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Happy 2015!

Now what?

Do you have your resolutions in mind for the new year? Are they similar to the goals you failed to achieve last year? Or maybe they are new and exciting, maybe even scary, hopes and dreams.

I know I'm pumped about my goals and I know I don't want to be part of the majority of people that don't accomplish their goals this year.

But have no fear! I know of something that will keep you focused on your resolutions. And if you follow this plan, I can 100% guarantee you will see results.

Here it is:

Get lost in The Good Book

Huh? Is this sister the coo coo one? Hear me out.

2014 was quite the year. Challenges. Triumphs. Everything in between.

One of my resolutions was to spend more time with the Bible. I incorporated reading it into my morning routine, I made church a priority, and I started putting God as #1. I am still a work in progress, but wowza-holy moly did it change me in such a positive way.

Those of you still with me, I urge you to give God an honest shot this year. If you've been in a rut
doing the same things and not getting results, then why not try a new method? I'm working on a post that links the most common New Years resolutions to Bible verses. I'm warning you though, it's tough love stuff.  No one said this life was easy, but it's worth it. Let's make the best of it!

I wish you all a happy and healthy new year! Here's to finally getting what you need to be the best you yet!

*Hey, everyone has their own definition of "popular."*

2014 reSOLUTIONS

I never keep my New Year's Resolutions. Ever. So, this year I've brainstormed some solutions to two problems I tend to face. If you need an idea or two for the new year, then read up! Here we go...

Problem #1: Worry, Stress, Envy, Pain, etc., etc., etc.

Solution:

Spend more time with the Bible. 

I just finished the book of James and I highly recommend it - love it! Moving on to Romans next. *Oh and I am not a perfect Christian. Spoiler Alert - There is NO SUCH THING. For me, being able to turn to HIS word when I am faced with a challenge brings me peace. 

Problem #2: Love Notes/Hello Notes

Solution:  

Send a card. Just because. To anyone. Anytime.

Not many people send love notes or any type of note for that matter anymore. I know social media is super cool, but personally I like some things the old fashioned way. Write on the mirror in the morning to your love. Leave a note on someone's car. Make a card. Heck, Hallmark has them already printed up for you! People like to feel appreciated and loved. So, go right ahead and make someone feel special today (or tomorrow since it is a little late.) 

Well, there you have my two simple goals/solutions for 2014. 

xo Happy New Year!

A Juicy Start to the New Year

While we're on the topic of healthy... I've got a great juice recipe. Today I had the day off and decided to try out my new juicer our lovely parents got Tim and I for Christmas. I am so stoked about this thing because I love juicing!!! Trying to convince Tim and so far he is diggin it :) can't wait for all the good things it will do for my body and my skin!

• 1 Breville Juice Fountain Plus we got ours at Macy's
• 3 large beets washed well and roots pulled off. I slightly peeled the bad spots off mine and decided not to juice the leaves because most of them were white and dry and didn't look very healthy.
• 16 oz of carrots. I bought the pre-peeled ones - hey keep it simple right? Plus they were cheaper by the ounce than the dirty non peeled ones.
• 1 Granny Smith apple with the core removed because Tim says the seeds have arsenic... 
• 1 willing husband who will try anything :)

Voila, deliciousness served!

Beets can be a mess so be careful if you have white counters like me!

 Yum!

I LOVE BEETS! 

enjoy

Wedding Mode - Healthy Bride

The wedding is less than 3 months away and it’s time to kick off Project Healthy Bride. I figure I am more accountable if I post what I am doing to be a healthy, happy bride.

Truth

My goal setting strategies:

1. Buy a “goal bikini” and hang it up where I will see it every day. This will be my main motivation. I am not looking to lose weight. I am looking to tone up and focus on overall health.
2. Plan meals and exercises.
3. Post them to share ideas and hold myself accountable.
4. Find a 5k or 10k to run a week or two before the wedding.
5. Make extras of dinner to have quick and healthy leftovers for lunch.

FYI: These are recipes I like and that work for me. I am not a nutritionist or a trainer. I am a teacher. Breakfast will happen around 6 am. Most of the time I am not hungry at that hour, so this will be a major change for me. Lunch takes place at 11:15 am and I have approximately 15 minutes to scarf it down, so that meal needs to be super easy. My snack time is around 2 pm after my sweet angels have left the classroom and I have a second to myself. Dinnertime will vary between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm depending on the night.

