Happy Thanksgiving!

No matter what your tradition; how you celebrate; where you are; or whom you are with - be grateful. Here are five things I'm thankful for...

1. My husband. While we have our ups and downs, we are always there for each other. Our love is strong, stubborn (in a good way) and beautiful. Love you, Nick!
2. My family. Despite not seeing each other often (heck even communicating on a weekly, monthly or sometimes yearly basis!), we love each other. And as long as we do not discuss religion, politics or football, we respect and care for one another. =)
3. My friends. Near and far - I love these people with all of my heart. Thank you for making me laugh, supporting me through tough times, and setting me straight when needed.
4. My cat. For seven years, Marley has provided so much love - and interesting stories - to my daily life. He has truly enriched my family.
5. My home. While I'm not attached to material things, I am thankful to have shelter, warmth, food, and an adorable cottage to decorate at holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 'Fit

It's Thanksgiving - be comfortable not slouchy. Here are a few options!

Tasty Tuesday: T-Day Menu

Nick and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year - just with the b.i.l. (brother-in-law) and m.i.l (mother-in-law). We have been preparing for a couple of weeks now, purchasing festive table settings, researching recipes and shopping for the perfect turkey. Curious to know what's on our menu? Well, here you go!

Main Dish: Turkey, marinated in brine (with vegetable broth, sea salt, crushed dried rosemary, dried sage, dried thyme, dried savory and ice water) and grilled/smoked on the grill.

Side Dishes: Spinach Squares (remember this post?), make-ahead mashed potatoes, and green-bean casserole (courtesy of m.i.l.)

Essentials: Dinner rolls, salad with fresh garden vegetables and cranberry sauce

Dessert: Dessert date at friends house!

And of course wine, beer and champs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Motivation Monday: Forgiveness

Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to remember your blessings, spend time with your loved ones and divulge without regret. But it's also a time to forgive and forget - a practice that is key to your personal freedom and happiness but unfortunately one that isn't exercised enough. At least on my end.

So, this Thanksgiving I plan to focus on forgiveness, allowing myself to be relinquished from some negative energy and control that has impacted my life as of late. Without being too personal (but rather abstract), I have been harboring frustration for unfair treatment, inconsistency and borderline bullying. Meditating, ignoring, confronting and venting has produced minimal results, which is why I decided to rise above and forgive this person. Keep in mind, forgiving doesn't discount any antagonistic acts but rather allows room for growth and opportunity for potential friendships, collaborations and happiness. 

Here are some guidelines to forgiveness:

1. Put pen to paper (or fingers to key). Why are you upset? How have you been wronged? How did it make you feel? Be completely real and raw. This is a private conversation - so don't hold back. This act provides you a safe space to word vomit your frustration without regret which is very cathartic. 
2. Empathize. Put yourself in their shoes - why do they respond the way they do? What makes them tick? What are they going through? Practicing empathy is very healing. It's a reminder that we are all human, none of us without flaws or mistakes.
3. Learn. Every situation in our life, but especially the negative ones, can teach us something. Be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow.

Doesn't forgiveness feel good? I feel better just typing this blog post. =) I hope this inspires you to forgive and forget. In the meantime, hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Today is Nick's birthday! Happy birthday to the sweetest, funniest, goofiest, smartest, most resourceful, kindest, most genuine, loving man I know. Love you!

Thrifty Thursday: Sweatshirt

Sweatshirts are back in a big way. And this time for dress up! Get yourself a graphic sweatshirt or feminine sweatshirt and pair with a skirt. Add some booties and you are stylish, comfortable and warm.

Check out Forever21 or Urban Outfitters for fun, festive sweatshirts.

Tasty Tuesday: Spicy Mashed Potatoes

Thinking of whipping these babies up for Thanksgiving. Check it out! Jalapeno Cheddar Mashed Potatoes. WHAT?! Yum.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs red potatoes
• 2 jalapenos, roasted, peeled, seeded, chopped, then mixed with 1/4 c light cream and a few dashes salt to puree
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 pt light (or heavy) cream
• Salt to taste
• Shredded Mexican blend cheese
• Chopped chives

Directions
Preheat oven to 375. Wash potatoes, halve them, and put in a pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain.
 
In the meantime, transfer the jalapeno/cream/salt mixture to a blender and puree. I used my handheld immersion blender with one of the cup attachments since it was such a small amount.
 
Add jalapeno puree, butter, salt, and cream to potatoes. Whip until creamy using a handheld mixer; adjust salt as needed, add more cream and butter if you want to get them lighter/creamier. Note, I normally use my hand masher, but wanted light whipped potatoes for this dish.
 
