Day Two Hundred and Ninety Nine

Introducing paleo turkey sausage bake...that was straight bomb-ski's. I've been downloading an absurd amount of paleo e-cookbooks on my Kindle, for free. I spent the entire week checking Amazon each morning for the fresh selection, and I now have at least fifteen to choose from. I know, crazy. BUT trying to move every few months with a ton of books has proved difficult, so I'm officially transitioning towards all Kindle books. Hurrah!

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Six

Today was compromised of a random assortment of wonderful accomplishments. Firstly, my wedding dress is done! Yes, done as in altered, and fits like a glove. (For reals this time). It looks like a whole new gown now that I'm not swimming in it or tripping over the train. I also picked my wedding hair do out. Choosing one proved to be a huge challenge for me, for some odd reason. It's just wedding hair, sheesh.

Today was also me first day at my new Crossfit gym, owned by world recognized Crossfit athlete Fortune Santos, who just returned home from the Crossfit games. This is where I coincidently destroyed my hands doing ten rounds of: five pull ups, ten toe to bars, and fifteen push ups. Fortune kindly offered me her gloves in the fifth round, as I so stupidly forgot mine. But the damage was done. These pretty princess hands haven't seen a bar since Savannah, lesson learned! Even though my fiancé is strangely attracted to my lovely bar blisters, my gloves are now packed in the jeep never to be forgotten again.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy One

Paleo Bake Day

 

The sun was hiding in Florida today and I woke up feeling ill with a hugely swollen foot. 

Back track for a moment, late last night after the baseball game I took the dogs for a walk around the water in front of our house. It's Florida, I wore flip flops, duh. Lesson learned. The dogs saw something in the dark and sprinted off the trail. I was entirely caught off guard, and was yanked along behind them. As I tried to tame the small beasts and drag them back to the paved path, I stepped on something really round and crunchy. It was too dark to see what it was I squashed, but my foot was on fire in less than thirty seconds. Once we were back to the trail and under some light I realized my fiery foot was covered in insects. Arrgghhhhh. I fought the urge to dip my foot in the water; losing an entire limb to an alligator fifty days before my wedding would really stink. Then I hobbled back to the house where my foot was already bright red and swollen with bumps. It had been too dark to see what type of bug had done this work, and I was so intent on getting them off as quickly as possibly I really didn't pay attention. Everything I know about bugs from the Pacific Northwest is entirely irrelevant here, where creepy crawlies tend to be eight times larger and have three times more venom. It would be just my luck, seeing as I've also been bitten by a rattlesnake and stung by a jelly fish in my relatively short number of years on this Earth. Kyle giggled while applying disinfectant to the bumps and then we were off to bed. No biggy, I've clearly conquered worse. 

When I woke up this morning, my foot was so swollen and tender that there was no shot I was going to get a work out in. I was fatigued, and stiff, which I fully attribute to my bodily reaction to insect venom. I've only been stung by a bee once, but even other small bites tend to have dramatic reactions. And it was pouring. Oh hey tropical storm Dorene. Double arrrrgghhh. The little bites/stings/whatevers had dark centers now and were surrounded with fluid. Barf. I slathered them in more cream and hid my entire foot in one of Kyle's socks, and then decided it was time for a sweet Paleo treat.

The nice thing about Paleo dieting is that you can pretty much still eat naughty food, as long as it's made with natural things. These chocolate chip cookies are wheat, soy, dairy and gluten free. And were BOMB!

Recipe: http://www.paleoplan.com/2011/01-25/grain-free-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Easy Energy Bites!

 Kyle and I have made some weight goals this summer, and we're continuing them into fall. I'm trying to lose a few, he's trying to gain a few and we're both hoping to accomplish this through healthy eating and lots of working out. The issue I have is snacking, when I get the urge I NEED food. Usually the house is stocked with healthy snacks, but when Kyle's home not soooo much. I usually indulge in something not so good for me or filling in attempt to hold me over to my next meal. Case and point, these little protein filled energy bites are healthy AND delicious! I'm in love.



Recipe:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup nut butter 
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1 tsp vanilla 

Optional:

• 1/3 cup coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet but I'm sure butterscotch, white chocolate, etc. would be great!)
• Substituting Agave for the honey (I'll try this next time)
• Adding dried fruit/nuts

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients in a bowl (yea it take a little elbow grease!)

Chill in the fridge for an hour.


Roll into balls.

So delish - and the flax makes them filling! They're the perfect pick me up before the gym or snack before dinner.  

