I'm still around.....

I'm alive! No blog posts since Monday because I am launching my new Pampered Chef business, taking Midterms, and tending to an ill husband. Be back soon!

What exactly does "Healthy" mean?

Hey everybody--Happy Monday! I want to first acknowledge all of my new followers, thanks so much for following and leaving your comments I love hearing from you and it truly fuels my writing....I am working on responding to emails after I publish this post! I have not emailed anyone back for a week, I'm terrible. Anyways...

Today I am here to write about health. If you haven't noticed yet my new blog design features a page dedicated to "getting healthy" so you might have known I was going to write about it sooner or later...and here I am. I did not want to categorize my blog as a weight loss blog or a fitness blog...personally I do not want to place myself in any category so I am choosing to talk about health in general.

But, what is healthy? What does it mean to be healthy? Does it mean you are free of illness, and if so is being overweight an illness? Should your mental and emotional health be measured in this too?

I do not have all the answers to the questions above, I believe "healthy" is something we define ourselves. I am working on my own definition of being healthy and  I am working on becoming that definition of healthy in my daily life. To become the healthiest person I can become become here are some goals I am working towards that I will discuss in weekly posts!

Goals:
- Shed the extra pounds
-Develop a normal relationship with food and exercise, no extremes
-Stick to a mostly Real Food eating plan
-Continue to transition to non-toxic products (cosmetics, hair care, cleaning...etc.)
-Manage a better sleep schedule
-Live in the moment, quit waiting for the future

I know this post seems so broad and almost confusing but I want to stress that I believe being healthy is a lifestyle, something you strive to achieve every single day. I also believe being healthy does not have to be in the future or 20 pounds from now.

Above are my personal goals but Ryan and I are working on several of those together and we both want to have a solid foundation of healthy living, especially for the future when we start thinking about having our own little family.

That being said, I want to know how you feel about health? What is your definition? What do you do to stay healthy mentally, physically or emotionally?

I will leave you with one of the blogs that changed my entire idea of food....please be warned, you may spend several hours reading this after you dive in! www.100daysofrealfood.com

Couch Potatoes

Let it be known that I had a very in depth blog post planned for today but the headache from hell has been with me all day so I will save it for another day and talk about the TV instead...

It might sound silly but Ryan and I have spent more than our fair share of time arguing over who's "show" we were going to watch on any given night. So today I am sharing our marriage friendly television favorites that clog our DVR. Some I hated at first and some Ryan hated at first but now we are hooked on them all! You might ask, "Why do I care what TV shows the Nelson's watch?" Well, because when anyone recommends a TV show to me I try and watch it at least once..and 9 out of 10 times I end up loving it. And because we are couch potatoes lately on weeknights so how else can I tell you what we are up to?!

First: Modern Family

It just never gets old. On ABC.

Second: Bar Rescue

This is a new favorite for us....it follows Bar Experts as they "Rescue" failing bars across America, its disgusting too. Whatever you do, do not try and eat while watching this show. That being said its a great show on Spike!

Third: The Voice

I honestly had NO idea Ryan would like this show....but we both love it Blake Shelton. He is always a hot mess but ends up winning the seasons?! Oh and we love a good argument about who is good and who sucks! On NBC.

Fourth: Chopped

A competition show on the Food Network that we love. At the beginning of each show the four chefs give a short bio and then Ryan and I pick who is going to win the competition...because I can make anything competitive. Being the semi-feminist I am, I almost always pick the a woman chef! 

Fifth: Love It or List It

On HGTV(Home and Garden Television)....I will admit Ryan only watches this because I'm obsessed with HGTV but I swear he likes it! At the end of the show the owners get to choose if they will stay in their current renovated home or move...thus Ryan and I can compete to guess if they will "Love It" or "List It". 

Sixth: Duck Dynasty

I cannot believe I am even saying this. I thought this show was for rednecks only...now I'm from Iowa and I know how to gravel travel but I'm pretty far from a full blown redneck. Ryan watched this show so I finally started watching and found myself laughing so hard at these grown rednecks who are millionaires. It is complete junk TV and you might be less intelligent for watching it but you will laugh! On A&E.

Seventh: New Girl

Amazing....closest show to "Friends" our generation will ever have--on FOX!

Jeez, we like to compete, but I swear we love each other! Check these shows out if they seem appealing at all! What shows do you watch that Ryan and I should check out? 

