Often we make choices in life based on what the easiest thing would be, not what would be in our best interest. We avoid hard work and take the path of least resistance. We do this, and then later wonder why life is not as fulfilling as we had hoped. I guess we refused to listen when we were told that "there is no such thing as a free lunch". I know - I've been that person a number of times in my life. I stayed in relationships that were not serving me because I didn't know who I was without them. I allowed jobs that did not pay me what I was worth to have more than they paid for because the fight seemed too tough. The thing is, I also stayed stagnant and unfulfilled. I complained that life had dealt me a bad hand so that I could be the victim of my circumstances and not have to take personal responsibility for how my life was evolving or heading. I thought that doing hard things was a drag. As a student who made the choice to come back to college after nearly 20 years, I can say honestly that it is one of the hardest things I have ever done. But, it is also one of the best things I ever did because it has helped me to grow exponentially. Today I GET to do hard things! Taking risks, struggling, climbing to the top of the mountain. Those mountains were meant to be climbed! People sometimes ask what I get out of this journey, and this is what I have to say: A Second Chance - When I was a kid, I took school for granted slacking off on homework, doing great on exams and the standardized testing, but bringing home a sub-par GPA (C+ average). I made excuses and kept terrible study habits. Being in school again has allowed me to find focus and re-learn how to learn, study, and get much better grades (A- average). I'm even part of the honor society at my school which is a huge departure from my younger self. Personal Growth - Doing the work to deal with my demons so that I can be present in my life today has been suuuuuuuuper uncomfortable. I have had to look at things that had been buried deep in my soul, dust them off, explore, and then resolve the things that left me paralyzed. Those thing are the things that told me that I did not deserve to go back to school, and that leaving my husband to be responsible for our finances while I did this 'selfish' thing was totally not okay. The truth is, it has been good for both of us; we have learned more about ourselves in the process and been forced to ask for help. Fiscal Responsibility - Going from a dual income family to a single forced us to make some changes. Prior to my going back to school my husband and I had separate finances - without me bring home any bacon, we had to learn to communicate about money and get on the same page. Remarkably, both of us have better credit scores than we did when we were both working because we have more respect for the money we make. Giving Back - When I enrolled full time at the community college, I had been humbled by years of the corporate climb and was burnt out. The one thing I knew more than anything was that I had something to give mostly by way of perspective. As a tutor, I get to help students struggling with their studies and remind them of the things that really matter. Physical Health - If there is one thing that suffered the most in my former life, it was my physical health. I sat for 8+ hours a day only getting up to eat, use the washroom, or get another cup of coffee. The food I was ingesting was mostly healthy, but I often made choices of convenience, not health. Today, I bring food with me to school and am too cheap to pay for a parking permit and play the parking lot game, so I park quite a ways away and walk - most days I get north of 8k steps which is about 5k more than when I was working. Balance - This blog is all about how I have a full plate and live a life without gluten. Knowing that I have only 168 hours in a week has been one of the most freeing discoveries because it forced me to look at how I was using my time and reallocate. When I make my schedule, it is important to me that I can not only get through the semester with good academics, but without a mental breakdown as well. Every semester I try to take one elective, one tough as nails class, one online and be able to work as well. That elective and online class will have work, but because I pair them with a class that takes a lot more time, I can plan my time at home more effectively knowing that the tough as nails class takes first priority and then fill in with the other things. More Self Confidence - At the end of every single day, I get to enjoy putting my head on the pillow knowing that I tried my hardest, accomplished something (finishing that 5 page paper), and lived to tell. There is nothing like the pride of knowing that my classmates, professors, boss, friends, husband and kids can count on me to come through for them with my best effort. Doing the hard things - the things that have moved me out of my comfort zone - those are the things in my life that I look back on and have the MOST gratitude for. Xo, Michelle
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Sometimes a quote just sticks in your memory.. this one has been one of my favorites for so many years. It's been one of those ideals for relationships I have kept close, and one day I hope to live this wholeheartedly. In High School I had a shirt that had a version of this quote on it, and I loved wearing it. The message is so simple. We are individuals. Each of us has our own compass and set of internal things that make us tick. Imposing our will on others and expecting them to be who we think they should be is a bit loony.
