It's been awhile!

I am HORRIBLE with remember passwords.  I tell myself all the time that I am going to change all my passwords to the same one....yet it never happens!

I have to say that I haven't had the best March and we only have a few days left.  Some of you may know why others....probably not because I won't tell you a story that isn't mine to tell!  Let's just say that Steve and I haven't even been married a year and we have gone through EVERYTHING that newlyweds SHOULDN'T have to go through! 

I just want to say thank-you to all my wonderful co-workers and friends that have been there for me these past few weeks but I think things might be starting to look up again!  I am however Still Pondering Why on a few things......

With everything that has <hit> us this past month I wonder if it is even smart to still reside in Colorado?  Once I start to think of things of where to go, job, family, friends, money;  I remember the saying, "the grass isn't always greener on the other side!"  So for now I am content with staying as long as everything works out the way we plan!

On a good note....my one and only brother and his wife are having their first child!  A little girl...whose name will not be announced until she is born (which I think is AN AMAZING idea).  I will be making a small but powerful appearance in the good ole stated of Wisconsin over Mother's Day Weekend.  Much to look forward to while I am there family, food, relaxation, friends, food, Thai food, some more food!  I am looking forward to seeing my Brother and Elissa......it's been since the wedding that I saw them..EXCITED!!!!!

If I am going to make a POWERFUL appearance I best be going on more hikes and eating my salads and veggies....YUM!  Alright my friends and one reader....someday I will blog about something exciting.....I promise!

Did I mention my birthday is next Saturday?.......

tres amigas!

There are our girls!  Steve lives in a house FULL of women!  It's ok....I don't think he would have it any other way!  I am feeling the need to explain how I have turned into a woman who LOVES cats!  All due to the fact that I smashed Taylor's head in the dishwasher late last night after Steve stepped on her on his way out the door earlier in the afternoon! 

The grey and white one is Lucky!  I remember that morning we got her.  There was absolutely NO intention of getting a cat.  I just moved into my very first Denver apartment and I was dragging Steve with me...like it or not style!  We went to Denver Friends League and as we were walking to the cat part of it I ran into a girl I use to work with at ROSS.  She and her friend were carrying a pet carrier and I asked her what she was doing.  She replied that her friend couldn't keep the kitty because of her apartment complex.  There was/is nothing wrong with the kitty and she got it as a gift from her boyfriend.  Steve and I asked all the questions from: sex. age, getting fixed, shots, etc... We all then walked out to our car and took "Lucky" out and she hid under our seat!  From that moment on we knew we couldn't let them take her into the "pound"!  So she came with the name Lucky and we never changed it!  The is now Steve's cat....she sleeps with him....she listens to him....obeys him.....as for me?  Well she wakes me up every morning around 8ish to eat!  ANNOYING!

Then came Cali!  The black and one fur ball in the top right!  What a pistol!  Soon after we got Lucky, Steve and I were going on our first vacation to WI and I thought, "hey, let's get Lucky a friend!"  Mistake!  So off to DFL again to see what they have.  We were looking for a female short-hair around 6 months.  This was going to be a "present" to Steve from me!  We looked around for a long time and right before we were to leave I noticed this kitty in a kennel all alone.  I asked why she was all alone and the vet replied because she was newer to DFL and wasn't getting along well with others!  So we decided to hold "snow" (that was her name) for a bit and when Steve went to pick her up she hissed!  YEP we'll take her!  They fixed her and everything and two days later we went and got her!  I remember that Steve had to work so I was all alone with the two, and Lucky was NOT happy that some other cat was taking over her territory!  Put it this way......3 years later they still aren't the greatest of friends!  I changed her name when I was watching Grey's one day to Cali.....where Steve is from!  Now days we get Cali shave a few times a year because of mats and "other" stuff.  She LOVES being shaved and only likes to snuggle when she is shaved.  She is miserable otherwise!

