So Long 2014

     2014 has come to an end, and I can't say that I am sad to say goodbye. It's not that 2014 was bad, it wasn't;  but it was a year of constant flux. Flux that was entirely self-induced, but flux nonetheless; flux self-induced,  or not, is still flux.
     I spent much of 2014 pondering happiness,  more specifically,  my happiness. What makes me happy, not someone else's views of what makes, me happy. Another aspect I looked at, in 2014, were the relationships I have in my life. Are they authentic relationships? Do they make me a better person (or give me the desire to be a better person?). Do they bring me joy and laughter? Do they offer me opportunities to be encouraged,  and to encourage? If the answer to these questions was not yes, then I felt it was time to step back and ask myself whether the relationship was one that I wanted to continue with, or not. In doing this, it also allowed me to look at the relationships that I, perhaps, have been, neglecting, or not giving the level of attention I should have.
     Throughout the year, I experienced moments of joy and moments of hurt and sadness (as I think most people do in the span of a year). But, through everything, I learned a tremendous amount about myself. Through the flux of the year, I found a job that I am very happy with, and for that I am thankful each and every day. I feel blessed with opportunities that have been put in front of me. I feel that I am focusing on the right relationships in my life and I will continue on fostering those positive relationships.
     So, with all of this, I am happy to say so long to 2014 and thank you for the lessons learned.  And to 2015, I say welcome friend!
     What were some of your lessons learned in 2014?
                                      Until the next time,
                                        The Girl in the Red Bug

The Adventure of Operation Sass and the Girl in the Red Bug

¹change  verb \ˈchānj\

: to become different

: to make (someone or something) different

: to become something else

This is Webster’s definition of change. When I read the formal definition of change, I find it exciting! Exhilarating! But, then why is it that change can be so scary and dreaded at times?

I’m looking to make a change with my hair...granted not a life change by any means. Actually, I am beginning to think that a life change is easier, less stressful and something I don’t put as much research, or thought, into as I am this hair cut. I digress...I want something dramatic, that is going to make a statement but yet is simple and easy to take care of; sassy yet feminine. The sass factor is huge for me! I am all about the sass!

I have looked at, literally, hundreds of pictures and I have selected the style that I think is going to give me the sass factor I am looking for. I have scheduled the appointment to implement Operation Sass (a name I just came up with!). I am excited for a new change and to sass things up a bit. As I have said before, for me, Fall is a time of new beginnings and change for me. Fall does not symbolize an ending for me, but yet a beginning. I am ready for a SASSY fall!

What are you going to be doing to sass-up your Fall?

Until the next time,

The Girl in the Red Bug

Fall and the Girl in the Red Bug

Fall is absolutely my most favorite season! I love it! Many people have a sadness surrounding fall; the sad goodbye to the lazy days of summer. Not me! I have always loved fall. To me, fall symbolizes things new and exciting.

When I was a child, fall was the excitement of starting school, seeing all of my old friends, and making new friends. Fall was the thrill of new school supplies and a snappy new clothes. It was the first football game of the season on a crisp evening. Fall always meant the end of the summer television repeats and finding out what new television shows were going to be my favorite. Beginnings, beginnings, beginnings.

As an adult, fall brings me many of the same feelings it did in my youth. I still love buying school supplies and the first football game of the season. But, I have a deeper appreciation for fall now. Living in Arizona, I definitely look forward to the cooler temperatures and being outside more (that is without spontaneously combusting from the heat). I look forward to running again. I look forward to shorter days; to what feels like a slower pace, although I have also learned that is an illusion (time goes quickly regardless of the time of year). I look forward to Pumpkin Spice lattes and sweet treats made with apples. 

So, here is to fall and the fabulous beginnings it brings. What “beginning” will you be making this fall?

The Adventure of Saying Goodbye to 2013 and the Girl in the Red Bug

I truly believe that people and moments are put in our lives at certain times to deliver a message to us. This is the time of year where many of us are assessing the soon-to-be past year and what we hope our new year will become; my moment and message came at Kirklands Home Store, while picking up a picture frame.

