this is going to be a 3-part post, because these are too yummy to have to share a post!

because we are watching what we are eating, (you remember this post?) we have found some ways around eating snacky foods, just doing it right. since the superbowl was last weekend and you can't watch the superbowl without yummy snacks, we made three yummy treats! here is my current fav!

edamame guacamole

(adapted from this recipe)

ya'll, this recipe is SO stinking easy and delish, it will soon become a staple in your house!

you will need:

-food processor
-2 large avocados (or 4 small ones)
-1 cup of shelled, cooked edamame (you can find this in the freezer section of your favorite grocery store)
- 2 roma tomatoes
- one large shallot
- 2-3 large cloves of garlic
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon of onion flakes (i didn't use fresh onion for fear of them being too strong)
- a sprinkle of salt and pepper, to taste
- cilantro (optional- i forgot to add it, oops!)
- 1 chopped jalapeno (optional)
- anything else you like in your guac!

cut the avacadoes in half and empty them into the food processor, quarter the tomatoes, and shallots, and toss into food processor. toss the remaining ingredients (edamame, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cilantro, onion flakes into the food processor and pulse until creamy! thats it!

the lemon beings out all the flavors, and keeps the avocados from browning and the edamame keeps the dip very green!

i put the edamamae guac straight into a tupperwear cause im lazy (or smart!) and served it with whole grain pita chips! this is also great on sandwiches, wraps, chicken, you name it!

enjoy!

progress report.

this may or may not be the most embarrassing post, ever, but the more i get it out in the open, the more motivated i get.

anyways. 

im overweight. this really shouldn't be a surprise to many people who know me. i used to be tiny. in high school i was fit. like really fit. then i went to college. where i tried to stay fit, and completely failed at it. 

example a-

me, freshman year in college.

now, im horribly miserable with my body, and am working as hard as i can to get back into shape-- not only for my health, but you know that wedding im having in 103 days? yea i want to look good that day too.

its not been easy, but when is something worth it ever been easy?

CL and i started the year off right. we gave up sugar, salt, caffeine, soda, juice, ALCOHOL (including wine) fast food-- anything bad for you, name it, we haven't had it since January 1, 2012. 

yall it was HARD. unsweeted, caffeine free green tea for breakfast. egg whites with plain whole wheat toast.water-- and lots of it.  plain brown rice. romaine salad with a little oil and vinegar. chicken seasoned with fresh herbs only. yea. rough. kale, spinach, and other leafy greens only flavored with lemon. sounds good. huh?

it was. and is. we have only cheated once, and it was this last saturday night. we went out for sushi at piranha and a piece of the most delicious chocolate cake from the four seasons.

we have completely changed our eating habits. and its paying off. with the help of MyFitnessPal via the trusty iPad, and the accountability of CL, and a determination from myself that i havent seen in years, the weight is falling off. yes, i count calories. yes i write down everything i eat. is it annoying? no. it it time consuming? nope. its totally worth it.

to date i've lost 15lbs. yea, you saw that right. 15. im working out-- everyday. no days off. it doesnt have to be 5k runs, but just something-- weights, abs, a walk.

heres a little visual progress. (yes, i know my work out pants are pulled up over my belly button. damn adidas, they like their yoga pants high waisted!)

 and for good measure, you know your doing something right when your pants fit like this.

so there we have it. month one of my weight loss journey. i hope next month is just as successful! i feel great, have a lot more energy, and happy all the time (minus wedding stress!).

here's to a very healthy 2012!

new habits.

i have to say that i havent been blogging regularly because i've been taking some time for me. yea, i know, so selfish, but whatev.

since the 1st CL and i have been on a cleanse diet. now before you get all up in arms over a cleanse, this one was different. it was about putting fresh, healthy food in our bodies, eating correct portions, and cutting out the bad stuff. and i am proud to say that i havent had the following in 11 days:

• caffeine
• sugar
• salt
• soda, juice, or anything besides water (and a beer)
• processed foods
• cookies, cakes, anything of the dessert

we have been cooking a TON. its amazing how much better we feel too. and the amazing part? the first week i lost 5lbs. just from changing my eating habits! amazing. workouts started this week and im trying to do what i can with my crazy schedule. so far so good. im so proud of myself (and CL) for breaking through the hard days (trust me, the first few days are HARD) and keeping with it. heres to the last 11 days, and many more!

have you been keeping up with your new years goals?

goals vs resolutions

happy 2012!

