Great Compliment!

I received one of the greatest compliments last weekend. It came from someone whom I used to serve in the ministry with many years ago. Many people look up to this person, and many respect their opinions. I know this person to be one of chosen words. They do not care to 'flatter' people at all. His words:

"You really like helping people,

don't you Jen?"

I was ecstatic that this person said this. I was even more humbled and blessed that my words and my life communicate this.

This really is one of the greatest compliments I've received in a long time...especially in this day and age. In a time where relationships are solely based on 'networking' for someone in the relationship to 'gain something'.

I believe it's something that many need to focus more on. Helping others. I personally love helping others. How do I help others? By motivating them, pep talking them into believing in themselves, and encouraging them. I love being 'the accountability person' people need to reach that goal. I also love laboriously helping others, as well. I love to file papers for others, help people get organized, wash a car, clean up, etc....I love coming along the side of people and helping them in the way they NEED me to! It's truly fulfilling.

It's so gratifying and humbling to be thanked by someone. It just makes me feel so good about making a difference in another persons life in the non-tangibles...and tangibles.

I thought about what he said to me...and it made me ask a couple questions.

1. Why did my willingness to help others stand out?
2. Are other people really willing to help others?
3. Are people regularly helping people?
4. What more is there in life than helping other people?

In my self-centered days of my own, my questions were more along the lines of 'what's in it for me?'...'is it even worth my time?'...'what do I get out of it?'

A decade later, I realize that fulfillment, contentment, and satisfaction in life comes from offering a hand, a heart, an ear, a hug, an encouraging word to someone!

Folks, we have to look at others with compassion and offer assistance when we see a need. These are the imperishable things that we will leave behind us!

So the challenge is to ask yourself today: Who can I help? Who can I call and encourage? Who can I help motivate to accomplish that goal they're struggling with? How can I help my neighbor, friend, family, kids, spouse, boss, employees, stranger? How can I make a difference in someone's life today!

This is a source of true joy for me! I hope doing this, will bring you the same joy!!!! Have a great day!

Avoiding the Extra Calories from Halloween!

Halloween is around the corner...isn't it?

The seasons have changed overnight in Bakersfield, CA again. We had high temps again the last couple of weeks, after a week of clouds and rain. Nevertheless, the calendar says:

The fall is here! Time for pumpkins, leaves....

and trick or treating.

This is the time of year that you cannot walk into any store without being met by isles of candy!!! All of it, the chocolate mini-bars, M&Ms, KitKats, Candy Corn, all of it!

Now for some, this is no problem. For me, I know NOT TO BUY IT! Couple reasons, one being the rule of: Don't bring temptation into the house. The other, cavities are too costly for me & my kids. So I will wait until the afternoon of Halloween to buy 1 bag of candy in case the costumes show up at my door.

So why title this hammer down? Because for some, this is the beginning of the holiday season that can easily derail and bring on the weight. So these next 4 weeks, you've got to really zero in on your goals of working out your 3-6 days/week and sticking to the eating plan.

Here are some tips for avoiding candy:

1. Don't buy it until the day you're giving it out.
2. Give it all out.
3. Throw away, in the outside can, when the lights go out.
4. Have your kids pick their 3 faves from their bag of candy from going door to door & throw the rest away.
5. AT ALL COSTS: Get rid of the excess candy from Halloween.

I know, I'm being a Halloween scrooge...but do your kids really need all that candy? Do you? Your husband?

Here's a creative-thoughtful idea for the whole family: Wrap it all up in cute Halloween paper/cellophane bags & take it to the Homeless Shelter for the kids there. They have nothing & a little Halloween treat will bring miles of smiles. Whatever you do, get it out of the house!!!!

Hammer down on your hard work & efforts.

Do your best & STAY AWAY FROM THE CANDY!

I warned them: "Don't get me preachin'....."

I really have come a long way than where I was when I first got saved. I'm still on fire - just not burnin' up everyone around me....intentionally. ;)

However...I think my favorite thing about the reading the Bible is sharing what it ACTUALLY says. I love the rebuttal: 'Well, that's your opinion'. Really, it's not. I don't have an opinion anymore. I only believe and repeat what the Word of God says.

The interesting quandry they find themselves in is that when they disagree with me (even 'believers'/religious people) they are really disagreeing w/ God. What's great is that I don't have to take their words personal. They aren't offending me at all because my source of belief is the Word of God - The Holy Bible. So see, they're disagreeing w/ HIM.

What is sad is that so many claim to be believers...but have no idea what the Bible even says about a variety of things that affect their walks/salvation. I could spout out some topics that would make anyone squirm...but it's not my place to judge - it's God... and that's why He sent Jesus Christ. And that's why He gave us the Word...to see what He says!


Now, while I'm not yet equipped to give the "theological" break down...but in a nutshell:
"...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." - Romans 10:9,10

You can't do anything else but believe & confess. Works is not the saving factor. Our outward action will change because the Word says you will know them by their fruit. But is the work of the Holy Spirit working through us. We can't boast in what He does. We can only be grateful & thankful...and show up the next day for Him to use us and love others through us.

The sad thing is that so many don't go directly to the Word to get fed. They depend on the guy on Sundays to give it to them...and while there are wonderful Bible-teaching, truth-sharing, Jesus-loving, humble churches out there...there are those who have mixed in so much personal opinion that people are judging others based on the judgment from the pulpit. These will never last.

