Remember your 2016 goal list? Yes, that one...

How is it April 7? I feel like we just rang in the New Year?! I thought it would be a good time to do a goal checkup, and see how I have been doing. It is a good way to hold myself accountable, and after reading through the goals, I think it is safe to say that I needed some accountability. 

1. 
Run 10 miles a week
Ok, I am not one for excuses. But, this year has been rough for me. I have been battling this annoying cold off and on since the beginning of the year. My running was put on the back burner, simply because I couldn't breathe through it. Other than a few weeks, I have completed at least 10 miles, but it was NOT easy. I recently started a Run Challenge through PortaPT.com and I am LOVING it. I am focusing on my form, SPM and just having fun getting back to it. 

2.
 Complete 6 trail runs 
See above! It is almost a break in the season, since our days are already 90+, but hopefully I can do one before the summer and a few this fall. We will see! I miss it, and plan on doing a longer trail run solo in the next few weeks.

3. 

Read 5 autobiographies

 Negative. But, I am reading this fascinating book, 

"The Prime: Prepare and Repair Your Body for Spontaneous Weight Loss" by Dr. Kulreet Chadhuey. And I love it so far. I am really relating to the author and am fascinated by the Ayervedic medical practice. Check it out if you get the chance!  

4. 

Be a better friend. 

This is an ongoing goal, and a goal that is hard to measure, but I think I am doing pretty well.

5. 
Go back to school.
Still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Hopefully, I will make a decision soon!

6. 
Take more field trips with Luke. 
I am happy to report that this is happening! Whether it's a walk in Sabino Canyon with a friend or a solo hike with my main man, we have been getting out. Look forward to some great "Things to do in Tucson" post soon. 

7. 

Meditate when needed 
Actively working on this goal. And I have been working on meditating while running, which is amazing. There was an amazing article in Runner's World that speaks with Timothy Olson about the effects of meditation while running, and it is so interesting.  So, this goal is going well and I am excited to dive a little deeper into it!

8. 
Teach a fitness class
Not yet, but soon! 

9. 
Eat meatless one day a week
Some weeks I am doing great, other weeks, not so much. I am meatless until dinner, where my carnivore husband demands meat. Yesterday, I am happy to report was completely meatless! 

10. 
Volunteer once a month

*Sigh* No, I have not, but am googling volunteer opportunities as I type!

11. 
Complete our master bathroom
Still working on this one, may be tough. We have some decisions coming up, so this one will be put on the back burner for now.

12. 
Be better with sunscreen
Every damn day, people. Check mark! 

13. 
Try out the red lipstick fad
Recently, my good friend was in town and she tried to talk me into the red lip. I found every excuse in the book to not wear it. One day soon, I promise! But, honestly, how do you eat with it on? #priorities

14. 
Take a photography course
Any suggestions on one to try? I have been focusing on reading lots of blogs that help with photography, but have not enrolled in a course as of now. 

15. 
Be a better partner
This year is amazing for Ryan and I! The homecoming from the deployment was well communicated and easy. Both of us are actively working on being a better partner, and it is amazing!

16. 
Journal along the way
Negative. I have not use my journal. I think I am going to get a prompted journal, maybe that will help. I did recently win an amazing planner from Baily Craft Planners and CAN NOT wait to use it. 


All in all 2016 has been a fun year, with a ton of memories! The first 3 months flew by since we were really busy and out of town for the entire month of March. Starting this month, I plan on taking lots of time for myself and hunkering down on some of these goals. I will check back in a few months. 
Until then, how is everyone else doing with their 2016 goals?

Happy goal setting, 

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I was nominated for a Liebster Award!

I have been blogging for just over 9 months and am a few posts away from my 100th post. It is hard to believe that this is something that I dreamed about for so long and have continued to enjoy. Throughout my time blogging, I have researched and read so many blogs. I can honestly say one of my favorite things about blogging is meeting other bloggers, and developing a relationship with them. I had read a few posts about the Liebster Award, and naturally did some research to see what it was and how bloggers were nominated. It turns out that it is a peer award, and is given to bloggers by bloggers. Of course, there is added bonus because it is way to discover new blogs, as well as link back to your own. What a concept! 

Needless to say, I was thrilled when an acquaintance from high school reached out to me and nominated me for the Liebster Award!! Thank you to Stefanie and her husband, from The Stave Diaries, for nominating me and reading my blog! Read their blog, it will make your wanderlust go CRAZY! 

There are a few, easy guidelines to follow when you are nominated for a Liebster;

1. Write a blogpost about your nomination, displaying an image of the award.

2. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.

3. Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked you in his/her blogpost.

4. Nominate 5-11 other new bloggers who you think deserve this award, and come up with 11 questions of your own for them to answer.

5. List these rules in your blogpost.

My answer's to The Stave's questions:

If you could live in any place you’ve traveled to, where would you choose and why?

Switzerland! My husband and I visited when were dating and it is such a cute place with loads of outdoor activities. We were able to go canyoning down a mountain, and it was hands down one of our best memories. I think we would live in a little cottage and just soak in the environment. 

