"They Love Me! They Really Love Me!"

It is my dream to attend an award show someday.

I would definitely be a lot more excited than these two...
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Ideally, I would not only be a nominee, but also a winner:

And yes, I'd be just as ridiculous.
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Or, let's be real: being arm candy would be just fine with me.

Although now that he's officially off the market (and since I'm not 5'11" and 120 pounds), I think my chances are shot.
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Until my multi-million dollar screenplay comes to fruition, however, I am honored to be given the Liebster Award by Kaela at FLABulous to FABulous. (Before I go any further with this whole thing, please go check her out. I am super inspired by her and am so happy we connected!)

As Kaela mentioned, "The Liebster Award is something by bloggers for bloggers. It is a way for us bloggers to discover new blogs, meet new people, and promote each other."

There are, of course, rules attached:

1.) you must link back to the person who nominated you 
2.) you must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the nominator
3.) you must pick 10 bloggers to be nominated for the award (with a small following)
4.) you must create 10 questions for your nominees
5.) you must notify your nominees

Without any further ado, here are the questions that Kaela assigned me:

1. What is your favorite workout?

I would have to say that my favorite workout is some type of boot camp. First, I love workouts that are in a group environment: I am much more likely to "feel bad" or "guilty" if I don't exercise, and I am much more likely to have a more intense workout. I am competitive in that regard. Second, I love workouts that are different every day, as I bore easily of doing the same thing day in and day out.

That being said, there is nothing like a good solo run. As I train for my many upcoming half marathons, I have been logging a lot of miles by myself lately, and I have really grown to prefer running alone -- just me and my thoughts on an open trail.

2.What state do you call home?

I was born in Minnesota, lived in Ohio for a year, and then grew up in Nebraska. However, I've lived in Iowa for the past 13 years (which I can hardly believe), and it's definitely my home now. I love me some Des Moines.

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3. What is your favorite 'cheat' meal?

I could eat sushi for every single meal. And, I could eat ice cream or fro-yo for every single dessert. And, I could eat popcorn for every single snack.

4. What was the "That's it moment"? What made you start your journey?

I've always been on my journey (see my About Me section for more details). However, the moment that really hit me this time around was when my mom and I were talking, and she said that she realized that no one else could do this for her: she had to do it for herself. It created some sort of connection to "I deserve this. Make it happen."

5. What has been the hardest part of your journey?

I would say that the most difficult part of my journey thus far has been going on vacation. Food (and, let's be real, booze) is such a social event for me. And when it comes to travel, I want to experience the local cuisine. For example, when I went to Atlanta, I wanted to drink the sweet tea and eat the fried chicken: I didn't want to stick with salmon salad and sparking water.

However, I need to work on taking all of that with a little more moderation on the next trip that I take. I got a bit out of control with non-compliant food and beverage while out of town last week.

6. Who has been your biggest motivator?

I think my biggest motivator, especially lately, has been my sister-in-law, Aly. She may have initially thought I was crazy with Whole30, but she called or texted nearly every day to ask how I was doing, she encourages me all the time with her workouts, she motivates me every day with my workouts, she swaps recipes and products with me often, and she's been pretty much my partner in crime throughout this whole ordeal. And I am so, so thankful for her.

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Oh yeah, and she's also my Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon running buddy. :)

7. What is your favorite quote?

There are so many quotes that I absolutely love, but for now, I'll leave you with this one:

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Seriously, though, there are about 1,000 I could've posted here.

8. What is your favorite book?

My favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird. I am extremely passionate about issues of civil rights, especially racial equality, and the words that Harper Lee wrote 54 years ago still ring true today. The book was beautifully written and was lightyears ahead of its time with progressive issues. And I'm not sure there's a better human being than Atticus Finch.

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9. When you fall off the wagon, how do you pick yourself back up?

I don't really "fall off the wagon" anymore because I give myself permission to eat the way that I do. I have readjusted my thinking so that I understand that everything I put in my mouth is my choice, that I don't have to eat a certain way but that I choose to do so.

Therefore, if I "fall off the wagon" and make more poor choices than usual, I simply tell myself that I am now choosing to make good choices, as I know that's what my body will appreciate.

10. What do you love most about blogging?

First and foremost, I love the people that I have met through blogging. It's crazy to me the number of friendships that I have developed, simply as a result of writing (sometimes very boring) entries on the Internet.

Second, blogging is therapeutic for me. I can literally lose myself for hours on end -- just because I am so engrossed in what I am writing.

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Third, it means so much to me that my story, my experiences can possibly help others. That is, after all, my goal in everything that I do.

And now, here are my nominees for the Liebster Award:

Aly (my sister-in-law) at Here Comes Happiness

Cathy (my mama) at Cathy Shows Up

Amber at A Little Pink in the Cornfields
Amy at Southern, Classy, and [a LOT] Sassy
Melissa at My Life as a Folz
Kendall at Release from Affliction
Alex at Alex Tries It Out
Jessi at The Girl Who Thought Too Much
Val at Fab Chick Gets Fit
Jess at Operation Skinny Jeans

Check out my friends in the blogosphere as they answer the following questions:

1. If you had to choose just three words to describe the focus of your blog, what would they be?
2. What advice would you give to new bloggers? 
3. What is your favorite form of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)? Why?
4. What actress would you choose to star in a movie about your life?
5. What was the best concert you have ever attended?
6. Who has been the most inspirational person in your life in regard to fitness and/or nutrition?
7. What are your three best qualities?
8. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far?
9. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
10. Where is your absolute favorite place to shop?

I hope you enjoy the Liebster Award as much as I have! Again, Kaela, thank you so much for the nomination!

And if you were not one of the nominees, please answer one of the questions in the comments section below -- and, if you have a blog, tell me about it! I love new friends!

Our Deepest Fear

I recently received an invite to join Bliss Connect, a community of health and wellness bloggers.  First, I am extremely honored to be included with some amazing women such as Angela, one of the most inspirational writers I've read; Brittany, who has great recipes, food-finds, and workout ideas; Caitlin, who founded Operation Beautiful (check it out - awesome); and many, many more.

Second, I started browsing the site today and came across one discussion thread that I really, really like.  It's all about inspirational quotes, sayings that make you feel better, etc.  I am constantly looking for things like this in my life; in fact, I have six pieces of art work (that I can think of off the top of my head) hanging in my house, all consisting of quotes.  I love everything from poems to song lyrics to literary text to random musings.  Through one of my friend's blog rolls, I also discovered a website full of quotes and images; check it out.

I thought today I would share a few of my favorite quotes, some of my most recent finds, with you!

I just bought this from rawartletterpress on Etsy and plan to put it in my classroom - she adapted an A.A. Milne quote from Winnie the Pooh, and I think it is something that so many of my kiddos need to hear everyday.

Love, love, love.  Imagination is so important.

I'm going to figure out a way to put this one in my classroom, too.  We do so much with the concept of voice, the idea of journaling and about finding oneself, and I think this idea fits in impeccably well.

Finally, I leave you with this video:

Okay, so most of my favorite quotes today had to do with teaching and with my students, but...oh well!  Tomorrow we'll talk about running.  :)

What are your favorite quotes/sayings?  What words inspire you?