GOODBYE BLOGGER!

This will be my last post in this forum!

I have transferred all of my pages and the blog to my new site: One Day at a Time With Ashley!

Please visit me over there!!!

Hopefuly it will be just as user friendly for you all!

Face Lift

As you may have noticed, I gave the blog a bit of a face lift this morning! I just like the simpler, more user friendly layout. What do you all think?

I also updated the About Me section above and added a Daily Workout Log!

Something really cool that I recently discovered through some runner friends is a web site called Mile 22 that will take all your old race numbers and turn them into tote bags!!

I am going to have to get one of these as soon as I am not a broke student! Currently all my old race numbers are in a big binder in the back of my closet. This would be a really awesome functional thing to do with them... plus I love me some tote bags!

Have a great day!!

Sunday Quote of the Week!

Happy Sunday all! 

I hope that everyone has had a great summer weekend! Today's quote is one that I have found very helpful and motivational and that I think is so true!

I find that the harder I work, 

the more luck I seem to have.

-Thomas Jefferson

Have a great week!

Fitness Plan #1 Revealed:

A few weeks ago I decided what to do for my (continuously evolving) fitness plan after a lot of thought and frustration and reading and searching and FINALLY getting some great ideas...

My main weakness in the past has been giving things up... 

Basically if you tell me I can no longer eat brownies it makes me WANT to eat brownies. All of them.

So I have decided that instead of taking things OUT of my diet, I will begin with ADDING things to my diet to fill me up with good things so I will just naturally want less of the bad stuff.

Every day I must eat all of the following items:

1 Apple (optional with a tbs of peanut butter)

1 Bowl Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oatmeal

2 Egg Whites (Hard Boiled)

1 Scoop Protein Powder (mixed with water)

As long as I eat those items I can eat whatever else I want.

So far on most of my days off school, I have had my protein 1st thing in the morning and gone to the gym. When I get back I usually have the oatmeal and eggs. I study most of the rest of the day so if some time before dinner if I get hungry I have my apple (with PB). Then I make whatever I feel like for dinner.

Honestly it hasn't been that difficult. The first week it took some getting used to and I didn't make it into the gym. Last week I was very on track with it and actually already lost 3 pounds. 

It's not much yet but I am sooooo excited to actually see progress! I may change the exact rules over time. I'm trying to make a gym schedule right now that I will stick to.

I am also currently logging all of my food and exercise on a FABULOUS app that I found for my phone called Lose It!

I like it because it has really accurate info for most foods, including ones from restaurants. 

This is what the app looks like

Here is a screen shot of shot
you select your food.

Have an awesome week everyone!! I will update again soon!!

HALF WAY DONE!!!!!!!!! yesssssss

So I am OFFICIALLY half way done with the nursing program.

Thank all that is holy and good!!!!!!

I have COMPLETELY neglected the blog for the past four months... along with the gym and my work... I am officially an out of shape, broke student! (and I haven't had a pedicure in 4 months. My FAVORITE indulgence!)

HOWEVER, 

Now that I am in the second semester of the bridge program I have a LOT more time off to study!

Which means a LOT more time to focus on me, health, fitness and doing some of the things I enjoy! Like blogging!

This is me right before I started the program...
I look so happy!

This is what I do about 10-12 hours a day now...
7 days a week! YAY!

My writing may not be completely orderly and nice and consistent like it was before but I am hoping to actually be around a couple times a week!

Anyone out there who has completed nursing school successfully, send me some encouragement!! haha

OCTOBER 12th I'M DONE!!!!

I think I want to add some health and fitness stuff... I am going to do a daily workouts page. I think that that will help keep me more motivated. I have gained a few too many L-B's sonce school started and it's no bueno!!!

And here are some wonderful pics from Pinterest that remind me of my last four months in school!

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Sunday Quote of the Week

Tomorrow I officially begin the LVN to RN bridge program!!!! 

I am so nervous and excited! 

It's just all so daunting!!!

via

Who besides me would be PSYCHED to get to wear THIS little number at graduation!??

Due to my ridiculous stress and homework level, it has taken me ALLLL day to find a quote...

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."