The truth is what sets people free...and the truth is what feeds people...anything less than this is unnecessary & ineffective.

----These thoughts were inspired thru some conversations I had tonight at a birthday get together. And I promise, I forewarned others (who brought up this topic) - Don't get me preachin'! Needless to say, I got to preachin'...and I preached to the Lord on the way home, I was preachin' while I brushed my teeth...and so here I am unloading on you. But isn't it the truth?

Now, for the record, I am not perfect, but I am a lover of the Lord Jesus Christ & study the Word. It is so wonderful to know what that Book says. It is the truth - it says so! :)

You read things in it like: 'God does not change His mind'...and so I don't serve a wishy-washy, indecisive God.  What it really is...people missing God & not being be humble enough to say so. Personally, I don't think that God expects me to hear Him 100% of the time on 100% of everything. I wish that I could. Man, I'd be set wouldn't I? But I miss Him too...and if you ever have (once, twice, over and over) - it's okay. People don't expect you to be God. Take that pressure off yourself. You can miss Him...just chalk it up and start from where you are & go for it again.

You read things like 'Don't look at a woman with lust'...but many believing Christian men do. Heck, many believing Christian women are looking at men w/ lust. We just got to recognize it in time before we let that thought life carry us away into adultress relationships...and we do that by going straight to the ONE who can help you, Jesus Christ. The true Mediator who put His life on the line for you personally! He can help you in every temptation and through the Holy Spirit, give you the strength to press on through the temptation. He really can!

I know that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, my sins are paid in full, however to hear Him clearly and be led by the Spirit....I have to walk by the Spirit & not by my flesh. I'm really not making this stuff up on my own...it's what the Book says.

All this to say - "if you see me somewhere and you don't want to hear the 'truth'...please don't begin the conversation". The only thing you will get out of me is what I've read in the Bible...and for me, that is the ultimate authority. The beauty of it is that it takes so much pressure off me...I don't have to have all the answers...but I know the One who does!

Got inspired tonight & thought I'd share! God bless & have a great Sunday!

NUTMEG - Flavor of the Fall

'Tis the season to overeat, right? WRONG! I'm here w/ a few things for you to try...to help ward off that 'splurge mentality' without forfeiting the flavors we love. Cinnamon, sugar, and my new favorite one, NUTMEG.

Side note: I never use sugar or artificial sweeteners with cooking...I use stevia. I use it in my coffees, teas, oatmeal...everywhere I would use sugar. My personal preference is the NuNaturals brand - White Stevia Powder. I used to buy mine at Lassens until my sil told me about www.iherb.com - where instead of spending $9.99 on 1 box of 100 packets, I can get the same box for $5.99 (which this lasts over a month because we use the packets for on the go....in th pocket for our iced teas w/ lunch somewhere). And a tub of it that lasts a couple of weeks, where I spent $26.99 at the leocal store...and now pay $13.99 for it online. Totally the best tasting stevia on the market. The Truvias and all the cheaper others are a bad experience compared to this. And if you want to place an order, you can SAVE $5 on your first purchase, which will totally cover shipping - the code is: WIF523. It's a win-win - no calories, non-artificial & sweetness...all natural!

So back to NUTMEG! Go out and get some this weekend because I'm going to share where I use mine to spice up some healthy meals/snacks.

NONFAT/PLAIN GREEK YOGURT (Great substitute for ice cream!)
I use nutmeg on my nonfat/plain greek yogurt. Couple things here on the yogurt...Yogurt we know is good for us w/ all the probiotics. Great for digestive health, right? But those little, tiny containers of Activia, just don't cut it for me. Those tiny little things are about 120 calories each. But w/ the greek yogurt, I can have a whole cup for 130 calories, plus 15 grams of PROTEIN. (That's a great serving of protein by the way...not found in the traditional sugary cups of yogurt.) There is only 11 gms. of sugar in the greek yogurt, which, just regular plain, nonfat yogurt has 17 (even though you don't taste anything sweet in it.) And there's a ton of calcium in this, which also is great for pms/women. (Google Calcium & PMS symptoms. Great info out there on how we can help control cravings by getting adequate amounts of calcium. We need calcium as women.) We need probiotics for our digestive system to stay 'on schedule'. So get some of this. I've found a great one: ZOI Greek Yogurt Nonfat Plain at Winco. It's only $2.78 for a 32 oz. tub. I usually only dish out 1/2 cup at one time, I add my stevia, sprinkle my nutmeg...stir it all up & it's scrum-dum delicious! You can add the serving size of frozen/fresh berries to it...I sometimes put 1 tbsp. of slivered almonds if I want a little crunch - measured out...not eye-balled!) - And for some reason, despite my lactose-intolerance, my tummy tolerates yogurt!

ALMOND BUTTERED TOAST
Oh my gosh...just found this yummy little treat yesterday in my kitchen. My bodybuilder friend mentioned that I could freshly grind up my almond butter at Winco (not intending to be a Winco commercial, but that's where the deals are at). So I got some...measured out 1/2 tbsp. put it on some toast (50 cal. slice)...took a bite. Alone, the butter's not so appealing. So I busted out my trusty stevia & nutmeg...and wow! Yummy stuff. Almond butter - the real/raw stuff has the 'right fats' I hear. And a little bit goes a long way. So yes...I think I will have some before I work out today! It's so good. But - YOU GOTTA MEASURE IT OUT! This is a great breakfast for those who 'don't like to eat breakfast' - you have to jumpstart that metabolism, so try some of this...try one piece of the toast w/ your 1/2 cup of the greek yogurt above. A very filling, high protein breakfast.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Get familiar w/ this wonderful vegetable. It's amazing!!! Check it out in your produce scection...it's usually w/all the other different squashes like acorn squash and others. Not next to zucchini. Now, if you get them whole, fresh...they are thick vegetables. I get mine, take it home...wash it, use the carrot peeler to peel the skin off...cut down the middle & you'll see how the seeds resemble a pumpkin. (You can find them cubed up at Costco in the produce section, Fresh & Easy has them fresh & frozen - pre-cubed).

