November 21, 2010

I think I just had a mild heart attack...

So. There I am. Sitting HERE, at my desk. not doing my homework, home alone, browsing the internet, looking at blogs, surfing facebook, then clicking on my speech outline for Tuesday's group speech...back to facebook...

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN...

There was this LOUD noise outside my apartment. It sounded like a mixture between someone running/stomping right outside my apartment and someone banging along the entire outside wall of our apartment. and it was LONG. not like "oh someone just fell and tripped" but like a LONG run/stomp. like 7 seconds long. like there was an emergency, or someone was really trying to make my heart jump out of my throat. I felt personally attacked.

Was there an emergency? Were cops banging on someone's door? GEEZ!

So I run over to my door. As I'm looking out the peep hole, and slowly locking the door (because I didn't want THEM to hear me locking it). There is nothing. No doors open, no people, no movement. NOTHING. Then there is a loud noise again. Now I'm thinking there is a bad guy, against the wall where I can't see him, and he's going to jump out at me... the me behind the peep hole. But still no movement.

When I remembered to start breathing again, I sllowwllyy opened the door... look outside... and there is a CAT looking at me from the roof! It must have had a jumping fest over my head which caused me to nearly soil myself.

November 7, 2010

green smoothies

So I've been asked a few times about how I make my green smoothies. I was first introduced by my good friend Wendy who read a book called Green for Life. This lady's website is awesome! Her whole family is raw foodists, and she's done extensive research!(They even have a silly music video about eating raw). I totally got into green smoothies about 2 years ago started making them in my regular Oster blender, which worked great! Then I got the much coveted Vitamix as a wedding gift and it's changed my life in regards to green smoothies! (this website is also awesome and has videos that show you how to make different smoothies/soups)

Soo this is the base of how I make my smoothies and I just change up the ingredients. My measurements make 2 - 32oz cups.

This morning I started by cutting a fresh pineapple. I watched a video that said to use the core and all (when using a vitamix).

I always start my smoothies with the soft, fresh fruit on the bottom because they are softer and blender easier. (also learned from a video)

So I've put in 1/4 of the pineapple, banana (you can peal and freeze them too if they are ripening faster than being eaten) this one is fresh, and a whole avocado, pit included, not peal.

So here again, 1/4 of pineapple, banana and avocado, pit included.
I learned to put the entire pit in when I bought my vitamix from Costco. The lady giving the demonstration was a nutritionist and said an avocado pit is the only way to get Omega 9. So why not? And the vitamix can handle it and blends it smoothly.

Then I add my frozen fruit. I put in about 5-6 strawberries, and mango - probably 1/2 cup. I get my strawberries at costco for $8-$9. Awesome! It lasts about 2-3 weeks. The mangos, I get at Trader Joes. I sometimes use frozen pineapple instead of mango.


Then I add my greens. I get my spinach from Costco. It's $3! Amazing! As opposed to $4 for the handful I use in my smoothies. This bag will last about a week with our morning smoothies and daily salads for lunch.

My LARGE handful of spinach.

Today I used chard because I had it and it needed to be eaten. Normally, I use kale. Kale is soo awesome and the most nutritious green but it is bitter and tough to chew so I like it best in smoothies.

I add 2 cups of water at first, then add more as needed.


I got so excited and started blending! I forgot my carrot and cilantro! Cilantro is one of MY favorite things to put in a smoothie. It adds such a great flavor! mmmm

Here it all is! (minus carrot and cilantro)

Anddd.... I forgot the lime (peal included), and a sliver of ginger! Sooo good for you! Be sure to blend it well so you don't get ginger slices. (I don't love the flavor of ginger so I use a little bit, and make sure it's blended so I don't have to chew it)

Blending! Again, make sure you blend it long enough that the avocado pit and ginger are blended thoroughly. Here is where you would add ice if needed. I didn't in this smoothie and it would have benefited from it. The frozen fruit didn't make it cool enough.

Sorry a little blurry, but there are our smoothies in our D.I. cups. These are 32 oz and I read on http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/ that you should have 32 oz a day of green smoothie!

