Welcome to all of the new followers!! I am so happy to have you join us on this adventure we call life. I started this page (can you believe) 10 years ago as I transitioned from 20 years of active duty in the military, to civilian life. As a form of therapy, I started long distance running, cooking and writing. All of that resulted in this page, as I found such joy in touching other’s lives. As with all of us that age, my days of long-distance running have slowed down, and I do a lot more walking than running, but that’s ok because I am still Movin’. I still love to write, and cook, and love sending out positive vibes.
Gosh I’ve been so busy I’ve not had time to write, or read many posts over the last several days. My weekend was cram packed full of fun which always makes for good memories.
My friend that took me in when I moved here (one of my dearest Air Force friends whom I love dearly) got tickets for me and herself along with her Mom and sister to see Blake Shelton. She surprised me back in January for my birthday gift and we had a complete blast. She believes in making memories for gifts vs. buying an actual gift which I completely love. She and I headed down to down town Tampa and had dinner at Sparkman’s Warf. It’s a new outdoor food court for lack of better description but that has yummy “elevated” food. After dinner we met her Mom and sister at the concert and we had such a great evening. Here are a few photos:
Saturday my daughter had her “belt promotion” ceremony for Jujitsu and Muay Tai, and wouldn’t you have it, who got promoted to yellow belt after just four months of training? Yup, that’s my girl. It’s so amazing to watch her train. She simply glows, and has gained so much confidence. I LOVE it.
Sunday was a much needed retreat to the beach for the day. We relaxed in the sun, and although the water was too cold for my liking, my husband and daughter had a blast playing around in the water while I napped and searched for seashells (not at the same time, LOL).
Today I have vowed to get back into routine workouts. I have both a core (SworkIt) app and a Yoga app so I have no excuse. Tonight I did a 10 minute core workout and an 8 minute Yoga workout after work, and it felt great. I am also shooting for at least 2 runs per week. My goal is a minimum of 3-4 workouts each week.
I’m also happy to report that my back and knees are singing since taking Novo Renew.
(<—Affiliate link) I have even noticed a difference in the smoothness of my skin due to the collagen component of this amazing supplement. I hope you will all give this a try, and make sure to use Michelle25 at check out to save 25% off of your order. There is a 30 day money back guarantee, so I urge you to give it a try for your ailments. My joints, knees, and shoulders as well as my neck have felt tremendously better.
How was your weekend? Is the weather getting any better where you live? Have you considered trying an all natural alternative to NSAIDs?
I was nominated by Becky over at Strike outs and Sprinkles for the Versatile Blogger award and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Thanks, Becky!!!!
Award Rules:
Thank the person who nominated you.
Link to the blog of the person who nominated you.
Share 7 facts about yourself.
Nominate 15 more bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.
Seven facts about me:
I was born over 2 months prematurely. My due date was in March sometime, and I was born January 17th. I was only 2 lbs, and was a born fighter, and still am to this day.
I can’t stand water in my ears after showering. I HAVE to gently clean the water out with Q-tips.
My dream jobs include Air Traffic Controller (tried while I was in the Air Force but couldn’t pass the depth perception tests as I had to have muscle transplants in my eyes due to being so small-refer to number one), Chef, writer, or professional beach goer…but since that didn’t work out, I do those things as hobbies.
I was once struck by lightening…well, the bolt hit about 6 inches from my leg, and I “bolted (see what I did there LOL)” straight up into bed. The current traveled through my BOOM box (aged myself there) speaker, shot the cassette tape across the room, through the other detached speaker and blew the cord right out of the socket. Insurance adjuster advised we go to church…straight to church, and thank God immediately that I was still alive.
I can only drink coffee if its doctored up with cream, sugar, and syrups. So basically I don’t drink coffee. I have on small cup of green tea each morning and that’s all the caffeine I have all day.
I tried out for (without success) for the TV show “Master Chef” back in 2014 and it was the (read about it here) probably one of the coolest and bravest things I’ve done second to joining the Air Force as a 17 year old (left for basic as an 18 year old 3 1/2 weeks after high school graduation) and relocating my entire family a year and a half ago to Florida simply because we wanted a better quality of life. Wait, that was two additional facts, LOL. OOPS.
There are very few foods I don’t like. But the list is quite specific: Lima beans, water chestnuts, raw coconut and bananas. Why? TEXTURE!!!
I hope you enjoy these wonderful blogs!!! Most of these I have followed for quite some time, but a few are new ones that I’ve grown to love! Also, I hope the nominees have time to play along! 🙂
We had no plans this weekend which is sometimes fun. I have been battling bronchitis and now allergies for nearly a month and rest was something I welcomed. I woke up this morning with a cold pill hangover but was told my daughter had made plans to go to the mall with her friend. My husband told me they weren’t leaving for an hour so I quickly made some tea, showered and got ready. I wasn’t going to miss out on some fun. We picked up her friend, and headed to the mall. Once the kids went on their way, we grabbed some lunch and did a little shopping. What a fun day! We also had plans for my friend Kandice that I was stationed with back in Texas to come over for dinner, so we stopped by the store on the way home for some last minute dinner items.
