Calling

You are my hero. You are my inspiration. You have convicted me to start training. You need to be a motivational speaker. You have changed my life. 

Over the past 6 months these are things people have come up to tell me. I am completely humbled every time someone tells me these things. It all takes me by surprise and I smile and with a thankful heart thank each and every person. Most of the time I am able to stand there and share my story, hear theres and simply encourage them on their journey. This is my passion. This is my heart. These things make me smile and know I am doing what I was created to do. To encourage and to love people. 

I have a huge passion for people. I also have a huge passion for helping people live out their journey and success in weight loss. I absolutely love it when someone comes up to me to tell me how much I have inspired them. That is then an open invitation for me to encourage them in their journey. It is simply amazing what you can learn about someone by simply asking. People are so willing to be open with me, some smiling the whole time, some starting to cry. You can see so much by just listening and looking into someones eyes. There is either joy or pain. Where is this pain coming from? What caused this pain? Most of the pain comes from the heavier or shy people. THESE are the souls I love to talk to. They are so eager to listen. 

Being over weight all my life, made fun of, single, and a dork, I know what a lot of people are going through. I can connect with them on a whole different level. Not fitting into clothes from a "normal" store, I understand. Being called names, I understand. Being embarrassed, been there. Being single, yup! I feel God brought me through this life to use me later on. Which is now. And I couldn't be more thankful. Yes, growing up it was hard. Not going to lie. There were times I wished my life would come to an end. Not going to lie about that. But there is always a silver lining. There is always a reason. I am ever so thankful that God chose this journey. This life for me. 

It simply breaks my heart seeing this nation so obese. So unhealthy. Unfortunately you can only hope and pray that wake up and be encouraged. You never can force something onto someone. Yes, there is a possibility they will make the change, but there is also the chance to making them angry and further themselves from a healthy life. I will stay encouraging, answer questions, and continue to live my life so others will see the change in me. I cannot wait for the day when I can start working one on one with these souls longing to make a change. I cant wait to stand in front of lives lost and in need of a healthy lifestyle change and speak encouragement and hope into their lives. Through God all things are possible. Always believe that YOU ARE SPECIAL and you can do ANYTHING!

Hero Rush aka amazing awesomeness

6 months ago I never would of thought of competing in my first race. Much less a race including 21 obstacles. With the help of my trainer kicking my behind and helping me gain muscle, lose more inches, and gain even more confidence, I was happy to dive into my first race. 

Waking up I had a slew of emotions. I was excited and couldn't wait to get on the road and accept this challenge being set before me. First off, the weather was amazing. God really blessed us with a gorgeous day to play in the mud. At noon my team was called on stage and asked to set off the siren to start the race. Our first challenge was sliding down the fire pole. Not going to lie. I was like, are you kidding me? You pretty much had to reach out and jump and pray your legs made it around the pole. Knowing some girl ahead of us didn't hold well and ate it, I made sure I was in-love with my pole, holding it close the whole way down.  We ran a large amount of the time.  I would say 2/3 of the time, at least. Which was over 4 miles.

The next obstacle was insane. Walking, roughly, 1/2 mile knee deep in a river. Which was freezing. We would find areas that were higher up, but mossy, then all of the sudden it would fall knee deep. It was crazy, but we stuck as a team, holding hands to help keep each other from falling when one of us may slip. 

Next came different steep hills, climbing up muddy hills. A scary one was when we had to walk through a big building full of all kinds of boards, tables, etc. The "smoke" (fog machine) was so thick you could only see your hand if you held it 2 inches from your face. It was an amazing time to trust each other and working with each other. We had to depend on what the other person tripped over at the start, or run into, or fall over. God bless that person so we could all warn everyone else.  Another scary one was having to crawl through a very tight, very dark crawl space maze type thing. After smacking my head I decided it best to feel all around me so I know where I am going. It was honestly hilarious. If I created this I would put those night vision video cameras in to have some free entertainment later that evening. Come on, pop some popcorn and laugh.

