{under construction}
It has been a while since my last post, but I promise there are good reasons for it! I've been planning a complete blog "overhaul" and it is taking a bit longer than expected. I figured that I should take time to re-evaluate why I write, what I enjoy writing, and what kinds of things I want to share with the world. I'm hoping to start posting on here again before the end of the summer. It has been difficult keeping my writing to myself for now, but I'm working on improving my craft and figuring out the best way to plan, and keep up with, a blog. If you get super bored this summer, check out all of my videos from the month I spent in Lithuania last summer - I promise you will learn something and find a little bit of entertainment! Check them out here. See you this fall!
Much love,
Ashleigh
health & nutrition: lunch ideas.
{super salad: one of my fave meals. spinach + other greens + any healthy topic you can think of. the more toppings the better :) in this salad I think we had strawberries, sprouted sunflower seeds, coleslaw, apples, black beans, and honey mustard dressing. I've made super salads with toppings like cucumbers, nectarine pieces, grapes, almonds, and other things. Be creative!}
{lettuce wraps: These are definitely not enough to fill you up at lunch, unless you eat a TON of them. Romaine lettuce + a mixture of [raw honey, all natural peanut butter, and sprouted sunflower seeds]. Spread mixture on lettuce, fold it over, and munch away.}
{Check back soon - more lunch ideas will be posted as I eat more lunches :) }
- Posted from Siloam Springs, AR
health & nutrition: breakfast ideas.
{steel cut oats [soaked in water overnight, in fridge] with applesauce and a smoothie*}
{night before: 1/4 cup oats + about 1/2 cup water. put it in the fridge.}
{the next morning, drain the excess water and add applesauce. pair with other fresh fruit or a smoothie!}
*I made a huge smoothie earlier this week, and put the leftovers in the fridge. {The fridge is MUCH better than putting them in the freezer.}
{muesli [soaked in water overnight] with blueberries and a bit of applesauce}
{if you are really daring you can take the above breakfast and add a bit of accounting class to it. yummmm.}
- Posted from Siloam Springs, AR
health & nutrition: an update.
Things are still going pretty well! I apologize for not posting more about it - I have learned so much and want to share it with you all! This week I am going to try to post some of the recipes I have tried (super simple and delicious). I am also going to take pictures of what I eat this week to give you some ideas for simple, healthy meals! AND I am hoping to have a few guest posts this week by some of my friends who have decided to eat this way - why they are doing it and how they feel. There is a lot to look forward to - I just have to get my rear in gear and get stuff posted :)
January 31, 2012.
It has been almost 2 weeks since my last post... which means that my whole "writing more" this year hasn't really gone over well for January. But, it is also why I am writing right now.
I am still going through that 12-week blog series by Jeff Goins. The one I just read today (week 6) is about building your list. The main thing he talks about is eBooks.
But that is actually really great, because just last night I found out about a really neat project that I get to help with this summer. I won't say a whole lot right now, but I will tell you that it involves a project to encourage and enable people to live healthier lives - not just today or this week, but for as long as they live. I'm so thrilled that I get to be a part of it. Anyways, a big part of that, as I see it, could be materials about living well - and we could use free eBooks to get people interested and maybe even sell some eBooks to make a little bit of money. Who knows! The greatest thing is that it is an idea with no lid - in other words, it can be as big and wide as we want it to be!
As for eating healthy - it is going really well. We had our nutrition class and we talked about the body and enzymes, where we get our food habits from, and then we made some salad dressings. We just dipped veggies into the first 2 dressings, and then we put the third one on a salad. I'll have to share some recipes soon! Hannah and I are still working out, and it is going pretty well. I have started reading more while I bike, so I haven't really set any lofty goals and started reaching them (in terms of how many miles, minutes, etc). I have got a lot of reading done, though, which is nice.
