Granola

One of my missions for 2015 is to have no processed food in my daily diet (and that of my family's too!). I say "daily diet" because I recognize that from time to time I will in fact eat processed foods. Like when I go to someone's house or I am at a restaurant or I just want to indulge (although, I am hoping to eliminate that urge too).

Another one of my missions for 2015 is to have better follow through. I always come up with great ideas, but I never actually DO them.

So, to work on both of those missions, I decided that it might be a good idea if every so often (like maybe every other week), I do a sampling of a couple of recipes and share them (and the results) on the blog.

I decided to start with granola. I've really been craving it lately and the kids seem to like to eat it. And, I feel like my weakest area is having non processed foods ready for snacks.

I first made a "Granola" board on Pinterest and collected a couple of recipes.

1. Crunchy Quinoa Granola from Two Peas and Their Pod
         
I chose to make this recipe because of the quinoa, the oats (I used gluten free), the seeds and nuts. It was relatively easy to make, but my batch, for whatever reason, needed an extra 30 minutes of baking. It became crunchy after it cooled. I wasn't thrilled with the results at first. I wanted a sweeter granola, but it has since grown on me. I eat it warmed up with unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk with a drizzle of honey for breakfast or tossed on top of my plain Greek yogurt. I will definitely be making this again!

2. Homemade Coconut Oil Honey Almond Granola from Lovely Little Kitchen

This one sounded simple. I thought the kids would enjoy this one more than the other one since it doesn't have all the extra "stuff" like the nuts and seeds. Sometimes they turn their noses up at "stuff" like that (although, I have witnessed them snacking on the other granola!). It was very simple to make and turned out very crunchy and sweet! The kids love to eat this one for breakfast! I loved the fact that it has coconut oil in it...helping them get some healthy fats in their day! This one is a tad too sweet for me. I may make this one again if I find I like it better than some others. I would like to give the girls less sweetness.

3. Homemade KIND Bars from With Love and Cupcakes

These bar far are my FAVORITE of the three! I'm not sure I have ever eaten a KIND bar before, but if they taste anything like this homemade variety, they are VERY tasty! They were a bit time consuming to make, but sooooooo worth the effort. With just one taste, I knew I was going to have to make more...I ended up tripling the recipe. All four of us eat at least one bar a day. I'm not a HUGE fan of using the brown rice syrup, but it is on clean eating lists, so I am okay with it for now. The biggest benefit is that the girls are eating nuts (yeah!) and zero processed crap since they are totally made from scratch! I highly recommend you make these as I will be making them again and again.

So there you have it! 3 Granola recipes for you to try that have been tried and tested at my house. It is a bit time consuming (I probably spent a couple of hours making all three of these recipes), but knowing that when my kids eat breakfast or reach for a snack that they are grabbing something with zero processed junk, makes the time I put into these things worth it. Plus, today is Tuesday; I made these recipes on Sunday, and we still have plenty left for tomorrow (KIND bars. The granola will last probably through the weekend if not longer. And, it can be stored in those jars up to a month and still be fresh!)

Give these three recipes a try and let me know what you think!

Peace out Peeps! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Couple's Challenge Debut

It's time for you to get fit!

Grab your partner...wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, the person you are forced to live with (lol)...and get your workout on TOGETHER!

A fitness journey is long...it can get monotonous. It can get challenging. It can seem stalled at times.

Wouldn't it be nice if your significant other was traveling the SAME journey as you? You can motivate, inspire, lift up, and encourage each other TOGETHER as you improve the quality of your lives.

Ray and I are going to start our very first Couple's Challenge on January 5th! You and your significant other should join us!

What you need to do:
1) Choose a program you BOTH want to do...we have LOTS of options.
2) Purchase that program + at least a one month supply of Shakeology (this will give each of you enough for 2 weeks...)
3) Start your workout program on Jan 5th
4) Check in daily in the Challenge Group
5) Lose weight, feel great, and connect with you loved one!

It's super simple, but you will be amazed at the payoffs both for your body And your relationship!

