A week of firsts

I have truly have begun to think that I could be vegetarian as I no longer really crave meat of any kind. I do split a SMALL beef fillet about every two weeks with my husband but it is beginning to be more of pleasing him that it is for myself. Sorry honey, but I think I'm starting to cross over. :-) The first part of August I bought a new cookbook "peas and thank you" it has just recently been released/published. The author and her family are both vegan as well as vegetarian and with her recipes you can easily substitute ingredients to fit your lifestyle. I found out mid-week that we were invited to a bbq on Saturday evening so I contacted the author of the cookbook asking what she would take if she was in my shoes. She was very kind and gracious stating that she would definitely make the "Chickpea Strawberry Mango Salad". When I realized that I had every single thing already on hand I decided to make this for our lunch on Monday. Let me tell you, it is amazing! Bill even said while we were having lunch that this is one of the best recipes to date. How is that for a meat eater??? We enjoyed it honestly again that very night as a side salad with bean burritos. I pray that Sarah doesn't mind but for anyone desiring the recipe you can find it on her blog here.

We traveled to our cabin on Thursday and due to rebuilding a bridge we are having to come in from a different direction. I don't know about you, but I get very tired of fast food which is about all this particular town has to offer that we drive through or so we thought...until I suggested we try and find something a tad "healthier" to dine at for lunch. Bill checked out yelp and found that they had a neat little coffee shop called "The Cafe". Believe me, it was so stinking cute and the lunch that we both enjoyed yesterday was superb for small town!!!

**Bill ordered a roast beef, cheese and Anaheim pepper served on ciabatta while I had the open faced vegetarian Mediterranean sandwich, both came with a small mixed greens salad and balsamic vinaigrette. Delish!!

This morning Bill asked me if I was going to drink coffee or go for a run? Of course I wanted to go for a run but the elevation and altitude can truly mess with me for a day or two with my health issues when we first arrive here. I decided to go for the run and he was willing to come after me so I wouldn't have to walk the 3 miles back after running 3 miles. I was beyond thrilled as I finished when I hit the 3 mile mark I was less than 30 minutes, my final time: 30:12 with a distance of 3.05 miles. GLORY TO GOD!!!!!!!!!! My very best time ever!!!



After that cup of coffee and cool down, we enjoyed a breakfast of over night oats. They hit the spot!!!

Yolanda's Overnight Oats:

1/3 cup of raw oats or muesli

handful of frozen berries (I used organic raspberries for this mornings oats)

1 Tbsp of Chia seeds

1 Tbsp of ground flax seed/meal

a healthy sprinkle of cinnamon

1/2 tsp of vanilla

3/4 to 1 cup of almond milk

Place in a glass jar, stir with a spoon and cover with a lid. Place in refrigerator overnight.

Just before dining, slice 1/2 of a banana on top, (this morning I also added 1/2 of a fresh peach), healthy spoonful of raw fresh nut butter, a spoonful of raw honey, agave nectar or maple syrup. Then when you sit down with your jar and spoon, give it a really good healthy stirring to incorporate all those flavors! Enjoy!!!

Have you and your family experienced any firsts this week?