Believe In Yourself!

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It’s 8 O’clock in the morning. I’m sitting in my bedroom with my feet propped up, wolffin down four rice cakes and two ounces of chicken.  Hahahah!    Welcome to the world of Figure Competition.

Later today I will have my turn to sashay across the stage and show off the results of months of consistent hard work.

ANBF

Two shows within a year… I’m blown away! Woo Hoo!! Who knew? I sure as heck didn’t!

Listen to me!!!

“Don’t underestimate your ability or your potential!”

Oh yeah and,

 “Always keep an open mind to experience new adventures.”

You have to!! It makes for a much more interesting life.  You will discover new things about yourself.

You think you know yourself? Seriously, you don’t! You can argue that point with me if you want, but you really don’t… at least not until you develop a habit of getting comfy with putting yourself in uncomfortable situations.

Think about it.  We experience more self-doubt when we are placed in unfamiliar circumstances.  Yah know..  “Can I do this?”  “Oh my gosh, what have I gotten myself into?”   The sweaty palms, racing heart beat, and the urge to flee.

It is only then do we see what we’re made of.  Do we push ourselves to follow through or do we run away and make excuses?

I thought I was all confident and sh** until last April when I had to walk across the stage wearing a skimpy suit with my behind on display!  LOL!  Oh boy, did I learn some things me and my insecurities.  But I made it through and did quite well.

I have to cut this post short because I have a few more things to do, but I will be back tomorrow or Monday to post pictures and to share my experience.

Y’all have a wonderful day as I will do the same.  🙂

Spinach And Kale Corn Chips

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Yes. I too have an occasional craving for a chip or two.  Well, not quite a regular potato chip, but something that has a similar crunch to it but with less sugar, sodium, and processed gunk.

I know, I can make fresh-baked chips from carrots, kale, sweet potatoes and more, but sometimes I need a quick fix.

I found these Spinach And Kale Corn Chips in the most unlikely place; TJ Maxx.  Yeah, I checked the expiration date and packaging.  They cost $2.99.  I like them; they’re tasty and hit the spot.

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NOGMONon GMO  Project Verified.  #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa #Day 53

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I’m not thrilled with the canola oil, but for an occasional cheat, I can live with it.

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chip label

IMG_3438.JPGOne serving size is 10 chips.  I ate about 12 or 13 chips, immediately put the bag away, and ran upstairs to brush my teeth. Once I brush my teeth, I am done eating for the night. They were delicious and I didn’t trust myself, so I had to leave the room and go upstairs.  I am dead serious!  I give these tasty treats two thumbs up.

Sweet dreams!!

Autumn Sunday Mornings

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Good Morning!

Happy Sunday!  🙂

Autumn Sunday mornings (for me) means chill time with the family (not including the gym).

Howling winds woke me this morning; it sounded cold out there.  SJ is cold (44 degrees) and to think that in a few hours, we’ll be on the football field.  So you know I couldn’t wait to…

fire

#100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa #Day49

Have my first official wood burning of the season!  Besides the warmth the fire brings, I also enjoy the crackling and wood popping.

Freshly cooked omelets were in order, so I put my chefs hat on for myself, hubby, and B’Dazzle.

veggies

An omelet isn’t the same for me without veggies.  This one has spinach, mushrooms, fresh garlic, red, and orange peppers– oh and crushed peppers.

bread

Two slices of Ezekiel bread is a healthy source of carbs.

label1Flourless and low glycemic makes the bread appealing (to me).

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finished omelet

My plate was meatless.  Yummy! Hubby and B’Dazzle had sausage on their plate.

Because of the rain yesterday, B’Dazzle’s conference football game was rescheduled for today.  While we’ll be dry, it is going to be COLD on the field today.  I’ve got hand and toe warmers for B’Dazzle and any other player who needs or wants a pair.  You bet, I’ll shove a pair of warmers in my gloves and boots.

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#100HappyDaysChallenge #Day51

After the game, we have left-overs and a delicious fresh crock pot full of Jambalaya.

The recipe is saved on my  Pinterest soup board and is courtesy of Abby at catsandcasseroles.blogspot.com.  Thank you Abby! It’s easy to make and perfect for a day like today.  After the game, I hope to do some catching up on much-needed blog time in front of the fireplace while grubbing on a big bowl of spicy and healthy Jambalaya. Mmm…

Have fun watching Sunday football and enjoy the day! 🙂

 

Trim The Fat

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You will not find bacon (not even turkey bacon) on my plate; however, you can bust me eating leaner cuts of pork like tenderloin, center cut pork loin or boneless chops.