The junk in my trunk, purse edition.

Happy Wednesday! You know what that means, girly post!

Today I am linking up with Erin and Mel a day early for their Purse Party--basically a nosy curious way to see what women carry in their purses....you can learn a lot about a girl by what she carries in her  purse.

First let's address what purse I haul around...Kate Spade Cobble Hill Little Minka in Black
 

This purse was a present from Ryan for surviving an eight month deployment --and I received in in August. I love it so so much, its practical and pretty. 99% of the time I wear it across my body. It is fabulous for being on the go, especially when traveling! And I cannot forget to mention the leather is buttery soft! Sorry the Kate Spade website pictures are terrible! I also have the matching wallet.

 I will admit I am kind of a purse minimalist. I clean out my purse at least twice a week. I have always loved big purses but I've never been one to carry the crap to fill one....maybe when I have kids?!

The crap I always have:

Gum--Orbit Bubble Mint and Sweet Mint

Lip Balm- Burt's Bees Original (THE BEST)

Lip Gloss- Tarte 

Sunglasses

Camera

Stamps (I'm old fashioned)

Random piles of receipts

Single Dollars and too many Yen

There was no pen in my purse when I emptied it out but I typically have one....

These little piles are why I clean out my purse often, they drive me crazy! Who else has Japanese and American receipts....booyah!

Here is a close up of my Dollar and Yen pile. At any given time I have Dollars  OR Yen on me but never the right cash for what I am purchasing. (Off base you can only use Yen, on base some places take Dollars only.)  It's becoming quite the problem when my Yen and American change are all mixed up and my Yen bills and American bills are combined. And NO, most places you cannot just pull out your Debit Card aka your "Debbie". To say the least its quite frustrating!

Sometimes I wish I had a plethora of items in my purse but other times I'm happy its simple. I can't wait to see what other ladies carry around with them daily!

New Blog Design & Changes.

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Hello!
 If you haven't noticed yet, I've got an awesome new blog design thanks to Hubby Jack Blog Designs!

I have been waiting awhile for this design (he's pretty popular) and with the design I wanted to launch a few changes to my blog! This little blog hasn't existed very long but I want to make sure I steer it in the direction I want. I know that I have several family and friend followers (Hi Everyone!) but I also have blog world followers, at least 14 (Hi to all of you too, and thank you for following!).

While this blog is titled "The Nelson Tales" and I have chosen thus far to write about things that have to do entirely with Ryan and I, I am here to tell you that is changing! This little ole blog will now be  considered a "lifestyle" blog....so that I can write about everything from our Japan adventures to my personal struggles and stories. I also created this blog with the hope that I could write beyond just our adventure in Japan (our next move, our first house, our first child, etc.)!

If that makes no sense to you that is okay. Hopefully you will continue to read and decide for yourself if the reading my little piece of the web is worth your while!

For the time being I have decided to create a schedule for the blog so that readers can check back at certain times for posts they might be interested in! Here is how I have decided to break it down...

All posts will be scheduled to load at 9 P.M. Japan Time on any given day-- which means 8 A.M. Eastern Time in the United States the same day.

Monday- Lifestyle Post (Health/Fitness)
Tuesday-Japan Post (Recap of Previous Weekend Adventures)
Wednesday- Girly Post (Ashley oriented!)
Thursday- Lifestyle Post (What Ryan and Ashley are up to)
Friday- Anything goes!

Saturday and Sunday will be off days!

I have already created some great relationships with other bloggers and I look forward to writing a more well rounded blog while still keeping my family and friends up do date on our life and adventures!

Lastly, I want to extend a special thank you to EVERYONE for reading. All the feedback I get fuels me to keep writing!

Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers:

Q) Why don't you blog more often? I check your blog everyday and you never update it!

A) First of all, thank you for being such loyal followers! I know I have promised to blog more ever since I got to Japan and I could write every excuse in the book right here but I'll save your time. I have every intention of blogging more often than I do.

Q) Are you enjoying living in Japan so far?

A) Yes! We are getting more and more adjusted every day. It's a routine to be "normal" during the weekdays and explore Japan(ish) things on the weekends. The hardest part was and is the food--but we are managing. Yes we have an American(ish) grocery store but the options are not endless as they are in the states-- and I'm picky, its hard. Oh, and the part where you can't get in the car and drive to Panera or Starbucks. That part sucks.

