Recipe Experiment

We often have a pretty good variety of fresh veggies in the fridge with the full intent on eating all of them. Well, let's be honest, with random dinners out, the occasional frozen pizza, etc, etc, this doesn't always happen and some go bad. Last night I was scavenging the fridge looking for something to make for dinner. Brussel sprouts, a yellow pepper, a handful of mushrooms, half of a red onion, and cheese tortellini. Hmmmm.

Brussel sprouts got tossed with olive oil, garlic salt and pepper and thrown in the oven for 15 minutes at 450 degrees. Perfect side dish! (good for you too!)

The onion, mushrooms, and a yellow pepper were chopped into small bite-size pieces and sauteed in olive oil until soft. I later added three cloves of minced garlic. That mixture was then transferred to the food processor, along with a handful of fresh basil that was looking a little sad and wilted. Any herb would do, or none at all. That mixture was blended until I had a smooth, creamy consistency (a little oil and vinegar was added to taste). Then cooked tortellini was added and tossed with the sauce.

Voila!

Easy Peasy. Give it a try! I imagine you could use whatever veggies you have on hand. I liked the mushrooms because it gave it a thicker, creamier texture without using any milk or cheese. I will definitely be repeating this recipe and experimenting with different ingredients!

Happy cooking! Most importantly, happy eating!

Add one more to the bunch

We have found ourselves living with one more foster dog. Yes, this only brings us to a two-dog household which is pretty common, but both dogs are quite large and our house/yard is quite small. Let me give you the run down.

Tigger. Yes, Tigger as in Winnie the Pooh's best friend. Tigger was terribly abused before he came to us. He was rescued from a bad situation, lived in the shelter for over six months, and was set to be put to rest on a rainy Saturday in May. I am on a rescue list for dogs that need an urgent home or foster and with one look at Tigger, I thought he and Sunday would get along great. I wasn't mistaken, they are best friends! He is available for adoption and really deserves a great home. He doesn't let S or I out of his sight, loves to lay by our feet, doesn't beg for food, loves other dogs and is so chill and laid back. If anyone may be interested in meeting this guy, let me know and we'll set something up. I really can't say enough positive things about this guy who went from rags to riches in the last couple of months. He deserves to live the rest of his life like he's walking on the clouds in heaven! He's about 5 years old.

2 Weeks For Sunshine

In two short weeks I will be basking in the sun with 15 fun, beautiful, funny friends. I am positive we will consume copious amounts of wine and food and tan our sun deprived, Washington bodies all day long.

I'm really aching for a new swim suit and am thinking this adorable Juicy one would be so cute all summer long.

Now, Summer, hurry up and come to Seattle!

PS- Is anyone else incredibly happy that March Madness is over? Finally, I can watch Dancing with the Stars and American Idol in peace!

40 Day Failure

I had fish tacos with cheese and sour cream Sunday night. They were delicious.

I am done being vegan, for now.

40 Day Challenge

This morning I decided to try to go vegan for Lent. This is going to be hard. Really, really hard. Good thing I divulged in pizza for dinner last night!

Update:

Just went home for lunch and had Gardein Buffalo Wings. I love Gardein brand, so yummy! Asked S for a Skinny Cow then remembered that has milk in it. Is this possible??? Oy vey. At least wine is vegan- I can dooooo thiiiissss!

Puppy Love

I have an extra large soft spot for homeless animals. Due to that, we have found ourself taking care of a puppy who was rescued from Taiwan. His name is Vincent Black- Ladies Man. He's pretty darn cute, but a lot of work too! Here he is in all 10 pounds of his manly glory!

And I can't let you forget about my #1 sidekick, Sunday. She has been such a good big sister!

Blast From the Past

• Six years ago was March 1st, 2005.
• Carrie Underwood sang "Alone" by Heart on American Idol.
• I worked out at the Rec Center after a long day of college classes.
• I was feeling extremely lazy and unmotivated to put on make up to go out for Wiley Night (think giant fishbowl drinks of 151 and other goodness).
• I went to Pete's with about 10 other BFF's and ordered a 'Flat on Your Wiley'!!
• I met Sean
• Went home and did the crab walk around the sorority proclaiming, "I just met the man I'm going to marry!"

To Vegan, or Not to Vegan

For the past couple weeks S and I have been heavily stocking up on fresh, organic fruits and veggies. Our fridge is busting with beets, turnips, cabbage, spinach, leeks, kale and many many more big, green, leafy vegetables. Apples, oranges, and mangos are also filling one drawer completely full.

I've recently become more aware of my diet and of the processed food I put in my body, ie: chips, crackers, frozen fake meat, etc., etc. This is why we're currently overflowing with vegetables and focusing on cooking healthy meals every night, rather than chickenless nuggets and sweet potato fries....no bueno.

A few times a week, while eating dinner, I'll say, "I ate completely vegan today!", and am really happy about that! Lately, I've been saying that almost every day, so I wonder, could I do this all the time? Part of me really, really wants to, but another part is a little nervous. Eating out is a big thing to think about, how many options will be vegan? What if I go to a friends house for dinner, what will I eat if everything has dairy in it? How do you politely decline? These are the issues I'm having with adapting to a vegan diet and it's giving me something to think about.

I know people have a lot of mixed feelings toward this, but the diet seems to work so well with my body. I've lost 7 pounds, have more energy, clear skin, and feel so light hearted and happy! It's a great way to cut out fatty calories and to really live off what the earth is offering and not off another living being!