Find us on Facebook (Karen Heckle Durbin or Ray Durbin or TeamDurbin Fitness) and message us today for more details!!!!

Pondering...

Every year I choose a word (inspired by Ali Edwards) that I use to focus my life around.

One year I chose "DO" because I wanted more follow through in my life.

In 2013 I chose "TRANSFORM" because I wanted to change my life in a multitude of ways.

This past year, I chose "TRANSFIGURE" because I wanted to continue my transformation in a more elevated way.

Each year these words magically shape my life. I have done some awesome things because of my One Little Word.

In 2013 I ran my first half marathon and then went on to run 2 more that year.

In 2014, I ran my first full marathon + 2 more, several half marathons, multiple 5Ks and a 10K. I went to Vegas and started a fitness business with Ray. My photography business grew. I am more comfortable taking chances and "putting myself out there." I am not even close to the same person physically or mentally I was this time last year. And my relationship with Ray became stronger and deeper.

Every year, I start pondering my new word in November and finally decide right before New Year's Eve. I look up definitions and examine all aspects of the word. It really has to fit...it has to "speak" to me and most importantly, it has to bring to me what I am hoping to do.

This year, I want a verb to express my desire to create life, to create moments and experiences. I want a verb to draw awesome opportunities into my life. I want to grow both of my businesses. I want to travel. I want to grow exponentially--spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally. I essentially want to take life by the horns and actually LIVE it. I want to set a WOW goal...a goal so big that the last-year's-me would have cringed and cowered and thought, "Not possible." I want to DO things...BUILD things...BE someone...BECOME someone...I want to inspire and uplift and motivate and encourage. I want to leave this place and everyone I come into contact better off because of me.

I want to become so full of life that I am busting at the seams. And I want to be OPEN to all the adventures and experiences and avenues and opportunities that I don't even know are there yet.

Right now, I have 4 words in the running:

1)effectuate--to bring about; to cause to happen; effect; accomplish

2)impel--to drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action

3)generate--to bring into existence; cause to be; produce; to create by a vital or natural process; to create and distribute vitally and profusely; to produce or specify

4) design--to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for, especially to plan the form and structure of; to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully; to form in the mind; contrive a plan; to assign in thought or intention; purpose

Each one of these words has an essential component that I am looking for: purposefully creating...but each one has little nuances that I need to ponder...

So, the race is on...the New Year is a little over a week a way...It's not too late for you to join me! Think about what you would like to achieve, what you would like to overcome or accept or how you would like to grow or change. Read Ali's blog and learn more about it and then choose a word for yourself. You will be amazed at how that one little word will guide your life!
 Read

Peace out my friends!

Fashionista Challenge

I am by no means a "fashionista." I just want to put that out there. Before you even glance at the pictures below. I will never make the pages of well-known fashion magazines or popular fashion blogs.

But, I do love clothes, and I do love to browse Pinterest for outfits ideas.

But, I am very conservative and I get stuck in ruts.

Since gaining those 10 pounds over the last several months, a lot of my clothes do not fit--especially my pants. I only have 2 pair that I only just recently got myself back into. I refuse to buy a larger size--I do intend to get back into shape.

For awhile, I wore the same outfit combinations over and over because I felt so blah about myself. Well, guess what dressing blah does...it makes me feel even more blah. That's when I decided to try to have "fun" with my clothes. 

So, I gave myself a challenge: use what I have in unique ways...for me at least and try not to duplicate an outfit until after Christmas! 

Here are some of my outfits from the last 2 weeks (I forgot to take pics of 3 of the outfits...I will eventually wear them again so I will post those later!)

I was nervous about combining the flower print and the polka dot scarf, but I think with the sweater the same color as the scarf and the shoes, I pulled it off...I think!

This is a very basic "teacher outfit" if you ask me...but I was short on time. I was pleasantly surprised that I could button that shirt...haven't been able to do that for a couple of months!

The scarf and the tank are the new additions here for me. I have worn all of these pieces just not together.

