Life's too Short...

Life's too short... for meal plans.

{Stop worrying about food. Live unexpectedly and spontaneously instead.}

Life's too short... to let the little things go unrecognized.

{Appreciate breathing, living, loving, and learning everyday.}

Life's too short... to go a day without being yourself.

{You're the only you on this planet. Prove it!}

Life's too short... to hold onto things you cannot change.

{Hold your head up instead.}

Life's too short... to let a number define and consume you.

{It doesn't matter if it makes you miserable. Only you can define yourself.}

Life's too short... to be unhappy.

{You have so many reasons to be otherwise. Happiness is a choice, and it's always there. Let it be!}

"Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account daily with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day-to-day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course? Each of us has such a bank. Its name is time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day opens a new account for you. Each night burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing "against" tomorrow. You must live in the present on TODAY'S deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success. The clock is running. Make the most of today."

Happy Friday, all! Be appreciative. Be aware. Be happy. Be you. I hope this helps at least one person.
- This post was inspired by Amanda @ Running With Spoons and the beautiful Ashley. All pictures are from WeHeartIt.

10 Positive Reminders On A Weekend

1. It's okay to mess up.

It's impossible to be perfect, and some people aren't very accepting of that! If you never have slip-ups or down moments, how will you ever acknowledge the good moments? You wouldn't be able to tell them apart! Messing up is a part of life you can never avoid... Accept, and move on!

2. The scale truthfully cannot tell you anything informational.

Scales are something that have become a little too popular nowadays. A scale cannot tell you enough information to prove that you are not a truthfully beautiful, talented, and strong person with a lot of love to give. (That's all that REALLY matters, too!)  Not to mention that scales also fluctuate, meaning you may weigh 130 lbs on an average day, but after drinking 32 oz of water, you may be 132 lbs. They're one of the biggest liars you'll come across in your lifetime! Don't fall for the trap! It's not worth it!!

3. Failure is just a chance and motivation to do better next time.

Fall seven times, get back up eight times. You cannot let one failure get you down. Failures are just mistakes, aka they're a learning experience! Take something positive from every failure and mistake you've ever made, and take it as motivation to do twice as good next time!

4. You DESERVE to be happy.

Let's be realistic here; we ALL have things to be unhappy about. And that's the thing; if we all have things to be unhappy about, that's proof you're not alone! Plus, if we all have things to be unhappy about, how come so many of us are still happy? Well, that's because with the things to be unhappy about, comes things we should to be happy about! First and foremost; you're alive and you're breathing on your own. Some people don't even have that much. You should appreciate just those two simple things. Plus, you have a computer or phone if you're currently reading this... LOTS of people don't have those things! Appreciate more and expect less. Appreciate the little things. Appreciate every person you have in your life, even if that's just  your mom or grandma or your step dad. Ignore anything that's trying to get you down. You'll be a lot happier in the end, and you'll embrace that happiness you truthfully deserve. Put your happiness before anything else. Make it your #1 priority, always!

5. Bad days are necessary in order to appreciate and acknowledge the good days.

This kind of goes hand-in-hand with #1; if you never have bad days (or even moments), how would you ever recognize good days and good moments? You wouldn't be so appreciative of those times, those moments, or those days. Good always follows bad.

6. Less talking, more listening.

Try to talk less and listen more. You'll be surprised how much more you'll learn, even about your friends or family. Ask more questions and listen to their answers.

7. Do what you enjoy and that's it.

You prefer being home than partying? That's perfectly okay. You prefer partying than being home? That's fine, too. Do what you enjoy and what you love and that's that. We all prefer different things, and that's what makes us so unique and different. Don't do what other people want you to do if you don't want to do it. You'll end up miserable rather than happy.

8. There is power in positivity!

With positivity comes the power to do anything you put your mind to! Be THAT person who is always happy. Be THAT person to brighten everyone's day with your beautiful smile. Make Monday's a fun day, and bake cupcakes and eat 10 for lunch! Do whatever you want, but always remember the power that comes with being optimistic and positive.

9. Enjoy the little things; for one day you may look back and realize those were the big things.

The best things in life aren't really things. They're moments, people, days. They're bigger and better than things. Enjoy every moment you have to enjoy. One day, you'll look back at your life, and realize those moments are the moments you need to forever savor.

10. Everything WILL be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end!

Having a bad day? It'll end. Having a fight with somebody who means the world to you? It's not the end, it's okay. Things will get better, and that's a promise. Things got better for me, and things WILL get better for you. Truthfully, only YOU can determine how good or bad your day is gonna be. Nobody else can control that. It's also completely up to YOU to determine YOUR ending. Make it a happy one!

You, are 1/7,000,000,000 of the world. If you were gone, and the world was a puzzle, it would be missing a piece. You are worth more than you'll ever be able to understand. You have a purpose, whether you believe it or not. You are more than just another human, you are special and you are you. Be happy with the you that you are, and just be.

