I'm 30!!!

I'm 30 today!!  Today is the day I've been looking forward to for quite some time.  I'll post more when I get back...because today, we're going to...

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You guest right folks!!  We're going to Disneyland!!!  :D  What a great birthday surprise!!!!  :D  It's Steven and my first time going together...hard to believe, I know.  I can't wait!!!!!!

Where do you go first when you get into the park?  

Arugula: Part II

Alright!!!  Here is recipe #2 for our Arugula adventure.  :)  This recipe was, again, in my Glorious Greens book.  Buy the book HERE!!!  Pics are mine, of course. ;)

Arugula, Cheese, and Tomato Quesadilla

(These were Steven's favorite out of the Arugula dishes. :D)

Now~ since I'm allergic to wheat and dairy, I used corn tortillas and rice cheddar cheese from my local market. Didn't use the Canola Oil, chili powder or cumin either, but whatever works for you!! YUM!!



Serve as a quick lunchtime treat or as a part appetizer.  This is adapted from a basic quesadilla recipe made by Katie Le Lievre, a Boston caterer.

Makes 36 Wedges

2 Cups washed and roughly chopped arugula leaves, tough stems trimmed

2 Cups shredded cheese

1 Cup chopped tomatoes

1/2 Cup chopped scallions

1 can mild green chilies, chopped

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

12 fresh flour tortillas

Canola Oil

1)  In a large bowl, combine arugula, cheese, tomatoes, scallions, chilies, chili powder, and cumin.  Place 1/2 cup of the filling between 2 tortillas.

 

2)  In a large frying pan, heat 1 tsp canola oil over high heat.  Cook quesadilla until the cheese is melted and both sides are crisp.  Repeat procedure, keeping cooked quesadillas in a warms over, until all quesadillas are cooked.  Slice each into 6 wedges and serve immediately.

**Instead of frying, you can bake quesadillas in a preheated 375 deg F oven until crisp, which allows you to cook several at a time.

These were so delish and I plan on making them again and again (and again)!  Easy peasy!!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!! :D

Phew!

What a whirlwind of a weekend!!  I am exhausted at the least!  Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Monday!!!  Welcome back!

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More postings to come!!  Love love :)

Arugula: Part I

I found my camera and finally have downloaded the pics.  I know you've been waiting for this...our first adventure with Arugula!!  YUM!!

I always wished that I could look into the fridge, see the hodgepodge of ingredients, and come up with dinner. My husband has that talent, but I do not. I'm getting better, but yea...not so much...lol.  I'm all about the cookbooks. 

This is what I see when I open the fridge (most of the time anyway):

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In our first group session with our Holistic Health Coach, we talked about vegetables.  More specifically, Glorious Greens!!  My other two female session mates and I pretty much have eaten/tried the same greens.  My first "action" goal was to come up with 3 new recipes over the next couple of weeks using new greens that I haven't used before.  I knew I had eaten some kind of Arugula salad in the past and decided to start with that one.

Our first resource was the recipe book "Greens Glorious Greens!" by Johnna Albi & Catherine Walthers.  Not only do they have great recipes in here, they also talk about each type of green and its benefits.  Super fantastic!!  Check out the book HERE!

This recipe stood out to me right away!  YUM!

To quote the recipe book:

Potato Salad with Arugula

In this recipe, arugula is used more as an herb than a lettuce.  The pungent flavor is distinct, but nicely balanced by the smoothness of the potatoes, the lushness of the olive oil, and the tang of the tomatoes.  Great for picnics and BBQs.

Serves 6 to 8

2 lbs small red potatoes

1/2 cup very thinly sliced red onion

2 large tomatoes, cut into .5-in wide wedges

1 cup chopped arugula leaves, washed and though stems trimmed

Dressing:

3 TBLS white wine vinegar

6 TBLS extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp Dry Mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1)  Scrub potatoes well.  Steam over boiling water until tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 15-20 in

2)  Cool potatoes slightly under running water to allow easy handling.  Peel potatoes (I like to keep the skin on) and cut in half lengthwise.  Cut each half into 3 pieces.  You should have about 5 cups of 1-in chunks.  Place in a large mixing bowl.

