Mental Monday: Is Mental Illness Becoming a Scapegoat

It is becoming a world wide topic. Mental illness, but not in a good way. The news stories seem to always blame it nowadays. But like most things reported on, they only focus on the small minority of people with mental illness. The pilot that crashes the plane, or the man in the movie theater who shoots for fun. Or the Veteran who shoots another veteran. It is simply put disgusting. This is NOT how mental illness should be recognized in the world.

We should focus on people who do the fight everyday, to get up, show up and get shit done. The one's who don't give up no matter what. People like me who are living proof that we are more than our scars.

People with mental illness are warriors on a different battle front. And we want the world to know what we go through and to understand but not the way it is happening now. We want you to see us for our strengths not our faults. For our bravery for fighting everyday. That's how I want to be known.

How about you? How would you like to be known? Leave a comment below!!

Friday Favorites!!! Work Edition!!!!

Not going to lie sometimes following you heart is the right thing, but you still have struggles. So today I want to share WHY I left my job to become a full-time blogger and health coach.

1)  I have time to do the things I need to. If I need a doctors appointment I don't need anyone's permission to do so. And if I need a nap or to sleep in I can because I am my own boss.

2) T25 my workout soul-mate with my Trainer who again is my trainer soul-mate. In 25 minutes I get in my workout and I am set for the day!

3) I get to do cool things like MEET my soul-mate trainer, and get to travel to amazing places.

4) Helping people through health and fitness. When the decision was made that I wanted to coach, I knew I wanted to do it because losing my mother to health related issues, and teaching others that it was preventable and that I have the tools to help them. When I reach out to friends and family with my job I do it from a place of love, and a way to honor my mothers memory!

Did I mention I got to meet this guy? 

If you are ready to start on a journey to a healthier life please click here to visit my site and shop around for something that is right for you!!!!

Quick Fixes: Results That Don't Last

I think everyone out there has an opinion about what they are doing to lose weight. But nothing beats hard work and eating the way you should be eating.

I dislike when people try to sell me on a cleanse for X amount of days, or wraps. again no offense if you sell and believe in these.

But that's not what I believe in. I believe in what I do for a living. I believe in the company I work for and what we stand for. It is the complete package. Nutrition, exercise, coaching, and developing life changes that stick!

I believe that helping others achieve their goals in health is what I have been called to do.

Do I drink A shake everyday? Yes. But it isn't something thrown together and sold in stores. It doesn't Contain chemicals. Is this the only thing I do? Hell no. I workout and get my butt kicked every morning. It isn't a QUICK fix. It is hard ass work. I get this objection a lot, that they want to do this the old fashioned way. Well that's what this is. And this is my career and I am sticking to it with the faith that others will join me. Or be inspired by my changes!

With A Little Help, I get by! Book club review of "Spirit driven success"!

So first here is a video about yesterday and how I did with getting back on track!
http://youtu.be/u-2B7Ju9Z8o

So this week I finished my latest Personal development book "Spirit Driven Success" by Dani Johnson. Now I have never been a religious person but this book opened my eyes a bit. and made me think. I have started to slowly put what i learned in to action. Dani is a very blunt and to the point author and what she says has purpose. I am so grateful I came across this book! So much so that I Just started another book of hers! and that is next on the book club review!!!

Tasty Tuesday: The Vito

So the hubs and I are obsessed with the #5 at Jimmy John's. We love it. But one we need it to be slightly healthier but without losing the awesome. So I decided to make one myself. Here is how that went.

what you'll need
2 1/2 cups self rising flour
2 tbs of regular flour, more if dough is sticky
1 large container of plain Greek yogurt
Salamis
Shredded lettuce
pepperoni the big kind
sweet yellow Onion
A vinaigrette dressing
Mayo  1 tsp

1) combine yogurt and self-rising flour in mixer using a dough hook. mix until it forms a ball, ad regular flour if it is sticky.

2) Tear dough in to small little balls. and place them in a mini loaf pan and bake for 25 min.

3) once the are done and have been cooling just simply make your sandwich with the rest of your ingredients (side note: we sliced the onion thin and put some dressing on them instead of directly on the sandwich) Add 2 of each meat.

Hope you all have a blessed day!!!

xoxo Erin 

Mental Monday: Finally I choose what was right for me

This past Thursday I made a decision with my husband. It was one that was ultimately my choice. I put in notice with my job that I was leaving.

February 14, ironic. is my last day.

Sometimes the best choice is the one where the biggest risk is taken. This is a big one. I know where I want my life to be, and mentally working full-time in a job you hate is not good for you.

Everyday I would get home and be worn out mentally. It was making my choice to be healthy put in to question. And I like to workout and eat healthy. But I felt myself slipping down my old path almost every moment. All it would take would be one word and I could drink a soda or eat a bowl of pasta that would make me sick. I could easily been over 200 pounds again.

So what am I going to do? I am pursuing my business Dowell Fitness, a BeachBody business. I have always thought when I would see others succeed in this company and say that couldn't be me. And then one day I thought why not me.

I am still on my Weight Loss journey and as always inspired by my mother and her legacy, to fight and believe in yourself. But now I am motivated on a professional level. I feel that if I can help one person or one family from going through what my mother did, that is what being successful means to me.