My Summer Anthem

This summer has been one of the best summers of my life. Not because of fun filled activities, up north trips, dog and house sitting, laying out by the pool, or drinking wine on the patio.  Although I've done all of these things with my loving and supportive friends and family, the most important aspect of my summer is the relationship I've built with myself.

Everyone has a story to share, but not everyone is willing to accept or embrace their vulnerabilities from the past. This is something I've learned about myself this summer. I needed to accept some of the insecurities I was holding onto from the past, and I didn't know how to let it go. 

Acceptance is a beautiful term. Acceptance means you allow your thoughts and emotions to come and go without judgement. Without judgement....this was a tough one for me. I am an extremely compassionate, friendly, and outgoing person, but I identified my sensitivities as vulnerability.  I didn't always embrace my sensitive side with myself. I identified my emotions to myself, instead of recognizing an emotion as it is.  I would hold myself back from opportunities  because of fear that my empathetic side would come on too strong. What I realized was holding onto something and trying to control or change aspects of yourself or your life isn't love. Neuroses can be seen as diamonds, and the most important person that needs to view imperfections as beautiful is yourself.  Once you see yourself as being confident, flaws and all, then life happens as it should....instead of working against it.

Rediscovering yourself is not the same as changing yourself, remember that.  

Staying Fit Is The New Skinny

One of my new addictions is pinterest. Although I admit I spend too much time on this site at times, it is inspiring and motivating to make life style changes and dream big! Something I want to change for myself this year is to stay ACTIVE in my goals. A perfect example would be to dream about killer abs & to "feel skinny." The solution? DO cardio. ENGAGE your core. TRY pilates or yoga And...STOP putting the same CRAP in your mouth that makes you BLOAT!

It's all about staying fit and healthy...and being active in your life.

Fit is the new skinny.

Health on the inside is more important than the looks from the outside. Lets face it, when you see a beautiful tall and skinny woman, you think to yourself: "this girl must work her ass off to have a shape like that, or she eats extremely healthy (or never eats)." And for all you men out there, I know that you get competitive with your fitness too-especially in the gym. Some men might look like they bench 200 pounds daily. Not always. Some people are blessed with a high metabolism or certain figure, meaning they can eat anything, or have a flat stomach without ever having to run or do a core work out in their life! Instead of envying these people (which is hard to do at times I know), we need to focus on our own physical bodies and our own inner health. Lets think about what we do to our bodies when we eat or exercise.

Being mentally aware of what we are eating is key to a healthy inner body. If you can't pronounce an ingredient, DON'T EAT IT!!! Eat whole foods....the less ingredients the better. I try to stick to the 5 ingredient or less rule. You also need to follow your own hunger, not the clock (a goal of mine actually). I believe that it is important to eat in small portions and to eat often in order to keep your metabolism going...but if you aren't hungry for an entire meal...don't eat the whole plate!

We also need to reflect and think about how and when we use our energy to stay active or not. I'm tired of hearing people say they want to lose weight, or have toned arms and do NOTHING about it. Get your butt off the couch and get moving!! We have a choice to have a fit body, eat healthfully, and create balance to maintain a healthy life style. We need to remember to start from the inside first; work on your mind (are you doubting yourself or are you motivated to make a lifestyle change and go to the gym?), your eating habits (are you indulging constantly, or are you treating yourself with small portions?), and how you engage in exercise. This is what makes you healthy- it's all about balancing and maintaining a constant fuel for life.

MIND OVER MATTER: If you tell yourself you can't run a mile, then you won't. If you tell yourself that you can go out of your comfort zone and try the new kickboxing class, then you will succeed. It's all in your head, your body can do anything, it's your choice what you do with it.

Here's a new work out prayer I came up with inspired by a pinterest runner's prayer:

Work out by my side;

live in my heart and stay active through the ride;

give me strength to keep going,

but challenge me so my body will be showing

my true health, which is pure and fit

so I will never say the words "I cant,"

but rather say, "I will never quit."