I bought this blingy sweatshirt last year, but have been afraid to wear it. Today, as I was deciding what to wear, I saw it hanging next to this skirt (which I needed to wear since I had already worn the only 2 pants that fit!). I decided to give it a whirl! I was very nervous...teenagers can be quite harsh, you know, but it was fun.

And here I have plaid, with polka dots, with purple! Very out of the box for me!

So, those are my outfits. Again, not a fashionista by any means, but I thought it might be fun to share to maybe motivate you do try to do the same.

It's funny; I would never have thought that giving myself this challenge would amount to much, but this challenge is stretching me in ways I never imagined. I am taking risks each day I do this...minimal risks, yes, but risks none the less. I am finding that I am more willing to take chances in other areas of my life...recipes I choose, lessons I plan, decorations for the house that I buy.  Maybe as I continue this personal challenge, I will find myself a person more comfortable stepping out of her comfort zone in all areas of her life!

Peace out my friends and thanks for looking!

You gotta believe

I don't know about you, but I tend to be my biggest critic.

I am always pointing out what I am doing wrong. I am always slamming my mistakes. I am always broadcasting my failures to the world.

Sometimes I even think that the way to make someone else feel better about herself (or himself) is to put my own accomplishments down. To minimize my own efforts and my own attempts so that her lack of effort or attempts isn't so obvious. I try to make her feel like she isn't the only one.

She probably isn't; but a lot of times, it's not me who is in the same boat as she (or he) is.

I also RARELY believe in myself. I WANT to do great things; I just don't BELIEVE that I am capable. "Every human being wants success. Everybody wants the best this life can deliver. Nobody enjoys crawling, living in mediocrity. No one likes feeling second-class and feeling forced to go that way." The Magic of Thinking Big by David J Schwartz (my current personal development book).

Lately, I've been trying to discover WHY I think this way about myself because I sure don't think this about others. I mean, I try to be everyone's biggest cheerleader because I firmly BELIEVE that if she (or he) just puts her mind to something, she (or he) CAN achieve it.

I BELIEVE this...about others.

I wonder if maybe I feel this way because I equate belief in myself with someone who is full of herself/himself. You know the person I am referring to...can do no wrong...thinks his/her poop doesn't stink...always bragging...maybe I equate this belief in success with lack of humility.

I wonder if maybe I am afraid of success. That sounds crazy, I know. Who would be AFRAID of success? But I think I kind of am. Or maybe it's more a fear of taking the chance to see if I can be successful because with taking chances comes the risk of failure, and I know I am afraid of failing. I try to reduce that fear of failure or embarrassment from failing with an "okay-I'll-give-it-a-try-but-I-don't-think-it-will-work" attitude. That way, I can say, "See, I told you. I knew it wouldn't work; therefore, I don't have to feel embarrassed since I already stated that I knew it wouldn't work." The problem is that "The 'Okay-I'll-give-it-a-try-but-I-don't-think-it-will-work' attitude produces failures."

"Disbelief is negative power. When the mind disbelieves or doubts, the mind attracts 'reasons' to support the disbelief. Doubt, disbelief, the subconscious will to fail, the not really wanting to succeed, is responsible for most failures."

"Think doubt and fail.
Think victory and succeed."

I do think doubt. I do fail. But there are times when I believe I can and I do.

I think sometimes people confuse believing you can with wishing you can. Have you ever put the thought out there that you would like to achieve something and then, seemingly out of nowhere, the idea of HOW to do that thing you would like to do comes to you?

Yeah. That's happened to me. Many times. But guess what I tend to do? I tend to dismiss the idea. I overlook it and push it aside. I lack followthrough...BIG TIME. But guess what. Those ideas are not coming to us by accident. "There is nothing magical or mystical about the power of belief. Belief works this way. Belief, the 'I'm-positive-I-can' attitude, generates the power, skill, and energy needed to do. When you believe I-can-do-it, the HOW-to-do-it develops....Belief, STRONG BELIEF, triggers the mind to figure ways and means and how-to. And believing you can succeed makes others place confidence in you."

The person who BELIEVES takes action. The person who just wishes doesn't.