Q) What is the weather like?

A) Are you trying to make small talk with me? Just kidding! Apparently we are about the same latitude as Norfolk, VA for a comparison. It's Spring here. It is cold and rainy most days and nice and sunny some days. If I was better about converting Celsius to Fahrenheit (Side Note: Whoever decided that America should be on a totally different system of measurements was ridiculous! I needed more centimeters, liters, and Celsius in my life as a child!) I would tell you the temperature it typically is.....instead I will tell you that we wear light jackets most days.

Q) How is driving?

A) I have only driven on base but honestly after one day it has been a breeze. It seems so silly but the hardest part is making sure you use your opposite hands for the blinker and or windshield. It is SO SCARY when you are going to make your first turn driving the wrong opposite way, you go to hit your blinker, and the windshield wipers fly on. Profanity was involved! Ryan is driving more so now my biggest hurdle is walking up to the correct side of the car to be a passenger....I do it wrong all the time!

Q) Is it Cherry Blossom season yet?

A) Yes! And its soooooooooooo much more beautiful than you can ever imagine. These trees are everywhere on and off base.

That's all for today....I will be doing a full post on Cherry Blossom season in a few days, its so worthy!

Here is a preview of my next post....

Whoever can correctly guess what is in this photo wins a special prize delivered from me!

XO

Ashley

Our First Japanese Sushi Experience.

Hi All! Long time no blog, again. Sorry about that.

We have been in our apartment a week now and received our first "express" shipment this past Monday. All I can say is, we didn't plan that shipment very well. No Keurig. No Brita. Not the right clothes. While it is nice to have a few of our own kitchen items and to cook again its definitely not the same as having our entire kitchen. Maybe its just me and I can't think straight but almost every recipe I plan without remembering that I don't have this item or that item to help me with the process. I guess the banana bread and soup will have to wait....

Oh, but we packed our smallest TV. I have been watching HGTV alllll day long when I can. Please don't judge me.

I wish I could tell you that we have been exploring all over Japan and seen lots of cool stuff but that's definitely not the case. Since the last post we have been off base once. Once. Now base is not some "just like America" island, we are surrounded by the culture entirely--but this is why I haven't blogged yet. In my opinion my posts should be about some big elaborate trip we took but that won't happen all the time and I must realize that. We live here, we are not on a vacation here- we have to find that exploring/living balance. 

This past weekend we took it easy. We did venture off base once to the 105 Yen sushi place. For reference 105 Yen is approximately 1 US Dollar. I know what your thinking- "Ew, why would you trust sushi from a place that charges a dollar?!" My thoughts exactly..but when in Rome Japan, do as they do. Eat dollar sushi. 

It is a bit hard to see and understand but this is at the end of our table, its a Sushi "go round"aka automated belt that travels? Hopefully that makes sense?! In this picture there is an apple juice box passing our table. The faucet looking thing is a hot water dispenser for tea. The rest is typical sauces, chopsticks, etc.

 Sushi goes around on the belt as you can see in the picture above. As they go around you can take certain plates that you find appealing off the belt. Each plate costs 105 Yen. They have English menus that describe what food is going around the belt so you don't have to pick something and have no idea what you are eating! They also have touch screens at the end of each table, as seen above. If you don't see what you want coming around the belts you can order something specific and it comes on the belt to you and plays a song as its arriving, pretty cool!

 Shrimp Tempura.

 Cucumber Rolls.

California Roll.

It was an experience. The Japanese people in there have these little plates stacked a mile high and just keep eating the sushi. I was skeptical. I won't lie, the only thing I ate were the cucumber rolls and some pineapple. Ryan was more adventurous! I have never been one to eat the sushi that has fish on the top not in the roll and almost ALL these options were on the top. We will go again and I will try more. I will try any vegetable, legume, fruit, fungi etc. on the planet but I will always have a hard time with meats, including raw fish! 

Oh, and the chopsticks. We use them. They aren't easy but we are getting better. Noodles and chopsticks....its so fun!

Since the weekend we haven't been doing much that is worthy of writing about. Ryan is pretty ill with a cold and we are both crabby because we are sleeping on a full size bed without our favorite pillows.

Lastly, big news, I'm on a volleyball team. Its almost laughable- but I am way better than I thought I would be. Ryan's command has a team and I'm on it. Nothing like playing with a bunch of sailors. More on that later...

