Stressed to the Max

So the title says it all. I'm stressed to the max.

Work has been absolutely chaotic. I'm in the middle of one marketing plan and I'm making all of the preparations for the one next month. I finally wrapped up my August plan, but there are still a few pieces here and there that need to be taken care of. I'm planning a filming for next week, finishing up board letter materials (which are due Wednesday), and Trustee pieces (for the HUGE event on Friday).

Then there is school. I am in my second week of school and I feel in over my head. At least twice a day I question if grad school was the right step for my life right now. I've got so much reading and I'm struggling trying to have a social life, crossfit, and read.

Then there is home. I haven't planned my meals this week and I'm nervous that I won't be able to comply with my challenge rules. I did pretty well camping, but the work week is a different story. Mom is having surgery on Friday, which I'm trying not to stress about, but the trying isn't going to well. I am having a GIANT case of marriage envy.

Am I happy now? Yes I am, so why am I freaking out so much? I just feel lost. I believe I'm having a quarter-life crisis. Though I'm perfectly happy, I don't feel like I am where I am supposed to be in life. It is my past and my expectations that I need to let go of.

God is trying to teach  me something, I know it, but I'm really struggling right now.

I get daily devotional emails and Thursday's ended in the perfect prayer. The one I should be saying to myself at times like these.

Dear Lord, I am tired, and I can't figure things out. Please help me see Your part in this equation. Where my strength ends is where Your will begins. Help me, Lord, to look to You for my very next step. I will wait in calm expectation. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Whole Life Challenge Day 4

So, I am on Day 4 of my challenge. The sugar problem has been easier, but mainly because I planned all of my meals over the weekend and I don't have a bunch of options. All of the meals have been delicious so far, but I have really been wanting some junk food. Things that come to mind: nachos, beer, bacon cheese fries, margaritas, and chips & salsa. I've been trying to find recipes that may be similar to these things so I can trick myself into thinking I'm eating them.

I've been starting my day with a hard boiled egg, which has been a good protein start to my day. Today I added a green smoothie. It was delicious, but I could definitely feel the sugar rush from the fruit (not always a bad thing). For lunch, I've had chicken salad wrapped in butter lettuce. Very good and shockingly filling.

I have had two things that have become my favorite. One is the Mexican Rice Bowl mom made on Monday. I got the recipe from PaleOMG. It is delicious. You make the rice from cauliflower. And we ate it with our new favorite guacamole recipe. My other favorite is a banana with MeeNut Butter. This is such an awesome mid-afternoon snack.

I've ordered a few things that I'm looking forward to getting in the mail:

• Tessemae's Dressings
• I ordered the Lemon Garlic, Hot Hot Sauce, Cracked Pepper, and Zesty Ranch.
• I can't wait to try them.
• Coconut Wraps
• I'm very intrigued by how these are going to taste. 
• Tri-Tip
• I get to pick this up tomorrow! 

Now that I've finished dreaming of food, I need to read for school. I've been putting it off, but hopefully this coffee will help me stay awake!

New Challenge

Before I go into my new challenge, let me wrap up my old one. Last year my challenge to myself was to donate $100 every month to a different charity. Did I complete it? No, but I'm not upset about it. A little more than halfway through, I realized that I was doing it for the wrong reasons. I was doing it because I thought that is what I should do and I wanted people to see me doing something good. I also was hoping to find a charity to donate to monthly. I did that. It wasn't one of my bigger donations, but I was happy to find one that I felt deserved the monthly donation (not that the other ones don't, but this one really struck a cord).

Now, I donate to the Wounded Warrior Project on a monthly basis. I love what they do and I'm happy to be a part of their organization. I also love that they have a close affiliation with CrossFit. They have some gyms that are dedicated to wounded warriors and I think that is absolutely awesome.

So my new challenge. I have a few actually. 2013 has been a wonderful year so far. I started CrossFit, shot a gun for the first time, celebrated many occasions with family, started an MBA program, and now I am on an 8-week Whole Life Challenge.

The Whole Life Challenge drives you not only to change your eating, but your entire lifestyle. I cannot eat any processed food (if the ingredient doesn't come from my mom's kitchen, then I can't eat it (xanthan gum, artificial ingredients). I get extra points for daily mobility, workouts, supplements, and other lifestyle changes (more sleep, more water, etc.). I am really excited, but really nervous.

I can't have sugar either and sugar is in everything! It has been hard trying to figure out what to eat, but I think I've got a system down. Hopefully I can keep it up while camping this weekend.