I Can Do It!!!

Well, I am determined. I am going to loose 10-15lbs. I figured the best way to make sure I stay on track is to blog about it (not that I expect anyone to follow-- it's the fact that they could be..).

I have started this "Carb Lovers Diet" --> It's actually pretty tasty (if you know me, I enjoy my carbs). The main part about it is to make sure I make healthier alternatives, even if it's the little things--and especially portion sizes. And I like to think I am an overall pretty healthy eater--I don't munch on junk food regularly, I hardly ever have sweets.. but just seeing the few changes in how I cook or which ingredient would be healthier has opened my eyes and I already notice myself being more alert to these options.

I started on Monday. I have eaten what they told me I could (and yes, I had a few bites of things I probably shouldn't have) BUT I am not going to completely tell myself I cannot have it, otherwise all I will want to do is have it!)

A big struggle for me has been work. I didn't do a whole lot of movement before work and then I work till 9:30pm where I don't get a whole lot of movement and sure enough I sure as heck don't want to go to the gym after work. So I've been getting up a bit earlier to do a two mile walk--and it has given me a lot more energy throughout the day. Another struggle has been eating with my clients; to change this, I have been bringing my own meals and eating that over whatever they are having

Well it has been 2 days--and as strange as it sounds, I already feel like I have more stamina. I do feel as if the higher fiber diet has been doing the trick. I clearly have not been eating the proper amount of fiber previously.

2 day and 2lbs. And that makes me confident. Another struggle I have, is I need to see progress...instantly--in whatever I do, especially when it comes to my body. And to already see some progress keeps me confident and keeps my motivation high!

Another exciting moment of my week-->I've been trying to find a pilates or yoga class around town, and naturally all of them are when I am at work or 5am (and I am not that motivated..). BUT a new dance studio is opening up and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they offer Pilates from 11:30am-12:30am which is perfect--and it's priced incredibly well! I hope to start this next week!!!!

Family Fun At The Fair!!

BUBBLES! Who doesn't love bubbles?

The end of the fair... relaxing by the all you can drink milk :)

Claire talking on my phone!

Wait.. is this my mom being techno-logic?!

Bob went on a long hard hunt for this pineapple..I will admit it was well worth it!

First bite of fair food--aka stick food!!

She wanted more food and animals!

telling daddy all about the cows! I love how animated she is!

I can't believe she kept those ears on long enough for a picture..it took quite a few tries, but well worth it!

Of course Auntie has to tell Claire all about the horses!

She found a way to see every animal we passed..

What a lovely tour guide.

So happy togetherrrr!

Sheep go..Baa?

Heart warming!

I love this shot! So precious!

This is my favorite shot!!!! Dear Bobby and Sara: Don't forget--I will drive up to babysit for freeeeeeeee! Anytime!!!

Havij Polo

Last week we threw a division picnic for work. It was tons of fun! For our house, I made Persian food--and tried a new recipe--> I am assuming it turned out beautifully seeing as I had no leftovers!

Ingredients:
4 cups rice (I use Basmati)
oil
4-6 large carrots
water
1lb chicken (I use chicken breasts--and I like more chicken so I used more)
1 medium (unless you're an onion lover like me, I used 2)
salt
pepper
tumeric
1/2 cup sugar (you can add more if you like)

Wash and rinse the rice, then soak in water for a few hours. Add salt to the water you are soaking the rice in

Chop up the onion finely, add to a pan, and fry in oil until it begins turning golden brown in color. At that point add chicken pieces to the pan and saute. Add tumeric, salt, and pepper to the chicken and stir. Finally add a half of a cup of water to the chicken and place a lid on it. Allow it to cook for about 30 minutes.

(I had a little helper)
(The chicken being added to the onions)
The beautiful color after Tumeric has been added


In the meantime, wash and peel the carrots. Then grate them. Heat oil in another pot and add the carrots. Fry them up a bit then add sugar and 3/4 cup of water. Allow the carrots to cook until the water is pretty much gone.



Prepare the rice by bringing it to a boil and then straining it. Once the rice starts getting tender, put half of it in a pot, and then add the cooked chicken, onions, and carrots and put the rest of the rice on top. Add some of the homemade chicken stock and some more oil to keep it moist. Place a towel on top of the pot to allow steam to escape and turn the heat down to low. Allow the dish to cook for an hour.

I served this dish with maast a kheahar (the yogurt and cucumber dish) and a Persian salad (tomatoes and cucumbers) ENJOY!!

July Fun!

Meet Zach. He is a good friend of mine and made the mistake of allowing us to give him a "make over" from eyeshadow and lipstick to his pretty purple nails!

Enjoying our time outside!

It was so nice to catch up and reconnect with my high school friend, Dave. Even though we both ended up going to Winona State..we had lost contact--and he spent the entire weekend with us, it was fabulous!

Me and Emily-M :)

A beautiful flower in my mommy's garden

The Grill master doing a beautiful job

Andrew's visit.



Meet Kitten number 1: Samson--Emily's cat

Meet kitten number 2: Black Jack Kerouac--my kitty.. unfortunately he looks evil in every picture I took of him--but he is definitely the opposite

Lake Arbutis

Me and Sara (Nate's cousin) taking a jump off the boat!

We had a blast on the wave runners

Me and Jenny (Nate's sister) blowing everyone away at pool

Aw!

On our way out to go fishing!

Catching some air!

He picked me a flower!

The Dam we found while exploring

I wish I could go camping every weekend

Wow... It's Already the End of June!!

Apparently I am very poor at updating my blog!

This past month has been quite the piece! Wonderful none the less.

I am all moved into my new apartment--thanks to my wonderful mother!!

I will post pictures of it soon. I have a new addition to the family--Black Jack--he is a sweet kitty!

I have been a Program Assistant at my job a little over a month now--and am applying to go higher--fingers crossed!

It is nice to have a routine again. The past two weeks I have finally been feeling 'settled'. It's such a good feeling...I feel like myself again.

Last night my brother took the train to come stay with me for the week!!! He is so grown up--I am excited for this week. Right now he is off fishing with some of my friends. I wish I could of gone..but I work. boo.

And we cannot forget--SUMMERFEST this weekend! I am super excited!!!!

Pictures to come soon!

May Is Here!

Well this month has been full of ups and downs so far--but it looks like it will be going up from here!

I am now employed full time and start on the 22nd!!!! I took the Program Assistant Position where I currently work. I am excited to start!

On top of that, I am moving into my new apartment on the 24th--I am pretty excited about that as well--a start to reorganizing my life and living more adult-like.

This past weekend was full of wonderful activities! Last Friday, Emily-M graduated! And then I got to spend a few days back in Milwaukee. It was wonderful to spend Mother's Day with two of the greatest mothers I know and am fortunate to have as mine!

Bob had surgery last Friday and is having a smooth recovery thus far.


The girls together for Emily's graduation!


A wild turkey that has been wandering my parent's neighborhood


He is becoming so grown up!! But he'll always be my baby brother


This is quite possibly one of my favorite photos ever. Such love!


We are goofs, and I love every minute of it!


Such a beautiful family!


I like to smother her with kisses! She deserves them!


Our famous three generation photo


I am really happy Nate came to join us.






I can't believe he is as tall as me now! I made sure not to tag him in any of these on facebook...