Amen,

Tiffany

The lesson of this all? You can change, as long as you are willing to accept that this ride isn't going to be easy, it will be tough and long, but not impossible. This is a daily change, not a fab diet, it's a way of life. Take a seat on your health rollercoaster, and make it your own. I hope you learn how to take each moment and opportunity as it comes and create a life you love. There will be highs of happiness, accomplishments, flying emotions, but there will also be lows when you make a mistake, or find something too challenging. However, with dedication and hard work...you will gain the greatest gift of life: a TRULY healthy person, not a fraud. Not only will you look the part, but you will FEEL the part.

Since it's a new year, I decided that a detox would be appropriate because I need to learn what does or doesn't agree with my body. The whole living website has been my health bible to say the least. Here is a link to get your healthy life back on track! =) Whole living action plan.

Healthy Living

I've always been some what of a "health nut." I love to learn new tips and recipes on how to be healthier all around. I'm working on creating more balance in my health life, because sometimes I can get a little obsessive on my work outs or think too much about what I eat. Here are some ways on how to be healthier and creating an overall balance from the inside out!

1.) Juicing: You are what you eat. Being healthy starts from the inside, so it is CRUCIAL to eat healthy. Juicing is a great way to get essential vitamins from fruits and vegetables in its purest form. A Great Site For Juicing Recipes: one of my goals for this year- juice 5-7 days a week!

2.) Eat Organically & Buy Locally! (especially fruits & veggies)

3.) Eat Mindfully-Think Small Portions! DO eat slowly, DON'T eat in front of the TV, DO think about what you're eating, DON'T eat the whole plate, DO stop when you are satisfied NOT full, DO treat yourself, DONT indulge (aka 1 cookie vs. 3). Think: 4-6 mini meals a day

My new plan:

Meatless Monday

Tiny Tuesday- think small portions

Weighless Wednesday- weigh myself

Thirsty Thursday- drink 8 glasses of h20…no soda, coffee, tea, or anything else!

Fruity Fridays- 7-8 servings

Treat myself one time on the weekend!

4.) Cardio: In order to lose weight and/or stay in shape, it is essential to get your heart rate up. The last thing you want is to build muscle, but then have layers of fat hiding it because you aren't moving! My biggest tip is to change up your work-outs. My favorite way to engage in cardio is to do intervals. Intervals can be used on the treadmill or the elliptical. Personally, I think this helps make working out more interesting and it keeps me motivated and focused. The rowing machine is great for cardio and it tones your arms. Sometimes I'll just do it for 5 minutes and I can feel it. Cycling is the most challenging for me, but it is so rewarding once its over. Kickboxing is also part of my work out about once a week, I love the feeling of throwing punches & kicking ass!

Stairmaster: Hello Wonder Butt!

This machine does wonders for your gluteus. It is definitely a hard work out, but it is so worth it. Start small and work your way up. I started at 5 minutes, and now I can stay on the stairs for 30 minutes...it's an amazing machine. Work out- at 8.0-10.0 speed for 2 minutes, 6.0-8.0 for 1 minute but move on your right side then repeat for another minute on your left side, then for 1 minute go to speed 5.0 and do leg lifts for a minute. Repeat 5-30 minutes.

Intervals

• Walk/run: walk at a 4.0 for 1 minute then run at a 6.5 for 1 minute...repeat for 20-30 minutes
• Incline/walk/run: for 2 minutes walk on incline 15.0 and speed between 3.2-4.0, the next 2 minutes run between 5.5-7.0 on incline 0.0, then rest 1 minute on no incline at about 3.2-4.0. Then repeat this cycle for 20-30 minutes. Intensity all depends on where you are at physically. Then after 2 weeks, up your intensity!

5.) Strength Training/pilates: Strength training is important for your overall health. It doesn't have to be with weights either! Using your own body mass can make you toned and feeling fit. I highly recommend pilates (on mats or reformers) because it strengthens your spine and it is a mind and body experience.

