Menu Monday - Week of May 13th - 19th

Happy Monday everyone!  Today I'm officially declaring Monday - Menu Monday!  I will post my low carb menu every Monday.  You can also follow me on MyFitnessPal!

I've been a really junky eater today and I'm seeing the MONTH long goal of not to eat any junk food.  So I do declare that today until June 13th....No Chocolates, Cookies, or Anything that is bad for me.

For more information on my diet plan and my weight loss, please view my ABOUT ME section.

For more information about my diet please check out the 

Monday:

B:  Smart One's Omelette 

S:  Cinnamon South Beach Bar

L:  INDIAN BUFFET (Not a good day.)

S:  Ritz Crackers and Cheese

D:  Shrimp on Flat Bread

S:  Diet Ginger Ale

Tuesday:

B:  Waffles with Turkey Sausage

S:  Cinnimon South Beach Bar

L:  Shrimp on Flat Bread

S:  Pineapple and Laughing Cow Cheese

D:  Ground Beef stuffed peppers

S:  

Wednesday

B:  Egg Whites with Toast

S:  Apple with Cheese Stick

L:  Ground Beef stuffed peppers

S:  Ritz crackers and peanut butter

D:  Garlic and Herb Pork Tenderloin w/ Veggies

S:

Thursday:

B:  Waffles and Turkey Sausage

S:  Apple and Cheese Stick

L:  Pork Tenderloin

S:  Side salad and Chicken

D:  Ground Turkey

S:

Friday

B:  Cereal

S:  Side salad and chicken

L:  Ground Turkey

S:  Orange and Cheese Stick

D:  Sweet Sausage

S:

Saturday

B:  Cereal

S:  Ham and Ritz

L:  Sweet Sausage

S:  Side Salad and Chicken

D:  Steak or Fish

S:

Sunday

B:  Sausage and Waffles

S:  Ham and side salad

L:  Steak or Fish

S:  Pineapple and Chicken

D:  Chicken Breast  

S:

Weekly Grocery and Meal Plan: May 4th - May 11th

I follow the LINK AND BALANCE diet.  I try and stick to a 7 protein to 15 carb ratio.  I do not go above 15 protein to 30 carbs at any given meal.  

Saturday:
Breakfast:  Waffles and Egos w/ Folgers Coffee Mocha Swirl, 2 Splenda packets
Snack:  Keg Style Root Beer
Lunch:  Pot Pie
Snack: Pineapples and mini ham
Dinner:  Ground Beef Tacos

Total Calories: 1200
Workout: Zumba for 60 minutes = 334 calories

Sunday
Breakfast:  Egg whites and flat bread
Snack: Antipasto    
Lunch:  Flat bread and Tuna
Snack:  Apple w/ weight watchers string cheese
Dinner:  Ground Beef Burgers w/ Steam Fresh Green

Total Calories:  1200
Workout:  Jogging to C25k by Len Labs = 190 Calories

Monday
Breakfast:  Smart Ones
Snack:  Atkins - Cranberry and Almond
Lunch:  Ground Beef Burgers
Snack:  Antipasto
Dinner:  Chicken Thighs

Total Calories:  1200
Workout:  Zumba for 60 minutes:  334 Calories

Tuesday
Breakfast:  Egos and Turkey Sausage
Snack:  Atkins - Cranberry and Almond
Lunch:  Chicken Thighs
Snack: Antipasto
Dinner  Hotdogs on Whole Wheat buns

Total Calories:  1200
Workout:  Jogging to C25k by Len Labs = 190 Calories

Wednesday
Breakfast:  Smart Ones
Snack:  Atkins - Cranberry
Lunch: Hotdogs on Whole wheat
Snack:  Orange with cheese stick
Dinner:  Turkey Sloppy Joes

Total Calories:  1200
Workout:  Rest

Thursday
Breakfast:  Egos and Sausage
Snack:  Atkins - Cranberry
Lunch:  Frozen Dinner
Snack:  Orange and Mini Hams
Dinner:  Pork Tenderloin

