September Date: Guns, Sushi, and Shopping

Each time I write a 12 dates of Christmas post, I start to get a little sad thinking about how this amazing 12 month dating adventure will soon come to a close. Nevertheless, we have fun every month on our date escapades, and this month was no different. Per usual, we went off course...a lot!

Here is what Adam opened on September 1! The letter was accompanied by $40 and a Junction Creamery gift certificate.

SEPTEMBER

This is the date you’ve been waiting for! You’re taking me to the shooting range! Unless something has changed in the last 9 months, I’m guessing I haven’t seen you and your shooting talent all the often, and I am looking forward to it! Nothing sexier than watching my man doing something he is passionate about! And since we both know I’ll need it after the hot steal in my hands, we’re going to the creamery to cool down after we tear that target apart! 

There were just two small problems with the date I had planned way back in December of 2013.

1. I had no idea we I would be sugar free nine months later, so the creamery wasn't the best date spot.
2. Apparently there isn't a shooting range anywhere close to where we live...oops! 

Never fear! As always, we tweaked a few things and went on our merry little way! Because of work schedules, we started this date on a Thursday evening, at my parents house, about 35 minutes from our home in the middle of the country. It is the perfect place to fire off a few rounds. 

Hanging out with the parentals doesn't sound like a date to you? Not exactly a romantic setting? 

Well, you're right. But we took care of the one-on-one date portion the following day. But on Thursday, we enjoyed some farm fresh air, my welcoming mom and dad, and the sweet smell of guns. Ha! 

Adam brought a target, his two guns, and earplugs. I brought a good attitude and the excitement to see my husband do something he truly enjoys. 

We got all set up and ready to go, but hadn't counted on one thing. It was a surprisingly chilly day for mid September! BANG! I got my first shot off, and all I could think was, "Ouch!" Icy hands and a gun I'm not used to were cause for a not so pleasant sting in my flanges! After the initial pain and switching back to the gun I prefer (when did I become a person who talks about preferred guns?!) I felt much better.

Though you never would have known from my almost untouched target. Oh well, guess I'll never be a sharp shooter! 

Adam's skill, however, has improved quite a bit since the last time we went out together! A few weeks earlier, his whole department had to re-certify. Stories about laying on his stomach, timing his shots, and using different stances had me intrigued. I wanted to see what the recertification "course" would be.  While initially refusing, peer pressure broke him down, and I got to see what he does while on duty.

I'm so proud of the path he has chosen for himself. 

Since we were at my parent's house, we stayed for dinner. It was great to hang out and catch up, but it wasn't quite the marriage building, fun, just the two of us date we had had in mind...so September Date Day Part II was born!

Part II: Friday night in Des Moines. Shopping, without buying, at Nike Outlet, Dicks, and the mall. Spur of the moment sushi at Samuri. Many laughs. So much love. TOTALLY date-worthy. Dating my husband is the best feeling in the whole world. 

Yea, I can palm a ball. 

Until next month!  

20 Minute Challenge

*Update: Since writing about the 20 minute challenge, I realized that the original hashtag was utilized by a bunch of 20 year olds during their birthday celebrations...while fun, not exactly the get moving with fitness movement we were going for. So we've changed the hashtag to #20MOVEment . Spread the word and the motivation!

The challenge is on!

Two weeks ago, my friend Emily and I started "challenging" each other to up the quota of our daily fitness. After my appendicitis, most of my fitness motivation went out the window. It started because I wasn't sure what exercises were allowed and continued because I had fallen out of a routine. While I still wanted to be active, getting over my mental block wasn't going so well.

Enter the challenge: at least twenty minutes of daily exercise and half your body weight in water. Emily chose to "start drinking more water" as her second half, which is perfect because you've got to start somewhere! Twenty minutes may not sound like much, but the point was to get us moving with the hopes that once the mental wall had been broken down, we would keep going. Not to mention, when life gets busy, it is much harder to imagine giving up an hour-plus at the gym than it is a few downward dogs with Erin Motz.

The challenge has been delightful!  It immediately got my blood flowing, and the daily snaps accompanied by the hash-tag #20, bring a smile to my face. Even Adam has gotten on board to see if we've sent our daily message confirming challenge participation!

But, as with anything, my motivation is starting to lag again...so, guess what?

The challenge is on! Join us! Let's make it a movement, no matter how small! Get those bodies moving and help motivate one another! Who's in?!

The Challenge Is On! #20movement

How cool would it be if #20movement became a thing?

love.

Fed Up: the Movie

I just spent the last few hours watching the documentary Fed Up. And by the last few hours, I mean that I watched some - went to cook dinner - watched some more - moved laundry - watched more - played with Peeps - finally saw the ending.

