Foodie Penpals!

Yet another month has gone (can't believe where the time is going!) and yet another Foodie Penpal reveal! This month Amy Barnett sent me some fall favorites!

The granola she sent (in the big bag) was delish! It is already gone...so soft (which is how I like granola!) Yummm!! The Cajun flavored nuts made for a great on-the-go snack and I love a good kick and spice!

Next I pulled this out...

I can't wait to put this on some fish and grill or broil it! Amy suggested putting it on steak, which is how she likes it, so I know there are many options! And just like the container says, "Great on Everything!" Woohoo!

So apparently this picture came out upside down but you get the point...a Vidalia Onion Tomato Salad Dressing!! Ahhhh! It's like she has known me for years! This may be my favorite item in the box! Amy wanted to be extra sweet and put a little fall fever in my package for she added this at the bottom:

Such a nice touch, thank you Amy! I loved everything in my package! I was a little late sending my package to Nicolle because I was deathly ill for DAYS (Sorry Nicolle!) Hopefully she liked everything I sent and can share it with you all soon! To find out how you can become a Foodie Penpal, head on over to Lindsay's blog to find out more!

Make sure to check back later this weekend for a giveaway!!


Hope you all are having a great start to your October...on your own two feet...



Until the next step bloggers...

Look 10 Years Younger!

People have been recently telling me I look younger than my age (25) when I have been told for YEARS that I have looked and acted older than I am. Say whattt?? Totally new territory for me. So when doing some digging, I found out that there are some body tricks to help you stay lookin' young!

Posture

Hunching over is a sign of weak ab and neck muscles- and can add 8 years to your appearance. Standing tall has an instant de-age technique. The trick? Get up more! Walking engages those same muscles that need to be strengthened, improving your posture. Walk to another floor to use the restroom at work. Walk to work or the grocery store if you can. Take 5-10 minutes every other hour or so to get up and take a lap around whatever building you're in!

Abs

Too many crash diets can result in a more saggy midriff. It wears your skin's elasticity when you gain and lose weight repeatedly. Throw away those BS juice detox diets and simply log your meals and exercise in a journal to see where you need more improvement!

Legs

You must keep these babies strong! When you see flabby legs, it is a sign that you are losing muscle mass and wimpy muscles lower your endurance which in turn makes you weak and looking 20 years older! Add a couple 15-20 minute strength sessions a week to your normal workout and you'll be showing off those gorgeous stems for years to come!

Eyes

Computer screens give off shortwave light which can cause dry eyes and blurry vision. Not to mention that when you squint to check your twitter or facebook feed, it can lead to premature crow's feet, making you look 10 years older. Yikes! The trick? Foods that are high or rich in lutein, like eggs. This power antioxidant helps your eyes process those shortwave lights better!

Teeth

Check out your smile in a mirror lately? A grin with nothing but teeth could mean your gums are receding- aging your face and putting you at risk for periodontal disease. Womp womp. Root canals are something no one wants to go through. Brush gently and floss twice daily (pressing too hard can wear down gums!).

Hands

Your hands can appear 10 years older than they are if you are not applying sunscreen daily! Try using a moisturizer with sunscreen to help avoid sun spots and keep your skin glowing!


There you have it. No one wants to age early, right ladies? So now when people tell me I look younger, I take it as a compliment! Hopefully these tricks can help you looking younger and help boost your confidence to walk on your own two feet...



Until the next step bloggers...

Foodie Penpal Reveal!

This Foodie Penpal thing just keeps getting better and better. I am able to "meet" new friends and getting a package filled with goodies isn't so bad either! It is interesting to see where the different packages come from- all over the country!

This month, Carolynne sent me some quality items. The first thing I noticed about her box was the beautiful stationary letter on the top of the box. In it on a lavender plant stationary was a handwritten note and even one of her favorite recipes that she loves to make (what a great idea!) Of course tearing the box open is always a must when it comes to Foodie Penpals...

Out came all of these goodies! The first thing I noticed was the Guacamole mix. I don't think you can ever go wrong with guacamole. I am in the process of having many get togethers at my house so this little baby will definitely come in handy!

The rosemary potato soup...has anyone ever seen this combo?? I have yet to try it but I was very close to ripping it open and drinking it out of the carton. It sounds delicious!

Carolynne must have ESP and know that I like spicy foods because she added Red Chili Hot Sauce so I can have that extra kick to my dinners! I love putting this kind of sauce on fish or make my own stir fry! Thank youuuuu Carolynne!!