Green Smoothie girl is in Utah I think and has classes. Her website is AWESOME! She has videos, facts, recipes, and a "cook" book you can buy (but I think her website is adequate enough)

And again, Green For Life has all the facts about the importance of greens in your diet, and also the importance of blending them so that all the nutrients can be absorbed. This book is on my Summer reading list!


One more tip I learned from the Costco lady is if your spinach is going bad, put it in your blender with a bit of water, blend and freeze. Then put the cubes in your smoothies. It worked beautifully!

I love green smothies and I feel fantastic when I eat them!

November 4, 2010

Healthy train

Sooo.... I'm kind of a health nut. Ben and I became vegetarians a little over a year ago and I love it. And in that transition I took on more vegetables (I say this because most vegetarians grasp for carbs). I've learned a whole new way to cook, I subscribed to an amazing magazine. www.vegetariantimes.com I love it. So much variety and with normal every day foods. Health train = me! I lost a bunch of weight, was working out every day, feeling GREAT about life! I felt skinny and beautiful on my wedding day...

and....

now...

ALL I WANT TO EAT IS CRAP!!

What is wrong with me? I know how to eat right. I know what is good for me and what makes me feel good. But all I want is In-n-out grilled cheese (God's gift, in case you're wondering), Diet Dr. Pepper, chips, cheese, cookies, ICE CREAM!! And then I feel like crap after. Sometimes I don't cave into the cravings, anddd.. sometimes I do. I feel like the caving into cravings happens more than not. And after I feel horrible. I get headaches, I beat myself up. I know it's all a mind game... so why do I do it?? Why do I cave when I KNOW it's going to make me feel horrible?

And have I mentioned I don't want to work out??

Is all of this happening because I'm in school and super busy? Um hello? No! You have to eat while you're in school and it's just as easy to eat healthy as it is to stop at in-n-out on the way home. I know I don't work out as often because of time. But time isn't an excuse to not eat healthy. I have class 3 times a week at 9am. So I committed to work out at 7am those mornings. I do it about 1x a week. Yeah... not so good at that.

Uh... So there is my rant.

I don't have the answers yet. Other than to just STOP eating crap. But I've already told myself that and then Halloween came and my neighbor brought over candy.

Soo... I take it one day at a time. I'm committing to eat healthy tomorrow and work out in the morning. Crap - it's Friday tomorrow. Friday is date night. Ugh... Maybe we'll go to Tender Greens.

My positive affirmations: I am healthy. I am skinny. My body is beautiful. I don't need to eat food that isn't good for my body. My hair is growing long and healthy.

November 3, 2010

to change the name or to not change the name?

It was always just "assumed" and taught that when a girl gets married to the man of her dreams, she changes her name. And as a little girl you dream of what your future last name will be. You would write your name next to the last name of your crush and oo and ahhh... Julia Oats. Awwww I really liked Joseph Oats in elementary school.

Now fast forward several years, and here I am, married to the man of my dreams (almost 3 months now) and I was soo excited to become Mrs. Lewis. and still am. I never really liked Morrow. I always was teased as a child. Called "moron" or "toooo - morrow, tomorrow, I love ya..." you get the idea. And then when my name is called in class - for some reason Morrow is super hard for people to pronounce, even though they say it 100x a day. "see ya tomorrow!" blach... anyway...so I never liked my last name and was so excited to change it.

Julia Lewis just sounds so great. It's easy. People know what it says and how to spell it. And if I do have to spell it, it just rolls off the tongue. Unlike Morrow, with the double R...and one always gets lost. and I have to say "You know, like tomorrow". I was blessed with a good married name.

And then I take a woman's studies class. And learn that all of my personal views are called "being a feminist". No, I'm not a raging, bra burning, crazy lady. I'm simply a feminist who believes in equal rights, female rights, gay rights...etc.

And the week after I legally change my name, we talk about if a woman should be "forced" to change her name when she gets married. How it is not socially acceptable if a woman doesn't change her name to her husband's name. Does that her identity get dissolved into her husband's? Back in the day - women were property and the ownership went from the father to the husband. Just like the name does. So sitting there in class I was feeling bugged. Is it acceptable to be a feminist and change my name? Well the deed has been done. But I had to come to terms with it.

