Off he goes.

I don't normally get very personal on here, for my own reasons, but some things are worth sharing.

Above are my siblings. That handsome man in the middle is my younger "big" brother, Cole. Isn't he tall?! This guy has made my life a living hell (ha!) and a beautiful one at the same time. Although I have a LONG list of the many pranks he has played on me or the name calling we did as young kids, they don't surpass the amount of great things I can say about him. Like, his huge heart. His eyes so warm and so blue, they will light up your day in seconds. His sweet embrace, a little rough (ha), but so so comforting. His laugh, meaningful and absolutely contagious.

Today, this little man hops on a plane for the Navy. As sad, nervous, frightened, and worried I am (come on, I'm his older sister) for him, I am also SO happy, SO proud, SO excited, SO thankful for this journey he is about to embark on and I couldn't ask for anything more for him.

Today and tomorrow are going to be incredibly emotional days and probably pretty rough for my family (we're cryer's), but we couldn't be more proud of this young man and what he is becoming. I ask that you please keep him and all of the other new soldiers that are embarking on this journey with my brother today in your thoughts; safe travels and health while they are away at training for the next few months.

And, please, next time you see a soldier, thank them. It's incredible the things they do for us.



photo by, Justin Ponce

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Guac.

My father, like me, has a liking for whipping up some goods in the kitchen. For one, he is the KING of guacamole. When the weather was nice and the yard work was through, you could always find him with a sack full of avocado's and his "secret ingredients" lined up in a row (always leaving one ingredient hidden in the drawer below him to keep it a real secret), working up a bowl of simple, yet perfectly spiced, guacamole. 

I couldn't ever get enough then, and I still can't now.

Every beautiful weekend you'd find him (ESPECIALLY when football was on). And, every time glowing, as if he were in his happy place, just like myself when I cook. 

The older I get, the phrase "(indeed) your father's child" I have been referred to my whole life, becomes remarkably understood to me. And, I like it.

Guacamole (sadly not my father's)

Avocado's (start with 4)

Onion, chopped

Garlic, minced

Cilantro, minced

Jalapeno, chopped (sometimes)

Tapatio

Salt

Pepper

Cayenne 

Peel your avocado's and smash with fork on a cutting board. (I like to use a flat cutting board to help with evenly spicing) Top with chopped onions, garlic, cilantro and jalapeno, then mix. Spread the avocado mixture back out on the board, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, cayenne, and splashes of Tapatio (to your liking). Mix together, and test with tortilla chip. Add necessary ingredients to your liking. 

*If waiting to serve, place avocado seeds back into the guacamole mix to keep from turning brown. :)
**I left the amounts open, because really, you can't go wrong. Start with simple amounts, then add as you wish.

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Berry Detox Smoothie

Lately, I have found myself a little obsessed with smoothies. Smoothies for breakfast, for mid-morning snack, lunch, dinner? dessert; I can't get enough. I'm not a big tart fan, so my smoothies consist of half fruits and half veggies. It's a nice way of getting those fruit and veggie servings out of the way.

While smoothies, depending on your ingredients, can be packed with loads of sugar and even sometimes fat, that can simply be avoided by substituting what you would normally use (and what sounds a whole lot better) for a healthier alternative (and it will taste even better!). Fruits and veggies are packed with nutrients your body needs, why squash that with those ice cream, whole milk, or sorbet additions? Use these smoothies to your benefit! Summer is right around the corner!

Berry Detox Smoothie
1 cup raspberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup gogi berries
1 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice OR spring water

Throw ingredients in a blender, and blend right up

(veggie-less this time)


Nutritional Guide
serving size 8oz
130 calories per serving
0g saturated fat
1g unsaturated fat
4g fiber
1.5g protein
29g carbs

(subject to change if use Spring water)

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