Healthy Fun

"Life is a highway, I wanna ride it, all night long...“'

Sorry for the hiatus, but I have been on vacation! :D The husband and I will be celebrating two wonderful years of marriage tomorrow, and this is usually the time of year we do our big trip!

We went to Atlanta for a few days, and tomorrow we are headed to Nashville for the night. We enjoyed the first leg of the trip, being naughty... sleeping in, shopping, eating a little unhealthy. Overall, it was a healthy trip we both needed.

That said, fun is healthy. I look forward to our anniversary trip every year because I know it is going to be unlike every other time of the year!

We all think to ourselves, I need to save money, now is not the time, but folks, we have to make time!

I can think of a million reasons we should not have gone on this trip. Time, money, work, blah, blah, blah... even if it just one day off of work and going a little wild with a loved one, it is totally worth it. 

Fun is healthy. I went to a concert Friday, the Luke/Jason show for those who have read earlier posts, and it was a blast. I screamed, I sang loud, I danced, and it was wonderful. Not a care in the world!

Everyone, take some time, a day or two if that's all you have, put your worries aside and live for the moment! Go to that restaurant you've always wanted to try, or drive to a nearby city and site see! Live, laugh, love! That's what really keeps us young! :D

Sometimes it is good to be a little bad! ;)

The Weight of the Nation

Last night, I saw an interview Stephen Colbert did with Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, discussing a documentary entitled The Weight of the Nation that is set to air on HBO on May 14th & 15th as a 4-part piece on the obesity epidemic in America.

As a nurse, a person fighting this battle, and a person watching loved ones fight this battle, I thought I would share the video and some info.

Click here for the video.

I wanted to share this interview because I love how Dr. Collins recommends we approach the problem. He talks about holistic health and the need for us to come together as a nation and work together. I believe he hints at the prospect of not using this problem for profit. The tagline, "To win, we have to lose," says volumes about this problem.

Not only do we as a nation need to lose weight, but the corporate entities making money off of this problem may need to lose money. Everywhere we look, people are trying to sell us diet books, exercise equipment, or little boxed meals for quick weight loss. Fast food chains make millions daily offering "convenience." The health care system also racks up a ton on procedures like gastric bypass and coronary bypass fixing the damage.

Like Dr. Collins, I believe this is something that will take us coming together as a community, as a nation to fix. History has shown us, when we get together, we do great things! :D

Hopes up!
Lady Tennessee

Focus on the Fresh

*Leave a bag of non-perishables by your mailbox on May 12 for the mailman to pick up and take to the food bank. The Stamp Out Hunger project is an easy way to give!*


Today, I took some time to go through our pantry, fridge, and freezer to rid us of some of the foods that no longer are allowed in our stomachs, and I pulled out some donations to give on May 12.

In my quest for healthier living, I have, of course, had to put a huge focus on food. Right now folks, the word of the day is FRESH. Back when I was first wading into the world of coupons, I fell into the trap of believing that stocking up on the "deals" was a smart investment. Maybe some folks see the value in it, I don't.

We had a bunch of boxes of stuff posing as food loaded with sugar, preservatives, and other words I can't pronounce. I found myself more frustrated trying to keep up what I will call "the hoard," than any relief in saving money. I also found no nutritional value in the crap I was buying.

Then when I read the book Food Rules (see my healthy reads page for more info), the author made a very home-hitting point. Real food is meant to rot. When you eat real food, your body takes what it needs and expels the rest.

I believe The Lion King calls it the "circle of life." Let us all be apart of the circle.

We began to buy more vegetables, more fruit, more dairy, and  more grains. We also enjoy the lean meats being the carnivores we are. Everything is fresh, and there are no huge nutritional information panels to read! My body loves it, and it gets very angry when I switch back to fake food. I can tell a huge difference in my attitude towards food. I love having fresh fruits and vegetables in my kitchen. (They are not only delicious, but they are beautiful! They make the kitchen look better... see photo below.)

This brings me to my next point. After having this revelation about "real food," I realized I had to rethink the way I shop. We are a small family of two, so why in the world should we stockpile food? I really thought I was saving money, and that was my motivation. We simply were not going through it quick enough to justify all the work. We were wasting food.

