Facing Fears

Yesterday was a rough day for me guys. I faced a huge fear of mine during my counseling session. And it is something that has come out during this whole process of the miscarriage. Because I was so close to it actually happening.

I faced my fear dead on. I am so scared of not being here for my family. My fear is, had I had died during the miscarriage. I had to face that today. We had to go back into it and talk through those feelings of sadness and grief and how close I really was. I even said, "I didn't want to go down that path because it scared me." Talking about me dying and not being here just broke my heart.

But you know what. I realized how much I love my family. I realized that I have a lot more work to do here in this life and that I am making my life count. I have my two amazing boys who need me. And my husband that loves me and wants me. I have friends that would miss me. I have lives that I am helping to change right now and countless future people that I know I am going to be helping that need me! I am so thankful that I am still here. That it wasn't my time and that I have found my purpose as a mother, wife, teacher and motivator.

I give all of myself in all that I do. Because we only have 1 life to live. Live it to your fullest. Every single day! And be thankful for the life that you do have. It has helped shape you into the person you are now!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Happy and Healthy National Redhead Day!

Happy National Redhead day! From this Ginger to you! Where are all my redheaded friends out there? Hey gotta give a shoutout to a holiday just for GINGERS!

Here are a few of fun facts about us redheads! Did you know any of these?

~People with red hair are likely more sensitive to pain. This is because the gene mutation (MC1R) that causes red hair is on the same gene linked to pain receptors. It also means redheads usually need more anesthesia for dental and medical procedures. (um totally true, I am always give more drugs for dental stuff and even for my surgery in March.)

~Having red hair isn't the only thing that makes some redheads unique. They are also more likely to be left handed. Both characteristics come from recessive genes, which like to come in pairs. (I am quite ambidextrous)

~Redheads probably won't go grey. That's because the pigment just fades over time. So they will probably go blonde and even white, but not grey. (yea! Weird thing as I am getting older, my hair is actually getting more red. So...We shall see what happens)

~Bees have been proven to be more attracted to redheads. (I hate bees! And seriously they all flock to me it seems like. I would squeal like a little girl and cower anytime a bee came near me!)

And to end this awesomely GINGERTASTIC post! How about a great Ginger Cookie Recipe! 

Healthy Ginger Cookies

Ingredients:
¾ C coconut oil
1 C agave
¼ C molasses
2 eggs (organic and free-range)
3½ C whole-wheat flour, finely ground (preferably soft white wheat)
1½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3 tsp. ginger (plus, optionally, freshly grated ginger root)
1 tsp. nutmeg

Cream together the coconut oil and sweeteners, then add the egg and mix well. Add all the dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into walnut-sized balls and bake at 375° for 6 min. I rolled mine lightly in evaporated cane juice because my boys love the crunch. 

*Found at The Fitness Freak

Veteran's Day Hot Chocolate

(2012. Picking Matt up at the airport after an 11 month deployment. Mason was 11 months old.) 

Matt has always felt that this day, Veteran's Day is "His Day". And it is. Today we dropped Mason off at school and Matt, Collin baby and I headed down to the downtown area of Charlottesville. We happened upon the Veteran's Day Celebration. We then enjoyed a great breakfast at the area's first diner. I ate french toast and eggs. YUM! 80/20, eat clean 80% of the time and you can eat anything else the other 20%! We then picked Mason up from school, went to Best Buy and I finally rejoined the cell phone age and got a business phone! And have just been relaxing the rest of the day! What did you guys do today? 

So, to make my officer feel extra special on "his day" I am trying out this awesome Hot Chocolate with a kick recipe tonight after the kiddos go to bed! Hot chocolate is one of his favorite cold weather drinks!

Does this look good to you?

CLEAN EATING HOT CHOCOLATE

(Makes approximately 4 cups)

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups unsweetened milk (any type)
3/4 cup honey (or to taste)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
3 tablespoons unsweetened powdered cocoa

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a pot and warm over medium to medium high heat. Stir constantly with a whisk.
Pour into cups and serve.

Found at The Gracious Pantry

Old Me vs New Me

Transformation Tuesday! MY OWN! The old me and the new me. The me on the left. She was suffering from depression, but still trying to be better every day. Shy, nervous and suffered from low self confidence and esteem. Determined though to never give up. Worked on eating better, giving up the processed foods, and making meals that were healthy and helped make her happy. Motivated to change while motivating and supporting others just like her.

Well, the old me, the one on the left, blossomed into the girl on the right! Confident, glowing, happy, inspiring others and 18.5 pounds lighter. All because I decided that I was worth it and that I was tired of being sad, tied of my body hurting, or out of breath when climbing the stairs. I was through with making excuses. I had enough and I was ready to change.

And I have.

It is so amazing to see that in just a few short months I have literally transformed into this girl on the right. No make up and all and still beautiful!
Be you. Take care of you. You are worth fighting for. You are worth starting today and trying. This is your chance. Are you ready? You can join me and my group. Send me a message and we can talk about how you can change too! Connect the dots for your fitness, health and life with this Ginger! 

And, of course, be sure to like our FACEBOOK page and follow us on PINTEREST for motivation, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources.

Halloween 2015

Halloween recap! I love Halloween and we thankfully were all able to coordinate! Third year in a ROW! WOW! AWESOME! This year we were Jurassic World. I was Claire the boss lady in heals! Matt was a tourist wearing a Jurassic Park shirt. Mason was a T-rex and Collin was a T-Rex hatchling. We got lots and lots of "OH how cute" And fun comments. Mason and Collin made out like bandits with the amount of candy they got. We let them go hog wild that night and then started to ration their candy the next day. It has worked great for bargaining with Mason.

On top of that, I wore a different wig everyday for my challenge group and students. It was so much fun rocking a fun and different hair color. Some wigs were better than others but still fun. What is your fave?

Bonus day 6:

I hope you all had a great Halloween. Be sure to check out my FACEBOOK page to get daily motivation and tips, recipes and support!