Mix in the sour cream and transfer to a baking dish.
 
Top with the shredded cheese and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted into the potatoes.
 
Top with chives and serve.  

Recipe stolen from Mary Ellen's Cooking Creations. Thanks, Mary Ellen!

Motivation Monday: Love

This week is all about my love, best friend and teammate for life - my husband. Going on 10-years together, Nick has been my constant - supporting me through tough decisions, career moves, business ventures, family emergencies, financial struggles, friendship issues, and life challenges. He is the first person I go to when I'm I want to share good news; or need to complain about something (or someone); or share a laugh.

And because I love this man THAT much, I wanted to make his upcoming birthday special. So beyond purchasing tickets to watch the Chicago Blackhawks play in Phoenix Thanksgiving weekend, I created 22 coupons (as his birthday falls on the 22nd and that happens to be his favorite number) - the coupons range from "one free car wash" to "breakfast in bed" to "massage" to "a night of TV shows of your choice." To my surprise, he has really enjoyed redeeming his coupons - finding ways to scam the system. I guess this shouldn't surprise me. =) But this has been a fun, personal way to celebrate his birthday throughout the course of the month.

Here is a particular coupon I enjoyed fulfilling: "fridge full of beer". Check it out!

At any rate, I decided to make LOVE my motivation post today because love is a motivator. Whether it's love for your spouse, friend, family member, pet or coworker. Love is a very powerful emotion - arguably the most impactful in our lives. But remember, love isn't selfish - it isn't how it makes you feel. To love someone is to love without conditions or expectations. In fact, when I think of love, I'm  often reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - this verse has been instilled in my memory from my time as a Sunday School teacher and as a sorority member:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

So, love. 

Donate!

Looking to help those devastated by the typhoon in the Philippines? Turn on the tube to see my smiling mug participate in the telethon for the American Red Cross on The CW Channel 6. Call toll free to 800-951-6601. Can't get the San Diego CW? Call in anyway. $3 buys a comfort kit with soaps, toothbrushes and other toiletries; $5 buys a blanket, and $10 feeds someone for the day. Bear in mind those are U.S. costs vs in P.I.

(Courtesy of volunteer extraordinaire, Amy Hegy!)

What's New Wednesday: Holiday Spirit

Love my hubby - already assembled the deer (while I was sleeping!)

I love celebrating..anything. From birthdays, to promotions, to holidays - any excuse to make a fuss over someone or something I'm in. Luckily I married a man that feels very similar to me; in fact, this past weekend the hubby and I spent a little too much at Wal-mart for Christmas decorations. Check it out! Animated deer, solar pathway lights, candy cane lights, oh my!

Tasty Tuesday: Pumpkin Pancakes

Perfect for this time of year, pumpkin pancakes do not disappoint. We enjoyed these Sunday morning before the Bear's game. Check it out!

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Happy Veterans Day

Thank you to those that have sacrificed, braved and served our country - this includes my dad, uncle, both grandpas and little brother.

Oh yeah, and I played "army" for a short bit...

Happy Veterans Day! Want to learn more? Check it out!

Happy Birthday, Marley!

Today marks Marley's 7th birthday. It's hard to believe this little guy has been in our lives for that long - it feels like yesterday we adopted him from Helen Woodward Animal Center. Marley has been a constant in our family, providing laughter, joy, purrs, love, occasional mishaps (hehe!), and happiness. Happy birthday, Marley!

What's New Wednesday: Free Workout

Looking for a free online workout? Check out Fitness Blender! This provides full length workouts that are easy to follow, versatile and effective.

And here is a complete barre method workout - great to lean out the body.

Motivation Monday: Be Thankful

November is here, holidays are upon us and the ubiquitous thankful posts are scattered throughout social media. This brings me to my Monday post.

Naturally being someone that is incessantly analyzing and obsessing over every conversation had throughout a day, the never-ending work load, a flake of dust in my home, a fat roll, and what others might think of me, I easily become distracted and unappreciative of the amazing people, animals and things in my life.

So, today I'm forcing myself to step back and be grateful for what life has brought me - to my amazing friendship and marriage to Nick, to my upcoming visit with my dad, to great friends near and far, to a job - while frustrating at times - allows me to work with scholarship students I learn from everyday.

And with this realization that I do have a good life - even if I cry over the loss of family and friends that are no longer here, or dislike the reflection in the mirror, or get angry because I cannot control everything or anyone - I need to make the idea of thankfulness a habit. But for today, I'm just grateful for the reminder that life is a gift.