Lastly, my baby!  The all black cat in the top left!  like 2 years after we got Lucky and Cali, I was going through phase where I wanted to have  Kitten from birth to love for forever!  Shortly after this phase (like 3 days), I went into work and I noticed a sign on the door that read, "free kitten!  All black, female, fixed, shots, just can't have her at my house because of my son!"  So I went to the girl who was giving her away and she told me that one day she was driving down Quebec and noticed a blue mustang running over a kitten.  She stopped her ca and picked the kitten up and brought it to the pet hospital.  It was a stray cat and had worms.  Other than that and going through stock she was okay....except the missing tooth and messed up jaw.  I asked her how much she wanted and she said nothing.  I believe we gave her 50 bucks for the medicine she had to take because of the worms and stuff but other than that....I took this little no named black kitten home!  She was SOOOO small....malnourished!  After a week Steve named her Taylor.  After Shawn Taylor who played for the Redskins who was killed.  Well just like I have hoped.....Taylor loves me more than Steve!  She always cuddles with me!  We play this game...when I walk into the closet she will follow and cry a little for me to pick her up.....then I put her on the bed and lay, pet, and love her for about 15 minutes....she then starts to chew me up like a toy!  I broke my heart last night when I heard her scream and cry all because I shut the dishwasher door on her!  Poor thing!  She is okay though.....she was so loud that Lucky and Cali took off under the bed with her to comfort her!  So cute! 

So all-n-all, Lucky and Taylor are BFFs and they pick on Cali and make her life miserable....but don't you worry I have water bottles!  LOL  I love them, they are my every things!  I have NO desire to ever get more and when it is their time to leave earth I will not replace them with another cat!  My asthma can't take it!  So this it the story of TLC!  (Taylor, Lucky, and Cali!)  My girls-our girls!

Egg Muffin for my Muffin!

Ahhhh I love you GOOGLE!

So tonight after I made my steamed veggies and fish for dinner, I thought to myself (and said out loud) what am I going to do for breakfast tomorrow?  I am sick of just smoothies and I do not want to put a lot of work into it since I have to be there for 9:30am!  I remembered just the other day as I was Googling around PALEO diet recipes that I came across this one!  I just made it and Steve and I LOVE IT!  I only had 4 eggs so I thought...PERFECT!  If I screw this up or don't like it I won't feel as bad!  SO let me tell you about it!  It is so easy that if you can't cook....it's PERFECT!!

6 eggs
1/4-1/2 cup cooked meat....I didn't do any meat
1/2 cup veggies....I did mushrooms, green pepper, onion, and a little green chile
salt
pepper
1/8 cup-to keep it moist

Line a 6 tin muffin tin with cupcake liners and pour mixture into them!  Bake on 350 for 18-20 minutes!  Did I mention I used Coconut Oil to saute?  I LOVE IT!  I can't wait to buy more ingredients for this and make them all the time! 

Let me tell you about my other find today at work!  365 organic coconut oil!  LOVE IT!  I had a Team Leader sample it to me because I was unsure how to use it or if I would even like it.  Well I do and from here on out if I want oil this is what I am using!  It only costs $5.99!

  I suggest you give it a try! 

Okay enough of this tonight....Steve will get angry if I am on here any longer!  I can't help but enjoy writing my cooking with anyone who finds thereselves reading my blog! 

Real Quick

This morning I woke up and made a smoothie along with taking my pills for my cleanse....and my smoothie is so good I need to share it!

1 Cup Ice
1-2 cup frozen strawberries
1 strawberry flavor Coconut milk yogurt
2 oz Aloe Juice
1 kiwi
A splash of OJ and a splash of water!!!!

It made enough for Steve and myself along with a little leftover!

OMG it is so good and sweet.....It is putting me in the best mood today....I wish I didn't have to work!  I feel the energy!

My dinner last night was really good as well so let me share it with you!

1 can corn-drained
1 green pepper
3 scallions
1 clove garlic
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Chicken broth-for sauteing
A pinch of ginger
2 tbls Almond Butter
1.5 tbls soy sauce
Green Bib Lettuce

I sauteed the corn, ginger, pepper, and scallions together and then set aside
Browned the chicken and then added the corn mixture together!
Add in the soy sauce, almond butter, and ginger along with some more chicken broth
Serve over a bed of lettuce!  I garnished with Avocado...Man this was amazing....and healthy!

This recipe originally had with rice but since I am not eating rice I substituted with corn. 