Also included in my package? Coconut cashews...YES! I love snacking and these bad boys were gone instantly! Woohoo!

All in all? Another amazing Foodie Penpal success! Want to be a part of the group? Head on over to Lindsay's blog The Lean Green Bean and fill out a participation form! Believe me, you will not be sorry!


Want to see what I sent SallyAnn? Head on over to her blog to see her write-up of my package to her!






Until the next step bloggers... 

June Foodie Penpals Reveal!

This weekend has been crazy! I am still getting back into the swing of being on the night shift again at work after a nice long 3 month "vacation"...this weekend was no exception to the madness! Being awake for 28 hours, not being able to sleep, working, dogs getting sick, etc. AHHH! However, it is one of my favorite times because I get to reveal yet another awesome Foodie Penpal!

This month, the lovely Lisa over at I live for coffee... (I mean come on, she had me at her blog name!) sent me what she considered "quality over quantity" this month...and boy did she!

Lisa lives in Utah and they must have crazy good organic treats and Farmers Market because that is exactly what she sent me!

First up was the Pop Art popcorn...Rosemary Truffle- how original! Just a touch of the lovely herb with one of my favorite snacks can make any girl's heart melt! Lisa- I hope you get the chance to try a bag sometime soon! (And it was a big bag...Ok ok, it was easy for me to eat almost the whole bag but I controlled myself...)

The plum jelly she sent was made from locally grown plums and lavender...a HEAVENLY mix! It has gone great with low fat cream cheese and whole grain toast...YUM! I have also made a couple of PB&J sandwiches which make them mouth-watering as well!

The honey (Lisa's favorite part of her sent package and one of her favorites!) is made thanks to pumpkin blossoms-which help pollinate their bees! Who knew?! I love honey in hot tea at night and in my Tone It Up Bombshell Spell so this little baby will come in handy!

She also sent me a small jar of homemade raspberry jam made with Utah raspberries, orange zest, chia seeds, and honey! How did she know raspberry was my favorite?! Utah did well! Thanks so much Lisa!!

I sent Laura her first ever Foodie Penpal package! You can see what I sent her here!



What is a Foodie Penpal?

Great question!


Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:
-On the 5th of the month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you can choose to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!
***If you’re in the UK, please contact Carol Anne from This Is Rock Salt at rocksalt@thisisrocksalt.com to get involved!

If you are interested in signing up and getting goodies like I do every month (and meeting new people!) head on over to see Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean and sign up!





Here it to a new month full of healthy eating, smart decisions, fun and adventure...on our own two feet...





Until the next step bloggers...

May Foodie Penpal Reveal!

It's that time again! Come see what Jessica from Jessica is Baking sent me for the month of May! I am super excited to try the healthy fruit strip...I remember diving into a box of Fruit Roll-Ups as a kid and now I can enjoy one of my favorite past times in a healthy way!

Look at the cute card she sent me along with all these goodies!

It's like she knows me or something!! ;)

Who knew Kashi made healthy cookies?!

Is it bad that I jumped right into these??

My favorite item in my package!

I love my new "on the go" snack!

Thank you so much Jessica! You gave me some favorites and some new things to try and I loved everything! Two thumbs up!


This month, I sent Kimberly her foodie penpals package and I let her have a FIESTA!! Check it out!



Sign Me Up!

Want to be a part of this awesome monthly group?? It is a great way to meet new friends and try some new favorites! Head on over to Lindsay's blog to fill out a participation form! Here are some general details on the Foodie Penpals program!


On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.

• You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
• The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
• You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
• Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
• Foodie Penpals is open to US & Canadian residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!

There you have it folks. Another great FPP month in the books! Each month just gets better and better and the group keeps growing! I hope everyone is having a great week and ready to take on the weekend ahead...on your own two feet...








Until the next step bloggers...

Then and Now!

Don't you hate it when your favorite food goes on a "blacklist" for weight loss or it gets bashed in the news for having a salmonella outbreak?? Well, low and behold, many of our favorite foods are making a comeback and are just waiting to be consumed!

