Truth is

Confidence: Wear it like Makeup

Self-confidence is so relaxing. There is no strain or stress when one is self-confident. Our lack of self-confidence comes from trying to be someone we aren’t.

~ Anne Wilson Schaef

A Personal Record!

Today I decided to get in a quick 5k run considering I did a longer 5.5 mile run yesterday and the stair master for about 10 minutes.

I’m VERY proud to say that after a night of heavy drinking (it’s summer remember ) I ran my 5k in the fastest I ever have!! and I can’t wait to update my Workout Log with that accomplishment!

I crossed 3 miles at 23:50 and finished my 5k (3.1 miles) in 24:22!

Time to get my paper done for class and enjoying a relaxing evening baking some treats and then who knows! I want to bake my Peanut Butter Smore Bites again…

Much Love- Ang

Tips on how to feel more LOVE in your life

I’ve learned a lot about giving and receiving love over these last several years, and I’ve dramatically transformed my thinking and sense of connection as a result. If you’ve ever wanted to feel more loved, you may find these tips helpful:

OPEN YOUR HEART

1. Initiate meaningful conversations.

The first step to feeling more loved is creating close relationships, and that starts with meaningful, engaged conversations. These don’t necessarily need to be deep and spiritual in nature. They just need to be honest, authentic, and reciprocal.

You can initiate this type of exchange with anyone at almost any time simply by asking about the other person, fully listening to what they have to say, and then finding common ground. Naturally some people will stay shut down, but it’s worth the risk of feeling vulnerable to find the ones who won’t.

2. Give the gift of your presence.

Often when we converse with people, we’re not fully listening; we’re formulating our response in our heads and waiting for our turn to talk. We’re not only doing the other person a disservice when we do this; we’re also shortchanging ourselves.

Think about the last time you really opened up to someone. It likely required you to feel a level of comfort and trust, even if you didn’t yet know that person very well. The act of opening up is itself an offering of love. It’s an invitation to let someone in.

In recognizing this and welcoming it by fully hearing other people, we are, in fact, receiving love.

3. Open up your love valve.

Just like a heart valve prevents blood from flowing backwards, our love valve might block the flow of energy in our interactions. This generally happens when we get too caught up in our head, thinking, analyzing, and wanting more, instead of being present and allowing a natural give and take.

Come into the moment, take the pressure off the situation, and avoid the urge to fill silences with chatter. Instead, picture the interaction as something cyclical in nature, where there’s a balance of sharing and listening, giving and receiving.

When we clear the mental clutter and allow this type of flow, we are in essence choosing to belove.

OPEN YOUR MIND

4. Change your beliefs about the world and love.

When we tell ourselves the same things over and over again, we end up creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If you tell yourself that people don’t care, you’ll put that energy into the world and then easily find evidence to back it up. If you tell yourself you’ll never experience love, you’ll create mental barriers and then subconsciously repel it.

Tell yourself a different story: There’s a lot of love in the world, there’s plenty to go around, you deserve it, and it’s coming to you every day.

5. Consider that love might look different than you visualized it.

In telling yourself that love is coming to you every day, you’re not merely lying to yourself; you’re taking responsibility for recognizing the love around you.

It might not be from the person you want to be with romantically. It might not meet the standards and criteria you defined in your head. That doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

When a friend pushes you to reach your potential, it’s an act of love. When a family member takes the time to listen to you, helping you form insights about your life, it’s an act of love.

See and appreciate the love all around you and it will surely multiply because you’ll come to potential new relationships with a sense of wholeness instead of lack.

6. Give love when you’re tempted to judge.

Ultimately, this is how we all want to be loved: without judgment, pity, or condescension. Commit to giving this kind of love, both in your existing relationships and in new ones you might be tempted to avoid.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow your instincts when you feel like unsafe around someone. It just means you look below the surface, give people a chance, and in doing so create the potential for more meaningful, mutually supportive relationships.

Make the conscious choice to be understanding and compassionate. While getting isn’t the intention of giving, this will likely set the stage for you to receive the same consideration in return.

OPEN YOUR EYES

7. Value the people who are there.

Sometimes we get so caught up looking for romantic love that we forget to appreciate the friends and family who are always there, offering their support. At least I did. Despite my chronic fear of being seen and judged, and my instinct to self-sabotage, I spent a long time believing that I was incomplete.