Oh, and I don’t eat meat, unless it comes from the water.

December 30^th – January 5^th

Breakfast Monday – Friday: Green Tea (no sweeteners), Fruit Smoothie (coconut H2o, strawberries, bananas, peaches, blueberries), Steel Cut Organic Oatmeal with almonds, cinnamon, and a teaspoon of honey

Snacks Monday – Friday: Apple and cut veggies (carrots/celery/peppers) with hummus

Monday

(L): Smoked Salmon Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

(D): Blackened Shrimp, Garlic Sautéed Spinach, Roasted Cauliflower/Tomato/Chickpeas

(W): 3 mile run and 30 min of Yoga

Tuesday            

(L): Leftovers from dinner

(D): Out for NYE – Stay Healthy Ellise!

(W): Fit Camp

Wednesday            

(L): Smoked Salmon Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

(D): Quinoa Veggie “fried rice” (w/chicken)

(W): 3 mile run and 30 min of Yoga

Thursday            

(L): Out 

(D): Black Bean Avocado Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Potato Kale Hash

(W): Fit Camp

Friday                        

(L): Leftovers

(D): Crab Cakes and Kale Salad

(W): Rest

Saturday            

(B): Spinach and Feta Egg White Omelet, Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice

(L): Out

(S): Greek Yogurt with Blueberries

(D): Grilled Dolphin with Grilled Zucchini, Squash, Tom, Onion and Garlic Quinoa

(W): Fit Camp

Sunday            

(B): Yogurt and Fruit Parfait, Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice

(L): Leftovers

(S): Almond Butter, Banana, Strawberry, Almond Milk Smoothie

(D): Black Bean Burger with Lettuce Bun and Sweet Potato Fries

(W): 5 mile run and stretching

How about a wine reward... does that count? ha!

I am always looking for new tips and recipes. Feel free to share! :)

The Proposal

Saturday, June 1, 2013 – The first day of my summer break, the start of hurricane season, and the best day of my life!

Adam and I planned on going shooting that day when he got home from work. Yes, shooting guns, which I have never done in my life. The only real concern I had was that I needed to pull out my one and only camo shirt to make sure I was appropriately dressed. Mind you, the shirt is from KD Manhunt 2005. Adam definitely took care of the rest of the supplies. 

POW POW 

I woke up and went for a run, then came home and got ready. Shooting was low maintenance, so I did not wash my hair, or get “dolled” up. It was raining, we were going out to the middle of nowhere and it was hot.

We loaded up the car and stopped for lunch at Ripper’s Deli. Come to think of it, the lemonade was extra sweet that day. Ha! Foreshadowing at its finest. Then we headed out to a friend’s property. It was just the two of us, 400 acres of land, the birds, and the ants (which bit me!)

The rain didn't stop us.

I was having a grand old time shooting the gun and still had no idea what was about to happen. Adam wanted to shoot his rifle before we left so he asked that I back up the car so he could rest the rifle on the hood. As I was reversing, he was putting up a new target.

I'm just clicking away as a "blogger" and who knows what Adam was thinking about here. 

I was taking pictures and thinking, “This is going to be a great blog post!” Once Adam finished his shots, he asked if I could look through the binoculars since he couldn't see that far with the scope. This is where it gets interesting. Little did Adam know, I am not very good with binoculars. At first I couldn’t even find the target. By the time I did, I realized I needed my glasses, so I had to get those out. Once I put those on I had to readjust the lens. But what I saw next was mind-boggling. I saw some writing on the target and was shocked. I turned around and said, “What does that say?” and he replied, “What do you think it says?” I looked in again and started screaming and jumping up and down! I turned around and Adam got on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was ecstatic to say the least. He even thought I was going to pass out because I was shaking so much. A few seconds later I was Miss Waterworks and the tears showed up. It was sooooooo amazing. We drove the car up to get a good look at the target. The best part (for Adam) was that he shot a bullseye, oh and that I said yes! He’s never shot a bullseye before.

The soon-to-be Ryan's! Adam's first bullseye - yeehaw!

We took some pictures and then he popped the trunk and a bottle of champagne. He had champagne chilled in a bag the whole time. He also had picked out gorgeous champagne flutes at my favorite shop downtown. It was such a great moment. Just the two of us, some bubbly, and guns. What more could a girl ask for? 

Thumbs up for HECK YES I WILL MARRY YOU!

 I am the luckiest girl in the world!