Sometimes I get sick and tired of eating chicken, but I still need a lean source of protein. Since I don’t eat beef, a lean cut of pork does the trick. Tonight I cooked center cut boneless pork loin for me not the family. I am not being selfish, they want something different.

Yesterday I cooked them baked ziti (whole grain pasta) with ground turkey, fresh green beans, and baked barbecue wings.  I actually feel guilty cooking this food, but they don’t care to eat off my menu. I get it.

I will compete again in 2015 and need more size and definition. It starts with my diet.

Taking the smallest steps in the kitchen, can net the greatest gains in your long-term fitness goals. Don’t cheat yourself, trim the fat. Ya hear me!  Trim it!

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As a teen helping mom in the kitchen, I learned that the fat has the flavor.  Don’t trim it off!  Please, don’t believe the hype… you can add flavor (using fresh spices) without the fat.IMG_3327.JPG

IMG_3328.JPGThe finished product was delicious!  Ingredients:  fresh garlic cloves (handful), fresh black pepper, cayenne pepper, McCormick’s Grill Mates, bourbon & brown sugar (closer to competition, I will cut this from my diet due to sugar & sodium content), olive oil, red wine vinaigrette (I will eliminate this too).

I broiled the chops 15 minutes on low on one side, then flipped over on high for about 15 min.  I like my meat well done… no pink!

On to my 100HappyDaysChallenge…

OUTLETI saw these outlets on TV and told hubby about them. He surprised me and installed one in the kitchen. Love them!  Now we can charge our devices and still have room for other electronics in the kitchen.  Their pricy, so we’ll slowly replace other outlets. #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa #100HappyDaysChallenge #Day48

BAKED ZITIBaked ziti for my peeps.  They are so damn happy to eat something other than brown rice and sweet potatoes. They’re happy to have pasta.  I am happy because they are happy and I taste tested it (about 4 noodles), it was delicious but I ate brown rice instead.  It’s called discipline and I have it!  🙂   #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDays4Lexa #Day49

Sweet dreams!!  🙂

 

 

Why Did I Wait So Long?

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It’s Thursday and I am dogged tired but happier than a pig in, well you know…  Lol!

Though I’m tired, I am feeling mighty fine now. 🙂

After much procrastination, dust balls spinning on the wood floors, cobwebs getting caught in my curls, and dusty windows obstructing sunrise, I finally broke down and hired a company to clean my filthy house.

There just ain’t enough time to blog, work, train, attend football practice, cook, do laundry and thoroughly clean over 4,000 square feet in one damn week. I know y’all feel me on this.

The delay was because I don’t think anyone is going to clean it the way “I” clean.  I’m icky picky about stuff.  Don’t wear shoes in the house.  Use a fresh cloth in each area. Stay out of my kitchen; I’ll disinfect it myself (even after the cleaners leave).  Yeah, you read it right.

Am I OCD?  Possibly and I don’t care; there’s no shame in my game.

Anyways, lately I have just let ish go and I spot clean. Hubby tries but the help is not consistent.   My 25 year-old daughter swears the floors are clean enough to eat off but obviously we have different standards.  If the floors are so damned clean, why don’t you try eating off of them?

I am in the basement writing this post, while a team of five are upstairs whipping my house into shape. Lord, I am thankful!

Making my day even more special, I’m sitting in my official writing space.  A writer friend (Thanks Shawn!) encouraged me to create a writing space, which I did.  During football season though, I blog from the sidelines, inside my car, my lunch break at work, or any space where I can compose my thoughts and write a few words.

writingMy writing space is filled with inspirational images and objects that make me smile. The small pic with the girl in the cap and gown is me.  After nearly 12 years of working and going to school, in 2002, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in English.

This dog is cool. The message is encouraging.

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Obama

My writing space was created to inspire me.  On Wednesday, November 5, 2008, Barack Obama made history and was elected President of the United States.  I never thought I would live to see the day when an African-American male would be elected president. Those were the happiest tears ever!

The following day, I took the day off from work and bought all the magazines and newspapers I could find. The images remind me that no dream of mine is too big or unattainable. #100HappyDaysChallenge  #100HappyDays4Lexa #Day45

The truth is this (cleaning) company is doing a better job than me!  They’re fluffing bed linen, polishing the kitchen trash can, dusting pictures on the walls and cleaning stuff that hasn’t been touched in God knows how long.

They clean.  I write.

Dummy!   Instead of being cute, I should have done this a long time ago.  I can walk bare foot again!!  Haahaahhaa!  Silly me!  It’s the little things that make me happy.

