Monday, February 27, 2012

Learned a Little Something

       There have been a few things I've realized this week. The first is my new mantra for life right now- Love Widely. You can thank my parents for that one, although if I had to guess I'd say my mom had a bit more to do with this purchase. For Valentine's Day, not only did my lovely parents get me a sweet card, an even sweeter Starbucks gift card but also attached to it was a little butterfly that said Love Widely on it. The phrase was what caught my mom's eye, my new life goal that I'm continually working at- loving others. Loving widely. I love that terminology, the imagery of what  "widely" paints in my mind. It's so vast and endless.

       The other thing I thought of was while sitting in church, slightly distracted with my own thoughts and my low intake of coffee that morning was this- do most of us go to church because we feel that's what a "good Christian" does or do we go with open hearts and minds ready to learn and question, to digest and process. That morning I don't think I could have even answered which girl I was, the one doing what is right because it is just what I do or the one trying to be a better person by doing the things that I know will tone my Spiritual life, my soul and my mind. I go to a big church, with five services and how easy it would be for me to just show up, listen to the sermon and leave. What a huge waste of time that would be, I'd probably do myself better to just sleep in, unless I take the time to truly take the wise words in of Christians who are smarter, wiser, braver and far far superior to me in probably every way. I want to be the latter, the one with an open mind and heart. Cutting with dull blades is tiring, so let's let iron sharpen iron.

Dull blades, that brings me to my last realization from this week. This weekend my family and I finally did something I've been wanting to do for quite sometime! It is something I can cross off my life goals list, although I hope it is a goal that is repeated throughout my life. We served at the Union Gospel Mission! Now I tell you this not to sound like some super amazing person but to preface the last realization. While serving I ended up walking around to tables a couple of times to give out cupcakes, which brought up my years of waitressing and catering at the Wild Pear. You know what I'm talking about, it's like riding a bike, except not. While I had noticed Waitress Casey do this before, I heard it once again coming out of my mouth before I could stop it. Realization #3: while serving food I become a less graceful southern belle who refers to tables of people as ya'll. It so naturally falls off my lips that I have to wonder if my mother only ate fried chicken, grits and...potato salad? Is that Southern? While she was pregnant with me. I honestly don't know where it comes from, but I'm not going to lie, sometimes I like it.

Oh, and the dull blades was because I was cutting I think like 1500 cabbages and it was all done with a very dull blade.

Fitness Update: Been doing okay with the food. I've been doing a lot of researching into different diets, as in lifestyles of eating and not even so much a caloric cut diet, although that has occurred too. I have settled on a diet consisting of the top ten of foods that are highest in natural anti inflammatory- thinks like kelp, smoked salmon, blueberries, etc. And to really take it the next step I've taken out the top ten things that create inflammation in the body, things like- dairy, white flour, high sugar, Splenda (my weakness), etc. I feel great! My back hasn't been having any more pain, my energy level is increasing and I just feel really good. Of course, I slip in some dark chocolate...shh.....I know it breaks the no dairy rule, don't tell anyone.
I also found this terrific at home work out routine for every day of the week.
If you want more information on the types of food that increase and decrease inflammation in the body, check out this site-
http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-inflammatory-foods-to-avoid.htm - don't eat
http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-anti-inflammatory-foods.htm - EAT!
http://allyfit.tumblr.com/post/15968075542/photoset_iframe/allyfit/tumblr_lxwus9c3lF1ql2uvy/500 - Awesome at home work out schedule

And of course, we all need a little something sweet, it makes life more enjoyable, and it makes people much easier to love-
 Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (about 9 ounces), divided 
3 large egg whites, room temperature
 
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
 (I used 2 cups)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
 
1 tablespoon cornstarch
 
1/4 teaspoon salt


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Life Goals and Bachelor Woes


*Resolutions Update*: they have taken a rocky path, but I’m still moving forward, just at a slower rate than anticipated. I hurt my sciatic nerve, not sure how, but it’s been causing a lot of pain (although my mild scoliosis probably didn’t help they think). One fix to the pain via doctor’s orders was to stop any impact work outs and to take some time off all together. Devastating, but an opportunity to get creative with new ways to get into shape, water aerobics and yoga here I come!

What do you want to be when you grow up? What are you doing after you graduate college?
 
These questions are ones that I’ve avoided like the plague… and I’ve been graduated for three years now so it’s starting to get a bit difficult diverging conversations into a different arena. Honestly I haven’t had any idea of what I’d like to be as I continue growing up, but I do know I have with all my heart been trying to walk through the doors I feel the Lord leading me.  I was talking with a coworker last week and something occurred to me, mostly because I answered before I had the chance to think about my answer- isn’t this often when we either come to some great solution and/or say something we will completely regret, what a tricky sharp sword. I don’t remember the question but my answer was that I can see myself and would like to be a part of an international missions organizations; something that serves kids or poverty stricken individuals by doing. I want to serve Christ and spread His abounding love by doing something for others. By providing income, food, shelter, medical care, clothing- something tangible.  Maybe it’s in part to how I process love, you can spend lots of money on a gift and I will honestly be astonished and appreciative of such an exuberant gift (and probably a little uncomfortable and undeserving), but for me if you choose to spend time with me, bring me food when I’m sick, provide emotional support when I’m down; well that’s when I truly feel loved.

I think, for me at least, to truly be a servant of Christ means I spread his love by meeting the needs of people, by first being there and doing, and through this opening up the world of the Gospel to those who are lost or hungry in more ways than one.

So with that all said, I’m glad I didn’t take the path of the reality tv star, because those ample offers poured in, much like the rain in my beloved Oregon. Just kidding. But really, my love hate obsession with the Bachelor, where in I love watching it and hate myself for enjoying it, continues. Here are all the reasons I would make a horrible Bachelor contestant (sorry to break it to you Nana, I do know how much you’d love for me to go on there).

                           1.  I close my eyes in pictures. Not on purpose. Not in a cute playful way. Basically, the flash scares my poor lids into closing so fast I look perpetually high throughout my lifetime of photos. So bad that 7 years after taking my senior photos, my photographer still remembered me.

                         2.  I don’t nearly have enough glitz and sparkles. I own no sparkly dresses, although confess I’d like one. I prefer less make up than more. I will wear heels but have to agree with Amanda Bynes in She’s The Man when she says (summing up here) that heels were designed to let men chase down women easier, so they are worn quite irregularly and with hesitance by me.

                              3.   My meanest version of a put down I could muster in a woman’s Bible study was “oh you silly B.” Let me clarify it wasn’t directed at anyone though. I’d get eaten alive by the catty girls, and the others I would like so much as people I’d never want to beat them and see them crying. I will say my quick wittedness would give them a run for their money though.

                          4.   I would never ever, ever…ever accept a key to a man’s bedroom. Really? One, I’m not a concubine in the kings harem. Two, I can proudly say I’m waiting until there is a ring on this finger and a wedding certificate signed. And three, they make the women do all the work and I just plain put my foot down to that. How about a little chivalry men.

                     5.   I like bugs, dirt, science, odd medical marvels and watching fascinating documentaries; which some may say I throw the word fascinating around a little too loosely.

                         6. I prefer quality over quantity. Which almost sounds mean. I’m sorry, I’m just a silly B sometimes.

So there you have it, reasons why it’s a good thing I’ve been led in a different direction as far as my occupation. Do I dream of walking the red carpet in a glamorous yet classy gown- of course I do. But do I dream more of humbly serving others in need- yes, I think I realized I do.