Trying Something New

One of my goals this year is to be the healthiest me possible. I decided to tackle that goal today. Why not start early?

So..because several of my friends in the blog world have been eating Paleo (google it if you want a complete explanation that is better than one I'd give you) I decided to give it a try for 30 days.

To be quite honest when I heard about Paleo and what you could eat, I thought people doing it were a little crazy. No dairy? No sugar? No breads or pastas? I LIVE in the land of pasta! I told Sean I could NEVER eat like that, nor would I want to. However, there was a little voice in the back of my head telling me I should at least try and see how I felt at the end of the month.

So..today I headed to the commissary and bought 2 weeks worth of food for Sean and I. Sean isn't following the plan. In fact, he's only eating Paleo for supper.



I'm going to give this next 30 days my best shot and see how I feel. To be honest, I'm not sure I can permanently give up all dairy or pasta, but for now I will.

I'll probably report in from time to time and tell you how I'm doing. Here's hoping I don't gnaw my arm off between now and then!

2011 Goals

2011 is here! Seems like only yesterday it was 2000 and that seemed scary and overwhelming. Now it's 10 years later and I can hardly believe it.

Here is my list of goals for 2011.

1. Visit 5 new countries. (I already have 2 new ones planned, I'm hoping to bypass 5 by a lot this year, but I thought 5 was a safe goal)
2. Become the healthiest me I've been yet. This includes weight loss and better eating habits.
3. Run a 12K in October
4. Sew at least 3 items
5. Finish my college scrapbook and begin on my next scrapbook
6. Print off photos for previous trips and make an album
7. Increase the sales for my Etsy shop
8. Read at least 50 books
9. Send cards and letters to friends and family at least 6 times this year
10. Make the most of our (supposed) last year in Italy

I'm sure I'll add to the list throughout the year, but so far this is what I've come up to.

What are some of your goals?

My Ten Favorite Photos of 2010

I've taken a lot of photos this year. Some I've loved and some have been less than stellar. I wanted to share my ten favorite photos of 2010 with you.



Sean HATES having his picture taken, so I really value it when I get a good picture of him not making a frowny face.



This might be one of my favorite photos I took in New York. What's more New York then the Brooklyn Bridge and a taxi cab?



I think this might be my very favorite picture from this year. I was determined to get a good picture of Big Ben when I went to London and I did.



Although this is a simple picture, with ordinary things, I'm drawn to this picture. Perhaps it's the colors or the fact I just love the composition.



I took this last January when I was at home. One of the things I miss about living in the country is the great opportunities to photograph the wildlife.



This was taken in Santorini on my trip to Greece last summer. I don't have a lot to say about the picture, I just love it.



Some friends of mine and I went to the San Michele cememtery off of Venice this past fall and found these ballet shoes on one of the graves. It was a very interesting experience and I highly recommend taking the time to visit the cemetery if you're ever in Venice.



The Trevi Fountain at night. Sean and I actually blew this photo up and it's hanging on our wall. Rome is one of my favorite cities and the Trevi fountain was just amazing.



I love this picture, because to me it says Italy.



Again, a very simple picture, but for some reason I just love it!

2010 Goals- A Review

In 2010, with the brand new year ahead of me and a deployment that I was going through I made a list of goals for myself. Although the deployment ended early (due to some unfortunate circumstances) I tried to keep on my goals.

Here's the list:

1. Read at least 50 books (accomplished! I'm actually on book 68)
2. Start my photography business (Somewhat completed. I did open my own Etsy shop and I'm proud to say I've sold 7 prints)
3. Lose 10 lbs (Didn't happen)
4. Make t-shirt quilt with my college shirts (Did not happen)
5. Finish my college scrapbook (I'm not finished with it, but I made a huge amount of progress on it)
6. Complete first two years of marriage scrapbook (Not even started. I did make Sean a photo book of our first three years of marriage though)
7. Travel to 5 countries (Done! France, England, Croatia, Greece and Turkey)
8. Cook a new recipe at least once a month (Completed)
9. Decorate our apartment (Yeah... didn't even start)
10. Make Alaska photo album (Nope)
11. 100 lb dead lift (Close! I did 90lbs)
12. Take Italian classes (No class, but I have worked on my Italian a lot this year)
13. Learn how to sew (I bought a sewing machine, does that count)
14. Run a 5K (Done as of 9/18/2010)

I didn't finish all my goals, but I think I did a pretty good job on most of them. Now I have to come up with a new list for 2011.

Later this week I'll be sharing my ten favorite photos I took this year.

Shopping Spree and a Recipe

I generously received some money for a Christmas present this year and since I'm seriously lacking in winter clothing, I decided to treat myself with some new clothes. (Next month I'm going online shopping at Sephora. That could be disastorous)

Anyway, my goal was to get as much as possible with the money I had. I decided to forgo well-made pieces and decided instead on Old Navy. Nothing against Old Navy, but I don't think that anything I bought yesterday will be around ten years from now in my closet.

Here are a few items I picked up:



I'm a huge fan of green and I think if this litle number is long enough I can pair it with some cute leggings. Otherwise I think it'll look cute with pants and boots.



I'm seriously hurting for some cardigans. I love the detailing on this and decided to take a chance on it.



A comfy Henley shirt. Can we say heaven? I loved this style so much that I got it in two different colors.



Last, but not least. How cute are these sneakers? I love the color and I think they'll be super cute with some jeans and a t-shirt.

Oh, and I was asked about my Mexican Pinwheel recipe the other day. It's delish! Serve with salsa if you like.

8oz sour cream
8oz cream cheese
1/2 chopped green onions
1 sm can chopped green chilies
1 sm can chopped black olives
1 cup shredded cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, spread evenly on five 10 inch flour tortillas. Roll each roll in plastic wrap, chill overnight. Cut in 3/4 inch pieces.

Also, when you spread the stuff on the tortillas, make it into a square sort of shape where you don't go all the way to each edge (horizontally).

Christmas Aftermath

I had a wonderful Christmas this year, despite not being able to spend it at home with my family.

Both Sean and my family spoiled me with presents. My friends did as well.

I got the Beatles anthology, Vera Wang perfume and a terabyte external hard drive from Sean.



My parents got me some movies, some books, an Epson printer/scanner/copier that's wireless, 18pc Wolfgang Puck Cookware Set and a ton of other great stuff. Probably one of the most memorable gifts was from my Dad. He sent Sean and I a homemade "Jelly of the Month Club" box straight out of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Each jar of jelly had a printed label with a quote from the movie. It was hilarious!



I also got some awesome Philosophy Cinnamon body wash and a FiestaWare pitcher and spoon rest from my friends.

I got to Skype with my parents and brother during the afternoon and we opened presents and also with one set of my grandparents. It wasn't the same as being at home, but I have to hand it to technology. I'm not sure that ten years ago this would have all been possible.

My Mom sent me a picture that my family took together on Christmas Eve to let Sean and I know how much we were missed at home this year. I admit that I cried when I saw it.



How was your Christmas? What was your favorite gift that you got?

Merry Christmas

We've already celebrated Christmas Eve in style at our home.

1.We opened our new pajamas
2.Ate lots of tasty snacks (jalapeno poppers via Pioneer Woman, little smokies, mexican pinwheels, bacon wrapped water chesnuts, spinach dip, sauteed mushrooms).
3.Watched 2 Christmas movies (Miracle on 34th Street and Christmas Vacation)

I hope all of you out there have a very Merry Christmas!