I make mind by: slicing it up & cubing it. Make them smaller cubes so that it doesn't take forever to bake all the way through. After it's all diced up, I put it in a big bowl...pour some spray butter over it...then sprinkle stevia all over it, then some nutmeg. Mix it/fold it over...making sure it's all coated w/ the butter spray...and then, yes, I add more stevia & nutmeg. I spread it out on a cookie sheet & bake for about 45 min. - 1 hr. at 375 degrees or so. Every 15/20 min. I stir it/fold it over...so that it bakes evenly. And I grab a bite to see the tenderness...figuring out when it's just right. Last weekend, I mixed the butternut squash w/ some sweet potatoes. Oh, and I did add a little cinnamon. I personally don't like cinnamon as much as nutmeg...so I let the nutmeg be the ruling seasoning! Yummy side - I believe 1/2 cup is 60 calories!!!! Great to put on the list of healthy dishes for Thanksgiving!

 EGG NOG ALTERNATIVE
I love egg nog! Growing up at my grandma's, I had 2-3 glasses of this stuff, at a time, on the holidays! Yes, can say bloated & full!!! (I happen to be lactose-intolerant, found this out as an adult, no wonder my tummy hurt every Thanksgiving and Christmas!) Nevertheless, I love egg nog. But for so many years, I stopped drinking it. (Plus...it's very high in fat & calories - no bueno if you're on a mission to lose weight, right?)

But finally, after finding Almond Breeze's Almond Milk, I discovered a great substitute for egg nog. (Now, I do use this 40 cal./cup almond milk. I get a box of 6 qts. at Costco for $8.59, I use/measure out the almond milk for my coffee, my oatmeal, my cereals...or when I want a cup of milk!)

Substitute for egg nog: measure out 1 cup...add stevia to sweeten...and then sprinkle the nutmeg on top! Instant, lactose-free, 40 cal. egg nog alternative! Try it - it's great!

TRY THESE & LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! Let's work hard to enjoy the flavors we love during the holidays...without feeling the bulge & seeing the scale tip upward!

Fitting it all in & keeping my priorities - PRIORITY!

When I look at the things I am doing in life, my number #1 goal is to always be doing what God would want me to do. For example, as I am currently pursuing a degree, I have to manage my time so that my kids are not neglected & pushed to the side.

It's true, I can work at home, because I am a stay - at - home mommy. However, I will admit that during the summer when I set the goal to make my business boom...my kids got a little whiny and fussy in the a.m. - because I was on the computer too long or too often. When I saw that my kids were responding this way, I knew I was no longer doing what God would want me to do. How did I know this?

I always come back to the question: WHY AM I A Stay-At-Home MOM?

To be with my kids, play with them, read to them, and manage my home. When I am not doing these things...then I'm not fulfilling my role as a stay-at-home mom. See, I'm at home to be with my kids...not them be in front of the t.v. and me be on my computer. They'd be better off in preschool, all day/morning get attention and learning & me 'working' OUT in the workplace...right?

I say all that to support my claims of the importance of transparency. On another note, I am also a child of God...before I'm a mom/wife. And looking at my life this summer, I really felt a conviction on my heart that I needing to devote more of my time to serving God! And while I want to be doing 'something' while I'm in this full-time stay-home season, I decided to chase my original goal (from 3 yrs. ago) to go back to school...at a Bible college - more for personal goals & personal development for ministry later.

So school added something to my plate...in addition to my BB biz...and in the midst of all of it, I had a strong desire to serve at my church. And since this desire was from God, I didn't have to go out and sign up for the first need...in fact, I got the call to be a MOPS table leader. (The phone call actually came 20 min. after a conversation I had w/ God as I did dishes...it went something like this: "God in all these things I am doing (school & BB), I really have to find a way to stay connected to Christian women/moms in the same season of staying home as I". No joke, those were my words exactly. And 20 min. after saying that, our MOPS coordinator called me to invite me to be a table leader. WOW! Right on time!)

My participation in all of these activities take time-management. Staying on task. Focusing on my priority of being a MOM & WIFE first. I devote my days to what needs attention. How do I do this all? I don't know really. I don't want to sound cliche & say, "God's strength & grace"...but I'm pretty sure that's the only way!

Here's what my week looks like:

Mondays: I try to catch up on chores/laundry or errands & fit in playtime/storytime w/ the boys. I do this by either going to the park, a picnic there...or in the backyard. Swing w/ them, play on the slide w/ them (help Jakey down)...chase them, race them...pick pomegranates off the tree, find the source of ants, look for frogs, etc. Or we even do a chore outside 'together'.

Tuesdays: Check emails, weight tracking for my 100 day battle folks. Then lunch w/ boys...clean up a room together (go thru toys, clothes) - something with them. Sometimes the park for lunch. Daniel gets dropped off at school in the afternoon and when I get home - Jake naps...and that's when I do a big chunk my reading for school. (I also fit reading in from 5-5:30 a.m. daily, before my workout at 5:45/6 a.m.)