Speaking of happy, yes, I am still plugging away at the 100HappyDaysChallenge.  The challenge, pun intended, is that I capture most of my “happy” images with my iPhone. When I attempt a picture, I get this lovely message….

full

How am I suppose to capture my happy images when my storage is full?  Sometimes I use my iPad, but I don’t always have that. Hubby and I share Apple accounts.  It seemed like a good idea (before I started blogging), but it’s not working anymore.  After we get our iPhone 6 and or 6 Plus, we will separate the accounts.

The best fix is to buy a new camera!  I am working on it.

Oh wow!!  Lol!!  They (the cleaning crew) just carried Alex down to me. They are trying to clean and he wanted to play.

AlexI can’t help but grin when he chills out on the steps. 🙂   #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDays4Lexa #Day46

Holy cow, Arnold (the owner) wasn’t kidding about the first cleaning being detailed! They’re in the microwave!  I’m doing the happy dance now!! They started at 3:15 p.m. It is 7:29 p.m. and the vacuum is in full effect.  Yay!!  Tonight before heading to bed, I’m going dance barefoot on the hardwood floors.

So back to my #100HappyDaysChallenge.

LUNCHEnjoying a quiet and delicious lunch with hubby at a quaint bistro in Northern Jersey. #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDays4Lexa #Day47

Well folks, 8 O’Clock is creeping up on me and it’s Thursday.  Do you know what that means? You have to!!  Lol!

Greys Anatomy!

Scandal!

How To Get Away With Murder!

Which also means that I will wake up tired as heck tomorrow morning, but since tomorrow is Friday, rising at 4ish will be a little less painful.

Ya’ll have a fabulous night and thanks so much for stopping by and for following Lexa’s Journal.

Smooches! 🙂

There Is Something Good In Every Day

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happy

Image courtesy of One Perfect Day Blog via Pinterest

If you follow my blog, you have probably noticed fewer posts in the past month. It happens every year this time.  Everyone in the house is back to the daily grind.  Work, school, football practice, homework, gym, game day… repeat….

Six games into football season, B’Dazzle’s JV team is kicking butt.  With a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, the team is undoubtedly headed to the playoffs.

What that really means is that in November, when evening/night temps in South Jersey drops below 40, momma dukes will be sporting a ski bib, boots, a wool hat, fluffy scarf, and wrapped (me and my chair)  in my big, ragged, but  warm pink blanket.   I get funny looks, but I would rather get the funny looks than be cold.

Yeah I know.  I can sit in the warm car, but for me, it’s not the same.  Roughing it out on the field with him is my way of showing my support.

This week we celebrated B’Dazzle’s 12th Birthday.

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Breakfast with dad, surprise birthday cake, fun at Dave & Buster’s, and cupcakes on the football field, makes for a week of happy days.  #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa #Day42

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What’s brewing?

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Remember… I LOVE chocolate…   Lol!!  🙂

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While at The Vitamin Store replenishing my protein powder, I took a quick detour down the loose leaf tea aisle.  Why do I prefer loose leaf tea? Read this and this. Looking to try a new flavor, I read each box on each shelf.  “Chocolate Chai!”  There was no way I was going to walk out the store without this box in hand.

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 Here is the back of the box. As I write this, I am sipping the tea and trying to find the words to describe the flavor.  Umm… let’s see… it’s spicy, bold..   Now I’m sloshing it around in my mouth like I’m wine tasting!  In the center of my tongue I feel like I’m teased with a subtle hint of cocoa… just enough to suggest chocolate. After swallowing the tea, my pallet is saturated with a spicy flavor.  It’s delicious.  I like it!  I’m happy I tried it. The tea is a perfect end to a long day. Boy have I come a long ways from drinking a nightly glass of Cabernet before bed.  Lol!!

Anyways, tea will keep me in my happy mode over the anticipated brutally cold winter. #100HappyDaysChallenge #Day43

IMG_3242.JPGI have wanted shrimp for a week or so now. Late afternoon rain caused football to be cancelled.  No complaints here!  Although a crock pot full of homemade black beans was in the fridge, I took a few minutes to cook this spicy dish.  Shrimp, arugula, and baby spinach over brown rice.  It had kick and I enjoyed every bite!
#100HappyDaysChallenge #Day44

I could be cranky now because I have not worked out in 22 days and it’s driving me nuts. Although I feel physically ready to start again, I have to wait for clearance from my doctor. Meanwhile, I continue to eat clean and drink plenty of water. When I step back into the gym, the beast is coming out!  Watch out, I have my eyes set on another figure competition in 2015!

Thanks for stopping by and sweet dreams! 🙂