Fed Up is a Katie Couric film that is basically about the food industry, sugar, and the obesity epidemic. According to the tag line, it will "change the way you eat forever." Honestly, I was hoping to gain some insights on how to live a refined sugar-free lifestyle when I rented it on Amazon. Instead, I encountered a group of very upset experts calling for governmental action on food regulations. They even went so far as to compare the tobacco company's denial 50 years ago to the denial of the food industry today.

I'm all sort of jazzed about being sugar free...but does that really mean everyone should be?

Isn't it sort of our Constitutional right to choose the types of food we put into our bodies, be it good or bad? If I am in the middle of a major craving, and the only thing that will calm me down is a bucket of cheese dip at the local Mexican joint but Uncle Sam has decided they may only sell bowls of it...watch out Uncle Sam!

But I am an adult. I buy or prepare all of my foods. What about the kids in schools (80% of them) which are sponsored by a soft drink or fast food company? That is where I start to think some regulations may be a necessary step toward a more healthful population.

Is there a happy medium? A place where the food industry is still allowed to produce anything their hearts desired, but they are required to put a daily percentage next to sugar on nutritional labels...a place where students are only offered the healthy choices and pizza is no longer considered a vegetable...a place where foods of all varieties are available, yet somehow (I haven't figured this one out) eating real foods are just as popular in the fight against obesity as stocking up on 100 calories snack packs.

While I am in no way telling you to run out (or to your Roku) and rent Fed Up, and I am not completely on board with the concept of letting the government into every inch of the food industry, it sure got the wheels turning in my mind. I wonder if we will look back on this time in history and wonder, "How on Earth did we let them get away with that?" Or will it still be, "Goodness, I sure do love me some cheese dip!"

I honestly don't know. What do you think?

August Date: The Zoo!

As I started thinking about my date with Adam tonight, it dawned on me that I had forgotten to tell you about our August 12 Dates for Christmas! How foolish of me!

Never fear, I'm making up for it now...even if is a short rendition. After all, the date was a month and a half ago, so the details are slightly fuzzy.

What I do remember is that things were going to be a little hectic in August and this date had to happen on a Wednesday because of Zoo Brew. So I decided to let the hubs open both the July and the August envelopes in July. In the end, that was the best decision because we had our July "camping" date in August and our August zoo date in July!

Here is the August envelope Adam opened way back when...

AUGUST

Are you ready for a safari? Well, I couldn’t quite 

afford a trip to Africa, but I have planned the 

next best 2-part date...mini golf and the Zoo 

Brew! Do you remember the first time we did the 

same 2-part date a few years go? It was one of 

my favorite days with you, so why not go back 

for more?

We love mini golf! Looking back, we could have capped the date off with that, but who doesn't like a double feature of golf balls and exotic animals?

In my version of the day, I came out victorious after 18 mini holes! But like I mentioned, the date was a while ago, so I can't be positive...but I look pretty happy in the pictures.

Zoo Brew ended up being a packed house, so we didn't stay as long as we had thought. Neither of us like having to push our way through crowds. We stayed long enough to see all the animals and have a couple drinks.

Adam with a Bald Eagle...get it? ;-)

Just as we were walking out, another couple from home called to see if we were there. Sadly, once you leave, there is no reentry. Talk about bummer timing!

The Snap we sent the Millers when we found out we JUST missed them at the zoo.
We didn't make it to Adventureland either...

Have I mentioned lately how happy I am with my choice for Adam's Christmas present? Because it has literally been the best gift I have ever given...in my humble opinion... We have a third of the dates left, and I can't wait to see/remember all that is planned.

With Adam's wonky schedule, I cherish each and every date!

Two Delicious Meals and a Hawkeye Game

There is nothing quite like being in the stands at your favorite college football team's game. It brings you right back to your 19 year old self; filled with school spirit, a smile on your face, and with the sudden ability to high five your neighbor like you've known them your whole life!

Last Saturday, I was able to bring all of those feeling back to life at the Iowa Hawkeyes v. Ball State Cardinals game. And let me tell you, it was awesome. It may not have been a great game until the last five minutes, but I still had a blast!

It all started late last week when my friend Lindsay asked if Adam had to work the weekend. Like most weekends, he shockingly did, so she let me know she had an extra ticket to the game and wanted to know if I'd tag along. Jackpot! What else did I have to do on a sunny and 70 degree day? I was in!

(This is where I convinced myself that the house could be cleaned later, the basement didn't need my attention, and the weeds in the garden added a little pizzazz.)

