Me and my little mini-me!

So I have a daughter who is a little mini-me. There are so many things that we have in common. Besides being the only brown haired, brown eyed beauties in our home, we are both also middle daughters in families with three girls. I loved purple as a girl. She fell in love with purple with no prompting from me. We are both creative types, too. These are just a few things we have in common, but they make me curious about what she will be like at my age.

Will she be outgoing and sanguine like me? Will she like politics? Cooking? Reading? Traveling? Will she struggle with depression like me? Will she, hopefully, be a better mom then me, learning from my mistakes and growing from them?

The other day I looked down at my hands, once again reminded of how they are starting to look like my mothers. I have definitely become more like her as I have grown older. I have taken on some of her good characteristics, some of the not so good and tried to learn from her mistakes too. But the more I look at me, the more honestly, I see my mother.

She has always been a hard working, creative, hospitable person. Someone I would like to emulate in so many ways. Yes, sure she had a few faults, after all she is human. However, I am so proud to call myself her daughter. I am proud to be a mommy-me!

So are you like your mother or father? I would love to hear from you. What is your favorite trait that you have of your parents and have you taken the time lately to tell them how glad you are to have that trait?

(Sidenote: As I was writing this blog post, I saw a our postal worker come to our door. Would you believe that there was a package from my mother to me. Yep, she rocks and tomorrow I will be posting what was in said package)

I had just been busy talking to myself about how yucky I felt. With the depression cloud hanging over my head, I did NOT want to be out here biking (even though I knew it was good for me). I certainly didn’t want to be out pushing myself to keep going. One loop around our neighborhood was good enough. It was after all about 1 mile, right? At least I am out of the house. Ugh… I have so much to clean. Plus can the kids just stop whining. I need to stop yelling at them. I am such a terrible mother. My legs are killing me. I should just turn around. I can’t turn around. I told Trent I was going to bike for 30 minutes. Why can’t I just lose weight? Why can’t I be content with my weight? Why does it keep fluctuating? Why can nothing go right in my life? I might as well give up!

Then the smell of grass brought me to my figurative knees. As I turned the corner and inhaled the aroma of fresh-cut grass, I met the eyes of the lady mowing. She raised a neighborly hand and smiled at me. In that moment everything seemed so right. So Leave it to Beaver like and I was June Cleaver.

I started reflecting. I know I will feel better for doing this and honestly I like pushing myself and seeing what I can do. I do hate pain, but that is temporary. The rush lasts longer. I know that this helps me mentally and physically.

The hardest part of exercise for me is opening the door and stepping out it. Why? Because we hate knowing that we are going to be in pain. It is more comfortable to sit in front of our computers and pin inspiring quotes then to heed the inspiration and just do it! Why don’t I just do it? Stop telling myself everything is horrible, but work to change what is in my control.

As I circled my neighborhood for the fifth time I challenged myself. Thirty days. I am going to do “the right” things for 30 days. I know what to eat. I know to exercise. So for thirty days I am going to push myself to drink my water, exercise, spend time in devotions. I am going to live a lifestyle of intentional healthiness.

As the smell of the grass faded, I felt excitement! Actually, I think it might have been joy! Joy! What an odd thing to feel when pushing myself. Or maybe not so odd at all. Change was coming and I wasn’t going to let it pass me by anymore.

I want to say thanks to everyone who took part in my first giveaway on my blog. Rafflecopter picked the following two people and the book they are getting:

Donna Early – Tick, Tock, Taylor (All Star Cheerleading set)

Dania Murillo – 1, 2, 3 by the Sea

I will be contacting you ladies shortly and getting your information to send your books. Please stay tuned as I have another giveaway coming up and some more recipes and such to post as well!

One of the illustrators I have been honored to get to know is Hazel Mitchell. Hazel is an extraordinary artist. She has illustrated one of my oldest daughters favorite series, All Star Cheerleaders. Most recently though she did the amazing illustrations for the counting, picture book, 1,2,3 by the Sea!

I wanted you all to get to know here a little so I asked her a bunch of fun and random questions. Here are her awesome answers!