Total Calories:  1200
Workout:  Jogging to C25k by Len Labs = 190 Calories


Friday
Breakfast:  Smart Ones
Snack:  Atkins Cranberry
Lunch:  Pork Tenderloin
Snack:  Orange and Almonds/Cheese Stick
Dinner:  Fish - random side

Total Calories:  1200
Workout:  Rest

Low Carb Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Being a classy southern belle I too crave the occasional southern delight.  This week it has been Chicken Pot Pies.  I had been thinking of a recipe to make and then it hit me, why not use reduced fat crescent rolls??!  I originally wanted to make these in muffin pans.  One roll per cup with stuff in the middle?  NEXT TIME!

It tasted amazing and will defiantly be made again!

Serves:  4

Ingredients:
1 Container - Pillsbury - Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls (8)
1 chicken breast, 3 cups - Shady Brook Farms (Food Lion Brand)
2 Cups - Chicken Broth
2/3 C. Peas - Generic
1 C. Green Beans - Generic
2 Stalks Celery
1 C. Carrots
1.5 Tbs Corn Starch - Harris Teeter

Calories, Carbs, Fat, Protein, Sugar, Fiber

Total:	1,182	141	35	73	37	11
Per Serving:	296	35	9	18	9	3

Preheat your oven for 375 degrees.

Start by bringing your 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil.  After it comes to a boil, slowly add the corn starch and boil....

THIS is where things got sketchy for me.  As I was adding the corn starch, about 3 table spoons worth, it was lumping up and I had to strain it.  "OH NO MY LUMPS" I was saying in my best Lumpy Space Princess Voice.  It strained out 1.5 tablespoons of lumps.

NOTE FOR NEXT TIME:  I was reading on the internet and it said if you added it to a cold liquid first before introducing it to boiling chicken broth.  The sauce still thickened up after about 2 minutes boiling and after straining the lumps.

After you strain (if needed) and the sauce thickens add the chickens and all the vegetables!  Good them until the vegetables are cooked.

CRUST:
I used a standard sized pie pan.  I took the roll of crescent rolls and stretched half (4) of them with my hands. they fit across the entire bottom.  I spooned the cooked chicken and vegetable sauce into the pan.  After placing the mixture into the pan, stretch the remaining crescent rolls and place them on the top.

Place in Oven and bake for 10-13 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Low Carb - Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday
Breakfast: Reduced Fat Eggos and hard boil egg
Snack:  Apple with Sliced Turkey
Lunch:  BBQ Sandwich
Snack:  Cookie with Almond Milk
Dinner:  Baked "Ziti" with Tofu Noodles and Buffalo meat

Monday
Breakfast:  Sugar Free Blue Berry Muffins and Turkey Sausage
Snack:  South Beach Cereal Bar
Lunch:  BBQ
Snack:  Apple and Hard Boil Egg
Dinner:  Spaghetti Squash and a Sugar Free Cookie

Tuesday
Breakfast:  Turkey Sausage and Toast w/ sugar free Jam
Snack:  Almonds and  Blueberry Muffin
Lunch:  Spaghetti Squash
Snack:  Turkey slice and Trail Mix
Dinner: Low Carb Pot Pie and a Sugar Free Cookie

Wednesday
Breakfast:  Sugar Free Blue Berry Muffins and Turkey Sausage
Snack:  Apple and Almonds
Lunch:   Low Carb Pot Pie   
Snack:  Turkey slice and blue berry muffin
Dinner:  Taco Night w/ Vegetables


Thursday
Breakfast:  Sugar Free Blue Berry Muffins and Turkey Sausage
Snack:  Apples with Almonds
Lunch:  Taco Night
Snack:  Trail Mix and Turkey
Dinner:

Friday
Breakfast:  Turkey Sausage and Toast w/ sugar free Jam
Snack:
Lunch:  Hardee's Turkey Burger
Snack:
Dinner:

Saturday
Breakfast:  Turkey Sausage and Toast w/ sugar free Jam
Snack:
Lunch:
Snack:
Dinner:

