Clean Recipe Link Up

Today I am linking up with Megan to share clean recipes for our upcoming Advocare cleanse!

I am SUPER excited about the cleanse.


The recipe I am sharing is a favorite of mine... 15 bean soup, anyone that knows me knows I love easy recipes/cooking and this is one of them!



You can get this bag of beans at any grocery store.... and all you do is put the beans and water in the crockpot on low overnight and wake up and you have soup! I will sometimes add venison sausage to this too, just to give it a protein boost. One link of sausage per bag!






I have been eating a good bit of salad lately too and I have been mimicing the steak salad at Black Walnut ALOT... you dont need dressing because of all the fun flavors you get from the dish.

Salad greens
chopped pecans or walnuts
grilled asparagus
chopped up granny smith apple
meat of your choice - i have used steak, chicken, and salmon
cucumber

if you have to have dressing- what I do is dip my fork in the dressing then get the salad on my fork so its a dash of dressing, but it goes a long way!

I just like that its a fun mix of flavors and something different!





Another recipe I recently made was a venison spaghetti dish with wheat pasta...

I have done this from scratch, but in a crunch this is nice... Prego and pasta

 

cook the pasta as directed, cook the ground venison (or turkey) add the Prego and some italian seasoning and then you have spaghetti and its yummy!!

Houston Rodeo Season

This past weekend was the start of rodeo season here in Houston, we had the run, all weekend long was a BBQ cookoff, that I normally attend, but missed because the hubs was sick, and yesterday started the rodeo... the hubs and I are going tonight, on his last night in town before he has to go back to work for two weeks... I am going to miss him, but I am glad we get a fun date night on his last night in town, especially since this weekend was pretty low key.


I have learned.... Rodeo is to Houston as Mardi Gras is to New Orleans!


Tonight the concert after the rodeo is Gary Allan... I am pretty excited, I saw him a few years ago and he does a good show... and I just love the rodeo



Things I enjoy most about the rodeo:

1. MUTTON BUSTIN': its where kids ride sheep like the cowboys ride the horses and bulls!

2. BULL RIDING: its thrilling, I guess because you never know what might happen....




3. THE CONCERTS!

I was able to snag tickets for:

Gary Allan
Zac Brown Band
Blake Shelton
....and last but NOT least... George Strait!!!!!! :)

Weekend Update and Rodeo Run Recap

 

Thursday afternoon I went to a clay shoot with my boss and a couple coworkers, I havent used a shotgun in YEARS, and I am not good at it, I am much better wtih a rifle!

 

I shot 6 of 70 and we stopped for about 45 minutes at the 5th station waiting and the pain hit... so I powered through the  next two stops and then the hubs took over the last three stations  for me, I went from 6/70 to 24/30... haha... it was fun, but I need practice... and I think 50 rounds is my limit! The bruise on my shoulder agrees!

 

Friday was a low key uneventful day, but I did make baked ziti (a healthier version)... I should have taken pics, its good!!!

 

 

I did make this for breakfast on Saturday and it was delish... scrambled eggs with ham:

1egg

2 egg whites

a couple slices hillshire farm low sodium ham

2% cheddar cheese

pepper to taste (I NEVER add salt when I cook, but you can)

 

 

 

 

Saturday was the run, and I woke up to texts that my grandma was back in the ICU, more heart problems... and its just getting worse, she is dying, and I know that, and I hate seeing or hearing of her suffering and I wish I could be there for her and with her, but I have work here in Houston... and my poor sister is 21 and she hasnt really had to deal with the death of a loved one, she was 1 when my dad died, so she didnt really know him, and this is hitting her hard because she is living with my grandma and getting really close to her... I am actually jealous of the time she gets with her, I am glad I lived with her a summer during college, but I guess it never feels like you get enough time with the ones you love, especially when it starts coming to an end. I love her lots and hope she has pain free, good time left with us... and I do have peace that I know she is going to a better place, which helps..




 I didnt bring my camera with me for the run, EPIC fail... so I stole this from the website... there were 15,000 runners... yes thats right, thousands!!! All of the fees for the run go to the scholarship fund for FFA kids, they raised $400 grand this year alone! It was a mad house with that many people though... and weird running through downtown Houston, around my office and all, people lined the streets because we were followed by a parade, so I felt like we were running for peoples entertainment... it ended up being a good thing because I havent been running enough and wasnt ready, but was able to run the whole thing anyway because I didnt want to disappoint the crowd!

 

 

So the hubs took a pic of me and Christina after the race at our house... I finished in 34:06, not my best time, but also not my worst...I kept pace with Christina until about 2.5 miles in and then I had to slow down a bit and she was wanting to speed up so we split up for the end and she finished a minute in front of me... but we had fun!

 

 

 

 

 

For dinner the hubs and I went to Black Walnut and we both got the steak salad... he lovingly and selflessly ate my garlic bread for me!

 

Then we split gellato, tiramisu flavor!

