i want to be better

After going through previous blog posts, I've really come to the realization that I am wayyy too materialistic. Yeah it's great to have nice things and all, but I can't have that control who I am as an individual. as much as i love shopping and buying new shit, i really need to relax. i know i've said it million times before (probably literally) but I really need to make a better effort this time around. instead of spending all my money on pointless things that i'm going to end up replacing anyway, i want to invest my money in something more worthwhile like traveling. Now that I'm only working one job, it's so much easier for me to take time off. Especially since they're pretty lenient about it when it comes to traveling. I obviously can't abuse that but I definitely want to take advantage of that while I still can. Once John and I broke up, I really thought that I would be so limited in the things I could do because I hated doing things alone. One of the biggest challenges I thought would be being able to sleep in my bed alone. After the initial break-up I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night that I would exhaust myself during the day with yoga and the gym. By the time I got home I was so tired that I would just fall asleep. I didn't even think twice that I was there alone. Once I made that a habit, it was a piece of cake. Another thing I was worried about was being able to travel. It's always nice to go to new places with your significant other but if you don't have one in your life, the next best thing are your friends. I just recently came back from a trip to Cabo with some co-workers and I had so much fun. It was such a relaxing trip. And it makes me look forward to future trips with my other friends. Another thing i really need to work on is being less judgmental and more humble. I need to stop thinking I'm better than people. I know it's healthy to have self confidence, but honestly I have too much of it. It probably has to do with my financial stability but I have to realize that could be gone in an instant. And plus who am I to think I'm better than anyone anyway. I have just as much flaws as the next person if not more. Now that I'm 26 pushing 27, I really need to get my act together so that I can continue growing to be a better person, not worse.

do yourself a favor

and pick up some Halloumi cheese! The first time I ever had it was at a friend's birthday dinner and it's absolutely amazing. I haven't tried the Trader Joe's brand yet but I'm honestly looking forward to it. I love cheese, especially the ones you grill! When Jay made these he cooked it in lemon juice and it was honestly phenomenal.

Stuffed Green Peppers

I've always wanted to try to make these on my own because they're so delicious and I figured that it was easy to make. I was definitely right about it being easy. I was able to make this dish in less than an hour. I found a recipe online and tweaked it to my liking. I know the presentation looks like garbage but I'm always rushing when I make these meals. I'm fortunate to even find time to cook alone.

4 large green bell peppers
1lb ground turkey
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 cup of chopped mushrooms
1 cup cooked rice
1 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 can (15 oz) organic tomato sauce
3/4 cup shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
 

Whole Wheat Penne Rigate With Shrimp, Lemmon Butter and Mushrooms

So I've been reading a lot of Food & Wine magazines to try and find recipes that I can imitate at home. One that I found that was super easy and yummy was Fusilli with Shrimp and Lemon Butter. I took the main ingredients and turned it into my own. I wanted something a little more health conscience so I opted for Whole Wheat Penne Rigate instead. Here's the outcome! I'm going to try to start using my DSLR so I have better quality photos, but until then iPhone 5 it is!

since i don't have...

a propane grill yet, I decided to opt for a Cast Iron Grill to use in the mean time to cook my steaks. I know it's still not the same but it's better than cooking it on a skillet. Plus I really want the grill marks on them. I'm supposed to get the grill today and the press tomorrow. I'm so excited to use it! Steaks are probably the easiest and tastiest thing to make. I just wish I wouldn't get fat eating it. The worst part is that the fat is my favorite part mMmmMMmMM! But now that I'm trying to be a bit more health conscience, I'm going to trim most of it off. Since the grill is reversible, the other side is perfect for making pancakes! Hopefully I'll be able to use it for a lot of different recipes! 

New Hobbies!

FOOD

So I've made the decision to spend more time in the kitchen and less money in restaurants. As much as I love going out to eat, I wanted to start practicing my skills in the kitchen. I want to be comfortable enough to make my own dishes and to cook for my family and friends. I feel like cooking is a great way to pass time and to learn about different cultures through food. I've always been known as the girl who loves dining out, now I want to venture out to try and make my own versions of my favorite foods. Of course I'm going to have to follow recipes to the T at first to make sure I know what I'm doing, but eventually down the line, I'll hopefully be able to make my own dishes.

FASHION

So that money I'll be saving from eating out, I'll probably be spending it on my new wardrobe. I've always loved the idea of fashion, but I've never really been able to pick on a style that I want to stick with. Now that I have the funds to spend on clothing I can appreciate, I think it's time I work on revamping my wardrobe.

so i just bought

a whole bunch of books to read and i can't wait to get them!

