Priorities…
Happy Saturday! The weekend is underway and it’s been a great one so far. Last night Michael and I just relaxed, watched tv, and did some meal planning. When I was younger I used to feel like a failure if I didn’t have anywhere to go on a Friday night, now I savor it. It’s crazy how your priorities can change in just a few years!
Speaking of priorities – I would have never thought that kitchen gadgets and workout clothes would win out over a new pair of jeans, but man, they have! We headed downtown this morning to do some clothes shopping, but walked away with a brand new All Clad Stainless-Steel Fry Pan from Williams-Sonoma.
My new kitchen baby!
I think I’m in love. I’ve been wanting a stainless-steel pan for awhile now – it’s impossible to get good color on your food in hard-anodized aluminum pans, which is all we have. I’m doing some recipe testing tonight involving cod and I can’t wait to see how the new fry pan handles it. I’m such a nerd.
Had to break it in right with bacon!
I also picked up some new CrossFit duds. I can totally see why people love to buy workout clothes now, they’re so comfy and fun to buy. Every time I get a new piece I want to go workout immediately and that’s just awesome. I ended up buying a new compression jacket and a pair of capris at Old Navy. I’ve been hearing some good things about their exercise gear, so hopefully I still like them after CrossFit tomorrow – we’ll see!
In other news, I’m sure you’re dying to know what I shoved in my face the past couple of days. Here’s the rundown…
Day 6 (1/10/2013)
Breakfast:
Egg Scramble
Coffee with Coconut Milk
Snack:
1 Banana
Handful of Raw Almonds
Lunch:
Leftover Curry Chicken
Brussels Sprouts & Cauli Rice
Dinner:
Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
Side Salad
Day 7 (1/11/2013)
Breakfast:
Egg Scramble
Coffee with Coconut Milk
Lunch:
A few Almonds
1 Apple with Almond Butter
Bowl of Chili
1/2 Hot Dog
1/2 Avocado
Dinner:
Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
Side Salad
Getting Strong
Happy Halloween! I hope there was fun had by all!
I’ve never worked at a company that celebrates Halloween, and I must say I’ve been missing out. We had a party consisting of candy, apple bobbing, a costume contest, and of course some jello shots! Hey-Oh! My only regret is that we didn’t wear better costumes. I went as a make shift Iowa football player with Tessie as my referee. Michael went as… um… an apple bobbing champion. His costume paid off because he dominated that contest and brought home the gold!
Tessie watching Dad get ready to bob for apples
Michael bobbing for first place
Big Money Winner!
As you can see, there was excitement to be had by all. Here are a few more pictures I took throughout the day. Try and spot the Tessie in the third picture, she totally blended in with Beetlejuice’s suit!
I’m glad I got to wear comfy clothes to work because I’m completely worn out from Crossfit last night. Yep, we had our first beginner’s session, and it was awesome! I love how fast paced it is, and that I don’t have to put any effort into creating the workout myself. I’m really excited to see where Crossfit can take us. We’ve been eating Paleo for over a year, but I’ve always felt like we were missing the Crossfit component. I just want to get fit and strong and I feel like I might have found a new fitness home. I really hope this is the answer.
And now some snaps of our meals from the past few days…
Sweet Potato & Pork Fritters and Baked Marinara Eggs
Back to Reality
Our fun-filled weekend in Vegas is over and we’re back in the swing of normal life. It’s always hard after an especially awesome vacation to come back home, but you do what you must. Our weekend getaway was particularly amazing this time around, full of a lot of laughs and relaxation.
On Friday after our flight we checked into the hotel and headed out for some outlet mall shopping. Two words that get me hot and bothered are J.Crew and Outlet. Once we got there though, it wasn’t just J.Crew making me sweat, holy cow mega desert heat! It was at least 102 while we walked around, making the thrill of buying new clothes a little less appealing. Don’t worry though, I did manage to purchase a few items while we were out. After the mall we had dinner at Holsteins in the Cosmopolitan. This may have been my favorite meal while away, really great hamburgers and some awesome booze shakes!
The view from our room and me enjoying my shake at Holsteins!
My dinner plate at Holsteins.
