Deciding to work out again...

Over the last 3 months, I guess because I have changed how I eat... I have been losing weight. So I decided that I will start working out and help that along. I want to be able to run in a marathon eventually. Thats my new goal for myself. By next year summer time, I want to be able to run a marathon. Big goal for me yes... considering Im normally pretty darn lazy!
But at the same time I want to lose about 25 lbs. Since I havent run since track in sophomore year of high school... Im going to start with walk/run method and work my way up! Hopefully 3 weeks from now I can go 30mins running at a constant.... adding 5-10 mins a week until I can go for an hour.... and now that its nice outside, on my off days from running ill ride my bike.
On top of that I am going to alternate daily between Biggest loser boot camp and biggest Loser yoga....
we shall see where this leads me... Im excited though! Hopefully that will be enough motivation for me.

Spinach Pasta Casserole

This was FANTASTIC!!! and resulted in left overs for lunches!

Ingredients
10 ounces of Fusilli (like spaghetti wound into a tight corkscrew)
1 Egg
1/8 cup olive oil
10 ounces frozen chopped spinach
1/2 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
2 Jars spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese Shred (you will need the whole bag)

Preheat Oven to 350.
Cook Fusilli according to package directions. Drain and place in large bowl.
In a smaller bowl mix together egg and oil. Add to the pasta and toss. Then add spinach and bread crumbs and toss.
On the bottom of an 11x7 baking pan, spread some of the pasta sauce, add half the pasta mixture and top with cheese. Repeat again. Spread sauce, remaining pasta, and then cheese.
Bake for 45 minutes, till bubbly and slightly browned on top.

MY SUGGESTION! The noodles on top get crusty from baking. Add more sauce before the final cheese layer to keep noodles moist!

Crock Pot Chicken Jambalaya

Ingredients:
6 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 lb. kielbasa, sliced
1 can tomatoes, undrained
1/2 bell pepper, chopped - I used a whole red pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning (I included a recipe for making your own seasoning at the end)
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped

Put Everything into a crock pot and turn on low for 7 hours.
Serve with brown rice and a big salad

CAJUN SEASONING RECIPE
You can vary the amounts of each seasoning depending on how much total cajun seasoning you would like in the end.

In a blender mix:
Cayenne Pepper
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Thyme
chilli powder
sweet basil
bay leaf
black pepper

Grind until fine powder then fork in salt.

Interview Day...

In about 45 mins, I will determine the fate of my stay - at - home - mom routine! The kids are off to the neghbor, kate. Im dressed and ready....just sitting here typing. I have such mixed emotions about this one. I am so excited that I was thought of when the position became available, it working in a field that I adore... with midwives I think are FANTASTIC!!!! But, It will change the home life drastically... Its almost too expensive to work when you have young children! We shall see what today brings!
Wish me luck!

To work or not to work, that is the question!!!!!!

A couple weeks back I was contacted by my midwife (the one who caught two of my three and saw me through the pregnancy of the third). They have an opening in their office for a medical assistant/receptionist and wanted me to fax over my resume. First, I was so incredibly shocked that she thought of me! Out of all the people she knows, she thought of me! Called me at home, and then offered me the position! This is amazing to me! A year ago, this was the perfect, most ideal position I could have been offered.
In the last year, Mike took a new position at another company, that resulted in a pay increase and different schedule, allowing me to stay home with the kids (although we still have no money lol) BUT, NOW....I'm used to being at home. At the end of winter break, I also stopped sending the kids to the local Montessori school and decided to put Mia into the local public school. Which changed her schedule. Both Mia and Ian were attending full day Montessori. Now, Ian is home with me every day (soon he will be at the district preschool) but both only attend half day.
While I really would LOVE to have the extra cash, and this couldn't have fallen into my lap so easily if it weren't meant to be... BUT WHAT DO I DO???? It is a part time job, working again with women and children....especially love the idea of working with midwives! AWESOME!
But, is it worth giving up being at home during the day... and the schedule is unknown at this time! I am supposed to meet with the office manager and a couple others this Friday morning at 9am and find out more information. So it cant hurt me to go... But there is just so much to figure out on the home end... Something I thought I wouldn't have to do again for some time!
What a dilemma... Ill have to update after Friday's meeting for some more opinions once I find out more information. But for now, I'm completely lost with my thoughts on what to do this time!

Slacking...

I have to find my motivation again!!! I have to! I was doing really well getting stuff done during the day, and then decided I needed a well deserved break! I cant do that. My mind doesnt work that way. Even with lack of sleep I have to stick to my daily goals and just get 'em done! Im going to make a list for myself tonight for everything that needs to be accomplished tomorrow and IM STICKING TO IT! I HAVE TO!
ugh...motivation where are you my dear friend....

Lucas Dirks - Hope for PLGA at OneTrueMedia.com

It has taken me until now, to come to grips with this whole thing. Until now, I was feeling somewhat helpless because there is much than I can do other than be a medical rock. Try to understand it all, explain it to him and my family, etc... But on the flip side of it, this is my baby, something that you can never imagine to happen to your own child. Only the ones you hear about in papers, in the news, or in telelthons for local hospitals... Well this time its my own child. It took until this week for me to realize that there is something that I can do that doesnt only help my son, but every other child that has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have set up a fundraising page that sends 100% of proceeds to the PLGA Foundation... who in turn uses ALL proceeds towards research for a cure! Until now, there is no cure...
This is the video I have made to go on the fundraising page. Please share the fundraising site link, the video and RAISE AWARENESS!!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com