One of my favorite things about the Hubs and I is that we both have our own interests and activities and friends, but also enjoy coming together and spending time with one another and the kiddos. Often I still spend a couple of nights away house-sitting for friends and family while he holds the fort down. At other times he volunteers for coaching or some other thing that takes him away while I hold things down. It’s tough to let go of expectations of one another, and we frequently falter there, but we also work to to find compromise where we can. We are getting better year by year at talking about things in advance so that our boundaries and limits can be observed by one another. Life doesn't come with an instruction book, but quotes like this sometimes feel like they could be part of that manual and be words to live by. Xo, Michelle As summer approaches, I loathe cooking indoors most nights. Where we live the cost of electricity skyrockets from 5-8pm, and I am not about heating the house up just so we can run the A/C harder. Nope. Why even? Last year at the end of the summer sales, the BBQ I had been eyeing for 2 years went on sale and I convinced the Hubs that I had to have it so I could make it into my outdoor kitchen. You will find me cooking almost anything on that bad boy.. Pizzas lifted up with bricks, veggies from the garden, and even bacon for BLTs on the side burner when food just sounds terrible and temperatures max out at over 110° F Recently I have been craving red meat. The biggest craving has been for garlic-citrus marinated meat which just happens to be perfect because we are swimming in citrus between all of our trees. Ingredients-5 large garlic cloves - minced 1 lemon - zest removed, then cut in half and juiced 2 T soy sauce 1 1/2 EVOO 1 t Worcestershire sauce Fresh thyme Fresh oregano 1 t each salt and pepper Directions
If you have any patience at all, 24 hours is like a miracle for the flavor, but we all know I don't think ahead like that. A craving is a craving! Get in my mouth NOW! We like to pop the meat onto a scorching hot bbq, turn it way down low and pull it off when the digital probe thermometer yells at us that the internal temp has been reached. The USDA says that 145 °F (62.8 °C) and allowing to rest for at least 3 minutes is best. We like to go for a solid 140 °F and rest for 10 minutes under foil to let the juices redistribute. Did you try it? Let me know what you think!
Xo, Michelle This semester I started something new. I began tutoring in a group setting, not just for individuals. It was something I had participated in as a student while in the same class, so I knew the general format. Working with the Chemistry Department faculty, I helped students to continue their learning via worksheets which follow the curriculum carefully. There have been a few consistent students and others who pop in before an exam or quiz. Each session seems to start with me asking what they covered in the introductory lecture to be sure we are working with the proper materials, and then I take the temperature of each student's understanding. Often, participants feel lost and confused at the beginning, but when they leave for the day have built up confidence and knowledge. We all leave feeling like the past 2 hours were productive, and I often realize how much better even I grasp the materials after the session. To say that my confidence in the subject of chemistry has improved substantially would be an understatement. Recently I took my timecard to the supervising professor for her signature and was asked for my home address. I was confused but obliged. As I was writing, she explained that it was something necessary so that I could receive proper notice of an award for which she had nominated me and which I would be receiving in the coming weeks. I was dumbfounded and speechless. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I rarely have nothing to say. However, I became so overcome with humility, surprise, and emotion that only tears were surfacing. She proceeded, with the help of another Professor to explain that the award is an acknowledgment of not only my tutoring efforts but also because of the personal obstacles I have worked to overcome as I continue my education. Today, I received that award at a luncheon along with a scholarship to apply to future courses and materials. My photo was taken and will be posted for the next year as a leader in Chemistry at my school. I am still in disbelief that I have received this honor, but find myself seeing the future much brighter as I look ahead knowing that those students are joining me in this success and are the reason I enjoyed this semester so much. I’m grateful to have my solid support system who help keep me moving forward when I want to quit.
Xo, Michelle Are you kidding me with the quick and easy dinner? I mean honestly, this Pork Fried Rice literally takes less than 15 minutes to have on the table. If I have talked about my sweet Cantonese neighbor once I've talked about her a billion times. She is literally the best thing. Today she called and said "Hi Michelle, you want soup? Come over right now, okay?" and of course I had no idea what she had made, but I knew it would be delicious and almost forgot my shoes as I scurried out the door. She is 4'10" of fight and strength and kindness with a side of feeding anyone within 100 yards. She is also a giver. If she knit something cute, you are gonna take it with you, If she recently went to the store and happened to have extra bao, shumi, egg custards or other treats, my husband lucks out because I cannot eat them. Guess I can thank her though, cuz it sure does make him happy.. and you know what they say about happy husbands... nah, they still forget everything. So, when it comes to this meal, I have to hand it to her for the inspiration. She is forever handing me leftovers as I walk out the door, and on this occasion she asked if I wanted some char sui and rice as I was leaving. Tell me you would have said no! I DARE YOU! Now before you start going crazy about how char sui is made with soy sauce and therefore not gluten free, I understand that. But, perhaps my body is just crazy.. I have not once gotten sick from this dish. If you don't feel like its a good choice for you, please use a protein or vegetable that makes you feel more safe .. IngredientsSAUCE
If you cannot get your hands on char shui, you might try substituting shrimp, beef, leftover pork or even tofu. We happen to have quite the selection of Asian markets near my house, so it's not hard to stop by on my way home from school or work to grab any ingredients the neighbor didn't happen to pass along that day. Directions
I'm not gonna say that I am better at this than my neighbor, Lai.. that would be dumb! But I will say that my husband and I both agreed it was better than any take-out we had ever had. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think if you try it!
Xo, Michelle |
AuthorI'm Michelle, and I've got a full plate! As a full-time dietetics student, step-mom, wife, study coach, and tutor in my late 30's, some days I'm barely scraping by. But, no matter what is on my plate, it's always gluten free! Categories
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