Weigh in Wednesday

This is my day via Instagram. 

@goldsgym for #lesmills #bodypump and I went down in weight because I thought my form was slacking. Also, I weighed in and lost a pound! #boom! #kickingbutt #losingweight #strengthtraining #weighttraining #pumpit #okc #ok #okwb #myoklahoma

#oklahoma #sunrise and @thinkthinbars for #breakfast. #heckyeah #yum #esthereats #food #foodie #myfitnesspal #eatinghealthy #okc #ok #okwb #myoklahoma

I was trying to capture the bar and the sunrise and I realized that it had to be one or the other. Sunrises are cool. 

#second #breakfast! The label has the calories at 480 and protein at 27 grams and the fat was high. I'll #run it off tonight. #yum #esthereats #food #foodie #myfitnesspal #eatinghealthy #okc #ok #okwb #myoklahoma And that was a very tasty breakfast taco. 

#lunch! @starkistcharlie #thai style #tuna #wrap with #vegetables and #veggiestraws #yum #esthereats #food #foodie #myfitnesspal #eatinghealthy #okc #ok #okwb #myoklahoma I'm in love with the veggie straws. They're mostly potatoe, which might be why I thin there awesome. 

After my #kickass run with @redcoyoterunning in #deepduece, I skipped the #beer and went home for #dinner. I opted for a runny egg over my #grilled #vegetables and #chicken. It was #heavenly! My #injuredankle had some painful moments. I'm not done healing yet. I hope soon though. 

My goal was to photograph all the food that I ate. I was pretty close. I didn't photograph the strawberries in a jar, the salmon bites (2) and the Ben and Jerry's ice cream with whipped cream (I only had 1/3 of those personal sized containers and a lot of whipped cream because it's my favorite.)

Picasso Cafe's monthly veggie dinner

Welcome to a new monthly installment on my blog, the veggie dinner. I am not compensated for this post but I've had 2 veggie dinners now and they've been fantastic. 

The food, the photos, the menu, the theme each month, all creates perfect blog materiel. This month was home sweet homestead, in honor of Oklahoma day, which is today. 

It's important to start the dinner with a drink. This time was a Belgium from Anthem Brewing Company, new local brewery in Oklahoma. 

We always add the wine pairings and this month was all white wines. Not Blue's (my husband) favorite but he managed alright. 

Stab, dip, eat. Delicious. Some plates looked more symmetrical than my own. Seating was a little odd. We had to share a table with two other people. They were nice though and we enjoyed the dinner. 

Each course was paired with wine by Johnny Walker, the beverage manager. One of these days. I need to ask if he did that on purpose since he loves drinks so much. I probably won't ask. 

The vinaigrette on this salad is from The Priarie Gypsy, another local company. I loved this course. The combination of crunchy to soft was perfect. 

Another wine for another course. At this point in the dinner, we are all having a good time. 

This is a cold soup and I just loved the crispy shallots. 

Each wine was from another country. We had a French, a Spanish, a South African, and a Willamette Valley from Oregon (home!). The last wine was from Oklahoma because it was an Oklahoman inspired dinner. 

This was the main course. Pasta from Pasta Pizazz, another local. It was the perfect main course with just the right amount of pasta. I always cook too much pasta. 

Last Oklahoma wine, a Riesling. Naturally, that means dessert is next. 

This is a root beer float with root beer from AAA here in Oklahoma. The plate was an unusual presentation and it was a little on the soupy side. I still enjoyed it. 

The verdict is a two thumbs up from me and Blue (aka Ryanchristopherart, click the button in my sidebar to check out his portfolio). All of this was live instagrammed at my account esthernorine. If you're not following me yet, please click the button on the side bar. Many thanks to the chef and the staff at Picasso Cafe. 

Thankful Thursday

Dear friends,
Welcome to thankful Thursday. This is my safe haven to reflect on how I'm blessed. Little things such as a warm cup of tea and big intangibles such as a loving family. I'm thankful for it all. In good times and tough times, it's always wise to be thankful. Please share how you are thankful today.

Please stay tuned for a riveting Make A Difference Monday. I'm volunteering this weekend.

Thankful Thursday

 

Welcome to Thankful Thursday. It's always good to stay positive and thankful. Today, I am thankful for a new job to start next year. I will be sad to leave my team but this opportunity will be very good for me. I have been looking for a new job for a long time and it is a huge relief to finally find it. Please stay tuned for the "fly on the wall" post.  

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday, a mental exercise in good health. There are many things to be thankful for but at times life and stress become overwhelming. These are the moments when being thankful is critical. Today, I am thankful for nature. The peacefulness, the calmness, the greenery are all perfect to me. I don't get to enjoy nature enough. While I am in a state that doesn't boast many natural beauties, there are still opportunities to enjoy God's bounty. Let's all stop and smell the roses. (If anyone wants to buy me roses, especially my hubby, that is A-Ok by me.) Please stay tuned for High Five For Friday.

