And it all comes together...

It's amazing to me how when you start to really focus on the truly important things to you and the goals you really want to accomplish, everything just comes together. For instance, the biggest goals I have currently are to finish my thesis and lose a few dress sizes! Instead of trying to do every other little thing I wish I could do (and be Superwoman simultaneously) like keeping up my piano and guitar playing, singing, horse back riding, becoming a tri-athlete... I instead chose to CHOOSE. I CHOSE to separate my "wants" from my "needs" and VOILA! I have control and focus and determination... my long lost friends. :)

Funny how just choosing to do those two main goals (while maintaining my 9-5 job) I have found simplicity, peace, inspiration and a smile.

I hope each of you can find and hold onto this sense of direction I have re-discovered and long-awaited.

Happy Seeking!

Picture courtesy of my friend Sabine - beautiful.

Less is More

This expression is applied a lot and for good reason. Recently I find that so many people, both men and women my age (late 20's, early 30's), are living beyond their means and their years. Let me explain -- I live in Sioux City. Not exactly the Big Apple or San Fran where young professionals seem to be racing to meet fashion, housing and entertainment standards beyond their budgets. Yet even in a midwestern town lovingly nicknamed "Sewer City" I meet people weekly who are my age adorned in Gucci, Coach, and Tiffany's items and they are struggling to pay their water bill! Come on people -- doesn't it make more sense to keep the lights on than wear the newest, goggle-sized sunglasses just because you saw it in a magazine? With winter around the corner I'm thinking my heat sounds better than cold, metal around my neck with some girl's name on it.

So enough of my soap-box -- just wanted to shed some light on the fact that although we may not have EVERYTHING we want (live-in masseuse, anyone?) we at least pay our bills on-time, in full, and don't have debt up to our eyeballs.

Hellooooo!

WOW -- so how long has it been since I last posted? Almost 2 months!! Crazy. I have no real excuses except the fact that my computer did get a nasty virus for a few weeks and that certainly curtailed my blogging efforts. I have also been out visiting or being visited a lot lately too -- to Minneapolis and San Francisco and having Ali come to Sioux City! :) Its been loads of fun but I am back to business and that means I am back to blogging. :) I know, you truly missed me.

So, probably should do a little update on life and then I will post some more on my recent discoveries. First of all, although making good progress on my thesis (YAY! Its about time.) I am not making consistent progress on my healthy lifestyle. I have had some shining moments (followed by Blue Bunny ice cream binges and a week full of pizza!) and have remembered some long lost lessons in healthy eating and habits which has been a relief! But still seem to have a long road ahead. Yet there is some hope for me since I do feel I have been focused on keeping a positive mindset about weightloss and exchanging my current ways for better, happier, more energetic ones. :)

Here's to a new month, a fresh start (again) and back to blogging. Its gonna be a good September. :)

Picture courtesy of www.allposters.com

Great Friends!!!!

I currently have at least three countdowns in progress, even though two of them lead to the same day. One is till this school year is over and I'm done with school, again! Another is till the end of summer school, Friday at approximately 10:30am. This countdown leads to a very exciting countdown of my visit to Laura and Kolby's!! Yes ladies and gentlemen, I'm off to Sioux City, Iowa! As Laura and I made plans for my visiting, I realized how much it means to me to go and visit those that are the most important in my life. Especially since most in that category live at least 4 hours away from me. This realization has just given me a new vigor in my efforts to keep in touch with my friends, because most of them are not know for being good at staying in touch(Laura is not in this group!). I think that staying in touch with those we care about the most helps us to be a better us. They are part of who we are. Sadly often times they are the ones that we neglect first, counting on the hope that they will always be there! So send a friend an email that you haven't sent one to in a while, I know I always like to get actual emails from friends!

Financially Savvy

Here is a skill I have yet to add to my repertoire, let alone perfect -- being financially savvy. Even though I took courses in nearly every department during college, from crop sciences to human development, neuroanatomy to business law, I never took ANY business classes (something I most definitely regret now). But there is a website and newsletter that have greatly improved my financial vocabulary and understanding: The Motley Fool.

Visit their website and you'll be amazed how much information they give you for FREE! Following both current market trends and basic lessons it has something for everyone. This day in age if you can make money and you want it to last, you need to know how to invest and follow the market. Its a life skill none of us should be without.

