Piper's First Birthday!

My sweet little puppy dog.  I cannot believe you turn one TOMORROW!!  Celebrations and a puppy pawty are in order as you and your bestie celebrate turning one (Bella turns one Sunday!)

So tiny here, just 13 weeks old when we got you.  You were a bit shy, and the first night you just flopped on your bed--surveying this strange new place.  I took a few days off work to get to know you.

You loved car rides from the start and we took you with us almost every where!

Michael and I loved you from the start and enjoyed meeting other fellow doggie lovers, going to puppy festivals and even dog bars!

It was so fun to show you new places!  You weren't certain about the ocean but you loved running on the beach in Wilmington!

Holidays with you to dress up are way more fun.  

 

Snow days were even more fun!  You loved the snow and couldn't get enough!

 

Always so happy, always so loving.  You've been such a wonderful addition to our family sweet puppy.  You've shown us true and unconditional love...helped us start to get ready to have even bigger responsibilities (babies!!) and been there for us always.  A true Velcro dog, we are blessed to have such a sweet loving pup in our lives.

(Can you tell how much I adore my dog?!  Can't wait to share photos of her pawty!!)

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Bake

For an easy healthy meal sometimes a casserole is the way to go.  I've seen more complicated versions of this on Pinterest and decided I would simplify and make it my way.  The result was yummy!

You will need:

1 lb chicken

1 cup quinoa

2 cups broccoli 

1 1/2 cup cream of chicken 

Spices 

1/2 cup cheese (I used chedder)

The way I decided to do this was to bake the chicken first.  I marinaded it in milk and ranch with some salt and paprika.  Baked at 450 for 30 mins and it just fell apart.

I also cooked the quinoa as the instructions said, then mixed in home made cream of chicken (this is delightfully easy to make: chicken broth, milk, and flour heated up and blended).  Then I mixed in the chicken, and cooked broccoli.  Spread in a dish and topped with a bit of chedder I baked at 350 for 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

My first real Health Kick!

Over the years I've always had some interest in being healthy.  I got into organic eating my freshmen year of college.  I always enjoyed walking and being outdoors.  But never was I truly into working out. 

Last summer I got into the couch to 5K app, and though I enjoyed it--the summer heat eventually had me give up. I've always been that way until recently.

My hubs has always been very athletic, he is an excellent golfer (had been playing since age 6) a soccer player, and an avid tennis player (plays three times a week).  This always discouraged me and intimidated me.  But, in starting yoga and enjoying it I've really found my own path to being fit and healthy!  I highly recommend it.

Now, in addition to yoga 1-2 times a week I also have an app that has 15, 30, and 60 minute classes (yoga studio--totally worth the 4 bucks).  I've been doing this guts and glutes work out from Pinterest:

And, I've been watching everything I eat and starting my days off with something like this:

And I feel so much better!  These days, I wake up and I'm not exhausted.  I'm happy to go hang out with my sweet girl, split a smoothie with her dad, and be active all day.  I get home from work and still have energy to go on a jog or to yoga!

The best part is noticing my body slowly tightening up.  Noticing that I feel comfortable in a fitted shirt.  And it really doesn't take that much effort.

My main objective in this is to really get fit--and to hopefully have an easier time having babies because of it!  

If you have any tips to share I am all ears!