This is my conclusion on the matter. I didn't like my previous last name. I like my new last name. Alone, that is enough to change it. However I don't feel that I have now dissolved into my husband's identity. I defiantly have my own identity. I like to do somethings the traditional way, and other things the totally NON-traditional way. This is one of those "traditional" things. I like being Mrs. Lewis.

October 30, 2010

bullet points

Instead of recapping the last 3 months of our lives, I'll just give what is on my mind now.

  • Loving today. Loving San Diego's fall (slightly missing Utah's colors though). Fall is like a beautiful Summer's day.
  • He's doing great in school. Sometimes he forgets how he's a genius, but I just remind him.
  • I swept and mopped today. There was a lot of dirt - but I swear I did it last week!
  • I'm wearing fake eyelashes in honor of the holiday and I'm LOVING it. Wish I could pull this off every day of the year.
  • I dragged myself to the gym and did a kiss ass workout - then came home and ate left over pizza. Uhh I've lost my motivation and it BUGS me!
  • I "quit" the one job and have felt such relief from it!
  • Woman's Studies class is rocking my world and I'm a moderate feminist.
  • I've been having seriously vivid dreams lately. Like that I had to hide my mom from the cops and that one of the walls in my house was taken over by ants. Wonder what that means?
  • I'm addicted to facebook. Mostly when people comment on my posts. I know I'm funny and clever, and I love when other people think so too.
  • I bought new boots on ebay for "winter" cause my feet were cold during the intense SD rains... and I just found a pair of boots I forgot I had. My feet didn't need to be cold all that time.
  • My hair looks like candy corn and I don't love it. But I try not to think about it.
  • I wish I had more friends in SD. Girlfriends I could just call up and go have brunch with and chat. hmpf
  • Because of previous bullet point, I booked a trip to Portland to be with my girls. I can hardly wait. All we're going to do is have brunch, sit in coffee shops and chat.
  • This hunky man I'm married to took me to have margs last night. Who knew El Torito (of all places) had a live band?? I was able to dance with my man, and he was able to watch the Laker game. It was a win/win situation and one of the funnest dates we've had. Love spur of the moment stuff that ends up amazing!
  • I love that I get to create everything in my life. I've created some pretty awesome stuff! I'll save that for a later post.
Loves,
J

October 29, 2010

post wedding post

Sooo....we got married. And it was AMAZING!

The week of the wedding was so smooth. I was quite organized but still wished I had a "wedding planner" or someone else other than myself who knew what was going on - or to just do stuff, or to REMEMBER to do stuff... so I did a lot of bossing around.


My photog was amazing! I've only received a few photos,and I"m sure you have all seen these on facebook... but still. They are beautiful!




The entire day was absolutely a dream! I felt on cloud 9! And really, who doesn't love to have a day based all around them and their sweetheart?

As soon as I have more pics - I will be posting them for all to see.

The wedding/reception was 4 hours, so we had some wonderful time to relax and enjoy our guests. Later in the evening before the sun went down I got a wild hair and we decided to do a trash the dress. I always wanted to do one and Brooke was totally on board!



We had a combined bachelorette/bachelor party at the drag queen show "Lips" soo totally fun!!

The "triplets" as my mom has called us for so many years. I love these girls!!! These girls helped me out so much!! Andrea did bouquettes and make up, Kate did hair and make up and entertained Brooke. They are just absolutely wonderful!

The wonderful Aaron and Kate. I don't know how I didn't get a photo with Aaron, but there has got to be one floating around out there. But he is amazing and helped out with soo much! Bff since 8th grade!


The day of the wedding was pretty relaxed even though my heart was beating super fast the entire day. Maybe that was the love just pound right out. Everything was seriously soo smooth. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to marry my honey!

July 26, 2010

last minute things...

Well, the wedding is in 2 weeks from YESTERDAY! (Well it was when I started this post. Now it's a week from Sunday!!) I can hardly stand it! The anticipation is killing me, but I am grateful there is still time because there is so much to do! (Not really, but I feel like there is)...like these TAN LINES that I can't get to go away!!

