this hump day with a quick dready run. I didn’t want to run (bite my tongue, I know) but needed to keep moving…

During the work week meals are usually prepared within less than an hour. This shrimp dish, prepared with a marinara sauce bought from my favorite local Italian market to which I added – sautéed garlic, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and celery along with added oregano, parsley, basil and crushed red pepper flakes was a WIN. I served it over rice pasta, and it truly was a hit. I love how the simplest yet healthy meals can make my family happy. Who needs take out?

My daughter came to me last week in tears. Her BFF had an injury…”Mommy, can you fix him?” She asked with tears in her eyes. Sigh…I am not crafty AT ALL. But I went to Hobby Lobby on my day off and purchased stuffing and a sewing kit. “Yes, baby…Mommy can fix him.” Sigh…please, Lord. Let this work…

So after dinner, we got our instruments ready, and our “transplant material” aka stuffing, laid out. It was time for surgery.

The entry wound was located…and after finding an additional wound I knew we had to be careful…so every so slowly we stuffed, packed, and made sure each piece of stuffing we transplanting was in the correct place.

entry wound number one... — entry wound number one…

And after spending 15 minutes trying to thread the needle…we had great success. It was time to start closing the wound.

Don't worry, no one was hurt! — Don’t worry, no one was hurt!

After 30 minutes of preparation and dedication, Pink Bear was himself again. And my youngest daughter found her smile…

Mommy! He's good as new! — Mommy! He’s good as new!

I can now rightfully say my resume has broadened…adding in the fact that I am now a Mom, a wife, a friend, a photographer, a Chef, a housekeeper, a maid, a lab supervisor, a runner, a mover, a shaker, and yes…a surgeon. To stuffed animals only, LOL.

Today I left the stressors of life behind me…and I nurtured the needs of my kids. Today, my youngest needed me. And who doesn’t feel good being needed?

At the end of the day, I made time for me, my family, and with that my heart is full. My decluttering for the day included not feeding into negativity although it was tough…

What have you done lately to ‘step outside of your box?’ Do you believe in decluttering both mentally and physically?

Day 5 and I am still on track for my November goals. YAY! How are you doing?

❤ Michelle

food, goals

Two things, Tuesday…Soup and dreams

November 5, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

Tonight’s dinner was a new recipe I came up with after several rough days at work. I wasn’t sure what I would make with the chicken thighs I pulled out of the freezer, but I knew it would comforting regardless. And what’s more comforting than a yummy soup to warm the soul after chilly temps and a few harsh days at work.

ONE:

Chicken and gnocchi soup

Who doesn't love a good bowl of soup? — Who doesn’t love a good bowl of soup?

What you’ll need:

4 chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces

4 cups of low sodium veggie stock

4 cups of water

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons of butter

2-3 tablespoons of garbanzo/fava flour (can be found in the gluten free section of your local market)

1 red pepper, diced

1 red onion, diced

2 celery stocks, diced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

Cayenne pepper, taco seasoning, cilantro, oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup of grated parmesan to garnish

I used store bought gnocchi, but plan on learning to make this from scratch

In a large sauce pot, add your butter, and flour and cook through stirring with a whisk. Add in your veggie stock and water, stirring well. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, and add your heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, cayenne and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce the heat to a simmer while you prepare the ‘meat’ of the soup.

In a separate pan, add extra virgin olive oil (enough to coat the pan) and bring to a medium/high heat. Cook your chicken through, seasoning with salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside.

Drain the grease from the pan, but don’t wipe any excess oil. Add a splash of oil, and add in all your veggies. Season with salt and pepper until cooked 3/4 of the way. You still want a slight crunch to your veggies.

Add your chicken to the large sauce pot with the stock as well as oregano, basil, cilantro and parsley and let simmer for 20 minutes. While this is simmering, cook the gnocchi according to the package directions. This takes about 7 minutes.

Next, add in your veggies, stir well, and prepare to plate. Just before serving, add your gnocchi to the soup, stir gently, and serve!

I garnished with parmesan cheese!

TWO:

As most of you know, my ultimate dream is to work in the food industry. Be it as a Chef, a writer, a critic, or restaurateur I know my place is in the food industry. As I was driving home from work today, I had my one on one time with God and asked for His ultimate guidance. I hate the feeling that although I have a good life, I long for so much more for my family. I chased that dream recently with my MasterChef audition, but sadly that journey was short lived despite months of preparation. So as my family hunkered down to watch the season premier MasterChef Junior I couldn’t help but to have to fight with that nagging tug at my heart.

That tug was quickly replaced with a renewed sense of pride in the children of today’s society. One young Chef presented raw chicken, and instead of competitive hatred, these kids rallied around this little Chef and I found tears pouring down my face. My youngest sat nestled in the crook of my arms, and she squeezed me a little tighter when she saw what the kids did to comfort the little Chef. So at the end of the day, I may not be a MasterChef…but I am teaching my kids a love for great food, compassion, and the importance of dreams. Despite an ache in my soul some days…I know ultimately my dreams are still very real. Don’t get me wrong. I am still choosing to be content with the gifts God has given to me. But I do refuse to settle. I’ll keep chasing those dreams…just watch me! 🙂

Keep movin’ forward gang. Always.