I have tons of blog posts planned and some BIG changes too! This weekend we're hoping to get out and explore more pending how Ryan is feeling.

If you are curious about anything specific you think I have already experienced in Japan please leave a comment and I will reply and maybe even post a Q & A post with all the questions. It sounds so silly but its hard to remember what might be interesting to people who aren't here to experience it first hand!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

XOXOXO

Ashley

A New Apartment!

Hi all, Happy Weekend if your in my time zone, otherwise Happy Friday! :)

Today (our Friday) we moved into our new apartment! It is on base, and nothing spectacular...yet. Right now we have the very most basic temporary furniture that the government provides....only a full bed a tiny couch and a table and chairs. On Monday we will receive our smaller shipment-- which includes lots of our kitchen items! I have never been so excited to cook in my entire life. Then later in March or maybe in April we will receive the rest of our household goods. This entire move has made me so much more grateful for what I do have.

Our apartment is located in one of several "towers" (aka tall apartment buildings) on base. It is a two bedroom and has more square footage than our previous apartment but it is definitely not as fancy. No granite here! All the floors are tile--an adjustment period will be needed for this flooring. Thank God for Shark Steam Mops! It's government housing, we knew it wouldn't be fabulous but we are more than taken care of here. 

After we "moved" our suitcases in I spent the day disinfecting EVERYTHING and doing laundry-- happy dance for our own laundry room in the apartment! Ryan spent the day trying to set up the Internet and creating our wifi, after many hours we finally figured it out. Phew. I can blog.

I am attaching the link to our apartment pictures via the website here. I will post pictures of our bare minimum set up soon and of course another tour when we get all our things!

This weekend we don't have much planned except probably some more exploring and possibly venturing to Tokyo Sunday. Shibuya will be our first visit in Tokyo-- lots of shopping, I'm sold. And for some crazy reason we haven't had sushi yet so we plan on going to a popular sushi place off base tomorrow! I plan to take lots of pictures. 

Tonight, since we have no T.V., we are both totally engrossed in our laptops watching different TV shows. I'm finishing Girls and drinking wine. Girls is AWESOME by the way. 

Have a fabulous weekend!

XOXO

Ashley

I guess I shouldn't neglect my blog for any longer...

Have you missed me? I've been meaning to blog since we arrived in Japan six days ago--that's right we have been here almost and entire week and other than a few Facebook posts, Instagram pics, and one lousy email to our closest family we have been MIA.

My sincerest apologies.

But, I have moved to another country, gotten the keys for a new apartment, bought a new(to us) car, got my Japanese drivers license, attempted to drive on the opposite side of the car and road, learned to take the trains, walked about a BILLION miles, enrolled into a new university, applied for a new job, and eaten lots of good Japanese food...so I hope you can forgive me!

I wish I could tell you I have some big, elaborate post for you....but I have been dreading this SO MUCH! For one, I am exhausted...I have not slept in past 8 AM one day since I have arrived here, if you know me, you know that is crazy town! Ryan and I both pass out before 10 PM every.single.night. Things will change, yes. But for now we are still overwhelmed in the best ways--which leaves us dog tired.

The second reason I have dreaded this post is because I have not been taking pictures like a good tourist should. I do not know when it is appropriate to take pictures. We were told to do as the Japanese do- let me tell you, they do not take pictures of every meal they eat. I am slowly learning when and where I can take a photo without being rude. With that being said more pictures will be coming for two years-- so please do not fret!

The third and last reason I have been dreading this post is because there is so much to talk about its overwhelming. Literally everything is new. I could blog about 90% of what happens during our days thus far and you would probably be entertained. So how will I proceed now that I have less time to blog and more to blog about?  Baby steps.  Short, frequent posts for the next week should get us mostly caught up. 

Below I will share some pictures and tomorrow I will be back with a better, more in depth post! We move into our apartment tomorrow!

Some of what we have been eating! I dig the broths and salad dressings. We had a great steak dinner, Japanese style!

They have these vending machines EVERYWHERE. On base. Off Base. EVERYWHERE. I'll snap a closer picture for you all to see what they have inside!

 Below is my favorite item from the machines thus far--Japanese green tea, you can have it hot or cold. Coolest vending machines ever!

 

I also found Starbucks in the shopping mall already! Its somewhat different than American Starbucks--because Japanese people live more in the moment than the typical "on the go" Americans hurrying through Starbucks. 

