Nutrition...uh...I don't get it

Is anyone else as completely confused and overwhelmed by the idea

of trying to eat right?  

I mean, should I be watching calories, carbs, sugar, sodium, processed foods, protein, fat or what!!!???  I'm sure the answer lies in some combination of all of these....

that means I'm in big trouble :)

Why re-evaluate what I eat?  

#1 I'm no spring chicken , more like a mid-summer chicken.  

I'm 33 (sshhhh almost 34) and while I don't believe that makes me old by any means, my body is starting to tell me otherwise.  The things I used to be able to do to lose weight aren't working as well.  Things are sagging, yes, sagging! And that nagging aching in my knees?  Oh please tell me it's not arthritis already!  I better start paying some serious attention to nutrition if I want to prevent things from getting worse and avoid illnesses and all those nasty things that go along with being overweight.  I want strong bones, healthy muscles, and a good immune system for as long as possible.

#2 Keep my weight under control.

Aahhh, the lifelong struggle.  I've been in about a 14 pound weight range over the last 2 years.  Technically I guess I'm 8 pounds out of my "healthy" weight range but truthfully could use to lose probably more like 10-15 pounds. 

Of course as I write this a co-worker of mine has entered the room eating a large slice of the fabled "Oakmonter" cake.  Any of you local in Pittsburgh may know what that is.  The bottom is chocolate cake and the top is cheesecake with a layer of fudge in between.  Then generously swabbed in chocolate icing with crushed Hershey bars and cherries on top.  I mean come on!  The force is strong but I am so far resisting :)

So the current nutrition theory I am buying into is trying to eat all natural and cut down on sugar.  Well...just trying to eat mostly natural cause I know I can't go all the way.  I have to assume this is an OK way to go, I mean , if God made it, it should be good for you right?  The trouble is to find foods handy and convenient to grab in a hurry.  

This mama is on the move!

If you have any tips or links on healthy eating, please share!

I thought I'd include a healthy recipe that I love, at least I think it's healthy ;)  I found it long ago on Spark People.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

Love when these are fresh out of the oven, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside!

Ingredients

1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant) 1 cup non-fat milk 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 egg whites 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. sugar raisins or nuts (optional)

Directions

Soak the oats in milk for about one hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl measure and whisk the dry ingredients together.
Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Add nuts or raisins if desired.
Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan.
Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.
Remove from pan, cool and enjoy.
These can be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.

Number of Servings: 12

Nutritional Info

• Servings Per Recipe: 12
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 93.5

• Total Fat: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0.4 mg
• Sodium: 196.2 mg
• Total Carbs: 20.5 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
• Protein: 2.9 g 

Shame on Me

I have been self indulgent of late with a mopey attitude.
YES I have stress and YES I'm overwhelmed but so is everyone.  And when I take a minute to focus on people and events outside of myself, I see that I have have it pretty damn good.

Some bloggy inspirations have hit me today.
Both Rachel from Finding Joy and Carissa of Lowercase Letters have posted
about looking on the bright side and essentially counting your blessings.  And when you really look and put things in perspective, the Lord has rained them down on me in abundance.
Shame on me for forgetting that.

So I decided to review this past week and link up with Rachel and Carrissa for favorite things Friday.  Here are some of the joys I have experienced this past week.

1. Music and it's never ending power to move me

Some of my favorite tunes this week

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Boyce Avenue - Teenage Dream (NOT Katy Perry's version)

Brian Kissinger - Entire "Can't Get Away" album but particularly "Today"  You may be able to find him on YouTube but he used to be the music ministry leader at the school where my husband teaches.

Francesca Battistelli - The Stuff

2.  My oldest son

Loves me all the way to Pluto and back.
That boy's a lover and I will NEVER tire of hearing him tell me he loves me.

3.  My youngest son

Is starting to be more affectionate.  I admit I have compared him to his older brother...sssh...I know your not supposed to do that...and he is not nearly into cuddling and such as his brother was/is.  But this week he has started to give me kisses without solicitation and he has even been asking me to lay with him for a bit at bed time.  God love him.  It has warmed this mama's heart immensely.

4. Sunshine

I need the sun practically as much as I need air.
Blessedly woke up to a clear and bright morning today which helped to center me and lift me up.
Thank you Lord for creating such glorious light!

5. My Ceiling Fan

It is finally warm enough to have my ceiling fan on low at night.  I love to have the cool air swirling around me and be cozy warm under the cover, not to mention the "white noise"....love it.

6.  Growing things

My Weeping Cherry Tree has exploded with blossoms.  My hyacinths are blooming (my oldest picked me one to keep inside and enjoy the aroma).  The grass, it even needed cut today!

7.  Reaching Out
I was asked for my email address from a bloggy friend this week.
Made me feel really good that she reached out to me!  Thanks Cory!

So if you're feeling down, re-examine your past week and find all the beautiful moments that have been given to you and link up with Rachel.

Blog Love

I'm embarrassed that I'm just getting to this post but life has been busy.  My husband had his wisdom teeth removed on Monday so he is essentially MIA.  Still have to do the full-time day job, and take care of kids, and hubby, and laundry, and build a business, and cook.  I'm whining I know but need to vent once and I while :)  Promise I'll be sunnier about it all tomorrow.