Wednesdays: This is the day I help a relative w/ their mail/bills/filing. My boys get to spend this hour or so w/ their Nana. Then when I'm done, we're off to run errands. I try to fit a visit to the Bookstore or a park if they need a breather from the carseats. Then we're home in time for Jacob's nap (have to stay consisten w/ that). This couple hours w/ Jacob sleeping, we are gearing toward 'homework-practice' time for Daniel and fitting in a chore (like mopping while the little one is out of the way).

Thursdays: This is MOPS time. Usually 2X month we get to see our MOPS friends. After that...we fit in errands/chiro visit. And if there's no MOPS this week...and we haven't been out to the park yet, for the week - we make to the park. And then I get those 2 1/2 hrs. in the p.m. to read while Daniel is at school & Jakey is sleeping.

Fridays: This is my stay home, catch up on it all kind-of day! Or, make it to the Bike Path...or something out of the ordinary for the boys!

Weekends are reserved for time w/ DAD! However, from 5-6:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings, I devote to doing my reading tests, while everyone is asleep. Our workout is handled as soon as I am done.

Alot of my stuff, I do when they are sleeping. All that means is that I have to be productive, on task, and off the computer during the rest of the day! :)

So as I am always saying, 'stay accountable', 'stay transparent' - and this is my way of doing it! I know that my first goal is to serve the Lord. Then be the best mom and wife I can...then pursue my dreams.

For me, I have to be working on some personal goals for myself...otherwise, I get depressed, in a funk...and it makes all the things 'I have to do' feel like a burden. But because my husband supports my pursuits...and I fit it in to time slots that don't rip off my kids/husband - and all things around the house are managed - Istay in a great mood and my family benefits!

10 Years Ago Today....My day of salvation!

TODAY IS OCTOBER 14, 2011 - It is a significant day for me!

Today marks an anniversary for me. Ten years ago today, I gave my life to Lord at a Billy Graham crusade.

And it has been the most amazing 10 years of my life.

Just the other day, I noted on a friend's FB page that my wedding day was the 2nd most amazing day of my life...my first son's birth was the 3rd, and my second son's birth was the 4th.

The #1 day of my life was the day I heard of the love of Jesus & His offer of free salvation to me.

October 14, 2001 was a Sunday. I was a realtor at the time. And on that Sunday, I had an open house from 1-4 p.m. I remember it was a huge, gorgeous, custom-built home on Jill Jean Ave. off Norris. Gorgeous neighborhood of custom built homes. There was no reason why this home shouldn't have sold that day, except for the fact that I had to leave Bakersfield at 4:30 p.m. to make it to Fresno for the Billy Graham Crusade event start at 7 p.m...And I had a divine appt. w/ God. I took my friend/hairdresser Rachel w/ me. (BTW - she has witnessed numerous things in my spiritual walk, it's as tho' she is my ordained witness to God's hand in my life).

Now while I 'raised my hand in a church service' numerous times the summer proceeding this road trip, nothing really happened. My hand-raising was more agreement that my life needed to change...but I still lacked knowledge of who Christ was & the importance of His death on the cross, the power of His resurrection, and the role of the Holy Spirit in my life. That summer, my hand-raising was more out of emotion, and not necessarily an understanding of salvation and Jesus Christ. I understand why change never took place until this night w/ Billy Graham.

That night at the BG event, Billy spoke of the love of Christ. I mean the deep love and acceptance Christ has for us. Now, if you knew anything about me from childhood & up....that was what I always longed & yearned for: unconditional love & acceptance.

Then Mr. Graham went on to explain what sin in my life was doing. And boy, at this time of my life from 2000-2001 - boy, did I have sin....multiple ones. The summer of 2001, wow, I think I tipped the scale w/ all my partying and 'relationships'. I was in need of a Savior for sure!

That night, he didn't just ask us to raise our hands, he said come down to the football field (as we were in Fresno State's football stadium). And I told my friend, "I gotta go down there"!

Raised my hands -
Finally fully surrendered
to the LORD!

Once I got down to the football field (from all the way at the top of the seats in the stadium), I raised my hands high during the prayer, and this time - I meant it. I fully understood what the sin in my life was doing, I fully understood what Jesus Christ did on the cross, I fully understood that if I wanted to go to heaven, I needed Jesus...and I fully understood that the Holy Spirit would change me from the inside out. I was finally at the place of understanding & was fully embracing all that God was, is, and would do in me.

That was the best night of my life. However, while I meant every word I said, I did not go from party animal to angel overnight. Overtime, however, all the things I thought were fun (like drugs & alcohol) lost their appeal (the power of conviction)...and I began my walk with the Lord. Despite drinking on the weekends, I still made it to church (yes, w/a hangover sometimes). But as I told one of my friends, "If I stop going to church....then I'll never stop drinking". (And I'm not talking one drink on a Friday night...I mean, drinking from 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. on Friday & Saturdays...and 2+ on the weeknights).

I did not 'get right & then start going to church'. I realized that the information at church would help me pursue God with greater ambition. I continued to learn about the Bible. And of course, I showed up in time to worship the Lord and sing to Him. I was so zealous to extend my worship and love to Jesus. All that He forgave me for, all that He was doing in my life, and all that He would continue to do....it all deserved my praise and worship. He is amazing!