The sales associates that were assisting me we’re asking how my Christmas was and if I have any new year’s resolutions. Most normally, I would have had the pat answer of workout regularly, lose weight, etc. etc. But, I have been really thinking about my 2013 and what I want my 2014 to look like; so my response, “To be more participative in my life.” I received a somewhat inquisitive look, I went on to explain (to these complete strangers), that my 2013 wasn’t bad, but that I felt like it was just flatlined. I was not an active participant in my life, but yet just a passenger in the year of 2013.

One of the sales associates shared her own story with me, she had lost her job at one of the larger banks, and through that, she took the time to join a gym, get herself healthy, and made decisions on where to focus her life. And there, friends, was my message, right there in Kirklands, provided to me by a complete stranger. What an absolute gift! Don’t you love it when those moments happen?

I have been pondering 2013 for the last several months. I had high hopes at the beginning of the year, I had solid goals, in which I followed the KISS methodology (Keep It Simple Stupid), so that I could actually accomplish them; but low and behold by February any goals, motivation, joy; pretty much everything went to hell in a hand basket (a phrase I have never fully understood, but seems appropriate when discussing 2013). I watched, as I just sat back and became apathetic to my life; I experienced depression, stress, horrible neck and back pain. This is not to say that I have not experienced these emotions, or physical ailments before in my life, obviously life happens and and we all experience highs and lows, but I found myself less able to shake it off, or to have the ability to kick myself in the butt to move forward. Challenging needless to say; but an opportunity for a lesson, no doubt. I have learned many lessons throughout the year and now it is time to apply those lessons. I hope to share my journey with you throughout 2014 in this blog.

So, no lofty goals, or big resolutions for 2014; just three very simple things to focus on,

• be an ACTIVE participant in my life
• if it (whatever “it” is) doesn’t bring joy to my life, or those around me, REMOVE IT!
• celebrate, uplift, and fully those in my life

I wish each of you joy beyond what you can imagine in 2014. Be active, celebrate, uplift and LOVE!

Until the next time,

The Girl in the Red Bug

The Adventures of the Scale and the Girl in the Red Bug

                                                             

One of the biggest struggles of my life has been my struggle with my weight and emotional eating. For most of my adult years, I have not openly admitted, or really talked about my "food issues." I suppose, I felt somewhat weak, and to a degree, a level of shame. Shame, that I have let food and my weight dictate much of what has occurred, or in some instance not occurred,  in my adult life. Even as I am sitting and writing this blog, I still question whether or not I  will actually post it. Will I be willing to share and openly talk about one of my biggest cruxes in my life? Am I willing to be that transparent and open? I guess that time will tell.

If you are reading this blog and you have never experienced struggles with your weight, or using "something," to fill a void, or fix an emotion I hope that my words may provide insight into the struggles and heart of someone that does.

Until recently, I have always somewhat made jokes about my food issues; but as they say behind every joke, is a level or seriousness and truth. But, as I have shared in previous blogs, and on Facebook, I am trying to focus on being a healthier me and in order to do that, I need to get a handle on this food thing.

Food is such a funny thing; obviously we need it to nourish our bodies for fuel but at a deeper level it can be so much more. Food for me, has been a symbol of love, warmth,  sharing, and caring. Sharing good food is a way to connect and bond with people, to a degree it is sharing of ones self. Over time, as life became stressful, or emotions ran high (or sometimes VERY low), I have used food to try to capture that feeling of love and warmth, even if only temporarily. As with so much in life, that momentary feeling didn't last. So what happens when the feeling is gone? Yup, you got it, I continued to try to recapture with more food. Now, for me, my food issues weren't daily;  they were (are) truly dependent on my circumstances, mood and external environment; so many factors that are rolled into who I am. So, I would say my food issues are, perhaps, more subtle. But, I can say you can probably judge where I am, with me, by my pant size; you get the idea! 