In addition, one cannot stock up on produce for two. Apples that are 2 for $1 are much cheaper than a bulk bag of 10 for $4 when you throw out 8 because they molded as you were trying to eat last weeks oranges.

Our new plan of attack is to buy food roughly every 6 to 8 days. This makes for more delicious food with fresh ingredients. This also gives us the freedom of variety. We can pick different fruits, meats, veggies, etc. every week instead of glaring into the freezer at the bulk pack of chicken saying, "Are we having that again?" And best of all, we are not wasting food! Instead of throwing food, and subsequently, our hard earned cash, into the trash, we are actually saving money! Back when I went all Coupon Suzy, we would spend an average of $150 on each grocery trip. Our last trip... $60!

So, I encourage everyone to find a grocery plan that works for you and your family. Bigger families may be able to save money and buy more things in bulk while smaller families may need to make smaller trips weekly to save money and avoid waste!

To Recap:
1. Eat FRESH - Real food comes from plants and animals, and the ingredients don't sound like you are reading the back of a shampoo bottle!
2. Don't Waste - Buy the appropriate amount of food for the number of people in your home!
3. Deal Doesn't Always Mean Bulk - Two people probably won't eat a 10 pound bag of potatoes before they go bad.

Happy Eating!
Lady Tennessee

Gateway Exercise

My relationship with exercise was always a hate-hate!
Running, jogging, treadmill, aerobics, elevated heart rate... I was not a fan.

When I did track and field in high school, the coach always said we would get to a point where we would enjoy the pain that came with running and practicing. Let me tell you, I never saw that day.

Years went on, exercise and I pretty much broke up, unless you want to count the walking I did on the college campus.

Then I became a nurse... on a cardiac step down unit... where we are supposed to encourage a healthy diet and exercise.

Here's me, not leading by example

If there is one thing my mama taught me, it was practice what you preach. After seeing countless patients endure the hardships of coronary artery disease and even seeing a few lose the fight, I realized I have absolutely no excuse!

So my focus today is exercise, and I have found my perfect exercise. Some of the girls I work with told me about a Zumba class they were doing. I went to it, loved it. I went here and there... letting the drive, the cost, and other things be excuses. Well, one day, I did my own Zumba hour at home. I really let go and worked it, and I felt amazing! I cleaned the whole house, made dinner, took a relaxing bath, and slept like a baby.

After that, I did it the next day. Then, I did it the next day. Then, I started looking forward to doing it. I had found my "Gateway Exercise." Zumba could get me off my rear to exercise, and I have added weights and crunches (YES, CRUNCHES!) to my routine. This was just what I needed to push me into the world of physical activity!

So I recommend to everyone, find your "Gateway Exercise!" Find that activity that you love to do and let it slowly ease you into more. I fell in love with Zumba because I love dancing, which is really what Zumba is at it's core. Plus at home, I could pick the music!

Whatever it is... bike riding, yoga, canoeing, dancing, skating, whatever... let it get you started and get you motivated! We all know the benefits, but here are a few reminders! Exercise is good for your heart, helps with maintaining and losing weight, releases endorphins to elevate mood, and increases endurance and libido! Always remember to check with a doctor before beginning an exercise routine!


If I can make this change, believe me, anyone can. Before I started Zumba, I had absolutely no motivation to do any kind of extra physical activity outside my daily routine! So keep searching and find that activity that you love and makes you happy! :D

Happy calorie-burning!
Lady Tennessee

Money in the Pig

They call him Mr. Pig.

Actually, we call him that, and he sits in our office. He houses the loose coinage around the house, but his likeness is being used as the photographic & metaphorical imagery for my post. He owns the rights to his own likeness.

So, yesterday, the husband and I did an adult thing and met with a financial planner. Before you go thinking how fancy that sounds, the consultation and the little money planner thing he is putting together is free. Free is my favorite word. In addition, the husband and I don't come from families that were ever "wealthy" or even "financially secure," so we are pretty familiar with the middle America paycheck to paycheck method. We thought if nothing else, a little financial knowledge could never hurt.