"Graduation"

Accomplished to be done with fours years of hard work. Ready to be done with homework. Relieved to have already found a job I love. A hard sadness about leaving or moving away from close friends. A proud anticipation as Kyle’s collegiate baseball career (and my career in the stands) draws to a close. Joy in finding a new home to share with those I hold dear. Fear of student loans. An emptiness in knowing that my most youthful days are over. And most importantly, a giddy pleasure in knowing I have a bright future ahead of myself. One that only I can write.

And they describe all of these feelings in one word, “graduation.” 

I’ve  never known four years to pass any faster. 

Once a Cougar, always a Cougar. 

And from my incredible dad - http://gentlemanrancher.blog.com/2012/05/02/my-little-redhead/

Work It

Growing up.

Whoa....

On paper, I went from a college student to a Criminal Legal Advocate in the course of a five minute phone call.

In real life, it's been almost two weeks and it still hasn't entirely sunk in. Right now I'm sitting in my living room surrounded by piles of boxes (writing this because I desperately need a distraction, duh). Even though I knew I would have to move this weekend to start my job on Tuesday, it seemed to get over looked with my other work positions, class, and life?!

For the low down: Kyle secured a job in the Coeur d'Alene area before I even started looking for one! Of course he did right? His position has been so kind to offer flexibility if he is to get drafted and go play baseball. When I got the call for my position, they asked if I could start in two weeks. Since they had almost one hundred applicants, I didn't really feel like saying no. More about my job: I'm going to be working with domestic violence clients, helping them coordinate with the prosecutor and the police and helping represent them in court. I'll still be doing general advocacy, but I'll also be helping clients receive protective orders and no contact orders. We found a place in Post Falls in less than a week after my call! I'm moving up this Monday with the help of Kyle's dad and step-mama, and then boom, I have to be at my new job Tuesday morning at 8 am. Does this all seem a little fast forwarded to you? Because it sure as heck is for me!

I know I've been neglecting my blogging duties, but I fully intend on sharing all the crafting I will be doing for our new place (and I suspect there will be a decent amount of it!)

For now, I just thought I'd update you all. And yes, I will be coming back down to WSU for graduation!

PS: April 25th is Denim day - so wear your denim to show your support that all people have the right to wear what ever they want and not experience violence based on their choice. Denim day roots from a court case in which a 45 year old driving instructor raped an 18 year old student. His lawyer argued the woman could not have been raped because her jeans were so tight that she would have had to help remove them, therefore the sex was consensual. More information can be found by clicking the picture below, but please show your support and rock some denim!

Guatemala Trip

Finally!

I know. This week has been nuts, not only have I been trying to get my post-graduation employment lined up (more on that later) but I got back at 2 am on Tuesday night and have been working full time since....on top of my two classes. Might I add my speech to the S & A fee committee was tonight as well, aka stressful presentation begging the head honchos of WSU for money for Green Dot. Sigh.

So back to Guatemala!

We spent the first day hiking volcano Pacaya, basically 3 miles straight up hill to the summit. The volcano blew in 2008, the view from the top was incredible!

We were thoroughly exhausted after hiking, some group members didn't even make it to the summit. The hotels we stayed at had open court yards, and the rooms were submitted to the elements. This is a view from the hotel we stayed at after our hike!

The next evening we wondered around Antigua, it has a large Central park where most of the people gather or activities and concerts.

On our way to the work site the next day we were privileged to stop and see the ancient Mayan ruins of Ixichme. 

The next week was full of hard, hard, hard work. The home we were building was on the out skirts of town, with no road to it. As a result, the supplies had been dumped off 70 yards down hill. Our job? Move gravel, sand and concrete blocks up a tiny foot and half wide trail to the work site.

We met the family on Sunday afternoon that we would be building the home for. The houses are made of concrete blocks, and rebar. The homes are designed to with stand the frequent earthquakes and cot approximately $4,000 American dollars. Habitat provides volunteer work for 5 days of the building process, a loan for the home and the payment of the masons who build the home.

Site when we arrived

Haley and I also had the awesome opprotunity to build a stove with mud and adobe blocks. The stoves are designed to ventilate the smoke fumes to outside of the home. This helps reduce lung disease and insures healthier lifestyles for the families. These stoves are donated by Habitat.

 The hotel we stayed at while working was an Eco-Lodge, so decorations of recycled bottles and other recycled items were all over the grounds. The hotel was surrounded by a large brick wall, with glass shards from broken bottles concreted on to the top\. There was barb wire around the top as well.

These photographs are from our last day one the site. We moved most of the gravel, sand and blocks up the hill. We mixed the concrete to lay the beginning of the foundation by hand. We created 21 large steel pieces of rebar. And we built four stoves....all in five days.

