Winter is here!

Today winter officially made its appearance!

This is a close up of the tree outside my house..

I woke up this morning to at least 4 inches or more of snow

As for last night, last night I celebrated my birthday with 10 of my closest friends.

We started the evening by having dinner at Iggy's grill, then it was off to the movies we went!

Can you guess what we saw?

It was by far the best Harry Potter movie so far!
There were some tense moments, some funny parts, and I was surprised how close to the book it followed.
I'm really excited for the 2nd part. I was curious how they were going to end the first part, and they did it perfectly! I don't want to give any details away, but you need to see it!

Now a little time for reflection
This week is Thanksgiving. Here is a list of things I am thankful for:

1) My husband. I love spending time with him and laughing with him. He knows the perfect way to cheer my up. There are moments that I'll have that I realize how much I love him and I feel like I need to pinch myself. He is perfect for me in every way and I can't imagine my life without him.
2) My job and Josh's job. I may not like what I do, but I am still thankful for employment, and Josh's employment. This time last year he was unemployed- that was the most stress anxiety filled time of our whole marriage. I am thankful to be past that point in our lives.
3) I am thankful for family. We've laughed together, cried together, and done everything in between. I'm thankful for my sisters to whom I have such a close relationship to.
4) Vacations. These keep me sane. I love to travel and to explore.
5) Warm weather. I love warm weather where I can sit outside and reflect about life. Winter is by far my least favorite season, but I think I would feel differently if I had the money to go snowboarding.
6) Food. I am thankful that I have enough and that I'm lucky enough to be able to cook and enjoy the food that I eat.
7) I am thankful for differences. As weird as that sounds, I'm thankful that not one person is alike. Everyone has different experiences. How boring would it be if everyone was the same? Had the same beliefs, likes, dislikes? I love talking to people and hearing their own stories and experiences.
8) Books. For the relaxation reading gives me and to be able to curl up on my couch with a good book.
9) Peace. To be able to think and relax. For my sanity, I am thankful for the solitude and the opportunity it give me to clear my mind.
10) Friends. You should be near the top of this list. I am thankful for friends who help me to laugh, have fun, and making good memories. You are awesome.

I know there are so many other things I am thankful for, but these top the list.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween 2010

For Halloween this year, we were pirates! Our friend's Leah and Joel hosted a Halloween party this year!

 Josh was looking like a fierce pirate and I was acting all pretty :)

 Here are our hosts Joel and Leah as the Mad Hatter and White Witch. Their costumes were amazing!!!

 I had to work on Saturday, so here's me with 2 of my tellers, Chelsy and Alyssa.

 We carved pumpkins on Friday too, here's mine- a skeleton guy and kitty

Here was Josh's- a wolf. They looked really good in the dark, but I couldn't get a good photo.

Hope you had a Happy Halloween too!

Phoenix!

I met Josh in Phoenix, which I was totally excited to see him! It was nice to have a break from real life for a week, even though I had tons of fun in Florida, I really missed my hubby!

Now, the reason we were in Phoenix was because of Jaime's wedding! Josh's little sister got married!

 The she is with her new husband Chris outside the Mesa Temple.

 Joe and I had a battle of wills going on. I put a brownie on the end of his tooth pick and waited to see how long he would keep it on there.

Here's Jen and I torturing Joe with our kisses! It was pretty entertaining to watch him squirm!

All in all, it was a good weekend. We got to hang with Josh's side of the family and enjoy a bit of sun and warm weather.

But, there really is no place like home! After 10 days, it was really nice to come home. Not so much to return to real life, but it was nice to sleep in my own bed, cook my own food, and actually do laundry!

Playing catch up!

So here's a really quick rundown of why I haven't posted recently!

For October, I left the hubby at home and went to Florida with my sister Becky and her family, and my parents!

So, looking back through my photos, we had a major fail at getting a group photo!

Here's some of the highlights!

 Here's my niece and nephews by the Mickey statue at the Shades of Green Resort- where we stayed.

 At Epcot at the Morocco pavilion...meditating :)

 Gorilla's at the Animal Kingdom- I asked Josh if I could have one as a pet and he said no! Maybe one day...

 A toy soldier by the Toy Story ride in MGM

 Me on a roller coaster- I pretty much love them!

 We went to Cape Canaveral

See? I was there too!

 We went on a shuttle simulator and I thought they were going to shake me to death!

 We went to Cocoa Beach- here's my Momma and Daddy

 See? I was at the beach too! I didn't swim because I felt really crappy that day

One of our last mornings, Ratheyon hosted a free breakfast for our resort!