Saturday was spent by the pool soaking up some vitamin D. I do love laying in the sun and our hotel had one awesome lazy river. That night we got fancied up and went out to the French restaurant, Bouchon, in the Venetian. I didn’t snap any pictures of our meal, but we did try the bone marrow! I was expecting it to be some amazing delicacy, but it really just tasted like beefy fat. I’m just glad I can now say that I’ve tried it.
Pool-time and us before dinner.
Michael and I before dinner.
Sunday started out with room service followed by the pool again. We spent the afternoon wandering around and seeing the sights. Of course I had to stop at Kardashian Khaos and make a purchase. I can’t help myself, I love reality tv. That night we had some really great Mexican food at Diego at the MGM Grand. I didn’t take any pictures there either, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.
Our room service and Kardashian Khaos.
View of the Bellagio fountains from the Eiffel Tower replica at the Paris Casino.
Now that the trip is over I’m really trying to “be good” with our meals for the next week. No after dinner chocolate, wine, or Paleo treats, and cutting back on my snacking at work. After Labor day weekend, Michael and I are going to be doing a Whole 30 of sorts, so we’re starting off slow now. I hope you all had a great weekend too!
Sad to leave!
Whirlwind Summer!
I have a feeling that this summer is going to rate in the top 5 of the best times in my life. Choosing to eat Paleo and moving to California are the 2 smartest and most rewarding decisions I have made yet. I’m not saying that we don’t have our fair share of issues, who doesn’t, but things are pretty awesome right now. My AMAZING parents came to visit last weekend, and we just had a blast exploring the city! They got here on Thursday evening with a small case of jet lag, so we laid low with dinner out at BJ’s Brewhouse. Friday we drove down to Mountain View to see where my parents lived back in the early 70′s while my dad was stationed at Moffett Field. Total blast from the past for my mom and dad, which was pretty cool to witness. Other festivities of our weekend included Fisherman’s Wharf, Sunset at Land’s End, and some strolls through the city. I can’t wait for them to visit us again next year, what an awesome new tradition! Now we’re eagerly awaiting one of my best friends Jackie’s visit next weekend, followed by Michael’s family, and then an end of summer trip to Vegas. Can you say LUCKY!?!
And now for some pictures…
My parents in front of the duplex they rented back in the early 70′s!
The 2 most important men in my life.
My Parents and me in front of my desk at work.
The trolley!
Family Highs & Sugar Lows
Happy Fourth of July all! Michael and I have the day off and I plan on using it to its full advantage, which started with sleeping in until 8:30! I know, that doesn’t seem very late, but it was wonderful. We plan on doing some cleaning, grilling, and of course fireworks watching. It’s our first 4th in San Francisco and I’m hoping for some awesome fireworks displays. As much fun as the 4th is, I’m even more excited about the 5th! Why you ask?… because my parents are coming for a visit! I cannot wait to see my mom and dad for a few days of sight seeing and catching up. For those of you who know me personally you know my sister and I are extremely close to our parents, and I love it! I have yet to meet anyone who shares the type of friendship that our family has… so lucky!
Okay, on to a more Paleo related topic… I wanted to share this quick story of a girl who decided to veer off track for one small meal that included a bunch of rice, and REGRETTED it. This last week I decided to join my co-workers for some Thai food (one of my favs!) and chose the yellow curry served over a big helping of rice. There were hardly any vegetables and a small amount of pork, but it was a decent ‘cheat’ meal, or so I thought. I could feel the pang of hunger a couple of hours after lunch, which I ignored… then I got home. Holy Cow! That rice crashed my system to the point of seeing stars. I didn’t actually pass out, but if I had stayed standing for much longer I would’ve been on the floor. Michael ended up feeding me macadamia nuts while I sat shaking with my head between me knees. I can’t believe how much I was affected by eating a carb-y lunch. I feel like there’s no better proof of the effects of grains (even gluten-free grains) than almost passing out after a major sugar crash. Moral of the story… no more large meals consisting of mostly of carbs. Yikes!
And because this post is seriously lacking some quality food pictures, here’s one of more BUBBLES!! YAY!!
Another Week in the Books!