Low Carbin' - Three Cheese Bison Baked "Ziti" Tofu

Since I discovered Shirataki Tofu Noodles at the store, I'm trying to make it a point to work them into more of my meals.  I stumbled across a recipe from Italian Food.com called Baked "ziti" W/ Tofu Shirataki

Brands Used:
Harris Teeter - Fancy Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Harris Teeter - 2% Sharp Cheddar Cheese-Shredded, 1/4 cup
Fresh Meat - Ground Bison, Great Range, 16 oz (113g)
Shirataki Tofu Noodles - Fettuccine Shaped Noodles, 16 OZ

Calories:  405  Carbs:  5g  Fat:  23g  Protein:  43  Sugar:  1  Fiber:  3

Rating:  4/5

Comment:  This dish was very delicious.  The texture of the shirataki noodles is nicely masked among the cheese and bison meat.

Low Carbin' - Slow Cooker Pork BBQ

Ever since I was a small child, there have only been two great debates among North Carolinians.  The first hot topic for discussion in my state is which college basketball team is better....UNC or Duke?  The second great debate is well.....BBQ.

At the store a few weeks ago I bought a 2 pound pork tenderloin for under $5!  That my friends, is a deal.  It has been sitting in my freezer ever since and I didn't have a clue on what to do with it.  UNTIL, I stumbled across this recipe from Healthy Low Carb Living - BBQ Pork Loin. 

SAY WHATTT?  BBQ Pork loin, how can you go wrong?  Although, I'm pretty picky about my BBQ.  Especially since NC is famous for it....

I also decided to use myfitnesspal.com to receive the Food Diary details.  Often when I put in these low BBQ recipes, they aren't low carb at all!

Ingredient Brands
Premium Farms - Pork Tenderloin
Hunt's 100% Natural Tomato Paste
Distilled White Vinegar - Walmart Brand
Worcestershire Sauce - Food Lion Brand
Chili Powder
Splenda
Dry Mustard

BBQ Pork Per Serving
Calories:  160  Carbs: 8  Fat:  3  Protein:  26  Sugar:  6  Fiber:  2

With Pepperidge Farm Classic Bun -
Calories: 270  Carbs:  25  Fat:  5  Protein:  35  Sugar:  8  Fiber:  4

With Green bean and Almond Steamable - Green Giant
Calories: 310 Carbs: 29  Fat:  7  Protein:  36  Sugar: 9 Fiber: 5

RATING:  4/5 Stars

SUMMARY:  I always love the way meat comes out of the slow cooker.  Falling off the bone good.  For this dish my only complaint was about the sauce.  The sauce didn't taste very BBQ like.  It needed to be spiced up and made thicker.  This would have allowed the sauce to stick to the pork and have that BBQ kick.

This Week's Low Carb Menu

Monday
Breakfast: Waffles with Turkey Sausage
Snack: Hard boiled egg and crackers
Lunch: Chicken salad
Snack:Apple with Almonds
Dinner:  Enchiladas

Tuesday
Breakfast:  Hard boiled egg with Turkey Sausage and Toast w/ Sugar Free Jelly
Snack:  Orange w/ almonds
Lunch:  Chicken Salad
Snack  Nutra-grain Bar
Dinner:  Egg Drop Soup

Wednesday
Breakfast:  Cereal
Snack:  Nutra-grain Bar
Lunch:  Tuna Salad
Snack:  Apple With Almonds
Dinner:  BBQ Pork

Thursday
Breakfast:  Waffles with Turkey Sausage
Snack:  Orange with almonds
 Lunch:  BBQ
Snack:  Nutri-grain
Dinner:  Duck w/ Veggie

Friday
Breakfast:  Egg w/ sausage
Snack:  Nutri-grain
Lunch:  Tuna Salad
Snack:  Orange with Almonds
Dinner:  Cheesy Meatball Soup

Saturday
Breakfast:  Breakfast Biscuits  - Low Carb
Snack:  Nutri-grain
Lunch:  Cheesy Meatball soup
Snack:  Orange with Almonds
Dinner:  Chicken Curry

Sunday
Breakfast:  Waffles and turkey sausage 
Snack:  Nutirgrain 
Lunch:  Curry
Snack  Oranges w/ almonds
Dinner:  Stuffed peppers

Week In Review

Weekly Goals:

Plan my meals (and stick with it)
Start Jogging and couch to 5k
Get students motivated about newsletters
Finally put packing material away
Start a new book
Write Three Blogs (ask myself, what do I want people to know?)