6.) Yoga:

7.) Meditation: This is something I am still learning, but I know how important meditation is to our quality of life. If we practice meditating every day, we can clear away stress and tension that occurs each day. So far, I just take a few minutes each day to visualize myself at a place that makes me happy. I usually picture myself in a yoga posture on a beach in California! :)

8.) Massages: Not only do massages feel amazing, but it helps with stress and loosens your muscles. I go at least every month, and this is one of the best life changes I have made! So go get your massage today! :)

A New Beginning!

Words of Gandhi to remind me

How We Can All Change The World by these simple things...

Happy New Year! I am extremely ready for the new year to begin. Today, I wanted to write a short and sweet message for inspiration. Remember to reflect, give thanks, and cherish the previous year. Be thankful for the experiences and challenges because you are constantly learning how to improve. But don't hold on to it...let it go, as it stays in the past...keep your eyes looking forward to a fresh start...change is on its way. Think Positive. Stay Focused. Be Happy. Be Strong. Feel The Way You Want To Feel. Stay True to Yourself.

Dreams Are Made For Coming True

Dreams are constantly created, whether you are asleep or awake. Last night and early this morning, my mind was constantly thinking about dreams that I wanted to come true in my life. It's important for me, and should be for everyone, to stop in the midst of life and ask yourself: what do I wish for in life?

My biggest dreams include (not sequentially):

1.) Travel: I want to travel all over the world. Ideally, I'd like to start sooner than later because I'm still young and single.

2.) Author: One day, I would love to become an author of a children's book.

3.) Yoga: I wouldn't define myself as a "yogi", but I truly enjoy practicing yoga as much as possible. It helps ease stress, it strengthens my body, and I always feel better leaving a class. It provides me with a sense of peace and calmness and allows me to have a clearer state of mind. I'd like to travel (possibly to India) to study yoga in more depth and learn more about how the mind, body, and soul connects in its term.

4.) South Africa: I want to make a difference in a less fortunate country. Going to South Africa to teach has been something I've dreamed about since I was a teen. Even as a child, I always told my mom I wanted to adopt an African boy. Whether it's teaching English, or providing African students with school supplies, clothes, or cleaning the environment, I want to make a difference in a child's life outside of America. Here's a picture of a child that I pray for. I hope to meet a child like him one day. I found this picture on one of my favorite websites, pinterest. Feel free to follow me on there too!

5.) Habitat for Humanity

Always Count Your Blessings

Well, here it goes! I'm secretly very geeked to start this new adventure of blogging. I've done blogs in the past, but they were meant for teaching purposes only when I was taking classes at MSU 3 years ago (hard to believe). I've always wanted to share my insights and experiences through blogging, but I never took action. Hence, a new year approaching...meaning change and determination to reach my goals. :)

My inspiration? Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project. I'm still in the middle of reading it, but she mentioned the importance of challenging and expressing yourself, and I need a little more of this in my life. I love writing, so why not write and share it with others?

As 2011 comes to an end, I have had time to reflect on my experiences this past year. Although this year wasn't my favorite, I constantly remind myself of all the blessings I have had over the year. I'll start with what I am most grateful for.

My family: My family is my soul, my entire world. I have a beautiful, loving mother who has the biggest heart of anyone I know. I can only dream to be a mother like her one day. To my daddy, I am his "precious" and baby girl. He would do anything for me at any moment. My parents work extremely hard because they want to provide me with everything in life. Sometimes I feel like I don't appreciate that as much as I should, so I hope in the new year I will continue to tell them how grateful I am for their support. My brother is my hero, he is the best big brother on this earth. He's over protective, yet nurturing, blunt, yet kind hearted, strong yet sensitive... and I hope to surprise him with something big one day because he deserves it.

