believe

to believe is to know that every day is a new beginning.  it is to trust that miracles happen and that dreams do come true.  to believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds, to know the wonder of stardust sky and the wisdom of the man in the moon.  to believe is to embrace the value of a childs innocence and the beauty of an aging hand, for it is through their teachings that we learn to how to love.  to believe is to know that life is a precious gift to cherish, and that wonderful surprises are waiting to happen.  all our dreams are within reach...if we believe.
-lori voskuil-dutter

monday loves...yay for summer

wow we have already been out of school for a week!!!!  saying hello to summer vacation was one of the most fantastic days.  we were so ready--it was a tough school year.  we celebrated kenzis birthday with a small family party (it was perfect) we are enjoying creeds baseball games and the arrival of leaves and green grass.  i love summer!!!  summer in alaska is beautiful and amazing and way too fast.  so we will enjoy every moment of sun that we can soak up.

happy birthday sweet girl

happy 12th birthday to my sweet girl.  wow how the time goes so fast. 

monday loves

10 things i look forward to!!

1. getting the mail and receiving something fabulous

2. a hot cup of tea in the morning

3. watching my kids do what they love most

4. sitting in the sun

5. eating at the cheesecake factory

6. blooming flowers

7. seeing my family

8. having time to do what i love most

9. tasting the beer that my husband makes

10. sleeping in

have a fab fab fabulous monday loves

running for a cause

saturday was the torch run and it was the best one yet!!!  they raised over $5000 for the special olympics-yay!!! 

i attained my personal goal of running the entire 3.2 miles, kenzi ran the whole thing too--wow i was so proud of her-she didnt complain once.  creed rode his bike and came in 4th place while gus ran the entire time with the torch.  it was a good time.

just before the start!!  gus and the mayor talking about the torch run .

me and the girls just before the race!!

happy sunday

a little julia roberts

oh my... i really really loved this movie.  with a glass of my favorite red wine i laughed and cried while i watched this movie. 
love love

monday loves...hello last week of school!!!!

first day of school pics

i cant believe this is the last full week of school.  we are super excited to say hello to summer vacation and get a break from the hecticness that school brings to our lives.  its time to relax and sleep in--woo hoo!!!!!

we have a pretty exciting summer planned and we are so ready for it to begin=)

next week my daughter turns 12 and instead of a big party this year i decided it was time for a little mother daughter vacation.  so NEW YORK CITY here we come!!!!  so excited i can hardly stand it!!!!  kenzi and i will be meeting up with my mom and a few of her friends for 4 days in the heart of manhattan!!!!  it will be an experience i am sure!! 

do you have any fabulous summer plans???? 

i need veggies and love!!!!

oh my goodness!!!  this is from my sweet sweet boy on mothers day-it cracked me up because he also made me a very cute little banana!!!  it is so funny the things they pick up on--he knows me well.

lots of love and hugs on this sunday

**this last week was crazy and i didn't get a chance to finish one week vegan, but i promise to add a few things here in there in the next couple of weeks before i head out on my much needed vacation.

one week vegan day two

tuesday

menu

breakfast: ezekiel muffin

snack: banana blueberry mango smoothie

lunch: veggie chili

snack: apple

dinner: veggie chili and a boca burger (i was a little hungry tonight:)

today was my first day back at work and always a challenge when it comes to eating.  i have to prepare in the morning and make sure i have enough "good" food to keep me full and away from the naughty snacks on the back counter at work. 

choosing organic:
i dont stress about it, but i try to buy as much organic as i can.  its a little hard up here to get quality organic fresh fruits and veggies so i buy what looks fresh!  everything i buy that is frozen, canned, or in a bag is almost always organic.  i know its a little more expensive, but i think of it as cheap health insurance!!! 

three of my fav small appliances that make my life a heck of a lot easier:

cuisinart-for chopping
rice cooker- for rice and quinoa
vita mix-for my smoothies

have a great night!!

relaxation with friends

this weekend was our annual trip to halibut cove!!  the weather was great-although i know we look really cold!!  it was a much needed weekend away full of good food, good drinks, good friends, and a lot of relaxing!!!!  halibut cove is absolutely beautiful and a place that i will never take for granted.  this weekend we saw eagles, sea otters, porpoise, starfish, clams and crabs. i wish i had some scenic pics to share with you.  next time i promise!!! 

my friends kristen and kim

monday loves...one week vegan day one

monday

vegan: (noun) a vegetarian who omits all animal products from the diet

i have to start off by saying that i am no expert, but i have found a lifestyle that works for me and i am super excited to share it with you!!

right now i am fueling my body with very strict vegan foods and running my hiney off.  i want to feel good about myself, in shape, and wear some super cute little dresses on a dreamy vacation i have planned to new york city next month.  my goal for the year is to stay strong with my eating and exercise routine.  i know i can do it....i will do it!!!!! 

the question i am asked most is how do you get your protein????  here is a chart i found in the kind diet book by alicia silverstone on page 57.  i always answer this question with almost every plant based food has protein and i love love love my beans so i have no worries about my protein intake.

mondays menu:

breakfast
cup of hot organic green tea (jasmine)

banana mango blueberry smoothie

snack
ezekiel english muffin

lunch
layered mexican dip (original recipe found in the kind diet book)
1 can amy's organic refined beans
3 large organic avocados
fresh lime juice
1 container non dairy sour cream
1 packet organic taco seasoning (i use simply organic)
small can diced green chiles
1 small can sliced olives
diced fresh tomatoes
chopped fresh cilantro

pre heat oven to 350

spread beans on the bottom of the pan
mash avocados with lime juice and add as the next layer
stir together sour cream and seasoning and add next
sprinkle chiles and olives over the sour cream mixture
then add fresh tomatoes and cilantro and bake for 15 to 30 minutes(i usually cook it about 20 minutes)
yummy-enjoy--this recipe is great in a burrito or served with chips

snack
apple

dinner
left over mexican bean dip =)

exercise:
i try to exercise 3-4 times a week.  i know its hard and we are all busy but i honestly feel a hundred times better when i get out for my run.  choose an exercise partner-it helps a ton.  my friend brenda and i run together and we motivate each other to keep going and after a busy day we make sure we still go even though its the last thing we want to do that evening.  thank you brenda!!!!

i dont obsess about my water intake, but i do drink a couple of glasses a day.  no soda no juice!!!!  i love water so i have no problem saying no to the sugar stuff!!!

oh my goodness i have so much more to share with you....stay tuned!!!!

monday loves...one week vegan

seven days to a healthier happier you=0)

i am asked all the time why did you become a vegan??  how do you get your protein???  isnt it really hard to have a variety of meals???  soooo.....for seven days i am going to give you a peak into my vegan world and how i prepare each day to make smart eating choices, my daily inspirations that keep me focused, and a few other fun things (great recipes and what i do when we eat out)-- so stay tuned... monday may 9 for day 1 of one week vegan.

happy monday loves!!!!

feeling inspired

a little inspiration from pinterest!!  i havnt had much time to pick up the camera lately so i love to get inspired by checking out pinterest to get the creative juices flowing!!! 

what inspired you today???

sunday love

i have been itching for a new project around the house!!!  i remember a list i made months ago and on it was to make my inspiration space my inspiration room.  that was just the project i needed and so i found myself at lowes this morning with a can of paint and a brain full of ideas.  my goal these days is to do things as thrifty as possible so all i needed was the paint and i am on my way to something new.  with a little help from gus the very heavy old tv and stand are on their way to the garage sale pile and the room will be all mine!!!!  pictures to come.  yay for some new found inspiration--i needed it!!!!

happy sunday and first of may!!!