I am a person who typically wishes. I am also a person who typically gets jealous when others have what I am wishing for be it money, clothes, social status, happiness, a particular physique, success, possessions, etc. I think I get jealous because I know, deep down, that these people have what I am wishing for before because they have been willing to do what it takes to get those things...they BELIEVE in themselves and they follow through with their actions. I do not.

"Belief is the thermostat that regulates what we accomplish in life."

I am going to make this one of my new missions for 2015 (but starting today). I am going to strengthen my resolve in myself while maintaining my humility. When I achieve the "things" I set out to achieve, I am going to be grateful about them not smug. I want to BE awesome. I want to GROW in positive, meaningful ways. I want to INSPIRE others to do the same. I just want to BE the BEST person I am capable of being.

"A person is a product of his own thoughts. Believe Big. Adjust your thermostat forward. Launch your success offensive with honest, sincere belief that you can succeed. Believe big and grow big."

Change is Messy...

Why does it seem like as soon as I try to make a change, everything seems to fall apart? Like the notion that it has to get worse before it gets better is true? I mean, I have read that if I want something, I just need to put my thoughts out there, and I will get it...with some effort on my part, of course. 

Well, here is what I put out there: I want to be more organized, more punctual, more put-together and on top of things than I am now (which is really a false statement because I am currently NONE of these things--especially organized---you should see me in the morning).

I put those thoughts out there...I'm not quite sure I'm getting what I asked for.

For most of my adult life, I have changed in response to some kind of external stimuli...like...bringing two humans into the world, my dad's lost fight against cancer...getting diagnosed with Lupus and having some serious health issues. Pile all of that on top of a marriage in crisis...and well, I changed. Sometimes for the better...sometimes not so much.

But, deciding to change for change's sake is NOT an easy task. It's almost like my entire being is fighting against this change. My life hasn't been this stressful in a long while. I've gained weight...so much so that my clothes don't fit...I've missed marathon times...I've been late to work almost every day...my computer died...I have made stupid photography mistakes...I'm behind in my grading...the kids need to be run EVERYWHERE...students have acted up...projects for classes have been due...I could keep going...I mean, I'm just trying to change for the better, so why the many pitfalls???

Honestly, I have to believe that the universe is trying to test my resolve. I think it wants to see if I REALLY want to make these changes or if I'm just talking a big talk. 

When I spend an hour prepping my food the night before so I can eat healthy while away from home and I forget to take the food with me...

Or, I plan out my smoothie ingredients the night before so I don't have to waste time in the morning getting all of that stuff out only to not find the blade to the blender that next morning because I didn't think to look for that the night before...

When I took copious notes while at a conference because I knew I could use the information for the project that was coming due for this class I am taking only to not be able to find that notebook containing said copious notes when I sit down to write it all up the night before the project is due...

Or, I think, "I am going to be more festive this year and string up lights outside," only to spend triple the time on them because fuses keep blowing...

Just stupid, simple things that keep happening in spite of all my planning. When they happen, I throw my hands in the air, look at the sky (I guess that's where I think God is), and yell, "Really???? WTF???? Why is this happening???"

Usually, after these moments, I throw in the towel. I'm like, "Screw it. It's not going to work anyway so why even bother?" And that's when the universe sits back and says, "Yep, that's what I thought."

But not this time. This time I am stepping back from these experiences and trying to view them with an objective eye. What can I take away from these experiences to make me better? What can I learn from this? What bad-habit thought process am I indulging? I believe the universe is actually trying to HELP me when "disasters" like these strike. 

I don't want to just "get through" my day or my life; I want to live it with gusto and intention. Deciding I need to change is not easy; it really is a very messy process. I am making so many mistakes and generating a TON of unwanted stress, but I have to trust that the universe knows what it is doing, and that I will come out the other side more centered and focused and energized.

And that I will indeed become a better ME!

Getting back in the saddle

So....it's been a long while since I last posted something...

I believe, without looking, my last post was about trying out the Paleo Diet...

Well, that didn't last long...not because I didn't follow through, but so much was going on at the time--marathon training and running stuff, teaching stuff, photography stuff, motherhood stuff, health stuff, Beachbody stuff...you name it, I was well overwhelmed.