I know you might be thinking that friendships aren’t the same as romantic affection, and I understand. I felt this way too. But we don’t attract romantic love into our lives by focusing on what’s missing. We attract potential partners by radiating love.

Take an inventory of all the people who care. There are likely far more than you realize.

8. Recognize the love you’re not giving.

It’s far easier to pinpoint what we’re not getting than it is to be honest with ourselves about what we’re not giving. Perhaps you want people to check in with your more frequently. Are you checking in with them? Maybe you want people to ask more about your personal life. Are you asking them about theirs?

Give the type of love you want to receive. Give praise. Notice the little things. Offer help without it being asked of you.

I’m not suggesting you should always be the one giving. If it feels like a constant one-way street, then it might be time to reevaluate that relationship. But in most healthy ones, giving more freely creates an environment of consideration and generosity.

And then of course there’s the other side of this coin: Ask for what you need! There’s one relationship in my life that’s often felt unbalanced. Recently I asked this friend if she’d call me sometimes just to talk, as opposed to calling for advice. I asked, and now she does.

9. Look deeply at your needs and intentions.

Sometimes when we go out looking for love, we’re really trying to avoid giving ourselves what we need. There’s pain in our past we don’t want to acknowledge; or there’s an emptiness inside that we don’t want to fill on our own.

If you’re feeling a hole somewhere inside, take a close look at what might have caused it. Be strong enough to acknowledge what you need to do for you, whether it’s having a long overdue conversation with a family member, working on your self-esteem, or finding a sense of purpose in life.

We all deserve to feel loved by the people in our lives, but first need to be willing and able tolove ourselves. That’s what it takes to feel deeply connected: to feel deeply connected to ourselves and confident in what we can give.

I’ve decided to start to focus more on myself to find what I need and that means I’m taking a break from dating and Paul is supportive of my choice on taking a break. He’s giving me the space I want I’m happy with this choice, now I can look deeper into my true current needs.

Much love-Angie

Fun Filled FRIDAY

Today I’m trying out an old workout I created back in February of 2011

TIME	MPH	INCLINE
1-40	6.1	1
40-42	3.2	7.5
42-45	3.5	8
45-55	5.5	1

Note** in between time frame 30-40 mins (between my 3-4 miles) I did a minute plank ever .25 Miles (this is the part YOU NEED in the work out for some strengthening!)

After this workout Paul is coming by so we can do a fitness dvd together before I make us breakfast I’m thinking about making us some awesome mango smoothies since I have all the ingredients prepared!

After breakfast we are heading to the store to pick up some ingredients to bake these…

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

All I need are the four ingredients since I have the rest at home…

1. Organic brown sugar
2. Organic crunchy peanut butter since I have the smooth
3.  ground Flaxseed
4. Craisins

Ingredients:

• 1/3 c. honey
• 1/3 c. dark brown sugar
• 1 c. creamy peanut butter
• ½ c. crunchy peanut butter
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 5 c. bran flakes (Raisin Bran works really well!)
• 1/3 c. ground flaxseeds (optional)
• 1 c. chopped Craisins

Directions:

• Put honey in a large pot on medium heat. Add sugar and stir until melted and mixture begins to bubble. Add cinnamon and stir until dissolved.
• Stir peanut butter into the honey mixture until smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in bran flakes, flax and Craisins.
• Press firmly into an 8X8 pan lined with foil that overlays ends. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
• Cut into squares and enjoy!

Notes: This recipe also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and freeze squares to enjoy in the future. Additionally, you may substitute 1 c. granola + 4 c. bran flakes for the 5 c. bran flakes. Protein powder may also be added to this recipe for an extra protein punch.

We’ll be able to chow down on these awesome protein bars on Saturday before the rooftop game Cubs vs Sox!

After we bake we plan on laying out because it’s supposed to be gorgeous! Later this evening Paul’s taking me somewhere (YAY for surprises!!) for our anniversary… 5 months already! I can’t wait to wear one of my old dresses that I have been dying to have an excuse to wear…

1…

  

2…

.

3…

4…

I can’t decide which one to wear yet! Which do you think is best of the four I posted? I love get dressed up on warm summer nights

Enjoy your weekend! P.S. the mango smoothie recipe will be posted tomorrow!

Much Love-Ang

NEW RECIPE! Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles!!

