What an EYE opener!

Yesterday Oprah's show was about Food 101 ~ all about the foods we put into our mouths {how they're produced, what goes into those foods, how they make us feel, etc.}. I was sucked into her show within the first couple of minutes and was fascinated by the whole thing.

It's probably fair to say most of us are on a quest to 'eat healthier' but I don't think a lot of people truly realize what that means. The focus of her show kept going back to the documentary Food Inc which is a movie that came out last summer and goes into America's industrialized food system and how it effects US - me and you. I had wanted to see it when it came out and was waiting for it to come out on dvd...but I plum forgot about it. Well I watched it this morning and let me tell you, my eyes have been opened in a whole new way. I'm incredibly disgusted in the way the meat in our country is produced and literally wanted to vomit as I was watching the film. Some of the stuff I already knew, because I do try and eat healthy, but I sat on my couch for a good portion of the film with my jaw to the floor. If I didn't love the taste of meat so much I would probably seriously consider becoming a vegetarian....but the amount of meat I eat will most likely be reduced that's for sure! Not only that but I don't EVER want to eat a piece of meat again that's not organic. It's just SICK how they produce the meat that feeds SO MANY AMERICANS...and the sad part is that the average American can't afford to buy food that is good for their bodies. And people wonder why our country is obese.

Anyway, if you haven't already seen the film I HIGHLY recommend you rent it and watch it because I feel it's something we ALL need to see!

How full is YOUR heart?!

What a question! I stumbled upon a new blog recently, as I often do, and found the most amazing woman and her family of 5 kids (the newest adopted from Uganda). The strength and the love she has for others is just overflowing and quite contagious as you read about her day to day life. Her insight and outlook on life is more than uplifting. People often tell her that she has her hands full with 5 kids (and still growing) and you know what her response is? "Not as full as my heart." How touching! I wish we all could live by that and truly feel it within ourselves. Imagine what the world would be like if we did! With the beginning of a New Year what a great time to start living by that moto ~ to make your heart full...this post of hers is a great inspiration on getting started. So how full is your heart?

Hi!

The New Year has been great so far! Amazing right, considering we've only been in it for a little over a week....I know! ;) Well I HOPE that this is going to be a big year...I can feel that it IS. Last year was rough, so anything in the right direction is a big step! I've recently decided to officially get into the groove of going back to school and becoming a nurse. I'm starting out at square one and it's going to be a long road but I think I'm ready! Not only that, what better way to keep me busy while Ryan's gone! Bring ON the RN!! Speaking of Ryan being gone, we found out recently that we're pretty much going to be APART for the next 2 years other than a visit here or there. That's a long time. Boo. We had originally thought (or hoped on my part) that there would be a few months here or there that we would be able to spend together but as of now it turns out that those hopes have been pushed to the curb. Any time Ryan has in between his trainings will be spent doing odd jobs for the Marines at whatever location (wherever that may be.....just not here). He'll be bringing home the big bucks though, so I guess that's a good thing! (I'm still hoping that after the first year of training we'll find a way to be together for the 2nd...BUT chances are he'll be deployed for that 2nd year. Ugh)

Back to the nursing thing. Ever since I was 5 yrs old and was battling cancer myself I have always said (or thought) that my dream was to become a nurse someday and be able to give to other children what I received as a patient. We'll I've partially fulfilled that dream ~ I got my degree in helping children....but I'm ready to eventually get to that point in a hospital setting to help those kiddos and their families even more. So I'm gonna head full force into this and hopefully come out on top as a Registered Nurse!! Wish me luck, cause I'm gonna need it!

Bestill My Heart

While checking out one of my favorite photography sites {as I usually do quite frequently because I love her work so much...it's real, romantic, fun, beautiful, and oh so feminine} I discovered a truly amazing foundation and the work they do providing photography sessions to families of children who are fighting life threatening diseases. The pictures show so much emotion and are absolutely incredible to look at. Take a moment and visit the blog ~ I promise you won't be let down. http://tinysparrowfoundation.org/blog/

Happy New Year!

2010 is going to be a great year, I can feel it! This past year has been nice, but definitely had it's struggles. As fast as it's gone it has also gone by very slowly. I'm so ready for the New Year to be here, with a fresh start and new beginnings! My resolution for 2009 was for a healthier me ~ not just about losing weight but about eating healthier, getting more exercise, and taking better care of myself. I think I did a pretty good job of holding up that resolution throughout the year. I'm not ending that resolution when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, 2010 though, it's a resolution I want to carry on into next year {and every year after!}. So here's a toast to all of you for a healthy, happy and successful New Year filled with lots of love!

My love

I love this boy so much. He's so wonderful....patient, kind, caring, thoughtful, selfless, loving, funny...the list goes on. I'm gonna miss him!!

Gratitude Friday

Happy Friday!! Can you believe 2 weeks from TODAY is Christmas?!! My goodness, I can't! This season has just flown by! Tonight Ryan and I are going to enjoy ourselves at one of the best restaurants ~ The Melting Pot and I can't wait (the best part is that it's a Christmas gift) ! If you have ever been there you know how wonderful it is....if you haven't, trust me it's amazing! We've only been there one other time because it's, well, a little out of our price range but OH so worth it! This weekend I hope to just enjoy time with Ryan before he leaves Monday to head out east for more Marine training {not sure how long he'll be gone for ~ we think 6 months to a year}. We hope to tour some great Christmas light displays, spend time with his parents, and head to the Tuba Christmas on Sunday. Ok on to what I'm thankful for this week:

• With the average temperature this week being in the single digits {with many nights well below zero} I am SO VERY thankful for having a roof over my head and a place to stay warm 
• Along with the frigid temperatures we also had snow that has stayed on the ground for more than a day or two ~ I love how the holiday lights look at night surrounded by the snow
• Ryan and the quality time I've gotten to spend with him recently
• My Christmas gifts coming together and feeling more accomplished about that. I still have a lot to do and less than 2 weeks for those that I want to get shipped off....still stressful but I feel a tad more on top of things
• Losing 13 lbs! It's not a lot but I'll take it for now. Hopefully I can keep it off for a few weeks over the holiday until I can attack it again in full force after the New Year.
• Hot tea ~ it's a new love of mine {how great is it that it's good for you, has no calories, can give you an energy boost or help you relax, and keeps you warm}. I've tried a LOT of teas recently and have definitely grown my tea collection in my pantry but my sister introduced me to one that I just can't seem to drink enough of {I love it that much}....it's Yogi Egyptian Licorice and it's just delicious ~ it tastes a lot like Aveda's Comforting Tea, but much cheaper!

Hope you're holiday season is bright and cheery and you're staying warm!!