Have a happy, relaxing weekend, beautifuls! I hope this helps or inspires at least one person.
Do, eat, and be something you love.

My 17th Birthday Recap! (7/23/12)

Yesterday, July 23, 2012, was my 17th birthday! It was one of my best birthdays yet. From start to finish, I had nothing but a stress-free, lovely day.

We had put the black balloon on the mailbox, but it flew away midday. 

I had gotten these two days before my birthday, and I love 'em! I got two general 'happy birthday' balloons, an ice cream sundae balloon because I work at an ice cream shop and it's pretty dang relevant, and a giant smiling doughnut because, well, who DOESN'T love gigantic smiling doughnuts?! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I woke up around 8:30 am and was rolling around in bed, trying to sleep in, for about 15-20 minutes... Until I finally decided to get up! When I finally did get up, I made my bed and my little sister's bed, and then gave her breakfast! Then, I opened my presents from my wonderful family! 

My mom (and dad) got me white converse, a water bobble, three nail polishes I wanted, A POLAR FT4 HEART-RATE MONITOR!, $30 cash, and a subscription to The Food Network magazine! 

My brother and sister got me a little bin of nail goodies (four nail polishes, nail polish remover, and cotton balls), and a bin of workout goodies (light weights, a resistance band, and workout/lifting gloves)!

I'm so grateful it's not even funny.

I woke up starving (#1 reason I could not stay asleep!) for some reason, so immediately after opening my wonderful gifts, I made me and my mom breakfast!

I had healthy stuffed French toast using cinnamon raisin bread. I stuffed mine with white chocolate peanut butter (aka my new love), plain Greek yogurt, cinnamon, banana slices, and strawberry slices. Then, on the side, was my usual egg white scramble.

... It was incredible.

After eating breakfast, I reorganized and cleaned up some things in my room, and then got dressed and ready for the day! I'm still absolutely in love with this outfit, and I kind of wanna wear it on the first day of school... Haha. 

After getting ready and relaxing for awhile, I cut up some watermelon, and then my cousin came over! Then, I made me, my mom, and my cousin lunch! I had probably my favorite sandwich so far; an everything bagel thin with spinach, grilled chicken, shredded mozzarella cheese, and tomato... All toasted up with butter spray. Incredibly flavorful, healthy, and delicious. (I had my usual steamed fresh vegetables with plain Greek yogurt + ranch powder alongside!)

After eating lunch, I opened my presents from my aunt and cousins! They got me two gorgeous bracelets from Francesca's (in Christmas... or watermelon... colors! AND in me and my mom's birthstone colors, all unintentionally... Such weird coincidences! Haha), a beautiful white scarf, two nail polishes, two a lip gloss, perfume/body sprays, and $30 cash!

Again, I am so grateful.

After opening my other presents, me and my cousin head out for a bit. We dropped off her phone charger with her 'boyfriend' person (I have absolutely no idea what to call him or refer to him as, haha), went back to her house, picked up her puppy, and then went to PetCo to get his nails clipped. Then, she dropped me off home, and then she went to work.

When I got home, I decided I wanted Chinese for dinner, so my mom ordered our dinner, I had a few mini pieces of grilled chicken (I was oddly craving it!), and then I painted my nails while waiting for it to come!

{These pictures do not do this color justice, but it's one of my absolute favorites now! "Gargantuan Green Grape" by O.P.I!}

My cousin wanted me to wait for her to get off of work to eat dinner. So, I waited until 6:00 pm, but to hold me over, I had some amazing broccoli (along with about one carrot and one super mini slice of chicken, haha) from an extra Chinese order to hold me over.

Then, when she came back... I pigged out! Hehe. I happily ordered exactly what I wanted, which was a pint of vegetable fried rice, boneless spare ribs, and an egg roll. (And I also had a mini piece of chicken from my cousin's dish since she wanted me to try it... and I wanted to, too. Haha.) I happily ate every bite without any stressin' or regrettin', and I couldn't be more proud of myself.

After stuffing our faces, we head out to get ice cream with my little sister! (Well, first we got gas, and then we head there!) We went to Cold Stone Creamery, which is approximately 30 minutes or so there, and then the same back depending on traffic. I got my whole family ice cream, and then ordered myself a medium peanut butter with Twix pieces, white chocolate chips, and hot fudge. I ate it when she dropped me and my little sister off at home (she had to go back to work), and even a little melt-y, it was literally one of the best things to ever enter my body. 

This was all a big F U to whatever disorder decided to enter my life!

Even though I felt stuffed for hours after eating dinner and dessert, I still had my usual nighttime snack with my mom because I wanted it that bad, haha. I had some popcorn mixed with a little bit of Chex Mix, and some apple and plum slices! (Oh, and I also had a few cubes of watermelon, haha.)

I went to bed feeling a bit nauseous from all the food, but it was worth it! Besides the fact it was super sunny and beautiful out... which it rarely is ever on my birthday... I had one of my best birthdays thus far, and I couldn't be more grateful or appreciative. I'm also so, incredibly proud of myself for allowing myself to eat what I wanted, even without exercise. I needed a day like this... It made me feel like myself again.

