Whoa! 2022 is here and for me this year feels like it will be just as transformative as being 22 was.
A fun pic of me at 22 vs now in 2022…
When I was 22 I was finishing my final year of college and trying to figure out my next chapter in life . Well in 2022 I’m yet again looking at what is next in my life. This year I have a lot of mirrors in front of me already. More to follow as I work my way through some reflection and decisions.
As always my goals for each year are Mind, Health and Spirit, but some of them could easily cross over into another category. Since that is the case I’m switching the format and just listing all my goals.
2022 Goals
Visit ALL Indiana State Parks
Visit 1 new state
Finish my Certified Nutrition Coaching through NASM
Finish the 66’ SS Impala update with dad
Reduce time on Social Media – max 2 hour per day. Past year had a limit of 3 hours.
Practice jump rope skills at least 30 mins per week
Theme Word for 2022
HOPE
My sweet friend Cori wrote inside a book that she got me for Christmas Hope to mean Honor, Obey, Pray, Encourage. I find this beautiful and very necessary for what I meant when I chose Hope. I have HOPE that I am on the right path and making decisions that will honor God, myself and my family.
Boy 2020 has been intense! Moving states, squatting at different family and friend’s homes, hitting my breaking point, breakup , purchasing a home and 1 final move from 4 different spaces… also can’t forget about a pandemic, civil injustice and protests+riots.
A lot has happened in our country and worldwide in the past 3 months. This post is about what has been happening in my world for the last 6 months. I have had lots of personal transitions that I wanted to update you on.
I’m so grateful to be back home in Indiana! My time in Tennessee was really difficult as I ended up having severe allergies to my new environment. My year in Nashville lead to 7 doctor visits, lots of different prescriptions and 100 plus needle pricks in allergy testing. Only option left was to attempt shots that would take 2-5 years to build up my system for relief. My eyes would swell shut after 2 weeks, which as you can imagine it presented issues. I would drive back home to IN after 1-1.5 weeks in Nashville to heal then head back and repeat.
Fortunately I was able to stay with my company and take over a new territory starting in April. I finalized my travel in Tennessee in early March when COVID started to get more serious.
From my Tennessee travels I then flew out to San Diego, CA. While in CA announcements of businesses closing due to COVID began and I changed flights to return sooner for fear of being stuck in CA. When returning, my forced quarantine ended up being an eye opening blessing that lead to so many possibilities!
I did hit my absolute lowest point, which you can either stay down or pull yourself back up. I have God on my side and he showed me so many back to back blessings and I’m so grateful.
God’s 1st blessing was to present me with Ally Vaeth’s ElevateU Bootcamp challenge which was a great insight to her program. I am now in her ElevateU program and learning so much about Mind, Body and Spirit! Another post dedicated to this topic to follow!
My next blessing was timing. I have been looking at houses and they kept selling prior to arriving to the showing. A house in the area I had been looking posted at 10:00pm on a Friday at the end of March and I had an offer on it before Midnight. I made the decision to offer based on the images posted on Zillow (no idea of the floor plan), advice from my realtor and faith that my prayer were answered. I did get to see the house the next morning and I updated my offer in hopes to secure it! My quick judgment worked in my favor because they chose my offer, even though they had multiple offers. Next blessing was no bid war !
During the time of waiting to close on my house my Aunt randomly text me (another God blessing) offering to stay at the cabin since the numbers in Marion county for COVID were spiking. She was giving me an option to help stay healthy, but she really gave me a chance to reclaim inner peace. The cabin is my happy place that makes me feel calm and grounded.
During the pandemic God created so many possibilities for me. I am now a homeowner again, working on my mental , spiritual and physical health, growing my Mary Kay business and back in a territory I love for my job. I am grateful!
XOXO,
Cecee
*This post is not intended to dismiss the magnitude of the pandemic. I truly feel for those who have been impacted. I have deeply missed my family and friends . I am beyond grateful for my health, as well as for those who I hold dear. I am choosing to reflect on the positives that occurred during these unusual times.
Are you considering hosting either a brunch or BBQ for the 4ht of July? Are you looking for a healthier menu? If you are, I have you covered!
I love brunch and luckily there are so many ways to lighten up your menu!
Brunch Menu
Sausage and Egg Muffin– 12 servings (1 muffin/ serving)
1 Cup, Shredded Potato
3 egg, Egg Whites
3 large, Egg
0.25 cup, 2% Milk
0.25 cup, Shredded Mexican Cheese
3.00 links, Johnsonville Turkey Sausage
0.50 oz, Red Bell Pepper
0.25 cup, Mushrooms
Bake the shredded potato in a muffin pan at 425 Degrees for 15 mins or till crisp edge, the add all the veggies and diced sausage on top. Then add the mix of eggs, egg whites, milk, cheese, salt and pepper to taste. I also added some fresh basil. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 mins of until egg is done.
Macros: 76 cal/ 3g F/ 4g C/ 5g P
Chicken and Protein Waffle
Blueberry Protein Waffle and Turkey Sausage
Chicken and Protein Waffles (birch benders protein pancake mix, per instructions on package) – For a quick cheat on the chicken I purchased Chic-Fil-A chicken strips and use 2 chicken strips. I top it with 1/4 cup of sugar free syrup.
