Attention Chocolate Lovers

For all of you chocoholics out there like me, I have an answer to the constant question of, "how can I still eat chocolate frequently and still eat healthy/stay trim?" The answer? Special K Chocolatey Delight. This has become my new favorite snack. It's the perfect take-to-class snack, particularly during boring lectures or for a low-cal dessert. For all you chocolate lovers out there, I would highly recommend it!

Sigma Theta Tau International

As of Thursday night, I am officially a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, a nursing honor society. We got to go to a fun, sit down dinner and everything! The keynote speaker gave an awesome talk about "Paying our Rent" on earth and using our skills as nurses to benefit America as well as the entire world. The pictures she showed of humanitarian trips all over the world and the amazing effect that nurses can have were extremely moving. I hope someday I can get to that point when I can see the world by serving people in various countries in need of help.

Anyways, here are some pictures with some of my classmates... I love all my beautiful nursing school friends!I love Lynn Callister, an amazing person and an awesome professor.

I will admit that besides being able to be apart of Sigma Theta Tau, I'm excited about the purple cords we get to wear at graduation.

I guess I'm just a sucker for "graduation bling". Evidence: High School Graduation, it was a little over the top. My friends and I all looked like we were going to fall over at any moment. Tis the life of a high school over-achiever.

What can I say... I'm just a nerd and always will be.

Marlboro Man Sandwich

Chad says I don't cook enough red meat. Or any red meat for that matter. Obviously, I couldn't let that slide... a challenge in disguise. I knew just who to turn to in my moment of helplessness in the world of meat! Pioneer Women, of course, who came through with flying colors with this delicious "Marlboro Man" Sandwich. Chad gave it two enthusiastic thumbs up. It was actually pretty delicious.

I took the French bread recipe and divided into smaller increments to make some subs. The meat itself is cubed steak with a couple other delicious add-ins (I can't remember at the moment) and then thrown on bread with some melted cheese. Loved it.

See Chad, I can cook red meat... every once in a while.

First Ride of the Season

March is a silly month in Utah. One second it's warm, beautiful blue skies, the birds are chirping... and then all of a sudden it will start snowing. Last Friday, it was a fairly clear day and Chad convinced me that we had to go riding. I was skeptical, it's still pretty cold and it had snowed earlier in the week, but he was very convincing. We loaded the bikes up onto the roof and headed out.

Look how happy he is:

We didn't go very far, just to Indian Hill at the mouth of the canyon, but it didn't matter. It felt great to get back out there. My new bike felt great, I felt great, it was just all great... until we got to the top of the first hill and ran into a large mud patch. A short-lived ride, true, but from now on it will only get better as we move into Spring!

My husband must love me.

We bought a bike. Another one. I know what you must be thinking... not another "new bike" post. I promise, this one will be the last one in a REALLY long time. Trust me though, it was the best, most responsible decision. (Mostly because this was a bike for me!)

So here's the story: After Chad's bike got stolen we were given a certain amount of money from the insurance company in order to replace it. Chad bought his little fixie (the blue and white one), but since it's a fairly simple bike in terms of parts, the cost of the bike didn't meet our deductible and we were unable to use any of the insurance money for it. We talked about maybe using the money to replace my mountain bike because a) we have some money now to put towards it and b) my bike is the oldest and in the most need of replacement. Apparently, however, when I talk about "maybe" replacing my bike, Chad takes it to mean green light, go for it. He's been searching on KSL for a good deal and last week he found the perfect bike... the Speacialized Safire 2008, brand new and for a steal of a deal! Not only that, but she also threw in brand new bike shoes, Crank Brothers pedals, gloves, helmet, bike rack for the car, and a bike pump. What more could you ever ask for?

So Thursday night, we agreed to meet this mysterious lady from Bountiful to see the bike and buy it. I almost didn't think it would actually go through because purchases from KSL can often be a little iffy. But sure enough, we got up to Sandy, met her in a fast food restaurant's parking lot, saw the bike, loved it, and bought it. Just like that. Crazy, Monday afternoon talking about "maybe" replacing my bike and Thursday night we bought it.

This is what it looks like in the light:

Isn't it beautiful? I absolutely love it and it feels perfect for me. It's the first time I've ever riden a woman's bike and I really love how comfortable and more natural I feel on it. My husband must love me... either that, or he really just wanted to "play bike". I'm pretty sure it's his favorite pasttime.

Look how happy he is!

I love my new bike!

March Resolutions

I'm going on Week #4 of my newest attempt at healthifying my life: I have cut out any sweets, candy, or extra treats during the weekdays. I knew that I did eat quite a bit of "extra" sweets during the week, but until I decided to cut them out during weekdays, i had no idea how much I really did eat. When I started to turn down opportunities for an extra cookie here and an extra candy bar there, it suprised me just how much sweets were readily at my disposal.

It's been a great couple of weeks so far and I love the feeling that healthy foods give my body. Then when it comes to be the weekend again, I feel like I've really earned the chocolate ice cream or molten chocolate lava cake that I indulge in. (I'm a chocolate addict if you couldn't tell). Eating healthy foods and snacks is a great way to feel great and do your body good. Wish me luck in this newest endeavor, and hopefully I'll be able to keep it up for quite some time.

Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders

We made this for dinner a couple of nights ago and they were absolutely delicious! We would highly recommend them for a fun, slightly different meal.

These were the delicious little rolls we used as the buns...

Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders
Picky Palate

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 Cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 Cup sun-dried tomatoes, jarred in olive oil

1/2 Cup fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped

Pinch of Kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley

Toppings:

2 Tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in olive oil, drained

Baby hamburger buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed

2 Cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1. Heat oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Place turkey, feta, sun dried tomato, spinach and seasonings into a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. Form 1/4 Cup little patty’s and place onto a cookie sheet. Once all are formed, place batches in hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.

2. Place mayonnaise and tomatoes into a bowl; mix to combine. Spread over insides of warm rolls. Layer bottom roll with spinach and the burger. Close with top roll and eat !

Makes about 12 little sliders

I spoke too soon

I shouldn't have said anything.

Beautiful Days

The last couple of days have been beautiful here in Provo. I know, I can't believe I said that either! When the month "March" and the city "Provo" are normally considered simultaneously, the word "beautiful" is not commonly included. I love when it's not freezing outside. Absolutely love it.

I know that this warm spell will only last a couple of days and then the Utah weather will throw us back into some kind of freak blizzard or something, but as for now, I'm loving every minute of it.