what it's really all about

I've been MIA for a while here.  The largest reason has been because I have been trying to decide what this blog is to me and what I want it to become.  The other large reason...we moved, started new jobs, did a lot of renovating, traveling, and did I say started new jobs?  The last year has been a truly great one.  I love my job and finally feel like I'm in a real groove.

Over the last year, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the blog, but no actual blogging.  Which is unfortunate, because I designed this blog to be a place where I could hold myself accountable for living a healthy lifestyle.  I have kept a large part of my journey towards health very close to my heart.  I've never talked about it on here and would go as far as to say that many of my friends and some family might not even have a clue what I've been going through.

The last few years of my life have been challenging.  I love my husband, family, friends, and of course Hazel, but unfortunately, my health has hindered my full potential for some time now.  I've told you that I'm insulin resistant, but the truth of the matter is finding out that I was insulin resistant was the end of a very long road.

In March of 2011, I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri.  Meaning--my brain thought I had a brain tumor.  Crazy right?  There is no real rhyme or reason for it.  I was blacking out for several seconds when I would stand up from sitting or lying down.  Many times a day, I experienced extreme headache pains that medicine was not helping.  An eye doctor made me aware of my intracranial pressure and partial vision loss.  I immediately saw a neurologist for a spinal tap.

I wish I could say that the spinal tap fixed all of my problems.  It did restore my vision.  For the next year, I was unusually tired, sleeping all of the time.  I gained weight with no real lifestyle changes.  The medication I was taking for my intracranial pressure is powerful and had nauseating side effects.  I was gaining weight, and was unable to lose it.  It was frustrating.  I tried so many different weight-loss programs and dieting plans--nothing was working.  It was disheartening and wore on me emotionally.

In January of 2012, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS.  Suddenly, all of my medical issues made sense!  Gaining weight and not being able to lose it? PCOS.  Unusual tiredness? PCOS.  Anxiety and depression? PCOS.  The answer was simple,-- medication, diet, and exercise.  Once I discovered I had PCOS, I was recommended to see an endocrinologist.  She has been absolutely wonderful.  She informed me that I was insulin resistant (pre-diabetic.)  Again, the answer was simple, -- medication, diet, and exercise.   

For so long my pseudotumor cerebri, PCOS, and insulin resistance were the cause of my unhappiness.  Even with medication, diet, and exercise, I haven't always seen results.  I have still had moments of weakness (my poor husband and parents!).  For a while I was really angry about it.  Constantly asking God, why me?  Why do I have to deal with this?  Why do I have to think about everything I do and eat all the time in relation to my health?

I finally got my answer from God.... He simply said, "You don't."  And He's right.

He's already overcome it.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you many have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I have finally come to see the purpose in it all.  Fortunately, my medical issues do not define me.  They are not who I am, and they are not who I have to be.  There has been a much bigger purpose laid on my heart, and I intend to pursue it.

Hopefully there are some people out there that can identify with all of this.  Of course I've never been alone in all of this, I have a great support system!  But I’m finally in a place where I can choose joy every single day.  I will continue to fight these difficulties, and there will still be hard times, but I’m going to be doing it from a place of joy.  I will no longer allow these struggles to rob me of my joyfulness.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

One Year

I'm excited to be back at blogging.  It's been exactly one year since I posted here.  There are a lot of reasons I took a year off, and it wasn't entirely planned.  I would love to tell you more about that, but not just yet.  I made a list of the top ten things that happened this year.

1. Today is our 3rd anniversary!  Woohoo!  I love you David!

2. It's almost been a year since we MOVED!  It was a LONG process due to many different life changing events happening at once, but we finally finished!

3. I started a new job!  This year I made a huge transition, high school teacher to middle school teacher.  There are things I love about both, but the world of 8th grade social studies stuck to me like glue, and I loved it.  And those sweet adorable kids.

4. Husband passed the bar!! Woohoo, real lawyer status!  He also started a new job.

5. Husband and I did a lot of renovations on my grandma's house.  It took a lot of energy and time, but we got it done!  We also revisited the last four decades through wallpaper, it was an adventure.