- Abraham Lincoln

Have a grrrrrrreat week and wish me luck! If I'm able to post again before next Sunday then it's not as bad as I am currently anticipating!!

Sunday Quote of the Week

Happy Sunday! Welcome to a new week... found this quote on Pinterest... Who'd have guessed, haha.

I like this one. I like champagne. I like having excuses to drink it. Especially during RN school... 

via

Celebrate the small things in life!!!!

... a passed exam

... another step closer to your goal

... feeling great during your workout

... appreciate every good day!

Friday Recipes Returns: BEST Garlic Bread Ever

Welcome to another edition of Friday Recipes.... The following is my own personal take on garlic bread.

EVERY time that I have made this recipe someone has told me this is the BEST garlic bread that they've ever had...

Be advised: the recipe doesn't have any typos... YES you need that much butter and garlic... Paula Dean would be proud of me (:

Via... This is essentially what it should look like... 
I will have to exchange this at some point with
 a pic of the real thing!!!

Ingredients:

1 uncut sourdough loaf

1.5 sticks butter

10 cloves minced crushed garlic

1/3 c chopped fresh parsley

1/2 c grated paremesan

Directions:

In a heat safe dish, melt butter with garlic and parsley in the microwave. Stir and place in refridgerator until solid. 

Repeat melting and solidifying 2-3 times. 

Melt one last time only for a few seconds so that butter mixture is spreadable but solid. 

Cut bread into upper and lower halves. Make sure both halves are about the same thickness. Spread butter mixture evenly over both halves. Sprinkle Parmesan over both halves. 

Broil on high on a baking sheet until parmesan is melted and turning gold and bubbly. 

Cut into slices and serve. 

Sooooooo GOOOOOD!!!! ENJOY!!!

Oh! How Pinteresting Wednesday! Link-up!

Hello friends!!! Happy hump day!!!

My schedule lately has been absolutely NUTS! I am an LVN (LPN in all states except CA and TX) and I am starting the RN bridge 8 month upgrade on the 27th so prepping for that has been ridiculous!

I'm excited though!! 8 months and I'll be in the career I have always wanted!!!!

... Plus no more being a poor student! Awohoo!!!

But it WILL be a grueling 8 months.... I know that! Have to stay focused!!!

Pinterest pics today shall be dedicated to nursing things I think..... Let's see what I can find!!

So here's to the next 8 months!!!

Oh! How Pinteresting Wednesday! Link-up

Welcome to another Oh! How Pinteresting Wednesday! Link-up! This week I am doing a Valentine edition for your viewing pleasure! 

This will be the first Valentine's day with my honey and I'm hoping for a good one!! Just a laid back eveing together will be nice!

Classic

Super cute V-Day wreath!

ANY excuse to make cupcakes....

BEST romantic movie of all time

Great way to remember special occasions!

SUPER cute

BACON roses for that special man in your life... hahaha

I want this necklace!!

Awesome Idea!

I hope that everyone has a great week and a very happy Valentine's Day! If you're single I hope you treat yourself to a nice night to yourself! That's what I always did!!!

Sunday Quote of the Week: Super Bowl Edition

In honor of the Super Bowl: An inspiring quote by the one and only Vince Lombardi!!

via

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.

- Vince Lombardi

Have a great week!!

Oh! How Pinteresting Wednesday! Link-up!!

Hellloooo to all my lovely readers! Happy hump day and welcome to another Oh! How Pinteresting Wednesday! Link-up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple and lots of other great ladies (and gentlemen).

Today I am trying to get this done even though I've been on a little hiatus since last week! I went camping last weekend as I told you all and now I am MOVING this week!!!!! I hate moving. 

But I am SOOOOO happy with my new living situation that it's worth it!!!

So pics from my camping trip to come as soon as I unpack... hopefully by the weekend!

In honor of Super Bowl this Sunday!!
YUM!!

Such a great idea!
I am definitely doing this!!

LOVE Gone with the wind!

We are trying to redecorate our
bedroom... Love the linens on this bed!!

SO CLEAR!!!!!!

Memories!! I think I read every
single one of these!!

Beautiful dress!!! I want it!!!

.... AND these boots! Adorable!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!