This Weeks Blogs

One Recipe Post w/ Instagram Photo
One Workout Post w/ Instagram Photo
One Teacher Tip w/ Instagram Photo

Weekly Menu - Low Carb - March 10 - March 16

Hello Everyone!  Just wanted to post my low carb menu for the week.  I know how frustrating it is to know have menu ideas for your diet.  My month's goal is to plan all of my meals in advance and stick to an eating schedule.  I've also started doing Zumba again!  I cannot wait for warm weather so everything else can fall into place. 

You can visit and add me on Myfitnesspal.com/toscarthearmada and see the diet information on these items. 

Sunday
Breakfast:  Coconut Pancakes 
Snack:  Pineapple and Mini Ham Bites
Lunch:  Italian Sweet Sausage with Corn
Snack:  Low Carb Anti Pasta Salad
Dinner:  Venison and Cabbage Soup with Cresent Roll

Monday
Breakfast:  Ego Waffles (Reduced Fat) with Jimmie Dean Turkey Sausage Patties 
Snack:  Antipasta
Lunch:  Venison and Cabbage
Snack:  Pineapple and Mini Ham Bites
Dinner:  Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash

Tuesday:
Breakfast:  Special K - Protein with Almond Milk
Snack:  Side Salad w/ Pepperoni
Lunch:  Meatballs with Squash
Snack:  Turkey and Ritz
Dinner:  Chicken Parm Sandwich - Soft Whole Wheat Bread - Side Salad

Wednesday
Breakfast:  Ego Waffles (Reduced Fat)  With Jimmie Dean Turkey Patties
Snack:  Side Salad with salami
Lunch:  Chicken Parm Sandwich - Side Salad
Snack:  Peanuts with carrots
Dinner:  Egg Drop Soup w/ homemade chicken broth - Homemade cheddar bread

Thursday
Breakfast:  Special K with Almond Milk
Snack:  Peanuts with carrots
Lunch:  Egg Drop Soup with - Homemade Bread
Snack:  Side Salad with Pepperoni
Dinner:  Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Friday
Breakfast: Omelet w/ Hashbrowns
Snack:  Side Salad with salami
Lunch:  Chicken Enchilada - Homemade Bread
Snack:  Trail Mix
Dinner:  Tacos

Saturday
Breakfast:  Omelet with Hashbrowns
Snack:  Peanut butter with Carrots
Lunch:  Tacos
Snack:  Ham and Ritz
Dinner:  Mustard and Ginger Turkey Chops

Goals for March

I love feeling so small.  Driving back from Raleigh was a lot of fun..  I put Coheed in the cd player and owned the road.  I did everything by myself, for myself.  It was an amazing feeling to feel so independent.

Setting Goals for March.

Daily:
Eat Better
Plan my Meals

Weekly
 Plan all meals
Workout at least 2 times a week
Weekly Craft
Weekly Health Food Project

Monthly
Lose 4 pounds
Start C25k

Conference

I got a chance to go to a teacher conference in Raleigh over the weekend.  I got to stay across the street from the crab tree hotel.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to explore the mall, although I need clothes.

I did gain a lot of information from my conference.  A few cool ideas for computer applications and my careers class.  I feel so refreshed that things are coming together in my professional life!

