This is Liberty | Humble Tip

Back on social media...

 Good Afternoon to you all! 
     Today has been a day of healthy choices and reconnecting with some amazing folks via social networking ..several months ago I had sworn off all types of social media except for Linkedin and today I re-entered the world of Facebook, Twitter and PinInterest..I must say that the reconnecting has been good for my soul as I touched base with people who had played a larger role in my life than I had realized over the past several years. Perhaps it is me growing older and becoming a kinder, gentler me as the time goes by..realizing that friends and family not related by blood are indeed gifts from God to be cherished! Not that our family related by blood is not..friends fill a special place in our lives and if you are really lucky these 2 roles can be filled by someone who you are related to!

I have to confess..I have been totally indulging in a particular green smoothie recently-just like the one pictured here..I am not one so much for measuring things out (unless I am in baking mode..coming up next month!!) so here is what these yummy energy boosting, cleasing drinks have in them: Honeydew Melon, Baby Kale, Almond Milk, Fresh Pineapple, Flax and Chia Seeds, and Frozen Bananas..add all together in blender and enjoy! Great early in the morning or anytime throughout the day!

    As summer begins to come to an end we have been spending a lot of time outdoors..this is one of my favorite places to be (where I am now actually!)..a gift from my husband for Mother's Day..glad that I can take my laptop or book or pillow to this spot, generally with 1 to 3 fur babies at my feet and practice mindfulness..something that I have not been very good at in the past, but am making a real effort at becoming better at lately... being more in tune to what is happening right here, right now..not letting my mind race ahead.. for those of you who know me personally, you are perhaps more aware than I am of how guilty I am of this! I am lucky enough to have some time right now to practice this skill and I have to admit that it is not always easy but I am determined to master this skill as it is so important in our full speed ahead way of living today to be in touch, not only with ourselves, but the feelings of others.

    Finally to finish out this post I wanted to share with you all what I am currently reading..plus Packing Light on my Kindle..I had set a goal for 200 books this year on Goodreads..am not sure that I will make this number, but have enjoyed the indulgence of reading some great books to get there! I tend to read for pleasure in the Kindle form and for growth, education, and self development in actual book form. Crazy huh? The quirks we all have could build a long bridge I am sure!!

    I wish you all an amazing, wonderful day..don't forget to share your smile!
    
 

After a long break..I am so happy to be home!!

Hello to you all!

 After almost a year FluffyseeksFirm is up and running again. Since we last spoke life has taken some major exciting turns. We have moved from Germany to Chattanooga, Tennessee..a town that both myself and my husband are absolutely smitten with. I finally finished my first Master Degree in Human Services Counseling with an emphasis in Life Coaching..have begun working on my goal of becoming a certified Health and Wellness Coach and will be starting a life long..okay..so for the past 19 years since becoming a nurse..of beginning my Master of Science in Nursing in January 2017. For those of you who previously followed FluffyseeksFirm you know that I am insanely crazy about my fur babies..yes, all 3 made the trip back to the US with us and are doing well..Max the Wonderdog is almost 16 years old now, but still brings much love to our home. Melissa and Marli have also settled into living in the South nicely.

I have found an amazing church home here in Chattanooga..City Church. What a blessing to my life this location has become..I am super excited for the fall small groups to start up to not only grow spiritually, but to meet new people and form new relationships with others who love God! This life though, wonderful is not always so easy and this year has been filled with not only positive happenings, but also some that has thrown some loops in the road which have left me feeling a bit unsettled and somewhat anxious at times..and this is where praise and worship time for me is so valuable..to fill my tank so to speak when I feel less than gracious and even keel. I was able to attend JFest this past May -a great Christian music festival that takes place here every year (this was one of the reasons I was so excited about returning the Chattanooga!!) This year we were lucky enough to have amazing artists such as Jason Gray, Jamie Grace, and Zealand worship just to name a few. 