After my two and a half mile interval sprint in about 19 mins (with squats and planks incorporated in between the sprints  of course!) I headed over to my Yiayia’s for lunch. Salmon, spanakopita, Brussel sprouts, baked eggplant with feta cheese, cauliflower and broccoli were on the menu today…:) They spoil me!

Afterward I came home and whipped up some Popsicles!

RECIPE FOR STRAWBERRY YOGURT POPSICLES

Source: Inspired by Cherry yogurt popsicles by Naturally Ella and Tie Dye Pops by Martha Stewart

For STRAWBERRY puree:

250 mg of strawberries.
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice

For yogurt mixture:
180g (3/4 cup) Greek-style yogurt (refer to note 2)
1/8 cup fresh milk
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice

Make: Roughly six 3-ounce popsicles (you may come out with 7-8 sticks with Ikea popsicle moulds)

Methods (for swirled pops):

1. Place strawberries in a blender and puree. Pass through a fine sieve into a measuring cup. (You should have ¾ cup puree). Stir in honey and lemon juice. Adjust to taste. Set aside.
2. Scoop the yogurt into a cup. Stir in the milk a little at a time until the yogurt is thinned enough that it can be poured. Stir in the honey and lemon juice. Adjust to taste. Set aside. (refer to note 3).
3. Pour an inch of yogurt into the popsicle moulds, then an inch of strawberry puree, and repeat until the moulds are filled. Use a chopstick or skewer to gently swirl the liquids together. If your moulds don’t come with their own sticks, insert wooden popsicle sticks after 1 hour of freezing. Freeze at least 8 hours or overnight, until the popsicles solidify.
4. Run the moulds under tap/ warm water and gently wiggle the sticks to free the popsicles from the moulds.

Methods (for layered pops):

1. Follow step 1 and 2 above.
2. Pour an inch or so of yogurt into the bottom of each popsicle mould. Freeze this until the yogurt is just set, about 45 minutes. Pour an inch of strawberry puree on top and freeze until just set, another 45 minutes or so. Repeat in layers until the pops are filled. If your moulds don’t come with their own sticks, insert wooden popsicle sticks along with the third layer. Freeze another 2-3 hours or overnight, until the popsicles solidify.

Methods (for normal pops):

1. Place strawberries in a blender and puree. Pass through a fine sieve into a measuring cup. (You should have ¾ cup puree).
2. Add strawberry puree and the rest of the ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. Add extra honey if needed.
3. Pour into the moulds and freeze at least 8 hours or overnight, until the popsicles solidify. If your moulds don’t come with their own sticks, insert wooden popsicle sticks after 1 hour of freezing.
4. Run the moulds under tap/ warm water and gently wiggle the sticks to free the popsicles from the moulds.

Notes:

1. If you do not have popsicle moulds, substitute with empty yogurt pots. Or else, try out this method.
2. You can replace Greek-style yogurt with plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt.
3. Alternatively, you can blend everything until smooth. But be careful not over-blend as the yogurt mixture will be very watery.
4. Concentrated fruit juice can be used to substitute fresh fruit juice. But you need to adjust the sweetness accordingly.

Hope these turn out alright by tonight! Enjoy your Thursday!

Much love-Ang

True Strength

It’s true though, I’m thankful for those who left me to deal with hardships and difficulties on my own it showed me that I’m much stronger than I thought I ever was. Next time someone let’s you down or leaves you to deal with hardship alone, look at it as an opportunity to triumph over these problems on your own which will make you stronger than you were before

You begin to believe you are strong when you can deal with your life on your own.

God only gives us what we can handle believe that!

Much love… Ang

A productive day…

This is what I did today…

Laying out all day followed by a run with on of my guy-friends…
Ps I also bought a new bathing suit for Vegas

Vegas is less than three weeks and it looks like I will be going twice this summer!!! Our basketball team is probably playing out there in July

What vacation plans are you looking forward to? What are your summer workout goals? Mine is to run 7 miles in under 67 mins!

Enjoy your day!
Much love -Ang

Mothers day!

Happy mothers day mom!! Shout out to the strongest women I know for keeping it together during the tough times! I love you…

We headed out for lunch after church today for my grandmother’s memorial service. One year ago this time (may 19th) she passed… We love and miss you Yiayia may your memory be eternal.

Out with my grade school girls!!

Last night I headed put with girls I’ve known since kindergarten…

We had a ton of fun catching up… I woke up extremely late today now it’s time to try for a 7 mile run! Wish me luck