The Power of a Positive Attitude

WORK OUT: This morning I ran an easy 3 miles at 6mph (I am slowing way down from my normal 7.5mph pace to give my body a rest during this season for various medical reasons) followed by walking 30 min at 4mph pace on my treadmill. I finished the last episode of Parenthood on Netflix. It was a tear-jerker! Now I need to find a new show.

Last night, I went to a girlfriend's house for our monthly dinner club. We started this group about 2-3 years ago and rotate to each others houses each month for a 3 course meal. It is a great way to stay connected in each others' lives and enjoy new tasty recipes made from scratch.

Last night was a special night, one girl announced her husband's promotion! She now can be a stay-at-home mom which is something she has always dreamed of. The only bittersweet part is they are moving to DC. We will miss her deeply.

Another announcement last night was a pregnancy! I love celebrating the joys in each of our lives together. I think all to often we tend to think of the negative things in our lives. What is going wrong in our lives. What could I have done better? Why wasn't I faster in that race? Why did I have to get behind a slow person on the road? Why am I always late? etc etc ETC.

I heard a great message yesterday on Serious XM radio about how God actually allows those negative things to happen in our lives to grow us. It's not about what is happening to us, its about what happening for us. Next time we are caught in a negative mindset or an unhappy situation because of someone else we need to remind ourselves that this is an opportunity to grow and learn. Also God allows us to cross paths with negative people so they can see how we react.

I found this quote the other day on Pinterest.

It's hard to be grateful in adverse situations but sometimes that is what we are to do to grow and shape us into even better people. In various trials, consider it per joy (Paul writes in the Bible). 

Today I choose to focus on the why not the what. Why am I placed in this situation? To grow and show God's love to those who need it most. 

Hope you have an amazing day! Find something to be grateful for and focus on it :-) 

Coconut Pineapple Chicken

MY RUN:

I decided to get in a few slow treadmill miles last night while dinner cooked in the oven.  I ended up running 4 miles in 32 minutes while watching an episode of "Friday Night Lights" on my Kindle Fire.  I made it to season 3 and love it so far!


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It really is the perfect to show to watch during a run, it's 40 minute long. includes football inspiration talks, and high school romances, and it keeps me interested so I forget I am running...almost! ;-)

For dinner I decided to make up a recipe. I had two thawed, plump, organic grass-fed, hormone-free chicken breasts in my fridge and was in the mood for something sweet.

I ended making Pineapple Coconut Chicken served with Citrus Slaw and Quinoa. For Dessert I ended up making 4-Ingredient Protein Peanut Butter Balls modified from a few recipe ideas I saw on Pinterest.

It was so easy!!

Coconut Pineapple Chicken
Crushed Pineapple
Coconut Oil
Sweetened Coconut Flakes
Lime Slices for garnish

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Preheat Oven to 350F
Rub Coconut oil on a 8x8 glass baking dish
Place 2 thawed Chicken Breasts in baking dish
Cover with a large can of crushed Pineapple
Top with a small handful of Sweetened Coconut Flakes
Bake for 50 minutes or until chicken is cooked all the way through.  May add hot sauce depending on you taste for a more Polynesian-flavored dish.

Citrus Slaw
Bag of sliced Coleslaw Cabbage
1TB Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2c Light Mayo with Olive Oil
1TB Sugar
2TB Sweet Pickle Juice

Mix the last four ingredients together in a small bowl
Pour over the shredded cabbage and mix
Refrigerate until ready to serve

Protein Peanut Butter Balls
1c oats
1c peanut butter
3/4c protein powder
3/4-1c honey or maple syrup 

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Mix all ingredients together and roll into small 1inch balls
Refrigerate until ready to serve

Overall, Bryan and my mother-in-law liked the meal! :-)

Taco Tuesday

Growing up, my mom used to make homemade meals every night. One of my favorite memories was TACO night! She used to go all out and prepare a full taco bar with hard/soft tacos, meat, cheeses, lettice, chilis, salsa, sour cream, beans, corn, avocados, peppers, olives, cilantro, tomatoes, dressings, etc.

I always made a HUGE salad for my meal. Taco night was more casual so we usually rented a movie and ate in the living room with our plates loaded high with healthy food! (at least my plate, can't say the same for my dad and borther haha)

Now whenever its Tuesday and I see various signs at Mexican restaurants advertising Taco Tuesday specials, I always crave a good taco- salad!

Question:

Do you have any family mealtime traditions that you want to bring back into your life?

(Source- Taco)