Today I am thankful for:
The fact my daughter is finally making friends here. Middle school age is hard.
Last minute date lunches with my hubby. We don’t get much time just for us, so today was nice.
65% sales at Dillards. I got two super cute Free People dresses for 65% off. Winning.
Dinner with friends. For the first time since we’ve moved here, we had a friend over for dinner. Steaks, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, bacon wrapped asparagus and my cauliflower mash were a big hit.
Positive outlooks. While this year may have started out rough, I am hopeful for better days.
Do you make time for date time for your significant other? What’s your favorite dish to cook for others? Are you an “on sale” shopper?
I hope you all had a great week. Mine started out rough, but thankfully ended on a pretty good note. My recliner and I have a hot date tonight, so I’ll keep this post short.
Today I am thankful for:
Operational Laboratory instruments. BOTH our broken down instruments were repaired today and up and running! After several long weeks of manual procedures vs. automated, this girl is a happy camper.
Weekends with no plans. While typically I love being busy doing fun things on the weekends, this weekend we are just winging it and may just chill at home.
Kind people. Part of my job as a supervisor is to do daily rounding of each section to make sure the work is getting done and everyone and everything is running smoothly. I check on people, they don’t check on me (which is totally fine), but today I had someone come over and check on me as I was coverslipping slides (which I have been doing nearly 8 hours a day, every day, for the last 3 weeks). “Michelle, you doing ok? Hanging in there? It’s almost Friday!” she exclaimed. And my heart warmed. It’s nice to be cared about, too.
Fridays. Simply said.
Farmers Markets. I love getting fresh produce and products from local companies. Our hospital hosts one every other Friday and I love supporting our local farmers and getting healthy produce for my family.
Do you have plans this weekend? Does your community have farmers markets? What are you thankful for today?
I started out my 2019 with a nasty cold that has left me down for the count the last two days. Thankfully we were able to ring in the new year with some new friends that are also from the Chicagoland area, and are now Florida transplants as well.
I wanted to start my new year out with a run and list of goals for the year, neither of which have happened yet. So here’s my first draft, or more so a rough draft of some goals I have this year.
Run at least 2-3 per week, and do core daily, even if that’s just a plank daily. I still have the #sixpackbysummer goal, and summer in Florida starts in just a couple of months. I am almost at my weight loss goal from last year, so I will continue to maintain and maybe lose an extra lb. or two.
Sign up for more races, because to be honest its hard to keep my running motivation if I don’t have a race coming up. Our next half is the end of February in St. Pete, Florida. No goal time for that race, just want to finish strong. I missed last week’s long run, but hopefully this cough will be gone by the weekend so I can make up for it.
Love myself more, and put myself first more. It’s always been about my family, my job, etc. etc. I need to make it more about me, cuz hey, my 46th birthday is right around the corner and I don’t have all the time in the world anymore.
Write more, really write…I always wanted to write a book/cook book but here another year has passed and I haven’t pursued either. Again, time isn’t something I can waste anymore.
And lastly, figure out how to make a living doing something I love. Not that my job isn’t important or that I dislike it. But I am ready to either move up in my career, or move on. But of course there are those bills to pay, so we shall see. I am not giving up hope.
What are you goals for 2019? Do you do resolutions?
Man, I’ve got lots of empty notebooks. Every time I buy a new notebook I get so excited that I’ll find the inspiration to start writing and another week, month, year passes without a single sentence written down. I’m praying I can get past that block in the upcoming year. I’m hoping these daily posts will help a little as well.
Here’s my favorite pic from today.
How do you break writers block? Are you reading any good books lately?
In all my 20 years of being in the Air Force, I voted by absentee ballot. And I’ll admit, I didn’t vote in the last Presidential election for personal and probably obvious reasons.
So today for the very first time, I voted. My hubby and I went out after dinner to vote in the primary elections and I surprisingly got really choked up. How moving it was to exercise my right to vote and do so physically as a Florida resident. I felt truly honored and patriotic.
Did you get out and vote today? Have you ever skipped voting in the Presidential election? I’ll admit, I had a little guilt that year.
In other news, our run got postponed today due to crazy thunder and lightning storms. Praying for better weather tomorrow.
Also-I’m attempting a writing streak so bear with my random posts that don’t follow any sort of pattern 🙂
It’s been a while since I’ve posted. We’ve been so busy getting acclimated to our new home and I’ve got so much to learn at my new job. I no longer have a computer, either, so posting from my iPad mini can be a challenge.
