CELEBRATE IT SATURDAY!!!!

NSV = Non Scale Victory! Sand, Sun, Water and Tons of fun! I recently earned a trip to my Pampered Chef team retreat. I was so excited we were headed to Destin, Florida. THE BEACH?! I have avoided the beach for years well rather I enjoyed the beach from afar for a few reason's .... #1. Finding a swim suit for someone who weighs 365 lbs is not an easy task ... well it is downright nearly an impossible task and if I would have found one well lets just say you pay for the amount of fabric it takes to create it. #2. Walking on/in the sand was laborious. It was horrible and caused me to sound like I was going to keel over any second. At this point I should stop and tell you how very much I love the ocean. I love to hear it, I love to see it and I love to feel it. Growing up I spent a great deal of time around the ocean. Early on we enjoyed Galveston Beach in TX and my visits with my dad in California were some of my favorite memories. We rode our bikes to the beach daily and stayed for hours and hours until it was dark! My dad lived on a boat and so my summers were spent running around the marina barefoot on the hot docks. We lived on and in the ocean. So for about the last 16 years it was miserable to be miserable at the beach. Fast forward to June 9-11, 2014! Yes, I got in a bathing suit. Yes, I brought my beach towel, beach chair, sunscreen, magazines and with out so much as a "pant" we found our way to a spot by the ocean and for several hours soaked up the rays and I really really really enjoyed myself. Since then I have great plans to return with kids in tow. I am so excited by my new realized love! So very exicted! I am seeing the worth wile results of loosing 120lbs! I am living life. I mean really living life! Nothings gonna stop me now!

POTENTIAL IN A BASKET OF BUILDING BLOCKS

Recently I had the privilege of being in our church nursery, as I do each month during service. For the last couple of months ZC my 10 year old has come along to help. She loves to play with the babies and I feel like it gives her a sense of being a servant and an opportunity to be a blessing to the little ones and their mamas. She was exceptionally helpful this time and really really enjoyed playing with the babies. I had the joy of watching her and as she emptied the basket of building blocks the Lord reminded me that the basket of blocks held great potential in her hands. She could choose to take each block and build a tower tall in strength and stature or a strip mall long and stretched out across the floor. The builder has the power to create what he/she can use each block to create. Everyone of those blocks represents a life experience. 1 block may represent a family member leaving while another may represent graduation another may represent the birth of a child and still another the death of a parent. Each block separate and yet when they are placed together they offer one another strong support, a foundation on which the next one is built and supported. So much like our own lives, we don't choose the experiences. God gives us those. He builds, shapes and creates each block and it's up to each one of us to build the structure. We use the foundation, the strength of each previous block to build on to create the life we are meant to have. We can choose to build it tall, overlooking the many structures around us or we can choose to build it wide.

As ZC built her tower one of the younger children came by and with the swipe of a hand the tower tumbled to the ground and the blocks went everywhere and she rebuilt it over and over again. Quite honestly there are just going to be days when our tower gets knocked down, days when our blocks get scattered and again we are afforded an opportunity to rebuild or let them lay where they fell. There are times when we let them lay for a bit, catch our breath and begin to rebuild and more often than not we never rebuild quite the same. Many times our towers will never  look quite the same after its been knocked down but it is always OUR tower.

There are times in my life I have sat and thought how did I get here? When did my life take this turn or that turn and that is it. My life took that turn when someone knocked down my tower and I got here and there by how I chose to rebuild it. So often we take on a victim stance pouting because our tower has tumbled to the ground. We get caught up in the moment of what someone has done to us but knocking it down and neglect to see the opportunity that is before us. It is an opportunity to make things different. Rebuilding our tower is the chance to do something new, make a different turn, use a different set up in our life. The knocking down of our tower is really more of a gift than a set back. Rebuilding is a time to reevaluate how we have built the structure in the past and how we can make it better for the future. Rebuilding is a time to take that "safe" strip mall with a side foundational base and build a dangerously high tower or to add a shaded area or bridge. It is the opportunity to reshape what we once thought was permanent just by rearranging a few blocks here and there. So the next time your tower gets knocked down take a breath, take a minute to reevaluate and start rebuilding. You probably be pleasantly surprised by the next structure you erect!