I quickly learned at church to walk with God included: a prayer life, time in the Word, church attendance, serving others w/ the love of God, and depending on HIM daily.

Although, I am still no where near perfect...I am so grateful that looking back over the last 10 years, I stayed on the path set before me. I have not, for one season, gone back to the 'old life'. I did everything I could to get out of the club scene (in fact, relocated out of Bakersfield for a season).

Now, I stay in the Word, I stay accountable to my God-loving friends, and stay in a place of thanking and worshipping Christ for the life He saved me from.

To read my testimony that was published in a Billy Graham Decision magazine, click here:
http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=440

I am celebrating my 10 years with Lord today.

I'm in awe of where He brought me from...

and now where He is taking me!

Have a fantastic Friday!

What's up w/ PROCRASTINATION?

For so long, we procrastinate the healthy, beneficial decisions & actions we need to take to be our best. It's been long enough!  I had a conversation with a friend yesterday who agreed that too many procrastinate for too long.
For some, they just haven't come to the point of realizing the negative effects of not taking action. But for those who acknowledge there needs to be change & don't...well, that's called procrastination....and what's up with that?

Maybe you need accountability? Maybe you need a plan? Maybe you need a deadline? Maybe you need to set a goal & post it up & read it/say it each day? Maybe you need to just decide once & for all that:

YOU'RE NO LONGER A PROCRASTINATOR!!!!

I do things like commit to challenges, a workout program, I measure out my food, count my calories, and am accountable to others myself.

I realize that the intensity of my motivation motivates my spouse.

I know that my commitment to eating healthy and working out is already impacting my kids' future.

My goals are not just for 'lookin' good in a swimsuit'. My goals are to avoid high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular disease. My goals run deeper than the superficial layer of this body...it's focused on having qualities of self-control, self-discipline, and healthy behaviors.

The amazing effects are the rippling effects in others' lives - what I do actually inspires others...and that in itself keeps me focused on being my best. How awesome to impact others for the good!

Start your own ripple effect!

Impact those around you with your healthy lifestyle!

As it's said: Decide. Commit. Succeed.





Inspiring Email!

Below is what I sent out to all my Beachbody Customers this morning...and after I wrote it, I was like wow - I can't believe I'm at this place of pushing myself to these limits. If you need some encouragement & challenge to be & do your best (in fitness) - Hope this gives just that to you! Have a great Tuesday!

"Happy Tuesday everyone,

This is Jennifer, your Beachbody coach. This morning I burned 515 calories doing the Insanity Max Interval Plyo workout. I am nearing the half way mark of my P90X/Insanity hybrid workout. However, I am changing it up a bit from the workout sheets available on the website.

For the first phase, I used the resistance training workouts of P90X & the Insanity Cardio dvds for the 3 cardio days. My husband & I started phase 2 last Monday, and moved into the second phase of P90X resistance dvds (Back & Bis - Chest, shoulders, & Tris, and Legs & Back), but changed up the cardio w/ the Insanity MAX cardio dvds. Oh my gosh, Max Plyo today kicked our butts this morning.

For phase 3, I am planning for us to use the phase 3 schedule of P90X resistance dvds...but I'm going to add a twist to this hybrid. We're going to use the Insanity Asylum (Sports Training) 30 day program cardio dvds to take our cardio up a notch! Yes, I am out of my mind. But I pre-ordered P90X2 & I want to do all that I can to be conditioned & ready to take that on. Folks who pre-order P90X2 & complete it as soon as they receive it (which is around Christmas), can enter in their results to be part of an infomercial for P90X2. So of course I would love to do that right?
Many don't quite understand my level of intensity right now. (I question myself from time to time.)

I make it to my workouts 6 days a week, and for 'getting ripped' purposes, I am actually going to really cut back on carbs. (Only for the interim. NOT a great long-term plan to lose weight overall...but it has killer effects on leaning out to get that cut look.) See, I am also entered into the Beachbody Challenge! I'm hoping to win something, if not the $100,000 next year. For me, deadlines help me reach my goals. I am always looking for something to serve as a motivational tool. So this P90X2 coming to me soon...and the Beachbody Challenge (which is taking entries from now until April), are both serving as catalysts in my fitness life!

Just thought I would give you an update & to remind you that I'm here for you. I do my best to walk the walk. If I am to encourage others to watch what they eat & eat the right things, as well as work out - I better do the same right? Hope you catch the vision for yourself...and flex to get fit!!!!"

10 Years Ago, today - My Day of Salvation

TODAY IS OCTOBER 14, 2011 - It is a significant day for me!

Today marks an anniversary for me. Ten years ago today, I gave my life to Lord at a Billy Graham crusade.

And it has been the most amazing 10 years of my life.

Just the other day, I noted on a friend's FB page that my wedding day was the 2nd most amazing day of my life...my first son's birth was the 3rd, and my second son's birth was the 4th.

The #1 day of my life was the day I heard of the love of Jesus & His offer of free salvation to me.

October 14, 2001 was a Sunday. I was a realtor at the time. And on that Sunday, I had an open house from 1-4 p.m. I remember it was a huge, gorgeous, custom-built home on Jill Jean Ave. off Norris. Gorgeous neighborhood of custom built homes. There was no reason why this home shouldn't have sold that day, except for the fact that I had to leave Bakersfield at 4:30 p.m. to make it to Fresno for the Billy Graham Crusade event start at 7 p.m...And I had a divine appt. w/ God. I took my friend/hairdresser Rachel w/ me. (BTW - she has witnessed numerous things in my spiritual walk, it's as tho' she is my ordained witness to God's hand in my life).

