Motivation

Alright my fellow friends - I have really been slacking on this blog lately and need to do better!

So, I'm going to try to do a quick recap of what's been happening lately in my life.  I started my new position with the World Clinic department at Sanford last Monday - so 1 week is done.  I'm enjoying my team and what I've been working on and am looking forward to getting more involved in what's happening in the department.  The first couple weeks are always slow until you get up to full speed of what's happening.  Budget season is starting - so it should be interesting!

Farrell's Winter session start last week and I'm a coach this session.  We have instructors, the people who teach the actually classes, but we also have coach's - which are basically mentors for the new students.  I have 6 people who I mentor and motivate and I love it!  I think the thing that I didn't expect is to see the change in myself over just 17 weeks.  I go through the first weeks workouts and remember how I could barely make it through them and now I realize how far I have come and how much stronger I've become and I love it!

I've also started doing hot yoga occasionally as well.  There's a studio here in Sioux Falls that offer this - which is when you do yoga in a studio that has a temperature of 105 degrees and 30% humidity.  It's hot and I sweat more than I've ever sweat in my life!  Seriously, every part of my body sweats - my arms and legs, even my feet.  During classes, I look like I just got out of a shower with sweat pouring down my arms and legs.  It sounds weird, but it's very cleansing and relaxing.  Although today I did my first 90 minute session and it was way harder than the 60 minute sessions I have been attending.

Finally, I'm going to leave you with a new video that was made by the women of Farrell's in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  This has become my new MOTIVATION!  I really want Sioux Falls women to make a video now!  This totally explains how I feel doing FXB!!  Women of Cedar Rapids IA

My Best Friend

I read a blog called Branny Boils Over regularly and when her Souper Bowl post came up, I knew what my next blog post would be about!  My favorite animal of all time - Neko.

I adopted Neko Easter weekend of 2009 right after I moved into my house.  The house was just so empty and I knew that a dog would be the perfect addition - especially since I had a huge backyard that one could run around in.

I was volunteering at the humane society at the time, and was waiting for the right dog to come through.  I thought I was looking for a puppy that would grow up to be a smaller sized dog - perhaps a Maltese or Yorkie Terrier.  Instead I ended up with a black lab that has grown up to be a 70 lb. pooch.

I love the fact that I have a walking partner who makes me stay active.  I love that I have a welcome committee as soon as I walk through the door whether I was gone 5 seconds or 5 hours.  I love that Neko makes sounds like Chewbacca off Star Wars when she greets new people or gets excited about something else.

So, as requested by the Souper Bowl blog post, I dedicate one of my favorite soups, White Bean & Turkey Chili to my baby, Neko.

Here's the recipe:

White Bean & Turkey Chili

1 Tbsp. canola oil
2 medium diced yellow onions
1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
3 (15.8 oz) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups chicken broth
3 cups chopped cooked turkey (can also use chicken)
1/2 cup diced seeded tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat.  Add onion; saute 10 minutes or until tender and golden.  Add chili powder, garlic, and cumin; saute for 2 minutes.  Add oregano and beans; cook for 30 seconds.  Add broth, bring to a simmer.  Cook 20 minutes.  Place 2 cups bean mixture in a blender and process until smooth.  Return puree mixture to pot.  Add turkey, and cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.  Remove from heat.  Add diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper; stirring well.

Nutritional info per 1 cup:
Calories: 286, Fat: 6 g, Protein: 32.4 g, Carb: 24.3 g, Fiber: 5.5 g, Chol: 85 mg, Sodium: 435 mg

Enjoy!