The next morning, I got into a cab at 4:30 in the morning, caught my flight to Atlanta at 6:30, barely made my flight there to get to Phoenix, and met Josh in Phoenix! That'll be the next post!

SoJo 5k

I'm trying to get back into running, but it hasn't been easy. Between shin splints and temperamental knees, it's been an adventure.

 Earlier this summer, my sister Karalee convinced me to run a 5k with her. Easy peasy right? Yeah, well not running consistently for 3 years, kinda hard when I can't even run 1/4 mile... but I did it! 

This past Saturday, along with my parents and sister, we ran the SoJo 5k, with pretty much by best time ever!

Kari and I ran together - I'm on the left- looking like I just rolled out of bed (which I did) and she's on the right (looking like to professional runner!)

I had to pass the finish and loop around a park before I was done. Right as we rounded the corner, my dad entered the finish! Not an intentional shot, but great!

My familia at the end. My Dad, me, Becky (she did the 1/2 marathon), my Mom, and Karalee

We missed you Livvy!

I just need to work on getting my other sister Olivia to run with us in the next one! Hmmm, what other 5k's can I do before the season is up?

Or I can just train for next year...As Becky would say, I think I've caught the running bug again!

Let's hope it stays around this time!

Oh and before I forget, this 5k marked another milestone.

 My dear, sweet Momma- this was her first 5k. 

Don't get mad at me for this!

My Mom this past year decided that she was tired of being overweight, so she changed her whole lifestyle.

She's lost 30 pounds or more the old fashioned way- she watched what she ate and worked out- like gritted her teeth and sweat the pound off work out.

I'm so proud of her, and she's still goin' and shedding that weight!

Here she is 1 year and 3 months ago at my graduation and here she is this past weekend:

  

You're an inspiration Momma, you look beautiful!

Love you

Mouthwatering!

I'm not gonna brag, well okay maybe a little...

Want to know what I made for dinner tonight?

It started with sauteing some asparagus - seasoned with garlic salt and pepper, with a splash of olive oil.

I got fillet mignon from the store- used a splash of olive oil, then tenderized with salt and pepper (it was already tender, but what can I say, I like my cow to moo a little bit and since I don't have a grill, stove top had to work) 

Hollendaise sauce, how I like thee... (My husband says I should only love him, so I 

REALLY 

REALLY

 like this sauce :) Love you babe

And this was the finished result. 

Fillet Mignon with asparagus, drizzled with hollebdaise.

The fillet was so tender and mouth watering, no steak knife was required. 

The asparagus was crunchy but tender at the same time, cooked to perfection. 

The hollendaise just tied the whole package together nicely.

What do I want to venture into next?? You'll just have to tune in to see!

Oh, p.s. I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow.

Here's the grand before shot:

I need something different, you'll see tomorrow!

What do we really eat???

I have started a new initiative the past week or so to be conscientious of what I am eating. It's a semi-diet, but more of a lifestyle change.

Before you read on, I just want you to know this isn't going to be a post of pro-organic this and that. While I think some things are good organic, I can't justify the price to myself when the un-organic product is basically the same.

Here's what I've been focusing on...Cutting out high fructose corn syrup and simple carbohydrates.

Sounds easy huh?

Well, I'm coming to find out it isn't!

Turns out high fructose corn syrup is in almost everything!

Take for example to 2 picture below:

 
Which do you think is better for you?
...
Did you guess the Greek? You're right!
The original yogurt contains high fructose corn syrup, as well as the 'light' yougurt contains that AND aspertaime. Neither one are good for you.

Whereas, the Greek doesn't have either one, is Gluten free, and is made from cows milk that hasn't been treated or any additives....uh...added.
(I know that sounds so educated coming from a college grad, but I couldn't think how else to say it.)

When I went up and down the grocery store aisles yesterday, I became rather educated. Most everything that is 'reduced fat' or 'fat free' has either aspertaime or high fructose corn syrup in it to enhance the flavor.

As for the simple carbohydrates- these are simple sugars that once ingested convert to glucose if you're lacking..or fat if you have enough glucose. So, I've cut out the sugary cereals, mac and cheese, white bread, and other things. Complex carbohydrates are still good though: whole grain breads, potatoes, and a few other things..

My meals now take more preparation and planning, but I'm feeling better about myself and I feel healthier.
Hopefully I'll keep it up.

If you have any recipes or food products that you like and are healthy, please share!