Today has seen my with my seemingly strange relationship with my scale..sometimes I am happy to see what she has to say and sometimes not..today was a good day with a decrease from yesterday which was followed up with some cute workout clothes, a good workout which included a few rounds around the neighborhood, some ab and arm work and a breakfast full of protein and fiber. Good motivation and an encouraging start to keep the work up for the rest of the day..ladies, for most of us closer to the 50 year mark staying fit and fabulous is not always easy..life happens..hormonal changes happen..and lets be honest we sometimes just flat out tired..that is why with this blog and our conversations I really do not want to focus on what the numbers say, as with my experience sometimes they can make a day great or start us out feeling less than what we are (because perhaps we do not meet the standard definition of what the media says we need to be) and what God means for us to be..for example..this morning because my scale was nice I feel great, but yesterday when the numbers did not mae me feel so great this mood kind of stuck with me throughout the day..so if it is okay with all of you I would like to focus on blessings, feelings of being energized and positive, and helping each you be a bit more motivated to feel amazing about who you are!

I would like to share daily 2 things that I am grateful for..today they are 1) setting an appointment to go and speak with a leader of the Church on Thursday and 2) having a husband that makes it possible for me to grow as an individual.

I wish all of you a wonderful day..don't forget to share your smile!

   I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
                                                                        Philippians 4:13 



 

In respect to...

Good Morning..well, it is not really..upon waking up this morning I read that there were 5 separate bombings in Paris with over 100 individuals killed. While today's FSF was to be one full of pictures, nutrition tips, and celebrating being healthy..with what has happen I wanted to just say that the state of the world today is heartbreaking..bombings, the complete and total disrespect for life and just about everything else, the names of Christain holidays being changed so as not to offend, stupid arguements over red cups..not only did I read about Paris I was also treated to images of individuals living in the USA standing on the American Flag..without consequence..at this point I don't even know what to say or feel anymore...and I am sure there are many more of you just like me out there..I personally struggle with feelings of anger, disappointment, disbelief..knowing that some of the things running through my head are not how I was raised to think or feel..but that was another time, another world. My heart is heavy and I am saddened for everyone affected by the events taking place...

Wake up and work out!!

 Good Morning all!! okay..it is 0845..a bit of a late start this morning due to getting caught up searching for half marathon possibilities for 2016..but workout is done for the day..as far as my daily goal of 20,000 steps..10,380 have already been taken!! Whoopwhoop..feeling awesome and motivated!! 
For all of you out there who have served in the US Military or are serving..Happy Veteran's Day..and thank you all for your service and commitment to do what only about 1% of the nation does!!

Breakfast this mornng was a vanilla protein shake and Kaki fruit..only got through about 1/3 of the fruit before I was 1 stuffed puppy..will make a great afternoon study snack. ;D
So..yes..while on my date with my treadmill I thought it is time for me to find out how it feels to run first a few 1/2 marathons and then progress to the full ones..found several for the spring here in Germany and am waiting for the late summer schedules for TN and GA as starting in July I will be stateside once more!! So excited for family and friends again!!..I have some educational and career goals (yes..I know I am closer to 50 and that technically I should be slowing down instead of pushing forward, but....life happens!) that I just cannot quite accomplish here and my husband is such an awesome support system for me..so very grateful!!! 
During my Bible study and conversation time with God this morning I came across the following verse which just hit the nail on the head this morning and gave my motivation level an extra push...
      
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
                                                                    --1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Powerful words...

    I wish you all an amazing day and all the energy and concentration to accomplish all you want and need to today..don't forget to share your smile while being your awesome self !! 

This kitchen is busy!!