My kick butt moments were the tires. Now, I am used to flipping tires that weigh more than I do. So needless to say this was much easier. Well, 2 of the 3 were. One was designed by The Rock or something. They tied a fire hose, which if you don't know, weights about 12 billion pounds, and it was tied to a good size tire. Not only did you have to drag that puppy, you had to drag it up a steep hill and back down then, you guessed it, you had to run back up that hill to get on course. There were a few times I wanted to curse, give up, or stop at a sushi place and eat. Mind you, this is the boonies, so obviously there was NO sushi places near by. The other two were fun. Two tires were connected by a fire hose. I loved watching people dragging these tires, while I threw those puppies over my shoulder as I jumped a 4 foot wall. Then there were the 2 tires connected that two of us had to toss onto a stretcher and take through a course. Including under barbed wire. I kicked butt with that, but unfortunately Jorge was NOT staying on our stretcher. *Jorge was my injured tire). I would swing it forward and he would decide to pop off. Im like, "Jorge. Pull it together."

The 2 Killer obstacles I could of done without was the rope we had to climb up. Which wasn't happened. It was ok. There were big muscle men that couldn't do it. I tried and thats all. Once we made it to the top, which mind you was up very high and with no sides once up there, my stomach sunk and I just wanted down. You then had to get down. They had a fire hose for your feet and connected by ropes were two more hoses to hold onto. Thinking it would be pure brilliant to put the hoses under my armpits, so i wouldn't fall, I made it. You flip to the side and its hard moving, but I made it. Bruised armpits and all.  The other hard one was the last true obstacle (you also jumped into a very dirty pool and were hosed and then jump over 4 fires). We had to shimmy up this weird tube thing roughly a story tall. The only thing inside were small blocks on the sides, a 2x4 here and there. I enter and boom…freezing cold water being poured down on you by a hose. Not just a trickle, but a freaking rain storm. So looking up to see if I could find something new to grab was hard. There was a moment I didn't know what I was doing and thought for sure I was going to fall on the poor man under me, I made it. It was intense. So now we are up freaking high and its time to jump onto a tarp and trust it holds you. It sends you flying into a nice cold brown pool. Once I hit it my legs fly up ever so sexy like and you hope and pray the photographer did not capture that moment. Seeing I was the only one who flew down at the moment and I see the photographer standing there with his camera on me I have a feeling I will be online. Awesome!

I was almost to the end. I had to jump into a dirty pool while being ambushed my little kids with hoses. After jumping out I ran and jumped over 4 piles of burning logs and crossed the finish line where I was given my medal and a banana. Please don't be too jealous over my banana. I was all smiles and pumped that i just finished my first race. God has brought me so very far on this journey and I am not finished. I am signing up for my next race in October. Warrior Dash, which is very similar to this race. 

Hard work, dedication. Dedication, hard work

Hard work, dedication. Dedication, hard work. It is as simple as that. So many people come up to me, email me, text me about my journey. Needing help, asking questions, venting because all they want to do is eat every pizza in their County. My goal and passion in life is to help change this over weight/un-healthy nation by inspiring 1 person at a time. Once I inspire someone and they start making a change they will be able to be an inspiration and soon it will snowball. Starting your journey is so extremely simple, but there is 1 huge step one must make to start. You must WANT it. Im not talking about saying you want it, you must believe you want it. 100% of you in the game, because if you are truly not ready to invest you will fail. It is how it is. It is not an easy journey, but I will tell you it is worth every tear you will cry, every bruise you will get, every drop of blood that may come. If it were easy everyone would be doing it. Being on your journey you will learn so many things about YOU. You will slowly see YOU change and form into an even better YOU. But you have to want it bad enough to go through hell to earn your new you. You will learn to eat better. You will need to learn to love working out. You will need to learn to take care of YOU! Because, if you truly cannot take care of YOU, how can you take care of others? SO many people give me the best excuse ever: I have no time. BS. Again I will call BS. Shame on you for not MAKING time. I don't care if you are single, married, 1 kid, 12 kids, divorced, blind, deaf, white, black, gay, Buddist. Stop with the excuses and learn to accept the fact that you are making excuses. If you make an excuse you truly do not want a change. It can simply be you are afraid. Making a change in life is scary at times. You are afraid of the unknown. HELLO. I was once removed from a plane from having a massive panic attack and 5 years later boarded a plane from CA to the Czech Republic. Fear is an excuse. Do not give in.

