Gym Time = Christmas Time?

Tonight it did! I stepped into the gym this evening, and was greeted with the wonderful smell of (let's see...how can I can describe this?) hot apple cider with a spicy cinnamon undertone. It immediately made me think of the holidays.

I really think they were piping it in through the ventilation system because as soon as I stepped out into the hallway, the smell was no longer there. All I can say is WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I had a new found level of motivation this evening on the elliptical. Okay, okay, the fact that I was watching Glee's Christmas special helped also.

All I know is that I am excited to go back to the gym tomorrow night so I can experience the giddy feeling again. Also, maybe I just thought of a new invention...scent gyms! Come on, you know you would love it :)

Then I come home to this...

Serious

Okay folks, my blog is going to take a different turn for a while. I am thinking maybe a year. I am going to focus on my large amount of weight loss. Instead of weight loss I am going to try to focus more on being healthy. I used to be really healthy in college, and I miss that. I miss looking like this...



I know some of you are laughing right now, thinking "WHAT is she wearing?" I know, I know, but this is my show choir dress from my senior year of high school. I loved this dress. I coveted this dress. I never thought I would be able to wear it, but I made it my goal to make that group. Sometimes I still can't believe I did it, but I did.

Starting today, it is my goal to look like this again. It isn't going to be easy. I am going to have to put myself out there, tell the truth...first to myself. I am going to have to put in the work, go to the gym, eat the right things. I am hoping that by keeping this blog, it will hold me accountable for my actions. Read with caution because I plan to be honest about how I am feeling. I am hoping though that I may inspire someone to join me in my healthy journey, or even start their own.

Let's see where this leads! :) I am thinking somewhere exciting!!!!

I think we should end with a little Broadway lyrics...Broadway lyrics all always appropriate:

Baby, my future's all planned
I've got some dreams to make true
I thought that you'd understand
It's time to get serious
Time to get serious

Weight Lost Thus Far: 0 Pounds

Mother's Day Edition

Okay, okay...I know it is a week later, but I figure that anytime is a good time to celebrate mothers. 

I have to say that I may seem a little bias, but my Mommy is the best. A few months ago, my company's newsletter asked for submissions from the employees about what woman inspires them, in order to celebrate Women's History Month. I already knew who I wanted to write about so I submitted the paragraph below. I mean every word of it.

Both of my parents are constant inspirations, but as it is Women’s History Month, I will focus the spotlight on my mother. There are so many things about her that inspire me, but it is her strength that stands out. During her battle with melanoma, she stayed remarkably positive, and she just celebrated 5 years cancer free last spring. Even though she beat this horrible disease, she deals with the treatment side effects on a daily basis; however, she always manages to have a smile on her face. She thinks of her scars as battle wounds. When she has a day where the pain gets really bad, she tries to remind herself that this pain is merely proof that she won the battle. When I am having a bad day, I remind myself to do what my mom does, try to turn it into a positive. To her I must say, “thank you for being an inspiration to everyone around you. I love you.” 

Some people think that Mother's Day is more of a greeting card holiday while others look at it as one day where they should be especially nice to the woman who raised them. I challenge everyone to make everyday Mother's Day because mothers make sacrifices we can't begin to imagine,not to mention they love us unconditionally.

I know, I know...I am super sappy. To cut through the stickiness, how about some hilarious pictures? Yeah, I thought you all might like that. Happy Mother's Day one week late to all the mothers out there.

She was so happy to have a girl! It was a total surprise since there was no way to tell the sex of a baby in advance at this time.

Six weeks after giving birth to me. This is at my Christening. How great is her outfit?! She looks AWESOME :)

You gotta love David cheesin' in this picture. Let's be honest, how cute am I?!

Family Dinner! In Williamsburg (?)

Would You Like a Spot of Tea?

In honor of a famous English couple's wedding later this week, I have decided to highlight an English dish. Some of you may know it as 'french toast', but the English call it 'eggy bread'. The twist is that my version lacks eggs. No milk either!

Some of you may know that I try my hardest to follow a vegan diet, but I tend to cheat sometimes. This vegan recipe is actually awesome, and it makes me want to stick with the program!

I forgot to take pictures throughout the preparation/cooking, but the end result reminded to take a photo because of how delicious it looked.

Let's take a closer look at that plate...

Did I mention how easy this is? Follow the simple recipe below. Enjoy! :)




Banana French Toast
Adapted from Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.


1/2 cup oat, almond, or nonfat soy milk (I used almond milk)
1 ripe banana, cut up
1 tablespoon of ground flax seed (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of ground nutmeg
5-7 slices of whole wheat/whole-grain bread

1.     Mix first five ingredients in a blender until smooth, then pour into shallow bowl.

2.     Dip both sides of bread in mixture.

3.     Cook on preheated nonstick griddle until brown on both sides, or on a nonstick baking sheet in a 400-degree oven, turning once, until golden on both sides.

Serve with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, maple syrup, or all of the above. For a drink pairing, try a glass of orange juice. For the adults, add a splash of Skinny Girl Margarita.

How to get back to high school

For those of you who do not know, one of the ways I relax is to turn on some of my favorite TV shows, especially ones with handsome men. Check out one of my favorites.

From time to time, I like to pretend I am back in high school. I know what you are thinking, but no I do not buy some of Milwaukee's Best, invite a few friends over, and turn up the jams. All I have to do is tune into ABC Family. While they are not known for their cutting edge, ground breaking shows, they are do have a few gems.  

My favorite has to be "Pretty Little Liars". I covet the main characters' fashion. For a group of four girls from a small town called Rosewood, they could easily fit in on the streets of Manhattan. However, the best part about this show is Erza Fitz, the oh-so-cute English teacher at the girls' school. Take a look. Come on girls, am I right? Isn't he dreamy? Doesn't he make you want to curl up on the couch with a soft blanket, and discuss the underlying themes of Macbeth?

I neglect to inform you that this show is currently on a hiatus, but I definitely recommend checking it out when the new season premieres on June 14 at 8:00 p.m.

Now for some entertainment in honor of Glee coming back this evening...a picture of me in my show choir from high school. Glee could be a blog of its own so I will save one of my favorite topics for a future post.

Welcome!

Welcome to Sara Spills! My name is Sara...obviously. The second part of my blog's name has two meanings:

1. I will be "spilling" my thoughts onto this blog
2. I literally spill all the time. Water, food, alcohol (yeah I am that girl) plus any other thing you can think of. My Mom keeps promising to get my shirt that says "I spill things". I will wear it proudly. 

I am not sure if this blog will have a consistent theme other then being awesome, but I hope you enjoy it. I promise entertainment.