I felt like I was drowning and the harder I paddled, the deeper I sank.

But today, at the end of November, I feel better--not great, mind you, but better. To make a very long story short, I managed to gain over 10 pounds in two months. Not muscle. Part of it might be my thyroid (on medication for that again), but it is taking a lot of hard work to try to get it off. I mean, I am less than 3 months away from turning 44 and probably entering into perimenopause. My body doesn't like to let go of things like it used to when I was much younger.

The exasperating part is that just a couple of months ago, I was lean, weighing in at 123 pounds. I have trained for and run 2 full marathons, 2 half marathons, and a couple of smaller runs in the last 2 months. I am ACTIVE, but today, I weigh 132. I know that to some, THAT is a small number, and I agree that I am by no means overweight, but for ME and MY body, that is a higher number. I don't fit into my clothes...at all. I feel sluggish and just not-so-good. I can take that number on the scale if other parts of me indicated that that is where I should be. But that's not how it is.

It gets very frustrating at times. I eat clean, I work out, I run. I don't drink my calories, and the weight just wants to hang there. I cry, I pout, I get angry and mad and exasperated. I allow myself to feel depressed (something I struggle with CONSTANTLY). I yell at my family when they do things I don't like. All because I don't like the way I look and feel.

That's not good.

And the super sad part of it all is that I didn't appreciate where I was when I was at 123 pounds. I never saw the good parts of me; I was always focused on what needed to be improved. Perhaps that's part of the lesson I need to learn here...

I have gone back and forth about how much of my journey to share with people. Sometimes I feel like I share too much. I mean, I am not obese; I am not fighting as big a battle as others. I am still relatively healthy (I have Lupus but am currently off my meds for that). But then I think about how MY struggle is MY struggle, and MY journey is MY journey. Too often I think we isolate ourselves and believe that everyone else has a better life going on than we do. So we suffer alone. Maybe by sharing my journey--my struggles and lowlights and successes and highlights and everything in between--someone somewhere will feel less lonely.

And maybe I will start to see the good in ALL my stages of life and feel less isolated myself.

So, without delving too much into what has transpired in the last couple of months, I vow to start fresh here on this blog TODAY. I plan to post things about my fitness ventures, my diet and meal plan and recipes, my thoughts on life in general as I read a variety of personal development books, and maybe my little family adventures.

If you are interested in following along, I would love to have you. Perhaps together, we can make this life of ours more manageable and enjoyable!

Until next time, peace out my friends!

My Paleo Challenge to Myself

I was browsing Amazon the other day when a book about using the Paleo diet to cure autoimmune diseases popped up--The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body by Sarah Ballantyne. I have Lupus and this book sparked my attention. So, I started reading the description and it sounded interesting.

So I bought it.

I mean, if there is a chance that I can cure my disease by using my diet, then why not?

I am not all the way finished with the book yet, but I have learned a lot. Like, apparently, all autoimmune diseases have what's called a "leaky gut." Really??? My specialist has never mentioned anything about this in the 4+ years I've been seeing her. And, apparently, the meds I am taking are not good for my body??? Really??? This kind of perturbs me. I mean, I trust this lady to do what is right for me and to help me live a full life.

I'm not sure who to believe at this point, but this is the conclusion I came to: changing my diet can't be bad for me, so why not just give it a try?

And that's what I am setting out to do. According to the book, I should be eating all kinds of animal meat, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. I should be avoiding grains, gluten, nuts, seeds, eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and dairy. That's a lot to avoid, especially since I have relied on many of these food items to provide me a "healthy diet."

I will not be able to make these changes overnight. It will be a process and a challenging one at that, but I have to believe that this book was brought to my attention by God and the Universe and it couldn't hurt to try!

Wish me luck!

Shakeology Challenge...Join today!

JOIN US!!!!!

"No thanks. I don't do protein shakes."

That's the first thing people say when I tell them about Shakeology. Their initial reaction is to turn their heads away in disgust and say, "I don't do protein shakes."