And the Bible study at CCF has started up again! We are doing an inductive study called "God's Love Alive in You" by Kay Arthur and David Lawson. Through this, we will study 1, 2, 3 John, James, and Philemon. We are still in 1 John and it is going really well. I love meeting with such a variety of women and hearing what they learned through the study. I am a little behind on reading this week, but I really plan on reading more consistently next week.
So here we are - the last day of the first month of 2012. January was a pretty good month - 2012 is going to be a great year!
PS - If you haven't ever heard of The Story or the CD that they made based off of it, PLEASE click this link and listen to the sample songs (and read about what The Story is). I seriously love this CD. Right now I have disc 1, number 8 stuck in my head. "At the end of the day, I want to hear people say, my heart looks like your heart, my heart looks like your heart..."
health & nutrition: eating to live.
Good news! Hannah and I are still getting up in the mornings to exercise! Go us!
(That is a lot of exclamation points. My journalism prof, Mr. Warner, would be disappointed.)
Last week I exercised Monday-Thursday, and today I have gone Monday-today (Thursday). This week I have been riding the stationary sit-down-ish bike and reading Eat to Live by Dr. Fuhrman. It really is an incredible book. If I saw it on a shelf, I probably wouldn't buy it. But through word of mouth (namely Jacob and his cousin Emily) I heard all the benefits of the book first. The book really takes time to explain WHY nutrient-dense foods are important, and it also explains a lot of the science behind processed foods that we eat and how and why they are bad for your body. Every page convinces me more and more that this is not only a "healthy choice" for my body, but something that is vital if I want to have a healthy body for the rest of my life. Unhealthy choices will eventually catch up to you, but thankfully I can derail those choices now and make this habit of eating healthy something I continue to do.
The book also references a lot of studies that have been done. I haven't done any cross-referencing of the studies yet, but in the text Dr. Fuhrman points out why the tests are reliable, but also he points out if there were any flaws in the testing so that you can keep that in mind while you read about it. I can be pretty skeptical of statistics and data, but I am not so skeptical of what is presented in this book. The past studies are explained well and are all referenced, so I could look them up on my own if I wanted.
As for recipes, I haven't really tried anything new yet. I have discovered that mixing all natural peanut butter and honey together is a really great topping for my gluten-free crackers. Yum.
{I don't tell you how much I have exercised so that you think you have to exercise that much, too. I tell you that because I am glad that I am making exercise a habit and something enjoyable, rather than something I dread. Also, I hope that you find encouragement that it really is possible to get up at 6am to go exercise. Right now my exercise isn't really intense, either, which is how I am able to go every day.}
health & nutrition: an emotional attachment to food.
I just created a page for my health & nutrition updates, which you can access over...
<-- there.
So far, things are going well. My roommate, Hannah, and I have been getting up early to go to the JBU gym and work out. I have been spending most of my time on a bike, and I've found that I exercise best when I have a goal to reach. Two days ago my goal was 5 miles in 25 minutes, and I made it! Today my goal was 5 miles in 22 minutes, and I made that one, too! I am going to stick with the 22 minute goal for a while, though, so that I can get more consistent with staying strong throughout the ride instead of going all out in the beginning and getting tired in the middle.
As for eating real foods, that is going well, too. Honestly, I do crave things, but that is normal. I mostly crave mac & cheese, cinnamon rolls, and diet vanilla coke. The odd thing is that, in the past, those are not things that I ate a ton of or ate all the time. But, I think I know why...
John, the nutritionist who teaches the class, said that women are/can be emotionally attached to things much easier than men, including food. For women, eating something really delicious is REALLY delicious, while for a man it might just be delicious. (I'm sure that some guys think some foods are SOOOOOOooooo good, but in general, the emotional attachment is more found in women.)
