Future Sailor!

Cameron is joining the Navy!

He takes the ASVAB test this Wednesday May 2nd, and soon after will be driving down to San Diego to enlist in the U.S. Navy. For those of you that really know Cam, you will remember his lifelong dreams of serving his home and country in the military. Now he is taking the steps to do just that.

I cannot forget the moment he told me about his decision to enlist. It was humble, nervous, and very proud for his country. Because of the relationship that we have, he came to me asking my opinions and how I felt about this HUGE decision. It took me no time to tell him yes. I am thrilled about this opportunity for the both of us. So many doors will open up for our future together, and although there will be serious struggles (especially during long deployments) I cannot wait for Cameron to be enlisted and on his way. 



Can't wait to see Cameron in his uniform! lol.



I have much to learn and experience with a life apart of the military, it will mean a new challenge everyday. But, I look forward to opportunities to grow, learn, and become more courageous. It takes a strong woman to stand behind a military man. I have faith in myself and in my Heavenly Father, enough to guide me and serve me in this new adventure. A quote I love right now is from Steve Jobs, he said " Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition".  I feel blessed by Cameron's decision to follow his heart. I know I can always trust that he is doing what he loves. One of the things I cautioned him about was picking the right place and position as he enlists. He was debating for a long time whether or not to enlist as a soldier in the army, or as a sailor in the navy. I am so glad he chose the navy. He loves the ocean, the history, and the emphasis on knowledge and will that is a part of the Navy. Knowing that he will be fulfilled with his career, means that our relationship will have another foundation to grow strong upon. I was afraid he might rush in to a position, whether it was out of excitment or a want to leave. In which case, in addition to other stressful things in life, he would be stressed out needlessly at work. So I feel fortunate for his continuing efforts to become the man he has always wanted to be. 

I am very proud of him, and am excited to see the incredible things he will do in his life. For those of you that do read this, have a little prayer in your heart this wednesday as he takes the ASVAB!! I will post again about this soon I am sure! Can't wait to hear back his results..........

Fiber-licious Banana Muffins!

Good morning, it's Monday yet again! To help lessen the blow of yet another Monday, I set out to bake whole wheat banana muffins. I have never made muffins from scratch and was worried about them coming out rubber and hard. The recipe I found is from Joyofbaking.com and its delicious! This morning I woke making a grocery list of some fiber rich foods....it is so easy to eat a lot of fiber, its a wonder how so many of us go with out it. Anyways these muffins average about 3g of fiber per muffin. I am so stoked to eat them for breakfast and share them with the girls all week.

Here are the ingredients!

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon ( iadded an extra eighth)

1 1/2 cups mashed banana ( i used three large bananas)

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup nonfat milk

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Here are the directions!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Line 16 muffin cups with  paper liners, or you can butter or spray the muffin cups with non stick vegetable spray.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon.

In another large bowl combine the mashed bananas, lightly beaten eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, lightly fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined and the batter is thick and chunky.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins and, if desired, place a slice of dried banana on top of each muffin for a garnish.

Bake fore 18-22 minutes. (Mine took 18 minutes and were perfect!)
Place on wire rack to cool for five minutes. (I recently learned that if you put your baked goods onto a wire rack to cool, it keeps them softer for longer. I have never done that before, so my cookies and such always turn hard after they have cooled.) Serve warm or at room temperature.


Enjoy!!

I have started planning a road trip for the California Coastline!! I am VERY excited. Most of the highlights will be on the beautiful beaches along the coast. I have never been to San Francisco or to all of the PCH and Hwy 1 that spreads out between San Diego and San Francisco. It will be a new experience in many ways and it will feel great to be traveling again!! I can't wait! The trip is planned for tentatively late August or during Septemeber. I will post my road map when it gets closer and share some of my favorite experiences along the way!

Also this summer! Bob Blair and Mary Smith are getting married on the Carnival Cruiseship Inspiration. We'll be on the ship for the wedding and then the whole family, along with myself, will be underway on the popular Catalina and Ensanada cruise. This will be mine and Cameron's first cruise together!



Ensanada, Grande

Cameron and I have had a lot of fun over the (almost seven!) years that we have been together. We have both expressed how much we love to travel and can't wait to fill our passports with stamps and visas together.   

Carnival Ship Inspiration

  Though Cameron has beat me to many more countries, I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have had to travel, and look forward to a future with many more trips, volunteering abroad opportunities, and exploring new cities in which we will live. 2012 is shaping up to be a great year so far!! I feel so blessed.

A fresh start!

" The difference between a goal and a dream is a deadline" - In 2012 I started making deadlines and holding myself accountable for the things I wanted. I began a fitness journal and created weightloss goals like some many do when January 1st rolls in; and now halfway through the year I find myself setting a higher goal.
I have made the decision to become a Personal Trainer.
It has become a passion of mine. I enjoy researching nutritional and fitness trends, facts, and studies. I like trying new workouts and fixing up healthy recipes. It has also become hugely important that I use what I learn to help other people who may be struggling.
I spent the first half of this year so far exploring what motivates me. I would like to share a few of the things that have inspired and supported my decision to make fitness and nutrition my career.

• I spent a short period of time working on fitness and self-esteem with someone who is very close to me. We worked out together, shared our thoughts on confidence and worked on having a better self-image. After just a week of working together, she went into tears and told me how sincerely grateful she was for me believing in her. With the little knolwedge that I had I was able to help her enough to realize she is important. We have since stopped our routine, but as I enroll in school, learn more, and grow, I am confident in my power to help transform her and help her to achieve her goals.  

• My own body has become soft, lazy, and out of shape! This is a huge motivator to become healthy and strong. As I try new things and learn more about health and wellness all I want to do is share it with someone. Also, what better way to stay in shape than being a personal trainer where it is REQUIRED.  I am so excited to become a personal trainer so that I have the opportunity to work out everyday, meet new people, and share my own experiences with them so that they may have a little light on their path towards better health.

• Recently I spent an evening with someone, who may not know this, that inspires and motivates me to be successful in many ways. He shared with me and a few others his perspective on one way to be successful. Service to other people. He gave many examples of how individuals in his life helped him grow, become better at his job, and taught him how to serve. He brought up experiences where he has been able to serve in his career and how it has helped him have a sense of accomplishment with his life. This really opened my eyes and was yet another sign that personal training is where I am meant to be.

I read a quote from Steve Jobs a little while back, he said, "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." This is exactly what I am doing with my life now. I have spent a long time trying to figure out who I am and where I should be headed and now I finally know. So at this time in my life as I learn and grow I want to share everything with you. It is my priority to help, serve, and train others.
In good health!

M