Tool Tip Tuesday

TODAYS FEATURED TOOL IS THE MIX N CHOP ! THE MIX N CHOP IS LIKE BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE 5 SILICONE KNIVES AT ONE TIME WITH JUST A TWIST OF THE WRIST. HOW DO I USE MY MIX N CHOP? I USE IT TO BREAK UP HAMBURGER MEAT, MASH POTATOES, SCRAMBLED EGGS, CHOP/SHREAD CHICKEN BUT MY FAVORITE USE FOR THE MIX N CHOP IS TO MAKE A HOMEMADE MARBLE SLAB ICE CREAM TREAT BY TAKING 2 SCOOPS OF ICE CREAM AND MY DESIRED TOPPINGS MIXNCHOP, MIXNCHOP, MIXNCHOP AND VIOLA! YUMMY YUMMY! 

I WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU WITH PAMPERING YOUR KITCHEN. LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WWW.PAMPEREDCHEF.BIZ/SARASCHULTZ

Microwave Monday

It is time for one of my favorite days of the week .... Monday .... Microwave Monday to be precise. 

As a brief background before I met The Pampered Chef the only thing I used my microwave for was to heat leftovers, pop popcorn and heating the occasional hot chocolate. I thought a quick meal was a box of fishsticks in the oven and I called it good. Between processed freezer meals and drive through windows we managed to survive. In June of 2013 I had my RNY Gastric Bypass surgery and was constantly reminded that what I was feeding my children had little to no nutritional value and I needed to take charge and do something about it or risk them succumbing to the same fate as myself. I found The Pampered Chef as I researched Direct Sales Companies I might want to sign into and well TPC was tried and true. It had been around forever (PSA .... SORRY I REALLY DO HAVE A POINT THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE MICROWAVE IN ALL THIS! ) So I ordered my kit and held my open house. When my director came and we made a fresh healthy meal in less than 30 minutes using my Deep Covered Baker and the microwave I knew I was on to something life changing. Since that day it is rate that I even turn my oven on anymore but I cook a good dinner for my children 5/7 nights. 

Some of the things I make in my microwave using my Rock Crok or Deep Covered Baker. Spaghetti  - start to finish, pasta and all, Chicken Bruschetta Pasta, Chicken Fajitas, a whole chicken, ohhh and dare I mention the desserts like molten Chocolate lava cake ...just to name a few. So from now on for Microwave I will be including recipes cooked only in the microwave! My Microwave Monday tip for today is cooking pasta. So far I have made thin spaghetti, macaroni and Penni. I empty and entire package of pasta ... usually 1 lb in my RC or DCB and add 32 oz of chicken broth. I set the microwave for 9 minutes .... stir and cook 9 more minutes. DISCLAIMER .... every microwave is different. You may need to cook in 5 minute increments after the original 18.

The TRUTH about summer vacation ....

It is around this time of year that I start hearing things like "Oh I wish I got a summer break" "I bet you love that, lounging around all summer" As many of you know I am a speech pathologist in my local school district. I work a 187 day/year contract. I remember what I thought teachers do all summer long and those thoughts have not changed much over the years. Most people think educators spend all summer with their feet up and not a care in the world ... what you are about to read is what MOST educators I know do all summer long.

1. We worry about the kids who were in our class this year. you know little Johnny whose dad just lost his job and the family was already having a difficult time making it. or little Susie who mother's parental choice leave much to be desired and often put little Susie in situations no girl her age should be in.

2. We work out plans for next school year like room designs, themes, furniture arrangements, centers and color schemes

3.We spend a small amount of time getting our homes back in order after neglecting them due to the mountains of work we brought home the last nine weeks of school i.e. lesson plans, papers to grade etc...

4. Try to make up for the times we had to put off doing something with out children because we needed to spend extra time in the classroom preparing for our students.

5. We attend professional development days to deep our certifications current and avoid being ou of the classroom during instructional time.

6. We work on lesson plans - it helps to start the year with a few complete.

7. Some educators are involved in curriculum writing and reviewing

8 Many go to team/grade level meetings

9. We are busy overseeing our children's summer learning activities/assignments

10.  Anything we can do to make next school year better than the previous one!

So while you may read on facebook that we spent the day at the pool you can rest assured I usually have my "teacher bag" with me. MOST teacher's are extremely dedicated individuals who got into this profession because we love to be a part of helping children to grow and reach their full potential. We work many hours that are labeled "vacation" and not included in our contract. It's definitely summer ... Vacation? well we won't exactly call it that!