Today Jacob and I were talking and I mentioned the diet vanilla coke thing. Honestly, I have probably only had one (from Sonic!) in the last 6-9 months. When we were talking, I realized that I always think of my roommate from undergrad when I think of diet vanilla coke. Freshman year, Jordan (the said freshman year roomie!) and I would go to Sonic at least 3-4 times a week. And we always, without fail, ordered diet vanilla cokes. Always. So, not to get all emotional and reminiscent here, but when I think of diet vanilla coke I think of all of our fun, crazy trips to Sonic. Sure, Sonic is only like 3.49 minutes away from campus, but still. I picture us hanging out in our room watching a movie or singing or eating goldfish crackers (the ones "blasted" with ranch or cheddar were my FAVE)... and drinking diet vanilla coke. SO, there ya go...emotional attachment.
I can see emotional attachments with mac & cheese and cinnamon rolls, although they may not be quite as strong. Mac & cheese was something that I ate growing up. It also reminds me of my many years of babysitting...mac & cheese is the given, quick and easy meal, right? :) As for cinnamon rolls, I don't eat them too often, but when I go home to visit we usually have them a few times. And dad always makes them around Christmas - it is a tradition. We have them on Christmas morning - warm, gooey, delicious, homemade cinnamon rolls. Yum.
If you aren't hungry now, you must have just eaten a big bowl of romaine lettuce and an orange. Oh wait.... that is what I am doing!
(I haven't become very creative with my food yet...YET...but I will!)
I resolve to...
I resolve to bring to life my love for writing.
I resolve to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
I resolve to grow my relationship with Jesus.
{from dictionary.com}
There are 3 things I resolve to do in 2012. They are not just one-time goals or achievements, but true lifestyle changes. I have been toying with these ideas this past semester, so these are all things that I have been considering and thinking about quite often. I hope (and pray) that at the end of 2012 I can read this again and be proud of the way I incorporated these things into my life.
It just so happens that the three things I resolve to do fall under three categories: mind, body, and soul. (No, I didn’t come up with clever categories and then force a “resolution” to fit within it. It just happened.
Mind: I want to write more. In order to accomplish this I have started reading more and writing more (already). The first step I have taken to help me accomplish this goal was to sign up for Jeff Goins’ blogging class.
Body: I want to be healthier. In order to accomplish a having a healthier lifestyle, Jacob and I signed up for a 6-week nutrition class. The class will teach us better eating habits, and we will actually go shopping, make menus, and cook in class. I also plan to exercise, because I believe that goes hand-in-hand with being healthy overall.
Soul: I want to seriously grow my relationship with Jesus. The main tangible thing I plan to do with this is read my Bible, and read it often. I recently received the NIV Quest Study Bible, which is actually aimed toward new or seeking Christians, but I think it is an awesome resource. I believe that it will help me understand more passages of the Bible. I signed up to do another women’s Bible study at CCF, and I am really looking forward to it.
The following is more information on how I came up with these things, so feel free to read the details if you want…
Mind: Ever since I went to Catalyst in October and met several awesome bloggers and writers, I have had this growing desire to write more. Sometimes I don’t even know what I want to write, other times I have so many words in my head that I couldn’t type them out fast enough if I wanted to. I have started following all kinds of bloggers: missionary bloggers, mommy bloggers, writers, musicians, and business & faith bloggers. I am inspired by each honest, heartfelt word that I read. I am inspired by their stories and their knowledge. I am inspired by their search for truth. I am inspired that they take time to write and share.
I recently stumbled across Jeff Goins, most like via Twitter, and started reading his articles and blog posts. I was blown away by how encouraged I felt after reading what he wrote. I have found that there is a huge community of people who want to write and write well. Jeff always calls his readers to action, which is so neat! Because of something he said in one of his weekly newsletters, I emailed him. And he responded! He told me about a free 12-week online course on blogging that he had written, and so I just signed up. Each week I will get an email with information and encouragement and a call to action. I hope that this will hold me more accountable to blogging, and to writing in general.