Eggs

Then: The yolks were considered to skyrocket your cholesterol.
Now: Although a single yolk contains nearly the recommended daily limit for cholesterol, it is the most nutrient-rich part of the egg! It is packed with zinc, iron, vitamins A and D, and choline (which help you ladies reduce your chances of breast cancer!) In addition, the yolk contains almost half of an egg's protein, which is why whites-only omelets are not quite as satisfying!
Bring it Back: Hard boiled eggs make great go-to snacks with staying power- and at only 70 calories, who can beat that?? Just be sure to be conscious of companions that cause that caloric intake to increase such as cheese, bacon, and butter.

Peanut Butter

Then: Some people saw this glory food as being high in fat and calories.
Now: Sure, PB contains 16g of fat per 2 Tbl serving, but it is the heart-healthy, monounsaturated kind. It helps appetite regulation without a question about it! A recent study found that people who remained on a diet that included this amazing staple for 18 months lost an average of 9 lbs!
Bring it Back: Don't go for the "reduced-fat" selections at your grocery store- they are often heavily sweetened to replace the lost flavor. Stick with the "au-natural" and watch the portion control. Have a hard time with portion control? Buy the individual packets (like Justin's) for 200 or fewer calories!

Red Meat

Then: This food has a bad rep for heart disease and wide waistlines.
Now: New research suggests that "sat fat" (saturated fat) within moderation, may not be as evil as we make it out to be. We all know it is full of protein but it can also help you gain metabolically active muscles, which burn more calories at rest than fat.
Bring it Back: The cut of beef is key. Extra lean choices, such as sirloin, filet, and eye of round roast have fewer than 5 grams of total fat and 2 grams of "sat fat" per 3oz. serving. Avoid anything labeled "prime" as these cuts tend to be fatty. Go for 3 or 4oz. portions and then grill, roast, or bake it!

Bananas

Then: Bananas used to be carbs that were considered to pack on the pounds and be higher in calories than most fruits.
Now: These delicious treats contain a type of fiber known as resistant starch that your body cannot absorb so it fills you up temporarily without the risk of filling you out. Also, research has linked the resistant starch to an increase in post meal fat burning!
Bring it Back: Choose a greener banana; once it turns yellow, the starch inside has broken down and is no longer resistant to digestion. If you don't like firm bananas, toss it in a blender to make your favorite smoothie! Make sure to take a big whiff before sipping though; research shows that the smell helps reduce appetite!

Coconut Oil

Then: It is high in saturated fat, therefore it was banished by dieters!
Now: It is actually infested with medium-chain triglycerides, fats that can be metabolized faster than the long-chain ones found in others like sunflower oil. The body prefers to use them for energy so it rarely gets stored. Two tablespoons a day can fuel a reduction in abdominal obesity while helping to elevate HDL (good cholesterol)!
Bring it Back: Because it is calorie dense (about 120 calories per tablespoon) you still want to watch your intake. Swap other oils you may use daily- like corn or vegetable- for virgin or extra virgin coconut oil!

Bananas, eggs, and peanut butter are some of my favorite foods. I probably consume them almost every day. The great thing about it is, if you throw them all in a blender (smaller portions) you can have a protein-packed smoothie in the morning and you will be full until lunch and ready to work out those muscles!

So there you have it...our favorite foods are making their comeback into our kitchens and back into our hearts. I am excited to bring these staple items back into my diet and back into my daily living...on my own two feet...






Until the next step bloggers...

Upper Body Day!

Ok so if you checked out my latest check-in video yesterday, you would know that I am back in the gym (finally!) after 7 weeks of recovering after surgery. Even though I can only do the elliptical bike as far as my foot is concerned, that doesn't stop me from doing upper body!

So today, I thought I would share with you all my workout for today:

• Seated DB shoulder press (works shoulders and triceps)- 3 sets of 10 reps
• Skull-crushers, which I will superset with narrow grip bench press (works chest and triceps)- 3 sets of 10 reps for each exercise)
• DB lateral raises (works shoulders)- 3 sets of 10 reps each
• Cable chest flyes (works the chest)- 3 sets of 10 reps each
• Rear delt cable flyes (works the shoulders and back)- 3 sets of 10 reps each
• Wide-grip lat pulldown (works the back)- 3 sets of 10 reps each
• Reverse grip pull down (works back and biceps)- 3 sets of 10 reps each
• Alternating DB curls (works biceps)- 3 sets of 10 reps each
• Bicycle crunches-3 sets of 25 reps each
• Basic crunches- 3 sets of 25 reps each

Make sure when you work out a specific part of your body (upper body or lower body) you work all the muscles! Superset your workouts to get more of a calorie burn and toning!

