My Liebster Award Nomination

Wow!  A BIG thank you to Miss Angie at Health Not to Health Nut for nominating me for the Liebster award – I’m honored that she would think of me!  Check out her blog; it’s great!

Here's how it works-the rules:

Each blogger posts 11 random facts about themselves.

Answer the questions the tagger has set for you

Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award to/nominate

Come up with 11 new questions to ask your nominees

Go to their page and tell them about the award.

No tag backs! 

11 Random Facts About Me

One: I’m a huge planner.  Not like, “Hey let’s make a to-do list!”, but really more like, “I’m going to work out at 12:00, I’ll be home by 1:15, I’ll shower by 1:30, and then I can relax at 2:15…”  Yah, I plan when I’m going to RELAX.  I envy people who can relax more and not stress…I’m trying to do that this year.

Two: I love to paint.  I wish I had more time to do it; it brings me a lot of joy and I love to give paintings as gifts.  Here’s a few:

Three: I’m new to blogging but I love it!  I started out just wanting to share my healthy recipes and hoped to lose a few pounds along the way.  It’s been a great success for me healthy-wise; the accountability has been an amazing part of my journey and I wish I could quit my job and do it full-time!

Four: People think that I’m a super-friendly, outgoing person, and I really generally am, but I crave my private moments, too.  As I get older, it’s gotten stronger!

Five:  I’m a grudge-holder.  Not to an extreme in that I’ll never forgive someone, but I NEVER forget.

Six: I love shoes.  I love shoes.  I love shoes.  Did I mention that I love shoes?  I currently have over 100 pairs.  They make me happy.

Seven: In the 25 years that I’ve been with my (now) husband, I have never gotten tired of him.  We started dating when I was only 16 years old and I wanted to marry him from that moment on.  He is absolutely the love of my life and my very best friend.  Thankfully, he hasn’t gotten tired of me yet!

Eight: I was thin until I turned 19 when I started gaining weight due to PCOS…it’s very interesting to have been on both sides of the weight coin – people are not very nice to fat people; I’ve seen shallow and ignorance on many different levels and being overweight and invisible allows you to see people for who they truly are.  I vow to remain that enlightened even when I reach goal and for the rest of my life.

Nine: I love books; I love to read but I’m not a fan of the library…because of Random Fact #10…

Ten: I'm a germophobe…and not in the way that most people are.  I’m a germophobe because I have a fear of vomit.  Anything that could lead to that horrible event is what I’m fearful of…so I cook my meat until it’s completely done, I don’t drink to drunkness, if you or your children have tossed your cookies in the last 48 hours, please stay away, and please don’t be offended if I use hand sanitizer after touching you J

Eleven: We lost our beloved dog, Cosmo 4 years ago and it’s been very difficult to get over that loss…especially for my dear Hubs…we both feel we are almost ready to take the plunge again – fingers crossed!  Here’s a picture of our boy:

11 Answers to 11 Questions:

1.    What is your number one hope for 2013? 
To get even closer to my weight loss goal.

2. What changes are you making for yourself this year?
I’m trying to be less of a worrier and trying to enjoy living in the moment.

3. What inspires you to keep blogging?

I love food and everything it is about. The experience, the joy of tasting new things, the enjoyment that people receive from great eats, and I love sharing recipes.  I like trying to remake a previously unhealthy recipe into a healthy one – and it’s an extra special bonus when it actually tastes great!

4. Who do you blog for?

I started blogging for my friends; now I know that I blog for me.

5. Where do you see your blog in 5 years?

I would love to be a full-time recipe blogger and make enough money to do it!

6. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a dancer!

7.  What is your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment is my 18 year marriage.  (Coming in at a close second is my weight loss success thus far.)

8. What advice would you give someone trying to get healthy?

Eat like you want to eat for the rest of your life; healthy living is a way of life, not a temporary situation to get you through.  Don’t cut anything out, just make smart choices as often as you can.

9. What's your fondest childhood memory?
I have many; but I loved all the car trips my family would go on – we loved to just “go for a ride.”

10. Do you have a favorite pair of shoes?  If so what are they?

I have many favorite pairs that I love for so many reasons.  Currently, my favorite pair are by Diba.  They are black platform, sling-back peep-toes.

11. What is one health trend you wish would just disappear?

It’s really more that I wish the philosophy of a quick-fix for losing weight would go away.  It’s HARD, people!  There’s no easy way – it really and truly is eating right and getting some exercise incorporated into your life.

Thank you again Miss Angie for tagging me!

My Nominees - Check out their Blogs!!

KTJ Weighing In
Onederland or Bust
Latte and a Prayer
111 Pounds
Football & Glitter
Isn't She Beautiful
Fat to Fit Mommy
The Journey to Get Me Back
Sixty to Go
Michelle's Journey
Life By Lex

My 11 Questions for Nominees:

1)    What do you enjoy about blogging?

2)    How do you gain followers and what types of advertising (if any) do you do?

3)    Do you prefer working out in the morning or evening?

4)    What are your favorite workouts?

5)    When you go shopping, do you prefer to do it alone or with friends?

6)    What’s your favorite book, movie or both?

7)    Phone call or text?

8)    Do you watch reality shows and if so, which ones?

9)    What are your goals for 2013?

10) Where was the last place you vacationed?

11) What is your dream job?