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday. This has been an important activity to help me stay positive. Life can be way too stressful and its easy to forget the good things. This week, I am thankful for good health. I pray everyday for myself and my husband to have good health. I also pray for the kitties to have good health. This may sound silly to some people but to me it is important. Please share what you are thankful for. I love swapping stories with my bloggy friends.

Roof or party deck?

There's live music, energetic conversation, sunny skies. It's a good night to be out at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Yesterday, I listed my top 5 and it was a fun exercise in focusing on the positives of a day. I would like to continue that to today and encourage you to do the same. Staying positive is not easy but it's good for your health.
My top 5 for Thursday:
1: I had a Lara bar for snack, yummy!
2: I shared tips with my coworkers to help with sales.
3: It rained today, so refreshing!
4: I came up with a new career plan.
5: I came to the museum to have a good time.

Feel free to share your top 5 with me or at least write it down. It is a valuable activity.

Better List

Its been a long time coming but I think the worst of the stress may be over.  Now I'm going to focus on fun things.
My top ten fun activities:
10) Writing
9) Playing piano
8) Reading a book
7) Crocheting
6) Watching TV
5) Traveling
4) Playing games
3) Chatting with a friend
2) Biking
1) Enjoying a good drink (be it adult or not)

List

Doubt. Anxiety. Worry. Concern. That was Tuesday. What will Wednesday bring? I hope it brings good news. I am not sure my mind can take all this stress.

I am still praying for a miracle. Amen.

Stay positive

It has been a long week. I have had good times and bad times. I am working on staying positive. It's not easy but it's important. Helping the community and positive thinking helps. If you are having a hard time, talk to someone. Talking things out really makes a difference. Happy weekend!

Dear Lord,

Dear Lord,
It has been a very tough day for me. I feel lost, lonely, stressed, unhappy, and nobody is on my side. I keep looking for answers, solutions, peace, and good news. Today I found problems, anxiety, and bad news. Lord, I know you want me to be happy and I can't understand why I'm not. Please give me Your peace and good news. I really need something good to focus on. By the end of the day, I looked like an unhappy cactus but fortunately I was able to go home. Please send me some good news tomorrow. Amen.

Baseball Thursday

I may not be good on my diet today. I may not have someone to join me. I am at a baseball game at Redhawks stadium. I have a great seat and I'm partaking of dollar beer night. This is a great diversion to keep my mind off of lonely feelings. I won't be lonely long. I love to be busy too so this is my turn to do stuff and have fun. I won't let the time go to waste. I will do good!

Dear Lord, thank You for Your blessings. Amen.

How to stay positive

1: Find things to smile at. If you need inspiration, look at a flower or look at the comics.
2: Think about something good. It can be anything good like good food or a good experience.
3: Breathe. Deep breathing gives you extra oxygen to stay positive.
4: Move. Get up for a walk. Take a yoga class. Any kind of movement will help you stay positive.
5: Pray. God gives generously to those who ask and asking to stay positive is a request that won't be ignored.

Rise again

Proverbs 24:16 "for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes."

Countless times, I have fallen and been discouraged. This verse has reminded me the importance of getting back up. Its hard to stay strong enough through difficult times.

Dear Lord, please give me Your strength every morning so I can do good. I pray that I can stay strong everyday. Amen.

Contentment

I am content with what I have. My needs are met. I intend to enjoy what the good spoils in my life.

I've decided to no longer dwell on the past. I used to do that and it was not good for my health.

Accepting what we have with joy is the best attitude. This can reduce stress and increase happiness.

Its not easy but nothing in life ever is. It is worth it because life is too short to dwell on painful events or actions.

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your wisdom and patience. I am learning every day to be pleased with what I have because it all came from You as a gift. Amen.

The glass

The glass is half full. The half empty glass shouldn't exist. People who choose to be optimistic are happier. Pessimism and realism can blind us from the good that is around. This adds stress to our packed lives. You can choose optimism and see positive aspects of life.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Happy Friday

To those who had a tough week. To those who had a good week. To those who overcame struggles. To those who celebrated triumphs.

Happy Friday to everyone.

Good attitude

Sometimes attitude is a decision and not a reflection of your surroundings. Positive thinking can keep you out of harms way. I know from experience that when I choose a good attitude, life goes a little smoother and troubles don’t phase me out.

My tips for choosing a good attitude include: good hair day, having a special drink, chatting with a friend, listening to a good song, and relaxing with a favorite hobby. How do you choose a good attitude?