Green Smoothie Cleanse!

 James and I decided to try a three day detox cleanse this past week, which included replacing each meal with a green smoothie. Since we were at the tail end of getting over our sickness from the beginning of the new year, why not try this cleanse, to rid all of these sick germs and bacteria from our body for good!
Our smoothies actually didn't taste half bad...the ingredients were kale, apples, lemon juice, blueberries, celery, flax seed meal, chia seeds, and cinnamon. I would recommend this to anyone who wants more energy, weight loss, or just to feel better and healthier :)

 Our snacks consisted of baked kale, sprinkled with lemon juice, sesame seeds, a little bit of kosher sea salt, and olive oil....they taste just like potato chips...this might be my new replacement.

For dinner, on the second and third night of the cleanse, I made homemade miso soup, with lots of wakame! We could have a clear broth, so this was a great idea, and tasted fabulous!

 Our reward for completing the three day detox cleanse were some donuts from Varsity, in Aggieville..I chose the "mousse" tache chocolate donut...it was deliciously rich! James chose a maple bacon donut and pistachio donut....YUM!!

Our box of donuts that lasted us all weekend...we are officially sick of donuts...so savory and succulent but sugar overload!

National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

Had to post this pic again because after all, today is National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

Oh, and if anyone is wondering, because I know someone out there is...tomorrow, January 15th, is National Strawberry Ice Cream Day! We will definitely be taking advantage of this and will be making homemade strawberry malts since James' favorite ice cream is strawberry :) Hey, I don't know about you, but I will take any excuse to indulge in such a tasty dessert!

Goodbye 2012...pics from the past year

 My grandmother gave me this wooden table over Christmas...it is a small model of a sewing table that was once sold long ago...I love it because the brand is Paris, and this is the table I used to play on when I was a little girl...definitely an antique keep!

 A Paris brand wooden sled that I found at the local antique shop here in Manhattan....love it! Works great for a winter display!

 How I displayed some of my Christmas cards from 2012!

 We found gnocchi at the store...it wasn't near as good as the gnocchi I had in Rome and Florence, Italy, but the bread next to it is one of James' specialties...a balsamic vinegar and mushroom reduction mixed with gorgonzola cheese, olive oil, and garlic...put it on some baguette slices, broil, and serve...yummy!!

 Our trip to the Rocky Mountain National Forest and Park...so beautiful!

 My friend, Liz, and I, in Colorado, before a great night at Carelli's in Boulder!

 My brother, Lucas and I, at our cousin's wedding...he always makes me laugh!

 Daddy and me kissing after the wedding! Love you daddy! Dad turned 60 years old this past August!

 Mom and I at a party, on a cold rainy day in May...best mom in the world!

 James and I at a Christmas party in Boulder, Colorado

 My puppy, Sergeant, and me posing for the camera :)

 Eating and people watching on Pearl Street in Boulder...at Pizza Calore...one of our favorite places to go and have a slice of pizza pie! A tradition we have done for the past 9 years, every time we travel to Colorado...you know two people are a perfect match when they can both walk into a pizza parlor together, after 9 years, and still laugh and hold a great conversation with each other! Love you James! 10 years this May!!

 I made some delicious blue homemade cupcakes for our friends' baby shower this past August..Baby Rex was born this past September!

That's all I have to report for now...hope all you viewers out there enjoyed my pics from the past year...hopefully 2013 will bring us all good luck!

Ciao!! 

welcoming the new year!

Happy New Year to everyone! James and I welcomed the new year with pneumonia...we have been sick for the past 8 days, but are now happily reporting that we are feeling 95% better. We always joke around that the only time we get sick is over vacation :-)
As mother said, giggling, " This will be a Christmas holiday to remember!" (My parents and brother were also sick).
After visiting a local health food store, while home on holiday, James and I have been trying to eat  gluten-free...tonight we had quinoa pasta ...which is very filling and delicious! You need to try this if you haven't yet! I just swirled mine in olive oil and pepper :-) ...with some of my homegrown red peppers on the side. I splurged on a slice of whole grain garlic bread
...havent found a good replacement yet...We also invested in a toaster oven today, getting rid of our microwave...been wanting to do this for years :-) yay! No more radiation from trying to warm my food up!