{Happy Birthday}

Hi everyone...
It's another birthday for me today:) 35 woohoo
I have to tell you that I am NOT a fan of the 5's...25, 35, 45 etc. I don't know why I just feel like it's the tipping point to the next decade! Owell..
Now I am not a resolution kind of girl on the new year...but I do think a birthday is the perfect time to take a moment and evaluate your life. My birthday just happens to land on New Year's Eve.
Last year I was really feeling like I had to get my health and fitness back in order. I think I did a pretty good job in this department. I did not meet my weight goal but I am still moving in that direction.
More importantly I finally found myself again.
As I started to think about my birthday post I really started to think about all the things I accomplished & did this past year..
Take a look.

1. Key West , 2. Healthy Food, 3. Friends, 4. Def Leppard, 5. 35, 6. Pond, 7. Nephew Time, 8. Key West, 9. Camping, 10. Saugatuck, 11. Wine Drive, 12. Bike Ride
This mosaic really makes me realize just how hard on myself I am. When I stop for a moment to take a look at all I did last year I feel proud.
~Rode 75 miles in a bike ride.
~Spent great times with my wonderful friends.
~Had some fun parties at my home.
~Started getting really into cooking and started Fresh Friday's on simpledaisy.
~Did tons of crafting this year...
~Built a pond all by myself.
~Spent a lot of fun times with my husband in all the local beachy towns.
~Went to a Def Leppard concert.
~Spent time with my adorable nephew.
~Tore out the carpeting in our bedroom so that my husband HAD to put in a new floor:)
~Painted 2 rooms in our house.
~Got a new puppy.
on and on and on...

I had a really great, fun and happy year!

Sometimes is nice to take a moment and reflect on one's accomplishments.....
It can help put things in perspective.

For me, I just think I need to take a moment and start being more appreciative of WHO I AM. Life goes by so fast and sometimes I focus so much what is NOT going right that I don't even see what is going right!
So my main goal this year is to just be PRESENT....
Really be appreciative for all the moments of my life and try NOT to be too hard on myself!!

I should be thankful that I am the kind of girl who doesn't wait around for things to happen....I make them happen! I have been accused of being bossy...but if bossy means getting things done and knowing what I want...then I guess I am bossy:)

Sometimes in life I think it's so important to stop and take a moment to really think about who you are..and are you comfortable with that person!
For me...I like most everything about myself {minus the superficial things, weight, etc} except that I am just too hard on myself. Nothing I do is ever enough and I don't always take the time to just appreciate the day!
So those are my goals this year!
......appreciate each and every day!
......not be so hard on myself!

Of course I still have my little fitness goals
ride the century
run a half marathon
complete a dualathon

but now I am confident those things will happen! Last year it was a major goal of mine just to get fit again and here I am! More fit than I have been in years! It just goes to show...when you have a goal and set your mind to something....anything can be accomplished!!

Whether you do or don't make goals...I think it's a super idea to just take a moment and check yourself at least once a year!

What do you like?!?!
What do you wish to change?!?!
Once you decide just get out there and do it~
You won't ever regret making positive changes in your life:)

*****Have a wonderful New Year*****

"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same." ~Francesca Reigler

{let's compare & contrast}

In my quest to be a little happier during the winter, I took the dogs out for a snowy walk today. While I was walking and FREEZING I couldn't help but to have Key West in my mind! We got back Christmas Eve but it is still fresh enough that I am able to still smile while it's blizzarding outside here in Indiana.
So, anyway....
Here's a tiny recap of what I wore while in Key West...
Everything I wore was simple and easy.....just the way I like it!
and of course...it consisted of A LOT of turquoise and aqua blues:)I could dress like that everyday!!
But now let's see what I wore on my walk today... A hat, a scarf and about 4 shirts just to stay warm!! But at least I am trying to make the best of the cold and snow!!

Now let's see my feet while in Key West......
Oh those are the flip-flops I had to buy while I was there after Ruby chewed up all my sandals! Thanks Ruby....at least I got a cute new pair of flip flops. And here they are all warm and cozy in the snow... What a difference:)

Now for the scenery....

I am sure many of you have been to Key West so you can appreciate just how beautiful it is there. The sunsets are just incredible~And I really loved how colorful everything was....and that most everything was TURQUOISE!! So cute.

And the water....well you already know that I am total beach girl!! I could live in a trailer on the beach and be perfectly happy!Here is the scenery here today....Somehow the snow just does not look nearly as pretty as the aqua blue water!