Where is one place that really surprised you when you visited and why?

South Korea was really surprising to me. I wish I would have done more research on the places we visited and the history of the country. I went in to the trip just wanting to see my husband, after being away from each other for over 6 months. Looking back there were so many amazing things we could have done. It was not what I was expecting, and I think that could have been fixed had I been more prepared. 

What is your favorite story or memory from your travels?

I think I would have to go with the memory of Ryan asking me to marry him in Mallorca, Spain. It was such a fun week, in an amazing country, and it was topped off with a proposal in the freezing cold waters of the Balearic Sea. I, of course, said Yes and the rest is history!

What is the one thing you’re most excited about for the remainder of 2016?

Growing our family (maybe a dog, maybe a baby or maybe even a new wine cooler. Take your pick)! 

What is your favorite food, one food you hate, and one that you refuse to try?

I LOVE cupcakes, I don't discriminate, I will eat them all. I do not like beets. And I refuse to try liver, of any kind. 

What does the word “success” mean to you?

Success to me is a lot of things. I think a successful person is someone who makes the most of every day and does not live in regret. It is hard to do every day, but to me that is success. Go to bed knowing that you were as successful as you could be, that day. 

What was the best meal you’ve ever had in your life?
One time Ryan, Luke and I missed our flight back to AZ. We were able to get on another flight, later in the day, so we went back to my parent's house to wait it out. My mom made a huge lasagna and we were able to spend a few more hours with them while gobbling up my mom's famous lasagna. This has been favorite meal to date!

What’s the number one item on your bucket list?

I would love to complete an Ultra Marathon in the next 5 years! And I would love it to be Dances with Dirt - Hell , since that is the race that made me fall in love with trail running.

What is your favorite travel resource or website?

Lately, AirBNB.com ! But, I also have to go with Southwest.com because that is our favorite stateside airline!

If you could have all of your followers read just one of your blog posts, which would it be and why?
My 30th birthday post was a big one for me, Starting a new decade! I have changed so much in the past 10 years and it has taken time, some really good friends and a new outlook on life. I felt like this post really dug into that and voiced how I have changed. 

What made you decide to start a blog and what has been your biggest challenge?
Being a stay at home mom was the best decision I made. But, I needed an outlet and I needed a hobby. I had been wanting to blog for some time, and knew I was ready to make the leap with some encouragement from my family and friends. My biggest challenge has been finding time (these posts take a long time, people), as well as finding my "niche"! 

Here are the bloggers that I am nominating for the Liebster Award! Congratulations, Ladies! 

Morgan from Lilies + Lambs

Kim from Always a New Day 

Brittany from The SR CO. Blog

Kimmy from Red Brick Blondie 

Jessica from Keeping up with the Joneses


Here are my questions for my nominated bloggers to to answer:

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
2. What is a blog achievement that you have?
3. What has surprised you the most about blogging?
4. Right at this moment what is the song that would best describe your mood and this moment in your life?
5. What is your favorite number and why?
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?
7. What is your favorite post that you have written? 
8. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
9. Who is your biggest inspiration?
10. What is the most random fact about you?
11. Is your life how you pictured it would be when you were younger? Explain!

I can't wait to see what you all post, remember to tag me so I can be notified and congratulations!!!! 
Remember, even if your blog reaches just one person, you have made a difference!

Happy blogging, 

Cinnamon Blueberry Smoothie

Who doesn't love a good smoothie? I find them super filling and it is an extra bonus that LPN loves them just as much as I do! There are days where I have plenty of time to whip up a gourmet smoothie and then there are the days (mainly, everyday) that I can't find the time to brush my hair, let alone blend up a hearty smoothie. 

For April's Ingredient of the Month, I am going to show you 4 of my favorite smoothies and 4 different ways to freeze them so that you can make them in bulk and enjoy them when you are rushing out the door. Simple enough, right? Make a big batch, freeze and enjoy later. 

I love, love. love cinnamon. I love the sweetness to it and the distinct taste, Besides tasting amazing, cinnamon is also known to improve energy, vitality and circulation (source). I love the color of this smoothie, it screams springtime and who doesn't love that? 

Cinnamon Blueberry 

Smoothie

 Ingredients:

2 cups of frozen blueberries

2 large handfuls of spinach

2 cups of unsweetened almond milk

½ TBSP organic honey

½ TBSP cinnamon 

water as needed when blending

Mix all together, adding in water if needed. Serve cold, topped with blueberries! 

Freezing Option:

As I said, LPN loves smoothies and I like to serve them up for him as an after nap snack. They will typically keep him full until dinner and when I have a few on hand in the freezer, they make for a quick snack. 

Freezing them in a small muffin pan, gives you the flexibility to pick and choose how large you want the smoothie. Typically, I will do 4-5 small muffin sizes for LPN and 7-8 for me. For freezer space reasons, I will let them set in the muffin pan, remove them and store them in a Ziploc baggie. It makes it much smaller and you could even divide into portion sizes, as well. 

Happy freezing, 

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