My friends: One of lifes greatest blessings, because friends are the family you choose. I find myself the happiest when I am surrounded by my friends, and I am very thankful for the friends that I have. I've had friends since I was a toddler, friends that I have from high school and college, and friends from my work. My best friend, Sarah, is God's gift to me. She's constantly by my side, and I am my true self when I am with her....sometimes she knows me better than I know myself. We have so much fun together, whether we are out to eat, drinking wine, watching our favorite shows, or reminiscing about all of our memories. I'm truly blessed. I'm also thankful for my two best girlfriends from my sorority: Caitlin and Steph, my bestie Rachel from MSU, and my friends from childhood, Martinez and Brittany. I'm thankful for my other friends Lauren and Abby who I've become closer with over this year. I honestly have a lot of friends and could continue a list, but as I've gotten older and wiser, I've learned about the importance of quality over quantity. <3

At the end of January, I was hired full time in Walled Lake as an intervention reading teacher for grades K-2. Prior to that, I was a 2nd grade long term substitute from October until January. Luckily, I was at the same amazing school all school year long. I was blessed to be at a school that felt more like a family, as well as a team of educators, students, and families coming together in a community of diverse learners. Some of my co-workers are my best friends, and my students taught me something about all aspects of life each day I saw them. I am always thankful to have such driven,positive, motivated people in my career. Every day, no matter how chaotic, no matter how stressful or busy it may have been, I left with a sense of peace knowing that I made a difference in students' lives (academically, socially, behaviorally), and they gave me that karma right back! Children are the best tools for teacher success...just listen to them, they can change your world too.

In March, I celebrated my 24th birthday and St. Patricks day with a group of friends from high-school and college. My brother (my hero) has done more for me than I could ever imagine, and once again, he went above and beyond to make me happy. He planned a party for me where a limo took us to downtown Royal Oak where we had VIP at one of our favorite bars.

In June, I was unfortunately laid off, but I remained positive, knowing that I was lucky enough to have a teaching job right after my internship. June is the beginning of summer, one of my favorite times of the year. You're probably thinking because I'm a teacher I get summers off right? Nope, not me. In the summers I work at an amazing summer camp for special needs children called SCAMP, located in Bloomfield Hills. I've been fortunate enough to work there for more than 5 years now. At age 18, I started as a counselor, but after 2 years, I became one of the teachers, and I can honestly say this is what I look forward to most during summer "vacation."

In July, we took our first family vacation in a LONG time where all of us were together *me, mom, dad, and my brother Eric. We stayed in our dream house log cabin on a small lake called Long Lake in the city of Fife Lake, not too far from Traverse City. During this time, I read a lot, reflected a lot, and really gave thought to my life. I thought about what I was grateful for, what I hoped for, what I dreamed about, and even things I wanted to change about myself. Without saying too much, in 2011, I worried too much, especially about the little things, or things that were out of my control...and I knew it was time to let go of the past and to focus on each moment. As my grandma would say, "Let go, let God." I will never forget that vacation, it will remain a close experience to my heart because my family had so many adventures together during that short week...yet we relaxed, and finally spent time together away from home.

Here is a picture of our dream log cabin...one of my favorite parts of the trip was watching and listening to the birds every morning, and just being surrounded by the beautiful nature of Up North living. :)

Here's another picture of Pure Michigan....I'm blessed to live in such a beautiful state. It's a picture of me with my beautiful mother at the Sleeping Bear Dunes. My mother inspires me to be true to myself and is my number one idol. LOVE you mom!

Another blessing that I am going to share with you today is a random trip I took with my grandma in August. My grandma is my spiritual leader, a divine woman who has shared her experiences with me and has taught me everything. She is extremely honest and has provided me with world traveling that I will go into another day. With the trip in August, she wanted to visit two of her girlfriends who lived Up North for possibly one last time...I offered to drive her...and this trip was not what I expected. My grandma and I bonded more than ever during all the driving, lunches, dinners, glasses of wine, art galleries, and more, over a course of 3 days. I never knew I could do so much in such a short amount of time. My heart was filled to the top, because I could feel the gratitude my grandma had toward me during our adventure together. Her stories will never be forgotten, thank you grandma for sharing with me, I'm so blessed to have you in my life!