Reunited and it feels so good...

I took a bike ride yesterday! It felt great. (Now, I wont go into details on how many miles, how long it took me, how many calories I've burned, etc. I feel like that's a bit excessive and when people share those details I get a little annoyed.) However, my butt is a little sore at the moment, but I hope that will heal soon.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm the queen of balance (but I am the granola queen!), however I have been very good at taking care of me. I easily recognize when I need down time and I take it and if people question that too bad for them, they're not me. I feel like this has contributed to my healthy eating and workout habits. They have to happen otherwise I get crabby and irritated easier.

Tonight I will endure a brutal and intense lifting session and THEN I'm going to have some drinks with close friends, because...I need it! Thanks for reading...

I am a granola genius!

So, my granola is awesome!

This is what I did: took some oats, whole almonds, pecans, and brown sugar and mixed it all up in bowl. Then I spread it all on a cookie sheet (or 9 by 11 pan) and sprinkled more brown sugar and drizzled honey on it. Put the sheet into the 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. I noticed it wasn't really getting gooey and sticky, so I added a concoction with a stick of melted butter, more brown sugar, and honey and drizzled that on top and mixed it in. After 10 more minutes in the oven, I let it cool and stirred it up, making nice piecey bite-size granola! A friend suggested egg whites instead of butter to hold it together and I will try this next time since I'm a bit disappointed with the butter amount.

I'm a true genius!

Doug is going to fill my bike tires with air--time for bike ride :) Can't wait!

A bad day turned good!

The secret to a bad day turning into a good one is a great run! (well, this may not be for everyone, but it certainly helps me.) If I didn't run, things would certainly be worse. Also, yesterday I did Zumba--loved it! Now I have something to look forward to on Monday nights after work.

Speaking of running, while I was running on the treadmill, a women several treadmills over was drinking a Diet Coke...really?! really. Now, I'm typically not judgmental at the gym especially since my face turns bright red and sweat drips from everywhere while I run. I ponder why someone would drink a Diet Coke, that would make me burp. Hm.

Also when I stepped into the gym area a women asked me how I got my stomach...lol, she said I had a nice stomach. I told her I lift and run and workout nearly everyday. That made me feel good :)

I attempted to make granola tonight, not sure if it worked, a little on the sweet side since I added brown sugar and honey. I added a little salt and that made it better. We'll see how it tastes when it cools off. Any help on this, please let me know!

I'm turning into super organic queen. Eating healthy is very fun, there's not much turning back now but I don't really want to. If I could only over come my weakness of Culvers...and McDonald's Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuits...

Hugs. I miss my friends. Muah!

Days like today...

Ah, move-in. Today I was stationed at a table to help IWU parents and students move onto campus. Days like today always give me a chance to reflect upon my experience at WLC and even EIU.

My dad and I left with two tupperware bins, a couple of suitcases, and some bedding. We pulled up to West Hall, where several students helped me move in, although it probably took one trip. I met Andrea and Autumn and we arranged our room and I had the very top bunk out of three beds. My dad left after an hour...no tears...and there I was, ready to begin my college experience. I met some absolutely great friends and miss them dearly.

It's days like today that I'm thankful for college, friends, and family.

Tired She Wrote...

Hello friends.

I'm back for a quick update. These past two weeks I've been heavily involved in training our student staff for the residents to return. While I've truly enjoyed getting to know the staff, I was pretty tired those last couple of days. So tired that I could sleep! Crazy. I'm not sure why the body responds that way...

Regardless, I've been running, running, running to prepare for the 5K in September. September is a great month filled with visitors, football games, and a little time to relax. Blessid Union of Souls in coming to campus---I simply cannot wait!

Tomorrow I'm churching and running errands around town. It's been a good weekend filled with plenty of movie watching...

Stay turned for funnier blogs. I promise. Night.

Good-bye Summer.

Dear Summer,
Thank you for the memories. What can I say? It was nice getting to know you these past two months. You brought me friends, great weather, a quiet place to live, and ice cream (I really enjoyed the ice cream). I'm sorry you have to leave since I understand that all good things must come to an end. I know you will return sooner than later with much love to bring. Thanks again, I look forward to your return! XOXO, Sara

That's my good-bye letter to summer because...it's over. While I'm sad, I'm also very excited for the coming weeks ahead (guess that's the workaholic in me).

In other news, I'm finally healed. I had some bad cold sores, bug bites, and a weird crazy exhaustion. I'm all better now. Thank God, it was touch and go for a while.

Anyone in for a 5K on Saturday, Sept. 19--it's for Autism Awareness in McClean County. Who's with me? Now that I'm back in good health, I'll be training (probably in the early morning hours). LET'S DO IT!

Happy first week of August. :) Go Evan on SYTYCD--final four!