Clippings of my life...

Italian Cream Muffin in a Mug

2014-03-08T09:55:00.001-07:00

I made a yummy breakfast on the cold Saturday morning. I made the basic Muffin in a Mug recipe from the Trim Healthy Mama Book, I added 1 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut & 1 Tbsp. pecans. I topped it with some kefir cheese sweetened with stevia and sprinkled with toasted coconut and a few more pecans.

Creamy Berry Bonanza Smoothie (THM-S)

2014-02-28T08:59:00.001-07:00

I am seriously addicted to milk kefir. To the point that I have limit myself to once a day. It's tart, creamy & best of all it's good for you. It has so much healthy bacteria that we need in our gut, it's even better than yogurt. If your not already hooked, you have to try it.

I have tweaked a version of a kefir smoothie from the Trim Healthy Mama book. I made it thick & creamier. In an effort to be healthier, I am going to, at a minimum, have 1/2 of milk kefir a day, I don't think that will be a problem due to my addition.

Creamy Berry Bonanza Smoothie (THM-S)

1/2 cup Milk kefir

1/2 cup Kefir cheese, could use cottage cheese

1/2 cup frozen berries, I used strawberries and blackberries

1 Tbsp. Coconut oil

1 tsp. gr. flax

Stevia

1 scoop whey protein powder, I use Swansons vanilla(which is sweetened with stevia)

Blend and enjoy!

To make kefir cheese is easy. Strain the milk kefir using a strainer lined with a coffee filter and pour in milk kefir, let it strain for 24 hours in the fridge. What you have left is milk kefir cheese and whey. This whey is not the same as the powdered whey used in the smoothe recipe above, that is whey isolate protien powder. This whey is liquid gold, in my opinion. I will post more on how I'm using whey soon.

Our Christmas card 2013

2014-02-26T10:44:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd post our Christmas card from this past Holiday season. I still can't believe I have a senior! Ahh.....

What will next year's card be like having a college student?

Things are a changin'!

Good Girl Moonshine

2014-02-22T22:59:00.001-07:00

I have been making GGMS in big batches and keeping it in the fridge. That way it's ready to drink. I like to have simple things already done & ready to go. I do have to say I've built up my tolerance for ACV! It can be addicting.

I learned about this awesome drink from Trim Healthy Mama.

P.S. My favorite benifit is that it can help weight loss. Also, I've read that it helps with inflammation among other things. And, It is detoxifying, who doesn't love that!

Good Girl Moonshine

Makes: 1/2 gallon jar

1/2 cup Bragg's ACV (apple cider vinegar)

2 tsp. gr. ginger

Stevia, to taste

Add all ingredients to 1/2 gallon jar and enough water to fill the rest of the jar, stir. That's it! Give it a good shake, stir or twirl with a straw before you drink as the ginger tends to settle.

Enjoy!

6 months old cuties

2014-02-20T19:36:00.001-07:00

This is such an adorable picture of Jasmine (upper left), my niece Scarlett (lower left), and my two nephews JJ (top right) and Carter (lower right). I believe Jasmine is 5 months in this pic! It's one of my favorites of her! My sister Elizabeth found these pictures and compiled all these cuties! Thanks, Liz!

Christmas 2013

2014-01-19T19:52:00.003-07:00

We celebrated Christmas with my family recently. My sister made us awesome Colorado (state flag) hats. Thanks Elizabeth! I love mine! We also happen to get together on the same day as a Broncos playoff game and (yea!) they won!
What a nice day with the family!

Boat Building

2014-01-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

The boat was built in 2011 and here are some of the progress

Lake Pueblo

2013-08-02T18:36:00.001-06:00

Keith & I had nice weekend camping in July.

I did it!

2013-05-19T21:41:00.000-06:00

I finished my half marathon! And got to run through the zoo while doing it!

On race day I just had a positive attitude. I really wasn't completely feeling it but, of course, I wanted to finish what I started. I'M GLAD I DID!

I quit training in March, I was so burnt out. Then a week before the race I had gotten sick. Two days prior I went to the doctor and got some good stuff just to help me through. At the starting line I was saying to myself to just do what I can and I was thinking I'll never do this again but, just be glad to check it off my bucket list. By the finish line, I was crying because I felt I had accomplished something so big (for me). Near the end I was thinking I could do one of these again! Too funny!

Now that a little time has passed, I'm not sure I'll do another yet but, so happy at my achievement.

I am now focusing on other fitness activities like yoga & a powerflex class at my gym. I'm loving classes they keep me motivated.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2013-02-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

My mom was in the newspaper on her first (leap) birthday. She would have turned 15 1/4 today. I love you mom!

8 mile day

2013-02-25T23:09:00.001-07:00

Cuddling in the recliner on a cold night

2013-02-20T17:40:00.001-07:00

More owl hats

2013-02-18T09:22:00.001-07:00

This is Mia! So cute wearing the pink owl hat I made her.