3)  When potatoes have cooled to room temperature, add the red onion, tomatoes, and arugula.  Toss gently to combine.

4)  In a small jar, combine the vinegar, olive oil, mustard powder, and S&P.  Pour over the vegetables and toss gently to incorporate dressing.  Taste and adjust seasonings.

There you have it!!  I cut up some fresh strawberries:

I baked a couple of chicken breasts, using a basting brush to apply the mustard/EVOO that I mixed up (marinating the chicken in the dressing for the potato salad would have been a great idea too).  Add salt & pepper...viola!  We have dinner folks!!  :D

It was so easy and took practically no time to prep (minus the boiling of the potatoes, but multitasking is always a good idea!).

Until next time!!

Cheers!



Little things...

Just a few more little things of some "stuff" at work. :)  Tonight, I promise to post on my "Arugula week" and the yummy food that we ate.  I need to download the pics already!!  WOO HOO!! :D

My rubbing stone for love reminders

We have A TON of Play-Doh around for our entertainment. :)  I stole some pink, of course.  Tee hee!

Mini shopping carts to throw stuff in.

And my personal favorite:

BREAKFAST!!!  :D

I hope ya'll have a lovely day!!  Happy Wednesday!!









POP...I'm in your head!

Gooooooood Morning and Happy Friday!!

So I'm half way to work this AM and realized I forgot my breakfast!!!  Not only did I visualize my yummy protein shake sitting on the butcher block, I saw my cell phone sitting right next to it. (Or was it on the bathroom counter???)  BLAH!!!  Side note:  I *sometimes* tend to forget where I put things...my husband suggests that I put my stuff in the same place every time...I just have many "same places"...lol.


I got so mad at myself at first!!  I took a deeeeeeep breath (this helps soooooo much more often than not) and decided to stop at Starbucks to get a morning treat.  After all, I did have a "free drink" coupon due to my last visit when they screwed up. (They put dairy in when I asked for soy...normally something like this I wouldn't even bother, but I am allergic to milk and it would not have been good if I drank the whole thing). 

I almost didn't go in, dreading the line that would be there, but with the cafeteria at work not opening for another 2 hours and my tummy already growling, I decided it would be worth the wait. 

I walked in and there was no line!!!  This made me think of my little brother, Dan, (not so little...27, over 6'0", with a first base player's build) as he has impeccable timing.  We have conversations all the time about important things like, what our superpowers are 'n stuff, and this is one of his.  :)  Him and his timing...lol.  As usual, a sleeping pack followed in line behind me as I ordered.  This made me smile, as this was "the norm" of going anywhere with my LB.

I got my drink within 3 minutes and I was back in my car, continuing my way to work.  Without having my phone's playlist, I was forced to listen to AM radio (Ugh).  As I turned the key, Journey's Don't Stop Believing started playing and my thoughts went directly to my twin brother, Mike (he LOVES Journey!!).  I sang at the top of my lungs as I pulled out of my parking space, noticing people walking by and smiling at me.  One of them was even singing along (who doesn't love that song, right?).  I smiled back, thinking of my B and all the times we've sang and danced and were just plain silly. 

That's what we do, me and my bros...we are just plain silly.  Always have, always will be!   :D

I like to think that this morning's events were my brothers, B and LB, reaching out subconsciously to let me know that they are thinking of me (not that either one of them were awake, as they are nocturnal creatures).  I miss them very much, along with the city I was born and raised in.  They are 460 miles away in Northern California, Bay Area to be exact. I know I will see them soon, if only in my thoughts.  I love them with all of my being and am incredibly grateful to have them in my life, not just as siblings, but as friends. 

I have another brother, Sean (older/half brother), whom I've never met (will be another post...lol), but hope too, one day, call him my friend as well.

To sibilings, as friends!!  Cheers!!!

Who randomly puts thoughts of themselves in your heads?

Dance Party

So I'm leaving for work this morning and I'm racing the clock!  Today is a "Fitness for Weight Loss" workout day, so I try to be at work by 5:45am, in order to get my hours in for the day, of course.  Well...I got out of bed this morning at 5:15am!!!! Not good!  Luckily today isn't a "washing hair" day...lol.