6. We went to a lot of UGA games... GO DAWGS!

7. Husband and I bought a truck!  Merry Christmas to David!

8. We took a couple vacations this year.  We took our new truck on a winter vacay to Asheville.  It was a much needed and refreshing break.  And at the end of the school year, we went to St. Simons for a few days for some sunshine!

9. I went to Washington, D.C. with my parents for my spring break!  We had a great time!  We did a lot of walking, taking in the monuments. David and I are headed back later this summer.  We have had a lot of fun planning our trip, now we are just ready for it to get here!

10. I joined a special new little family called OrangeTheory Fitness, and it has been an awesome new beginning.  More on that another time!

I hope you will continue following my at SimplyIndecisive.  I look forward to sharing some new things to you!

baked buffalo wings

Today is David and I's two year wedding anniversary!  It has been an amazing two years married to my best friend.  We are looking forward to many more!  Our wedding was everything I could have ever wanted.  I have been looking back at all the pictures lately.  Such fun memories!

When I started dating David, I discovered the world of hot sauce.  I never knew it could be put on or added to so many different meals.  However, in a deal I made with him, I am supposed to try all things at least once.  I really have begun to love buffalo flavored dishes.  When we go to order wings, I always want buffalo, but I have to ask the question "are they breaded?"  And let me just tell you, ten out of ten times, the answer is yes.

 Well now I can tell you from personal experience, baked buffalo wings are just as good as, AND better than breaded buffalo wings!  Yes, they are amazing, and they have the husband's seal of approval!  These wings are an easy and fast dinner.

 Baked Buffalo Wings

2 1/2 lbs of chicken wings

3/4 cup of Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 425F.  Spread wings out on a greased baking sheet.  Lightly season them with kosher salt and ground pepper.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Then switch your oven to broil for about 5-6 minutes.  Flip the wings, and continue to broil for another 5-6 minutes.  When the wings look crispy, remove them from the oven.  Toss them in buffalo sauce and serve hot!

Happy Anniversary David!

planner love: help me choose!

It's that time of year again when I unnecessarily stress myself out attempting to choose my new planner for the next year!  I feel so conflicted.  There are so many positives and negatives about them all.  So I have collected my top 5 choices.  Below you can see a little bit more about them, and then take my poll at the bottom of the post!  Please help me figure out what to do!

1. Plum Paper Designs

I love all of the options that come with a Plum Paper agenda.  It can be personalized in so many ways.  There is plenty of room for all of my to-do lists.  You also have the option of adding notes pages and student check-lists!  I'm looking at getting a Family Planner and customizing the tabs.  As well as adding the additional notes and check-lists!

2. Erin Condren

Of course I've always wanted an Erin Condren.  It too has many personalization options, and is extremely helpful in just organizing life!  However, they are usually pricey.

3. Whitney English

What can I say, her Day Designers gorgeous!  In the front there are several pages to help you organize your plans and goals.  It also includes many lists.  Unfortunately, it does not include personalization's options.  It also has a breakdown of your day hour-by-hour.

4. Lilly Pulitzer

I have had a beautiful Lilly agenda before.  The huge positive is how beautiful these agendas are! If I choose a Lilly, I am between these two covers.  There is a lot of room to write inside and make your own lists.  However, it also does not include personalization options.

5. May Designs

I have always wanted a May Design!  Maybe not necessarily the agenda though.  They offer so many different options: meal plans, lesson plans, notebooks, etc.  I love the ability to personalize the cover and make it your own.  I saw another co-worker with one of these agendas last year, and it was adorable.

--

This is when my blog's title becomes really telling right?  I do have a hard time making decisions.  That is why I need a little help from you!  If you wouldn't mind, let me know what you think?  Or just leave a comment!

What planner should Courtney choose?

1. Plum Paper Designs

2. Erin Condren

3. Whitney English

4. Lilly Pulitzer

5. May Designs

Other

Please Specify:

Poll Maker

baked garlic parmesan wings

About once every other week, David and I get a box of baked wings from Publix.  We are partial to the mardi gras flavor, but settle for lemon pepper when they are low on our favorite.  Every time I want to order wings, I ask if they are breaded.  You would not believe how often wings are breaded, and you don't realize it.