Where did you learn to illustrate?
As far as illustration goes I am self taught. I attended art college after school, but did not study illustration. So when I decided to pursue illustrating I began to study books, do workshops and conferences and joined the SCBWI.

Have you always been an illustrator?
No, I used to be in the Royal Navy and then I ran a graphic design business. I have also worked in commercial illustration.

Do you have a favorite charachter that you have created?
I love ‘Max’ in 1,2,3 by the Sea.

What is your favorite things about being an illustrator?
Being able to draw all day and make people happy. I also like that I get to work in my pj’s and be with my dogs and cat!

What would you say to kids/adults who have dreamed of being an artist?
Get an eduction at the best art school you can and practice constantly! Also meet other artists and network.

Is there anything special you eat, listen to, etc while creating?
I eat too much chocolate on a tight deadline. I am English so I drink a lot of tea. I listen to BBC Radio 4 online, Spotify or audiobooks. Sometimes the quiet is nice though.

Hardest part about being an artist?
Working alone and staying motivated when times are tough.

Tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, Britain and moved to America in 2000 to marry my husband. Drawing and horses were my great escapes as a youngster. When I left art college I ran away to sea and joined the Royal Navy – they taught me to be a graphic designer.
Now I’m doing what I’ve always dreamed of – illustrating and writing children’s books.
I live and work in Maine. I still miss fish and chips and mushy peas, (but I’m learning to love lobster). I have two dogs, two horses, a cat and several snow shovels.

Some of her books have won awards and her publishers include Charlesbridge, Makinac Island Press, ABDO, Kane and Miller (that’s my company…Woot), Freespirit, Beacon Publishing, Reading A-Z and SCBWI.

Her latest books include:
One Word Pearl (by Nicole Groeneweg) Charlesbridge Publishing 2013
’1,2,3 by the Sea (by Dianne Moritz) Kane Miller Publishing 2013
‘Hidden New Jersey’ (by Linda Barth) Charlesbridge Publishing 2012
‘All Star Cheerleaders’ Books 1-4 (by Anastasia Suen) Kane Miller 2012
‘How to Talk to an Autistic Kid’ (by Daniel Stefanski) Free Spirit 2011

Here are some of her links so you can find her:
http://hazelmitchell.com
http://hazelmitchell.blogspot.com
http://hazelmitchell.tumblr.com/
http://pixelshavings.blogspot.com/
tweet @thewackybrit

So I am super duper excited to offer you the chance to win one of two of her books that have been signed by her! Fill out the rafflecopter form below for your chances to win!!! Below you can see the two signed books we will be giving away. First up is the first book in the  All Star Cheerleader series Tick Tock Taylor! Way cute series for girls about persevering, true friendship and more. 1,2,3 By The Sea is a great story book to just read to your kids plus for the younger kids in the home can introduce them to counting!  Good luck and I know you will love them!

Today was the day where my brain just seemed to scream at me to STOP!! Stop pretending. Stop trying to keep moving. I did. I felt like I couldn’t just couldn’t handle anything. So what’s a girl to do? One of the first things to come to my mind was to call my mommy!(Yep I do realize that I am about to turn 33 and still call her mommy) I just cried it out and shared what was on my heart. Then, through my tears and loneliness, I got to watch as God worked in the way He so often does when I finally just stop.

In a lull, my mom prayed for the words to say to me. She continued to encourage me and cried with me and did exactly what a mom is supposed to do. She believed in me. She reached out the best she could from over 1000 miles away. She listened to the Spirit. She spoke words of life to me.

Now during this call, I didn’t realize that my oldest was overhearing part of what I was saying. She came down with her Bible open to John 3:16 and said she wanted to encourage me and hugged and kissed me and let me know that she loved me.

As the aroma of lavender was going down the drain and I continued getting ready for bed, she walked into the bathroom and asked if she could pray with me. There, on the tile, she got on her knees and opened her heart to the King of the Universe and asked that He would come and help me (even if it takes two weeks) and asked Him to help her help me. I was moved to tears. My daughter, my 9 year old, who can at times make me question whether I am doing ANYTHING right as a parent, was listening to the same Spirit that my mother had. She reached out in the best way she could. She spoke words of Life into me.