 

 

 

 

I got a card in the mail from my sis for Vday.. super cute

 

 

 

 

Yesterday after church we did some yardwork and then I went on a bike ride in a wind tunnel... the first 5.5 miles I did in 15 minutes, the last 5 took almost 30!! I was psyched at how fast I was going and kept grabbing gears on the way out, well I didnt realize I had 20-30 mph winds with gusts up to 40mph at my back, so then when I turned around, they were in my FACE, it was HORRIBLE!!! I went home and sure enough my weather app had a wind warning... I was drained...

 

We then had a couple friends over and the hubs grilled salmon and we had baked sweet potato bites and steamed broccoli... it was delish and a grand success! We had a great low key weekend, we didnt make the rodeo cookoff but the hubs hasnt been feeling well, and he leaves Wednesday so I didnt mind staying home with him all weekend since his days off was cut short to only a week instead of the usual 2

 

In other good news, I weighed myself this morning and I am down ANOTHER 2 pounds from last Wed weigh in... I couldnt wait til Wednesday, I was good this weekend and wanted to see what that got me... and I saw progress!!!!!! :)

 

At the end of lent I am re-measuring myself too, I am feeling inches going away forever as well!! It makes me wonder how much I really love bread, is it worth it? 4 pounds in two weeks says HELL TO THE NO!!!

 

 

 

 

Workouts and Weigh In and Valentines Celebration

I have been super busy at work, and at home lateley... the hubs got home Tuesday and is only home until next Wednesday so I am cherishing our time together...


Workout Results:
Wed- run and weights
Thurs- bike
Friday- run
Saturday- Humble Lion's Ride 46.5 miles on my bike... first long ride of the season! did the 55 mile route instead
Sunday- run 4 miles... I am freaking out because I just noticed I have a 10k coming up in a couple weeks!!! eeeek!!!
Monday-spin did the elliptical and weights instead
Tues-run


Workout Plan:
Wednesday- had to work through lunch
Thursday- run
Friday- bike
Saturday- 5k Rodeo Run
Sunday-bike
Monday- run
Tuesday-bootcamp class


I am going to switch from sports conditioning to bootcamp for a couple weeks... its nice to mix it up every once in a while...


I weighed in Wednesday and giving up bread for lent did me well, I am down 2.2lbs this week, first good loss in a while... I also decided to do the Advocare challenge with Brandi and Megan- they are waiting to start til March 4th, but I want to start right after the hubs leaves so I dont have to eat super strict when he is home... its easier to do when you are eating with someone not on a restricted meal plan!!!

I am not a cleanse type person, but this one allows you to eat while doing it... so I am going to try it.



Last night the hubs and I celebrated Valentines Day together... he got me purple and gold flowers and a James Avery charm bracelet (I already have one, but I want to make a Christmas only one) and a wedding charm! :)

He also cooked us dinner... a nice filet, brown and wild rice, asparagus, and squash!

 

 

 

Mr Hank found a box... he loves boxes and bags.. even if they are a bit small, lol

Humble Lion's Bike Ride/ Weekend Update

 

Saturday morning was the Humble Lion's Bike ride... and they LIED, BIG TIME... they said it had 22 mile, 46.5 mile, and 51.5 mile routes... but the 51.5 miles was really 55, I forgot to start my Runkeeper app up again for a while after a rest stop, thats why I am off a bit on my  mileage... my coworkers convinced me that 5 miles extra would be nothing so do the long route... NOTE: 5 miles at the end of 46.5 IS a long way... and then to find out its more than that... devastating... I hit 51 miles and was psyched to be so close, I knew it would be the next turn... OR NOT!

 

 

 

 

 

At a rest stop 31 miles INTO the ride... someone kindly let me know that I was biking on a FLAT tire... if anyone has ever done this, I am sorry... I was wondering why I struggled so much.. and that my friends is why... I didnt air up my tires that morning because I figured they were fine... they were NOT fine... and I suffered big time because of it, but hey, I did get this nifty purple and gold shirt:

 

 

So I took an ice bath and iced my knees after... and then laid on the couch the rest of the weekend, all afternoon Saturday and pretty much all day Sunday... Hank was a heating pad for my knees for a bit Sunday, and we took a nap together because I woke up at 5am in severe knee pain...

 

 

Belle wanted some snuggle time too so she joined us...

 

 

I did leave the couch for a pedicure on Sunday, and to get groceries and make some lunches for this week... I also left to have dinner at Rudy's with a friend - love the turkey baked potato!!! BUT other than that I was on the couch ALL weekend because I am in pain... I talked to my doctor friend and she told me to get hopped up on Ibuprofen so I did all day yesterday, and all night last night... and this morning... I woke up last night at 1am, and again at 4 am... somehow I magically turned off my alarm at 5, so when I woke up VERY late at 545, it became a dry shampoo day... how did we exist before that stuff???

 

 

 

My love comes home tomorrow.... to say I am excited is the understatement of the year... every hitch seems longer than the last... I miss him LOTS!!!

 

I ate good this weekend, kept it clean, and heathly... and I feel good because of it... I am excited about what I made for lunches and cant wait to share the super easy recipe this week... I LOVE easy recipes... esp when they are healthy and taste so awesome!!!!

I have the rodeo run 5k this coming Saturday, I am hoping my knees are up for it, going to attempt a run today at lunch... we will see how that goes....

