Quote

"The trick is not to prioritize your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."- Jillian Michael 

Friendships

Friendships are so important. And there all kinds of friendships: the ones who you talk with and do things with all the time, the ones you catch up with now and then but are always there for them, the ones you just see every once and a while but hope they are always doing well, the ones who you see at work and have that work friendship, the ones who you meet and feel like you have known them for a long time. Friendship comes in many different colors, ways, and definitions. But no matter what, be a friend that you would like to have. Everyone's lives are busy, we all have things going on, but if we make an attempt in friendship, even in the smallest way, we will all be better friends and have better relationships all around. Have you told a friend how much your friendship means to you or how much they mean to you? Do so today!!

Protein Pancakes

1 cup low fat cottage cheese
3/4 cup whole oats
2 eggs, 1 egg white


Blend all together in blender. This is now your batter and pour onto pan like regular pancakes. I spray the pan each time with Pam Cooking spray for each one so they do not become a sticky mess. Add a little butter and honey, peanut butter, or sugar free syrup. Don't overdue it on the toppings though, you will defeat the whole purpose of a healthier choice pancake. These are also great to pop in the toaster to heat up and go!

Quote

You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it.

Treat the Symptoms

I sometimes like to think, I am a superhero and do not need any help. I like to think I can just deal with it or handle things on my own. Let me tell you, at times with MS, that is just not that possible. I have been learning and accepting that there are medications and things out there to make the symptoms of MS more manageable. Even if in the back of my head, I feel weak or somewhat giving up, I know how important it is to accept and do something about. I bit the bullet and talked to my doctor last week about taking something for a few issues I have been having for a while just tried to avoid being a "pill popper." I know I am not, and need to get that mentality to out to stay strong. Who cares what you have to take and how many medications you take as long as you stay strong and healthy. So, I feel like I hit another milestone of victory in this disease by managing and treating my symptoms. Hope to keep the fight alive and the acceptance of change possible.

Pork Tenderloin

This is my FAVORITE Pork Tenderloin Recipe


2 tablespoons Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
2 tablespoons Canola Oil
2 tablespoons Ginger
2 teaspoons sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Pork Tenderloins (1 lb each)


Marinate the tenderloins for 8 hours or overnight
Grill covered on medium/hot heat for 25-40 minutes or until thermometer reads 160 degrees.


I like to eat this with asparagus on the side. Sooo yummy!

Quote

"You can be deeply certain and slightly doubtful. You can be scared and really, really ready. You can give it your all, and then give it over to God. You can have everything to lose and everything to gain." - Danielle LaPorte

Enjoy and Embrace the Little Things in Life

I owe the title of this post to our Pastor at our Church. She has MS as well, and her sermon last Sunday was about her diagnosis with MS and how it has impacted on her life. She passed around these flower twigs from the trees behind the Church. Her point of that was to look at the twig. But really look at it, look how beautiful and delicate it was. To really take the time to look at things in different, appreciative ways. She could not be more right. When a disease or anything in life, alters your perception and view on things, you become more aware and more appreciative. I ask that of you, enjoy the little things in life. Take the time to see these things in your life. Don't let the small things get by, enjoy and embrace them. I promise you if you do this, you will have a better look at how amazing your life is!

Quote

When you truly believe God has no limits, you have the courage to move forward.

Life is What you Make of It

Life is what you make it. Isn't that the truth? If you want a good life, a great life, make it happen! Surround yourself with all those things and people that would make that happen. There is so much negativity in this world today. Just watching the news will prove that! But try not to loose sight of the good in this world. There is so much hidden by all the bad news we constantly hear. There are amazing people out there, I have seen that first hand with my MS WALK Fundraiser and MS WALK. We have now totaled over $18,000 thanks to the generosity of amazing, good people! Your life is your life, no one else's. So make it the most you can. Write your goals down, what you want to achieve, what you want to become, what you want to accomplish, what you want to do. And write, write, write. Add to it, and never loose sight of it all. It is true if you write it down, you will make it happen. I think you should all choose to make your life the best! You deserve it!

Quote

If we wait for things to be perfect, we will never accomplish anything.

