Oh how I love Roasted Veggies!

I learned to love roasted veggies while on the 5:1 TSFL plan.  Of course then, I didn't add potatoes and onions as they are higher carb veggies.  But most veggies taste delish this way.  Broccoli, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, cauliflower, asparagus, cabbage... it's so good!

 Just chop up your veggies and toss with a little olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and garlic seasoning (or whatever spices you want - it even tastes good with just s/p)

 Line a cookie sheet with foil and a little non-stick cook spray.  

Roast in the oven at 425 for about an hour (possibly less if you don't have potatoes in the mix), and...

Voila!  Yummy roasted veggies.  I also usually sprinkle a little balsamic vinegar afterwards and it really makes it so tasty!!  My kids gobble this up too.

ENJOY!!

~Margene

What Limits? Be Inspired

I ran across this video through Megans Half my size challenge blog and just had to post this.
This is worth the watch!!

What Limits do you have?

Back To School TIPS

Back to school time and back to a regular schedule time.  YES!!  I need this!    I found these tips from Dr. Anderson very helpful:

1. Do as much as possible the night before. This will ensure you are not rushed in the morning.  Breakfast is the one thing you don’t want to cut out of your schedule to make up time. Eat something that is easy to prepare for breakfast. Starting your day with a healthy choice will help you stay on track all day long. A hard boiled egg and a 1/2 whole wheat English muffin can be a great on the go breakfast. Also, a meal replacement shake or bar make great on the go companions

2. Pack healthy snacks in your purse, briefcase or car. Healthy options you can bring from home can include almonds, fruit, meal replacement shakes and bars.  Fueling between meals helps to prevent getting hungry and over eating at a later meal. If you have access to a refrigerator during the day bring yogurt, cheese cubes, baby carrots, celery sticks and all natural peanut butter.

3. Stock your house with nothing but healthy foods and snacks for kids. When you have junk food around it can be too tempting for little one who want an after school snack. Fresh fruit, yogurt, nuts, seeds, and veggies are all great options.

4. Plan meals and grocery shop ahead of time. Include a couple good old standbys on your weekly menu. Your family doesn’t expect a gourmet meal every night. Pick 3 easy to prepare, healthy meals that you can cook in under 30 minutes such as Mesquite Grilled Shrimp and Sirloin & Vegetable Kabobs.

5. Delegate…assign children age appropriate tasks to keep them involved and help get dinner started. Ask your teen to start chopping the veggies, your pre-teen to help gather needed ingredients and place them on the counter and get the little ones involved in setting the table and folding napkins. Children take pride in being a part of a meal and will be more likely to eat what is in front of them if they feel invested.

6. Turn off the TV during dinner. This acts as a two for one benefit for your family. Not only do you tend to eat less when you are mindful of your plate but you also have the opportunity to find out how your children are adjusting to the school year. Don’t forget if teens  and pre-teens aren’t as open as you would like them to be, don’t pressure them to talk, watch for non-verbal cues and trust your instincts, after all you have known them their whole lives.

7. Don’t over book…by keeping one weekday afternoon free it gives your children time to relax and recharge. It can also provide time to catch up or get ahead on school work which can help keep stress levels down.

You can go directly to his article here  

Life is still way busy but I'm getting some order to it.  My kids are in school and I actually miss them! :)  Life is FULL of good things we're doing.  The other day, the hubs was volunteering at my daughters school and my son was working and everyone was gone... so I went for a bike ride by myself and it was fabulous.  Miss  those  times!  

Also caught this sun hanging in the sky the other night.  Wow, It's a beautiful time of year!  What are you finding in your life that is beautiful?  Life is SOOO good.  I love it!  It's dang hard sometimes and I struggle like every other day, but I am SOOOO blessed.

SOOOOOO.... I have let my eating get way off plan and now it's time to rein it in!!! My goal is to AVOID sugar and deserts and FOCUS on Fruits / Veggies / Lean meats & proteins.   Who's with me?

~Margene XoxoXO

It's how it is

This is me right now!

Life is good,  yes, 

but sometimes that IRON MAN suit has to come on.  

Talk to the hand!

~Margene

Not My Own

Hey...

Well, I'm back from Girls Camp which was amazing.  It was 4 days of Amazingness.  We had 35 girls and 6 leaders plus our Bishop and his counselors.  A lot of Incredible people!!

While we were there we did a confidence course which included a climbing wall.  I got to be at the top and would help the girls that needed help to reach the top by grabbing their arms or hands and pulling them up.  It was an amazing experience to cheer them on and watch them struggle and then to make it.  It felt so symbolic of my life any my struggles.  I also felt such love for each of those girls and I could feel how much Heavenly Father loves them!

Another day, we did a zip line.  That was pretty epic as well.  Some girls were very scared and overcame their fear and went anyway.  That took a lot of courage.  I also got to go on the zip line and it was majorly cool.  Another day we were out on canoes.  We had canoe races that were fun.   We also had crafts, secret sister gifts, mail time, challenges, flag ceremonies, camp songs and so much all around great FUN.  The camp ended with a special fireside hosted by our Bishop where we all wrote a bad habit or obstacle we want to get over on a balloon and then let our balloons go.  It was all about "Arising and Shining Forth".

Then we each had an opportunity to share our feelings about each other and about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Most of us were in tears after that (happy tears), and then we ended with a "Hug Line".  Overall, it was an amazing experience that I will always treasure.  It was fun to be there with my daughter too!

I went to girls camp as a youth and I've gone as an adult in Oregon to help with crafts, but this was my first year going as the actual Camp Director who planned it and helped run it.  The other leaders were incredible and we met the goals we had set for it.  I am so thankful that I could go and be involved in this!  I'm thankful that I was physically up to the challenge as well.  I feel such love for each of those girls!

I came home utterly exhausted... emotionally and physically.  My body involuntarily crashed and went unconscious for 14 hours!  I did not stay on plan during camp and I feel bloated and yucky.  I do not like how I feel physically.  I can't wait to get back into a better eating and exercising schedule.  I really missed my basketball too.

And this next week is also not my own week.  Right now, my life is NOT MY OWN.  I have so much computer work, prep for our after camp party on Wednesday, Relief Society work, meetings, family things, house cleaning, and Thursday through Saturday I'm gone on another camping trip for youth conference - this time in actual costumes the whole time.  I have not a moment for myself.

I am so blessed, I know... but today I am missing my mother.  I miss having that soft place to fall.  Being "new" here wears on me.  I don't have the roots of friendships that so many around me do of people who really "know" me and truly care for me.  I know that all I really need is my Savior and so I seek to feel His love.  And today I just feel depleted.  I feel like I have given all I have lately... and many of my church friends I work with also have full plates - yet THEY have friends and family who notice that and uplift them.  They have incredible support systems.  I feel so alone!  I am very alone, it's just how it is.  The other week I tried opening up to a friend about how hard it really was for me here and it totally backfired.  I have to be careful what I say and to whom I share, I guess.  But I know that I am known to my Savior!  I have been pleading to feel His love and acceptance today.

And with that I bid you Adieu!  

Life is good.  Stay on Plan.  Focus on the Positive.  :)

Much love, 

~Margene  XoxOxO