But, something exciting has recently occurred, which has made me realize a shift has happened in my journey to being a healthier me. Recently, in one of my more stressful days, I wanted to eat a bag of gummy bears - not just the small package, but the industrial size bag of gummy bears that  you get at World Market. But,  instead of doing that, I went to the gym and did cardio. Now for me, that is a HUGE shift. 

Realistically, emotional eating will probably continue to be an issue for me throughout my life; however, I am beginning to feel like I have more control over it and more importantly I am aware! HUGE! Awareness = power; power to be a happier, healthier me! Oh and power to perhaps buy a fabulous new pair of jeans!

What things are you doing to be a happier, healthier you? I look forward to hearing about your journey and adventures, please feel free to share.

I will leave you with a quote I found by Drew Carey, that I think sums this post up quite nicely, "Eating crappy food isn't a reward -- it's a punishment." 

Until the next time....The Girl in the Red Bug

The Adventure of Time and the Girl in the Red Bug

"Time marches on and sooner or later you realize it is marching across your face." 

                                                                                Truvy Jones - Steel Magnolias

Aging is one of the most interesting aspects of life. Most of us don't want to 
do it, in fact we fight it kicking and screaming, but the alternative to 
aging...well, it's grim prospect to say the least.

So, how do we handle this thing we call aging? How does one handle all the 
creaking & cracking every time you get out of a chair, finding hair in places 
that you never had it before, or hearing, "oh yay, my mom wears that too!" 

In my 20's, I always said I would age gracefully; you know  not worry about the 
inevitable shifting & drifting, the wrinkles, the graying hair; but now being 
well into my 48th year of life, I know that this is an absolute crock of crap!  
I am prescribing to Dolly Parton's methodology of aging, "if it is sagging, 
bagging or dragging; i  am going to nip it, tuck it, or suck it!" 

Ok, So Dolly's methodology may be a bit extreme, and a little pricey to say the 
least; but I want to be the best "insert age here," that I can be! 

So, if we can't afford Dolly's method, what are some things we can do to make 
this whole aging thing a bit easier? Here are some things I have identified that 
work for me,

1. Exercise: Find something that you love to do and do it! Make it a priority in 
your schedule. I love going to boot camp, I love the camaraderie, the laughter, 
the sometime tears. It brings me a sense of being alive and joy.

2. Eat healthy - incorporate a new recipe into your cooking, try something 
completely outside of your normal routine. If you don't like to cook, try a new 
restaurant. Typically I am not a fan of Indian cuisine, but while on a recent 
business trip, I tried an Indian restaurant and it was absolutely delicious - by 
far my most favorite meal of the trip.

3. Continue to surround yourself with people that are younger than you; feed 
off their energy, learn their interests, listen to their stories, what's 
important to them.

4. Continue to surround yourself around people older than you! Talk with them. 
Learn from them. Listen...we are all headed in the same general direction in 
life!

5. Love! Love freely, openly and often. Let those you love know that you love 
them, not just by saying it (although what better words can you hear!), but show 
them by your actions! Love, love, love!

And lastly, LAUGH...not just laugh, but LAUGH where you think you are going to 
pee your pants,  or snort your drink out through your nose! Laugh at least once a 
day, it is one of the most freeing and liberating things we can do! It is truly 
a gift!

These are just a few things that are making aging manageable for me. What are 
some things you do to help you with the aging process? 

One last quote, to leave you with, "smile, it increases your face value." 

                                                                                  Truvy Jones - Steel Magnolias

Until the next time...The Girl in the Red Bug

The Adventure of Lifestyles Changes and the Girl in the Red Bug

Wow! It has been over two months since my last posting! It seems like every time I sit down to write, I am at a loss for what I want to say...although as always, I feel like I have a lot to say. I love writing and find it so therapeutic, so it always makes me a little sad when I don’t take the time to write consistently.

The new year has started out positively, I have been making some changes, on a personal level, that I feel  are sticking and I am noticing a change. I am one of those instant gratification people, which can be detrimental to setting and completing goals; especially, when it comes to diet and exercise.