Body: As you probably know, Jacob is HUGE into biking. Because of this, I, too, have gotten into mountain biking (about .05% of what Jacob is, but still…). Lately I have been trying to exercise but don’t have the endurance to keep it up for more than a week. Since working in an office this semester, I also find myself snacking throughout the day instead of eating a solid breakfast and a solid lunch. Jacob works with a nutritionist at the bike shop who teaches a class on nutrition and eating “real foods”. Everything he teaches is based on science and the Levitical practices from the Bible. Jacob and I are really looking forward to taking the class. Honestly, I’m a little nervous because I know it will be a huge lifestyle change, but I’m ready for the challenge. I am really thankful that Jacob is in the class, too, so that we can go through this together. I think that will help me stay motivated and encouraged throughout the class, and into the rest of the year.
And yes, I would like to exercise more. I’m hoping that this will come a little bit easier with the nutrition class and eating healthier. I want to exercise for myself because I know that the habits I make now are going to carry on with me for a long time.
Soul: I have a lot of ways that I plan on making my relationship with Jesus more of a lifestyle than just a ‘thing’. I’m doing a woman’s Bible study at CCF again this semester, and I’m really looking forward to it. Last semester I kind of fell out of it toward the end, but I am going to strive to be there every Wednesday this semester. The ladies in it are so encouraging and I have so much to learn from them. I truly feel inspired every time I leave Bible study with them. I want to learn more about the Bible and the people who God inspired to write it. This will make the Bible come alive as I read it, and it will help me know where to go when my high school Sunday school girls ask me questions.
I resolve to bring to life my love for writing.
I resolve to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
I resolve to grow my relationship with Jesus.
What do you resolve to do this year? How will you change yourself for the better? Leave your thoughts or own resolutions in the comments section below.
looking back on 2011...
A lot happened in 2011, the three main things being: I graduated from JBU, went to Lithuania for a month, and started grad school at JBU. I was so blessed this past year, and I know that it was by God's grace and a lot of hard work that I made it through this year. I am thankful for my family and friends that I experienced life with this past year, and I look forward to what we will get ourselves into this coming year. {Side note: this is a very link-heavy post! Enjoy!}
I experienced the dangers of wheelchairs because my friend, Hannah, was on crutches/in a wheelchair from January til forever (aka April...I think...) // I started raising money for my trip to Lithuania // With my Passion group I read through the Purpose Driven Life // Franklin Graham spoke in JBU chapel // Went to JBU's 'Next Big Thing' and saw Floor Plan perform // I started doing a lot more arts and crafts, which was so fun! {Photos above are of me making coasters}
I kept doing more arts and crafts projects // I felt God's blessings in so many areas of my life // I hung out with Jacob and his engineering friends // Jacob and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary! // I met Blake Mycoskie {left photo above} // Me, Jacob, Gabo, Glenna, Cody went thrifting and hung out {middle photo above} // Northwest Arkansas got a TON of snow {right photo above} and we were snowed in for a few days
I went thrifting often to find new goodies for DIY projects // I posted a DIY about the shirt I wore when I met Blake Mycoskie // I went to NC with Jacob to visit his family for spring break {photo above} // Jacob, his fam, and I went to Charleston, SC for part of spring break
The biggest event from April was the Junior-Senior Banquet that Student Government hosts every year {left and middle photos above} // We had a Lithuania lunch meeting and talked about our trip {right photo - we had flight itineraries in hand!} // I received a sweet journal from my friend Joel Martinez // It rained a TON and we pretty much had a flood on campus // I spent time preparing for graduation, my summer in Lithuania, and starting grad school in the fall
I had a graduation open house at the Onnen's the night before graduation // I graduated! {left photo - Jordan's family and my family} and wrote two blog posts about it - one and two // A week later Reagan and Chad got married! {right photo} // It was a whirlwind month: From AR to OK for Reagan's wedding, back to AR to pack up, mom flew in, we drove to MI // I started preparing more for my trip to Lithuania // I blogged about Joplin, MO // I took a trip to the farm with Abbie and her kindergarten class
In honor of Father's Day I started an 8-part series of letters that my dad wrote me before each semester of college {read the last letter, and find links to all other letters, here} // I discovered that I love baking lemonade cupcakes {recipe one, recipe two} // I went to a Detroit Tigers baseball game with my friend Jessica {top left picture} // I had another graduation party in MI {top right photo - grandpa, me, grandma} // On June 25 we left for Lithuania to teach English for a month!