New Bern Livin'

The Moving Process
This is the 4th time I've moved in my life.  The first being 15 feet infront of my very first home I lived in for 19 years.  My parents put another house directly in front of our old farm house.  They knocked it down and I moved to Greenville shortly after.  I spent 5 years in Greenville, two years in pamlico, and now two week here in the beautiful town of New Bern.  I've got to say that this was the easiest move I've done AND driving a 20 ft rental truck was a lot of fun.

Downsizing
I've donated so much stuff to goodwill in this move it's not even funny.  15 bags of clothes, some still with tags on them.  A sofa, an entertainment center, a ottoman, and shoes.  I hope they enjoy their new home.  <3

New House
I love my street.  Our neighbors already had a welcome to the neighborhood party for us.  I love having the chance to met so many people who know the heritage and importance of this place.  Every was so nice and kind.  I'm truly lucky to live here.

I'm putting in some hardcore city exploring this coming week!

Low Carbin' It

Fit nicely into my diet today!  Score one for Harris Teeter!

Lazy Sunday

I love lazy Sundays.  I went to my favorite place for breakfast this morning and got the usual.  The Hungry Farmer with two scrambled eggs with two links turkey sausage, two pancakes and hash browns!  The hell with my diet right?  Did I mention the home made butter syrup?

I'm getting really excited about my move.  I think it's going to be a fantastic experience and I'm trying not to let the change get me down.  I know this is a good change.  FINALLY away from the boonies and into a place that seems like the smallest city in the world.

Today I sat down for a second and actually thought of the top 10 reasons why I'm so excited about this move.

10. Kayak - This is one of my goals for the summer!  I want a Kayak to explore and go on adventures with. Now to start finding one...
9.  Neighbors.  - I'm so excited to have neighbors!  I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone on my block.
8.  Public Library - They library always has the coolest things going on.  American Sign Language Basics? Yes, please.  
7. The Civic Theater - I really miss going to plays and I'm so mad that I'm missing Jazz right now!
6.  Mumfest - I know it's only once a year, but how cool is it to walk to a fair?
5.  Photography.  I had such a great time in Ocracoke taking photos that I'm excited to be able to live in an historic town.  I started scouting places now to take photos.  I'm glad I'm moving in when the flowers are about to bloom.  I cannot wait to get amazing flower images.  =)
4. Exercise.  - FINALLY!  Living out in the boonies it's hard to get exercise in when the nearest gym is 40 minutes away.  Talk about un-motivating.  When I move I will get to jog around a beautiful community, walk my dog regularly, and even join a dance studio for zumba!
3.  Beautiful House.  - The new rental is BEAUTIFUL!  100+ year old home that has been changed to a duplex is just my style.  Living in Greenville for so many years I have a lot of experience with duplexes.  Being around everything out rides the noise.
2.  Night Life.  - Pity this is the time of my life that I'm losing weight and eating better.  Especially because I'm moving to an area that is mostly restaurants, fudge and Ice cream shops!
1.  Dog.  Unfortunately I've made the adult decision (boo) to wait to get my little fuzz until summer vacation, so I can actually have time to spend with it and train it.  Spending 8 hours in a kennel does not seem like good times to me.  I love my pup more than that!

Instagram

I decided to start a new instagram account.  Please feel free to add me....

instagram.com/toscarthearmada

Pinterest Hair Care

So, sometimes I think I have horrible hair.  It's long, thick, and wavy.  It's often frizzy or if using the wrong shampoo, greasy 

I came across this pinterst post about using Cocoa nut oil in your hair to make it soft and manageable.  I wanted to learn more tricks about my hair and decided to do it.

What You'll Need:

Cocoa Nut Oil

Shower Cap

Blow Dryer (Optional)

Hair Clip

Start by finding cocoa nut oil at your local grocery store.  You can find it down the cooking isle next to the other oils you can use for cooking/baking.  I would highly recommending finding an Extra Virgin kind because the regular has too much grease. 

After you purchase the cocoa nut oil, you will use your hands to scoop  it out and apply it to your hair.  Flip your hair upside and and make sure it's completely saturated.  