Now I have to say there was one SUPER COLD day {by Key West standards} in Key West...it was 58 and cloudy...

We were a little sad...

But then we thought....hey at least it's NOT snowing:)

Oh....and I can't forget the beach grass.....I LOVE beach grass.

The Key West version....and our version in December...hmmmm......at least it's pretty in the summer!!

Well....at least the girls were happy in the snow today....
Ruby thinks it's the best thing since rawhide bones were invented....or should I say sandals...

and L.C. enjoys it too...
After our walk in the snow I came in, made a cup of hot tea and got on-line to tell you all about our snowy walk:)Hope your day is going well wherever you are:) I know, I am happy that I am still off school until the New Year...woohoo:)

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!” Amanda Bradley

{A food philosophy}

So...it's the day after Christmas and who's ready to talk about food?!?!

HA...if you're like me your still stuffed to the gills!! Throw in a vacation and I think i've gained another 5 lbs.
You know i've been vegan for awhile and that's been going pretty good.....but on vacation I broke down and had lots of this.....Mahi Mahi!! YUMMY! You Florida people are SOOO lucky! The funny thing was...I ate lots of Mahi with extra veggies and no starches and my tummy felt great and I had tons of energy!!! Hmmm.... Plus, I was so happy because we rented bikes and rode all around the island. You know I love exercise too!

My husband probably could have done without the exercise on vacation but I was in bliss!Somewhere along the way, I got involved in a few too many of these....and maybe too many of these....

{Yes, I wore black dresses more than once on vacation. I love simple black dresses!}

And you know I love my vino! Just look at how happy it looks:)
But after a few too many one evening....I ended up eating all this the next day....

I did NOT feel good after eating fries, bread and a large black bean burger! I am still learning more and more about what foods make me feel good and which ones don't!

Protein and veggies make me feel GREAT and starchy carbs...not so great! I definitely drive myself crazy with all this...vegan, not vegan, whole foods, fruits, not fruits....on and on!! Really like i've said before "keep it SIMPLE." I need to remember not to make so many rules for myself. If I want egg whites for breakfast b/c they give me energy then I should have them! If I want grilled fish for dinner then I should have it. I know I am a healthy eater and a mostly whole foods eater....but while on vacation...I realized pumping up the protein kept me full and happy for hours!!! It's good for me!

And I definitely cannot do "anything in moderation"....if I have one fry...i'll eat them ALL! If I have one piece of warm bread...i'll eat the WHOLE basket!! Geesh!
So....Now I am going to focus on eating a little more protein and a little less starchy carbs to see how I feel!! Life really is a journey and you do really have to take the time to see what works for your body! Everyone is DIFFERENT!!

Hope you had a fabulous Christmas!!

"Live in rooms full of light
Avoid heavy food
Be moderate in the drinking of wine
Take massage, baths, exercise, and gymnastics
Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water
Change surroundings and take long journeys
Strictly avoid frightening ideas
Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements
Listen to music."
~A. Cornelius Celsus

{Have yourself a beachy little Christmas}

Hi everyone!!
Merry Christmas~
We just got back from KEY WEST and had a super marvelous time!!

See these smiles....
We were in pure bliss:)
Plus everything was just so Christmas=y....I really loved all the lights everywhere and have definitely decided to spend my Christmases somewhere tropical and happy:)
Even the trees were decorated so cutely:) {is that even a word?!?!}I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas morning wherever you are!! And you can bet i'll be sharing more of my happy photos of Key West in the weeks to come!! Take care and have a happy day!

"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour." Unknown

{Fresh Friday}

Happy Friday to you:)
I am racing around getting ready to head out for KEY WEST...woo hoo~

I am a last minute packer and haven't packed a thing yet. BUT guess what.....

Last night while we were out Ruby chewed up EVERY pair of sandals I had to take:(Now, I am anxiously waiting for the shops to open so I can run out and PRAY that someone in Indiana is selling sandals in DECEMBER:)Oh...why oh why did we HAVE to get another dog!! Who knew labs could be so naughty?!?!? I guess she is clearly NOT ready to be left out while we are away!!
It is kind of humorous b/c if you knew me....you would not be shocked that this happened to me:) It's just how I roll....everything is chaos ALL THE TIME!! Haha

Even with all this....I couldn't leave you without a healthy little recipe! It is FRESH FRIDAY:)

~Spicy Thai Soup~

This soup was so ridiculously simple to make and yet oh so tasty! It was just perfect for a cold winter evening.
* 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
* 1 tbs. miso
* siracha sauce ....to taste!! It's very spicy so be careful.
* 1 cup shitake mushrooms
* .5 cup shredded carrots
* .5 cup chopped scallions
* 1 cup chopped napa cabbage
* chopped extra firm tofu....however much you want!

