tigerlee78

[tigerlee78]

Tears of joy

I passed Bioorganic Chemistry. This is the one class I needed to pass to receive my degree. I could cry, I am crying. The weight that has lifted... I can even describe the feeling. I feel like I may actually be somebody some day soon.

[tigerlee78]

I thought of you when I read this quote from "Charity's Cross" by MaryLu Tyndall - ". And Charity finally realized why God had told her to return and surrender…why He had told Elias to stand down. ’Twas for the soul of Charles Gregson, Lord Villemont. Ah, the lengths God went to save a single soul! That He had used her and Elias’ obedience to do so warmed her to her toes, and she thanked Him that she had obeyed and been able to witness a soul snatched from darkness and brought into the light. If she hadn’t trusted God, who knows what would have happened to Charles?" Start reading this book for free:

[tigerlee78]

Hi, I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday. We have rain moving in, again, here. Too bad the sun couldn't of stayed out for a few hours longer, it would of made my afternoon run much nicer. Still I'm grateful that it's been a mild winter and it's looking like Spring with daffodils blooming and frogs singing.

Here is today's nutrition tip: One part of starting good habits is to reduce over consumption. Many things we take in our bodies are necessary and good for us, however when you take in too much they become not so great. Take salt for example. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults and children ages 14 years and older reduce their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams a day. We easily triple that intake if we're not careful. So, how do you reduce sodium? Choose fresh or frozen vegetables over canned. Cook at home more and eat fewer ready-to-eat, processed meals. Watch processed meats, luncheon/deli meats and cheeses. If you must eat canned vegetables, rinse them thoroughly before preparing. This removes around 20% of the sodium content. Choose low-sodium or no sodium condiments. Try to season and flavor foods with herbs and vinegars. Give your taste buds time to adjust. Taste your food before adding salt, and add very small amounts. You want the salt to enhance the flavor of the food, not to make the foods taste like salt. (sorry this post is so long)Here are a few salt- free seasoning mixes to try: Combine ingredients and store in a tightly covered jar. Rub or sprinkle them on food for added flavor.

Mixed herb blend: Mix together ¼ cup dried parsley flakes, 2 tablespoons dried tarragon and 1 tablespoon each of dried oregano, dill weed and celery flakes.

Italian blend: Mix together 2 tablespoons each of dried basil and dried marjoram, 1 tablespoon each of garlic powder and dried oregano and 2 teaspoons each of thyme, crushed dried rosemary and crushed red pepper.

Mexican blend: Mix together ¼ cup chili powder, 1 tablespoon each of ground cumin and onion powder, 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, garlic powder and ground red pepper and ½ teaspoon cinnamon

[tigerlee78]

For my fitness goals in March, I’m going to pick one random exercise and do it for as many reps/minutes as the day (1 rep or minute for March 1st, 2 for March 2nd, 3 for March 3rd, etc...).

Today I picked plank. So I will plank for 1 minute. I’m trying to build core strength and endurance to support my race training.

[tigerlee78]

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has chosen "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right" as their theme this year. So, throughout the month of March I'll share a good nutrition tip to encourage healthy changes.

Today's tip is:

Shop for foods that are in season Fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season are usually easier to get and may be a lot less expensive. Your local farmer’s market is also a great source of seasonal produce. Just remember that some fresh fruits and vegetables don’t last long. Buy small amounts at a time to avoid having to throw away spoiled produce.

Produce that's in season in March include: Artichokes, arugula, asparagus, beets, broccoli, bok choy, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, onions, parsnips, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, turnips, avocados, grapefruit, guavas, lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges, pomelos, strawberries.

[tigerlee78]

You Are Greatly Loved #SolidJoys

[tigerlee78]

A short dreadmill run is better than no run at all. Especially when the weather is all kinds of yucky outside. Also did abs and shoulders and back.

[tigerlee78]

Nothing like a cold rain beginning to make you hurry and finish your run. Short but sweet.