 A few pictures of the mall. Awesome shopping here!

 A terrible picture of the train station!

 Our new Subaru Forester! All the cars here are of course much, much different. We chose this guy because its sort of an "SUV" and has lots of room.....for when we go to IKEA soon! :) Right now Ryan can't drive but I can sooooo it is pretty much chaos. But I'm starting to rock at driving on the opposite side of the road and car! 

Sayonara friends!

Here's your Japanese lesson for the day: Arigato Gozimas = Thank You Very Much

XOXO

Ashley

Sayonara USA!

This post should not be happening. 5 hours til I am supposed to "wake up" for the biggest journey of my entire life. I am excited, anxious, and nervous all in one. I am just glad it is finallllllly happening, after all the set backs and date changes. It's hitting me a little more now than ever but until I arrive in that chaotic Tokyo airport I'm not sure I will quite understand what Ryan and I are about to experience.

We had a minor (but seemed HUGE) setback. We never made it to Seattle due to a few paperwork issues. We are not flying on that dreaded military flight from United States military base to United States military base, pros and cons come with this setback.

Pros:  1.) We will arrive at virtually the same time as previously thought. 2.) Commercial Flight from San Diego to Los Angeles to Tokyo, no stopping in Seattle for a night. 3.) We get to see Tokyo and experience the airport and culture instead of just hopping from base to base immediately. 4.) Exchanging Dollars for Yen at the airport and buying our first REAL Japanese food...

Cons: 1.) We have to endure most of it by ourselves instead of with other sailors/families 2.) Customs 3.) 12 Hour flight versus 11 Hour Flight

Either way, its happening and its about to be crazy. I promise to take lots of pictures and update the blog as soon as WiFi is available. The next weeks will be CRAZY trying to get our living quarters, registering for classes (which start March 18th), and getting accustomed to living in Japan.

This is what I have planned for the 12 Hour Flight:

I will be reading this on my iPad Mini and I am sure to be found laughing out loud in seat 23B.

I bought the First Season of GIRLS and plan on watching the entire season. SO EXCITED.

I also downloaded the entire first season of Downton Abbey so I can see what all the hype is about!

We also have all the Ocean's Movies (Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen). I have NEVER seen them so we plan on watching them together....with our new headphones and headphone splitter. Technology makes me crazy but I would die without it!

Along with all this media we can be found getting competitive playing monopoly on the iPad and brushing up on our conversational Japanese! Oh, and sleeping.

P.S. I so wish someone could catch our culture shock on camera when we try and navigate through the Tokyo airport....I'm sure it would be YouTube worthy!

Next time I write it will be from Japan!

Sayonara,

XOXO

Ashley

Thoughts on San Diego and First Things First.

Tuesday, we meet again. I hate Tuesday's more than Monday's, who's with me? Anyways enough hating on days of the week lets talk about how today is our last day living in San Diego, forever. Yesterday Ryan and I had some time to hang out on the beach and it made me really think about everything that has happened for us in San Diego and what we will miss and not miss about this city.

I moved to San Diego in August of 2011 to be live with Ryan, we had been dating a mere five month. We both knew it was the right thing to do for our relationship. But, I was scared, and I know he was too. Though I had known him years, known his background, known him as a dear friend, and dated him five months I was scared we might fail, that I would have to drive back to Iowa broken-hearted. A year and seven months later we are married and moving to Japan, so I guess you could say things worked out!

By far the biggest accomplishment for me living in San Diego was surviving a grueling eight month deployment with hardly and friends, and virtually no family. I have always been an independent, I can do it all girl- but this tested me. During this time I truly developed my love/hate relationship with San Diego.

First of all, if you have never visited San Diego and get the chance to I highly recommend it for a vacation. As most people know the weather is as good as it gets year round..a constant 70 degrees. I didn't miss grey winter days or suffocating Iowa summers.  Christmas time is weird with no snow but thankfully I haven't missed an Iowa Christmas since living here. Something about wearing flip flops year round will always appeal to me, the weather I loved.

The culture. Almost every stereotype you have for California is true, everyone is pretty chill and the living is easy. Nothing moves too fast. Apart from the laid back nature of people the diversity San Diego showed me will forever change me. Being the minority as a white girl in the college classroom was a new experience for me...and nothing I could ever get in Iowa. I was humbled learning about my classmates cultures --ranging from Syrian to Mexican to French and Vietnamese, the conversations and friendships I had with these peers I will never forget. Something about your classmates checking the surf reports during class will always be special to me, the culture I loved.

