Rants, Recipes, and Running

Ryan and I have always been lovers of the outdoors. With the absolute crazyiness of coordinating our schedules, we have not been able to take a camping trip yet. The number 1 priority on our wedding registry was not dishes, corning ware, or neat kitchen tools (although, I got some great ones at our shower -- and I LOVE kitchen tools). Our #1 priority was getting a good supply of quality camping gear. And that we did! So last weekend we took a 5 1/2 hour trek up the mountains to Big Lake, AZ located in the White Mountains. It's actually close to the New Mexico border. This couldn't have been a better escape from the 100+ temps Tucson has been experiences. It was in the 70's during the day and 40's at night. So here is part 1 of our short, but amazing adventure! Thursday morning, I had my Critical Care final. So, we had everything packed up Wednesday night. After my final - I came home and got everything to the door. When Ryan got home from work - the car was loaded w...

It's time for the monthly update. I feel sheepish saying this, for I know the summer goes WAY TOO FAST. But, summer isn't all that pleasant in AZ. 109, 105, 106, 109, hot hot hot. Plus, the closer to August 20 (graduation) - the happier I am. But, I will continue to pray this summer goes slowly for all my loves up north! :) Current Music: -My sister Lisa burned a Glee Season 1 soundtrack for me, and I am definitely enjoying it. I've also loving the Neil Diamond - it frequented our camping trip :) Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Red licorice. I bought a bag for our camping trip, didn't finish the bag on the trip - so have been snacking on it. Yum. I love licorice. Black or red. Current Colors: Anything but purple! I am so sick of wearing my ugly, purple, scrubs. Purple is my school color. I will never wear this color again after I graduate...... I did buy a orangy-pink colored sundress a few weeks ago. Sounds ugly - but with a nice tan...it's ki...

Sometimes I have evenings where I don't feel like marinating meat, prepping vegetables, seasoning the meal to perfection, and cooking a delicious concoction. However, to stay in the budget and healthy - eating out isn't an option either. So, I resort to comfort food. Nights like this occur when: -the husband is out of town -Sunday evenings after a busy weekend -at the end of a long, crazy, never-ending day But often comfort foods/easy-quick meals include frozen pizza, mac n' cheese (ish), macoroni & ketchup (one of my favorites). But here is something I've found as my "go-to" comfort meal. And it's full of good fiber and veggies! And it's even gluten free (for my GF readers :D) Painfully easy, but delicious! Trust me on this one. -1 can black beans or kidney beans or red beans (whatever your feeling or whatever is in your pantry!) -1 can stewed tomatoes -Chop up some red/green/yellow peppers -Chop up some onions -Throw a few spr...

Greetings everyone! We have returned from our camping trip, and reality is hitting hard! I have been working on my Capstone paper since 6:00 am -- and am realllly wishing I was miles up in the mountains, secluded in the forest, away from nursing school again! ;) But, I'm home. *sigh*. I will be doing a vacation recap....soon. But in the meantime.....here my ten! :) 1. What was/is your favorite live action (meaning not animated) kids movie? Hm...I don't know how "action-y" this is...but I loved the Parent Trap. The new one. I don't think I ever saw the original? But, oh, how I wanted to be a twin, and go to a cool summer camp, and be Lindsay Lohan. Wow, I'm really glad that dream never came true. You know, "being Lindsay Lohan" and all. I would be a crack-head. In rehab. So sad! What ever happened to our innocent little red-headed Lindsay?! 2. What is a bad habit you have? Are you working on breaking it? Fidgeting. Good Lord, I feel sorry...

Tomorrow we are headed for our first camping trip together! This shall be the first of many. We've been looking forward to this for a long time! Well, a few months. But that's a long time in our life -- which how crazy things have been! We hit the road tomorrow, are stopping at a hotel 3/4 of the way. Then Friday morning we will be heading to our campsite to get our lines in the water, tent set up ASAP! This will be a short little vacation (just Thursday-Sunday). But it will be well worth it. Here is a photo I found online of the area we will be. It's called the White Mountains! More details to come in my "recap post" after this fantastic weekend! Ahh..just looking at it calms my soul! Tomorrow, I take my final test in Critical Care. Talk about a fast 8 weeks. Seems like I was just stressing out about this class.... Hopefully my next 8 weeks can go this fast! It will be busy. I will have my practium clinicals, Capstone project, and a Nursing leadership class...

Greetings! Being this allergy season (here in Tucson, anyways) has been especially "present" this summer...one of my most frequent "Google searches" has been allergies. I have spent more money on varieties of eye drops this month than I have in my entire LIFE. So I figured I do a little post on managing allergies! I did some reserach, and I found some "dietary" changes we can make to help this. And I threw in a few other tips. Some of this may be "no-brainers" to you guys....but here it is anyways ;) Been outside much today? Rinse off in the shower and wash that hair! Your hair is just a nest for all those nasty pollens and allergens! Drink, drink, drink fluids to flush as much crap through your system possible! Apparently, historically, the "Crete" Mediterranean islanders had less allergies. They found a link to their Mediterranean diet high in grapes, healthy fats, nuts, olives, tomatoes, and apples protected them against all...

So this is a little late in terms of the Holiday, but I'm not the world's greatest blogger. ;) But, this is my ode to my hero - My Dad! You can also check out a very touching and true Ode to him on my sister's blog! (in bullet points..of course) On the worst day possible, when I feel like the entire world is on my shoulders - my Dad has the ability to say just the right thing to make me realize "Maybe things are that bad" How does he do this? -- With words of kindness, with just a good warming hug, with a simple hand on my shoulder, just his strong words say "Everything will be alright, Abber" I bet my Dad gets his work done in much more PEACE and quiet now that I don't live at home: Growing up, I would always find my dad buried in the shop, up at the office, out in the back yard working And I would talk, and talk, and talk, and talk. Probably until his ears bled. He never told me to go away, go inside, or be quiet. His patience ins...