Seattle Hanging Around

When we weren't super busy running from here to there, and shoving every bit of food in our mouths, we enjoyed the opportunity to just hang around a little bit. Bennett and Haz had some moments that were a little rough, but they also did play together, too! We were so lucky to have Ashley and Doug's beautiful house that we were staying in. It's such a nice place, and it was a great landing place while we were staying there!

Seattle!! Pike's Place

We took the boys to Pike's Place, which as you know, is a Seattle must. It was such a beautiful day, and Hazen didn't quite know what to do about all the hustle and bustle. We tasted the different testers that they had out there, and tried our best not to let anyone steal our kid. Hazen was both horrified and intrigued by the flying fish that the men were throwing around. He couldn't tear himself away from such a sight! I think that I've sold the boys on Seattle, which isn't too hard to do seeing what a great place it is!

Going to Seattle!

Sometimes things around here get a little too overwhelming, and a little crazy, and you've just got to get out! With Jason passing the NCLEX, and me working crazy hours at work, it was time for a little get away with the family. No better place to go than Seattle! The boys had never been there, and I absolutely love everything about Seattle, so I made a phone call to Ashley, and the trip was in the works! As if I wasn't excited enough, Ashley sent me a book which highlighted some of the best restaurants in Seattle. To say I was excited was quite the understatement! So, just as Utah was starting to get cold, we hopped on the plane and went on our way.

This was Hazen's first plane ride that he was old enough to remember. I'm telling you, everything about this age is so magical! This kid gets so excited about everything, and it's so much fun to share it with him. A few days before we left, I started telling him at bedtime that he was going to get to go on an airplane in x days. He didn't really get it at first, but he was still excited. Getting to the airport was awesome! We got there early enough, parked, and we were able to take our time getting things situated. He was so happy to hold the tickets, and of course was very willing to take his shoes off when he went through security. When we were on the plane, so many people commented that they didn't even know that there was a kid close by. He was so happy, and would excitedly exclaim a few times, but there was no whining, or any obnoxious kid crap. The flight was even during the time when he usually takes a little rest, so he asked if he could lay on my lap and snuggle with me for a good portion of the flight.

After we landed, the flight was pretty empty, so I decided to ask if he could take a picture with the pilot. Not only did the pilot say that it was ok, but he asked Hazen to come sit with him in the cockpit! I was so surprised, because I thought that was a definite no-no now! Hazen went to touch a few buttons, and when I quickly exclaimed that he needed not to do that, the pilot assured me that he was ok, and that he could touch whatever he wanted. It was really neat! Needless to say, getting to "fly the plane" is something that Hazen is still talking about now!

Lady Danville Night with the Girls

Of course, if you didn't know by now, you know now that anytime Lady Danville is in the vicinity, I am there, and I am stoked about it! I can always count on my girls to be there with me, so we planned a girl's night. We started the evening with a dinner at The Dodo, and it was delicious! Since it was a Tuesday, and Tuesdays are apparently Buy 1 get 1 Free night for desserts at the Dodo, we decided that we probably needed four desserts. Duh.

After dinner, we headed over to The Venue in Salt Lake to hear Lady Danville play. They were playing with Jack's Mannequin, but let's be honest- they could be playing with anyone, and we'd still be there! As per usual, the concert was amazing! They are so talented, and I love their music so much. After the concert was done, the girls headed home, and the boys got there super late. When they got to my house, I had spaghetti and bruschetta waiting for them. For dessert were delicious brownies.

The next morning, we had green smoothies and pumpkin pancakes before sending them on their way. I love it when they come into town, and especially when they stay with us. They are such great guests, and of course wonderful guys. Hazen liked meeting the "dum du dum" guys, because they sing his favorite song.

Jacob's Cove

One week's spoils- Kale, Swiss Chard, Brocollini, Napa Cabbage, Regular
Cabbage, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Squash, Beets, Grape Heirloom
Tomatoes, and Regular Heirloom Tomatoes. Yum!

Let me let you in on a little secret that has seriously changed my life. Now, I hate to sound dramatic, but honestly, after nearly 26 years of feeling like I've constantly been fighting with my weight, BAM, this secret has revolutionized how I see food.

For as long as I remember, food has been both a comfort and an enemy. Something that I loved so dearly, but something that I hated, because I viewed it as the thing that kept me from meeting and achieving my goals. If I wanted to lose weight, then food was this forbidden treat that I was only allowed to eat so much of each day. Every different diet that I would try meant that there was some food group, be it dairy, carbs, or meat that I just wasn't allowed to eat. I had to be careful about how much fruit I would eat, because, you know, fruit has a lot of sugar. Low carbs, low fat, low calories.....little results.

Until now. At the end of May, we decided to join a CSA in the area, Jacob's Cove. We had set aside some of our tax refund, and decided to make the jump into what, at the time, seemed like a somewhat costly endeavor. Beforehand, we paid $460 for 13 weeks worth of 2 shares of this CSA. This means, that for about $35/week, I get roughly 14 lbs of veggies and fruits that had been picked THAT MORNING. Oh, did I mention that not only are they picked that morning, but they are grown only 5 miles away from our house? The produce that we get is the highest quality produce I think I've ever eaten. It's seriously amazing. It makes me so happy and energized to be eating such incredible food!

So, now to the weight loss/diet part. Since the end of May, I've lost 30 lbs. Yes, internets, I've come out and admitted the exact number. People keep on asking me what I've been doing, and honestly, the answer is Jacob's Cove. Since we've started our CSA, I've pretty much tried to obliterate highly processed foods from my diet. Do I still eat sugar? Sure! As long as it's homemade. Do I worry about fats in food? Nope, as long as it's a high quality and not a processed trans-fat. I don't eat as much meat as I used to, and I completely don't miss it, but I'm still eating cheese. Straight up dairy kind of makes me sick now, so the days of enjoying a glass or two of chocolate milk now and again are pretty much gone.

I never thought that I'd be one of those weird people who believed strongly in the whole "local-ganic" movement, but I am! I love everything about Jacob's Cove and their incredible produce. Did you know it's possible to almost shed tears over Heirloom Tomatoes? You can.

So, the before. Keep in mind, I was working out as frequently as I do now at this time, so increase in exercise is not the main reason that I've lost so much weight. What's funny, is I didn't really feel BAD at this point of time, but I definitely didn't feel as great as I do now!!
And, the after. I apparently don't really have any normal pictures taken of me lately, so you might have to use your imaginat