a new favorite recipe!

Part of my new years resolution was to start making one new recipe a month.  So what if I missed January, it's never too late to start trying. ;)

While browsing online hungry, I found a facebook picture of something that looked so good!!  My friend Nicolette, who is a personal trainer, had posted it with a link to her website.  She has great fitness tips & some really good/easy recipes that are nutritionally smart.  The name of her site is: 

Apple Weight Loss.

This is so easy & delicious, and I had never thought of doing it before.

ingredients: 

 Brown rice 

(Trader Joe's: this is the best stuff ever, pop it in the microwave and 3 minutes later it's done!)

 Salsa

(this stuff adds lots of flavor and is low in calories... thank you again, Trader Joe's!)

Black Beans

(I like low sodium when possible)

-if you use a corn-less salsa, add a can of corn - it tastes good!

Mix it all together

&

BAM

you get this delicious combo!!

I added tortillas to make it a burrito.

It fills you up and has tons of protein.  Pretty yummy!!

This has to be one of the first times TL actually loves what I make. ;)

Thanks, Nic!

health & perspective.

It's such an easy thing to under appreciate.  Our health is something most of us only notice when it is lacking.

The beginning of last year was tough with my own health, but I for the most part have gotten through it.  But, it was even more life changing for a sweet and very close person to me.  She found out she has Colitis.

It's been a roller coaster for her.  Ups & downs.  Good days & bad days.  But she is so brave.

For those of you who don't know what it is (myself initially included), it is basically an inflammation of the large intestine.  The symptoms are uncomfortable, uncontrollable, annoying, and truly life changing.  Do you know anyone who has it?

There is no cure, but similar to other diseases, sometimes people can go into a remission period.  That is what I am hoping for her.  She is a fighter & many people who know her have no idea that she suffers from it.

My sudden appreciation for health triggered from more blood tests I had to get done yesterday.  I hate being poked at, I always have.  But while I was sitting there with my head buried in TL's arm, I got to thinking about the brave people out there who are suffering from cancer and other health issues that go through with it on a daily basis to survive.

We all know someone or knew someone that has gone through it.

So this is my little reminder to myself and all of those who need it to be thankful for the health we have.  Exercise, be happy, don't let the little things get to you and eat well.  :)

Thinking about all the people I know who have life altering health situations going on right now.

It sure puts life into perspective!

{perfect.}

My Tuesday Thoughts...

{9 miles today... half marathon in 2.5 weeks}

{running lady}

{new destinations with my guy}

{world travel}

{work}

{to do lists}

family.friends.

Happy Tuesday!!

Love Themed Bunco

February Bunco was love themed... our own little Valentine's Day celebration!

It was a wonderful night.  Delicious drinks, and a sweet homemade Italian dinner by a special chef!

It is such a treat for me to spend time with these girls!

 {i ate most of those homemade chocolate covered strawberries}

{Trish's decorations were so cute}

{eating our dinner, yum yum}

{good looking group. i need a tan. ;)}

{glow in the dark blood orange martinis} 

{our darling hostess, Trish, and her hubs - he cooked our dinner and made all of our drinks!}

{love these sweet girls}

At one point during the game, our head table broke out in a dance party - we all lost track of where we were... but who cares, it was hilarious. 

Favorite things giveaway winner!!

We have a winner!! :)

Lucky #13

Michelle at Life as Mr. & Mrs.

Congrats, Michelle!  I'll be in touch today!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered and helped get the word out.  

It was so much fun!

I appreciate this blogging community so much!

And speaking of giveaway winners... I won my first one ever.

Thank you to Mayra at Life is Bananas!

I won 100 dollars at shopbop.com.

Happy Friday!!

Thankful Thursday & Last day of Giveaway

{this week has passed so quickly!}

I am thankful for...

getting my long run in for the week yesterday.  7 miles would not have been fun in this crazy wind & rain. It was drizzly yesterday, but torrential downpour would be bad.

the sound of the rain hammering down on our windows last night.  It makes me feel so dang cozy!

my family! (per usual) We successfully surprised my sister, Kelly, with a small Birthday Party.  She was so happy!  We are so blessed to have our amazing parents who always go above & beyond for us :)

my darling boss.  I know I am only 3 weeks in, but I am loving my new job.  The founder is so sweet, passionate, & energetic.  She makes me want to work really hard.  Plus, there is nothing better than working for a great cause.  I still have so much more to learn, but I am loving the challenge.

the great people I have met through my clubs/bunco group in our town.  Everyone is so unique & different and each of them have something to teach me about life.

my sweet pups, Maximus & Zeus.  Everyday, I fall more and more in love with them.  I just can't get enough of them!!

the opportunities coming up in Junior League.  I really enjoy being a part of the organization.  I'll let you know shortly what big things are coming!

long distance friends.  I haven't seen my girlies since December, so recently, we all had a catch up over the phone.  Good friends just know how to pick up right where they left off :)

TL.  Because he's amazing.  I am so lucky to have a guy that is always there for me and that I can trust with anything!

Happy Thursday!!

{what are you thankful for???}

PS.  TODAY is the last day to sign up for my giveaway!!!

I will pick a winner tomorrow :)  Good luck.  Only 190 entries so far!

Fabulously 30.

Happy 30th Birthday

to my sister

Kelly

Sister, mother, wife, daughter & friend.

High school counselor, advice giver, mentor, encourager.