Long Walks with My Dog

Spending over an hour this morning walking Dillon, my 2 year old, 60 lb., shepherd-mix dog, along the Missouri River was by far the highlight of my day. Not only is she a great buddy but going without anyone I know ensures a rest for my mouth and my mind (as I tend to be pretty chatty majority of the time) as well as bonding with her and getting some much needed exercise. One of the reasons we got Dillon, and made sure she was bigger than a lap dog, was to have a running, walking, exploring buddy that I felt somewhat safe with alone as well. She definitely fits the bill and is always ready to hop into the car and go anywhere, as long as the window is down on both sides so she can pace the backseat and catch all the action whizzing by. :)

If you have the time and yard to keep a dog I recommend you go to your nearest Humane Society, pick up a pup and improve your health by having man's best friend waiting at the door and ready for anything (as long as water and treats are along for the ride). :)

New insights

I just wanted to start off by saying that I'm so glad that you, Laura, have gotten back into blogging. It makes me very happy! So I came to the conclusion during my journey that I don't mesh with Houston well. I'm not sure what it is, but Houston and I have different energies(for lack of a better word). Yet, I have no idea where I want to live next. I have been back in school now for two days. I have mixed feeling about this. I think I will enjoy both classes that I'm taking, but I'm ready to be done with school. The weather here has been very rainy, and not the kind where you can still go out and do whatever you need to do. I guess it is hurricane season. Thanks for the feng shui info. I should look into that for when I move apartments at the end of the month. There is not a lot going on since I've been back. I did just want to put a topic from my health in education class out there. Today my professor talked about different areas of health and how they all affect each other. In other words, one part of your life (under your control or not) can affect any other part of your life. So the sooner you fix or adjust to whatever is wrong, the sooner that the rest of your life will be in better condition too!

Fresh Mountain Air... Does the Body Good!

For the last 3 days I have been enjoying the crisp mountain air of Arrowhead, CO with my family over the 4th of July weekend which has been just phenomenal. There is something to be said for living in a place like CO when it comes to your health... especially the mountains. Everywhere you turn there are fantastic outdoor activities to enjoy and easy ways to get exercise and take in the spectacular scenery. From the walks along the Eagle River, to fly fishing and white water rafting in one, 18-holes of golf and hiking narrow trails among giant tree groves, the mountains of Colorado have it all. And you can't help but want to get outside and enjoy every minute of it!

Bring Balance to Life & Home with Feng Shui

I have heard about Feng Shui for years now but have never really tried to arrange my house, office or life in that way. Seeing as how I was positiviely surprised by acupuncture I can't see why I shouldn't try Feng Shui since they are both ancient Chinese traditions. Feng Shui takes the basic elements of life (no...not sleep, beer & money)-- wind, water, earth, metal, fire & wood -- and artistically places them in a formation that enhances harmony and energy within a space.

Since most of us spend about 1/3 of our day in the bedroom I figured it would be a logical place to start. Two quick tips: Don't keep the TV in your bedroom (and if you do, cover the screen with a cloth when you head to bed) and don't keep your main work station or computer in your bedroom if you can avoid it. Both muddle the good Chi in your room and will be counter-productive to achieving a balanced space. Also, be sure to have your bed in "command" position -- meaning it is across the room from the door, flush with a wall for support, and takes the "main-stage" within the space. Now, add a little bamboo in a vase, some chanting music in the background, and a lemongrass-scented candle and I would say you were well on your way to peace and restoration.

The good thing is our room doesn't have far to go -- our bed is in the right place, we don't keep a TV in our bedroom, and if the computer makes it upstairs, it is typically shut down and unnoticeable once we head to bed. I DO however need a lemongrass candle... mmm, sounds so fresh -- I feel the need for a Target trip tomorrow! Maybe my next entry should be retail-therapy... is that a legitimate discipline? If only my insurance would cover it.

Happy Re-arranging! :)

Picture courtesy of: http://www.eco-furniture.com/

Good to be home!

So I'm finally back in the states. Now I just have to adjust my time and try to start eating healthy again. Clearly I've still been doing something wrong since I was working out with a trainor 3 days a week and eating healthy most of the time. So I'm starting fresh now that I'm back. I did lose a little bit of weight while I was gone. So I'm trying to figure out what works for me, as I think everyone is. I hope that all of you are enjoying your summer and having luck being healthy. I'll post some funny stories soon from my trip and any discoveries as to what might work for me! Ali
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Things that go BUMP (or BARK!) in the night

Quite the adventure we had on our hands last night -- not one I ever care to repeat -- as Dillon (our shepherd mix dog) took on one ugly, nasty possum at 1am. Fun... You should have heard them out there, ripping all of our neighbors (and I am sure, the whole northside of town) out of their quiet slumber with gnashing and barking coming from opposing sides. If this was the WWF we could call them Dillon "Protective Powerhouse -- Don't You Come Into MY Yard" Malesich vs. Possum "Rabies Reservoir - Put Up Your Dukes" Problem. Quite the show you all missed! (By show I mean Kolby and I racing down the yard in our pj's, no shoes, and a weak flashlight...cursing the noisy bunch in the pitch dark at the bottom of the yard).

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting one of these mangy, large rat-like creatures... here's a photo for you! Enjoy!