Ben is filling his time with studying for his final that is this Saturday.
I have been filling my time with errands, Errands, ERRANDS!!

I can't believe all the little stuff that needs to get done. Like ribbon for the card holder, buying the 3rd pair of shoes for Ben. (The 13s and 14s didn't fit) so I had to order the 15s....Let's remember this is the 2nd time I've had to order them. Today I ran (literally, so I could fit in some physical activity) to find a restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. I booked the Pier cafe that is right on the water. (let's face it, everything about this wedding is on the water) The manager is super willing to work with me, will seat us wherever is convenient for us (others wouldn't). Everything about it is perfect, fun, and easy!

Who ever thought you would need a honeymoon swimsuit, but when I found it I knew I had to have it! I never thought I'd be posting a photo of myself in a swimsuit, but look how darling this is! Helloooo Mazatlan!


Writing a few days later...
Since this post didn't get finished I might as well add onto the odd and ends that I've been doing.

The last few days have consisted of living at Kinko's. I've been there 5 times because something was misspelled, wrong last name, double line, too small...ya know...editing stuff. And thank goodness the Kinko's guy has a crush on me because he didn't make me pay.

I love how the placement tags turned out!!
Doesn't that name have a nice ring to it?


The programs

I've been gluing away and just ran out of super glue (hence why I'm blogging). I knew I wanted programs but didn't know how I wanted to present them. My girlfriend went to a wedding recently and they had the programs as fans. How brilliant is that! A program AND it's useful! And it's cute...

Another thing we hadn't anticipated, and it's a week before the wedding...Ben's ring just arrived in the mail from China (well from Utah. because I accidentally sent it to Utah first...oops) and it's...TOO BIG!
Way too big!

Now we're on the search for a plastic filler and we will ship it back after the wedding for a different size.

Ben modeling his ring. He had requested an all onyx ring. It's pretty studly!

Now it's time to go to the gym, more super glue...and keep making these programs! Good thing it's a small wedding and I don't have to do 100s of these...phew!

Blessings!

July 9, 2010

How I do a wedding...


Sooo my friend suggested I blog about the wedding plans. Soo here is a quick run down!

We are getting married on 8/8/2010
We chose that date because it's absolutely perfect! I had posted earlier about the meaning of the number 8, it is all about eternity, never ending, abundance. The endless loops signify an infinite flow of....and you fill in the blank! And since it's double it's even more powerful!

The wedding ceremony and reception will be on this:
When someone suggested a yacht I just laughed but when I looked into it, it had all of my requirements. Which were, I didn't want to do anything. I basically wanted to hire a wedding planner/coordinator without hiring them...and that's exactly what they did for me! EVERYTHING is included!! Well, almost everything...

We have invited a small group of our closest friends and family will be sailing around the San Diego Harbor from 12-4. Afternoon wedding, short, sweet, and absolutely perfect!
The sail will include hors d'oeuvres and champagne, followed by the ceremony on the bow. They will then seat us for lunch and then we will cut the cake and have an afternoon dance party!
Doesn't it sound charming?

The beautiful cake I've chosen:

I copied it from a friend's wedding. We won't be having the top tier, and ours will have pink roses and calla lilies on the top and side.
I'm still on the hunt for the perfect ribbon.
The bottom tier will be carrot cake with cream cheese filling
The top tear will be a soft, spongy white cake with raspberry filling.
Mmmm mmm!

Speaking of Roses. We will have the Armageddon rose:
they are kind of a coral color.
and combined with mini calla lilies.

I don't want to give away the my whole wedding dress ensemble so I won't be included a pic of me IN it...but here are the details.

I'll be wearing this:

After the ceremony I'll probably take the veil off and put a cute pink flower in my hair...we'll see.

Some of these:
and this:

And these:

Well I'll be wearing the front ones. but the back ones are equally amazing!

Ben will be wearing a dark brown 3 piece suit
(I still have to find the vest...uhh)
Oh and I have to find Ben shoes (size 14!!!)
a tie
shirt
cuff links

I kind of waited until the last minute (month) for him...
but who knew his stuff would be so difficult?
Ben requested a solid black stone ring.
I've found this black agate ring that is amazing. Just waiting for the supplier to tell me if they have the right size.

