The Y

"It's Fun to Stay at the Y.M.C.A!"

At the beginning of the year Jimmie and I decided to join the Y.  If you are wondering, yes, that  is what all the cool kids call the YMCA.  I was a member in TN and loved it!  There is just something about the Y that is different than your average gym.  Sure the teachers may not be as cut and buff looking, but they look like me so I like it.  They are also normal and will stop and chat with you before or after class.  Jimmie has even, gasp...been able to talk to some of the guys in the weight room!  Normally those meat heads are so worried about their pecks sticking out of their tank tops they can't even say hello.  For sure there are the moments you just want to get in and out and maybe skip the chit chat, but I think if I am paying to show up and spending hours a week someplace, we are going to meet as many people as we can!  

So here is to keeping our resolution of taking care of ourselves while enjoying ourselves.  Zumba class, here I come!

Who Knew I Needed a Vacation?!?!

VACATION!!!

Jimmie and I have been tackling a major life changing project and for some reason I thought that would go down without a break down.  Hmm...not to smart, I know.  We have been filling out paperwork and thinking and talking about a major move.  While we are both on board and really excited, I think we as humans have issues with change.  As a kid, we moved many times.  I loved it!  As an adult I can look back and see that what I loved was the lack of pressure to really attach, not so healthy.  The upside is that I can adapt to a new scene and love meeting new people.  Now to combine that with what I know a long lasting, healthy relationship is supposed to look like...see why my head was spinning?
It would only make sense that the next thing I would do would be so out of character for me that Jimmie could not even guess the surprise I had planned for us!!  I dropped him off at rehearsal Saturday night and went home, packed, and moved us into a hotel for the weekend.  Brought us all that we needed for a getaway and a private Super Bowl party!!  It was SO nice to not talk about anything too serious, to take our time getting ready in a nice, no clutter, space.  We put a wager on the game with the winner getting to chose our Monday lunch location to end our "retreat"!  I can honestly say that I can't remember the last time I spent money like that on ourselves, but that was Birthday money well spent!!

Wrapping up the Raw

Ok, so we did strict raw for 10 days!!  I can honestly say I would have cheated at least once everyday without Jimmie.  He has a tough competitive spirit and can not quit anything he starts, which is good for me!!  Anyway, there were moments of hunger, boredom with our options, etc. but honestly we felt great and was worth the few pounds we lost and the new recipes and things I learned about sugar substitutes!  I have always loved baking and since I have been married have come to love cooking in general.  Of course it helps when your awesome husband will help and do the dishes.:)  I am lucky that way.  One magazine I found last year has really been a game changer* for me.  Of all the things I have made there are generally very few things I change and we have only put one thing on the "just ok" list.  All other things have been made more than once!  Check out Clean Eating if you are needing a new batch of recipes.  Here are the things I will be making in February:

Picadillo Chowder(made for my sweet friend Kayle&froze some for us!)
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Mediterranean Vegetable, White Bean & Feta Penne
Country-Style Beef Soup & Green Pepper Soup
Chewy Mocha Dream(Gluten-free & only 56 calories!)

All from the February Edition!!  We will see what ends up as keepers.

This is out of an old issue, but when making a meal for Kayle that would be Gluten free I found a cookie that is awesome.  I don't usually go for the hot out of the oven cookies, but this one is best that way!

Almond Butter Cookies










*phrase I must have picked up from Jamie!!

Pudding!! Raw Style

Pudding that all mom's MUST make!!

This pudding is so easy and so tasty!!   I would say, just go ahead and double the recipe.

Chocolate Mousse-by Jennifer Cornbleet

1/4C pitted medjool dates, soaked(about 30 min)

1/4C pure maple syrup or agave nectar

1/2t vanilla extract(optional)

3/4C mashed avocados(about 1& a 1/2)

1/4C plus 2T unsweetened cocoa or carob powder

1/4C water

Place dates, syrup, vanilla in food processor until smooth.  Add avocado and cocoa until creamy.  Might need to stop and scrape the sides a few times.  Add water and process briefly.  Will keep for 3 days or 2 weeks in the freezer.