Tri, Tri, Tri again.

I am officially off of all, yes ALL of my medications. I finally feel normal again!  I decided the best way to come off all of these chemicals (without too many withdrawals or side effects) is to counteract  them with some chemicals all on my own....ENDORPHINS!

I, Liz Erickson, will be participating in the August 18th "Triathamom". It's a sprint Triathlon consisting of three events; swim 400 meters, bike 12 miles, and run 5 kilometers. It's been about five weeks since I started my training and I feel amazing. Sometimes when I'm biking or running I keep thinking "what in the world am I getting myself into?" But, overall I'm happy I'm doing it. It's bringing me a huge sense of accomplishment that I've never thought I could have. It also helps me to think "you know, if I could do this...what else am I capable of doing?' the answer: just about anything!

Another good benefit of this training is my meal planning. Sometimes I'm so hungry, I can down an entire hamburger, and guilt is nowhere to be found. Half the time I've already burned off a good chunk of calories for the day so anything I eat after that doesn't really add up to anything. But (mostly) I just like to eat healthy now. Today I made this AMAZING quesadilla I threw together and it was so good! I also thought it was so pretty that I had to take a picture.

Here's the recipe:

2 white or wheat tortillas (I prefer wheat, but the picture shows white)

1 roma tomato diced

1 avocado diced

1/4 cup of black beans

1/2 cup of cheese

1/2 cup spinach

1 lime

salt to taste

Start browning one of the tortillas in a round pan. (Do this BEFORE chopping all of your veggies so it's perfectly brown by the time your ready to flip it. This will keep the spinach nice and crunchy). In a bowl mix tomatoes, avocado, black beans, lime, and salt. Spread the mixture on the tortilla in the pan. Add cheese. Once the cheese is almost melted, add the spinach. Cover with 2nd tortilla and flip. Brown the 2nd tortilla and you're done!

With the wonderful flavors a glass of raspberry limeade really added a nice summer touch.

For one quart:

1/2 cup lime juice (I used 1/4 cup of limeade juice and then 4 limes squeezed)

3 1/4 Cup cold water

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 mashed raspberries

Mix all ingredients until sugar is dissolved. Add ice. (You can add a sprig of mint if you're getting really fancy!)

Mmmmm. Don't these look amazing? Enjoy!

Bucket list

I made this booklet of all the things I want to accomplish in this life called "Cough Syrup is Yucky." Its a fun way of making a "bucket list".

With God (and willpower) all things are possible.

Sometimes I feel Facebook was created for the sole purpose of making me feel completely jealous. I don't know how many times I end up getting frustrated after looking at the wonderful things people are accomplishing: Getting married, having children, going on exciting adventures, getting promoted, falling in love, etc.

I decided I'm too focused on everyone else's accomplishments that I haven't really looked at my own. So, drum roll please, for a list of my accomplishments in the last few months.

* I painted 4 new paintings for a wedding that everyone loved.

* I am training for a triathlon and have managed to stick to my training schedule for a WHOLE WEEK! (A sprint triathlon is NOT an Ironman triathlon. It's 400 yd swim, 12.5 mile bike ride, and a 5K run.)

* I have decided to go off all of my anxiety and anti-everything medication because I want to kick this    thing with my own strength. (The withdrawals are not my favorite but, It's better than taking medication to treat side-effects for another medication.)

* I finished my 10th painting.

* I made a new friend.

* I found an athlete inside of me.

* I have been practicing a new piano piece and I'm getting really good at it (if I do say so myself).

* I have discovered the show The Big Bang Theory and fell in love with it.

* I flirted with a boy (believe you me, it's been a LONG time since I've flirted!)

* I discovered a new hairstyle that I absolutely love.

* I am slightly tanner now than I was in the winter time...slightly.

* I'm finding happiness inside of me and am realizing that I don't always have to be pretending to be happy for people to like me. 

* I'm becoming more confident.

* I was asked to be a "fashion expert" at a "beauty night" put on by my old ward. 

* I started my 11th painting.

Small accomplishments, yes, but they are leading to greater things. 

I also want to thank you for all of your prayers for my happiness and well-being because they are being answered. You have not knelt in vain!