"Tell the pregnant bitches to wait. You gotta go to Oregon!"

So, here it is, the new year. And, a new moon. Huzzah! It's sad that the first time I've been sick in forever, has me down so hard. No matter! I refuse to let this illness have me down for too long. Even though I am kinda stuck in bed and drugged up on prescription steroids, and an inhaler I seemingly turn to a little too often-- not to mention the over-the-counter stuff, I am still going forward with my healthy choices. 

And, 2014, is going to be the best year yet. I deserve a great year, and I am choosing to have a beautiful, healthy, happy, hoop-full year.

To make this year my year, I am choosing to put into play 8 different steps I feel will help me make better choices for a healthier life, and taking responsibility for that healthy life.

First, I feel like I should wrap up 2013 with a picture of my ending calendar, and wrapping up last months goals:

I do my best to accurately record what I've done to track progress. This helps with motivation! 

I didn't reach all of my goals for December 2013, but some goals I exceeded!

I really love my Friends calendar I get every year from mum-mum. It makes for a fun place to track progress!

The beginning of this year's calendar

Anyways, the 8 steps I'm taking today to keep me on track for 2014, I am following from this Web MD Article. I am so grateful for so many of the steps I've already took to make all these things seem doable. I am glad I'm started when I started, and I am grateful-- so, so grateful that I have insurance, and the ability to see a doctor, and a dentist currently.  

Sadly, though, I am still sick. And, it has been tiresome and difficult to let my body rest. But, that's what it needs, and I am trying to pride myself in listening to my body's need. So, since I'm in bed for the day, I worked on next goals with Gabriel by my side, and for the very first time in my life, I also wrote down some New Year's Resolutions.

Gabriel, my wonder cat

I like to write down my monthly goals, and leave them around the house where I can see them

I want to add on run a 5k to my list of goals. It's the one thing I regret I didn't do last year!

In the meantime, to help keep my nutrition in check, I tried to sit down and write out a realistic menu plan, that's easy to follow, easily made gluten-free (in most cases), and is pretty healthy:

 I hope this helps keep things  a little more on the cheap for us and makes writing the weekly shopping list a little easier

Tonight was a Caprese Chicken recipe I made up, over quinoa, and steamed broccoli with a little butter. It was simple, delicious, and a super easy meal for two-- and I can see how someone could easily make this for a crowd as well.

Sari's Caprese Chicken over quinoa and a side of steamed broccoli-- this whole meal was 506 calories

Ingredients

4 Chicken Tenders

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 thick slices mozzarella cheese, cut in half (length wise)

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Handful garlic cloves, minced

salt and pepper

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions

Salt and pepper chicken tenders, then broil, about six minutes on each side. Then put Mozzarella cheese on chicken and broil about two to four minutes, depending on how melted, or dark you want your cheese.

While the chicken is broiling warm the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, before oil is smoking, but nice and heated up add tomatoes, and garlic. Once the tomatoes have a nice caramelized color to it add the fresh basil on top at the first sign of wilting turn off heat, and give a good stir.

Serves 2
Per serving:
Calories 383
Carbs 24
Protein 19
Fiber 7
Calcium 22
Iron 5

Anyways, I hope in the near future I'll be working out. I really miss it. I really miss work. Anyways, I'm tired, and I really need to call it quits for the day.

I hope everyone has a blessed new year.