The culture and weather are what I most loved about San Diego. Many more things including the beaches, shopping, and food I fell in love with as well. So what is there to hate about this place? Not much, except the amount of people. Ryan and I are both "small-town" Iowans and no matter how well traveled we become we will always be most comfortable with less people! We also hate everything that comes alone with more people including traffic, parking, and long lines.

San Diego will always have a special place in my heart. Though Ryan and I never plan on moving back we have talked about how we want to visit again. And we are both sure once Anchorman 2 comes to theaters we will miss San Diego more than ever!

And to finish up this post I am linking up with Halie  for First Things First!

The topics this week are: 1. First breakfast of choice

2. First dessert of choice

3. First beverage of choice

My first breakfast of choice would have to be something involving warm homemade banana bread with a smear of butter. Along side the bread I would take some blonde roast from Starbucks. I'm not a huge breakfast person in general but warm banana bread really gets me out of bed!

My first dessert of choice? An impossible question. But I will share my favorites Chocolate Molten Cake, Cold Stone Creamery's Peanut Butter Cup Perfection Ice Cream, Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, and of course Red Velvet Cake. 

 

My first beverage of choice non-alcoholic would be unsweetened green, black, or acai berry tea! Preferably the Starbucks or Panera brew....I'm addicted. And my first alcoholic beverage of choice is Red Wine...any margarita with Grand Marnier is a close second!

Whew, that's a novel of a post. Over and out!

Ashley

Flight Plans and my Oscar worthy Review.

It's Monday. Which, to me, only means two more nights until we begin our adventure to Japan. Stressed would be an understatement. My anxiety is through the roof...I have double checked ALL of our paperwork at least three times. After some research I discovered that on the 27th we only fly to Seattle. (Ryan's unchecked emails are never to be trusted.) We arrive in Seattle at around 11 AM and then have the entire day to ourselves and stay in a hotel in Seattle that evening. Early the 28th we venture back to the airport and will travel via military aircraft to Yokota Air Force Base and then we will take a shuttle to Atsugi, our new home base.

What does all this newly found information mean? We have almost an entire day to explore Seattle, a place neither of us have visited. Oh, and the fact that we are not flying commercial air for a ten hour flight. I have been assured it is not going to be as rough as I am picturing it but... pray for me. Ryan is not near as stressed or anxious as I am because, well, he's been all over the world with the Navy and he has done most of this before.

Since I know you are all waiting at the edge of your seats to see what we did this weekend I will let you in on a little secret, it starts with a no and ends with a thing. Literally, nothing.

But I did watch the Oscars. Aside from being bored at least half the show I thought the good parts were good and I was pleased with the winners. Ryan and I have seen Silver Linings Playbook, Argo, Django Unchained, and Les Miserables and plan to see the rest of the nominees soon. If you haven't seen Silver Linings Playbook you need to, ASAP.

I was so happy Argo won Best Picture, I love Ben Affleck. I want to see Argo again soon. Also thrilled for Ms. Lawrence on her Best Actress Oscar. Sometimes I fall too, Jennifer. I like a girl who keeps it real.

Shout out to my girls Jennifer Hudson and Adele. Loved it.

Speaking of girls I like, can we talk red carpet? My favorites included Michelle Obama, Catherine Zeta Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner, and Charlize Theron. My least favorites included Anne Hathaway and Kristin Stewart.

Kristin Stewart forgot grooming basics 101 and a brush. I couldn't help but wonder how she smelled.

Lastly, Seth MacFarlane made me gasp at all his,"Oh, no he didn't!" jokes and laugh out loud. For a girl who hates all the characters he plays I was pleasantly surprised.

But now, since I didn't win an Oscar, I will shut up.

Happy Monday, here's to hoping you made it out the door looking better than Kristen Stewart!

P.S. If you have any Seattle suggestions we would love them!

XOXO
Ashley

Pit and Peak of my week!

Happy Friday!

Linking up for Pit and Peak again this week.

Pits:

...Not having good WiFi in our hotel room

...Staying in a hotel

...Not getting to watch anything on Bravo because the hotel does not have the channel

Peaks:

...Getting EVERYTHING done on my To Do list, except blog posts!