Another question people ask me is my goal. Of course I would love to be a certain size. Be completely toned and strut my sexy self down the beach in my Marilyn Monroe bikini. Hello. In hot pink too! But one thing i want everyone to know is this is my life style. This is something I will be doing until God choses to take me home and I take my very last breath on earth. I will be on this journey for the rest of my days. I will daily be learning new things. Like food. I will always be changing things around. Finding new ways to stomach veggies and huge amounts of them. I will be in the gym the rest of my life. Its part of me. Some people do not understand my passion for the gym. But, simply I chose the gym as my life/my hobby. While others chose cooking, crafts, music, etc. 

I want you all to know that I am always here to answer any questions, to encourage you on your journey, or to help you begin your journey. I will push you, I will be tough while being encouraging, I will be straight forward and sugar coat nothing. God is good!

Update on my journey

So it has been a long time since I have jumped on this blog and share things. I know Daja, shame on me. But, lets face it. Im not as cool as you. So here I go. There will be ramblings. There will be stories. There will be health talk. But, simply a place for me to talk and share my heart. Please feel free to ask questions, but one thing I will not tolerate is rude people. So with that said, lets rock and roll. 

As most of you know I started my journey to wellness 2 years ago. The first 10 months I was un-stoppable. I dropped a lot of weight. Then I went on a glorious month long vacation. Hello. When you have family in California and Hawaii you must take long vacations. The first week went great. I went running and did yoga right on the beach. Ate amazingly well and then I fell off the wagon. Ate horribly and stopped working out. I gained some weight back and stayed off the weight loss wagon for about a year. I just got lazy and well…thats the truth. Not going to lie. 

I joined the rec center and would go and spend hours a week half behinding it. I would drink tons of soda, eat half way healthy and then get so upset when i wasn't seeing the results. I knew I needed a change. I started seeing my friend write about all her success with Zumba. I never stepped foot into a class and always thought this white girl could not dance. Maybe because the only "dancing" I ever did was in my home and at a friends wedding. My brother told me about Zumba at his church and I gave it a whirl. There begins a 2 year love. 

Zumba has become my passion. I have learned so many moves, steps, and gained many amazing friends. But still, wasn't back on track. I would eat very well, then have a cheat meal on a weekend that would turn into a cheat day and some times a cheat weekend. As time rolled on i became even more addicted to Zumba. I have an amazing friend, who is an instructor, and would trust me with her class at times, leading a few songs. My passion grew. But, I know I needed more.

In August of 2012 a new gym opened. It happens to be directly in front of my house. I was thinking about joining when one day my boss sends me a text that says, "I just bought you a year membership to Olympus. Because you're so awesome!" I was so excited! Olympus has been incredible! A few months back I hired a personal trainer who is like my brother and friend. I always wished I would, some how, get the opportunity to train with Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, or Dolvett Quince, but after working with Aaron I would not trade him for any trainer in the world. He knows me. He knows how and when to push me. He takes me to a whole new level I never ever would think I could go.  (I will have a bragging session is a minute). I started losing again and the weight and inches fell. Then I hit a wall. Spending 5-6 days a week at the gym, 2 with a trainer, and spending a couple hours a day, I was lost. I tried different things with my diet. Changing this up or that. Adding new things. I recently got SO frustrated I finally broke down. There is another trainer who specializes in nutrition who sat down with me and explained everything to me. I was eating the right things, but at the wrong time. Here was my WHAT moment.

Who knew you aren't to eat carbs after lunch. Not me. Had no clue. Who thought it was bad having a scoop of brown rice or quinoa with grilled fish was bad. With all the weight loss shows I watch and all the books I read. No one ever mentioned that. He sat there and explained everything and drew pictures. It clicked and everything was so easy. I have gained major muscle and strength and I have Jesus and my trainer Aaron for that. But now the rest of this stubborn weight will start coming off. THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Aaron is my trainer and the sweetest guy. I remember first meeting him. I had seen him a lot and knew HE was going to train me. I love how God crossed our paths. It was nothing else but God and I am so thankful. I told him "I want you to make me throw up and help me get Jillian Michaels arms". He told me he would work me hard, but to never compare myself to someone else. He does not like me saying i will be skinny, but,  I will be STRONG and healthy! And strong and healthy I am becoming. 