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since a new year is upon us, its that time where everyone lists their resolutions and starts crazy diets, and, well you know. i am usually one of those people, but this year, im not. a resolution, by definition, is the "mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose". what exactly does that mean? yea, i dont really get it either, which is why instead of resolving this year, im setting GOALS, "the result of achievement toward which effort is directed". this seems a little more attainable.

now of course my biggest goal, among with basically everyone else, is to get in shape, and to live a healthier lifestyle. with the wedding approaching like WHOA, its more important now than it ever has been for me to kick my bad eating habits to the curb, and take my workouts more seriously. well between the wedding and a tropical honeymoon. CL and I are holding each other accountable-- what we eat is written in a journal, we work out together- its so much better when your not alone!, and we are changing our eating habits. (thanks womens heatlth) nothing crazy (NO pills, no crazy diets, just healthy, good for you foods in the right portions!), just doing something good for our bodies.

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we are also cutting out any fast foods (the only allowable non-home-cooked-meals have to come from Central Market or Whole Foods- something fast, but fresh- sometimes eating out is unavoidable!), sodas, sugars, and salt. plus eating in will save us some money, which is always nice :)


im also going to start taking my workouts more seriously. everyday. something. and something that will make me feel good and give me energy. and to make it to bootcamp 5x a week. that right there should kick my ass into gear!

my other goal is to relax. im a worry wart. no lie, wake up in the middle of the night panicking about life, money-- everything. its not a fun way to live. i need to embrace life and all that it has and will give me. i need to know that someone out there has a great plan for me and all these trials and tribulations are just building me up as a better person. 

im not setting goals that i won't be able to necessarily attain either.. like 'win the lottery', 'land my dream job'-- things that i can't control. i can control this. and i can reach this goal without having to put my faith into someone else's hands. who knows. maybe this is what i need.

im not choosing a word of the year, although if i did, i'd choose something like 'embrace' or 'patience', and im not making any promises. i am directing all my effort to a better me. and a healthier life.

what are your goals for 2012?

the year that was 2011.

as this year draws to a close, i want to reflect back on the year that was 2011. a lot of people are happy to see the new year arrive, but the more i look back on 2011, it really wasn't so bad. i have a lot to look forward to in 2012, but for now, lets look back on 2011. the good. the bad. and the unexpected.

hang on, this is a long one! in no particular order...

it snowed! in austin, twice!

 

 

i threw my oldest friend a bridal shower, enjoyed her bachelorette party and watched her marry her best friend.

 

 

 

 

 

we got engaged. in the other best city in the US, and my bff was there to witness it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CL's and my family and friends came to austin to visit. from all over..houston, california, florida, kansas, nevada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my bff had heart surgery. 

CL's cousin jennifer was diagnosed with lukemia. she's already beaten it.

we sold one of our cars to save money. hello carpool.

we went to shows. railroad revival. and ACL taping. SXSW. blues on the green. and um the B-52s?

 

 

 

 

we celebrated the holidays. with style, of course.

 

 

 

 

 

we endured one of the hottest, dryest summers to date. with trips to the river of course.

 

 

 

 

 

we celebrated birthdays. old ones (us) and new ones with the birth of our niece, gwen.

 

 

 

i assisted and helped style my first photo shoot. it ended up being the cover and a feature. i was also featured in Austin Home spring, fall, winter.

 

 

 

i DO NOT know why it keeps uploading this sideways. grrr.

   

 

 

 

 

CL and I participated in BvB benefitting the alzheimers association. i broke my finger. it wasn't pretty.

 

 

i had the opportunity to volunteer with Extreme Makeover Home Edition. thats something I'll never forget.

 

 

we witnessed two baptisms, and a wedding (or two.)

 

 

cl had his 10 year HS reunion.

 

 

 

baylor won 10 games, a heisman, and a bowl game. sic em!

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we had a beautiful engagement party thrown for us. we are really blessed.

 

 

 

 

we hope you had a great 2011 and wish you a happy, healthy (safe) New Years eve and New year!

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xoxo