Now while I 'raised my hand in a church service' numerous times the summer proceeding this road trip, nothing really happened. My hand-raising was more agreement that my life needed to change...but I still lacked knowledge of who Christ was & the importance of His death on the cross, the power of His resurrection, and the role of the Holy Spirit in my life.  That summer, my hand-raising was more out of emotion, and not necessarily an understanding of salvation and Jesus Christ. I understand why change never took place until this night w/ Billy Graham.

That night at the BG event, Billy spoke of the love of Christ. I mean the deep love and acceptance Christ has for us. Now, if you knew anything about me from childhood & up....that was what I always longed & yearned for: unconditional love & acceptance.

Then Mr. Graham went on to explain what sin in my life was doing. And boy, at this time of my life from 2000-2001 - boy, did I have sin....multiple ones. The summer of 2001, wow, I think I tipped the scale w/ all my partying and 'relationships'. I was in need of a Savior for sure!

That night, he didn't just ask us to raise our hands, he said come down to the football field (as we were in Fresno State's football stadium). And I told my friend, "I gotta go down there"!

Raised my hands -
Finally fully surrendered
to the LORD!

Once I got down to the football field (from all the way at the top of the seats in the stadium), I raised my hands high during the prayer, and this time - I meant it. I fully understood what the sin in my life was doing, I fully understood what Jesus Christ did on the cross, I fully understood that if I wanted to go to heaven, I needed Jesus...and I fully understood that the Holy Spirit would change me from the inside out. I was finally at the place of understanding & was fully embracing all that God was, is, and would do in me.

That was the best night of my life. However, while I meant every word I said, I did not go from party animal to angel overnight. Overtime, however, all the things I thought were fun (like drugs & alcohol) lost their appeal (the power of conviction)...and I began my walk with the Lord. Despite drinking on the weekends, I still made it to church (yes, w/a hangover sometimes). But as I told one of my friends, "If I stop going to church....then I'll never stop drinking". (And I'm not talking one drink on a Friday night...I mean, drinking from 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. on Friday & Saturdays...and 2+ on the weeknights).

I did not 'get right & then start going to church'. I realized that the information at church would help me pursue God with greater ambition. I continued to learn about the Bible. And of course, I showed up in time to worship the Lord and sing to Him. I was so zealous to extend my worship and love to Jesus. All that He forgave me for, all that He was doing in my life, and all that He would continue to do....it all deserved my praise and worship. He is amazing!

I quickly learned at church to walk with God included: a prayer life, time in the Word, church attendance, serving others w/ the love of God, and depending on HIM daily.

Although, I am still no where near perfect...I am so grateful that looking back over the last 10 years, I stayed on the path set before me. I have not, for one season, gone back to the 'old life'. I did everything I could to get out of the club scene (in fact, relocated out of Bakersfield for a season).

Now, I stay in the Word, I stay accountable to my God-loving friends, and stay in a place of thanking and worshipping Christ for the life He saved me from.

To read my testimony that was published in a Billy Graham Decision magazine, click here:
http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=440

I am celebrating my 10 years with Lord today.

I'm in awe of where He brought me from...

and now where He is taking me!

Have a fantastic Friday!

Daniel - my son!

So this morning I looked at Daniel, and asked, "What should I blog about today?"
His response: ME! So here's my blog about Daniel.

Daniel is my first son. He is 4 1/2 years old now. He is one of the smartest boys I know. As well as one of the most...um...what's a nice, positive alternative word for stubborn? I'll go with leader. On a playground w/ the 7, 8 year olds, he says, 'Come on guys, this way!' While it's not such a great thing in the day-to-day haps around the house when I need more cooperation, I am sure I will appreciate it when he is a teen who takes the lead instead of follows, right?

So in honor of Daniel's suggestion - Here's a little Q & A I did with Daniel for this post this morning:


His most favorite thing to drink: milk. And it has to be warm. (Oh how we condition our kids in the beginning, huh?) He says, he likes water too!

His most favorite foods: waffles, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, spaghetti, and bean burritos.

His favorite things to do: play on the swing set, pretend hunt, color & draw, and ride his bike.

I asked him - what do you love? (his response, exactly in his words in this order, verbatim): "God, you (meaning me, mom), my daddy, my Jakey (his brother), myself, my hunting gun, and the Lord God - the Lord is God!"

I should also tell you that he loves school! I mean, LOVES IT! As soon as I drop him off, he runs to the rug and sits right smack-dab in front of his teacher, as it's storytime when I drop him off.


He also loves his friends! (...as he names them off: Brian, Tommi, Jovi, Ethan & Ashy...)

And he loves his cousins (Ethan, Andrew, and Wyatt (sissy & MJ))!

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: "I'm not going to be anything, I'm staying with you guys."

Q: What do you want to do today, Daniel?
A: "Play with my toys".

I am so blessed by him daily. Even in the trying times...minutes following. I look at him with love and sympathy, thanking God for him. For I am grateful that he that he has eyes to see, ears to hear, and yes, even a mouth to talk, and words to express himself. I realize as I meet many moms who have special-needs children, how the things that can seem so unnerving for me would be such a blessing for them. So I try live each day w/ much appreciation for Daniel!

My son - he is 4!

