So long, Farewell

So the time has come that our four closest friends have moved (and all in one week)! Husband and wife Emma and Dustin packed up and moved to McKinney Texas and our other friends Anna and Stratton moved to Charlotte North Carolina, both for job opportunities, so naturally we are very excited and happy for them but we are also pretty bumbed! Luckily we won't be left behind for too long, in June we will be headed back to the good ole south ourselves and we couldn't be more thrilled!

Good Luck on your new adventure Taylors and Allens, you will be missed here in Utah!

If there is one thing I could learn to do and do well it would be knitting! I am obsessed with anything yarn, wool, chunky and warm! which is why I am a HUGE fan of ETSY and this little shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveandKnit?ref=top_trail, her stuff in my opinion is SO adorable! so my friends, add that on my list of things to do, and maybe one day I will sell knitted things on etsy.com , or maybe I'll just knit things for myself, my family, my dogs and my future children all day long, either way I will know how to Knit one day.

A typical day off

day: was productive/ unproductive.

Productively I went grocery shopping, and bought lots of yummy and healthy things, watched a new episode of Law and Order SVU (i love this show, it's ok if you don't) and did my P90X.

Unproductively: I slept in far too late, didn't take little tycoon kitty to the clinic to see about getting his little ballses removed and I ate some coldstone creamery (it was delicious, but it was far too sugary especially when i have been cutting refined sugars out of my diet and it gave me a headache because i hadn't eaten anything all day, I think it also upset my tummy...)

Also today I have been thinking about things that I want, and depressingly I have WAY too many things in my head that I want right now.

don't you love how as being a girl we constantly have thing swirling around in our little heads. One time I asked Darin what he was thinking and he said "nothing" and I said "nothing? How can you be thinking about nothing, I am ALWAYS thinking about

something"

also I tried to buy a song on my Ipod but it wouldn't pull up the internet, WHAT THE CRAP! i never buy songs and i really wanted this song, can a girl not buy one thing now and again? Gees, and the stupid playlist I have on here doesn't have this song on it, I did find it on youtube. I think you should listen to it, here you go:

I am so ready for March, I finally get to go see my family. I miss those crazy parents of mine. I haven't seen my mom in a year and I haven't seen my dad in about a year and a half... wow writing that out REALLY makes me realize how long it has been!

So, once again I realize this entry has been quite random. but this is supposed to be like a digital journal right? and guys, lets face it my journal is pretttttyyy random, like I said, LOTS of thoughts.

so one more story before I end this post, The other night Darin and I were flipping through the channels and that stupid show BIG LOVE was on, we have heard about it of course but never watched it (being LDS it just seems like one of those things you JUST DONT DO, but at the same time you are curious kinda like a car crash and you tell your self your not gunna sit there and stare but you can't help it) well we watched it, and WOW, I was shocked it was like all those stereotypical questions you get ie: "so I hear ya'll don't drink caffeine how come?" or "Don't ya'll have like multiple wives or something" some of the questions are true and some are wayyy off, well the show was kind of like that. It was pretty weird to watch, The show takes place in Utah and refers to different things and places around the state often, while watching it Darin was like "yeah, it's about time we leave this state" ha ha I thought that was pretty funny.

well friends I think i am done with this random post. good night.

P.S. kittykins still needs a home! Please help if you know anyone who would want him (It's hard work finding a pet a home)

Homeless, please help!

If anyone in Utah reads my blog, and loves cats please help out and give this cutie a loving home!

I found her, no collar tried to ask around in my apartment and put up flyers no one is claiming her.She is so sweet, and I would keep her but my apartment is small as it is, and we have two dogs who just wanna play with her. contact me if you want her or know of someone who does! You won't regret it!

thanks a million.

Love

I know, I know... I'm obsessed.

But I LOVE these guys!

Say Hello to Green.

