A Memory

I sit and wait. Staring out the window, the drops run down my blurry reflection as the rain becomes more intense. But everyone else? Asleep. I know it has been a long ride, but really? How could they sleep at a time like this? Sometimes I wonder if I am different. Different than everyone else—alive and awake in curiosity, not standing for an eye to close in an amazing experience like this. But I was, oh, so tired. My feet worn from the days of travel, happy to finally be sitting on a bus. Days of laughter and endless games with friends; tiring, but so worthwhile. My mind drifts… somehow watching the rain fall allows for a beautiful moment of peace and exploration of the mind. I feel so blessed to be on this trip. To see the world in a new way. To find love, deeper than I thought I could have, but not with a who or a someone, but rather, a what. A place. A place where I discovered myself and beauty. Learning history, and the beauty of God’s creation. This is why I cannot close my eyes. The moment might pass me by. Oh how I wish I could freeze time! “Sniff”, I hear from the seat next to me. Looking over, I see Matt with his bloody nose. That kid. Could never handle the high altitude any way. Maybe he’d like some of my gummy bears. You know, they are the best I think I’ve ever had. Man this place with it’s food. It is perfect. “Here”, I said, tossing him a few gummy bears. A toothy smile from him. He liked them. A smile right back from me. “Look, out there”, I whispered. “The lake. Isn’t it beautiful?” “If only we could tip the cows”, he said. I smiled. Matt was always my partner in crime. My mind again wanders.

We run off the bus, excited to be in the next place. Everyone is finally awake. If only they could have seen the journey here. I run too, in my navy blue target shoes, shorts and t-shirt with my swimsuit underneath. We were headed for the lake! My mind races, feet trying to keep up as I run toward the beautiful place in the rain. A swing! Yippee! I jump on the old tire swing hanging from the beautiful willow tree, swinging, free from the cares of the world. I watch my friends as they dash into the lake, swimming toward the dock in the middle. It’s slow motion. No camera or video could capture this moment like my mind can. I smile as I watch them giggle and splash each other. I wish to chase them. Darting into the water, the water feels indifferent from the warm, rainy air. I swim to the middle of no where—the wooden planks in the middle of the vast, blue lake, little cottages all around us. Just a few kids in our teenage years—young, wild, free. I count in my head. “One, Two, Three!” I’m in midair. Jumping, off the dock, with the swiss alps surrounding me. Life cannot get much better.

            It seems to me that in this moment I was completely free. Not bound by the camera, not seeing life through a lens or through my closed eye lids while dreaming. But awake, conscious, free—memories as crystal clear and effortless as the beautiful turquoise, Switzerland water.

The Biggest WINNER

My family has planned a trip to Lake Powell at the end of May. 

We have Rock and Kenzie's wedding in April.

IT'S SPRING TIME AND SOON TO BE SWIMSUIT WEATHER.

Find a reason to get in shape and come along the ride with us! It'll make it that much more worth it.

My family was recently in town last weekend, and we were discussing Lake Powell. My mom then threw out the idea of the "Biggest Winner" contest (basically the Biggest Loser). 

Well, Dan and I wanted to be hard core about it. We have done a few things that help:

1. Bought a scale, one that measures body fat percentage. (We got ours on clearance for $30 at Bed, Bath and Beyond). 

2. Sunday night we took swimsuit pictures (All the more motivation, right?)

3. We made goals for weight loss and fat percentage lost by May 20th.

4. We limited ourselves to one cheat day a week! It keeps you going when you know you have a day to have an ice cream :)

5. We are weighing once a week, and snapping pictures every Sunday.

6. It totally helps to have a buddy to help you!!!

7. Make sure your goals are obtainable and healthy. Stay within your BMI range-- being too thin is just as unhealthy as being overweight! The sure way to lose weight and keep it off is by doing it healthily! 

If you'd like, feel free to follow along. I will be posting some of our workouts and meals, and our progress! It's the fourth day into it, and we are already feeling so darn good!! I promise our meals are easy, haha we are newbies but they are also good and super healthy! They will fill you right up! Dan and I have both taken nutrition so we love applying things which we have learned.

Here are some of the meals we have done:

1. Chicken fajita, brown rice and broccoli dinner.

-We skipped out on the tortillas and substituted our carb for brown rice. We added a little salsa to the rice for flavor and it was way good! We sliced up the chicken and cooked it on a skillet in olive oil and minced garlic, and when almost cooked added bell peppers and onions. Add minimal amount of water to the broccoli and steam it to maintain the most possible nutrients. Add some salt and pepper to taste. We also sliced up some alvocado. Voila! You have protein, good whole carbs, fat, and vegetables. 

2. I have been replacing my chocolate fixes with fruit. Don't forget you need your fruit serving!

Honestly this one is great because you satisfy that sweet craving, while also getting essential nutrients. I did strawberries, blueberries and bananas, then topped it off by sprinkling some granola over it!

3. Steak, asparagus and potatoes! Mmmm so good. 

You want your steak to be about the size of a deck of cards. Grill the steak. We cooked the asparagus on a skillet in a little bit of olive oil and sprinkled light parmesan cheese over. Cut up potatoes and cook on a skillet in light olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Again, nice variety of protein, carb, and vegetable. Get those servings in!

Take every opportunity you can to stay active-- outside of gym time. This will make a difference! Take walks together (great for talking, too!), walk to class, run to the gym (if close enough), go country dancing, go hiking with friends. These are ones we have been doing and love! Do it with a buddy and it can be fun, enjoyable and motivating. Or do it by yourself for some pondering and stress relief!

Cheers to being healthy and active!!! Any ideas?? Let us know!!!

Emmaline