Help, I've Got an Addiction!

So I finally decided to check out what this Pinterest business is all about. I requested my invitation and waited patiently for it to come to my inbox, I didn't even get anxious. Okay, so I might have checked my inbox like three times that day looking for it, but believe me I wasn't anxious. Then, the hook. I created my account and after that, the addiction started. I can see what the hype is all about, it totally lives up to it's reputation. Thanks Heather, I hope you know you helped create a monster. ;)

Come check it out: Pinterest

One Last Summer Fling

I’ve always loved going camping and this past weekend was no exception! My family and I traveled over to Heyford State Park just outside of Plummer, Idaho for our three day excursion. Perfect weather, yummy food (it's not exactly what you'd call "camping food") and spending time with family made a delightful mini vacay.

Hiking trail

Monday was Drew's birthday and I was able to surprise him by taking him over for dinner and birthday cake with my family. I am pleased to say he had no idea what was going on. :) Afterwards, (when he thought we were going home) I took him over to Baskin Robbins for his free scoop of birthday icecream. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself.

Sisters!

This was such a special moment at my sister's wedding. I love my sisters! :)

Great Running Freebies!

I love to read about running and one of my favorite websites just posted a bunch of free pdfs with some great training pointers. So go check it out!



http://www.runnersworld.com/cas/pdf/0,,s6-238-591-0-0,00.html

It's Official: I'm a Dirty Dasher!

  

This last Saturday morning was intense. The Dirty Dash 10k took me almost 2 hours to complete, but it was so worth it! With 16 obstacles to overcome, along with 6.2 miles of hard core hill/trail running, The Dirty Dash was by far the hardest run I've ever completed! Its something that I want to try again, but with a lot more training under my belt. I'd totally recommend it for someone up for a challenge!

Tire Obstacle



Final Obstacle: MUD PIT!!



Here I go, almost done!



Dirty Dashers

Posing in all my muddied state! :)

Shower Time!

Zucchini Crusted Pizza

3 cups shredded zucchini

3/4 cup egg substitute  (I used 3 eggs)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese  (I used cheddar)

2 small tomatoes, halved and thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup julienned green pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Additional topping ideas: pepperoni, olives, grilled chicken etc.

Directions

1. Squeeze excess moisture out of zucchini and let sit for about 5 minutes. In a bowl, combine zucchini and egg substitute; mix well. Add flour and salt; stir well. Spread onto the bottom of a 12-in. pizza pan coated with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Bake at 450 degrees F for 8 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle with mozzarella, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, oregano, basil and Parmesan cheese and other optional toppings. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until onion is tender and cheese is melted.

Original recipe from Allrecipes.com, but I've made a few adjustments :)

Diet. That Nasty Four Letter Word

First of all, let me clarify something. Diet is a bad word. I've always believed the word carried a negative connotation on its back. It started out being perfectly innocent and then slowly morphed into something not so nice.You say the word diet to me and I will most likely cringe. If somebody tells me they are on a diet and asks my opinion about it, I usually ask them, "Is it something you can do for the rest of your life? If it's not, you are wasting your time". Now, I understand cutting back on certain food items that may be a adding a few pounds, I get that. What I don't get is somebody totally revamping what they are eating only for a designated time just so they can lose the unwanted poundage. What is going to happen when you start eating the same way you did before? Yep, all the weight comes right back on. It all comes down to this: if you don't change those habits that are making you fat, your fat is going to stick to you like glue. Yuck! This is the personal trainer starting to coming out of me, all it takes is one step at a time. So start setting some goals!

Baked Chicken Taquitos

I got this recipe from a coworker and it is very tasty!

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded chicken breast

1/3 cup cream cheese

¼ cup green salsa

1 cup grated pepperjack cheese

1 fresh green chili pepper diced

1 ½-2 minced garlic cloves

3 Tbsp chopped cilantro

3 Tbsp sliced green onions

3 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice

½ tsp chili powder

½ tsp cumin

¼ tsp onion powder

Flour or corn tortillas

Sautee the diced green chili pepper in 1-2 Tbsp of oil on low heat until tender. (about 15 minutes).

Melt the cream cheese in a large bowl in the microwave so it is soft and easy to stir. Mix in all other ingredients with the cream cheese, including the sautéed green chili peppers. Warm tortillas in microwave so they are easy to roll. Place about 3 Tbsp (about 1/8 cup for larger tortillas) of cream cheese/chicken mixture into tortillas and roll, place in pan seam side down. Pour as much extra green salsa and pepperjack cheese on top as you like.

Bake uncovered on 425 for about 20 minutes.

One Year!

 

Two weekends ago Drew and I celebrated our one-year anniversary (and now I finally internet so I can upload pictures). Its so hard to believe that we've already made it past a year! Wednesday, four days before our anniversary, we left Spokane for a family reunion in Tamarack, Idaho. Tamarack was so scenic and the weather was perfect. We were able to go horseback riding and relax in our beautiful room complete with a fireplace, jet tub and sauna. It was amazing!  I was surprised by Drew on Saturday when he told me we were going to Caldwell, Idaho for the last two days of our vacation. I had such a great time.


Our suite complete with fireplace, balcony, sauna & jet tub



View from our balcony

Riding "Lucky"



Family Picture Time

Fun Pic



Silly Pic







Easy Corn Salsa

Easy Corn Salsa

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomato, or 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, not drained
2/3 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1 cup chopped cucumber, not peeled
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper, red or green
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt (opt.)
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
*Sodium is figured for no added salt

Mix ingredients together in medium bowl and serve. Refrigerate leftovers.


Serves 8 (1/2 cup servings)

Nutrition Facts:
calories 189; total fat 7g; saturated fat 1g; cholesterol 62mg; total carbohydrate 6g; dietary fiber 1g; sugars 4g; protein 24g