 I told David that I was going to make my own wings, but I would need his help.  I was unsure of what kind of chicken legs to buy and how to cut them up.  He guided me through the grocery store and taught me how to butcher them at home.

 Then he went back to studying for the bar.  When he opened the door of his office, I could tell he was impressed with my mission to bake my own wings.  It smelled amazing in our home.  And these wings are delicious.  They are so good, I almost immediately made another batch of them to ensure we would have leftovers.  Seriously, these are amazing!

 Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings

2 1/2 lbs of chicken wings

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp rosemary

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp kosher salt

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp seasoning salt

Preheat your oven to 425F.  Mix oregano, rosemary, cumin, and salt in a bowl.  Toss your chicken wings in the seasoning bowl, then place on a greased baking sheet.  Bake the wings for 25 minutes.  Then turn your oven to broil for about 5 minutes.  Flip the wings and allow them to continue to broil for 5 more minutes.  Until both sides are crispy.

While the wings are baking, mix the remaining ingredients together.  When the wings finished, toss them in the remaining mixture and serve hot.

 I know you will love these as much as we did!  There is no reason to go back to Publix for wings anymore when I can bake some at home that are better!  I also served this salad with them.

Let me know what you think!

my love for fitbit

My newest obsession, Fitbit.  I love it so much--I even looked into trying to work for them.  Unfortunately, they are totally based out of San Francisico, and I can't move there, at least right now :)  Recently, more than ever, I see people wearing them everywhere!  They are quickly becoming a trend.  Time Magazine said, "Fitbit makes getting in shape as addictive as checking Facebook and Twitter."  Here's why:

I have a Fitbit Flex.  I use a free app and online dashboard to track my progress.  It quickly became the most viewed app on my phone.  My Fitbit tracks my steps, calories (output), activity, and sleep.  My goal is to take at least 10,000 steps and five miles a day.  Other than my recent bout with a strep throat, it's been a very attainable goal!  It really opened my eyes to how much I move.  Below you will see one of my best days yet (and a view at the app)!

I am probably one of the most competitive people in the world.  Most people don't even know I'm competing with them, but in my mind, it's going in all the time.  On the Fitbit app, I have friends.  As each day passes the leader board changes.  It carries a running total of everyone's last seven days of steps.  There have been days when I've looked at that board and either worked out, run, or walked more, just to get in the lead.  It has motivated me to move and workout so much more!  I love being able to view my progress!

Another wonderful feature of the app is that you can track the food you eat and you water intake.  I have a great memory, it's just short.  My goal is to drink half of my body weight in water a day and the app makes it really easy for me to keep up with and remember how much I have had!  Lastly, it will also track your sleep at night.  Telling you how many times you are restless, wake up, and how you slept in general.  Really eye opening to me!

Overall, I have had great success with my Fitbit.   I just had to share how much I LOVE it.  And if you would like to get one too, here are a few places you can buy one.  All I ask is that you add me to your friend list :)

Fitbit Official Store
Amazon
Target

I was not contacted by Fitbit to comment or review the Fitbit Flex.  I just have an overwhelming desire to share something life-changing with you :) 

i'm back with black bean hummus!

It's been awhile, but I'm back!  Over the last few months, I've been a little overwhelmed.  However, I can officially say that I'm leaving the high school I've been at for the last three years.  It is definitely bittersweet, but I'm moving onto middle school--eighth grade to be exact!

 

David graduated law school in May.  He was the student speaker at graduation, and did an amazing job!  In other exciting news, David and I are moving to Atlanta towards the end of the summer!  So many big changes, but we are very excited!

As you can see, we have had a lot going on!

With so much going on lately, we've been sticking to the regular rotation of our staple dinners and snacks.  But now that summer is here, I have a little bit more free time to work in the kitchen!  Recently, I had some Eat Well Embrace Life Sweet and Spicy Black Bean Hummus.  I loved it! 

So I set out to make my own version.  I love homemade hummus so much more than store bought.  It turned out to be great!  Typically, hummus recipes call for tahini (roasted sesame seed paste).  I am not a fan of the taste, so I leave it out, and I don't miss it!

Black Bean Hummus

1 (15oz) can black beans, drained

1 (15oz) can chickpeas, drained

2 cloves minced garlic

1 lime, squeezed

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

2 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Optional: Add a diced jalapeno.

