recent obsessions

1.  Healthy Choice Frozen Greek Yogurt - dark fudge swirl.  Let me say that I was a bit hesitant to try this because I am not a fan of regular greek yogurt.  But something must happen when they freeze it because this stuff rocks!  And ya can't beat 100 calories, friend.

 

2.  Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Granola Bar.  I forgot how yummy these things are!  They've kept my hunger at bay while I've been at home on Spring Break.  And I promise that's not an easy task.

3.  Baking Soda.  A little strange to be obsessed with baking soda?  Let me explain.  I have been using about a quarter size of this in addition to my regular cleanser for the past few weeks.  I was put on steroids while I had mono and let's just say that steroids wreak havoc on pretty much everything in your body.  Including acne.  So I started using this in order along with my cleanser (just mixing them together) to make sure my face was getting scrubbed clean.  Something must be working!  I also have a hunch that the baking soda helps with oily skin.  Maybe it absorbs it?!  IONO.  But I hace seen a difference and recommend it!

4.  The Big Bang Theory.  Why did it take my husband and I so long to jump on this band wagon?  We have really been missing out and are thoroughly enjoying catching up via DVR.

  
5.  Ashley Monroe and Dustin Lynch.  Get their CDs asap, folks!  They will not disappoint.

6.  And, finally, March Madness.  Even though my team (UK) was absolutely pathetic in the postseason, you can bet that I'm still enjoying each game.  I've even downloaded the app.  Basketball is religion here in Kentucky... even if we didn't even make the tourney.  *sigh*

7.  Suave Moroccan Oil Infused Hair Care.  I cannot tell y'all how much I love this shampoo.  After the first wash, I could immediately tell that my hair was thicker, softer, and just plain healthier.  This stuff may soon be replacing my beloved Organix shampoo.  Get some ASAP!

SPD: Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes

And, yes, my friends.  There really is such a thing.  I'm a believer now.

 

{HERE} is the original pin.  Oh yeah, {follow me.}  Let's get down to business.

 

You'll need 3 ingredients:  (1)  Devil's Food Cake Mix, (2) A can of pumpkin, (3) Two cups of chocolate chips.

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients well in a bowl.  I ended up having to use my mixer to get the ingredients to combine.  Just about a minute on low setting will do.  Be aware that your batter will be pretty thick.  Don't fight it, go with it. 

 

Fill each cupcake tin about 90% full.  Place a few more chocolate chips on top if you'd like then pop them in the oven for about 35 minutes. 

 

Then you'll open the oven and find these babies...

 

Heaven.

I am not joking when I say how delicious these things are... moist, chocolate, yum.  The final calorie count is between 90-100 calories depending upon what brand of cake mix or chocolate chips that you use.

No guilt, my friends.  And an amen to that.

NWTF, Camaros, Sweet Tea, & CCDW

Happy Sunday, friends!  I have survived Mono... still on the mend but I do believe the worst is behind me.  That was a feeling of exhaustion I've never known before and I hope it never visits me again.

 

Of course, up until today, I spent my weekend on the couch with TV and Pinterest.  And it was just what I needed.  No homework, very little cleaning, just straight up rest.

 

I was beginning to get a case of cabin fever so we and some friends made it down to Nashville today for the annual National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Convention.  The NWTF is an organization that has consistently grown the population of wild turkeys over the past few decades.  When they first began their mission, wild turkeys were nearly extinct.  They are now thriving in our country.  We love being able to show our support for this kind of organization and continuing the heritage that we love so dearly.

 

The Convention is a yearly gathering of all who embrace the outdoors... booths and booths and booths of hunting goods.  Oh yeah, and some fancy cars thrown in for the ladies that tag along.

 

We couldn't resist testing out this brand new Camaro.  The seats were just oh-so comfy.

 

After spending the morning walking around, we rewarded ourselves with some lunch at Texas Roadhouse.  And I do believe we single-handedly emptied out their sweet tea stash... that's 9 glasses, my friends.  I drank water so that was split between 4 people.

Apparently we were giving Uncle Si a run for his money.  Bring it on, Jack!

On a final note, I feel it is noteworthy to report that Nathan and I both passed our Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) class last weekend.  Once all the paperwork is complete, we will be packin' heat. ;)

(I know we all have different political views on this issue but I do encourage you to educate yourself about these classes. We do this purely as a way for protection and to practice our constitutional rights.)

That's all I got.  Hope you had a fabulous weekend!  Here's to hoping that Monday doesn't kill us all ;)

that time the doctor prescribed bedrest

There has been a good reason for my absence. 

About a week ago, I started to feel weird.  Totally unlike myself then I had some weird symptoms showing up.  Headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes all over my neck, and a tight chest.  I tried to shake it off and took several OTC meds at the beginning of the week.  My hope was that it was just the seasonal sinuses and it would go away.  But, it didn't.  All the while I was feeling extremely tired and wanting to take naps as soon as I got home.  Which is totally unlike me.

Thankfully "Aunt Flo" showed up Wednesday night so I could get rid of the whole my birth control didn't work and we're pregnant freak-out situation.

Finally, on Wednesday night, I convinced myself to take myself to the doctor yesterday morning.  They ran tests for strept throat and Mono.  Strept test was negative. Mono was positive.  (Not surprising to me since I already checked WebMD and had nearly every symptom and my mom diagnosed me.  Let's face it, moms are always right.)

Happy Valentine's Day to me.  Little SOB Cupid.

If you're unfamiliar with Mono, google it.  But here's my summary.  Basically your body produces more white blood cells than your immune system can handle and it shuts down.  Extreme fatigue sets in and the symptoms appear.  The liver and spleen swell which was causing the chest tightness.

There are no meds to cure mono... only steroids to ease the swelling and bedrest to allow the body to heal.  Yes, bedrest.  So, here's what my view has been since yesterday.

Life Savers, Boy Meets World DVDs, Joyce Meyer book, 2 types of vitamins, prescription Prednisone, pain relivers, and my beautiful red roses from Hubs.

This was certainly not how I planned our Valentine's Day to go.  However, I am happy to know that I hadn't been feeling like crap the past week for nothing.  Sometimes you just know when something isn't right with your body.  I can already tell a major difference in myself and am so happy to start feeling like myself again.

I will continue to be on bedrest for the weekend and will head back to school on Monday still trying to take it easy on myself.  Praise the Lord that this all didn't come about last week during my solo week at school.  Although, I am convinced the stresses from last week contributed to my fatigue.  Such is life ;)

A HUGE thank you to my mom, MIL, and husband.  They have been saints through this process and have allowed me to get the rest that my body truly needs.

I will be back and well soon, my friends.  In the meantime, wash your hands.  Wash your hands.  Wash your stinkin' hands.