All of the supplies we moved uphill in wheel barrows. 

A photo with the family Haley and I built the stove for. 

Her son Fernando!

 

After leaving the work site we headed to the nearby lake Atitlan. We spent two days shopping, relaxing, eating and soaking up the sun. Afterwards we headed back to Antigua for a night before catching our flight home. 

Zip lining at a coffee plantation.

On Monday morning we woke up at 2:30 am (Washington/Idaho) time. I got home at 1:30 am to a huge bouquet of flowers, the sappiest of love notes and my favorite ice cream in the freezer. I think someone may have missed me while I was gone. I would definitely recommend a Habitat for Humanity trip, the work is incredible empowering and the poverty is profoundly humbling. My personal Global Village page is still open, click the Habitat for Humanity logo on the side bar of this page to make a donation to the family I was working with. They would greatly appreciate it! Hoping everyone had an enriching spring break! 

PS: Kiva is giving away free 25$ loans to new users right now. Head over and loan money to someone starting a business, going to school or building a home in poverty. I just made my first Guatemalan loan yesterday, I saw several more that could use some funding! Click HERE for the free 25$!

My Most Recent Calf

Thanks for all the votes! His name is officially Flash due to popular demand. Enjoy his "adoption" story from Farmer Wilson (my dad)!

http://gentlemanrancher.blog.com/2012/02/18/grafting-a-calf/

V-Day

Although the holiday may be based on flowers, over priced chocolates and fancy dinners for some, this cause was the most meaningful part of my Valentines day. Please join the One Billion Rising movement and help end violence for women and girls around the world. Click the photo below to help. Happy V-day xoxox

Crockpot Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken

Incredibly easy, and delicious.

4-6 frozen chicken breasts 
1 can of crushed pineapples
1 bottle of Hawaiian Bbq/teriyaki sauce (I have used each and prefer the teriyaki sauce...it's an easy find at Winco too!)

Pour can of pineapples into crock pot. Add all bbq/teriyaki sauce and stir until sauce is well mixed. Carefully add the chicken breasts so they are submerged into the sauce. Put crockpot on the "low" setting and allow to cook for 3-6 hours. I often check on mine and when they appear done I switch the crock pot to "keep warm" until it's dinner time. I served the chicken breasts with rice and sauteed cabbage, NUM!

Resolutions?

New Years resolutions have never really been my thing. I personally believe being successful and happy with yourself is a constant process, and stretching horizons, staying fit and having an open mind are key! But when did a day of goal setting ever really hurt anyone? Never, at least not that I’ve heard. So here are a few of my recent goals, and some just may be Lulu inspired.

Creativity is maximized when you’re living in the moment – a definite struggle for me. As my friends and boyfriend would be quick to tell you, I live by my planner, struggle with last minute changes and find huge satisfaction in a perfectly dictated day. New goal, accept changes gracefully and creatively.

Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age – I signed up for a restorative yoga class this semester. Unfortunately, I can not find a hot yoga class in this area, but restorative yoga should help with my back injury from the car accident. I fully intend on expanding on my yoga skill this year both for physical strength and stress reduction. Goal two!

Those two are my major new goals but here are a few others I want to stay on track with:

Recycle more often!

Gain confidence with driving. The combination of being chauffeured around constantly and being rear-ended by a semi don’t do much for a gal in this department. 

Craft more!

Eat out less and learn more dishes to cook. My boyfriend told me this morning he misses my cooking more than anything this break, talk about a good motivational start!

Continue to read, read, read!

 

Cheers my friends, wishing you good health and happiness into the New Year!

Cake Cookies

Delicious cake cookie recipe. This definitely doesn't fall under healthy, but it does fall under happy. These cookies are the perfect fix when you're short on a time. Here's how you make 'em:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix one box of cake mix (vanilla, white, funfetti) with 2/3 cups of oil and two eggs. Place in one inch balls on the cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown.

And then dine!

Cool Cause: Krochet Kids

Krochet Kids started when three college friends taught several women in a war camp in Uganda how to crochet. Women in these camps make the hats with yarn given to them from Krochet Kids and the hats are then sold online. Krochet Kids is empowering women in poverty by teaching the skills to create the hats, and then providing general education to them. SO AWESOME!! Empowering women, reducing poverty and providing education?! Rock on! And you get an amazing crocheted hat. All you have to do is buy one you love, and how painful could that be? Buy a hat, change a life.

Look for them on Facebook, Twitter or at their website: krochetkids.org