Weekly meal plan 10/11/15 week

Sunday:  Turkey burgers, massaged kale salad with dried cranberries, homemade apple sauce.

Monday:  OUT:  holiday- we are all home!

Tuesday:  Chickpea patties on salad, whole wheat couscous, rasberries for dessert

Wednesday:  kale, cranberry and goat cheese stuffed chicken **new recipe!  leftover couscous.

Thursday:  Spinach lentil stew

Friday:  movie night at school- light dinner before hand of smoothie and egg/spinach  muffins.

Saturday:  Whole wheat spaghetti with leftover spinach lentil stew on top.  (1 week to go before marine corps marathon- no more beans!!  beginning less fiber after tonight, etc!)

SHE LIKED WHAT SHE SAW.....

She liked what she saw…

My best friend gave me an inspirational book for my 40^th birthday that I feel so honored to have been given.  I read the words and look at the pictures and to think that she thought of me means the world.

“One day, she stepped back and took a look at her life.  

A long, close look.  As though it were a city she loved and she was flying high above it, so high that she could see the whole thing. 

And she realized something:

She LIKED WHAT SHE SAW.

SHE LIKED WHERE SHE HAD BEEN.

SHE LIKED WHERE SHE WAS GOING.”

Wow.  That is just the first two pages.  How powerful.

AND YES.

How I treasure that I can say these words.

I like what I see.   These words are not easy for me to say.  I have a history of some low self confidence.  Maybe it is that I am now beginning  my 40^th year of life….. not that I think I am old and wise… but… I might just be growing into myself.  (To some levels, haha.. still lots of work to do!)  But I like what I see internally.  I like my passion, my meaning, my drive, my loves.  I see the messiness and I still like itJ

I like where I’ve been.   Even if I haven’t always liked it when I’m in it.  Life’s never easy.  That is not the point and not what I seek.  I can accept that, with the knowledge that I have always done my best and lived according to my values.  I wouldn’t change most things that I have experienced- they have created my current reality.  I like that I’ve given my all in so many situations, beginning from my earliest years.  Many of my goals haven’t been realized, dreams haven’t come to fruition, but damn damn damn, I’ve tried.  I’ve learned so much, seen so much, been devastated by so much,  surprised by so much and thrilled to the ends of my being.   I’ve been beaten down, but lifted back up.  I’ve been discouraged, but muddled through…. Miserably at times… step by step…. Both literally and figuratively…..

 I am still me, through these places I’ve been.

 I’ve grown in spurts it seems…. Sometimes as much in one day as one whole year.  I am a changed me, smarter me, more broken me, more strengthened and humbled me.  I have answered to my heart, making decisions that answer the call I have heard from my God.  I wouldn’t change things that have hurt me, and am full of unending gratitude for so much that has been a dream come true.

I like where I’m going.   At this time, I like that I feel hope and a future.  I do get in funks where I doubt this, but right now, at a deep level, I know I will continue with all of the above- living in my world… in competition with no one…. Answering my calling…. Loving my children and husband….. always working to be aware and intentional…. Being humble enough to tweak things I do when I see that they are not working….. reacting with thought and in line always with my beliefs, trusting my character with the resilience that I have found within…. With the fact that I am now okay.   I think I survived.  Changed, but still me…

**Text and pictures from page 2, “Today, Tomorrow & Everyday.”  M.H. Clark

Fueling a big week- weekly meal plan

I am struggling to keep control of my schedule these days-- there is so much to do- during work hours and also outside of work hours (kids schedules).  So I am struggling, but doing it.... I'm really trying to find the time to create space for my soul within life- to walk the dogs, continue with a crochet project, time for friends, time for sitting and reading, time for just sitting with the kids while they do their homework so they know I am with them.
I'm trying to be so very intentional with my choices, with my yes's and no's, and working to ensure that they are reflecting my core, my character, my needs and wants.

This week is a big- last big!!!-- run mileage week before a 2 week taper down to Marine Corps marathon.  So, I need fueling for me, filling and quick/easy for our schedule, but most of all ... THE PLAN!!  I am NOTHING without my plan, haha!

here it is:
Sunday:  chili, cornbread, and sliced oranges.  Ryan is making this chili- it is his recipe, and I wanted it now to get some extra iron in me without it being too close to marathon time (all the beans, haha!)  I always insist that we have oranges w/chili since it is my only red meat I ever eat and Vit. C enhances absorption of iron.

Monday:  Chicken salad sandwiches with sliced celery/cranberries/greek yogurt; smoothie and broccoli

Tuesday:  honey peanut marinated tofu lettuce cups.  (kids love this///ryan... not so much).  with sweet potatoes.  *let me know if you want this recipe!

Wednesday:  smoky almond chicken (use smoky almonds/food processed/1/2 fat free sour cream mixed with 1/2 bbq sauce, yum..), green salad, pumpkin muffins

Thursday:  fat free refried beans/shredded cheese burrito wraps with fruit salad.

Friday:  Tuna pasta on salad.

Saturday:  out!!!