Even if you're opposed, stick to what you know!

Today at the grocery store, my meager total came to $8.71 and I gave $20 cash.

I received back 4 five dollar bills and a single (or $21).

"You gave me to much change"  I said.

"No, you gave $20 and this is your change."

I had to argue with the sweet woman at the register on how she gave me too much. She was so persistent that she was right, that for a brief moment, I wondered if I couldn't add right (when was the last time you received 4 five-dollar bills as change!).

I think she was just overwhelmed with her work.

We had a positive tiff (although I knew I was right!) and once she really realized (and after I humbly said, maybe I'm wrong!), she said, "thank you for saving me..."

How easy would it have been to walk away!.

And how easy would it be for her employer to fire her.

Living with integrity is vital. I'm not trying to boost myself in any way (trust me!), but I think that if we can all live in a way that serves others and helps them out, we will have a better society.

It doesn't matter that she fought me and thought I was wrong...it would have been so easy to take the extra $10... And then could have been fired!

Let's do people right, no matter how argumentative they are!

2 Snack Plates for 200 Calories or Less

If you love to eat but want to eat less, without feeling deprived...

If you have trouble with too much snacking and want to reduce your calories but still "eat a lot," try out one of these snack plates. The ingredients/combos may seem kind of random, but it will give you something to munch on, plus take a break between bites. Enjoy with a big glass of ice water!

Movie Night Snackers Plate
145 calories
1/2 cup low fat popcorn
1/4 green pepper (sliced)
7-8 baby carrots
2 tbsp salsa
1 tbsp hummus
1/2 cup raspberries
10 grapes

Mid-Afternoon Snackers Plate
190 calories
4 olives
1/2 cup celery
1/2 tbsp peanut butter
1 (66 g) plum (fruit+(2-1/8"+dia))
1/2 cup strawberries
60 calorie Jello pudding cup

You'll be surprised at how much this fills you up and can help stop cravings and overdo it!

5 Recipes for Everyday or Entertainment!

Recipe #2: Edamame Cups!

The past 5 recipes that I have posted on my alter-ego food blog,  www.workoutfoodie.com are all multi-functional. Each can be made at home or totally used for a dinner party, bridal/baby shower, casual get-together with friends, etc. What's cool about each of these is that none of them involve a lot of ingredients or any ingredients that leave you thinking, 'and where do I get that from.'

As we move into 2014, I know healthy eating and quick cooking is key! We are all busy, yet w
e all still want to maintain health and provide healthy options when we entertain!

Enjoy: 

1. Turkey, Avocado, Swiss Wrap Pizza: take your favorite wrap and turn it into a hot, personal sized pizza! This recipe takes 10-min and is gluten-free!

2. Edamame Salad w/ Homemade "Ranch" Dressing: make a batch to eat throughout the week or serve in cupcake cups! It's yummy, fun and high fiber!

3. My Italian Chile Relleno: I know...what does that mean? It's 4 ingredients and it happened because I was at the international market and got inspired! Everything about it is Mexican, except for the sauce, which is marinara!

4. Radish & Kale Salad with a light vinegarette: a beautiful dish filled with flavor, nutrition, iron and fiber!  A great side dish for salmon, steak or chicken!

5. Spaghetti Squash with Kale & Parmesan: exactly as it sounds! An alternative to pasta and a simple way to save money, pack a lunch and get multiple vitamins in one dish!

Self Image Victory

This post may really be girls only, but I'm going to make it appropriate for all. If you're a girl and you want to talk deeper about this stuff, get in touch with me and I'd be happy too!

Today I had an amazing experience in the fitting room while trying on dresses for my friends wedding this coming Saturday.

For the first time in my life, I tried on several dresses and didn't criticize my body.

Typically when trying on dresses, I say in my head things like, "if only your hips were smaller you could fit in this dress" or "your stomach looks fat in this" or "why are my legs so stocky" etc etc.

Girls, relate?

Today my head voice said instead, "nah, that's not the right style for you" and "this dress just isn't cut right for your figure"  and gasp... "you look totally cute in this, it just needs to be cut differently!"

This may not sound like a big difference, but it is! I've spent hours and days searching for the right dress that covers up all the right places and that "doesn't make me look fat" (insert unwelcome yet influential negative head voice)

But today, I was confident in my body. Why?

Well...I have no idea! But I will think about it.

I'm not currently in the best shape of my life and my weight is a bit higher than I'd like. I'm still fit, healthy, and strong, don't get me wrong, but there are so many factors that can mess with your self image, especially when it comes to buying and wearing clothes that are outside your comfort zone (I wear gym clothes, not dresses everyday!)

The only 3 theories I have are this: 

1.  I'm 31. Is that why? Does getting older (not that I'm old!) really affect your self image to where you care less about being body perfect?