 Hello all!! The weather has changed and therefore I have been spending a lot more time indoors than normal..and that means about every third day or so my kitchen explodes with healthy goodies!! Now, this is the first year I have ever worked with fresh pumkins..and let me just say that I am totally addicted. They so outrank the canned version in taste and color!! And as far as getting them opened and cleaned out..well..let's just say that you can skip about half of your arm workout for the day..but the results are oh so worth it!! These 2 pumpkins found a home in pumpkin muffins made with whole wheat flour and applesauce (instead of oil or butter)..with a bit of honey and molasses thrown in to substitute for the sugar..;D and also for pup treats to go with the continuation of the season..I love the feeling I get when I feed my fur children items that come out of everyday ingredients that I make for them..fresh pumpkin, eggs, and pumpkin oil..so good for them!
Have been using some ground turkey lately..made a yummy chili (not pictured..:C next time though) and some turkey burgers (pictured below) that took the guilt out of eating a burger..plus served them with fake mashed potatoes..made with cauliflower 
 instead and some freshly prepared spinach..you know what I find so amusing is that the man who informed me about 4 years ago that he wasn't a rabbit now consumes about 4 meatless meals a week..the stuffed mushrooms for example..perfectly filling for an evening where you don't want a big meal.
Have been hitting the treadmill on an almost daily basis (8.6 km) now for e couple of weeks..I do have days..like today where I choose to give my body a rest but still deposit good, healthy foods into it..this morning saw a raw grain and oatmeal cereal with dried fruits and soy-rice milk..have my large bottle of H2O by my side and am ready to hit the books..as the weather outdoors is grey and windy it looks like a perfect day to light a fire and some candles also to welcome the NW German winter in..on these short, dark days sometimes it takes some adjusting and creativity to not get caught up in the blues related to the dreariness outdoors. Okay..I wish you all an amazing Tuesday..I am going to increase my knowledge and spend some cuddle time with my fur babies!! Don't forget to share your smile!!

 Stuffed Mushroom Ingredients:

Spinach
crumbled Feta Cheese
Goat cheese
Roasted Walnuts
Green Onions
Sea Salt
Fresh ground Black Pepper

Motivational Monday is here!!

Guten Morgen!! Today has started out awesome-8.6 km on the treadmill, ran 2 miles of that (3.2 km) in 18:18..have another fitness test in April and am setting my run time goal at 17:20. Wanted to give you all a glimpse into my day-food to be consumed, the Spa Water of the day..this time with fresh grated ginger, fresh mint, and sliced limes...my reading material..both for my university courses and for those personally chosen to assist me in  improving my life..Spiritual growth, mental health and increased self-confidence, nutrition and fitness wise. I am an avid reader of just about everything I can get my hands on, and besides FSF and Have Flip Flops will Travel-I keep at least 2 journals going at all times-one for health and fitness and one for personal growth and reflection..I am also a huge fan of coloring books for adults-studies are shown that this activity has the same affect on the brain as meditation-which I am also beginning to do..to sit still for seveeral minutes at a time is really proving to be a challenge for me, but as the saying goes..practice makes perfect! The more I learn about nutrition and what we put into our bodies the more I am leanig towards a plant based diet minimal animal protien such as eggs and fish for the health benefits-have decided that red meat and pork products are out, as is anything that contains ingrediants that has been produced in a factory and are not natural (ie..chemicals)-so this means almost 100% of prepackaged foods are out, as is white flour and white sugars. At this point, with what I have learned I am just kind of disgusted with what I have previously put into my body.  But..today is a new day, a day to start taking super good care of this body and soul God has given me and I am excited to share this journey with all of you. Due to changes made in my life over the past few years my lifestyle and career has changed dramatically, I am, at the age of 46 years old, being given the opportunity to redefine and reinvent who I am and what I will spend the majority of my time doing- as a result of courses taken, material read, and information gathered I have definantly decided to focus on my next step of becoming a Health and Wellness Coach (as a 2nd career)..I had introduced this idea a couple of weeks ago and have done a lot of soul searching, prayer, and weighing of pros and cons (over months) and have decided that this is a door that God is opening for me and giving me motivation to work towards. 
 
 I do not think this will be an easy task as I have tons to learn, experiences to go through, and certifications and classes to earn and complete, but am looking forward to even more growth and change and being able to help others do the same.
So, time to hit the books-eat some healthy foods, hydrate and make today awesome. I wish you all a wonderful Motivational Monday and don't forget to share your smile!!