*Caution. If you don't like people who brag now and then, simply skip this portion-lol* I go through intense workouts. He likes to torture me, in a good way, and he has earned a t-shirt I made that reads "I don't like Aaron". He loves it when I wear it. He has a workout called "The four quarters of hell". My favorite days are weight/strength training. I have shocked a lot of people and out lift a lot of guys. I currently free weight squat 275, I bear squat over 400, I leg press over 400, and I flip tires for fun. We are known as the power team and I love being able to get people intrigued and share my passion. Because over all my biggest passion is becoming a personal trainer and changing this over weight  world. One pound at a time.

Gods Love For You

I wrote this a couple years ago and just came upon it this afternoon and felt like sharing it. Enjoy!


I was reading an email from a dear soul and it saddened my heart. She has been going through so many hard trying things in her life. It's like a huge wave has been thrown up against her and she is left laying there lifeless. Not knowing what to do. Not knowing which was is up. Not knowing where to go. 
It's situations like this where we find it so much easier to stay where we are thrown, close our eyes, and believe everything will be ok. Not wanting to try to get up and brush off the dirt, the hardness, the sadness off us. I know myself I am that way. Let me stay here and never rise again. Im fine. But God is standing right by you with His hand stretched out to you waiting. He is there patient and the moment you turn to face Him, He has the most beautiful smile upon His face. He is not saying anything but you can feel it. It's like He is saying, its ok. Im here now. And as you reach out your hand, He gently grips yours and pulls you to your feet and wraps His ever loving arms around you. There He holds you for a long time. No words have to be spoken because you know you are safe. You are well. You are with the Father. He backs away and gently wipes away your tears with His nail scared hands and brings forth a smile. He then whispers, I love you, and as you look into His eyes you know you are going to be fine. 

It's sort of surreal. How can someone make you feel this way. It's true though. He is the King of Kings and no one will ever understand how someone can be so amazing. He is, simple as that. No need to try to fathom it, because you never will be able to. Something you must believe and live out. 

I, at so many times, try to figure out how people can live their life without Him. How can you wake up every morning and breath in the morning air and not think of who created it. I cant believe how someone can go out running and think of who made them. I cant believe someone can sit on a rock and hear the waves crashing around them as the most magnificent sunset is setting before them and not know who created that. It is as if God is sitting there painting it right before you. A show, to let you know He loves you. Those beautiful colors filling the sky are a gift from Him. Something He places in the Heavens to tell you He loves you. He wants you to know that.

Thai Soup

Ok, I am a HUGE Thai food fan. It must be GOOD Thai food though. I have tried a few places here and nothing compares to my favorite place back home. Basil. YUM! Their peanut sauce is Heavenly and well...everything else is yum. I love a good soup. Not a huge soup person, but when I am in the mood and it is good, I will eat it up. This is my Thai Soup recipe. I love it because it is under 800 calories for the ENTIRE pan. I know...amazing! Please enjoy. Sorry, I do not have pictures.

1 small package rice noodles
2-3 Stalks lemon grass, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ginger, minced
2 teaspoons red curry paste (My CA friends, Albertsons is the only place to have this. I know because in June I went on a search. Food 4 Less and Vons do not carry it)
32 ounces Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Can Low Fat coconut milk
1/2 head Green Cabbage, shredded
1/3 cup cilantro, minced
1 Cup mushroom of choice, chopped
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
*You may add small shrimp or diced chicken if you wish. I typically make this a vegetarian soup*

Prepare the rice noodles, as directed on package, and set aside. Saute mushrooms in a small saucepan with a little water til they become semi soft. Set those aside as well.

In a large saucepan add olive oil, garlic, ginger, and lemon grass. Saute til tender to the touch. Add chicken broth. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Add in curry paste, coconut milk, sugar, and cilantro.  Simmer another 10 minutes. Add mushrooms and noodles. Stir all together. ENJOY!

I typically serve this with rice, chicken, and peanut sauce. I will post the sauce recipe below as well. This is NOT my recipe, but a family friends.

2 Tablespoons ginger, minced
2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
1/2 Cup peanut butter, smooth or chunky
1/4 Cup Rice Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Red Curry Paste
3 Tablespoons water

Throw everything into your blender and blend til smooth and creamy.

This is seriously the 2nd best peanut sauce recipe EVER!!!!!!