Now, I can happily say the husband and I do not argue over money, ever. We have a full-proof plan for managing the financial system 'round here... I am in charge, and he is a consultant. I pay the bills, balance the checkbook, handle all the "paperwork," and oversee day-to-day operations. When larger purchase decisions come up or if an extra amount of money needs a dedicated purpose, I consult the husband.

I am organized by nature, so I do the micromanaging. The big decisions we make together. That's what I just said, much simpler.

However, a good Proverbs 31 wife "sees that her trading is profitable." I don't want our family to just do ok, I want us to do great. That means thinking about the future.

So, we went to see Mr. Icanmakeyoumillions, and I was just curious to see how well I was doing at handling the finances. Overall the man said I had done pretty good for a kid. (I guess you don't become an adult until you are 25.)  However, in the "long-term," we suck, like the majority of Americans.

The more we have talked, we know we need to think about retirement right now. I work in health care, and I see on a daily basis how quickly Medicare and Social Security are diminishing. Our elderly population is growing and living longer, and there is just not enough. And I don't see huge strides being made anytime soon.

In conclusion folks, the husband and I are going to embark on this financial experiment. We are going to take the little money portfolio thing (official term for it!) and try to implement some of Mr. Moneybags strategies. We are going to gather as much knowledge as we can via DIY method... and maybe, just maybe, we might even pay for some professional services (maybe!).

As we embark on this quest, I will share all the tips... free of charge! Lets see how this P31 in training deals in the financial game!

~Ashley

P.S. I promise not to write a book and make you buy it! :D

Confident, Peaceful, and Fearless

This girl, I remember this girl. Lately, I feel I've been closer to getting back to her.

This girl was on top of the whole world. This girl had everything she needed. She was confident, she was at peace with life and the world, and she was unafraid of whatever was in store.

This girl was beautiful, young, and like the Red M&M... sexy and she knew it. (Haha, I thought it was funny!)

Every time I see this picture, I see the drive in my eyes. I had just married the greatest man, and I was surrounded by tons of people who love and care about me. I felt the love of God all around me.

As I'm coming to find that peace and joy in the Lord, I find there are still rainy days. When I have down days, I look at this girl, and I remember who I am and who I want to be.

Through my challenge to be a better wife, I have really learned to be better for someone else, you have to be the best version of yourself. Everyday, I get a little bit stronger.

So let this be a pep talk to all women, find that picture, in an album or in your mind, of that version of yourself that is the best. The one that is true, beautiful, and make a vow to be that girl.

Homemade Love

So here lately, I've been on a blog hiatus. Life has been much less spectating and much more living. Tennessee is changing seasons, and winter has become the spring. Daylight savings time has breathed some new life into everyone. We are enjoying the outdoors more, and the puppy is loving all the time at the park.

Like the seasons, I can feel myself changing, too. I feel my husband and I are in a good place right now. All of the stress and shock from the changes at work have fizzled down, and again, it is back to being the daily grind. I'm doing better about leaving work at work, and I know it has helped my mood.

I've been praying for God to help me get in a routine, a groove of some sort, and I think I've finally started to do that. I've been exercising pretty regularly and trying to eat better.

In my quest for a better life, I have finally been able to start making some of the changes I have wanted to for us. That brings me to the "Homemade Love."

Everyone has seen those little signs and heard the sayings, "Made with love," or "Add a cup of love." Well, I am finally starting to see the truth in those. I have been making my own bread, and I must say I love it. I usually put on some music in the kitchen and go to town. I love kneading dough. It is hard work, but it is work that is done with love and pride. I love serving my husband things I have made from scratch.

Convenience is just that nowadays, there is no challenge and no thought to it. While in some areas, I appreciate it, I find that in other facets, it helps my soul to do the work myself. Accomplishment always makes a human heart feel good, and then sharing that with others, that is priceless.

A pretty romanticized post to be about making bread, but that's the joy of the Lord in me, enjoying the simple things in life and cherishing the moments.

Bread pics for the interested:

Dough ball

 Pre-rise

Post rise

Fresh out of the oven!

More to come: We are going to work on some landscaping and hopefully a garden here soon! :D