Once your hair is completely covered, twist it up in a bun and set it in place with a clip.  Wrap your bun up in a shower cap.  This will allow the oil to moisturizer your hair.  You have two options here.

1.  Apply Heat.  You can apply a hair dryer to your shower cap and cut the air time down to 15 minutes.

2.  No Heat:  You can choose not to apply heat but you need to wait 30 minutes before you wash it out.

A fast rinse in the sink with my normal shampoo and conditioner treatment, really made my hair noticeable soft.  However, because I did not use the extra virgin cocoa nut oil, it made my hair really greasy.  So I decided to wash my hair out one more time.

The second wash worked like a charm!  My hair was so soft and light, it was really an amazing feeling for my hair!  I'd highly recommend anyone trying this.  Only with extra virgin of course.

-84 Pounds

 Before

After
For the past nine months I've been trying to change my life and lose weight.  In April on 2012 I found out that I had insulin resistance and my doctor put me on a low carb diet.  With my low cab diet I stick to a stick 15 carb to 7 protein ratio.  THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN AMAZING!  I lost 10 pounds a month for 8 month.  This last month I haven't lost anything weight.  I've been busying keeping my current weight.  Which is a huge accomplishment in my books.

My future goals?  Because I move this weekend I will be able to jog and attend a gym/dance classes.  I am also starting the 30 day shred tomorrow.  I am very optimistic about moving to my new place.  I'm so ready for warm weather to start water aerobics too.

Personally I'd like to lose about 30 ish pounds.  I started my weight loss journey at 256 pounds and made it to a 171.  I would love to be 145 pounds but I plan on doing strength training to tone and to bring that weight up.  Really, my over all goal is to be healthy. I'm at a really good point in my life.  =)

Friday, January 18th

Friday, January 18th

Today we leave the island!  We got out at 9:30 and had a chance to explore the little village.  Most of the shops were closed but we did get to hit a few little nik nak shops.  On the way home I got to read 75% of a book called "Twenty Boy Summer" by Sarah Ockler.  I wanted a young teen/adult novel that had a love vibe.  No, I am not interested in books like Twilight  but I do enjoy a good love story.  Thus why my favorite movie of all time is....The Princess Bride!

A few weeks before I left for Ocracoke Island, I came across a show called "Show the States got their shapes."  On one of the episodes it discussed the dialect of Ocracoke island.  I was so excited to discover this work chart for local slang.  =)

Came across some of these babies in one of the local shops.  You could have a bit of history for $200!  I did pick up some awesome t-shirts (size medium for the FIRST TIME EVER!) and a necklace.

I LOVED my stay at Ocracoke and it really taught me about the island lifestyle.  Not being in the rush to get anywhere and enjoying the moment.  This trip has really taught me a lot about my lesson planning for school. I feel more organized and ready to take on the new semester!

Thursday, January 17th

Thursday, January 17th

The share fair went great!  I was so nervous and I felt like I fumbled through a lot of my presentation.  When I was in high school I was such a shy person.  If you would have told me 10 years ago that I'd be infront of groups of 30+ giving presentations, I'd drop dead on the spot!  But no.  I'm not the greatest public speaker but I'm learning.  And being able to record my lectures and present it to students really helps me work on my skills.  

After the share fair we went on a very COLD and WINDY adventure on the beach.  We went 4x4 to another point on the island.  The weather had drastically changed and I was freezing to death!  I don't remember ever being that cold in my life.

Wednesday, January 16th

Wednesday, January 16th

What another beautiful day!  I cannot believe that it's almost 70 degrees here on the island.  A perfect day to explore my new surrounds and adoptive home.

And that I did!

I started my adventure by visiting the Ocracoke Light House.  This 215 year old light house is not open to the public.  The very top of it consists of a one man hatch for the light house keeper to come in and out of it.

After a trip to the light house, we went to Springer's Point.  The home of Blackbeard and where he was beheaded.  Also the home to some very amazing scenes along the island.  I'm so glad places like this are protected!

After the trip to Springer's Point, we visited the Pony Pen that houses the wild houses of the island.  Then we took a beach walk.  