This is Bristol! She was just a week old in this pic.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Jasmine

2013-02-12T19:51:00.001-07:00

Jasmine turned 17 this week! I can't believe it, I can't believe how fast time has flown. My baby girl is getting older right before my eyes. She celebrated with our annual tradition of dinner at Red Robin.

6 miles today

2013-02-11T22:36:00.001-07:00

My fitbit is saying I took over 16,000 steps. I really am surprising myself with this goal of mine. Less than a moth ago I was excited about a 12,000 step day. Today was a 6-mile run. I walked most of it. Because it snowed, I went to the gym & used the treadmill which is like torture. You'd think I would've ran to get it over with but no. I read my book to pass the time.

This is Lincoln and his new hat

2013-02-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

I made this cute blue owl hat for my Cousin's new son Lincoln. I just have to say the newborn size is so small!

I asked Andy and Erin to send me pictures with the hat on. I love these!

65 years is a long time!

2013-02-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

We just took a quick trip to Kansas City to surprise my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law for their 65th wedding anniversary.

Happy Anniversary to Ken and Ora Mae!

We had to leave early for the flight and Jasmine fell asleep in the truck on the way to the airport.

They were surprised for sure. There was about 40 people at the party and they had no idea what they were walking into. They thought they were just going to dinner with my sister and brother-in-laws.

Our trip to Albuquerque

2013-01-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

We had a very nice trip to Santa Fe and Albuquerque. We packed for two nights and ended up only spending one night. It was chalk full of sight-seeing and finding yummy food and most importantly spending time with my family.

We went to Pecos National Historical Park north of Santa Fe

Going down into the kiva

We found Route 66! Jasmine really wanted to see it. Of course, it's just a road but we drove down to see all of the old buildings that are still there.

This is an old bridge that is no longer in use but, it used to be part of Route 66.

We found good food. This was Harry's Road House.

I had a panini and Jasmine ordered a Caesar salad.

Then we went to the Fiesta Balloon Museum.

There was a wedding that was about to begin while we were at the museum.

I got my workout in while at the hotel. I have to say, I think this is the first time I have ever gotten a workout in on vacation.

We went to Old Town Albuquerque.

We went to a greasy spoon diner on Route 66.

And, on our way out of the state we had to stop by and stock up on some "two-buck-chuck"

2013 Running Challenges

2013-01-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

In 2013 I have decided to start something new:

13 in 2013 is a running challenge I've joined. I need to run 13 races of any variety this year. They can be virtual runs as well.

I am so inspired by my friend Brandi and her blog Thin after twins. She is doing these and I am ready to get back into shape. Last year was quite the year so after reading Brandi's post I decided this is my year!

I also signed up for 5 by the 5th another challenge I found because of Brandi. I just need to run five races by June 2013.

And, to top it off I am going to run in the Colfax half marathon on May 19th! I just completed my second week of training for this 17-week program. It is official I am signed up and paid for to run this so, here we go! Oh, Um I get to run through the zoo! I'm so excited!

I have signed up for this Game Day 5K on Super Bowl Sunday as well. I need to get these runs in and need little ones along the way as I train for the half marathon. Wow! I can't believe I'm doing this, I might be crazy!

We're going on a road trip

2013-01-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

We decided on Wednesday, on a whim, to go to Albuquerque for the weekend. Jasmine needs time to drive so she can get her license. And Keith & I needed something to look forward to. Something to get excited about.

Albuquerque is only five hours away so why not go down for the weekend. We have a three day weekend, that helps. So, we got up early this morning were on the road.

I'm loving the chance to sit in the back seat.

2012 Christmas Card picture

2013-01-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share the picture from our Christmas card. This is my family!

Owl hats

2013-01-15T18:26:00.001-07:00

I have started crocheting again. I am loving it! I made these cute owl hats. I found this pattern on pintrest and fell in love with it.

I made the pink one first for my friend Kelli's daughter for Christmas. She decorated her daughter's bedroom in owls and I just got inspired to make it for her.

I went on to make another pink one for my great niece Claire.

Then this purple one for my niece Scarlett

It was fun making them and I can't believe I decided to do it all before Christmas. I am going to make a few more with different colors soon.

What a day!

2013-01-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

I exceeded my exceptions today for sure!

I ran 5 miles this morning as a part of my training for a half marathon. Yes, a half marathon! I'll be running it in May. I'm excited yet nervous about the whole thing. I need a goal. So, here we go!

Pantry challenge for January 2013

2013-01-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to clear out my pantry AGAIN! I am doing the Pantry Challenge for the month of January.

For me that really means I am focusing on clearing out the freezer as usual. I sometimes feel like my freezer is a pit that never ends....

Today is the 8th of January and up to this point I have done really well. We did eat out on the New Year's Day but that doesn't count, it's a holiday, right!

I will keep you up to date. I like having a blog for accountability, it keeps me on track.

Playing games

2012-03-10T21:21:00.001-07:00

All day I was trying to figure out how to take a picture of something loud. I even attempted to take a pic of a moving train but, it didn't come out. Then, there it was right in front of me!