Reminiscing

Last night, as I was laying to go to sleep, next to my sleeping Mr. Z (he can fall asleep in 2 seconds...I've always envied that), I was reminiscing about last year. This beautiful weather reminded me of last Spring Semester, when I would come home from school, blow dry my hair (since I never wash and do my hair in the morning), with the window open, listening to Pandora, and waiting until I heard Tanner's music from the old black Tahoe down the street. I knew he was almost home! I would stare at his car until he got out, he would look up, blow me a kiss, and I would finish getting ready. Whoever was ready first, would go to the apartment, usually it was Tanner and Scott coming to my place, and we would go get dinner, etc. Spring at King Henry was the best. Not that I miss single life, at all, but I do miss the atmosphere of living with a bunch of friends, walking to their houses, and everyone just playing volleyball, watching movies on the grass, and playing music. 

Tanner and I were lucky (it was hard too) to live right by each other for Spring. Not that we ever lived far before, but this time, the tiny parking lot separated us, and we could yell to each other whenever we wanted! It was just the greatest time. Right before the stresses of being engaged, and planning a wedding, we were just enjoying life, and spring, before he moved back to CA. I would never trade anything in the world for where we are right now, but last night was just fun to remember. I love trying to remember a certain smell. I have had multiple deodorants, that for some reason, ALWAYS remind me of the 4th of July in Carlsbad. I guess I always forget mine, and use my moms or something? I don't know. But I love remembering those sweet smells, and memories, and reminiscing on how life used to be. It's just one of my favorite things.

Just Some Relief

Soooo, I'm in this class. And, I always laugh, acting like it's so stupid, to people when I tell them about it. At UVU, it's called Stress Management Hardiness.

For those of you (mom, since I have one reader!) who know me very well, you know I like things very organized, and my whole day, week, and month have to be planned out. And, when plans get changed, sometimes my feelings get hurt. This is how I've been my whole life. I'm a planner, hense the love for Event Planning, and I have everything written in my planner. I'm not great with some birthdays, but if I want to do laundry one day, I write it. If I have a gym class the same day every week, I write it every day instead of just remembering it. In High School, I would plan out the weekend, when it was just Monday. I'm sure... (I KNOW) this bugged my friends. I'm sure Tanner gets bugged with it now!

Little did I know, taking this easy, elective, recommended for UVU students, would have any impact on my life. The first day, I decided to change my aspect on life. I get stressed super easily, for stupid reasons. For example, last weekend, I was taking pictures for one of the Loan Officers' 5K at Axiom, and then I told Tanner the errands I wanted to do, and the things I wanted to get done at home after. Whitney, his sister, called and asked us to go with her to Fashion Place, and we jumped at the opportunity, since I needed to go to the Apple Store (more on that later). As we were driving, I was thinking, when will we be home? I need to do laundry. Now we have to eat out for lunch too, we were already planning on going to Happy Sumo tonight. I need to do my homework! Then, I took a deep breath, and decided I couldn't do anything about it. I knew I would have time for all of these things, I was already in the car headed to the mall, I was going to have a fun day with my family!

 

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Lola on Pinterest

Things I've learned in class:

-That exercise that I did when I felt myself getting stressed. We can't do a thing about the situation, so just enjoy it!

Source: groundedonthedaily.tumblr.com via Rylee on Pinterest

-Laughing is good for you. Did you know it's a form of Cardio? Truly, it really is! And, in class, we spent 15 minutes laughing at YouTube videos. Laughing makes you happy, which in result makes life happy, and good!

-Exercise makes you happy, and relaxed. Totallllly true. I don't care if I'm doing something to really truly lose weight, but Yoga has helped me this week greatly. I have been able to relax, meet new people, and I felt different, and good about myself, eventhough I didn't  lose 10 pounds! It just felt good to get out! At work, a group of us girls take daily walks, or walk the stairs, and it really helps all of us take a second, get some fresh air, and get away from the computer. It's nice!

-Did you know that when you get home from work or school, you should sit down, throw on the TV, computer,t  whatever, but take 10-15 minutes to yourself, before you start a new project. I've been trying to do this, this week. Trying to just sit on the couch for 5 minutes before I start dinner, it's relaxing!

-This class has really helped me become more positive in my life. At least, I've been trying.

 

Source: theyardpdx.tumblr.com via Zeliha on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Haley on Pinterest

 

Source: groundedonthedaily.tumblr.com via Rylee on Pinterest

This is one of my all time favorite quotes, and pictures, from Pinterest, obviously. It's so cheerful!

