Homemade Chicken Tacos for Lunch

This is one of my own recipes, but it's oh so delicious, and a lot healthier than your average taco.

What you need:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken (I personally prefer the 98% fat free)
1/4 cup sweet onion (chopped)
1/4 cup vine tomato (chopped)
1/4 cup green bell pepper (chopped)
3/4 cup water
1 Ortega seasoning packet (low fat, low sodium)
1 Mission 100% whole wheat flour tortilla (medium)

Brown the meat, then drain. Lower the heat to medium. Add the water, seasoning mix, and veggies, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce is thickened, drop about a spoonful onto your tortilla and enjoy!

Week 1...DONE!

Well, I have just finished Week 1 of P90X, and week 2 of my new diet. I have actually already noticed results, which I find just surprising. My triceps, which are usually just all flab, now have some definition to them...without me flexing! When I rolled over in bed this morning, before getting up for the day, I saw that I had some lint on my left tricep. I went to brush it away and was taken aback by how tough my tricep felt. Thinking that I was not quite awake yet, I sat up and felt the opposite tricep, and it proved to have the same results. I know this sounds crazy, but I'm already noticing a difference. I just feel great all-around, other than my soreness from Legs and Back the other day, ;)

As far as my diet goes, I've also noticed a difference. My metabolism has sped up and I get fuller, faster. My diet from my fitness coach is as follows: "Don't eat any carbs, other than from veggies, after 4 pm. Eat 5-6 meals a day, every 2-3 hours."

After informing my coach that I sometimes struggle with too many carbs and loss of energy, he upped my calories to 1300 and my carbs to 100. I will still try to watch my carb level, but I am grateful for having a few extra calories for a much-needed energy snack/meal to keep me going.

My diet plan, per a daily basis:
1300 calories with 150 g of protein, 100 carbs, and 27 grams of fat.

So far, I've lost about 5 pounds over the course of the past week and a half.

These helped:

A New Me?

I'm sure many people have heard of the insane workout DVDs, such as "Insanity," "Asylum," and "P90-X." I'm also sure that many people wonder if they actually work. Well folks, I am going to try P90-X, as part of a challenge, starting on January 16th. I have already started my diet, per my FREE fitness coach, and I have already lost 2 pounds this week. I will be updating my progress about every week or so on here, as a way to keep track of my progress, but also as a means to show others if it's worth it. I do know for a fact however, that it is 80% diet and only 20% exercise. P90-X is just a way of burning fat and calories faster, and in the comfort of your own home. One of the things I like about it, after previewing the DVDs to see what all I will need, is the constant support that is given in this program. Not only that, but they show you different moves for beginners and experts. My goal is to eventually get to "expert" status. :) Since I live so far away from my best friends, the Facebook group has acted as my support group. They have given me advice, food tips, and even a free coach to help me get through this challenge. I'm extremely embarrassed about the way I look, so it's nice for me to work out on my own, but receiving the constant support from everyone in this group. I feel as though I might actually look different by the end of this. We shall see!

For those of you who might be skeptics, this is my fitness coach, Lance's video. He used to be nearly 300 pounds. And through diet, exercise, and P90-X, he has changed his life. I feel very fortunate to have him as my coach.

How do you grow a money tree?

Well, unfortunately, I don't actually have the answer to that question, but I do have a creative idea for making a fake one as a gift. The above picture is a money tree that my stepmom made for my stepsister as a Christmas present. As with the Christmas Eve tradition, my stepsister got to open a gift on Christmas Eve tonight, and my stepmom just couldn't resist giving her this oh-so-hilarious-item. In my family, we have always thought having an actual money tree would be completely awesome. We all work very hard for the things that we have, which isn't all that much when you really examine it. My dad has always joked about "watering the money tree" in order for us to go and "pick money off the money tree" for the things we really want to have, but can't really afford. I thought this was a very creative and interesting gift.

The Passing Lane is for PASSING

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people do not use the passing lane correctly. It is most definitely called the passing lane because it is meant for passing other, slower vehicles in the right-hand lane. Even though there is a law stating that drivers cannot sit in the left-hand lane other than if they are passing, many Illinois drivers cannot seem to grasp this concept correctly. Maybe their minds just cannot fully understand exactly what this means. But from what I have seen, it causes a much larger problem on the roadway. For example, those people with road-rage are more apt to tailgate them, attempting to force them to switch to the right lane. As I have previously stated however, sometimes these lovers of the left lane just do not comprehend the obvious. When they do not switch to the right lane, the road-ragers usually will pass them in the right lane. I myself have passed others in the right lane several times, but I make sure that I still use my turn signal, look over my shoulder, and then pass them. One of the things that I normally see while driving though, are those same drivers affected with road rage swerving over to the right lane and then pass those oblivious drivers hogging the left lane. I have also seen many near accidents happen because of both sets of drivers. If I could make it happen, I would have a giant-lit up sign for when I pass these wonderful people chillin' in the left lane. Once I pass them, I will switch back over to the left lane, press a button, and then they will read "The passing lane is for PASSING. Please switch back to the right lane until you need to pass someone before you cause an accident." Hmm, maybe I should patent this device...

Surviving My First Semester

As of 2pm today, I have successfully finished my first semester of teaching. I can't believe that an entire semester has passed already. I have my mentor, another first-year teacher, and some wonderful students that I want to thank for getting me to this point in the first job of my career. As with any job, there have been both positives and negatives, but the fact that I have made it this far just shows me that I am tough enough to handle some of the more stressful times. Having a teaching job is probably the best Christmas present that I could ask for this year. I am thankful that I was chosen for this position. I have heard several compliments from both students and parents. They both have told me that they are surprised they're learning, and having fun in my class at the same time. Apparently, neither one of these happened with the previous teacher...

I'm really loving my teaching job so far. I just hope that I am able to continue making a difference in these students' lives.

High School Students' Caring at Christmas

As a high school teacher I never expected my students to get me anything for Christmas. And honestly, that's okay. The only thing that I would want them to give me is a bit more respect than usual around the holidays. However, a few of my students have given me gifts and there's still a good week until Christmas break. These gifts helped me to realize just how much some students enjoy my class. The little green dinosaur at the top is a tea infuser. One of my juniors knew I'd enjoy because of how much tea I drink and because of the play on words. The trophy at the bottom is an ornament that another one of my juniors got me in early December. I'm definitely feelin' the love!