Hope everyone has a great Hump Day...on your own two feet...




Until the next step bloggers...

Tone It Up Meet Up!!...Literally!

Ok so let me back-track a bit and start from the beginning...

For those of you who don't know, some local ladies and I found each other on Twitter through Tone It Up, two trainers based out of the L.A. area that work hard to promote health and beauty towards women! We called our group BmoreToned just for kicks and just between us but the name stuck and spread, as well as our group!

If you look back on previous blog posts, you will find we have social nights, run races together, workouts every Friday morning (among other times during the week), and just generally motivate and inspire each other to live active, healthy lifestyles.

Much to our surprise was on Thursday afternoon when an email came out to the group which was titled, "EXCITING NEWS!! " What did the email say? Kate and Jami were informing us that the lovely ladies of Tone It Up, Karena and Katrina, would be in Baltimore the next afternoon and wanted to meet all of us! I may have screamed out a little, others wrote back in all caps with an infinite number of exclamation points, smiling from ear to ear, etc. Bottom line? We could not contain our excitement to meet the reason we all became friends!

Friday afternoon- THE TIME HAS COME!!! Meeting at a central location, we met two of the sweetest (and GORGEOUS!!) women ever. We were so giddy, we probably said some weird or crazy things...I know I did. After a small photo shoot, which included some casual planking, lots of chit-chatting, and hugs, our dreams were made complete!

We hope you Tone It Up ladies come back to Baltimore with more time to enjoy the city and hopefully we can all get a workout in! It was so amazing to meet you both and we can't wait to see what the future holds for us as a group together! Can't wait to see you all again! Thank you for all that you do!

Thanks Kate and Jami for the pictures!

Hope you all have a great (and healthy!) weekend...on your own two feet...




Until the next step bloggers...

Playing Catch Up, an Apology, and Foodie Penpal Reveal!

Wow. I have been a terrible blogger. Words cannot describe how emotionally, mentally, and physically drained I have been over the past month. I am here to play a quick catch up...

For those of you who don't know, on March 26th I went under the knife to remove an accessory navicular bone in my foot that was severely detached and to have my tendon screwed back onto my ankle bone. I also had a procedure done on my toe so I had a double whammy of recovery and pain. It has NOT been easy. At all. (Sorry in advance for the small pictures-they are all from my phone :(  )



Ready for surgery!

My mom wishing me luck!

Two bones to the right of my ankle/foot...You're only supposed to have one protruding...

Home after surgery... This was about 15 pounds of cotton and ace bandage alone. Yikes!

Not only has the pain been hard to manage, but I will JUST begin walking on my foot tomorrow. That's right. No running, no biking, no walking, no treadmill, no swimming, nothing. I can't even drive since my car is a 5-speed manual. Though I am anxious, nervous, and excited to enter this new phase of my recovery, it is not a speedy one at all. This is very frustrating, especially for someone who has a loving relationship with the gym.

I have been off of work since my surgery day and am not expected to return until the middle of June. Literally, I have had nothing to do for weeks! People say I am lucky and to enjoy it while I can...For the first two weeks, it was great. I was waited on by family and close friends since I felt like I was going to die and I caught up on much needed sleep and even was able to read a book or two, something I haven't done for leisure in a long time. Now, I am antsy and frustrated though. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but it's tough!

First day out after surgery. Felt so good to simply go to the movies!

Thanks to some girlfriends for putting together a goodie basket (actually bucket) for me :)

Stuck my dog in my knee scooter basket with my new handicap sticker!

WARNING! These next few pictures are from post-op appointments and may not be for those with weak stomachs!

Only one bump out of my foot/ankle!

10 days post-operation!

Taken today- 5 weeks post-operation...Still lots of swelling but incision looks beautiful!

With not being able to do anything or go anywhere, my mood has really been down in the dumps. That may be putting it lightly. I have been in a slump for about 2 1/2 weeks or so and am not really sure when I will emerge. One thing that has brought a smile to my face, however, is knowing I am still a part of the Foodie Penpal program thanks to Lindsay over at The Lean Green Bean.

Before I get to my reveal, let me say that I have a HUGE apology to send out. For the month of March, I typed up my penpal reveal, and apparently it never posted and has been sitting as a draft ever since. I apologize, sincerely and profoundly to Mallory from The Original Plastic California . Your package did not go unnoticed and I shall put you in the spotlight with this post as well.