SO HAPPY TO FIND THIS

 I finally decided to do my own research on why I should stop taking body by Vi Shakes and move on to better things. I found this article online from a website called "Young and Raw"

"Weight loss is not some crazy circus act, where we have to run around with a bunch of specialty patented shakes all day, consuming preservatives and other crap. Weight loss comes naturally when we consume natural, plant-based foods."

This is exactly why I love love love love love Mannatech! They provide natural plant based foods! You have no idea how excited I am to continue reading this.

Here's the full article.

http://www.youngandraw.com/what-is-visalus-really/ 

20 Random Facts About Me

1. One of my biggest pet peeves of all time is people who chew with their mouth open and lack proper eating etiquette. Such as chewing loudly. I will not eat w/ a person ever again unless I'm absolutely forced to.
2. I have a paralyzing fear of heights.
3. I can't ride roller coasters or else I'll piss myself lol
4. I have a legit fear of cats because I don't see them as real animals. I feel like they're aliens lol.
5. I hate showering because I get ridiculously itching on my arms and legs after I dry myself. 
6. I black out when I drink tequila
7. Even though I seem secular and worldly, I hold very conservative Christian beliefs.
8. I'm obsessed with cleaning my ears lol
9. I always always give 10% of my salary for tithe and offering. I've done this since I was a very young girl, so it wasn't hard for me to do it as an adult making real money.
10. I am extremely close to my family, that includes relatives like aunts and uncles as well.
11. I want to travel ALL of Asia and parts of Europe by the time I'm 30.
12. Even though I love to shop for myself, I love shopping for others even more.
13. I don't think I'm really lactose, I just tell people I am so they don't question why I don't drink milk
14. Sometimes I worry that God will punish me for all my wrong doings and take all His blessings away from me.
15.I'm terrified of driving over the bridge that connects the 405N to 118W. I recently overcame that fear in my Audi. I wasn't able to do it in my 4runner because that car was so high and I was able to see over the bridge and that would freak me out. I would exit on the 118E just to get back on and avoid the bridge.
16. I got barely average grades in college. I didn't particularly excel in any class unless the professor compelled me to. Like Dr. Yummy. I got A's in all his advanced psych classes.
17. I'm easily motivated by success. I try to always stay driven and never satisfied with what I've accomplished. I'm constantly looking for new things that can improve the well being of my life. Whether it's monetary or my own health.
 18. I'm also in the business of helping others. I try to always be there for my close friends and help them with whatever I possibly can.
19. I genuinely love my full time job. I actually look forward to coming to work. I love all my coworkers and even my boss. He's actually quite hilarious. I provide "therapy sessions" for some of the guys on a daily basis.
20. I wish I were smarter, I'm definitely intimated by girls who are smarter than me. Esp when it comes to world events. I have no idea about what's going on in the world. I really need to make an effort to read the news and keep up with current events.

BEYOND BLESSED

I can't even begin to tell you all the blessings God has bestowed upon me. First and foremost I just really want to thank Him for everything He's given me. I honestly am overwhelmed. I just came back from a Mannatech convention and something there really changed me. I used to always be skeptical when people would say things like "God spoke to me" or "God touched my life" because it never personally happened to me. I couldn't grasp the idea, like I would want to ask those people "what did God's voice sound like"? But after this weekend, I know exactly what they're talking about. It's like some divine spirit changed something in me. I used to always be known as that tough girl with a sailors mouth who did whatever she pleased whenever she pleased. I gave no regard to the consequences of my actions or the things I would say. I would always say things like "well this is how I am, take it or leave it!" Now I understand that that's the completely opposite of how I need to be. Especially as a Christian, I need to live for the Lord and show it w/ my everyday actions. It's already apparent to me that my life is pretty much under scrutiny. People always notice the things I do and post especially on social media networks like Facebook and Instagram. I need to be extra careful so my actions aren't perceived in the wrong manner. Instead of boasting of my success, I want to share it. With Mannatech, I can do exactly that. They have products that are so amazing and life changing that it's my obligation to share it with everyone I know. It's not something only the "older generation" needs to take, but easily any age group. We live in such a fast paced environment that convenience is key. It's so rare that anyone I know eats a home cooked meal every night. Most of my friends and co-workers eat out for almost every meal. And the things we're eating are always so high in calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. Why not fix that? One of the products that they offer is called Nutriverus. It's basically healthy nutrients that come in powder form that you can mix into your food or drinks to at least help enhance it's nutritional value. I personally don't put it in my drinks because of the taste, but I sprinkle it over my dishes like as if it were salt. It's really never too early to start taking charge of your health, but you definitely don't want to wait til it's too late!