There are people all around us that are hurting and they do the same thing I do. They suck it up. They put on “the face”. You know that face. You may have worn it yourself in the past. The everything-inside-me-is-breaking-but-you-will-never-know-it smile. Yep that one Inwardly we are dying. We are needing life to be spoken into us. Sometimes a stranger may do it. But frequently, those closest to us don’t even know that we need it. We have to let them in. Share from the heart.

If you are someone who struggles, like me, reach out and encourage others. We often think our road is lonely, but if we reach out there is frequently someone else on that road who will take hold of your hand thinking they were alone too. I have a friend like that. I can reach out and know prayers will ascend. If they post or text, my prayers will ascend. No matter how dark it may feel, light will pierce in that moment to speak life over them.

If you know someone who struggles with depression or anxiety or maybe you just know that it may have been a rough week, take a minute and think about it, you probably know someone, pick up the phone and give them a call. Send them a message on facebook. Give them a hug next time you see them. Maybe, just maybe, you will be able to speak Life into them.

I leave you with some of the words from one of my favorite songs, Speak Life by Toby Mac, as well as his official lyric video from YouTube. Please watch it and if a name comes to your mind, please take that as the Spirit pressing on your heart to contact that person and Speak Life to them.

Well it’s crazy to imagine,
Words from our lips as the arms of compassion,
Mountains crumble with every syllable.
Hope can live or die.

So speak Life, speak Life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak Life.
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why.
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak…
You speak Life, You speak Life.

We are big fans of avocados, especially since moving to Texas were they are WAY cheaper then up north, so that felt like a good base for a recipe. My husband tried it and loved it (his plate is below…he really dumped it on LOL). So anyways…here is the recipe for you to enjoy.

Avocado Dressing

20 2 TB servings

• 1 small Avocado
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 4 oz Soft Tofu (approximately 1/4 package)
• 1/8 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 TB Garlic, Minced
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/2 cup Water

Put all in blender and blend. Eat. Enjoy.

We really love it on haystack (mexican salad), tacos and pretty much anywhere we would put ranch! Below is hubby’s plate. He LOVED it!! YAY! I always love when I can create something that he likes and we can replace something not so healthy with something healthy. I am pondering next time adding a little less salt to reduce the sodium, but as we don’t eat a lot of processed foods, for the most part, we tend to be ok in that area! Also this makes a kind of thick dressing…you could probably increase the water 1/4 to a 1/2 cup more to make it a little more runny

NUTRITIONAL INFO figured by MyFitnessPal

 1 Serving = 2 TB

Calories: 27

Carbs: 1 g

Fat: 3 g

Sodium: 119 mg

Curried Apple Coleslaw

• 3.5 oz cabbage
• 1 apple (I preferred Granny Smith)
• 1 TB lemon juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 tsp curry powder (more or less to taste)

Directions

1. Chop cabbage up finely and then slice the apple into little chunks. Put together in a bowl
2. Pour the fresh squeezed lemon juice on top and then sprinkle on curry.
3. Mix together and eat and ENJOY!

We made this for a huge school picnic as my mom is a cafeteria director and people really liked it. Was odd to make it for like 100 after making it for me only. This is great to bring to picnics so you can stay on protocol and still contribute!

Also, I preferred purple cabbage as it was more appealing to the eye and we eat with our eyes first. I only had green cabbage though when I took my picture

Hope you enjoy!

I am 3 weeks into my 12 week challenge and wanted to share a few things I have learned so far in my journey and how I have found a joy I have not experienced before!