I woke up today (July 24, 2012) feeling body-positive, happy, and motivated. I'm definitely incorporating days like this into my life way more often!

I'm happy.

Giving and Gaining

A few days ago, I was in the car with my mom and my little sister. On our way home from the store, we saw the same homeless guy that we see {at least} once a week in the same spot. It looked like it was about to rain, so he was lounging on the main street corner underneath an umbrella with his stuff. He seemed content. Not unhappy.

We passed him, and he waved and smiled at us... Like he always does. He doesn't ignore people passing. He smiles at them. (You would think living that type of lifestyle wouldn't result in a smile on your face.) But, after we saw that, we immediately turned around. On our way back, again, we passed him... This time, I offered him $2. He acceptably and happily took it, and then he thanked us. By giving him those $2, instead of losing something (money), I felt like I gained something. I felt incredibly good and grateful for what I have, and my heart felt warm. My mom's did, too. She also told me that every time she sees him, she wants to give him something. Anything. Food, drinks, clothes, money... Even $0.50 could make a difference when living that type of lifestyle, you know? She told me, even if she only had $1 left, she would give it to him and feel good about herself. I agreed.

Seeing people like that, who don't even seem to be miserable, totally give me a more accepting and different perspective on life. It makes me realize how much more appreciative I should be. (Not that I'm not already! I promise I am! Haha.) Yeah, we all have our problems... But are they really as bad as we make them seem? Everything is only as bad as you make it out to be.

Don't ever take anything (or anyone) for granted... Not even that $1 you have in your wallet. Be happy you even HAVE that $1! Don't let little things get you down so easily anymore. Remember all the little things that you can be happy about in the long-run.

(Source.)

Imagine living in his shoes... Would you be as smiley and nice as he was?

Third Time's A Charm

I almost always seem to have breakfast on the plate I made a good fourteen years ago! But, it has my name on it!! And my nearly three-year-old self's drawings! That's a valid excuse, right?

Anyways! This morning, after my workout and before my job interview, I decided I wanted to have Neapolitan pancakes!

These were so fun to make! This is definitely reason why I really do love healthy eating - I love experimenting in the kitchen and I love being creative; with my food especially!

 

I topped my strawberry pancake with a defrosted strawberry (I only had frozen ones to work with), my vanilla pancakes with banana and shredded coconut, and my chocolate (PROTEIN!) pancake with mini chocolate chips... Then I topped them all with a dash of cinnamon, a drizzle of light maple syrup, and granola! And I also dipped them in plain Greek yogurt because, well, why not? 

These came out even better than expected, and they were yet another on-the-spot recipe! It made my tummy veeeery happy!

Oh, also! This was a completely vegetarian-friendly meal! (Well, aside from my egg whites used... Do vegetarians eat egg whites? I think some do, right?) Even though I'm the farthest thing from one (sorry y'all, but I cannot live without my grilled chicken and lean turkey!), today was day 25 of Kasey's June Instagram challenge, which was "meatless meal"! So, instead of using lean meats in my egg white scramble like usual, I used garbanzo beans and mushrooms as my other sources of protein!

This was an amazing breakfast that kept me satisfied for hours!

Right after I finished eating, I showered and got ready... Then, I left for my third job interview this year. This time, for a singing/performing ice cream and fudge shop... And I got the job! ON THE SPOT! How awesome is that!? Third time really is a charm, I guess! But, my first job is at a performing ice cream and fudge shop (called The Music Man) where you have to be all smiles and happy, otherwise they don't want you working there... Ah, I'm excited! (And I'm also working with my friend, Nick, who I've been close with for a good 13 years now!) And I start on Thursday! The only downside to the job is that they're making me take out my nose piercing... Which shouldn't be a problem, since I got it nearly two years ago now... But, it still hurts a bit when I remove it! Ugh! Oh well, though... The more I take it out, the less it'll hurt... (Or so I hope!) At least the shop is down the street from a cute farmers market! My favorite!!

But, after hours of running around getting my working papers signed and what not, I finally came home and got to have lunch! First, I had lots of watermelon... Then, I had this beauty:

A chubby sweet potato microwaved with butter spray + a sprinkle of garlic salt, then stuffed with leftover grilled chicken + pinto beans + salsa + freshly diced tomato + plain Greek yogurt + yellow pepper + edamame + no salt seasoning. On the side, I had my usual steamed fresh veggies with plain Greek yogurt + ranch powder to dip! I finished all of this... Aside from some potato skin and a few pinto beans...

(Inspired by Jenn, of course!)

So, overall, today has been pretty dang lovely! I worked out early, as it was completely DOWN-POURING outside, then had an amazing day following! And it also got beautiful out! Ahhh, I'm just so happy!

Oh, and on top of it all... Kasey asked for my recipe (for my Neapolitan pancakes) to feature! I was honored to give it to her.