We left around seven, picked up another friend in Des Moines on the way, and headed to my freshmen and sophomore stomping grounds. By the time we pulled back in the driveway around ten-thirty, I was exhausted. I must confess, I fell off the sugar free wagon and ate chex mix, two bratwurst, and one beautiful brew. But don't worry, I paid for it that night like I always do. When in Rome, right? Traveling is terribly hard sugar-free, and if I stress myself over one day, I'll never make it a LIFESTYLE change. So I'm not to down on myself.

Speaking of my sugar free lifestyle, this week I've made a couple delicious dishes!

The first was Carrot alla Carbonara from Grok Grub. For the most part I followed the recipe, though next time I will double it so we can have some yummy leftovers!

Adam told me not to put up a picture of the Carrot alla Carbonara because it looks way worse than it tastes.
He is probably right. But it was yummy!

The second was my way of being lazy. Throw some veggies and meat in the oven and call it good! I call it Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Sausage (accepting suggestions for names at this time).

Adam loved it! I loved it! Plus,  it was almost better as lunch leftovers the next day. Do you want to know the best part? Other than a little chopping, it was a cinch!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Sausage

Ingredients

• 2 tbs olive oil
• large sweet onion, sliced
• 8oz. carrot chips
• 2 sweet potatoes, sliced
• 1.5 lb chorizo sausage 
• Italian seasoning to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover baking sheet in foil. 
2. In large bowl, combine onion, carrot, sweet potatoes, italian seasoning and olive oil. Spread vegetable mixture evenly on one or two baking sheets.
3. Make 1 inch balls of the sausage and disperse on the baking sheets.  I basically throw them where I see an empty spot! When all of the ingredients are on the sheet, it will be full, but not piled. 
4. Bake 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through. 
5. Serve over cauliflower mash and enjoy! 

Happy eating! Happy living! 

Glorious Nerd Alert

I have always known that I'm a bit weird... a bit nerdy... a bit awesome! While I enjoy and conform in many activities, there are several others in which I'm a complete nerd/weirdo...and I love that!

Throughout my life, I've been able to relate and interact enthusiastically with all sorts of people. You love football? Great! You want to be a rocket scientist? Amazing! You're really into Minecraft? I know nothing about that, but if it makes you happy, I'm happy for you!

Being a bit weird adds excitement and adventure to my world at its best, and laughter and love at its worst.

Last night, this "nerd" thing was the center of my evening. We invited another couple over for dinner and...wait for it...Harry Potter Seen It! There is nothing like a group of 20 somethings sitting around yelling at a screen things like, "Expecto Protronum!" and, "How could you do it Peter Pettigrew!?".  I felt like I was back in middle school, immersing myself in each new book that was released, but instead I am a 29 year old school teacher who is quite thankful to have found friends as nerdy as herself!

In all honesty, I wasn't even the nerdiest contestant! Our friend James knew virtually every answer, before we even read the card! Teresa, Adam and I sat in stunned awe and amazement at his plethora of HP knowledge. That dude was a rock star. He was halfway around the board before the rest of us left the first circle!

Look closely. James is the flying snitch on the right. The rest of us are still way up on the left...he was good!

All in all, it was a great night! They even endured delighted in my sugar free cooking! Our new staple is a version of Spanish cauliflower rice, We love this stuff, so you should really check out the recipe here. I also made sugar free pumpkin muffins, but sadly, that recipe isn't worth sharing.

Yay for a sugar free, Harry Potter filled, fun night! May you have a Orchideous filled day! <--Yep, nerd alert and loving it!

Happy Labor Day

Wishing everyone a happy Labor Day! I hope you were able to spend some time with family or friends and enjoy the sunshine!

The Fitz family took a trip to Okoboji to see my old college roommate, Megan, marry the man of her dreams. After all of the rain we have been getting, the absolutely beautiful weather was a blessing. I could not stop smiling at how happy Megan looked and how wonderfully the whole day unfolded. The day was full of love and a couple that was made for each other.

Thankfully, duty called and we had to get back home because the hubs had to work the next day.

Wait, wait, wait...did I just say I was THANKFUL for having to leave a gorgeous lake-view room? I sure did! While I really wish we had been able to spend more time enjoying the water and weather, the weather decided to take a turn for the worse on Sunday. A giant supercell wreaked havoc on the north western parts of Iowa leaving Tornado and Flood warnings in its wake.

Now do you understand why I am thankful we got out of there when we did? Yep. That is called looking at the bright side!

Here are some pictures from our gorgeous 36 hour vacation to Boji!

Playful fun

Gorgeous view out of our doors...and the setting of the wedding!

Mr. & Mrs.

Caught my handsome man eating ;-)