Cool Black Agate jade ONYX Band Ring / <span class=

I am flying in our photographer from Utah. The amazing (recently engaged) Miss Brooke Kinsey with Blush Photography



I found these cute little place card holders that will act as party gifts and people can take them home for photo holders or something...something to remember our wedding by.



We will be heading to this beautiful land of Mazatlan Mexico for a wonderful week long honeymoon filled with authentic food, surfing, salsa classes, margaritas, laying by the pool and endless adventures and exploring the city! I can hardly wait!



Doesn't it sound amazingly romantic?? I know! And I get to do it all with my wonderful honey and partner! I can hardly wait!!

He's the most amazing man! He's perfect for me and I finally convinced him to marry me...haha I'm only kind of kidding...
He's SMART! ambitious, FUNNY, tall, and handsome! Who couldn't ask for more??



February 27, 2010

Photo for Liz

This is my ring. I don't have the bands yet but I want them.
Just the solitaire. It's beautiful! I picked it out!

February 15, 2010

Daily Photo

I started a new challenge. It isn't replacing my weight loss challenge, that is still ongoing. (I'm down 13 pounds)

February 15
La Jolla Cove, Scoping out Wedding Ceremony locations







February 14


Long Beach, Aunt's yard

February 10, 2010

random thoughts from J

What is going on in my life?

I sit at home, in my pajamas, and work. all day. by myself.
Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't.

I was really cranky for a couple of days about my taxes because I thought I was going to have to pay.
Now I'm getting back more than I've ever gotten back in my life. I even cried. I'm sorry for being cranky.

I'm still loosing weight. Eating healthy and every 3 hours, a gallon of water a day, exercising my butt off. I even went to a cycle class and didn't think I wanted to die. I did it!

I finished applying to USD. Their application was too in depth (for my taste). Do they really need to know how much community service I did? I made most of it up anyway.

I am grateful for my life. I'm marrying the most wonderful, funny, smart, {and} tall man!! I get to wear a pretty dress, on the beach, with my closest family and friends. couldn't be more excited.

My grandpa gave me a new camera. For some reason I've been super overwhelmed by it. Probably along with everything else in my life (that isn't that overwhelming...but I've just been overwhelmed). I'm going to my Auntie's this weekend for my "Birthday weekend" and her concert and she's going to teach me how to use the camera. I signed up for my first photography class by my fav photog. (who is doing our wedding. YIPPEE!)

I want to wear extensions for my wedding. Pretty ones. Not ugly ones. Not too long of ones. the perfect ones.

January 24, 2010

my life in photos

so maybe I'm to lazy to take my super-duper nice, big camera with me everywhere I go... so I take iphone photos.
So here is my last week in photos - iphone photos. Nothing fancy. just expression and documentation.

Flooding
On my way home from the gym.
it was dry when I went in. I was there an hour.
it was poring when I walked home.
We've been experiencing massive amounts of rain. I like to call it "river rain" or "loud rain".
It's so loud on our flat roof. I feel like I have to yell at Ben for him to hear me.

Floating Beer
This is probably 2 feet deep. How perfect is the floating beer can?


Fridge magnetI've felt inspired this week. Thanks Gandi for your wise words.
Thai food does change my life.

Ants. Again.
This is the second time since moving to California that we've had ants. And we're the only ones in the complex (or so they say). What is wrong with us?
This time they are in our bedroom. Perfect. Apparently they like essential oils. They used my book ("Three Cups of Tea") that was leaned against the wall as their bridge to get to my nightstand.
Brilliant neighbor gave us some raid. They were dead in seconds.

KaleI have a new obsession with Kale. It's delightful and full of healthiness.
I'm changing my lifestyle (beside the frozen yogurt that sent me to Utopia last night.) in the food I put into my body and the way I exercise. I'm seeing results and loving it.


Home office
I am sitting here on a Sunday. As you can see I'm organized, I have my space heater, blanket, trash, Ben's computer (because for some reason mine won't print what I need it to)

I am grateful for a good week.