Picture courtesy of www.yopress.com

More motivation to stay AWAY from the white foods

Just in case the great weightloss, more rejuvenating sleep, and endless energy wasn't enough of a reason to cut out foods high on the glycemic index, this article I found today definitely seals the deal. Not only do "white" foods (or highly processed, sugary foods) turn me into Two-Ton-Tilly and drop me on my face with fatigue but there is a study that says those foods may increase my chances of getting colorectal cancer. And since that already runs in my family, no reason to tempt fate! Whole-grain, sprouted, hard-as-cardboard, only found at the Natural Foods store -- here I come! (Picture compliments of www.medic.usm.my/~ssu/images/High%20Glyc.jpg)

Laughing Your Way to Health & Happiness

Laughing out loud has to be some of the best medicine for most problems. Think about it... how mad, or sad, or bad can you feel when you have a great, big, belly laugh that makes your sides hurt! Well, in case you don't have any inspiration close by check out this kid's laugh... you won't be able to contain yourself! [Click on the title to this entry... once you reach the Cardio Blog with Rigel's articles then scroll down to "Laugh Away Heart Disease" and click on the video] Keep on hand for rough days, visits from your in-laws, PMS, and an easy abs workout. Gotta love YouTube! (This blog was made possible by: TheCardioBlog site and Rigel Gregg... thanks!)


FYI- Katy & Kim... the little guy sounds like Dad's "Wylie Coyote" laugh... hilarious!


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Great New Recipes!

Its getting to be that time of year when heat and humidity outweigh the cool, crisp, spring weather and I am no longer interested in heavy, hot meals. So I have been searching out some great new recipes that reflect the zest and freshness of summer while still keeping with my own healthy guidelines, and of course, ensuring full stomachs. Let's be honest... I never leave the table until my appetite has been satiated. :)

One of my new favorites comes from a fantastic website, scandinaviandiets.com, where the food choices center around the concept of the Glycemic Index. For those of you not familiar with GI, here is the short version: Glycemic Index measures the point to which a food is processed and characterized by non-whole grain or sugary ingredients. For instance, white pasta, rice and bread will have a much higher GI rating than their whole-wheat, multi-grain versions. The lower the GI score the better the food is for you. It will last you longer, provide a better source of energy and nutrition, and will not be as easily converted into fat which translates into weightloss! :) I should know, I went down 3 sizes in about 2 months. (The website also has great resources for workout plans, nutrition advice, fitness equipment like pedometers and heart rate monitors and was co-founded by my trainer in Denver, Diana Holt, who is a wonderful motivator and friend).

Recipe: Mediterranean Spinach Salad with homemade Vinaigrette (check it out at this site)
http://www.scandinaviandiets.com/recipe_view.php?id=19

Also, there is a great new cookbook out from Pampered Chef called "Spin on Salads"! I know, it can't be that exciting, but there is a salad in here for everyone -- no matter what your tastes are. Here are three of my favorites: Jerk Shrimp, Mango & Avocado Salad; Grilled Georgia Peach and Chicken Salad; Grilled Antipasto and Orzo Salad.

I included one recipe for you all to test out... let me know if you want another one.

Jerk Shrimp, Mango & Avocado Salad
Dressing:2 T. lime juice; 1 T. sugar; 1 t. lime zest; dash of salt; 2 T. vegetable oil
Shrimp & Salad: 1 T. lime juice; 1 T. Jamaican Jerk rub (PChef spice); 2 t. veg. oil; 2 t. finely chopped jalapeno pepper; 1 garlic clove, pressed; 16 uncooked shrimp (about 21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined, tails removed; 1 firm, ripe avocado; 1 head Belgian endive, separated into leaves; 1 firm, ripe mango, peeled and cut into cubes; 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper; lime wedges

Combine ingredients for dressing, whisking in oil last and putting in the fridge until ready.
Combine first 5 ingredients for shrimp, toss raw shrimp in mixture to coat - cover and refridgerate for 15 minutes. Cook shrimp in skillet over medium heat about 4-6 minutes, until shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through, turning once. Combine avocado, mango, and red bell pepper with endive. Drizzle with dressing, add the shrimp and serve with a lime wedge.

Enjoy the recipes and feel free to share yours as well! Have a great week!

It Has Been Revived!

Its about damn time. I have left this site alone for too long and have decided to revamp it and start anew. Welcome to the new spot --

Our old site hasn't been accessed by us for almost a year and I decided it needed a new feel and a broader topic... hence the change in name. :) My intention is for this site to highlight our interests, our discoveries and our successes. Whether that means fabulous recipes, amazing places we should visit, a website we adore, new fitness techniques or strategies, a must-read book or magazine -- whatever we want it to be. Include photos and weblinks too since all of us live so far apart so we can see what you are talking about. Use those digital cameras. :)

I hope this is as fulfilling and fun for you as I envision it to be.