Monday Motivation

Mondays can be hard to get motivated. The weekend of freedom is over and it is the start to a new work week. In other words, it is back to the daily grind!

Today's motivation is the Monday Life!
This organization raises money for Children's hospitals. Their mission is to bring the best healing environments to every hospitalized child on the planet.
Some common ways they get involved are pet therapy, music therapy, massage therapy, art therapy, technology, art, light, and color! They really strive to enhance the hospital atmosphere for these children, making every day, even the hard ones, a bit more enjoyable.

We can totally take lessons from their cause. Not only to make the most of what we have, finding the good things in every hard day, but enjoying the ride we call life. More importantly, we can feel great by giving back to a good cause, and knowing that we have helped a child's life be that much better!


The Monday Life recently quoted this on their twitter:

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."

I find this statement very powerful and motivating. No matter what today brings, you have a gift that you can share with others. Find your purpose in each day! I find the more you give to others, the more you actually receive in the end. Embrace your gift, then give it away!


To learn more about the Monday Life and how to get involved:
Check them out online: http://www.themondaylife.org/
And on twitter: @themondaylife
Something as small as $1 every Monday can make a huge difference!

FOOD FRIDAY- Baked Oatmeal

Here is the first of many food posts! I love trying new things in the kitchen and fueling my body right! I have posted a few of my creations in the past, so I wanted to share my newest one, along with the recipe!

A lot of the times, I get into a routine in the morning for breakfast, and I constantly make the same thing. I must say that I tend to find what works, and stick with that. I tried making baked oatmeal a few weeks ago, and I am a big fan! So now I just make a batch for the week and eat it along with my Ezekiel bread and eggs for breakfast!

What is your favorite breakfast fuel? How much do you mix it up? Or do you just keep it the same?

Baked Oatmeal
Prep time: 10 min.    Cook time: 40 min.     Total time: 50 min.
Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup of milk (I use unsweetened Almond Milk)
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey (optional)
1 whole green apple chopped into small pieces
1/2 banana chopped into small pieces
(you can choose to add whatever fruit you want!)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8x8 baking dish.
2. Mix oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Beat in milk, butter, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and honey. Then add in fruit.
3. Bake in over for 40 minutes.
4. Eat and enjoy!

Let me know if you try this, or add any variations!! Send pictures and reviews, as well!

The dream lives on....

My last post was before the World Cup, and a lot has happened since then!!

A huge thank you to everyone who followed and supported us during one of the most exciting tournaments I have played in to date!! USA Field Hockey definitely made some waves in the field hockey community and it is only just the beginning. We are very proud of our overall performance, but we know it is just the start of something greater to come!! (We won our pool of 6 undefeated, putting us into the Semifinals vs. Australia, but fell in penalty shoot-out, and lost 2-1 to Argentina in the 3/4 game). It took a little time away before understanding just how great a 4th place finish really was in the grand scheme of things. We went into the World Cup ranked 10th, and after a disappointing finish at our last major tournament (the Olympics), this is was a huge step for our program. It was difficult to make the semifinals and not come home with a medal of any color, but I know it is just going to give our team more motivation going forward. It really is only the beginning for us! I hope you keep following us and supporting us; it should be a fun ride!

We are back training in Lancaster, PA after a bit of time off to recover from a very strenuous build up to the World Cup. It was nice to have a break and finally get some quality time with my family, friends, and my dog! :)

Now that we are back in training, we are focusing on continuing to push the tempo of the game and our consistency at the top level. Our next competition is in New Zealand in October, and we are excited to get back into games, with a few new players and a few others in new positions. Also, it will be interesting to see how the game changes with the replacement of two 35 minute halves to four 15 minute quarters. I think the tempo will be much higher with the added breaks, as well as the reduction of total time in the game. It should be fun and exciting! Our sport is one of the few where rules are in constant change. Field hockey is constantly adapting and evolving, and it is fun to be a part of a team who looks to define the game going forward.


I also wanted to give everyone a heads up that I have new blog topics coming! Blogs will be much more frequent and should be a lot of fun! Not just updates on what we are doing, but some on my favorite foods/recipes, as well as some skill videos and motivational topics!!! Follow, comment, and give suggestions!