Kel is smart, talented, compassionate, & sweet.

 She's got an adorable little figure, big blue eyes, blonde wavy hair.

She's a good person with a big heart

a loving & supportive mom to my nephew

 If things fall apart, she's the one you want by your side.

Kelly is always there for me... no matter what.

She is comforting, trustworthy, & a fighter for what she believes in.

She's my big sister.

I've watched her grow up and develop into a beautiful woman.

She set the bar high - worked hard & has accomplished so much.

People come & go in our lives... but sisters are forever friends.

I feel so blessed to have her in my life.

I love you, Kel.

Cheers to an amazing 30 years.  

You have so much to be proud of.

Celebrating Kelly today!

We (my mom & sisters) had an incredible weekend in the city together.

{more about that later}

{me & my darling sisters}

(Kel & my BIL}

{gorgeous.}

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

the power of a compliment.

As I have gotten older, I've noticed how much of a difference a compliment or kind word can make in my day.

It's something we are taught in kindergarten.  It's something so small.  It's free.  It's easy to do.  And the power of it is invaluable.

Recently, I was having one of those days where I feel like I have nothing to wear (even though I have a closet full of clothes), my hair was frumpy, and I just wasn't feeling myself.  You know... right?  We all have those days where even with all of our effort, we just don't feel like we want to.

So during a small personal pouting session, I jumped on my computer.  I was looking through my comments and saw one from Katelyn at Just The Two of Us.  She wrote a simple compliment, but it changed my attitude about how I was feeling.

A lot of people in this world are thoughtful and don't hold back in dishing out the kind words.  I appreciate it so much, and I take it all to heart.  And I am learning to never hold back, either.

Lately, I have really been trying to make an effort to say how I feel to someone if it is positive.  At the grocery store, the gym, to the salesperson on the phone, writing a quick note to thank the waitress/waiter on the receipt... wherever.  I know how these small positive words make me feel.  Why not spread the cheer.

There are so many opportunities to make someone's day.  I'm trying to make it a daily ritual.

Happy Friday, my friends!!

{my mom, sisters & I are headed off on an adventure to celebrate my sister's 30th Birthday}

Super Bowl Sunday!

Super bowl Sunday started with a 6:45 a.m. alarm.  TL and I quickly changed, gobbled down some oatmeal and made our way to the University for my 10K run.

My mom & her friend walked it - and my sister and two of her friends jogged/walked it.  (Don't let my sister fool you - she's run 3 marathons and 8 half marathons!)

As I have written in several of my posts, I've been getting back into my running ritual since the very end of last year.  In my training, I have already hit 6 miles... but not a 'race pace' 6 miles.

After a late night at the Jr League Crab Feed & trying to figure out everything for our party later in the day... I was a little drained to start the race, but I knew I could do it!

 {my sis & I}

{Kacie (it was her 30th Birthday), my sis, me, & Paula}

 {TL & my sweet mama}

{approaching the finish line}

I ran the 6.2 miles in just under 55 minutes. 

 It's a good pace for me... but man, you should see some of the incredible runners out there!  It's inspiring.

TL met me at mile 3 and finished the last 3 miles with me.  I was so happy to see him on my route!

After finishing up, we jammed back home to keep setting up for the party.  It turned out to be a fun night... I love our family & friends!!

I think hosting the super bowl party is our new annual thing.

 {we had SO much food (this isn't even half of it)... and it was almost all gone!}

{flowers in a mason jar.  i don't know why this makes me so happy}

{the chicks}

 {the pups were lap hopping all day}

 {matt & juls}

{half of the gang downstairs}

{celebrating melissa's Birthday with a cake & hanging out}

{love this guy.}

It was a wonderful day (even though I didn't watch a single play of the game)

And... a lot of people were talking about recipes.

My recipe is simple: Costco. (& papa john's pizza)

;)

We're pretty thankful.

Hope you're having a fabulous Wednesday.

half way through the week hurray! 

The Cellar & JLS Crab Feed

Last Friday, a few of the girls got together to celebrate our friend Melissa's Birthday!  

A new wine & cheese bar called The Cellar just opened in our town - it was a perfect place to celebrate.

This pic is from their fb page - it's gorgeous inside.

Happy Birthday, Melissa! (Her actual bday was Sunday)

Wine & cupcakes.  Yum!

Mixed cupcakes... my favorite - red velvet!!

Melissa didn't know that we had ideas up our sleeve for her actual Birthday at our super bowl party :)

It was such a great way to end the week & kick off the busy weekend.

Saturday morning was pretty crazy.  TL and I were getting ready to host our super bowl party.  We set up a couple tables, cleaned, and stocked up the fridge! (We knew we wouldn't have time Sunday morning)

Then, I took off to work the Junior League Crab Feed

It was a lot of work, but so much fun!!

I didn't realize some people were so serious about their crab.  Some even had their own butter warmers & utensils!

 Getting ready to leave - TL thought the apron was funny.

 The huge silent auction tables!

 My favorite table - the desserts!

 All of us servers - more crab!

Kassie was in charge of the bar - she did a fabulous job!

Did I mention I met her through blogging, then we realized we were in the same league??

Here's her blog.

 Love these two crazy ladies!

Who knew working a crab feed could be fun?

(I was kind of dreading it before hand)

It was a late night - but I jammed home to get something to eat & get some sleep!

Can't wait to share the super bowl party pics & 10K recap.

Happy Tuesday!!