So long, Year 32

Today, on this final day of Year 32, Steve surprised me with a handmade hammock hanging on our back porch.

I had heard the hammering in the basement for the past several nights, but I was shocked when I opened my eyes to see what hung before me.

He made this beautiful hanging hammock so I could cross one last thing off of my list, to take my long anticipated nap in a hammock and to reflect. To rest.

As he left, he said, I'm not sure why we spend our time celebrating birthdays when we should celebrate the amazing year we were just blessed with.

And with that, I cried.

Year 32 has been an amazing, epic year.

I have laughed genuine laughter.

I have cried tears filled with anguish and pain.

I have said hello to many, many people and possibilities.

I have said goodbye to many of the same.

For the first time in my life, I have let go, and I have lived.

As I pursued Year 32, eyes wide open, I was suddenly aware of life that was waiting to be lived at  every turn.

In my 32nd year I...

completed a flip-turn | did one successful front flip | submitted an essay into a writing contest | went for a midnight swim | INSPIRED one person to live on purpose | finished my Christmas shopping before December 1 | bought a bike | learned to sew| read a series with my boys | attended a retreat | completed a closet overhaul | payed it forward in a drive thru | resigned from my teaching job | completed a 30 day CANDIDA DIET | attended mars hill running group | saw salmon run {amazing!} | took a spinning class | made bee-bim bop | bought brown boots | ate MOOMERS ice cream {several times} | raced in a different city | cooked a turkey! | saw mat kearney at the house of blues! | RAN OUT of GAS | went on a color tour | ate my first pastie | sled down a ski hill | got SNOWED IN | built a snowman on a ski hill | bought skinny jeans | went to my first concert at the intersection {needtobreathe} | retold my story | took a photography class | hosted a wine and cheese party for Jesus | hosted a craft night or two | was introduced to my DAUGHTER! | attended a holy yoga retreat | visited denver, CO | lost my village coffee virginity | mountain biked on a real MOUNTAIN | survived loveland pass | saw mumford and sons | at RED ROCK! | hiked red rock | took our boys on our first date | chose TRUE as my word of 2012 |  project purged for justice | did revelation wellness in the park | rolled down a hill |  sled arm-in-arm down a hill with three of my dearest friends |  took the boys to their first concert | road in a Rigshaw | brewed kombucha | FLEW to Nashville | heard wisdom from Donald Miller | 


In the end, life is what we make it.

We have a choice.

We can be derailed by the reality of life and be bitter.

Or, we can choose to live life well and be a part of a bigger story.

What's your choice?

Year 32, I thank you and celebrate you!

Clean Cooking #3: Quinoa Bites

After a brief hiatus, I am pulling up my boot straps and gettin' after #18 on my Year 32 List. 

For my first clean meal I made fried rice which has become a staple and has found its way to our dinner table once a week.

My second clean cooking attempt led me to whip up some quinoa burgers.  Although, they have not made a regular appearance on our plates, I do make them occasionally.

And, for my third clean cooking attempt these cute cheesy quinoa bites kept calling my name.

After a trip to the store to collect any missing ingredients, I was ready to roll.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa

2 large eggs

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese {I substituted dairy free}

2 stalks green onion {diced}

2 cloves garlic {I used garlic powder}

1 c. fresh chopped cilantro

1 c. shredded carrot

2 Tbs almond meal

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Put all of the ingredients into a large bowl,

and simply mix.

When all of the ingredients are mixed well, spray mini muffin tin with

non-stick cooking spray, and fill muffin cup to the brim.

 Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees and enjoy.

I am linking to...

Delightful Order

How Do You Measure a Year?

Today, my alarm clock went off at 5:30 a.m.. For the 52nd time, I crawled out of bed, put on my swimming suit, packed my swimming bag, and headed out the door to meet the best friends a girl could have for our weekly swim.

Our morning swim was just like all of the other 51 morning swims we've shared.  We laughed on the way out of the locker room, we commented at how cold the water was, we procrastinated and chit chatted to avoid actually getting in, and we swam several laps {even sprinting a few}. 


Today, however, as we pushed ourselves up out of the pool, we accomplished something BIG, something we set out to do one year ago.  We had just completed 5 workouts a week, for at least 15 minutes a workout {most workouts were between 30-45 minutes}, for 52 straight weeks.

We had just lived out one life changing year.


As I reflected on this past year and what I wanted to say about it, a million things came to mind.

However, something new kept popping up as I continually thought about what I wanted to say.


The word that entered my thoughts over and over again was the word Love. 


This past year has been about four women who have loved and encouraged each other. It has been about four women who held each other accountable.  It has been about four women who loved themselves enough to become better.  It has been about four women who cheered each other on and wanted only the best for each other. It has been about four women living in grace.


All too often, women tear each other down.  We get competitive.  We let our insecurities get the best of us. We put on a front that we have it all together. We judge. We compare. 