February 14th

Valentines Day. How do you feel about this day? I remember when I was single for a majority of college I absolutely hated this day. It was just a day when I would remind myself that I was still a single, college girl without any red roses or chocolates. Looking back on it now, I wish I would have embraced that feeling and enjoyed every second of it. Unfortunately, when it seems everyone else is partnered up, it was difficult for me to "love" being single.

I distinctly remember Valentines Day of 2005. A group of my college girlfriends went to dinner at Pete's and we all wore cocktail dresses. After dinner, we headed to Shakers (RIP, I miss you so much, Shakers) to finish the night with some double Long Island Iced Teas. Only in Pullman can you order double alcohol in a Long Island. I headed home before others, I can't remember why. I was sitting in my sorority bedroom alone, listening to Frankie J's Obsession over and over again. I actually think I may have started crying too. So pathetic. Seriously, so embarrassing. I wanted a guy to take me to dinner, to buy me flowers. I just wanted someone to love and someone to love me back. I remember feeling so sad because by my junior year of college, I had not had one serious relationship.

15 days later I went to Pete's again with a group of girlfriends. My life changed from the second I sat down at the restaurant. I locked eyes with a guy with beautiful blue's and five years later, we were married.

I think I will always remember the Valentine's Day prior to meeting him, it was the first time February 14th actually stung and I ached for someone to connect with. Now, this day doesn't have the same meaning to me. It's fun to make each other dinner, get cute cards, or flowers, but it's unnecessary. I get to celebrate my love with S everyday of the year, for the rest of our lives. To the single ladies- enjoy your "you" time. I remember how hard it can be to be single, but enjoy yourself and dating. Everything always works out in the end.

I know I am so lucky to have found love and I am so grateful for him. I love you. Happy Valentine's Day!

Beat the Bridge

For the last few years S and I have participated in Beat the Bridge. It's a 5 mile run through Seattle and money raised goes towards finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

This year we decided to make a team! Enough of our friends are runners, and a lot of people know how important this particular run is to us. We would LOVE to have you join our team! Simply, go to beatthebridge.org, click Register, then click Join a Team. Our team name is Humalog Joggers. Humalog is a type of synthetic insulin people with diabetes use daily.

Hope you can run with us!

My 2 Cents, Whether You Asked For it or Not

This is my absolute FAVORITE top to run in. I find it to keep me the perfect temperature paired with jogging shorts on a chilly Seattle afternoon. The Nike half zip runs about $50 but I got one on sale at The Sports Authority for $20. It's worth it, and pretty flattering too, I must say.


Last weekend I took a trip to Home Depot dressed in my favorite Nike half zip and Lululemon yoga pants. Why did I wear that? S seems to think it's because I like to look like I'm going to work out, even though that intention is no where near entering my mind. Maybe that's true. Maybe I want people to see me in Home Depot and think, "Wow, that girl just worked out and it's Superbowl Sunday! Maybe I shouldn't eat those chili cheese fries". Well, that's pretty far from the truth. The correct reason is these tight fitting clothes are actually incredibly slimming and after divulging on Chinese food and a bottle and a half of wine the night because, slimming is what I'm definitely looking for!

Pick one of these Nike tops up, I guarantee you'll love it. And, if you don't, let me know, I'll buy it from you!

Achey Ovaries

Tell me this picture doesn't make you want to give birth right this second.

They are soooo cute and snuggley! Every so often I get this overwhelming urge to get knocked up asap. During this time, S usually wards me off and tells me to stay away from him. I try to kiss him, nope. Try to give him a hug, no way. He says, "I know what you're trying to do". He's probably smart, but these little munchkins are so cute I can't help myself!

I can't wait to start a family, but now really isn't the right time. I have Family Drunk Fest to look forward to in August, surely, I do not want to miss it! After all, this is what I would be missing....

We Were Going to Cancel Cable....

But I don't think I can risk to miss a second season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Hopefully they will take my needs into consideration and all come back for a second season. I take that back, maybe all but Kim. She's a little goofy, for lack of a better word. Now, I know most don't like Camille, but she's starting to grow on me! I think a second season would be a great opportunity for her redemption!

Why, Hello Again

Happy 2011! I can't believe it, it's like we're living in the future now. I can't help but wonder where the flying cars, time machines, and 1-day trips to Mars are.... Maybe that will come in 2012 :)

It's tempting to say "nothings new", but that would be completely false! S and I went to Hawaii for our 1-year anniversary which was absolutely perfect. We went to the island of Kauai which was stunning. Lush, tropical, hot, remote and true "island life". Christmas and New Years was great as well even though I managed to put on MORE weight. Good gosh, this must stop. I cringe at the sight of the scale everyday and often make up excuses why I might weigh more than the day before. "I had a lot of salt last night", "I haven't been drinking enough water", "I already ate breakfast, you always weigh more after you eat". In any fashion, it's time to get down to business. I've been going to a cross training class that kicks my booty so hopefully my diet of chips, cheese and pasta will give me a break!! Oh carbs, how I love you.

Last weekend S and I scored tickets to the Seahawks- Saints playoff game which was actually my first Hawks game ever! It was great! What's better than Bud Light from 11am-8pm? Add a pretzel, veggie dog (not that good, I don't recommend it at all), and a pizza and lucky me...I have another excuse NOT to weigh myself!

I hate to say my New Year's resolution is to hit the gym more because that's always everyones, but in reality, that's exactly what it is. Come on motivation, I know you're in there somewhere!

Have a great weekend Lovey's!