So... Going green? No? How about Green Smoothies? What's a Green Smoothie you ask, well first off, it's yummy and secondly It's good for you, that's right, you heard me correctly.My good friend Anna first introduced me to them and a friend of hers introduced them to her before that, and NOW I'm introducing them to you. if you have not heard of them yet, they are a wonderful little creation and if you start to love them as much as I have, you will want to spread the word as well.First off what is a "Green Smoothie"? well, I will give a brief over view of what a green smoothie is, but if you are interested in them I highly recommend reading "The Green Smoothies Diet" by Robyn Openshaw , It is a quick and easy read and packed with lots of great information.

A Green smoothie is just like any other smoothie you might consume except it isn't full of refined sugars and you add in greens IE: spinach, chard, kale, lettuce, arugula, collards etc etc the possibilities are endless! Then you also add fruit to this little mixture, any fruit your little heart desires will work. Then to sweeten 'er up a bit maybe add some stevia, agave, raw honey or maple syrup, then any superfoods you might have been wanting to add to your other recipes can easily be added to the smoothies. Blend it all together and BAM you have a nutrient packed power snack (well more like a meal!).

whats so special about that? Well most Americans do not eat as many fruits and veggies as are needed, many of us are constantly on the go and don't really stop to look at what we are consuming, we eat fast food weekly, we eat crackers, breads, and meats as our main food groups and those of us that do try to eat vegetables usually don't eat them raw, we cook the vegetables and in doing so we cook out many of the nutrients these foods offer us! By drinking a quart of green smoothie daily we are consuming 15 full servings of raw greens and fruit and 12 or more grams fiber (depending on the ingredients). As I have read in The Green Smoothies Diet book, that is 150 percent of the USRDA's suggested fruit and veggie intake for an entire day!

I have been drinking green smoothies for a short time now,but I have already felt the difference these things can make. They give you more energy, they offer proteins , vitamins, minerals and other nutrients meat and carbs can't, they clean out your body and make you "regular" and they are a great aid in weight loss! I even have Darin drinking them and he likes them a lot. Darin works night shifts at his hard labor job, working the late hours and having to do manual labor can be very exhausting and in the short time we have been drinking these, he has told me that if he doesn't get a smoothie that day (sometimes i only make them for my self.. my bad) he can feel a difference in his energy level!

I strongly suggest reading the book or visiting her website for more information (her web

site link is on my blog page under "Foods") or looking up her videos on you tube!

here is a template recipe if this post has peaked your interest at all, and some pictures too!

Robyn Openshaw's Green Smoothie Template Recipe:

(straight from her book)

makes 8 cups of 100% raw smoothie

Tips: for beginners and those trying to convert small children consider using less greens and more fruit (especially berries and bananas) in the beginning gradually work up to 50/50 ratio. In this transition phase, try using the mild flavors like spinach, kale, collards, and chard. With kids consider using only spinach the first few days, then sneak in chard, collard and kale gradually.Add other savory or bitter greens only when your family is "expert" in green smoothies!

Add a bit more water if you feel the smoothie is too thick.

put 2 1/2 cups filtered water in a high power blender

Optionally add:

1/2 tsp stevia (herbal sweetener) or 1/4 cup Agave nectar

1/4 whole lemon, including the peel! (anti skin cancer, high in flavonoids)

2-3 TBSP fresh refrigerated flax oil (omega-3 rich)

Gradually add until, briefly pureed, the mixture comes to the 5 cup line (or less if you are converting):

3/4 to 1 lb raw, washed greens added up to the 5 1/2 cup line:

spinach, chard, kale,collards are your main stays

turnips,mustard, dandelion greens, arugula - use more sparingly, as they're spicy or bitter

lettuces and beat greens are also good.

also try avocado or cabbage or 1-2 celery stalks

puree the greens mixture for 90 seconds, until very smooth.

gradually add fruit to taste: favorites are pears and peaches, but also apples, oranges, apricots, cantaloupes (with seeds - very high in antioxidants!) mangos, pineapples, anything!

The more frozen fruit you add the tastier your smoothie will be, and a high-power blender can handle it! you can save your smoothie in the fridge for up to two days- just shake it well before drinking!

