Hot Damn! That was cauliflower pizza!

In my never ending quest to maximize nutrition for my family while also eliminating the evil gluten for me, I decided to attempt this crazy awesome lady's cauliflower pizza crust recipe.

Here are all my alterations:

*I couldn't find the exact frozen cauliflower she mentioned, so I got the plain kind, then eyeballed adding some garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt.

*She is NOT kidding about squeezing out the moisture like that is what your momma made you to do.

*Mr. Wonderful got pepperoni (I would have used turkey pepperoni), onion, tomato, fresh basil, black olive, orange pepper, garlic, a little bit if anchovies , and a side of tomato sauce to avoid making it mushy.

*Mine was a true margarita pizza with anchovies. My favorite.

*Don't forget the Parmesan, pepper grinder, and crushed red pepper at the table.

*I chose a red zin to pair with this dinner.

I might say that I got MEGA wife points on this one and even my teenager loved it. Highly recommended. Check out a pic of Mr. W's.

And for the recipe visit this rad chick's blog: http://stuffimakemyhusband.blogspot.com/2010/11/cauliflower-pizza.html?m=1

Mission: #feelawesome

As many of you know, I'm SLOWLY (and at times PAINFULLY) getting "Amber back." I can't say anyone who has met me in the past two to three years would recognize me as a die-hard fitness/wellness fanatic. My nutrition habits may be considered committed, which could be contributed to the whole Celiac issue; and perhaps my exercise commitment could be considered average (until December when I started getting up at 4:30 a.m. to allow Bobbie to kick my tail at 5:00). THIS is a miracle and nothing short of absolute commitment. In fact, I always tease my husband that "before I met a man who lived in another state" I was as disciplined about my wellness efforts as I was brushing my teeth or showering. 


After failing to just "snap back into it," I am now instead slowly adding habits back into my life, just as I instructed my former personal training clients to do. I mean I can't be super corporate mom, wonder wife and Jillian Michaels all at the same time, instantly. So, this morning, I restarted the habit of beginning each day with hot lemon water. 

Photo Credit: http://www.wcgh.org

This used to be a no-brainer way to start my day. It made my skin look awesome, instantly hydrated me first thing in the morning, helped digestion, warded off illness and generally helped make me #feelawesome.

If you would like to read more about how this early morning habit, I encourage you to visit one of my favorite websites, LiveStrong.com. This website also has "My Daily Plate," which is an A++ food and exercise journal and conveniently has apps for both iPhone and Android phones. As a power user, I'm even able to track my nutritional breakdown, which helps me keep up with nutrient deficiency issues surrounding my Celiac Disease.

So, there you go. I dare you to take this step to #feelawesome this week. Please report back on your results or share your thoughts if this mini-miracle is already a part of your daily routine!

When you work in a creative environment, this happens...

My co-STARS and I always laugh that our friends think we just dance around, sing, cut-up and play all day. (Our families and co-STARS outside of our department, however, see just how hard we work!) I think it is the ridiculousness that we participate in that allows us to generate the kind of content we need to be successful, while maintaining our sanity. 


So, today I was sick. Like hot then cold, achy, cold chill, headache, post-nasal drip, on a zpak SICK. However, I worked all day. In bed. After bombing my team with emails, sending out global communications and pushing meeting and events forward...all from...my bed...I sent this photo to my team with no other words in the email:

Not to be outdone, my team sent me this back. Again, no words in the email:

I guess JC took the pic since she's not also mourning at my door? Lol. I love my team. It's this craziness that keeps us sprinting our marathon. I only wish all of my friends have such a great work environment with zany, fun and caring co-workers!

Losing Focus Part One

So today I wanted to take a nap, but we had a list of things to do. No rest for the weary. I went on and on to Mr. Wonderful about how in a perfect world we would be filthy rich because then my day would be my day and I could do whatever I wanted--including a daily afternoon nap. I started listing all the things I would do or not do. Volunteer, yes. Dishes, no. I'd cook for my family because it brings me joy, but a housekeeper and butler would be needed, of course. As I always do, I went ahead and dreamed big...enlisting the talents of a pianist, who would play on our baby grand, alongside the harp and cello, as we ate dinner. At that point I realized I had lost focus of what I really wanted. No three-person dinner entertainment is needed. I just want a nap. How easily I am distracted...

Resolutions

In 2012 my first unspoken resolution is to not have any goals this year related to my career, my income or my finances. Understand, this is huge.

Instead, I made a list of all the reasons I tend to work as hard as I do. We'll get back to this list after we discuss the three true goals for 2012.

So, here we go, 2012. Let's do this:

1. Lose 20 pounds. I have allowed everything else, mainly work and/or providing for my family, to supersede what was once a huge part of my life. I mean, 5 years of a career in fitness. I was a fight-ready boxer even after that. I know better. I've made legit stabs at progress since packing on the poundage, but it has never REALLY been a priority to get in shape again, else it would have happened. As I was recently told by a senior executive friend, I'm a "person who gets shit done when it needs to get done." There you go, Amber. Let's get this shit done and put a check in the box. It's not even a 1/2 a pound a week. Seriously.

2. Plan more 1:1 time with my kids. It doesn't have to be extravagant or exotic. It can be a pedicure or a walk. We do a lot as a family, but I think individual time can improve. I'm the calendar queen. Schedule it. The end.

3. Spend more time outdoors. I'd rather be outdoors than indoors. It's a fact. I'm happier in God's creation. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, hiking, biking, walking, running, picnicking, zip lining, surfing, skiing, chilling at "the creek" (some of you will know this location), climbing, you name it--it was a part of my week/vacation plans/social life. Not that I don't still do things like that, I just need to do more of it. You should do the things you love a lot. I can even tie it into #2 and it would benefit #1.

OK, back to the list I made for my anti-resolution. Not that I'm ball'n, throw'n dolla dolla billz, y'all in the air, waving my hands up in the ay-yer...but if I never made more money or got another promotion, seriously it's enough. Do I really want to never earn more/further my career deep down? Of course not, I'm a driver. I'll always shoot for more. But the reality is I don't NEED it. I NEED to prioritize the three goals I've outlined for myself. When I get irritated that my psycho-driven-self is struggling to prioritize 1,2 and 3 in favor of my crazy work ethic I will allow myself the opportunity to reflect on the "why" behind my drive (which is sincere and well-intentioned for "right" reasons), and then center myself back on what I've deemed MOST important for one year of the rest of my life. 52 weeks. 366 days.

What are your 2012 resolutions? I'm interested in what your priorities are for the coming year. Are there themes among my friends? Or are they as unique as the individuals who make them? What are my friends up to this year that I can encourage you through? Or what smart alec comments might I get instead? (Oh, don't look so innocent--I am talking to YOU!)

I love the new year! New things to conquer. New opportunities. New perspectives. Here's to a wonderful 2012!

Perspective

This Friday evening, after a long week, Derek and I were both saying how TIRED we were. He said that today he had a test in EVERY subject, except Reading; and then he had to watch an hour movie. THEN he played basketball, then he played TAG, and then Bird Catcher. And ALL *I* had to do this week was go to a bunch of meetings. Haha. Yep. That's all. He's got me. Derek wins. 

Great movie quote

"Oooooh...I'm really scared. No, don't...don't! There's a peck here with an acorn pointed at me"! -Willow