For the month of March, Mallory must have been my best friend in a previous life. Her mind-reading skills were amazing and on point for this package. First of all, she sent me Nutella To Go, the delicious hazelnut, chocolate spread with cracker sticks for dipping... Um where has this been all my life?! I didn't even know they made these! Let's just say I couldn't even take a picture of me eating it because it was gone that fast! The next thing I noticed were the multiple snack/granola bars. Apparently Mallory sensed that I love to snack throughout the day and she was kind enough to send me healthy alternatives! (The Larabar Uber Apple Turnover one was my favorite!)

I started laughing as I dug my way deeper into the box because I was JUST mentioning to my mom that I wanted to make homemade pizza with sun-dried tomatoes, yet it was the only ingredient I did not have and thus could not bask in the glory that is homemade pizza. Low and behold, I pull out a bag of tasty Trader Joe's Sun Dried Tomatoes!

Mallory has great taste in treats and even got me hooked on the tomatoes, the dark chocolate bar, and Nutella to go...I went out and got some more for myself! Guilty! Thank you so much Mallory for your wonderful package for the month of March...I got to enjoy everything before my surgery and I loved each and every item!



As for the month of April, like I said, my package could not have come at a better time. I was really not feeling well and feeling pretty "blue" when a pretty white USPS box came from Brittney (@HerleanFitness). Woohoo! Instant smile on my face...the first one in a while :) Of course I do the best that I can trying to carry the package in with one hand yet maintain my crutches. I immediately rip the box open to a note with some of the neatest handwriting I have ever seen on top of, what else? Foodie Goodies!



I got mail! Yay!

First thing I saw...Justin's Natural Nut Butters... Maple Almond and Chocolate Hazelnut to be exact. Breakfast was served my friends! I love putting these spreads on whole wheat toast with banana slices on top for breakfast. Quick, easy and that's speaking highly given I could do it on one leg :) I used some of her Gluten Free Rice Thin crackers as bread crumbs for a homemade Mac & Cheese I made (healthy options, of course!). I still have a handful of them that will be gone soon, I am sure! She even sent me a little container of Mentos gum...she must LOVE me! I ran out of gum and threw this little baby right into my purse! Among other things, this foodie penpal was once again a success. Thank you, Brittney for putting a much needed smile on my face in a time of need!

Want to find out how you can join the club and become a Foodie Penpal yourself??

Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:

-On the 5th of the month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you can choose to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!
***If you’re in the UK, please contact Carol Anne from This Is Rock Salt at rocksalt@thisisrocksalt.com to get involved!

If you need any more information, check out Lindsay's awesome blog to find out more or contact her with any questions. :)




So thank you for allowing me to vent a little bit. I forgot how easy it is to just type feelings out and that blogging can actually make me feel better. I have wanted to write updated posts but didn't really know what to say. The Foodie Penpal Rveal may just be the jump start back to my old habits that I intend to keep...on my own two feet...




Until the next step bloggers...

A Lot to Tell

I wake up to start my day like everyone else. I put my pants on one leg at a time. I attach a smile on my face, sometimes because I have to and sometimes I really mean it. I realize that each day is to bring new encounters, adventures, and up and downs. I still have a lot of my story to tell though...

I think about what I can give back today. To a friend. To a total stranger. To someone I haven't talked to in years. Will it be a kind word?  A nice email? A smile in passing? A hug? Anything to give a little love. I try to give these small "gifts" daily, though sometimes it is difficult to get them back. I am not looking for it, just aware. But I still have a lot of my story to tell...

I think failure is a blessing in disguise. And I have had many. I think it is a chance to test our faith. Our strength. It is a chance to get off a beaten path and take a new one. We may find exactly what we have been looking for all along. We may never look back. We may lose some people along the way, and gain great ones. Who knows? That is the blessing of failure and then jumping into the unknown. But I still have a lot of my story to tell...

I am a dreamer. I doodle in notebooks and in my calender. My to-do lists are covered with hearts, flowers, or faces I come up with in my head. I daydream. A lot. And I think it's good for you. It lets you find out what you are really searching for. Make sure when you do it, you dream big. Don't hold anything back. Let your imagination run wild and free. Get creative and don't let anyone tell you your ideas are stupid, unrealistic, or childish. They are your ideas and dreams. I still have a lot of my story to tell though...