Here are some photos of a smoothie I made:

I added Broccoli,chard and spinach for my greens

The Superfoods I add to all my Green Smoothies are:

Brewer's "nutritional" yeast, coconut oil, flax seed oil, chia seeds, and raw wheat germ.

(Robyn Openshaw's book as well as google can inform you about the various superfoods and the many extra nutrient additives they provide)

for example:

Brewer's is high in protein and and extremely rich in B vitamins. It has also been linked to reduce symptoms of diabetes,eczema, constipation and hypoglycemia. and for all you nursing mothers out there, it helps increase milk supply!

Chia seeds give you a sense of fullness, a great aid in weight loss. they also slow the conversion of carbohydrates into sugars helping maintain a stable blood sugar level, especially great for diabetics.

Flax Oil is great in your green smoothies because the minerals from the greens are absorbed better with some fats. Flax oil protects healthy cell membranes we need to keep toxins out and allow in the nutrients.

Wheat Germ is high in vitamins E and B, great for PMS or menopausal symptoms, it also helps you to achieve glossy hair, strong nails and nice skin. Also eating it prevents some birth defects!

Before blending the greens and superfoods

after

Although I have no pictures, the fruits I added are:

1 bag frozen black berries, 2 bananas (if smaller), 1/4 of a lemon, and a handful of frozen peaches

The finished product!

(see, if you add darker fruits, they aren't even green!)

Even men and babies like them

Bull dogger

And the cutest dog award goes to...

FAYE

A proper update

Dear Blog,

I realize it has been some time since I have written a proper post with information about my life and such. Well the thing is, I never feel like I really have much to report other than ramblings... here are some highlights.

I am currently working at a job I don't like and punching myself for not being on my desired career path as of yet.

I am in love with my main squeeze and our relationship is better than ever.

I am currently working on myself mentally, physically and spiritually.

I have good friends but wish they all lived in one place.

Thanks to my sweet little banana friend, I am now making green smoothies daily, I love them and I feel GREAT.

I am so excited I can hardly stand it, that Darin and I are moving back east, I think our adventure here in Utah land is done.

I am SO ready for Darin to be done with school, we both really need to start our careers.

I am NOT happy with my hair right now, I really just want it to grow already (not to mention I need it colored BAD)

I'm so excited so many of my friends are having little babies. don't ask me why, I really don't know (considering I didn't used to like babies too much).

and so on...

here's to life my friends.

ain't it grand!

I sure do love these three.

I could use some Rogaine right about now

The hair growing out process is coming along... Slowly, but surely.

this time next year, who knows where my blonde locks will be?

Happy New Year... Hello Resolutions!

Well another year has past and we have made it! So much has happened this past year and so much more is going to happen next year, I can feel it.

Recap of 2010

Moved to Utah

Got new jobs

Spent more time with Darin's extended family, my sister and our dear friends

Hit our 2 year wedding anniversary

Changed our lifestyle by buying only organic foods

Changed our lifestyle again by adding in Green Smoothies!

Grew as a couple

Grew spiritually

Learned ALOT about ourselves and each other

Resolutions and plans for 2011

Visit Family for a LATE Christmas reunion and to see the new TWINS niece and nephew!

Moving back east for Darin to get better education

SAVE SAVE SAVE

GROW MY HAIR OUT!!!

Hit our 3 year wedding anniversary in April

FINALLY get into my career as a hair stylist

2 very good friends will be having their first babies!

... maybe more...

"For Auld Lang Syne" or ... translated into English "For the sake of Old times"

Happy New Year friends.

P.S. I cannot begin to tell you how disappointing it was to spend new years in a different time zone than that of New York City.At 11:30 PM Utah time I said turn it to NBC so we can watch the ball drop and Darin said "Syd, It already did, 2 hours ago!" It was really disappointing,I had to settle for the Las Vegas ball dropping instead and listen to Mariah Carey Sing the WORST cover of Auld Lang Syne ( she turned it into a techno mix and her huge boobs were bouncing all over the place) it was tragic!