Place all of the ingredients into a food processor and puree.

Slowly add additional chili powder for more heat if desired.

ENJOY :)

Low Carb Love!

The trees are finally blossoming outside my window, and the weather has been perfect for almost a whole week!  Hazel and I have spent a lot of time outside this weekend.  This particular weekend has been long, relaxing, and refreshing.

 The other day, my phone informed me that I had hit capacity in my photo albums.  I told David this, and he was shocked at how many picture I had.  To which I replied, "It isn't normal to take 10-15 pictures of your dog a day?"  To say I'm obsessed with my precious puppy, would be an understatement.  Below is the precious face she made at me that got her an afternoon walk :)

 I've mentioned another obsession of mine of the blog before, and that is any/ALL of Gina's recipes at Skinnytaste!  In fact, I have attempted to pre-order her cookbook, which I'm pretty sure hasn't even started printing yet!  As soon as she posted this recipe for Cauliflower "Fried" Rice, I knew I had to try it!  I did not vary from her recipe at all, and it turned out perfectly!  Below of some pictures of my final product.  Follow the link above for the recipe!

 To me, it tasted just like fried rice.  Now, I do love me some cauliflower, but I thought all of the flavors came together perfectly to hide it's taste.

 I can't wait to try some other "rice" recipes.  This is low carb love at it's finest!

What else do you do with cauliflower?

Have an amazing week!

Making a Home Pt. 1

Home is where the heart is right?  I agree.  Anywhere I'm with family, I'm at home.  However, there is something to be said for making your living space, homey and comfortable.  Ever since Pinterest came to be, I've been pinning my ideas for my future home onto several boards.  Bold bedrooms, kitchens, my personal space, man caves, kids rooms, backyards, porches, playrooms, family rooms-- I mean, you name it and I've pinned it!

We've been apartment living for sometime now.  When we got married, we knew we would be in this apartment for at least 2 years--not knowing where we would really end up after David finished law school.  We have the perfect amount of space for the two of us and Hazel.  And what I've really learned is how to embrace apartment life and make it a home.  Especially in the spaces of an apartment that are often overlooked.

With the fall, spring, and summer seasons rolling by, we have discovered how much we love our porch.  And we have definitely made the most of it.  Last year, while I was away on a trip with my grandma and mom, David surprised me by decorating our porch!  When I got home, he had repainted some of his grandparents rocking chairs, bought a small table, and hanging baskets.  We ate dinner on the porch that night and had the best time.  Over the next two weeks, we bought and painted pots for even more flowers.

Now that the weather is finally nice again, we are back outside.  We got a couple hanging baskets and flowers this weekend.  And we've been outside almost every second since!  It is the perfect place to read, talk, relax, and enjoy Saturday morning breakfasts together.  Plus Hazel really enjoys the outdoor family time :)

What are some ways that you make your house a home?

almond crusted chicken

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted!  In the last month, tennis season started up, and I got a stomach bug.  It's been very eventful but has also kept me from branching out in the kitchen.  We've been eating lots of rotisserie chickens and frozen veggies lately.  We were both so busy last week, neither of us felt like going out for our standing Friday night date.  So I decided to cook something new!

Whenever we visit my parents, we usually eat at West Cobb Diner.  It popped up after I left high school, but it has become a staple in Kennesaw.  My favorite thing on the menu is Pecan Crusted Porkchops with blueberry chutney.  I always try to get someone at the table to split it with me.  It really got me thinking about using ground nuts as a coating in my cooking.  And as I've mentioned before, my first love is chicken fingers.  So it got me thinking that there had to be a way to combine these two things!

I googled many recipes and eventually pieced together my own.  It turned out to be amazing.  This recipe is 100% EASY!

Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders

Serves 4

2 lb chicken tenders

1 egg white, beaten

1 1/2 cup almonds, crushed/ground

1/2 flax meal

2 tbsp Parmesan, grated (more or less optional)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Preheat your oven at 350.  In a small bowl, beat the egg white.  In another bowl, mix all dry ingredients well.  Take chicken tenders, lightly brush in beaten egg and coat in dry mixture well.  Place them in a glass baking dish, covered in alumnium and sprayed with Pam.