Man I look tired...lol.  Not bad for a 5 min make-up job, right???  lol...  Anyway...So, I'm in my car trying to plug my phone in to listen to my normal playlist for my 30 minute commute when my AUX cord pulls out and the radio turns on.  At first I grew frustrated, only because radio here in San Diego SUX (man I miss the Northern Cali stations)!!!  I will say that the weather, most of the time, makes up for it.  To my surprise, I actually enjoyed listening to the radio!!  I had no idea who the artists were...I think the first song was a Brittney song and then Lady Gaga and some more that I had no clue who they were!  (Been out of the 'scene' too long I suppose.)  I just danced along and sang the choruses that I knew and then 20 minutes in, the commercials started...they were on all of my pre-set stations, so I plugged the AUX back in and was Pink! the rest of the way. :) 

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE HER!!  :D


I had the urge to post this and now plan on carrying around a notebook with me, to write down things to blog about.  It's about commitment people!  lol  Tomorrow I plan to post about my first Holistic Health Coach Group Session, (yes, I know you had forgotten about that) and more on my fitness goals and all that other good stuff.  Maybe I'll even post it tonight...but you'll have to wait and see!!!!  :D

I hope you have a funtabulous day!!

What are your favorite songs to dance to?

It's the little things that count...Part II

When I posted the blog before this one, I had no idea what 'Part II' would be. Over the past 6 days, I've come up with so many of the "little things", that I don't know where to start!!  They are EVERYWHERE!!!  I will have to have a regular post dedicated to these wonderful "things" that make my day a brighter one.  :)   I'm sure you have them in your lives too!!
 

It all started when I was feeling bummed that I hadn't had any followers for my blog yet.  I know I just started a few weeks ago, but all I kept thinking was, "isn't there someone out there who thinks I'm worthy of following?"  And then it happened!  Not only did I have a new follower, thank you Elle from elle keeps moving, but she left me a comment too!!  I had finished reading and commenting on her post Maybe I'm moving too fast, but... and it totally made me want to start a campaign to gain a following.  But I know that will happen with time.  Plus, I need to learn the discipline of writing a blog before I start making signs.  As of right now...I have THREE people following me!!  WOO HOO!  Movin' on up!  Silly, but still.  lol.  It definitely helps motivate me to keep writing, that's for sure!  Whatever works!!

Over the weekend, I wanted a really yummy breakfast sandwich.  You know, the kind with melted cheese over a poached egg with turkey and mustard and toasted bread.  I was in luck, as I could make it in 5 minutes flat with my handy dandy toaster with egg poacher attachment!!! (You can get this online, just click this link ~~~> Bed Bath and Beyond).  YUM!!!  (Our orange monkey veggie peeler is just an added visual bonus!)  ;)

 

I think in every "little things" post, I will include a snippet from my husband Steven.  He does THOUSANDS of little things for me everyday.  Some of which I sure go unnoticed, but he doesn't mind.  His response is always, "you do the same for me".  He supports me when I think I can't do something, he takes the time to listen to me babble on and on about whatever book I'm reading, and he makes me laugh...A LOT. 

It always amazes me how many relationships out there are not supportive.  How many people do not have what Steven and I have.  I want to surround myself with those people and follow blogs and groups that have that system in place.  After all, your surroundings help make you a part of what you are.  :)

It reminds me of when I was a kid and my friends were always commenting on how close my Mom and I were.  Wanting that for themselves and not knowing how to get it.  I thank my Mom for teaching me to notice all the little things in life.  Teaching me to appreciate them and thank my stars that I have them.  It's the little things in life that make me feel alive.

What are some of the little things this past week that you've been grateful for???

It's the little things that count...Part I

I try to always have some kind of music in the background and little things around to remind me that my life isn't all about work.

Here's just a few!  :D

One of my tea cups :)

My office name tag  :)  (ok...this does make me think of work)

Pirate Duckies  :)

Wedding pic of my Hunnies in a super cool frame.  :)

What do you have at your work to make it fun??

Out Of The Comfort Zone

My life this past year has changed tremendously.  Even so, I have kept more than a few old characteristics.  I'm cranky when I'm tired and/or haven't eaten, I love the smell of the air after it rains, and I wear flip flops as much as possible.  The other day, it happened...my favorite pair of flip flops broke!

