2 Week Notice

Hiii everyone!

Betcha thought I had given up on blogging again, huh?

Not so!

I have had a crazy couple of weeks which left me with limited blogging time.

Forgive me?

"I'm sorrry!"

Thanks, I knew you would. :)

So, what has been going on the past couple of weeks?

I'm so glad you asked!

Besides having the past few weekends full of fundraisers and other youth related activities, a couple of big changes have been in the works.

Time for Change

For the past year and a half I have been working for a local insurance company as a Customer Service Representative. While I enjoy my job, it's flexibility and the fact that it is only 2 minutes away from where I live, it was never something I planned to make a career out of.

A couple of weeks ago I took on a second job helping my sister as a nanny to four adorable children. She started the job a little over two years ago when there were only two of them (girl cousins), and last year both girls became BIG sisters! While the new babies were still infants they naturally spent most of the time with their mom's, but since both babies recently celebrated their first birthdays and are walking, things can get a bit crazy.

"Why is this happening?!"

I really enjoy hanging out with the kiddos, and there is never a dull moment!

As if starting a new part-time job (on top of working my current job, going to school, and fulfilling church related duties) isn't enough craziness, there's more. Remember when I said that insurance is not really my lifetime career goal? Well, teaching is. One of the reasons I was so thrilled to begin working with my sister was because I would be able to get back to doing something I absolutely LOVE: working with kids.

A couple of months ago I was chatting with a close friend, who is a teacher, and she suggested that I start applying for Aide positions within our local school districts to "get my foot in the door". I took this advice to heart and began applying for various positions whenever one would come up. I wasn't actively searching for a new job, but figured when the time was right, it would just happen.

Well, it happened.

Last Thursday I interviewed for a part time Special Education Teacher's Aide position, and was offered the job the very next day. I was ecstatic to say the least!  

I will begin working the first week of May since school is out for Spring Break right now, then will be off work through the summer, starting back in the Fall when the new school year begins. A few weeks ago this would have stressed me to the max because I obviously have to quit my current job at the insurance company, leaving me with no job at all through the summer. But since I started working with my sister, I will continue as a part time nanny through the summer, so I will not be unemployed!

The timing of it all has been seriously, impeccable. God. never. fails.

 I feel like I am finally on the way to my long term career goal of teaching, and I am thrilled!

Since I will be in a transition phase over the next few weeks, please bare with me! I will continue blogging, but I'm not sure what my schedule will be. I'll definitely be keeping you posted on how things are going with the new job! :-)

xoxo

Discuss

-Any tips for someone starting a new job?

Do as I say, not as I do!

Hello, lovelies! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Mine looked a little like this:

"Straw-ba-ba-ba-ba-berry!"

Katrina could hardly wait to dig into this!

Carrot Cake FroYo? Yes, please!

Um, ya.

To say I overdid it in the sweets department would be the understatement of the year...it was definitely a "Do as I say, not as I do" kind of weekend.

Thank God for Mondays!
 
Weekly Goals
I typically set a few health/fitness related goals at the beginning of each week to keep me on track, so I thought I'd share this week's goals with all of you.

1. Obviously I need to work on my self control this week! (See above pics if you can't see why).

2. I would like to incorporate more vegetables into each meal. I have NO problem including loads of fresh fruit in my diet, but vegetables are sometimes a little more difficult.

3. Lastly, I want complete five sessions of at least 30 minutes of cardio. I typically jog or workout on the Precor twice a week, which is OK but not great. I really need to step it up this week!

I'll let you know next week whether or not I accomplished each goal.

If I can maintain the motivation I'm feeling today, things are lookin' pretty good!

xoxo

Discuss

-Do you set weekly goals? If so, feel free to share some of them!

No Pudge, No Problem!

Good morning guys!

I hope you all had a great April Fools Day and weren't pranked too badly. Unfortunately for me I'm pretty much always the pranked and never the prankster. Some may say it's because of my extreme gullibility, but really I just act fooled to make them feel good.

We'll stick with that theory here at WYC, mmkay? ;o)

This post will be short and sweet because I have a fun and busy Saturday to get to!

And when I say sweet I'm not kidding, trust me.

Remember Thursday when I told you I was hosting a Gold Canyon party and was planning to make Weight Watcher friendly desserts and appetizers? Well I did it, and I think it was a pretty big success!

The spread

I didn't get to take any pictures once the party got started (I was too busy sticking my nose is dozens of delicious smelling candles...and coffee beans, of course!) which is why everything is covered here.

Point Values


I used this recipe from Gina's blog for the Taco Dip, served with baked tortilla chips. The dip was only 2 points per serving, and the chips 3 points. Score!

Katrina asked for something fruity, so being the loving sister I am (!!), I went back to Gina and found her recipe for Fruit Kabobs with a low-fat Fruit Dip that was super light and a great accent to the strawberries, pineapple and grapes. The fruit was zero points, of course, and the dip was only 1 point per serving. 

And now for the most incredible recipe I have encountered in this lifetime so far: No Pudge! Marshmallow Graham Treats! Holy delicious, you must try these!

No Pudge! Marshmallow Graham Treats
Makes 16 serving. 3 points each.

1 box Fat-free brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker's)
2/3 cup Non-fat Vanilla Yogurt
2 cups  Mini Marshmallows
2 Graham Crackers, crushed
2 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup (I used Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup)

Prepare brownies as instructed on the box, add yogurt and bake.

Once they are finished baking, spread marshmallows evenly across the top and bake again at 350 degrees, until slightly browned. (The original recipe says 2 to 4 minutes but mine took about 7.)

Let the brownies cool for a few minutes, then add crushed graham crackers and chocolate syrup.

"I'll take two, please!"

It's that simple! Adding the yogurt gave the brownies a super moist texture, and  they are not small by any means. This picture does not do these babies justice!

Ah-ma-zing!


Well, I'm off to get ready for Big Hat Day in Clovis!

I'm thinking maybe this one?

Hope you all get to enjoy some sunshine this beautiful Saturday!

xoxo

Discuss


What's your favorite "diet" dessert recipe?