That being said, I really want to commit to some solid goals this year. Here’s my list, in no particular order:
1. Start writing again…maybe even start the book I’ve been talking about for years. 3 days a week I want to commit to at least 30 minutes of writing, but hopefully more often than that. I also want to post 2x per week on the blog.
2. Run at least 3 races, but more would be great. No time goals, just more running. Lift weights 3x per week.
3. Lose 10 lbs and keep it off. Menopause has reared her ugly head, and my body isn’t responding well at all. Once we get settled I plan on seeking healthcare, but for now its eat less and move more…
4. Get back in the kitchen. Once each week work to create and/or learn a new recipe or technique.
5. Continue to explore Florida and all the beautiful things it has to offer. So far we’ve visited Disney and Epcot several times, attended the food and wine festival, been to Siesta Key beach, St. Pete beach, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs and Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria is by far our favorite but for a quick trip to a more local beach we’ve been going to Pass-a-Grille beach in St. Petersburg. Here’s a few pics from the past year!!
Highlights from 2017 are:
1. Hubby returning from deployment
2. Disney world family vacation
3. Getting a job at the VA in FLORIDA
4. Moving to Florida (obv!!!)
5. Exploring Florida with my family…
6. Being able to go to Florida in December-sure don’t miss the snow!!
How was your 2017? Have you set goals for 2018?
I hope you all had a great year, and are enjoying the holiday season!!
Ok, so I started last year at a pretty dark place, but managed to finish on a pretty high note with lofty yet achievable goals. Running, writing, and researching recipes are high on my list this year mixed in with some awesome photography…Right? Um…so yeah…about that…
Then, I cut my thumb on Christmas day, and my running, motivation, and goal making days halted all too quickly. BUT…thankfully only for just about a month. Whew…bullet dodged. I caveat this with saying I DID NOT/DO NOT want a repeat of last winter. Ever. Both the weather, and my mood were beyond frigid.
So here we go…
First:
I started running again last week. My miles are minimal and my pace is slow as can be…but I’m MOVIN’…can I get a yahoo??? Today at work I had a leadership workshop of sorts to attend so my 8 hour day was squashed in to 4 hours of playing catch up. I was tired by the time the final ‘bell’ rang, so upon arriving to my daughter’s school I texted my Maria…”I’ll be on the dreadmill in 30 minutes in case you want to join me.” Of course she did, despite battling a migraine for 5 days, and her virtual hug and push helped get my on the mill. 2.6 miles, complete.
My pace may have slowed, but the passion is still very real.
Second:
I hit the restart button after the holidays to try and lose my 5-7 lbs of marathon training/winter weight/I’m lazy and just ate all the food weight…so I’m back on MyFitnessPal for anyone else who uses this app, tracking my food and fitness and REALLY trying to stop eating all. the. chips. I have to giggle when it says I should weigh a certain weight if I continue to eat the way I am because yeah-pre-menopause obviously isn’t calculated in to the equation, and well yeah…I don’t see that number on the scale. BUT…I’ve just restarted in the last week or so, so baby steps, right? With that I have been eating high protein/veggie/fruit type of diet, so here is tonight’s easy peasy dinner recipe!
Baked Pork chop with white wine, onion and caper sauce over baby spinach salad
Easy peasy pork in just over 30 minutes!
What you’ll need (pork chops):
4 thick cut boneless pork chops, seasoned with kosher salt, pepper, and a dash of lemon pepper seasoning on all sides-apply liberally and set aside for about 5 minutes while you get everything preheated.
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
Pre-heat a non stick pan and add extra virgin olive oil and 1 pat of unsalted butter. Heat to high heat, and pan sear chops on both sides (5-7 minutes each side-don’t over crowd your pan!) until golden brown and transfer to a baking sheet. *Tip-line your pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up! Place in your pre-heated oven and cook for about 10 minutes or until your chops have reached 155 degrees-let rest for 10 minutes minimum-chops will reach required temp of 160 degrees by this time. *Tip-cover with foil while resting your meat. It helps hold the temperature.
While your chops are baking, make your “sauce.”
Sauce
1 white onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
2 tablespoons of Kalamata olives, chopped
Zest of a lemon
1 cup of white wine
1/4 of cold water mixed with cornstarch to thicken
Kosher salt, pepper, and oregano to taste.
In the same pan you seared your chops, deglaze with the white wine (make sure it’s wine you’d drink!)
Add your onions, garlic, capers, and olives. Reduce down the liquid by half, and add your seasonings and cornstarch water to thicken. Add zest just before serving. I served the spinach and pork with the sauce, who needs dressing/gravy? Not this girl!
So in order to stay on track with food, fitness, and life in general my TRUE goal this year is to BE CONTENT. I have said it before, but I’ll say it again. I am, and I have, ENOUGH.
Who’s with me? How are your eats and exercise lately? How do you battle off season eating/motivation?
Movin' it with Michelle 