The only comparison I have to this shaving your legs. Girls, remember when you first started shaving your legs and for about 10-15 years after, you wouldn't dare wear shorts or capris or a skirt without shaving your legs that day? Once you get to a certain point/age/personal comfort level, you don't care as much and you'll go to the gym without perfectly shaved legs! (and you still survive)

2. I've worked on my self image for years. Reading books, listening to motivational audios, and pursuing a dream that's bigger than how my butt looks in my jeans truly helps me to be more comfortable with who I am and how God made me.

3. Seeing it: Today I watched a short vid that I saw on yahoo's home page about photoshop transformations with celebrities, actors, etc.  It really hit me, that no one has the absolute perfect body, skin, etc. The crazy thing is, I think some of these chicks looked better before they were "transformed!"

This may be the reason I was confident in the dressing room today, from watching one video... a 1:37 minute video that someone put time and effort into, but that helped me (after a lifetime of personal criticism) realize that no one is perfect, no matter what the pictures say.

I watched this video this morning at about 7:30 am and it's now 5:22 pm, so obviously I was affected by it. Something about it, made me more accepting of the small bags under my eyes (when I get up close in the mirror), the little crease in my love handle area, or the shape the God blessed me with.

If you struggle with what you see in the mirror--

1) know you're not the only one--in fact, I bet we could recruit millions who feel the same way, but

2) know you are lovely, and beautiful and important and that what you have to contribute to this world is not dependent on how cute your toosh is, how flat your stomach is, how perfectly balanced your skin is, how thick, curly, straight your hair is.

3) your curves or non curves are perfect and someone is gonna like them! 

We are all made unique and we all have something different to contribute to this world.

One of the biggest things that holds us girls especially back, is being comfortable in our own skin, our own body, to make an impact.

I don't care what you look like, how much you weigh, what your education is, how much you have or haven't done toward your dream...You are important. You have value. There is something in you that the world needs. Don't waste it by being consumed with your own beauty self image. This holds a lot of us girls back, and it shouldn't. We become attractive by our passions, by that look in your eye of the pursuit, the look of resilience, the look of "I'm on a mission, don't mess with me." Yes. This is more attractive than what you think is a perfect figure.

Girls, the world needs you to step up and do what you are called too! Look in the mirror and see a strong, successful, warrior chick who can change the world.

:-) 

New Year's Resolution Tips

Although I'm not a huge fan of telling you what not to do, I am a big fan of helping you be successful for 2014! 

For one, rename your "New Years Resolutions" ..... "New Years Goals" 

Please :) 

Setting a goal has so much more potential power, than planning a resolution. 

We must set goals that have a plan, a purpose, a "yes I have an idea of where I am going" feel.

Goals have to be specific. 

"Get out of debt" is not a plan...it's a wish. 

"I am putting aside $20-$100 from my paycheck every 2 weeks" is a goal! 

"For 30 days, I only buy groceries (on a modest budget), pay my bills and fill my car with gas when needed" is a goal!

We must have a plan to get what we want, otherwise we will be at the same spot at the end of the year 2014...and I am not ok with that. I hope you aren't either. 

Your life may already be awesome. I have no complaints about mine. But...we can all be better people, give more, fulfill our dreams more and be better people.

So let's go over some generic resolutions that may need a little tlc/tough love to make them actual goals. 

Develop a "why" and a "what" to your goals, as well as a plan to achieve them!

Let's examine general new year's resolutions further:

1. Lose weight. How much? By when? Is this realistic? (check with someone who knows AND will support your goals). What do I need to do to accomplish this?

2. Exercise....  Where? What time? (schedule it!). What is my workout schedule/goal/progression? Etc...

3. Drink more water. What does that mean? How much? How am I going to do this? Do I need to buy a water bottle and refill it "x" times per day? Do I need to buy disposable water bottles and drink "x" per day? 

And so on...

Ask yourself questions about what you want to accomplish and make a plan for actually achieving it. 

You can do it. 

It just takes: 

Focus, determination, discipline and a little faith! 

NY Goals--Simple Steps

Merry Christmas friends! We've got just a couple of days until 2014 and I for one, could not be more excited to run toward it! 

I want to encourage you to set goals for this year, if you haven't already. 

Simple steps:

1. Sit down and think about what you want, close your eyes and visualize your life at this time next year

2. Write down what you see

3. Find pictures and phrases that keep those goals in mind.

4. Place your goals, pictures and phrases somewhere that you will see everyday (backdrop of your phone, on your laptop, hanging on your wall, in your car--or all of the above)

5. Review your goals daily, don't write them down and put them in a drawer!

In the bible in Habakkuk 2:2, it says simply: "write the vision and make it plain."

Write it, see it, start to believe it, take action toward it and your goals will be achieved.

In health & prosperity,
Monica

Simple "get it" Motivation

Maybe this will inspire you on a daily basis!

Start Ambitious
Stay Consistent
Finish Strong

and...

Never give up
Never give up!
NEVER GIVE UP!