Source: beyondblessedblog.com via Rylee on Pinterest

I'm just thankful for a class that has made me learn more about myself, than I ever thought I could!


**Holla to US Air for sending me a $250 check to replace my laptop screen, that got a spiderweb crack, due to making me check my bag last second. I definetely fought for that one. So glad it paid off! :)

Road Trippin

This past weekend, we drove to Vegas, for the BYU and College Basketball tournament. Brimley and Scott joined us, and we were very happy about that!

We stayed at my sister Kodi's house, and they're moving in the summer, so it will probably be the last time to be at their house. My parents also stayed, and Tanner's whole family was at the hotel down the street. It was a party, to say the least!

Friday, we left around noon, and once we got to Vegas, we went to Wahoo's Tacos, and then to the game! We had a sad loss, but it was sure fun to watch!

our only picture from Friday

Saturday, we went out to a delicious breakfast, and it was "National Robot Day" (?) and they were all dressed as robots, with silver painted faces! We came home and chilled, the girls went and got pedicures, came home and took some naps, we went to The Gap, (on my way I figured out i left my purse at the salon....luckily they had it!), we met my family at Don Demarco's, seriously best pizza, and we all got these free, huge meatballs, for appetizers, eclairs for dessert, THEN we met Tanner's family at Serendipity...why? Cause we are fat..
After, we rode New York New York, which was as good as I remembered it! Toured the M&M Store, walked more on the strip, and went home. We were pooped! And stuffed. How did none of us throw up on that rollercoaster? Beyond me!

We went to my sister's ward Sunday morning, and luckily Kodi and Ryan were speaking, so that was a treat! We packed, and then were on the road. It was a fun, quick weekend, and I'm glad we were able to get out of Utah for a bit!

Dinner Time

Last night I made this delicious Blackened Chicken Salad that I got from a friend, who found it on Pinterest..obviously! She raved and raved to me how wonderful it was, so I decided to give it a try! I just wish my chicken would have been more "black", which, I always thought that meant it's supposed to be burnt...it's actually just from the spices! It's yummy, and spicy, and the veggies, and ranch cool it off, it's the greatest combination together!

The only thing I did differently than the recipe, is add avocado!
I won't make the buttermilk ranch again..I like the original better! Believe me..try it!
And of course, have hummus on the side! Every time I go to the store, I tell myself we don't need it. We totally do!!! All the time..hummus is a must. So glad I gave in! :)

Blackened Chicken Salad
For the blackened seasoning:

makes 2 tablespoons, enough to coat 1 pound of beef/poultry/fish/tofu

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground thyme

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

 Remaining Ingredients:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1/2″ thick cutlets

4 teaspoons olive oil, divided

8 cups mixed salad (chopped romaine lettuce, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes)

3/4 cup Light Buttermilk Ranch Dressing–recipe below

 Combine all blackened seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Season the chicken cutlets on both sides with the mixture.

Add 2 teaspoons olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add half of the chicken cutlets and allow to cook for 5 minutes per side. Remove to a plate. Turn the heat down slightly and add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add the remaining chicken cutlets and cook for 5 minutes per side. Remove to the plate with the rest of the cooked cutlets. Cover and set aside while you prepare the salads.

To serve: Divide the mixed salad among four large bowls or plates, and drizzle each salad with about 3 tablespoons dressing. Slice the blackened chicken cutlets and divide the slices evenly among the dressed salads. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information for 1 Serving (2 cups salad, 3 tablespoons dressing, 1/4th of the prepared chicken): Calories 325, Total Fat 18.1 g, Total Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Dietary Fiber 2.7 g, Sugars 4.3 g, 30.5 g

(I didn't do this recipe below..I just did the basic directions on the back of the package..but do normal ranch. I like it better!)

Light Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

adapted from Farmgirl Fare

makes about 2 cups, or 8 servings

½ cup mayonnaise (full fat)

½ cup fat free Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon dried dill

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

¾ to 1 cup 1% low fat buttermilk

 In a small bowl, whisk to combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, powder, onion powder, parsley, chives, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Whisk in the vinegar, followed by 3/4 cup buttermilk. Slowly add more buttermilk if you desire a thinner consistency. The dressing should keep for up to 5 days stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information for 1 Serving of Dressing (about 3 tablespoons): Calories 110, Total Fat 10.3 g, Total Carbohydrate 2 g, Dietary Fiber 0 g, Sugars 2 g, Protein 2.4 g