Reaching a Milestone

I consider myself a private person, especially when it comes to my weight. However, I've been following the new Weight Watchers program and happy to report I have hit an important milestone- I have lost over 10 pounds. From here, 15 pounds doesn't seem to far away. I'm more than confident I'll reach that mid-April.

When you think about what I lost, it's kind of amazing and it was only 10 pounds. That's 2 bags of potatoes or a 2 month old. That's what has disappeared from me! This will be a long journey, but I'm getting back to what I used to be and I'm excited for that!

Made in America

I’m not sure how many of you caught the special series on ABC News, Made in America, but it focused on how we as Americans own more products that are made outside of this country. The article actually states that “Economists say that if every one of us spent an extra $3.33 on U.S.-made goods every year, it would create nearly 10,000 new jobs in this country.” You know what? I can do that.

Watching this series really put into perspective the items that I use on a daily basis and what is currently in my home. Thinking about the big ticket items, most of the stuff we have is not made in USA. Of course, you won’t be able to find certain items, like electronics, that are made in USA. It just doesn’t exist. However, there are many products and other big ticket items, like appliances, that are made here.

While there isn’t anything I can do about the products we currently have in our home, going forward my husband and I have made a conscious effort to purchase American made products. We can help do our part to help strengthen our economy, we will. There might be many reasons as to why others buy American made only as it is – child labor, poor wages, import/exports, non-regulated chemicals being used, etc., but my reason is to help the US economy. This is where I live and I will do what I can to help out.

Here is another article from the story that gives you websites on where to find made in USA products.

Friend Making Monday!

Thanks for the reminder from Kim!

Come and join Kenz over at All The Weigh for Friend Making Monday! Answer the questions on your blog and link your blog to hers!

FMM: A Few More Gender-Friendly Questions

1) What is your favorite physical feature?
My eyes and smile

2) List three adjectives that describe you.
Outgoing, Friendly, Beautiful

3) How old were you when you had your first kiss?
I don't think my parents should be privy to such information!

4) Do you believe in God?
Very much so. We talk all the time!

5) How often do you watch the news?
Every morning while getting ready for work.

My 4 Obsessions

I like to think of my obsessions as trends. I don't always have the same ones for very long. (I do think my longest was Farmville, although I wouldn't say I was obsessed with it to the point where it was interfering with my life. I haven't played that game in over 2 months now!) Right now there are 4 things I can't get enough of.
1. Words with Friends - If you play, my SN is MCardinal79
2. Manicures - I hope this becomes more permanent and not just a trend
3. Spinning - A love I had many many months ago and I'm so glad you've returned to my life
4. White Chocolate Infused with Pretzels Peanut Spread - I thank Tyler Florence for this obsession

What is trending with you right now?

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I had my corned beef and cabbage, did you?

Many people talk about the luck of the Irish and the more I think about luck, I have to say I'm pretty lucky myself. I have a wonderful husband and family, great friends, a nice house, a job that I enjoy and just so many other things I feel so lucky to have.

How lucky do you feel? Think about all you have and realize that you are a lucky person.

I leave you with this Irish Blessing.
May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you, wherever you go.

Goal Halfway Mark Check-in

Today is the halfway point of March (can't believe it's half over and we're almost through Q1!) so I thought I'd recap to see how my goals are going so far. What I listed at the beginning of the month:

1. Make 3 new recipes this month
2. Finish Water for Elephants (I should since I'm more than halfway through, ha!)
3. Go to 5 Spin Classes
4. Get a massage

So far, I've made one new recipe (this is following a recipe I never used before, not one I concocted), I finished the book, I took one spin class and I got a massage (although it wasn't because it was a treat but because I couldn't move my neck). Not bad for goal completions and looks like I'm on par to for reaching all of them. Next month I'll have to do things a little more challenging for myself!

A Day of Firsts in the Outdoors

The almost Spring weather has been giving me the "be outdoorsy" bug! We have been really fortunate to have all of our snow gone and just really gorgeous weather to enjoy, especially this passed weekend.

Saturday was absolutely gorgeous and I started my day early with a trip to the gym, then followed that with physical therapy and then got my highlights, adding in some extra blonde! (Yes, folks, my hair is not naturally bleach blonde anymore.) Sunday was a bit cooler, but a beautiful sunny day and also the start of Daylight Savings. My husband and I took our first bike ride of the year at the Bethpage Bike Trail. I was a bit apprehensive of how I would do due to my shoulder. Once I started riding, I was actually okay. It was a little sore at the end of the ride because of how I was putting weight on my arms and shoulders, but overall was a good ride. I'm definitely looking forward to longer rides, especially with the 5 Borough Bike Tour coming up in 2 months! That's 42 miles I need to ride and we only did 8 yesterday!

We also lit our firepit for the first time this season as well as had our first BBQ! It was a great day overall and we're really looking forward to more great weather to enjoy the outdoors!

Celebrate Women!

It's International Women's Day! It's actually the 100th celebration! This is a special day where women around the world are being celebrated. (There is a lot of info on the history of this special day.) So go ahead and celebrate the women in your life! Just remember, don't do it today only, but everyday!

5 Things I Can't Live Without

I just updated my Fitness magazine profile and one of the questions listed is: What are 5 things you can't live without? I had to stop and think about this because there could be a lot of things I think might be difficult to live without, but what were the things I absolutely needed in my life? These were the 5 I came up with:

1. Sunshine
2. My dog
3. Pasta
4. Flip flops
5. Music

(Yes, my hubby, family and friends should be a given which is why I didn't take up 3 numbers to list them.) What are 5 things you can't live without?

New Month and a Fresh Beginning

Not only is the snow melting, but we're starting to have some lovely days here in NY! What is the old saying, March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb?

It's March 1st. It means winter is almost over. It means nature is beginning to bloom. It means more time to spend outdoors. It means we change our clocks and get more daylight in 12 days! It's also the very beginning of a new month and a great time to reflect on the last 2 months and maybe refocus some goals and ideas.

When 2011 started, I didn't really have many goals in mind. Of course there is always the usual, lose weight, spend less time watching tv, be more active, cook healthier, yada yada, but I think I need to make more of an effort on specific goals so that I can stick with them. They don't have to be something that I need to do throughout the year, but just the month. I don't think they need to be so crazy that my life is dependent on a schedule because I do enjoy spontaniety.

My friend Kim is someone I admire greatly and she was the motivation behind this post. She sets great goals for herself and I'm going to follow in her footsteps and create attainable and fun goals for me for March. I'll recap at the beginning of April to see how far I came.

1. Make 3 new recipes this month
2. Finish Water for Elephants (I should since I'm more than halfway through, ha!)
3. Go to 5 Spin Classes
4. Get a massage

Simple easy goals I can attain. I don't think they sound too simple since lately I haven't been one to want to read a book on my commute to and from work AND I've just recently started going back to the gym since my shoulder surgery. The massage is a perk!