...Having an awesome time adventuring with Ryan since we have minimal TV and Internet

...Finally going to Sea World and getting to see the one week old baby Shamu!

Shamu Waves Good-Bye 

Have a great weekend-- it is our last one in the United States for awhile!

Ashley

Patience, please.

Just a short post to inform you that blog posts may be spatial until the beginning of March as we are living in a hotel and moving to Japan in the next week! 

I have BIG plans for March, including a new blog design and "concept" in some ways! Not to mention all the blog post ideas I have filling up my newest notebook and the start of our Japan adventures! 

I will try to post as often as possible--please stay tuned, exciting things are happening!

Ashley 

I'm the kinda girl who...

Linking up with running in stilettos for a post about ME, myself, and I!

...I'm the kinda girl who adored this Wedding gown but hated not being able to walk in it normally

...I'm the kinda girl who buys cute shoes but hardly ever wears them

....I'm the kinda girl who can never wear nail polish more than two days because I pick it off

....I'm the kinda girl who thinks the toilet paper should roll from the top definitely not the bottom

.....I'm the kind of girl who wants white teeth but is an addict to wine, tea, and coffee making it impossible

...I'm the kinda girl who thinks she knows everything there is about baseball and football but doesn't

....I'm the kinda girl who wears yoga pants as often as possible

...I'm the kinda girl who pins mansions on Pinterest and thinks it is totally realistic!

What kinda girl are you?

Clean Eating Crock Pot Chili.

I am not a pro chef by any means but I have been trying to make a good chili for far too long. I have searched hours and hours for the perfect recipe on Pinterest but they always have weird ingredients that I do not usually buy or do not sound good in a chili recipe. I also encounter problems when recipes call for spicy foods because Ryan has no tolerance for spicy food whatsoever....

So I created my very own clean eating, vegetarian friendly chili for the crock pot. This pot of chili is full of good protein and fiber! It is easy, delicious, and Ryan approved. I thought I would share it because who doesn't love a big bowl of chili, especially on a cold night?!

This recipe calls for at least six canned food items, to keep sodium at a minimum look for "No Salt Added" canned products. We also try and choose organic products whenever possible. The products listed above from L to R top row first:

365 (Whole Foods Brand) Organic Cannellini Beans

Eden Organic Black Beans (BEST canned beans because they use BPA free lining) 

Trader Joe's Organic Kidney Beans

Imagine Organic Vegetable Broth 

 2 Cans Trader Joe's Organic Diced & No Salt Added Tomatoes

Trader Joe's Organic Tomato Sauce

Read this for more on BPA in cans and why it matters!

Ingredients: 

1 Can (15 oz) Cannellini  Beans (drained and rinsed)

1 Can (15oz) Black Beans (drained and rinsed)

1 Can (15oz) Kidney Beans (drained and rinsed)

2 Cans (15oz) Diced No Salt Added Tomatoes

1 Can (15oz) Tomato Sauce

(16oz) Vegetable Broth 

3 Celery Stalks, chopped

1 Red Bell Pepper, diced

1 Small Sweet Yellow Onion, diced or minced

3 Cloves Garlic, minced or pressed

1 TBSP Cumin

1TBSP Chili Powder

1TBSP Dried Oregano

1 TBSP Dried Basil

1 Teaspoon Honey

1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon 

Salt to Taste

1 Pound Ground Beef or Turkey (optional)

For Toppings: Cilantro, Cheese, Crackers, Guacamole, Sour Cream (all optional)

Serves 6 Hearty Sized Bowls

Directions:

Wash and prepare all fresh vegetables as listed above. In a saute pan over medium heat saute onions and celery until the onions are translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Then add in the garlic and red bell pepper for another 2 minutes, until fragrant. Turn off the burner and use approximately a tablespoon of the broth to deglaze the pan then transfer ingredients and pan drippings into crock pot. Add in all other ingredients except toppings and meat. Stir together to combine. Set crock pot to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. If using meat: about 30 minutes before you plan on eating brown the meat and season with 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1 teaspoon cumin as well as salt. Add cooked meat directly into crock pot for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve in bowls and top with whatever you please!

Side note: For leftovers I added a half cup of water and a half cup of quinoa that I had already cooked to the chili and warmed it up to make more of a "soup"--highly recommended!

ENJOY!

Ashley