[tigerlee78]

I’m not Catholic and really have never celebrated Lent. Though sometimes I would halfheartedly “give up” something for a few days. This year I’m doing Lent. I’m doing a Daniel fast (basically a vegan diet with no caffeine, no sugar and no leavened bread), and am going to purposely pursue God. I’m going to read my bible and do studies and devotionals for 40 days. Not sure if I can do the fast for the whole 40 days, but I’m going to go for 21 and take it from there. I’m really excited about this and the spiritual growth I hope to attain ( a little weightloss and better health would be a wonderful side effect as well).

[tigerlee78]

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV

[tigerlee78]

Apathy

apathy [ap-uh-thee] noun, plural apathies. 1. absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. 2. lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.

Normally I’m excited for the holiday season. I’m planning my Thanksgiving menu, eager to get a headstart on putting up Christmas decorations, anticipating the smiles on my children’s faces when they see the treats I’ve made.

This year is not normal for me.

This year, we are looking for a new home because we cannot afford to catch up the mortgage payments in the one we’re in. This year, my middle son is marching in the Macy’s parade and rather then making me excited for him, fear is making me worried and the thought of him not home for Thanksgiving is making me depressed. We keep having problems with saving money to move, and will probably accrue more debt just to have a roof over our heads. We got chosen for a Thanksgiving food basket at my youngest sons school. I have great trouble in accepting any charity. I told my husband, we may not have enough money to keep a roof over our family's heads but we are at least able to keep food in their bellies. Thank God for small blessings. Don’t misunderstand me, we do make enough money to pay a rent or smaller house payment. We just do not have enough right now to move on...moving is not cheap. If we could come up with a few thousand dollars to stay here we would do that...for a short while anyway, my husband thinks moving is inevitable. He never liked this place anyhow. 

I’m sitting here, typing this, feeling like a failure. Other than failure, sadness, I can currently come up with no emotion. My birthday was this past week...it was just another day. My husband’s birthday was yesterday, again just a day. My oldest son’s birthday is Sunday and I’m not able to work up any happy thoughts for that day either. The only thing I can think  of is that I suck too much to be allowed to enjoy anything.  

I pray for God to show me joy, to lift my spirits. As I am unable. I’m not even a good Christian. I am struggling to rejoice in these difficult times. How can I be thankful? If someone was to ask me, right this minute, what I’m thankful for I could only give them the typical Hallmark answer. My family, health, a job...etc, etc. Yes these are great things to have and I know, and am, very thankful to have these...especially since I constantly feel as I’m standing on a precipice and these few things could be taken from me. If someone was to ask me what God has done in my life...I have no answer. He has kept me in the dark on his workings, I know he’s there. My faith is strong enough to recognize that. However, I could not say what He’s done or doing. 

This struggle is probably what He’s doing. He does like to give His followers reasons to put trust in him.

This is a long post for someone who hasn’t used her Tumblr account in a while. I enjoy posting on here as I don’t know anyone in real life that has an account. Well, I probably do, but I don’t know them on here and they don’t know my. The anonymity is freeing and I thank any poor soul who has read this drivel. Sometimes I need to write/type stuff down in order to get it out of my head where it is consuming me. If I let it sit and grow in there, I become lost in the dark and the light can be hard to find. If you’re the praying type, please say a short one for me and I will for you in return.

[tigerlee78]

Loving these beautiful clips. It’s jewelry for your hair. :)

[tigerlee78]

3 weeks done at the gym. I'm not seeing too much difference, but others are asking if I've been losing weight. The scale hasn't moved much but it does seem like my waist is a bit smaller. This week I'm going to work on my diet. I'm trying to make this my last week above 180.

[tigerlee78]

[tigerlee78]

Follow me for your 2015 Fitness Inspiration & Motivation💪

[tigerlee78]

Another week done at the gym. Not noticing any physical changes yet (probably due to what my daughter refers to as "shark week", but my energy is a bit better and my moods are a lot more stable.

[tigerlee78]

(via Thai Andouille Soup)