I cook like my Dad and Grandma Pesch....I don't really measure anything and I will add stuff as I go.  Steve hates when I do that because he HAS to have a recipe....I like using a recipe but more as my guide...I hardly ever follow it unless it comes from my Dad!  So maybe you try it or maybe your don't.....but do you have any good recipes for me?

a bit of randomness

So it's been awhile and I thought I better write my thoughts down!!!! YAY

Not much here at the Vasquez/Behnke household since Christmas.  Just trying to put my New Year's Resolutions into action!  I have three I want to do this year!  Find a primary care physician, save money, and lose my weight and take control of my body!

Finding a primary care physician is my number one priority right now!  I need to STOP going to all these urgent cares and specialists!  I want my three night stints in the hospital to STOP!  I want one doctor!  One doctor who has all my records, prescriptions, and someone who is going to be a good support system!  This may take awhile as I am looking for the right one!  Don't you worry.....once I know I will share!

Saving money is something typical Steve and I like to say HOWEVER, this year it will happen!  We have some major trips planned this year and I want to make sure we are able to afford them!  We are going to Cali next month, then to Steve's sister Krystle's graduation in May, then to Portland in August to visit my brother and sister, and I WILL MAKE IT HOME TO WI FOR CHRISTMAS NEXT YEAR!!!  So we have to save save save!

Losing weight!  WOW what a struggle it is for me and I like to put all blame on my mother's genes!  Just kidding mom!  Well, I have always been real fit throughout high school (playing sports really helped out!)  Almost two years ago I quit smoking....something I denied from myself and others for a really long time!  When I decided to quit I accepted the fact that I was going to gain lots of weight but I was okay with that because I was getting healthier!  Well now that the craving have COMPLETELY gone away and I gag at the smell of smoke I am ready to take complete control of my body!  However, this will happen on MY terms!  I will NOT push my body when it cannot be pushed anymore and I WILL NOT have people come down on me for things I know I cannot complete!  I have quit my vice and now I am ready to quit being FAT!  So here is my game plan!

For the next 2 weeks, 14 days, I have two friends, Laura and Jill who will be doing a complete cleanse with me.  I have prepped Steve for the crabbiness and lack of red meat in the house!  I am being so serious with this diet!  I am refusing to buy ANY new clothes for like a year until I am FINALLY at the weight I want to be at!  I am doing this for me and not because "other people" may think I am heavy.  I will be sticking to fruits, veggies, beans, and NO dairy!  (the no dairy is going to help with colitis!)  I can do this!  What is different this time is that I have a wonderful support system with Laura and Jill that we will be able to help each other out!  I am hoping to look good when I go to Cali next month....hopefully the gross salads and smoothies help out!

None of this goes very far without thanking someone who has helped me find this diet!  He knows who he is!  I can't say that I will eat PALEO forever but what I do know is that when I do I feel WONDERFUL, lighter, more energized!  I just have to get over this hurdle of a week and then I will be good!  So thank you!

What's funny about this whole concept is that these three "goals" are something VERY easily obtainable this year!  I am married now and I am not planning a wedding so the stress is not there anymore!  I can wake up every morning to my husband and go about our day without worrying about a photographer or fitting my dress!  Deep down I know Steve has the same goals!  We have been through 4 years together and grew together as 1!  It is like mixing white ice cream and chocolate ice cream together and making a twist!  Steve and I twisted together as we got older!  People always ask two questions since the wedding:  How are you two doing? and When are you going to have kids? 

1.  We are great!  We love each other more every day!  Of course we have our ups and downs but I cannot see my future unless Steve is there with me!  He is my love of my life and I am very grateful for Colorado for that reason!
2.  No desire to have children anytime soon!  I am selfish and I want to do things and if we were to have a child that would put a BIG damper on a perfect thing right now! 

So with that said, I am going to google PALEO and see what I can make tonight for dinner.  What I am thinking is a chicken wrap!  Wrapped in lettuce (something I HATE with a passion, but hopefully I can "train" my taste buds to like it!)
Here is a picture of my goal....which I will be at by 12.31.11!

Not sure how much I weighed here...but this was September 2006!  Justin and Elissa's wedding!  I loved my body and weight then and that was one of the happiest times of my life....gonna do...be skinny!