A typical, crazy 4 year old boy - and I love him like crazy. Really!

I tell him all the time,

that's he's my MOST favorite Daniel in the whole world!!!!

Hammer Down thru Halloween!

Halloween is around the corner...isn't it?

The seasons have changed overnight in Bakersfield, CA again. We had 100 degree temps a couple of weeks ago, and now a week of clouds and rain is upon us.

The fall is here! Time for pumpkins, leaves....

and trick or treating.

This is the time of year that you cannot walk into any store without being met by isles of candy!!! All of it, the chocolate mini-bars, M&Ms, KitKats, Candy Corn, all of it!

Now for some, this is no problem. For me, I know NOT TO BUY IT! Couple reasons, one being the rule of: Don't bring temptation into the house. The other, cavities are too costly for me & my kids. So I will wait until the afternoon of Halloween to buy 1 bag of candy in case the costumes show up at my door.

So why title this hammer down? Because for some, this is the beginning of the holiday season that can easily derail and bring on the weight. So these next 4 weeks, you've got to really zero in on your goals of working out your 3-6 days/week and sticking to the eating plan.

Here are some tips for avoiding candy:

1. Don't buy it until the day you're giving it out.
2. Give it all out.
3. Throw away, in the outside can, when the lights go out.
4. Have your kids pick their 3 faves from their bag of candy from going door to door & throw the rest away.
5. AT ALL COSTS: Get rid of the excess candy from Halloween.

I know, I'm being a Halloween scrooge...but do your kids really need all that candy? Do you? Your husband?

Here's a creative-thoughtful idea for the whole family: Wrap it all up in cute Halloween paper/cellophane bags & take it to the Homeless Shelter for the kids there. They have nothing & a little Halloween treat will bring miles of smiles. Whatever you do, get it out of the house!!!!

Hammer down on your hard work & efforts.

Do your best & STAY AWAY FROM THE CANDY!

The Jar of Kids' Food

Loving the response I am getting from my friends on FB from this. And I appreciate the evaluation of 'food choices' for my kids that I am receiving.

However, the main point of the video originally was for me to get an idea of why it is so hard for me to drop a pound or two when I feel like I'm trying my best. I found that I wasn't quite eating the # of calories I was counting. I was counting MY meals...but not the bites I take here and there of my kids' food. For example, I haven't been counting the calories in the chickey-nuggets I eat when: I test if they're too hot, the bite I take as I clean up their plate, and the last bite on the cookie sheet that I take so that I can wash it.

This is a typical day of how I take 'mindless bites' of food, not necessarily a typical day of my kids' meals. This is obviously why I am not dropping the weight I feel I should be with the intense workouts I do.

However, as a response to some of the comments from some fb friends, I thought I would explain a little about the food choices in my jar & for my kids, just in case you are concerned for their health. :)

• All foods were cooked at home, while many receive similar foods from drive-thrus, deep fried. (see the following...)
• Most kids do eat this stuff DAILY. And they eat it from McDs as the chicken nugget kids meal: 6 pc. chkn nugget: 280 cals. & small fry: 230 cals. for a total of 510 cals. (before you add the Hi-C drink). My chicky-nugget home version total: 270 cals. (just btw). Use this as a meal at home as an alternative for your Micky-Ds kids!
• My kids don't like potatoes anyways (mashed, fries, baked, period). Just trying them on 'em again to see if they will even start to eat potatoes...Potatoes (baked) aren't bad and have vit. C in them, did you know that?
• My 4 yr. old will not break 33 lbs. and I am constantly catching flack on how skinny he is...adding fat to his diet is an interesting task when he doesn't like red meat, can't eat cheeses, and you can only have so much egg yolk. And the overall goal is to eat healthy & he's a typical, picky-eater 4 yr. old. (I am open to suggestions always...)
• I cannot serve noodles daily - their fave food, which they had spaghetti the night before. (And we don't do Kraft Mac & Cheese, actually because of the color they add. I make a home version w/out the cheese.)
• The baby doesn't eat beans. (BTW, I am honestly preparing 3 meals on a typical night.)
• And the jar did not contain the healthy items I served them throughout the day: cauliflower, honeydew melon, bell peppers (that they actually filled up on at dinner), peaches, and spinach (on the sandwich). (Why would I want to stuff those healthy foods in my mouth?)

I do appreciate the concern over what I feed the kids from a couple of viewers. I am open to a list of foods that are healthy and have more variety that will help my 4 yr. old gain a couple of pounds.

(Side Note: Being the open/honest person I am...I will share an observation: I now realize the reason many avoid being transparent in general is because of the scrutiny they will receive. This is why I continue to be transparent in things. People need to be freed up & educated at the same time. This is a whole other topic on another day.)

For those of you wondering what my response is re: and missed the video I posted last night...here it is.

 

Don't feel bad if these are what you eat daily...many do. The goal is to make the healthiest choice as often as possible. People don't plan accordingly. People can't always afford the best foods, 100% of the time. Do your best as often as possible...and soon, the weight will drop. That's my main point! Enjoy!

Extreme Effort = Extreme Results

Being transparent this morning...Here are some thoughts and things I'm trying...

I share often that it is so hard for me to drop a pound or two. In fact it took me a month to drop 3...and then one weekend of lack of planning...I'm up 1-2. I realize that for myself, now in the 2nd phase of my P90X hybrid, my weight may fluctuate as I am focused on building muscle.  I am paying close attention to inches. My first month of this workout program, I lost an inch off my waist! :)



Up on Rancheria - scouting out
for some deer w/ dad!