Hannah and I kept a separate blog for our trip. Check out the blog here. We also kept a vlog, which will provide hours and hours and hours of entertainment. You can find my youtube channel here. {It will make the most sense if you start at the first video and watch all 88 videos that we took in Lithuania :) } I also kept up a blog while I was there so students could check upcoming events and share photos with their friends and family. You can check out that blog here.
All but 6 days of July were spent in Lithuania! We had such a wonderful time. Like I said for June, you can check out our blog and vlogs to better understand our experience. {left photo - Hannah and I on 4th of July, which was also the day students started classes; middle photo - buildings in downtown Klaipeda; right photo - me with a cake some of the students gave me on my birthday}
Hannah and I moved in to our house // I started grad school {far left photo - me heading to orientation} // I started my job as a Graduate Assistant for the Business Division // I helped with a lot of "beginning of the year" things, like making a billion cupcakes {center photo above} for the freshman/faculty meet and greet for business majors // Hannah and I snuck into "Big Games", an event for freshmen where they play a ton of hilarious, messy games. Yes, I got a bunch of people to believe I was a freshman. {right photo}
I participated in '30 in 30' // I found out that I had an opportunity to go to CATALYST in October // Jacob and I went mountain biking a lot {left photo} // I released pink balloons for Eisley
I went to Catalyst where I met Francis Chan, Jamie (the Very Worst Missionary) and her husband Steve {top left photo} // I also met Carlos Whittaker outside of the greenroom (backstage, baybee!!!), although I didn't realize how awesome he was until I got home and read his blog {to remember him I tweeted "Note to self: check out ragamuffinsoul.com"} // I wrote a ton of blog posts about my experience and notes from Catalyst {Andy Stanley was amazing!} // Jacob and I made a surprise trip home and we got to see Ben play football {top right picture} and dad finish a half marathon {bottom left picture} // Jacob got 2nd place in the Downhilloween race in Tulsa {bottom right picture}
I also started using Twitter a lot more often, and used it to meet up with Jamie the VWM at Catalyst and to remind myself to check out Carlos' blog:
I went to the annual JBU TP game // my "little" brother turned 18 // my friends and I cheered on Brittany with a HUGE sign at her first basketball game {left photo} // Jacob and I walked around the Bentonville square to see all the lights {middle photo} // Jacob and I went to NC and VA for Thanksgiving break - All 38 members of his dad's immediate family were present, and I met them all! {okay, okay, I knew a few of them already} - We had a great time! {right photo - taken by Jacob's photographer sister, Jennifer}
My mom turned 50 // I finished my second grad school class // Jacob took me to Crystal Bridges {two photos above were taken on the trail leading to the museum}
{I couldn't decide on just a few photos for December, so the following is also for this past month!}
Well, there you have it - my year in just a few photos and a few {or many} words. I should probably go back and edit this post before publishing, but I have literally been working on it for hours so I'm ready to publish!
Did you write a 'year in review' post? If so, post the link in the comments section below!
December 31, 2011
Here it is: Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 4:53pm.
And I haven't even started my "year in review" blog post yet.
So... instead of rushing to do it before heading off to celebrate the New Year with friends and family, I figured it could wait. (Yikes, wait for the year review? Yes.)
And instead of just reviewing MY year, I want to share with you some of my favorite people/bloggers/artists from this year. Oh, and I want to tell you about the things that I resolve to do in 2012.
Instead of trying to madly type that out now, in one long post, I am going to spend the first week of January sharing a series of posts about those things. This week you can look forward to reading about my year in review, the things I resolve to do this year, people who influenced me this past year, my top blog posts from this past year, and what I have been up to this Christmas break.
If this just doesn't fit your fancy, you can read my 2010 year in review here.
Happy New Year!
