Rants, Recipes, and Running

Sometimes we have very stressful and mentally/emotinally-taxing moments in our lives. And sometimes those "moments" can last for weeks. I think we have all been there. A time in life where we feel like we're being pulled in 1000 different directions at once. Working out, getting good rest, coffee, good venting sessions, an occasional glass of wine - they can all get you through it. But there comes a time, where I think the best escape (aside from a get-away from St. Thomas.....or Hawaii.....) - is a visit to being a kid again! So yesterday, Ryan and I had a late-afternoon date. ....to a candy store. Our original intentions were to purchase some supplies for our Graduation party (cups, plates, plastic silverwear, etc....) Which we did accomplish. But we also found a candy store on our way. I let go of "health-nut Abby" for an hour, And I was brought down memory lane.... We each decided to pick out 5 different things, purchased our goodies, and headed ...

I am nearing my last week of psych-mental health! And almost every bone of my body wants to go get a job on a psychiatric unit right out of school and work in that area for ever!! ....But I know that is not a "wise" choice. So I know I need to stay on the ground and get some real medical nursing experience before I follow my dreams. But the past 8 weeks, I have encountered many people who have truly changed my way of thinking. Many of the patients I cared for/observered have caused me to see life in a different light. EVen if I don't pursue a career in that area, it definitely increased my understanding & empathy. So for one of my presentations this week, I had to incorporate a spiritual verse or poem. I happened to stumble across one; and it touched my heart. It is referring to people with Dementia and Alzheimers Disease. I am sure that everyone knows someone who has been affected by a form of dementia. I think dementia is one of the saddest and most lonely...

I have a new favorite ingredient this week: Portobello Mushrooms. They are kind of pricey though....$5.99/lb? But then I have to realize how much I'm "getting", I guess! We are, by no means, on a "low-carb diet". In fact, if anything - I eat more carbs than the norm since I'm a runner. But, I like to sub in vegetables whenever possible! And let's be honest....a portobello mushroom is must more flavorful than a flour-pizza-dough crust! So I present you with my Portobello Mushroom Pizza!!  ( I was a bad blogger-cook, and took no pictures. You can use your greatest imagination, though! :-D)  Create sauce. I did a red sauce ; which involved a can of pizza sauce on the stove. I added 3 cloves of garlic , crushed red pepper , fresh parsley , and fresh basil to it. Once sauce has simmered for a few minutes, it will thicken. So you need to liquify it.Pour 1/2 cup Cabernet Savignon into measuring cup. Pour 1/4 of the wine into the sauce, drink other ...

1. What two cities should be moved closer together? Wow, I bet no one is going to be able to guess this one.....;) That is totally easy! Tucson, AZ and Battle Lake, MN should be a nice 10-15 minute drive from each other! That is the big meeting place for my family during the summer, and now for many holidays! That would be a dream come true if we just pushed those cities together! ;) 2. What was the first plane ride you took? Well, 1st EVER was a little "puddle jumper" of a plane in 5th grade. It was for a school field trip! How neat, now thinking about to that! My 1st real plane ride was to Chicago when I was in 6th grade! I will never forget it. People probably thought it was the 1st time my parents let me off a farm or something. I kept the "Northwest" glass and peanut package as "souvenirs". What a weird kid I was! 3. What continent would you most like to visit? Definitely Europe. There is so much I would love to see there! Scottland, German...

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I have been dreamings about gardens. I have gone back and forth about just waiting until we have a house, waiting until we move to a different state....... But I've realized -- who knows when we'll move...and I am missing out on years of great gardening! So yesterday, I finally went out and purchased pots, a big bag of soil, a watering can, and a nice array of plants! To make this purchase, we used a small little portion of our tax return this year! And I realized, if everyone took a little bit of their tax return to plant some flowers, a tree, some fresh herbs, etc -- think of what we'd be giving back to our world! Yes, I officially just want hippy on you all. But it's just a thought! So here is the final product!: Let's hope they are fruitful, and my green-thumb comes to life! Gerbera Daisies Celosias Geraniums (in the middle) and Vincas (on the outside) Celebrity Tomato plant - (side view, I am way not comp...