And, in the end we all end up feeling miserable about ourselves.


This last year was about putting an end to all of that and showing the world what can happen when women extend love to each other and encourage each other.

As I sat down to write this post the thought of how do you measure a year? was suddenly upon me.  I then thought of the song, Seasons of Love, performed by the Broadway cast of Rent.  As I looked up the lyrics, I realized that this amazing song sums up this past year better than any words could.

Seasons of Love

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments so dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?
In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life?

How About Love?
How About Love?
How About Love?
Measure In Love

Seasons of Love.
Seasons of Love.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Journeys To Plan
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure The Life
Of A Woman Or A Man

In Truth That She Learned
Or In Times That He Cried
In Bridges He Burned
Or The Way That She Died

It's Time Now - To Sing Out
Though The Story Never Ends
Let's Celebrate
Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends

Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Measure In Love

Oh you got to you got to remember the love,
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure your life in love.

Measure your life, measure your life in love

In one short year there have been many sunsets and just as many daylights.  We have traveled many miles.  We have shared in laughter, in tears and in strife.  We have loved and discovered truth.  And, now it's time to celebrate!

To Katie, Kmac and B - More than words can express, thank you! Thank you for knowing that love is a gift from above. Thank you for sharing love, giving love and spreading love. Thank you for living life. You have been a blessing.

*Please note that this blog is a celebration of a life changing experience that I have been blessed with.  If you are finding yourself in a funk and feeling alone, please know that if I can do it, so can you!  If you need inspiration and great tips head over here and here.

The Race That Almost Wasn't

The odds seemed to be stacked against us {kt, kmac and me} as we attempted to complete our longest run to date in Chicago's Hot Chocolate 15k Run. We had successfully finished a 5k and a 10k and even the Mud Run, but for one reason or another pulling together the Hot Chocolate Run was no small feat.

Originally, we were all about it, at least as all about it you can be when it comes to running for an hour and a half straight.  We were in shape, it would be a new challenge and we would get to enjoy chocolate fondue after the race, and we won't lie, we only run in races that have great after parties.

Then on one of our dark night walks the cookies started to crumble.  We all had an ounce of doubt about the race and we were talking ourselves out of it.



It didn't make sense to travel all the way to Chicago for a race.  We really hadn't been training for it specifically.  Katie was going to be on vacation the week before.  And, was running 9.3 miles something we really wanted to do?


So, we himmed and hawed about it, dragging our feet because we didn't want to be the one to say, No, let's not do it . or the one to say, Yeah, lets do it! ... Road Block #1


After much deliberation, several facebook messages and one sleepless night we all decided to pull the trigger. Take that self-doubt and common sense.



While Kt booked our room, {thank your for your generosity kt's mom and dad!} I signed up online.  Kt quickly followed and Kmac wrapped up the registration with the last click of the mouse.  As each of our registrations popped up on facebook, my excitement began to grow, we were really doing it!


I was over the moon until I saw it .... my sheer haste and mindlessness, staring me directly in the face ... 

No, it couldn't be! But, yes, yes indeed it was.  Instead of signing up for the November 5th, Chicago race, I was now signed up for the December 3rd, D.C race. ...Road Block #2


After a bit of panic and some possible tears, {who would cry about such things?} I successfully contacted someone at the Hot Chocolate Headquarters and was told that they would switch my registration for me.  A near catastrophe was averted and it was clear sailing from here on out.

And, smooth sailing it was.  At approximately 2:14 on Friday afternoon we were loaded up and enjoying a sunny ride on our way to Chicago.  We were chatting, laughing, sharing stories and just passing by Saugatuk, when suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. 


I forgot my iPod! 


This, in my opinion, was even more disastrous than running in Washington D.C. all by myself.  Every non-runner/runner knows that music is key in motivating/distracting you in even the shortest of races, let alone a 15k....  Road Block #3. 


As I sat trying not to cry, again, super sleuth, problem-solving Kt kicked it into high gear and saved the day.  With her quick thinking, super speedy facebook messaging and an almost immediate return phone call she had arranged an iPod drop off with another girl who would be heading to Chicago in a couple of hours.  {I am forever indebted to you e.b. and mr. e.b.} Road Block #4 solved for the moment.


With that crisis calmed, it had to be smooth sailing for the rest of the way, and it was, until packet pick-up.  After several blocks of walking and searching we found a jammed packed central station with a line around the corner to pick up our packets and really cool jackets.  The lined moved quickly and in a matter of seconds Kt and Kmac had their packets.  I, on the other hand did not have a packet.  I, on the other hand was still registered to race in one month in the fine capital of our nation....  Road Block #4.


After a trip to line #1, a referral to the customer service line, a trip back to the packet pick-up boxes, a journey over a strip revealing no name, one more question to the nice volunteer and several reminders that it would be okay from my very patient friends, Road Block #4 was taken care of before we knew it, and we found ourselves posing the the Hot Chocolate mascot.