Sweets and Treats

Ok, so many people have been asking me to get them my recipes. I have written a cookbook, unfortunately I am the only one with a copy. Ha! So, that is another reason for my blog. Yes, I will put all my recipes into a book, make copies, and let you all know so you can purchase it. But, please continue to be patient. So, I asked you guys on Facebook what you all wanted me to blog. A couple of you said baking. So, I will blog my first food blog on sweets. I will have a couple on this blog. These are items I make for Christmas and everyone always asks for my recipe. I do have a couple pictures I will add. Now, I will try to add the pictures in the correct space so they line up with the recipe. But, please be patient with me. If they all end up at the bottom, you should easily be able to match the picture with the recipe. ha! Ok, time to hush my mouth and start typing!

*These are all the EASIEST recipes EVER!!!*

Avalanche Bark

2 Bags WILTON white chocolate
2 BIG spoonfuls creamy peanut butter
1 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
3 cups mini marshmallows (give or take)
3 cups rice crispies (give or take)

Melt the white chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl. Check and stir every 30 seconds. Making sure you do not burn chocolate. Not only will it no longer be useable, but it will also stink. lol! Once the chocolate is creamy add the peanut butter. Let it rest for a couple minutes. Allowing it to cool some so it will not melt other ingredients. Once it is cooled off a while (but still creamy and soft) start adding in mini marshmallows and rice crispies. Now, sometimes you need to add less or more. I start with a cup of each at a time. You want to make sure your mixture is more on the wet side. This will help harden your bark. Once you have added enough, add 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips. Stir. Pour bark onto a greased cake or cookie pan, or waxed paper. You then can sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips over top. Pat them down a little bit. Let set and then cut, and enjoy!  *Warning. This bark is super yummy, but super rich*.

Peppermint Bark (discs)

This is the EASIEST thing to make. EVER!

2 bags WILTON white chocolate
1 box regular candy canes- unwrapped and crushed

Melt white chocolate in a larger microwavable safe bowl. Check and stir every 30 seconds, making sure you do NOT burn your chocolate!!! Once chocolate is completely melted and creamy, add in 3/4 of crushed candy canes. Now, there are 2 ways of finishing up your bark. You can pour it in a greased or waxed lined cookie sheet. I started trying something new last year. I spoon a dollop of my mix onto waxed paper forming a disc. Once your bark is laid out, sprinkle remaining crushed candy canes on top.

Carey's Brownie Balls of Death

These were named by my brother. lol! So I decided to keep the name.

1 box of your favorite brand chocolate brownie mix. I like the dark chocolate fudgy kind.
1 bag milk chocolate WILTON brand chocolate
*optional* chopped nuts, sprinkles, cocoa powder, coconut, crushed candy canes, etc

Make mix according to the directions on box. When brownies have just about 2 or 3 minutes left, remove from oven. Let them cool for a few minutes before you begin working on them. You need them to still be warm/hot. Warning...they will be hot, but they need to be worked with during this time for them to stick together well. While you are allowing brownies to cool a couple minutes, go ahead and melt the chocolate. Have that prepared and ready. Also prepare a large sheet of waxed paper and items to roll your balls in if you so wish.  Spoon out a small amount of brownie and roll into a small ball. About an inch to 1 1/2 inches round. Once it is formed into a ball, set in melted chocolate and cover. Pick up with a fork and knock into side of bowl a little to try to shake off the extra chocolate. Set on waxed paper. If you want you can sprinkle on any of the toppings you wish, other wise let them cool as is.

Tiger Butter

I do not have a picture of this one, but oh well. You will soon find out the beauty yourself.

2 bags WILTON white chocolate
2 LARGE spoonfuls creamy peanut butter
1/2 bag milk or dark chocolate WILTON chocolate

Melt white chocolate in a large microwavable safe bowl. Check about every 30 seconds, making sure you do NOT burn chocolate. Once chocolate is completely melted and creamy, add in the peanut butter. Mix til smooth and creamy. Pour into greased cookie sheet, or waxed paper lined sheet. Smooth out over pan. Spoon spoonfuls of melted milk or dark chocolate in different areas of peanut butter mixture. With a knife, go back and forth, from side to side and back again in the other direction. Make a pretty design. Make it yours. Let this cool completely and become firm before breaking into bark.

If you wish, do with my bff, SK, did and knock over a glass of alcohol and you will have a little spiked bark. lol!!!

Enjoy!