Bring first 7 ingredients to a boil for about 4 minutes, then throw the tofu in for another 2 minutes.

I topped it with chopped cashews and it was DELICIOUS!I had no problem finishing off my bowl!!
It would be great with a nice Riesling wine but since it's FREEZING cold here...I enjoyed it with a lovely Cabernet.
Plus it was sooo good...I warmed it up and had it again the next day! Soup is perfect if your trying to lose a little weight. The broth really fills you up before you eat your main meal and you can make it with healthy ingredients!! This soup will definitely be on my list of healthy and quick foods to cook:) I think it's pure health in a bowl.

Well...hope you have a wonderful weekend and i'll see you when we get back!!!!!!

"Happiness lies, first of all, in health." George William Curtis

{vacation mode}

I am officially getting excited for VACATION!! We fly out Friday for KEY WEST!! Woo frickin Hoo:)

I really hope I feel better by Friday...

I am home sick with a terrible stomach ache from taking antibiotics. Who knew they could tear up your tummy so much??!??

Anywho...let's see what I am looking forward to...

Just relaxing on the beach~
Taking the time to simply watch the day go by..

Having my morning coffee while looking at the ocean...
Sleeping in a nice clean bed that's not covered in DOG HAIR!! And being able to actually sleep in without 2 dogs barking at me at 5am!!! Watching the sunset over the ocean~ Taking a ride on a party catamaran~Enjoying cocktails at the local corner bar~ I just can't wait until we get there!!! Let's see....right now it's

and in Key West it's
I know where i'd rather be:)

"Sounds of the wind or sounds of the sea, Make me happy just to be" June Polis

{party time}

Good Sunday Morning!!
Last night we had our annual Christmas party and it was SUPER fun.
Do you ever plan something that you stress about and then when it happens you are just so proud and happy that you did it!?!?!
That's how I feel about my parties....
I love to entertain and I love to have parties...but I STRESS....STRESS...STRESS about them.
Yet, when the day finally comes and the people start to arrive...I am in PURE BLISS:)
It makes me feel so happy in my heart to have such wonderful friends and family in my life!
Let's see....
I made these simple and tasty little cocktails.It's just...cheap champagne and pomegranate/cranberry juice! I pour half and half in a sugar rimmed champagne glass and add in a couple fresh raspberries. They look so festive and they don't cost a million dollars!
I think it's nice to have a signature cocktail to offer people when they arrive, even if the party is bring your own cocktail.
It makes me happy and it makes my guests happy:)

Now...I personally like to glam it up when I have a party... I think it's fun to get all glammed up.
But I always tell everyone...wear whatever makes you happy and you can come in your p.j.s....I just want you to come:)No one really does come in their pajamas. In fact, I think we all look pretty nice~ Even my husband glammed it up! Any party I have ALWAYS includes dancing! For this...we clear out the living room and use whatever we can find to sing and dance:) My friend, Michelle, chose a lamp {minus the shade} as her microphone. She cracks me up:) I just think it's so nice to have a *fun* holiday party!! At this time of the year everyone is so busy attending work parties, shopping and just plain running around like a mad person. I like to give people the opportunity to just let loose and have a good time:)
And boy do we know how to let loose! just look at my kitchen at the end of my party:) Now....of course...we had some yummy food!! I made pork tenderloin for the meat eaters:)
And I made a couple healthy options! I think it's important to have healthy options when you're at a party! Parties make it SOOOOO easy to overindulge! It helped knowing that my friend Jamie {she's a personal trainer} was coming.

She has definitely helped me a TON in getting fit and healthy!! Just look how cute she is. I still have a little more to go and will get right back on track AFTER the holidays. And I know she'll be right there to help me out:)
Anyway I made....cous cous with chopped up veggies! Simple and definitely healthy!
I also made tropical salsa! I love this salsa. Canned tropical fruit, chopped onions, fresh cilantro, lime juice, cumin and chili powder and wala...a healthy and tasty salsa!

Ok....well I better get to cleaning up the mess!! Have a Happy Sunday!!

"Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect ; just be an excellent example of being human." Anthony Robbins