We ended the day planning for our share fair tomorrow AND I had the best cup of ripe strawberries!

Tuesday, January 15th

Tuesday, January 15th

This morning I went for a job around Ocracoke Island.  It was about 6 am and the weather was perfect!  I will never forget jogging down highway 12 and passing so many coves full of ships.  So many locals passing me on golf carts and wishing me a good morning.

The weather was almost perfect this morning and it continued throughout the day!

After our afternoon activities we got a chance to visit the #1 Beach in the United States.  Growing up on the Outer Banks I was so surprised how different it was compared to where I'm from.  Beaches that were so clean and covered in cannon ball jelly fish.

I actually got to touch one with my finger!  It was mighty .... jelly feeling.

 Ocracoke is infamous for it's pirates!  It was the famous spot for Blackbeard due to it's difficulty navigating around the island.  Blackbeard resided on Springer's Point and was beheaded there.  His head was taken to Bath, NC while his body is unknown.  Many believe that his ghost still wonders there....

 This is one of the first facial photos of me from my -80 pound lost.  =)

 Voted the number one beach in the United States.  So beautiful!

Monday - January 14th

Today is the day for the big trip!  I'm finally going to my North Carolina teacher seminar in Ocracoke, NC!  I'm so excited, I have lived on the Outer Banks my entire life and have never been out to Ocracoke.  I've especially never been on a ferry for 2 hours 15 minutes!

I don't know what to expect from this trip.  I know whatever it is that I will make the most of it.  It seems that the seminar is about keeping teacher in the profession.

I've been on a ferry a few times in my hometown.  However, I've never been on quite like this.  Some how the open sound and sky made me feel so small.  I did a lot of good reading on that boat!  I haven't been able to read in a long time.  Current Book:  20 Boy Summer

The ride over was beautiful and the weather was perfect for an island adventure!  I can't believe I got to go on such a great trip, especially one that improves my teaching skills.

I stayed in the old NC Coast Guard base.  Full of history and a very beautiful facility.  After dinner of an amazing stuffed beef with broccoli, we met up in the conference room and discussed our plans for the week. We met up in the crow's nest of the building to view the sunset before bed.

Year of the Meg - Introduction

Hello!  My name is Megan and I'm making this blog to track the progress of my New Years resolutions.  After an amazing 2011 and interesting 2012, I'm ready for action.  An AMAZING 2013 is my future.

I want to use this as a road map to the year.  I want to hold myself accountable for the reasons I'm thriving or just surviving.  Goals lead to Success, I'm a true believer in that!

2013, My New Years Resolutions.

1.  MOVE!

It's not that I don't like my current place.  I love the quite little town that I live in.  I love the early morning walks down by the bay and the little fiddler crabs that tried to eat me.  However, I miss civilizations.  I miss people, conversations, and .. well anything.

The great thing about moving is that I've already picked a place and have a deposit.  I just have to wait until March!

2.  Work Out Regular
I've already lost 80 pounds in the past 8 months soooo....I've already graduated that New Years Resolution last year.  Now I want to exercise...A LOT.  I want to be able to run a 5k in the spring.  I want to tone my body so I am my peak physical condition for the first time of my life.  My move will really help me accomplish this.  I will be closer to a number of gyms AND I will be able to have a running partner, A DOG!

3.  Get a dog
 I LOVE DOGS!  What more can I say?  I want to go to the shelter and see what takes a liking to me.  The only requirements is that they need to be runners and low on the shed.  =)

4.  Photography
 I'm moving into one of the most beautiful locations in my state.  I want to start taking photos on the regular.

5.  Craft
I want to pick up a craft.  I'm actually really good at making things but never have the drive.

6.  Read
I want to read at least one book a month.  I will be moving close to the library and hopefully spend most my time there.

7.  Go Back to School
I want to look into going back to school in the fall.  Should be good times!

8.  Make Friends
Need new friends in a new area!

9. Give up all my vices!
This is going to be hard, but I've accomplished more!