With all of that under our belts, all we had left to do was eat dinner, hit the sack and run a 15k in the morning, which now seemed like it would be the easiest part of the trip. 

And, with a curbside, drive-by, delivery during dinner, Road Block #3 took a final tumble. Nothing was stopping us now. 

After a restless night sleep for all and a morning full of butterflies, race day had finally arrived.

We were in the windy city, and we were ready to run.

With our ear buds in and our adrenaline flowing, we set off on the streets of Chicago.  We ran through tunnels, over bridges, through brownstone neighborhoods and back into the city.  We sucked down goo at miles three and six and drank Gatorade and water every chance we got.  We crunched cups and pounded the pavement with the best of them, and in the end finished a 15k with the sun shining upon us and a pride we had never felt.  

With the time of 1:26:17 {9:16 min/mile pace}, I crossed the finish line and #29 off the list.

In the end, the Hot Chocolate Run was so much more than a race or the road blocks that stood in the way.

The Hot Chocolate Run was about three friends who said yes.

It was about three friends who took a chance.

It was about three friends who decided they were worth it.

It was about three friends, who in a year's time, have realized that they are much stronger than they ever thought they were.

Year 32 {Clean Cooking #2: Quinoa Burgers}

Have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest?  I just can't seem to get enough and find new ideas each hour day, including the first two recipes for my clean cooking challenge.

For clean meal #1, we enjoyed fried rice,  and now that it is time to take another swing at a clean cooking I decided to try my hand at quinoa burgers.


The best part about this meal was that I already had most of the ingredients in the house and decided to be adventurous and substitute for the ingredients I didn't have, take that perfectionism!


 Here is the recipe I came up with: 


Quinoa Burgers

1/2 cup quinoa, well-rinsed under cold water
1 cup cooked corn
1 dash of minced onion
1 15-ounce can white beans {great northern beans},  drained and rinsed
1 slice of bread torn to bits
1 large egg
1 tablespoon red cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

Toppings

Hummus
Roasted red peppers
Lettuce
Tomatoes

Directions:

Rinse quinoa. {Essential step for removing bitter taste}

Add rinsed quinoa with 1 cup water to rice cooker. {boiling is an option too}

While the rice is cooking, chop all veggies.

In a food processor, combine corn,

 

cooked quinoa,

egg,

bread crumbs,

red cayenne pepper,

and beans + olive oil

until they are mixed well.

Next, make into patties {note: I put mine in the freezer for 15 minutes to make
for less sticky patty making}

 

and cook approximately 10 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.

Finally, serve on a warm toasted, whole wheat bun, topped with hummus, 
roasted red pepper, tomato and a side of sweet potato chips

 
 and enjoy a delicious burger with a perfect blend of crunchy, sweet, and spice.

Mmmmm...so yummy that even our pickiest eater gave it two thumbs up. 



I linked to a bowl full of lemons.

Clean Cooking

According to the list, my goal is to to make one clean meal a month. 

Tonight, I crossed the first month off list with great success. 

Thanks to my great pinning friends, I found my first recipe on Pinterest.

All it took was organic rice, edamame, and broccoli

mixed with some soy sauce, rice vinegar, & garlic to create

the most delicious clean meal that got two thumbs-up all around.

{Recipe}

Year 32: {32 things in year 32}

Today marks the very first day of Year 32, the year of discovering my true self.

Thirty-two things to accomplish in Year 32

1. Complete a successful flip-turn

2. Be a Dangerous woman

3. Compete in a Sprint Tri-athalon

4. Learn to do a front-flip

5. Submit an essay or article in a contest

6. Meet our baby's foster mother and say thank you in Korean

7. Go for a midnight swim

8. Inspire one person to live their life on purpose  My Aunt Carol has an amazing list.

9. Get Christmas shopping done and wrapped by December 1

10. Read entire Magic Tree House Series with my boys, Currently on #34

11. Sew something. Maybe Curtains? Necktie Necklace

12. Make sushi

13. Read through the Bible, cover to cover

14. Complete a closet overhaul

15. Attend a retreat, September 23-25

16. Pay it forward at a drive through

17. Be intentional about loving my husband

18. Make one Clean meal a month, #1, #2, #3

19. Host a Bunko night

20. Take a nap in a hammock

21. Attend Mars Hill Running Group, January 25

22. Go on a salmon run, kayaked among the running salmon

23. Take a spinning, suspension and zumba class

24. Make a Korean dish

25. Buy brown boots, fall 2011

26. Eat Moomers ice cream, October 1

27. Read one book a month

28. Improve my 5k and 10k times

29. Run a race in a different city, Hot Chocolate Run

30. Join an adoption group

31. Buy a bike

32. Meet our baby

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.

                                               Helen Keller