Meatloaf .... It's what's for dinner!

 I'm not talking about your regular run of the mill meatloaf either. I am so blessed that as an independent Pampered Chef consultant I have a wealth of information and time saving tools at my fingertips. Tonight I decided to use my fancy tools to make mini meatloaves. They were so yummy and the kids ate them up. Here's how I did it.
 INGREDIENTS
1 lb lean ground beef
2 eggs
1 whole hamburger bun
1 T Pampered Cheff 3 Onion Rub
1T Pampered Chef Green Pepper and Herb Rub

Preheat your oven to 350

Place hamburger bun inside this handy dandy tool aka ... Manual food processor and pump the handle until you have bread crumbs. Dump the remainder of the incredients into the Classic Batter bowl

Use the mix n Chop with a twist of the wrist to thoroughly blend all the ingredients. 

 

Once the mixture is thoroughly blending use the medium
scoop to portion enough meat for each mini meatloaf.
Place one heaping scoop into the mini brownie pan and
the mini mix and scrapper to flatten the top of each loaf.

Place the brownie pan in the oven and cook for 12 min. Remove from oven, garnish with ketchup and place back in the oven for another 8 minutes. Remove from oven allow to sit for about 5 minutes and enjoy! 

42 things I know about me.

As my weight loss journey continues I am learning way more about me than I ever really wanted to know. :) Here are just a few facts. Of coarse this is all in addition tot he fact that I love Jesus and my family. I picked 42 because that is also my age :)
1. I work best under pressure
2. I need a schedule
3. Developing a routine is imperative to my daily success.
4. Developing a daily TO DO list is imperative to my daily efficiency
5. I am an eternal optimist, always looking for the best in any situation and the best in every person.
6. My drive to loose weight is NOT greater than my love of food
7. I keep most people including myself at arms length so none of us have to see the "ugly"
8. I am a procrastinator
9. I am more like my dad than I would like to admit.
10. I wish I had more of my mom's qualities.
11. I am a dreamer
12. I hate rules and regulations and feel like they leave no room for creativity and self expressing despite the fact that I DO recognize the need for them.
13. I would love to be able to call myself a dancer, designer, or artist.
14. I taught myself to sew but haven't done it now for several years despite the fact that I love it.
15. I love to worship my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
16. I am often working out money making ideas in my head.
17. I love my children fiercely but often don't know how to tell them or show them.
18. I fear rejection by people in general.
19. My fear of rejection often keeps my creativity squelched
20. Add writer to the titles I would like to have.
21. I fear getting myself into a situation/conversation in which I have no idea of how to respond.
22. Being or giving hugs makes me feel uncomfortable and awkward.
23. I dream of making an unforgettable mark on this world.
24. Sometimes I feel like a foreigner in my everyday life.
25. I dream of visiting Africa or Haiti and loving on children who have never known love and of bringing hope to another single mother. First by introducing her to Jesus Christ and then teaching her a money making skill so she can support her children.
26. I love to know about the real world lives or others
27. Knowing about the real world lives of others often makes me feel incomplete and inadequate.
28. I want to homeschool my children
29. I have a fresh bread baking, home made cookie making, dinner on the table every night kind of heart.
30  As organized as I try to be ..... I am a mess
31. Many days I feel like I missed the life I was supposed to have due to my own disobedience. Read #12
32. One of my lifes greatest sadnesses is not knowing my extended family very well on both my mom's    and dad's side.
33. I hope that before my father died he knew how much I loved him and was never able to really tell him.
34. I wish I had been wiser in my early adult years and understood the impact of financial decisions, credit score and future options.
35. I wish I had a better handle of finances period.
36 I wish I taught my children how to make smart financial decisions.
37. Sometimes I feel like I haven't taught them anything they need to know to be independent adults.
38. I miss those days before they all knew how to make their own pb and j.
39. Somedays I wonder how life would be different if I weren't single.
40. I love to entertain. Give me a dinner party to plan and I am in hog heaven.
41. When speaking of my children I will take spiritual growth and maturity over academic success any day.
42.When listening to music I can often visualize a dance to go with it.