❤ Michelle

goals

November goals…

November 2, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

Oops, I am a day late in my November goal post I promised myself I’d write.

Better late than never, right?

With running/racing season nearing it’s end for me, I decided I would make goals for myself for each month of winter. Last winter was brutally rough for me, between being injured and living in Chiberia with the Polar vortex nearly wiping me out I knew I needed to start this winter off with a positive force.

November goals:

Yoga at least once per week

Weight training 3 times per week

Dreadmill running 2-3 times per week, even if its just a couple miles

Epsom salt baths, weekly

Continue decluttering at least ONE space in my house/life EVERY week (I will post for accountability)

Continue cataloging/blogging my recipes so I can get enough documented recipes to work on my e-cook book.

I’ll do a blog post each Sunday, reporting back how I did for the week. If you’d like to join in, HOLLA!

What are some of your November goals?

moving forward, running, Thursday

Throwback, Thursday and moving forward

October 24, 2014October 24, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I have been toying with this post for a while, but between my computer dying and lack of time I put it off…

I had read a post on one of my favorite blogs a while back…www.ilaxstudio.com about whether or not you go back and delete old posts. My initial response was, “No, my blog is a catalog of my journey.” But tonight I decided to go back and read some old posts I had written since I started this blog back in 2011. Wow…it was an eye opener to read some of my early writings shortly after I retired from the Air Force. My initial blog was named “From blue, to jeans” but I’ve updated it to my current site in the last couple years.

Some of my posts were…well, sheer torture to read. Was I really so down in the dumps all the time? Was transitioning from the military, and being a single military wife for many months so hard? Apparently, yes, it was from what I read… I whined…a lot. Gah. So I deleted several posts tonight, because that just isn’t the course I need to take anymore. I’m sure I’ll go back and delete at least a few more. For moving forward to me, is a journey filled with change, positivity and not dwelling on the past. Sure, tough times are had by all…but I don’t need or want that sort of thing to be the premise of my writing. I’ve worked hard this last year or so to literally delete negativity from my life, because I have the tendency to get sucked in to that frame of mind and in all honestly-I want to break that pattern.

So tonight, after what was the busiest day I’ve encountered at my not so new job, I came home, and ran…just an easy 3.3 miles, but I ran none the less. I’ve lacked motivation these last few weeks coming off the Fox Valley half marathon with my hubby, but I know I’ve got a race coming up and I just can’t half ass it…it’s not in me to just wing it…My 11th half marathon in two weeks, the Naperville half marathon.

In doing so, I found my inspiration to finally write this post. I thought back to 2007 when with only 8 weeks to train I signed up for my first half marathon, the San Antonio Rock-n-Roll half marathon. Seven years ago, at this time I had hit a tough spot in life and decided to give my heart to distance running and I lost myself on the road. I ran the entire race, which was my goal…and I finished in 2:19 (I believe? how can I forget?)…I’ve ran 10 half marathons, but this one will always hold a special place in my heart.

My biggest fans after finishing my first half marathon in 2007!

I found myself there, on those 13.1 miles of streets, roads, and city sites…and although there have been bumps in the road, I now smile daily, and live to tell my story another day.

goals

Two things, Tuesday…or maybe more

October 22, 2014October 22, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

After my recent MasterChef open call experience, I gave myself a few days to regroup. I pouted a bit having not made it past the first round, watching simple pasta dishes and chicken salad make it through, and then I realized, reality TV is just that…reality. And possibly I was just a bit too boring for ratings. Ha, what little they know…but my story, and my dish wasn’t enough to get me through, so I now need to keep pushing myself forward. Why? Because my dreams are mine, and mine alone, and I am in control of my future. I took that step forward, and I keep telling myself THAT is what matters most.

So finally, after nearly three weeks of no running (and a looming half marathon in my future the second week of November) I decided to lace up and run last week. I ran 2 miles on the tready in the beginning of the week, and took my kids to a fun S’Mores run with my run club. I was on single Mom duty last week, but the girls and I had a blast.

My hubby came home early Saturday afternoon, so we were able to hit our run club dinner.

Sunday I knew I needed to at least attempt a pseudo long run…despite tummy issues I made it 4.5 miles, and simply enjoyed being outside in the beautiful fall weather before #Chiberia hits.

This is where I run....breathtaking. — This is where I run….breathtaking.

Tonight I made my yummy chicken soup for dinner…the recipe can be found here: https://movinitwithmichelle.com/2014/01/06/simply-chicken-soup/

At the end of the day, I know these things to be true:

1. I have dreams and goals of being more, and doing more for my family. But these goals don’t always pan out…that won’t stop me though.

2. Today I realized that although I work hard, and get paid crap, I find myself smiling so much my face hurts by the end of the day. That, my friends, is a priceless thing in life.

So with that, I encourage you all to keep moving forward…in life, in training, and in the goals you’ve set for yourself.

❤

Michelle

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