by Amanda Barnard | Jan 1, 2022 | Everything Else, Faith, Motivation
HELLO 2022! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As we embark into this new year, I want to post a word of encouragement to you all! I have been pondering and praying about many things going forward. Through the years, several plans have been made and haven’t followed through, but only I can make things different.
We cannot keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. Have you heard that is the same thing as insanity? Not sure if it is true, but we could decide it could be one of them.
ONE WORD
I am clinging to one word for this year. My word is – INTENTIONAL. I have so many areas that I can apply this, as I am sure you do as well. I am going to try to start with this blog, to make myself accountable.
Not in any particular order, but some ways that I am determined to implement this application are:
- be INTENTIONAL with my relationship with Jesus.
- be INTENTIONAL with family.
- be INTENTIONAL with healthy living.
- be INTENTIONAL in finances.
There are so many more that I could add. However, we all know that it is not a good idea to overwhelm ourselves. The world is filled with too much anxiety as it is.
Finding the determination to stay the course or make this year better than the last few have been might be a task. At the end of 2022, I want to say it has been the BEST year of my life! Therefore, the challenges will have been worth it!
Also, the big 5-0 will happen for me this year and I intend to celebrate in some ways for the entire year! I have some amazing plans! If they play out the way I want, I will be visiting family, going to Disney, attending some other important events.
We also have more grandbabies on the way, which is EXTREMELY exciting! In just a few short days, we will meet our first grandson! We have anticipated his arrival for many years!
I would love for you to share in this journey with me! If you don’t have a word for this year, I hope this inspires you to come up with one! And if you do have one, would you comment?
Thanks in advance for sharing!

by Amanda Barnard | Nov 16, 2019 | Family, Financial, Keto, Motivation
Yes you read that right and this is not a joke! I actually won for my healthcare premiums paid, for an entire year!
How would you feel if you won your healthcare premiums paid for an entire year? Great, right? Super stoked about it, right?
HA, well I am sure no exception to that rule, because who doesn’t enjoy free money in any form?
Also, in my debt freedom quest, it makes for more money to throw at the debt to pay it off sooner!
I work for DaVita – in acute care, which the hospital inpatient services division. DaVita is a very large company, actually world wide. One of the company mottos is to be the employer of choice and they sure do a great job at it.
There are many awards throughout the company, but this one particular award, called the “WE ARE WELL” award, demonstrates the value of taking charge of your own health.
THE BEST BOSS EVER
My sweet boss actually told me about the award and knowing my journey, she encouraged me to apply for it. I wrote a little about my keto journey and my reasons. Some would call this your “why”.
I have 3 grandbabies (and counting) and for that reason, among a few others – like just for me (you can call it selfish if you want), for my kids (because I intend to live to at least 120yrs), so be it!
So I submit the story and the application and HOLY COW!! I won!!
I challenge you to take charge of your health today! There is no time like the present to just…..
START HERE, GO ANYWHERE!
DISCLAIMER: This site may contain affiliate links which may be monetized at no cost to you, For instance, if you link through to Amazon, I may get a kick back for it, but it will in no way change the original cost of any item. So if you happen to shop through my links, thanks in advance for your support! ~Amanda
by Amanda Barnard | Jan 5, 2019 | Keto
My decision to dive into keto came on February 13, 2018. This was simply my mind saying, YES! I am going to learn about this and I am going to do it.
Our family goes on an annual vacation together every year toward the end of February – yes EVERY ONE OF US (and there are many) – so my journey began slow. As I started, I had only grasped the concept of watching my carb intake. In the beginning, I also cut out most breads and sugars.
Once our vacation came to an end, I was able to concentrate more on the details of keto. I read a book by Dr. Don Colbert called Keto Zone Diet. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the keto way of eating. The book is broken down into the 3 parts, explaining first what keto actually is, why keto works, and how to make it work for you.
KETO – KeetNO
I have NOT lived keto in a strict way. My daughter in love, Kimberly and I have been working our keto together, calling our way of eating, “Lazy Keto”. My husband, Brad says “Keet-NO”, meaning NO WAY to keto, lol. It is actually funny how we battle back and forth. All in good fun, but I keep working on the persuading him to join in, as well as the rest of my family.
My keto journey has taken a bit longer than it has for others that I have encountered. It took me about 7-8 months to lose 45lbs. At this point, I seem to have a little stall in my progress, but I am completely aware of my downfalls.
All Aboard!
As people have seen my results, they have asked many questions, which I enjoy answering. My daughter, Brande and her husband, Tim even jumped on board recently and have had amazing outcomes.
I still have about 15lbs to my goal weight. Then I will work more on my KCL (keto carb limit, the amount of carbs your body processes to maintain the current state), which is sort of where I am now and is the culprit of my stalling.
I will be writing more details soon, because as the saying goes – inquiring minds want to know! I am extremely happy with my results so far!
Comment and tell me about your results with keto or if you would just like to know more, I would love to help you get started on your own journey!