 

 

Valentine's Day Link Up

How well does your spouse know you?

 

Ever wonder if your spouse really knows you?! Well now is the time to find out!

 

HOST:

The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

 

CO-HOSTS:

JanLoves, The Marvelous Flight of Cara, Delightfully Dunn, From Awkward to Art,
Planned in Pencil, Jessica Who?, Northern Belle Diaries, You and Me are We,
The Family Darr, Songbirds and Buttons, The Grace of Southern Charm, Just Simply Live,
Pretty Living PDX, The Lemonade Diaries, Life as I know it

 

Instructions:

1. Fill out the questions below with your answers
2. Hand over the same set of questions to your spouse and see if they can answer the questions about you.
3. Write your post and compare both of your answers
4. Link up here on February 14th

 

I am so excited to read all the answers. Have fun!

Here are the questions: Feel free to add or take away any questions you want.

How long have you been married?  14 days shy of 10 months (on V-day)/ 9 months and 17 days

Where was your first date? Texas Roadhouse…. Then Saltgrass because Tx Roadhouse was closed/ tried Texas Roadhouse, but had to go to Saltgrass because it was closed

Where was your first kiss? My front porch J /her front door

Who first said, "I love you"? I did… one night laying in bed snuggling / she did


What were your wedding colors? Purple and gold… LSU, actually lavender and yellow, but it was a classy LSU! J /purple and yellow for LSU

Who is her celebrity crush? It was Heath Ledger /Heath Ledger

If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get? Vodka tonic, but if it was a cheat meal mojitos /vodka tonic

What is the best meal she has ever cooked you? Chicken and deer sausage casserole/ Thanksgiving dinner 2010 (man I guess I need to step it up)

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you? Faux mashed potatoes… made with cauliflower, it was for me.. but it was the worst thing I have ever made, it was watery and not at all like real mashed potatoes… I need a better recipe!!!/  cauliflower mashed stuff

What would she say is your most annoying habit? Picking on his fingers/ leaving my keys and stuff on the kitchen table (he was right on this one, he is out of town, so I forgot because I have a clear kitchen table!!!)

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed? Say “I love you” and get in my nook when he is home/ bed or sleep? ;) brushes her teeth and plugs in phone

If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be? None???/ don’t really have one

What would you say is your favorite thing about her? My personality/ her happiness, she makes me smile when I don’t want to J

What's her go-to drink at Starbucks? Tall skinny caramel latte / skinny carmel latte

What's her blog's name?! My Life As A Folz/ My life as a Folz

He did good, I was impressed... I need to try to answer these about him next and see how well I do!!!

Workouts and Weigh In and Happy Valentines Day!!!

As most of you know, my hubs is working this Valentines Day... just like he was Christmas and Thanksgiving too... I love the oilfield, because I love what I do and I know the hubs loves what he does, and without it Jake and I would be on the streets, but sometimes I hate it as much as I love it...

So the morning after the hubs left I found this on the counter....

Its been staring at me for over a week and I couldnt wait to open it... so last night when the hubs asked when I wanted to open them of course I said "FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!!!" ... I also had been sneaky and snuck his card into one of his bags the night before...

My card OF COURSE referenced his hott tushy... I love that thing... I mean HIM!!! haha... I couldnt resist... I mean the sappy cards apply too, but I like getting the funny cards for him sometimes too.

I get to work early... leave my house 5:30-5:45 in the morning, but I also LOVE sleep... so I sleep til 5/5:15 and hurry to get ready, I basically get up, shower, dry my hair while letting the dogs go potty, and then grab my lunch and head out the door... make up is done in the car... thats just how I roll... so when the hubs finished his morning report I was already in the car on the way to work so we decided to wait til I got to the office...

I love my card... of course it was sweet and adorable.. because my hubby really is sweet and adorable...

He went on a safari in Africa in 2010 and I told him the main animal I wanted him to get was a zebra, I love the rugs! He wasnt able to find one, so thats on the list for me for our trip when we go...

 

I cut out the personal stuff because its just for me! :)

 

 

 

Yesterday at the gym this happened.....

I ran 2 miles in under 20 minutes... it was HARD, but I pushed through.... I had to stop and walk a bit the second mile, but was running around 7 mph when I ran... then I did weights... I was a beast yesterday...

Workout Results:

Wed- rest - worked through lunch
Thurs-run and weights
Friday-bike and weights was going to bike in Nola, but got stuck in traffic
Sat- run with my grandma in the hospital I was up most of the night so I rested
Sun-bike drove back to Houston, got back too late to bike
Mon-spin and weights no weights
Tues-run worked through lunch


Last week was bad... lots going on at work and with my grandma... I did lose one pound, but was up two the week before, hopefully this week will go back to net negatives!

Workout Plans:
Wed- run and weights
Thurs- bike
Friday- run
Saturday- Humble Lion's Ride 46.5 miles on my bike... first long ride of the season!
Sunday- run 4 miles... I am freaking out because I just noticed I have a 10k coming up in a couple weeks!!! eeeek!!!
Monday-spin
Tues-run