I am continuing to train for my first 1/2 marathon, which I will be completing in 18 days. I will be participating in the Lost Dutchman Half Marathon on February 17 - which also happens to be my 48th birthday. I feel like this is a great way to celebrate my birthday, and in some way symbolic; symbolic of what I am not quite sure. Training has been going well. I kind of fell of the map, with training, during the holidays and put myself much further behind than I should have been, but I met with our Wellness Coach at work, and she helped me pen out a training schedule that I have been sticking with. It feels great to see the check marks on my plan, showing that I have completed my training sessions.

I am very excited about the 1/2, but also quite nervous. During my training runs, I have been using the Jeff Galloway method - which is a run walk method. It has helped with my times and allows me run to longer distances. So, we will see what I have to report on February 18...after the run!

Something else I am SUPER excited about is a dietary change that I recently made. I have switched to a primarily vegan diet. It has been one of the easiest changes I have ever made, amazingly enough. And, I will say, I haven’t felt this good in years, and it’s only been a little over a week; talk about instant gratification. I am not as lethargic as I was, and my breathing is clearer than it was. 

I have been trying new recipes and cooking at home more. I am also more organized with my breakfasts and lunches during the work week. It is such a great feeling to wake up in the morning and have everything organized for my day.

I have promised to share the recipes I have been making, so here they are. They are not original recipes, but ones I found off the internet. The first meal I made was a wonderful Vegetable Quinoa Chili. I found this recipe on, http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/vegetarian-quinoa-chili/.

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili

Yield: Serves 10-12

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

This hearty chili is made with beans, vegetables, and quinoa. Meat lovers and vegetarians will love this chili!

ingredients:

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2-3 tablespoons chili powder, depending on your taste (we used 3)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional toppings: green onions, avocado slices, cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, chips, crackers, etc.

directions:

1. In a medium sauce pan, combine the quinoa and water. Cook over medium heat until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, jalapeño, carrot, celery, peppers, and zucchini. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

3. Add the black beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir in the cooked quinoa. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Simmer chili on low for about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Note-garnish the chili with green onions, avocado slices, cheese, sour cream/Greek yogurt, chips, crackers, if desired. This chili freezes well.

The next recipe was a Vegan Veggie Lasagna. I found this recipe on Food.com at the following link, http://www.food.com/recipe/vegan-veggie-lasagna-115553.

Vegan Veggie Lasagna

Ingredients:

8 ounces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

1/2 cup tomato sauce

Tofu Mixture (from How it all Vegan)

14 ounces extra firm tofu

1/4 cup soymilk

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 small onion, minced

2 cups spinach, chopped

Veggie Mixture

1/4 cup olive oil

1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 small zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch slices

2 medium carrots, sliced very thin (or shredded)

1 1/2 cups of your favorite tomato sauce 

1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.

2. In a blender or food processor, combine the tofu, soy milk, oregano, basil, salt,  

lemon juice, garlic, and onion. Blend until the mixture has the consistency of ricotta cheese.

3. Stir in the chopped spinach and set aside.

4. In a large saucepan, saute the red pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots in the oil until crisp-tender. (Feel free to add any other veggies that you like. I just use the ones listed as a starting point.).

5. Stir in the tomato sauce and water.

6. Bring to boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (If you find that the veggie mix is too thin, uncover for last 5 minutes.).

7. Cover bottom of lasagna pan with 1/2 cup tomato sauce.

8. Layer with lasagna noodles, trimming to fit, if needed.

9. Cover with a layer of 1/2 the tofu mixture, then layer of noodles, then layer of 1/2 the veggie mixture, then layer of noodles, then remaining tofu mixture, another layer of noodles, and then top with the remaining veggie mixture.

10. Bake, uncovered for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.

NOTE: I made my own spaghetti sauce, but you could use jarred sauce.

I hope that if you try these recipes, that you enjoy them as much as I did.

Until the next time....

The Girl in the Red Bug