 

Oh no!!!  What to do, what to do?!?!?  Yes, I can just go out and by the same pair of Reefs, but it won't be the same.  These were already molded to my feet and it I didn't even feel like I was wearing shoes when I had them on.  They made me so...COMFORTABLE!!!

This really got me thinking.  Not about flip flops, but with every other aspect in my life.  We, as people, tend to lean towards what's familiar to us.  We like to be in a place that makes us comfortable.  Most of us freeze up when we are outside our little box.

Being outside my box has been more than challenging.  Things that intimidate me at first or that I'm too lazy to do.  

I am constantly looking for new ways to express myself creatively.  I bought some hair flowers online and said to Steven (my husband), "I could totally make these!!" and so the project started.  

We ran out to our local crafts supply store and bought, what I thought, were the essentials.  We came home, after an hour in the store, and I got down to business.  I was tired at the time (see cranky above) and found out the hard way that I did not have everything I needed.  Instead of staying frustrated, I tried a new way to deal with it.  

Normally I would give up and be stubborn to not try again.  It was obvious to me that I didn't set myself up to succeed.  Needless to say, I will be getting the rest of my tools to finish the job.  I've been practicing my bow folding/flower making and feel that I'm almost ready.  I'm very much enjoying the project at hand. :)  I will be sure to post one that I end up finishing.  

Another item outside the box I discovered yesterday.  For my "Fitness For Weight Loss" Session, we had a 'Spinning Class'!!  I haven't really done Spinning before (I like to watch...only participating once, a LONG time ago) and was all out of sorts about it.  

I was SOOOOOO afraid of falling off the bike!  Our trainer walked (peddled really) our way through the different 'hills'.  Adding resistance, standing up to run and climb and then recovery!!  My legs were like jello after we were done with our 25 minutes.  Now I know why this is so addicting to some people.  Talk about a full workout!!!!

I've been having more of a "try this" attitude toward new ideas and I am finding out that I really am enjoying it.  Every time we discover something new about ourselves, it makes our world that much brighter.  If we don't take up that new opportunity, how are we to know what we are missing out on?  I want to provide excitement to areas in my life that I'm passionate about and believe in.  Don't you??

After all...I do have a new favorite pair of flip flops.

What is the one new opportunity you are going to take?

I AM WORTH IT!

Well hello there!  Nice to meet you! :)

This is my first blog. Well, second really, since we are being honest here.  You see, I did three posts on one I started almost 2 years ago, but I didn't follow through with it. <~~~Stating the obvious. It just didn't fit.

Before starting this one, I decided that I needed more of a purpose for writing and give myself realistic goals for it.

For starters, I have just gone through 3 major changes in my life:

1) Change of Industries: I had worked in the Corporate Housing world for a little over 8 years and decided I wanted something entirely different. My networking finally paid off! I am now working for a great high tech company who believes in their products and the people behind them.  I'm purely operations, but the engineers don't need to know that tidbit. ;)

2) I got married: My husband Steven is truly my best friend and we really do make a great team together. It is effortless for me to be open and honest with him. I can't imagine it getting any better, but I know that over the years to come, it will.

3) We got a new puppy: This is our newest addition to our family, LeeLoo. She is the "little" sister of our 3.5 year old Chihuahua/Terrier, Sam.

But wait!! THERE'S MORE!!
I'm starting a new chapter! I've decided that I am worth it! I am worth my time and attention. Since this epiphany, I can't tell you how much more my life is becoming more balanced because of it.  I really want to believe that I deserve the wonderfulness that I have in my life, and I'm on the right track. 

I've struggled with my weight most of my adult life (who hasn't, right?) and have decided that I need to figure it out. Not only have I joined a group workout at work, but in two weeks I start group sessions with my Holistic Health Coach, focusing on my behavior with food. I want a lifestyle change and not continue on my habit of losing a ton of weight, only to gain it back.

So that is what I'll be writing about folks. My journey of becoming my true self. (WOO HOO!!)

Please join me in my new adventure of having the goal to improve myself and share my knowledge, thoughts and ask questions to those who surround me.  It's gonna be a fun ride!  I'll have to remember that I'm doing the work!  ;)

What about you??  What is your #1 goal that you want to achieve?