Over this last weekend, major lack of planning. A 3 hr. road trip up Rancheria Rd. to the mountains WITHOUT my own snacks...I ate my lean meal before we left at 5 p.m. But on the way down, I was snacking on 'THE KIDS' FOOD': a granola bar, some pretzels, and....some alphabet cracker/cookie things. (Which I never typically have in my house, but bought on a day that we were at Lassens just cuz...ugh!)

Rule #1 - DON'T BRING JUNK IN THE HOUSE!

Yesterday, I packed a lunch for the boys to have just in case we made it to the park after church. What do you normally take as a picnic lunch: pb sandwich? Yep, that's what I do. I did pack my own chicken breast & apple. But the kids had the pb sandwich (no jelly, they don't like it & I don't like all the added sugar). I had a couple bananas....and pretzel. I was so good to just eat my chicken & apple (right when we got out of church). I did good!

Rule #2 - PLAN AHEAD & PACK YOUR MEALS!

Saturday, made an appt. at 8:30 a.m. Now why would I do this? This is too early to have to get out of the house & fit my workout in. So what happened? I missed a killer cardio workout to burn 600-700 cal. Now, if I'm on a mission to keep that pound off that I lost the week before, I cannot miss this workout. But I did!

Rule #3 - KEEP YOUR APPT. TO WORKOUT!

Now realizing that I was going to miss my workout, I was proactive....When I got ready for the day, I put my workout clothes on! I was ready for any opportune time to work out! And I did get some exercise that day when we took the boys out to the bike path. Daniel on his bike, Jacob in his stroller & our tennis shoes on. And thank God I wore them...Daniel took off numerous times on his bike, and what I thought was going to be a walk, turned into multiple short sprints to catch up with him. Not sure who he was racing, but I had to bolt to catch up with him before he got to the hills, the intersections, and close to being out of sight.

Rule #4 - If you can, wear your workout clothes so that you have one less obstacle to getting your workout on!!!!

By the end of Sunday, I was feeling frustrated with myself. I spent all of last month focused on trying to drop a couple..and in one weekend I can easily lose the ground I gained. So I said, it's time to get extreme w/ the little things that are getting in the way of me getting the best results!!! The kids' food!

I have found that I mindlessly take bites...and I don't add these up at the end of the day. So as a result:





Rule #5 - DON'T EAT THE KIDS' FOOD!

So as a visual aid & an experiment, I am going to stick every bite of their food that I would normally eat. So far today, by 8 o'clock, there were 3 bites of oatmeal & the crust of buttery toast in the jar. Why so many bites? Well, as a reflex, after I stir in butter & honey, I usually take a bite to 'taste it to make sure it taste good for them'. Then, I stick the hot bowl of oatmeal in the freezer to cool for a minute. Then I stir it and take another bite to see if it's cooled down...and if it's hot...I put the bowl back & repeat. Then as I made Daniel's toast, I cut the top crust off to 'get it out of the way'...and yep, I normally eat this.

Now, just doing this little experiment, I have avoided 7 bites of buttery carbs. And I realize, it's out of reflex. I just put food to my mouth and eat....mindlessly. So, I will be MINDFUL today & see how much food I avoid!

You learn a lot about why you can't drop a pound or two when you:

1. Have workouts scheduled (and miss).
2. Are trying to watch what you eat.
3. Keep a calendar of events.
4. Have days jammed pack of activities.
5. And don't plan ahead for your outings.
6. Are in the kitchen too long! :)

Since I have 2 more months of this hybrid...I gotta make it count. Why devote 60 more days of killer workouts and NOT eat accordingly???? If you want extreme results, you gotta put out extreme effort & that's just what I've gotta do!

Who is with me?

I am Musical and Peaceful - by James Hickok (14 yr. old)

I hope that you enjoy the following....

I am Musical and Peaceful - by James Hickok

I am Musical and Peaceful. I wonder how the words will be before me on paper. I hear the words besides the music. I see my thoughts inside of me. I want my words to be known.

I am Musical and Peaceful. I pretend it's just me and the words out of my mouth. I feel no one has heard these words in a lifetime. I touch the paper and pen and think. I worry the words aren't as good as in my mind. I cry if the words are the best they can be.

I am Musical and Peaceful. I understand some words have no meaning, but are still great when you hear them. I sing with all I have from my lungs to my mouth. I dream everyone will follow these words just like I did. I try to write great words that will be known. And I'm sure they will be meaningful as you listen deeply in your heart.

I am Musical and Peaceful.

This poem (which was published in a book) was written by a special young man in my life. His name is James and he is 14 now. I've known James since he was born, in fact I was his babysitter from the time he was 3 mos. daily for the first 3-4 years...and then watched him and his brother often thru childhood. He is so special to me. If you knew James, you're life would be blessed and the words of this poem would be richer and even more meaningful.

As he grows older, you see the inner workings of genius in him as he has self-taught himself to play the guitar, the saxophone...I think the drums...piano. I don't know, all I know is when he wants to learn an instrument & he gets his hands on it, & he's learning to play it in no time. I believe he's a fan of Bob Marley (see pic below) and been inspired by the infamous Beatles.

He is in high school now and appreciates the real, genuine things in life like music, friends, and family...and he loves God. He is going to go far in life and I am so blessed to know him and his family. I love them as my own.