I am a victim. I am a survivor. I am a role model. I am my own hero. I have been beaten to the ground, figuratively speaking and literally, yet I managed to get back up. I have told my story to those willing to listen. I hope I have told some of the right people who can take my story to heart and help themselves or someone else. My past is in my past. It does not define who I am now nor will it ever define who I am as a person. It has helped me create tough skin and raise my standards for friends and loved ones. I am so thankful for this aspect of it. Nothing but positive energy surrounding me now. Make sure you talk to your friends and loved ones on a deep level sometimes. You never know who is struggling or suffering underneath their smile they fake when they wake up in the morning. You could be the difference to help them create a new and positive life. I still have a lot of my story to tell though...

I am a friend. I am a daughter. A dancer. Procrastinator. A work in progress. Dog lover. Runner. Cook. Blogger. Student. Hard worker. A healer. Survivor. An inspiration. I wear many hats but sometimes it is hard figuring out which one to wear when I am deciding whether to wear my fake or real smile. Which will hide my pain and my story the most and which will show my true colors? Everyday is different. Every day brings new fears of new unknowns.

I like dancing, laughing, working out, cooking, and traveling. I am a new fan of brussel sprouts and Indian food. I enjoy making scrapbooks and giving gifts to people who may be down. I like cheering people up and being a positive person in someone's life. I love sports and enjoy being "one of the guys." I really do like long walks on the beach. I am just trying to find an ear to listen to my story and a hand to hold on my journey...walking on my own two feet...






Until the next step bloggers...

Get To Know Me Better: The Question Game!

Ok so I saw an intriguing tweet from the ladies of CHAARG and sooner rather than later I had been "hit." Uh oh. I went to their blog to find out they hit me with The Question Game, a fun trivia post that has been apparently circulating around the blogger community. Hmmm...

Anyway, before I begin I must tell you the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post.
4. Tag 11 new people to participate.
5. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
6. Go to their blog/Twitter/Facebook and tell them you’ve tagged them.

Here We Go!...


11 Random Things About Me:

1. I am probably one of the most spirited people you will meet! Whether it was for my high school teams, college teams, or any sporting event I go to, I always make sure to be decked out. I don't care that I lose my voice or that my ears are ringing for days afterward, I always show my friends and my teams the support they deserve!

2. I broke my wrist in 3rd grade falling off the monkey bars. The worst part was it was my writing hand so I had to learn to be a lefty for about 2 months! It was waterproof though so I enjoyed being able to take a shower, swim, etc. without needing a bag over it! I went to Disney World when I had the cast on and while watching a parade, one of the Green Army men from Toy Story came over and signed my cast "Green Army Man." I still have the cast :)


3. I used to play the clarinet...and was pretty good at it. I started playing in 4th grade and quickly realized how easy it was to play and to read music. I became 1st chair every year and in 6th grade went to NYC to audition for Disney's Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra. I did not make it but I did make All County Band three years in a row and was a first alternate for All State Band :)

4. I like Dunkin' Donuts coffee better than Starbucks. Sure if a Starbucks is the first one I see I head into it to get my caffeine fix but I secretly like Dunkin' better. Almost everyday I drive by one and almost everyday I stop in when I hear it calling my name. Hazelnut with cream and sugar is what I usually get from Dunkin' :)


5. I saw Titanic four times in the movie theater when it first came out. And I cried every time. Nowadays with it being on TV and coming back into theaters every April, it is kind of annoying. Sure, it's a great love story but come on, it's kind of redundant now.

6. The place I would love to go to more than anything would be Italy and Greece. I would love to go check out my heritage and see where my family came from. Plus, both countries are so rich with history and culture that there would just be SO much to see!


7. My first official job was when I was 14 and it was a candy store! Talk about temptation! We were allowed to eat whatever we wanted... I stuck to eating all of the red Sour Patch kids but what a great job it was!

8. I learned to drive a manual car when I was 19. I wished it would have been sooner but I didn't get my first manual until I was 19. It was very hard to learn but I am so glad that I did! Let's just say I stalled out many times...especially on hills, which may not be the best place to stall out. After knowing how to drive both automatic and manual, I think I will stick with automatic...



9. I miss my grandmother everyday. She died semi-suddenly back in November and I am still numb about it. Thankfully, I was there with her when her heart beat for the last time, holding her hand and talking to her (you hearing is the last sense to go), but it still is hard sometimes. She helped raise me as my mom was a young, single parent trying to support us. She was always someone who supported me and I could count on to be at every dance recital, band concert, major accomplishment in my life, etc.