Macros: 415 cal/ 10g F/ 45g C/ 30g P
And/Or
Red, White and Blue Protein Waffles with Turkey Sausage- I follow the instructions on Birch Benders Protein pancake mix for waffles and toss and few blueberries into the mix. Serve with strawberries on top, sugar free syrup and Johnsonville Turkey Sausage, 3 links.
Macros: 341 cal/ 9g F/ 42g C/ 28 g P
Red, White and Blue Yogurt- 1/4 c blueberries
1/4 c strawberries
1/2 c fat free greek yogurt
1 tsp cinnamon
Macros: 192 cal/ 1 g F/ 40g C/ 13g P
Pasta Salad: 11 servings (1 cup per serving)
1 Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper
2 Tbs, Onion Green Whole
1 tbsp, Basil, fresh
1 g, Pepper
1 Tablespoons, Salt
1 bunch, Broccoli, steamed
0.25 container (60 tomatoes ea.), One Single Cherry Tomato
1 container (5 3/10 cup dries ea.), Whole Grain Pasta Rotini
Boil pasta per box instructions and let noodles cool. Then mix all the above in a large bowl and chill for at least an hour before serving.
Macros: 180cal/ 1g F/ 35g C/ 6g P
Caprese Bites: 2 servings (4 each)
8 cherry tomatoes
1 low fat mozzarella stick
8 fresh basil leaves
1tbsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar mix (I use a dipping oil mix with spices)
Macros: 86 cal/ 11g F/6g C/ 4g P
Fresh Fruit- Watermelon is always a good choice and I added sprigs of mint leaves for presentation . 1 cup of watermelon
Macros: 86 cal/ 0g F/ 22g C/ 2g P
BBQ/Cookout Menu
Planning a BBQ ?! I have the best burger recipe for you! There is a key special ingredient, Home Grind that perhaps myself or Kevin can introduce you! Home Grind is an amazing blend of peppers to add a little heat to your burger.
Venison Burger: 7 servings- 1 burger per serving: Video for prep below
1 lb(s), Venison (sub lean ground beef/turkey burger-macros are for venison)
1 large, Egg
0.50 cup, Oats
6 g, Pepper
1 tbsp(s), Garlic, raw
1.50 tsp, Original Flavor Salt Free Seasoning Blend
1 tsp(s), Spices, garlic powder
2 Tsp, Seasoning Chupacabra
1 pinch of Home Grind
Macros: 114 cal/ 5g F/ 5g C/ 13g P
Utilize the brunch menu and serve with the pasta salad, caprese bites and watermelon. Sun tea is always a good choice to add!
For dessert I recommend Red, White and Blue angle food cake.
Red, White and Blue Angel Food Cake: 1 serving
1 Slice, Angel Food Cake
0.25 cup, halves, Strawberries, raw
0.25 cup, Blueberries
2 TBSP , Fat-free Whipped Cream –
Macros: 181 cal/ 0g F/ 41g C/ 3g P
I hope you enjoy celebrating the holiday with these lighter menu items! Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
Summer is in full swing and it is hard to believe the Fourth of July is upon us! With 4th falling on a Wednesday the big question is “when do we celebrate and what should I wear?”
I have done some research with the help of Indy Star and will break the list down by free firework displays around Indianapolis and the days to see them. I have also mentioned a few other areas of Indiana. If you are interested in festivals to attend please see the Indy Star link. Also there are more options on the Indy Star site for places to see fireworks, but they had an admission fee associated. The below listing is for free admission.
June 30th Fireworks
Spark Fishers at the Fishers Freedom Festival- Viewing at Holland Park or Nickel Plate District begins at 10pm
Madison Township 4th of July Blazin’ Celebration in Camby begins at dusk
Thunder over Patoka at Patoka Lake begins at 9pm
July 4th Fireworks
IPL Freedom Fest at Indiana War Memorial begins 10pm -fireworks set off from Regions Tower downtown Indianapolis
Fourth Fest in Lawrence Community Park begins 10pm
Lebanon’s Memorial Park begins at 10pm
Carmel Fest downtown Carmel begins at 9:45
Morse Lake begins at 10pm
Blast on the Bridge at Geist begins at dusk
Noblesville HS begins at 10pm
Westfield at Grand Parks begins at dusk
Moorseville at Pioneer Park begins at Dusk
Plainfield at Hummel Park begins at 9:55pm
Greenfield JR High begins at dusk
Pittsboro at Scamahorn Park begins at 10pm
Terre Haute at Fairbanks park begins at 10pm
Fort Wayne downtown begins at 10pm
French Lick Resort begins at dusk
July 7th Fireworks
Racoon Lake Independence Day Fireworks and Beach Bash begins at 9:30pm
Below you will find patriotic outfit ideas for casual BBQs, brunches, festivals or a fun night out. Also if you are planning a brunch or BBQ for the 4th, stay tuned as follow up blog post will be coming with menu ideas. All of my outfits except for the dress in the pool came from TJ Maxx!
My Confident Chaos 