Bake for 40 minutes and enjoy!

Chicken Soup

The weather has definitely messed with me! What about you? Everyone at school (kids and teachers) has been coming down with a nasty flu-like cold.  I thought I had kept myself healthy and free of it, and I was even bragging that I hadn't caught it! Which was probably my mistake!  It hit me like a ton of bricks Wednesday morning.  I have truly done nothing but go to work, coach, and sleep.  I needed this weekend badly!  Fortunately, I have my trusty sidekick to keep me warm as I get some work accomplished!

I have been eating soup for supper since I got sick, and there is truly nothing better than a good chicken soup!  I turned my nose up to it for so long.  My mama would always recommend it at our local La Parillia (only the best Mexican in all of Kennesaw and maybe the world). I finally tried it out around Thanksgiving, and I have never looked back! My life was seriously changed.  Moms are always right aren't they? After I made it the first time, David requested I put it on our regular rotation!  So I must have done something right!

I promise this soup will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  It is perfect for all seasons because of its flavor and warmth!

Chicken Soup

4 cups chicken, shredded

1 large tomato, diced

1 can Hunt's fire roasted tomatoes, diced

1 1/2 cups green onions

1/2 of a zucchini, very thinly sliced

1 tsp garlic

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2-48oz boxes chicken broth, fat free

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

2 tbsp olive oil

Avocados

Limes

Boil a few chicken breasts for about 20-25 minutes until cooked through.  While the chicken is cooking, warm up the olive oil.  Stir in the green onions and garlic, and sauté for a few minutes.  Then stir in all tomatoes, zucchini, cumin, salt, and pepper and allow them to soften for a few more minutes. Pour chicken broth in and bring to a boil.  Then simmer for 20 minutes.

Once the chicken has finished boiling, shredd it.  Put it in the bottom of the bowls you will be serving.  Then add cilantro and diced avocado to you liking.  Pour soup over the top and ENJOY!!

Cinnamon Nut Bars

Snow Jam 2014 did not affect us the same way it did Atlanta, but we did get about 2 inches of snow that was perfect for playing! It was Hazel's first snow, and she loved it!  So before I get to my newest yummy treat, here are some of my favorite pictures from the Athens, GA version of Snow Jam. 

To say that Hazel loved the snow would be an understatement! At first it was too cold for her to play, but once she warmed up, there was no stopping the fun!  I've been enjoying a couple snow days at home, which has given me the perfect opportunity to try something new! I have spent lots of time on the meal replacement bar isle in the grocery store.  To be honest, no bar is perfect.  They either have too much fat, calories, or sugar.  While many of them claim to be all protein, they have a lot of other things hidden in them.  

My favorite kind of meal replacement/snack bars are nut bars.  To make some of my own, I pulled together every type of nut and seed in my house, tossed them in a bag with some cinnamon and Splenda, and magic happened!  My snack bars turned out so good, David requested I never buy bars from the store again!  These are so easy to make and you can mix up the flavors with new ingredients every time you make them!  Below, I give my recipe and list some alternative ingredients in case you flavor palette is different from mine.

Cinnamon Nut Bars

1 cup crushed roasted almonds, no salt

1 cup roasted peanuts, no salt

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup flax seeds

1/4 cup rolled oats, plain

1/2 cup pecans

2 tbsp cinnamon

2 tbsp Splenda (or your favorite sweetener)

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup honey

Dash of vanilla

Optional:

Dried fruit

Chocolate pieces

Sunflower seeds

Walnuts

Macadamia Nuts

Flaked coconut

Preheat your oven to 350.  Mix all the dry ingredients together, then add honey and vanilla.  Mix well with a rubber spatula to ensure the honey and vanilla coat all the ingredients. Once combined, pour the mixture out on parchment paper and firmly press it down to form a large rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Once it has finished baking, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. The large bar may seem a little soft when it first comes out, but allowing it to cool will make it firm.  Once it has cooled, cut the large bar down the center through the length of the bar. Then, cut each section at 1.5 inch intervals to form individual bars. Each bar should be about 5 x 1.5 inches. Enjoy!