Just do your Best

Sometimes in life, we just need to learn to "Just do your Best." We all can not possibly control all aspects of our lives. We can not possibly get all the things done we want to get done in a day. So when you take the motto of doing the best you can, what more can you ask of yourself? It is sometimes a peace about it knowing, its all good and nothing to stress about. Maybe none of you put this kind of pressure on yourself, which is great! But if you do, I hope you take this motto and always remember that. And at the end of the day, we all should do our best! I am so proud of all the things my loved ones do. They are such hard workers and put their best foot forward no matter what. Nathan is my idol in this area. He is the hardwst worker I know. I am forever thankful for that and so lucky to have the best husband ever!

Quote

Be open, accepting, and giving whenever possible, within your own health boundries.

MS WALK 2011

I want to send out a HUGE Thank you to all my family and friends that came to the MS WALK 2011 in St. Charles, this past Sunday. It turned out to be a beautiful day and so much fun. It is such a joy to see how many people came together to walk in the fight against MS. I can't thank everyone enough for the support. It means the absolute world to me. I truly feel so blessed and honored to have the most amazing people in my life. I know everyone is busy with their own lives and have so much to do, so to take the time out and do the walk was just awesome. I truly can't thank everyone enough. It is times like this that really want me to do more in this world. When you see the impact of giving and generosity, you can make this world a better place. The people at the MS Society also deserve a shout out and thank you for all their hard work and time to make this events possible. I also want to let you all know we have raised almost $18,000 for the MS Society for new research and medications. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! Hugs and love to all of you!!!!!!!

Chicken Tortillas

Chicken Tortilla Recipe

Chicken
Low Carb Tortillas (favorite is Buena Vida brand by Aztec)
Black Beans
Shredded Cheese
Salsa

Cut chicken into small pieces and cook. Spread black beans on tortilla the layer with chicken, cheese, and salsa. Wrap and place in baking dish. Make as many as you would like then put in oven for 15 minutes to heat up. You can add sour cream, quacamole, or any fixing you would like to this recipe as well. Enjoy!

Quote

"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi

You Can't Judge a Book by it's Cover

MS is just like the saying..."You can't judge a book by it's Cover." My favorite thing that people say is, "You don't look like you have MS." I loove that! I hope to NEVER look like a have this disease. However, sometimes you want to say in return, "If you only knew how I feel." But since I do not like to bring on the negative I of course never say that but do quite often feel that. MS is a painful disease at times. Sometimes you body just hurts and aches all over. Sometimes something is numb, something tingles, you feel weak, and you just don't feel right. There are times I can not figure out what it wrong but just say, something doesn't feel right. It is then that you have to take caution and not overdue it. There is something going on inside, but it can be taken care of if not gone unnoticed. And no one would ever know this is going on with your body because you look fine from the outside (depending on the symptom). With that said though, that is when the disease can make you feel in a way "lonely." No one really knows except you with the MS what is going on inside your body. And not to be mean, but for those who don't have MS, no one can really understand what it's like or feels either. That is kind of lonely then too. I have learned to talk about it and not keep it all in. Well I am trying to work on that. But at the end of the day, as long as I can walk, talk, and function, even if it is in a different way than others, then I am happy!! Life is good then!

Quote

Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable ones.

Take Time for Yourself

I know this may sound like a task you do not have time for but my advice to you is to make the time for yourself. It may sound like you don't need to do that but come on, we all do. And it doesn't have to be much. We all can be better at our roles in life if we take the time out, even just 10 mins a day. Make it a task in your day called "Me Time" and notice how much better you feel. And please do not feel selfish or bad you are doing this. I know it can feel like that but once you get into the habit you will not feel like that anymore. If you want to be the best you can be to others, be good to yourself and everything else will fall into place. Enjoy!

Pizza Recipe

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

3 cups of cauliflower
3 cups mozzerella cheese
3 eggs
Garlic Salt
Oregano
Parsley
Pizza Sauce
Any pizza toppings of choice

Boil cauliflower til soft to touch but not mushy. Blend cauliflower, cheese, and eggs together. Lay out flat on a pan, but do not push on mixture. Only pat it out. Cook on 400 degrees for 20-25 mins. Place your pizza sauce and mozzerella cheese on crust. Add whatever pizza toppings you may like. Place under broiler for 15-20. Check on it to see how well it is browning. You can also use Alfredo sauce for a white sauce pizza too. Delicious!!! And low carb crust! Can't beat it!