But guess what? Shakeology is not a protein shake. It is a a MEAL REPLACEMENT shake. The researchers and developers at Beachbody searched the world over for the best health ingredients to include in this drink.

Ray and I started drinking Shakeology regularly about 2 months ago. People were raving about this stuff...some even said it was MAGIC. We started as skeptics. I mean, really? A meal replacement shake is supposed to be nothing short of magic??? Doubtful, but we decided to try it.

The first thing I noticed (I was drinking it for lunch), was how full I felt and how I had more energy for my afternoon classes. Normally I found my way slugging through those classes, looking forward to the nap I normally took while sitting in the car pool line at my daughters' school. The nap all but disappeared after starting Shakeology. 

(Let's also not overlook how easy it was to pack my lunch...some almond milk and a packet of powder. Easy peasy.)

So, at this point my interest was piqued. I continued drinking it. 

Since then I have noticed an increase in my energy, especially in the afternoon, less afternoon/evening cravings, no grogginess when I wake in the morning (aka no need for coffee), better skin and hair (like, the bags under my eyes are all but gone and my wrinkles are disappearing and my sagging face isn't sagging any more), and my heel pain from a running injury in May has subsided GREATLY.

Magic??? Maybe...

Then I lost a few pounds. That doesn't sound amazing, I know, but we are talking about a person who has been trying for a year now to lose those "last 10 pounds." NOTHING I have done has made my weight drop. Not even training for and running a marathon. Not forgoing junk or alcohol or anything deemed not good for you. Nothing.

Until I started a program called the 21 Day Fix AND drank my Shakeology every day. BAM! 3 pounds in one week. GONE. 

The difference....SHAKEOLOGY. By the end of that 21 Day Fix, I lost almost 5 pounds. And have kept it off.

For Ray, he has noticed similar effects. He looks and feels YOUNGER (always a plus for me!!), his knee injury has all but healed, he has also lost some of his last 10 pounds, and his runs have gotten so.much.faster. The guy is a speeding bullet, I tell ya!

Ray's older brother Mike started drinking Shakeology in July and is already down 20 pounds. Mike's wife Liza, who has MS, has lost 10 pounds. 

It's not a weight loss shake, per se, but it helps aid your body in burning fuel and fat more efficiently and effectively. 

And it's made with (magical!!) all natural ingredients.

It comes in Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Greenberry, and some Vegan options.

This month, we are offering a 30 Day Shakeology Challenge...we are looking for 10 people who are willing to purchase a one month supply of Shakeology and follow a few simple "rules" to make up a test panel. We want success stories. We want people to feel great and sing Shakeology's praises.

If you are interested in joining our challenge (starts Sept. 1), email me at durbin.karen@gmail.com or you can find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/teamdurbin

You can also go here: www.shakeology.com/fitb4forty to check it out for yourself.

Shakeology comes with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee too...if you get to the very bottom of the bag and feel like it was less than magical, you can send the empty bag for a FULL REFUND, no questions asked.

So, you have nothing to lose except some grogginess, dependence to caffeine, some unwanted aches and pains and wrinkles and pounds!!!! 

:-)

Finally....A go!

This is isn't exactly what I envisioned the blog to look like...I purchased a blog designing class from A Beautiful Mess in July, but I'm moving suuupppperrr slow. Maybe one day I will have this super fantastic looking blog, but today, this simple little spot will do!

Time to just jump in!

So, who am I? Well, I am a 43 year old mom (2 daughters--13 and 12), wife (19 years now), teacher (22nd year), photographer (3 years), Beachbody Coach (2 months), sister (42 yrs), friend, and everything in between. :-)

What you will find by reading my blog...posts about fitness, my struggles and successes, my thoughts on stuff, tasty recipes, fantastic challenges, and inspiring ideas I find from other bloggers.

Maybe one day, when my blog is big and fancy and KNOWN, I'll even have guest posts from other BIG NAMED peeps...lol

Well, it's time to get this party started. I hope you find inspiration and motivation and great ideas by visiting my little blog!

:-)

Here we go!!!!!