10. I have all dominant genes. My mom likes to call me the "Alpha-Female" because simply put, I have all dominant genes and she doesn't. What are my dominant genes? Brown eyes, brown hair, right-handedness, Widow's peak in my hair, dimples, unattached earlobes, can roll my tongue, etc. Weird I know but hey, we said 11 "random" things about myself...


11. My friends are better than yours. No really. I have found the most amazing group of girls that live close to me that I never would have found had it not been for social media websites and Tone It Up. I look forward to talking with them everyday and allowing myself to be inspired to live a healthier, happier life because of them. I love our get-togethers every month and every week, especially when we talk about the most random things. I know I can tell them anything without being judged, mocked, or made fun of which is something I think is rare to find in a "friend." I cannot wait to see what other kind of crazy adventures we get ourselves into and cannot imagine what I would do without them now!

Now its the time to answer the questions those lovely ladies asked of me:

1.  What is one thing on my bucket list that you want to cross off in 2012?

Honestly I think I would have to say skydiving. I have always wanted to do it and just never have had the opportunity. Heights has never been a problem for me, I actually love them- you see so much more!  I hoping some LivingSocial deals or Groupon deals become available to do it. My surgery is taking away a good chunk of the year so I would love to cross skydiving off later in the fall! :)

2. You're at Starbucks. What do you order?

IF I was at Starbucks which is the big question... But I would order a skinny nonfat caramel macchiato. Depending on how tired I am I may ask for an extra shot of espresso! :)

3. If you could be on one TV show, reality or game, which one would you like to star in?

I would probably say Wheel of Fortune. I am really good at solving those puzzles at home, even when there are only like 3 letters up. I think I would do really well and have always wanted to go on but they never contact me :(

4. Ideal date?

"That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."


5. A bad habit that you want to get rid of but just can't?

I kicked it already! I used to bite my nails (since I could chew!) and I have finally grown them out to the point where I need to clip them constantly! Yay me!



6. What do your fingernails look like right now?

Speak of the devil...

French manicure on my REAL nails! Yay! I love being able to say that!


7. What's your favorite machine to use at the gym?

Great question! Honestly, it would be the cable machine. You can do so many exercises using that one machine. I am on it usually two or three times a week doing strength exercises. I try to show the boys up but usually I am in my own little world :)


8. If you had to pick a new language to learn, what would it be and why?

I am pretty good at Spanish. Though I am always learning, I took it for 6 years. I would love to go to Mexico and come back fluent in it. Spanish is the obvious answer since our country will be mainly Spanish within 20 years. If I had to choose another one I would say Italian. It is similar to Spanish but I just love the way it sounds :)



9. Where's your favorite place to buy a bathing suit?

Well, Victoria's Secret came to my mind first but I don't get many bathing suits from there. I like to have a variety so when I want to buy cheaper I get them from Target!


10. Zip Lining or Sky Diving?

Hmmm... can I answer this when I cross sky diving off my bucket list (hopefully this year)?? I have been zip lining many times but I would have to see what sky diving is like to compare the two!


11. What's your favorite thing to do when you procrastinate?

Zzzzzzzzzzzz




Now onto my questions:

1. What was your first car?

2. What's the best beauty tip you've ever gotten?

3. What is your biggest pet peeve?

4. Best breakfast food ever?

5. What do you like to do on a typical day off?

6. What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far?

7. What were your New Years resolutions and are you sticking to them?

8. NYC or LA?

9. What was your first kiss like?

10. Grape or strawberry jelly (or jam)?

11. Coke or Pepsi? Coffee or tea?


My Tags:

Sorry peeps, but you gotta do it! Once you do it, post a comment with the link to your blog because I want to read them! If you have already done it – DO IT AGAIN! ButIe would love for you to still comment with a link of your questions so I can get to know you better


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www.runningwithsass.com

http://peanutbutterandpeppers.com

www.foodfitnessandfamilyblog.com

http://bridgetnicole26.blogspot.com

www.fitfoodjunkie.com

http://healthyhelperblog.com

http://gothextramileblog.com

http://simplefoodhealthylife.com

www.paceofme.com

Can't wait to read all of your comments! Hope you all enjoy a relaxing Sunday...on your own two feet...




Until the next step bloggers...