• FELLOWSHIP IS IMPORTANT IN WEIGHT LOSS – Part of the joy in this journey has been in that I have had others to share it with…on a daily basis. We have a group FB board and when we are tempted, have overcome, or just want to talk we have people ready to participate in all of it. We chat once a week on a skype call and I feel like I have known these people all my life. They are my sisters and friends now…oh and brothers!
• ACCOUNTABILITY IS IMPORTANT IN WEIGHT LOSS – It is hard to keep going by sheer will power sometimes. I have been to more brunches, picnics and potlucks in the last 3 weeks, then in the last year. Knowing that I was accountable to my coach and group helped me be stronger. I had people who were going to remind me that I could do this
• PERSONAL COACHING IS IMPORTANT IN WEIGHT LOSS – This is the person who helps you when you hit plateaus, helps you get through the voices in your head and works out all the kinks with you. They have been there, taken the same journey and consider it a blessing to give back and help us.
•  FOUNDATION IS IMPORTANT IN WEIGHT LOSS – This is the key to me and my victory. The foundation of a program/diet/lifestyle, or whatever you are doing, is going to matter. The core of this program is based on a lifestyle change. This is not a quick fix (although you see results quickly), but this is about changing our habits and creating new and better ones to maintain a healthy happy life. Coaching doesn’t stop at your goal they take you to maintaining your goal and help you along. Grace and Strength is also a Christian based lifestyle program. We work on helping the whole person. I have learned it is not me who has the power to overcome this, but CHRIST IN ME! I have learned while looking at everyone eat food at an Easter Brunch and wanting to cave that I have the same power Christ had in the wilderness to overcome the devil. When I failed and stuffed two…yep not one but TWO, cookies in my mouth that doesn’t mean I have failed but that I need to fall into His arms again.

I am 5.2 lbs from my goal and am about ready to transition to the next stage. I can’t wait to continue to share it with you. I have a lot more amazing reflections on God, our bodies, etc that I hope to share with you over the next few weeks as I have time to write them…simply amazing stuff transforming my body, mind and soul. I guess that is what this lifestyle is about…you as a whole person. Not just helping you get to a weight and leaving you hanging. As we call it…it’s the Grace and Strength Lifestyle Way!

If you are interested in joining me and other men and women in taking back our bodies and gaining victory, please use this link to email Cyndi. She talks one on one with each person, or her asst. Anna who is simply an amazing Godly woman herself, and they will let you know the ins and outs and see if this program is for you. If you feel God speaking to your heart…just submit the email. They don’t pressure you. They have been changed and now want to help everyone they can feel the overwhelming victory that is ours in Christ!

Indian Cauliflower Bake
Created by: Alyssa Truman
Serves: 1

3.5 oz Cauliflower, chopped

3.5 oz Cottage Cheese, non-fat

1 Tb Milk

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1 Grissini breadstick chopped.

Preheat oven to 375. Put cauliflower in microwave safe bowl with a little water and cook for 1 minute 30 seconds. Meanwhile mix cottage cheese and milk. Drain cauliflower and add to cottage cheese mixture. Stir in the curry and cumin. Put in baking dish and then sprinkle with the grissini breadstick pieces.

Bake for 13 minutes. Broil for 4 more minutes to nicely crisp up the top. Take out and let rest for about 5 to 10 minutes minutes and then enjoy. This is still a tad liquidy but the longer is sits the more it seemed to come together

Today I decided to make mini quiches for lunch. I decided to use a mini muffin tin so that A) It would feel like more and B) It’s just plain cuter.

So I kind of made it up as I went along I think next time I will mince one clove of garlic to add to it as well (added that to the recipe for now as an optional) Also the leftover broccoli I just ate raw on the side. Very yummy lunch! Next time I may make them in my tartlet pans

Grace and Strength Mini Quiches
Created by: Alyssa Truman
Makes: 8 Mini Muffins

3.5 oz of Broccoli

1 Egg

2 Egg Whites

2 tsp  Tastefully Simple Spinach and Herb dip mix

1 clove Garlic (optional. I haven’t tried it yet but am going to later this week)

Preheat oven to 400 (I like quick…LOL)

Beat eggs together with Spinach and Herb dip mix. Put about half of broccoli with a little water in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Drain and add to egg mixture.

Lightly spray a mini muffin tin (8 holes) and then add egg mixture until it reaches the brim.

Bake for 10-14 minutes and then ENJOY!!!