Speaking of sunny...on the bright side, the lovely Miss Megan at Our House of Pink, recently awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award!  I'm SOOO thankful to her for the blog lovin'.  I really appreciate all of you who leave me comments!  In order to accept the award I need to: Thank Megan, share 7 things about myself, and pass on the award to other deserving bloggers

7 things about me 

1. I still fight shyness on a daily basis in some way.

2. I LOVE orchids, just can't seem to grow 'em.

3. I hate the phone, I'd much rather email or talk in person.  I'd like to blame this on my kids since they're so boisterous when I'm on the phone but truthfully I have always been this way.

4. I have an addiction to sweets...really...will eat 'til I feel sick.  Not good.  Trying to bring it under control :)

5.  Lived in sunny North Carolina for 2 years and somehow still decided to move back to dull gray sky Pittsburgh, PA.  We just missed the family too much!  I guess it makes the sunny days more special.

6. Have been to 3 other countries: Canada, England, and Scotland.  I REALLY want to go back to Scotland.

7. Tortured my poor husband with being "just friends" for too long when we first met.  Thankfully he hung around!

Other Blogs I feel deserve this award  (I would have had Our House of Pink on here but she beat me to it!)
I always look forward to posts from these ladies, check them out and follow along with me!

Finding Joy

Lowercase Letters

The Busy Budgeting Mama

The Hedricks

Where is my Instruction Manual

Display Inspirations

This weekend I am spending a good bit of time working on displays for my jewelry for my upcoming home showing.  I am on a SLIM budget so I will really need to get my creative DIY juices flowing.  I need to try and use as much stuff I already have around my house as possible.  

Of course I went straight to the internet and blogworld for some inspiration.  

Here are some of my finds.

Dress Up your Drawers

I love these displays made out of old typesetter drawers.  I actually have one of these at home but it was a gift and I am loathe to drill in it or alter it in any way.  Hmmm...wonder if I can get my super-talented hubby to make me something similar but customized.  Looks like I just filled up his time for the next few days ;)

Pretty in Pink

I love the bold use of color in this one.  

You usually think of neutral backdrops for your pieces but this really has some POP!  It would immediately draw my attention and I would be excited to peruse these lovelies all afternoon.

Nice Knobs

Awesome use of knobs, drawer pulls, and coat hooks.... I'll likely be stealing this idea!  

Gives a nice boudoir feel and who doesn't want their own private boudoir?!

A Tray full of Serenity

These are very me....I love rocks.  Reminds me of those zen rock gardens.

I like the structure and balance of this set-up, and yet the necklaces are free to have a more organic feel as they lay among the pebbles.

Which of these is your favorite?

We'll see what I am able to come up with.  Wish me luck!

Legacy Bracelet Giveaway at Finding Joy!

Rachel at Finding Joy is having a wonderful giveaway 

of a BEAUTIFUL Legacy Bracelet for you or someone you love! 

Check it out and enter to win!
While you're at it look around at Rachel's wonderful blog and follow along!

My favorite is the Tiffany bracelet!

Tiffany

Good Luck!

Etsy Treasury:Rain Rain Rain Rain

 I have been honored with another Etsy Treasury featuring one of my earring designs - Drops of Rain!

Check out the treasury here.

Its perfect for a day like today....more rain.

I'm loving the prints the curator featured in this Treasury.  Shows the true beauty of rain.

I feel like this little guy a lot of days

I think this one is my favorite, there's just something about a raindrop.....

Hope its sunny wherever you are :)

Miscellany Monday

My life right now = crazy busy

1.  Home showing full steam ahead!

With my first Behind the Moon BEADWORKS home showing less than 2 weeks away, I am working like crazy to pull this all together.  The date is set, the invitations are out, and RSVP's are coming in.....eeek!  I am a strange combination of nervous and excited.  I really hope it all comes together like I envision!  I was really hoping to post some sneak peaks but just not sure I'm going to get the time!

2.  Stylish Blogger Award

Megan over at Our House of Pink has graciously listed me as one the bloggers who she feels deserves this award so I wanted to give an official THANK YOU to her!  I will post more details later...

3. Spring is finally...springing

We're still having crazy weather in my neck of the woods.  Over 70 degrees today and possible snow showers tomorrow morning!  But despite this insanity, my tulips and daffodils are valiantly reaching for the sky :)  We have decided to plant a garden, the boys are very excited about it.  We got all the seeds over the weekend and planted them in starter pots.  Once we get some greenery, we'll transplant them into our new raised garden bed.

4.  Family Fun is back

My oldest son said "Ya know what we haven't had in a while...Family Fun Night.  Can we have one tonight Mama?".  Bless his heart, turns out my husband and I needed one just as much as he did.  So we blocked out some time Saturday night for Family Fun.  We played several rounds of Simon Says and I made No Bake Coco Cookies (to which I got 3 Cheers for Mama!)  It was definitely fun to just relax and play.  It's been a little stressful and hectic around home lately so this was just what the doctor ordered.

Keeping it short and sweet today...have a great week!