Michael and I have been having an awesome time learning our new city. So far we’ve visited Muir Woods, the SF Museum of Modern Art, gotten sunburned at a music festival (oops!), and eaten at some aMazIng restaurants. All this, while trying to maintain a somewhat normal eating and workout pattern. We haven’t stayed completely on track, but have managed to at least keep all gluten at bay. Starting and stopping the workouts is a miserable experience. I can’t stand it when we don’t exercise for a while, and start again. It’s physically painful and mentally depressing to realize just how those 2 weeks knocked you back down to girl push-ups and gorilla noises when finishing that last minute of lunges. Ouch. Ah well, at least we’re trying.
Here’s a peek at this week’s menu:
Sunday
B: Eggs & Hashbrowns
L: Scrounge
D: Beef w/Broccoli
Monday
L: Leftover Beef w/Broccoli
D: Chili
Tuesday
L: Out
D: Steaks w/Asparagus
Wednesday
L: Scrounge
D: Garlic Ginger Chicken w/Roasted Turnips & Carrots
Thursday
L: Leftover Ginger Chicken w/Turnips
D: Enchilada Chicken Stew
Friday
L: Leftover Chicken Stew
D: Slow Cooker Sauerkraut Pork Tenderloin w/Roasted Potatoes
Saturday
B: Eggs & Pancakes
L: Leftover Slow Cooker Pork
D: Out
And here’s some pictures of our excursions thus far…
Left: A picture Michael insisted on taking, my first day at my new job.
Right: A building a pass by on my walk to work. Do What You Love!
Both: Muir Woods
Both: BFD Music Festival in Mountain View, CA.
At the SFMOMA… pretty fitting if you ask me!
Good Times
Tonight I was fully intending to post this awesome recipe for pizza stuffed portebellos when I veered horribly off track. While searching for pictures of the mushrooms, I was reminded that a friend recently asked if I had some pictures of Tessie as a puppy. So I started looking through my folder entitled “Super Old Pictures”. That was the exact moment I lost all other productivity for the night. Mushrooms can wait, these pictures bring back such good memories I had to post a few. Sorry if I embarrass anyone, <<cough>> Michael. Love You!
Left: Little Miss Tessie Dog as a puppy. She’s always been adorable.
Right: My first apartment after college as an “Adult”. This seems like forever ago, but it was only in 2009.
Left: A picture of me right after I moved to KC when I lived with my sister.
Right: A picture of my sister and I the summer of 2009. This is one of my favorites of us.
Left: My niece’s actual first trip to Disney! I miss that little girl!
Right: The table decorations at one of the baby shower’s I threw my sister. What a good time!
Left: A girl’s trip to Chicago with one of my best friends! Miss you Tiffy!
Right: My first trip to Vegas with my other best friend! Miss you Jackie!
And the best for last!!!! Michael and I on one of the first nights we ever hung out. This was before we were even dating. Don’t we just look destined for each other… HA!
Resolution #2 Complete
When Michael and I rang in the new year we were sure of only 2 things for 2012. The first is something I’ve talked about a lot on the blog, exercise… And it’s still a work in progress. The second is probably the most exciting thing that will ever happen in our lives, moving 1800 miles away to San Francisco, CA! We’ve been dreaming of moving for the past year, and it’s finally happening! In 1 more short week we’ll be heading west to start a brand new life in the “Big City”. It’s incredibly bittersweet, one hand exhilaration and the other sheer terror. I’m going to miss my parents, my sister, my niece, and my friends. The idea of being that far away from our families is gut wrenching, but the thought of always wondering ‘what if’ we don’t go is just as painful. I’m excited to keep blogging during our journey and can’t wait to experience all San Francisco has to offer, especially the food! Being able to walk to the grocery store and peruse the giant Farmers Market in downtown seems so….exotic? Okay, maybe not exotic, but I am from a small town in Missouri so give me a break. Last but not least, I’m even more excited to be in a city where the Paleo population is more than just Michael and I. 
.
Here’s some pictures from the trip that inspired it all, our vacation last year to San Francisco…
Our Hotel and a picture of me in Union Square.
Union Square and us outside of China Town.
Our Dream Realized!!!!
P.S. Notice how much chubbier we are? This was a few months prior to Paleo.
