Summer has finally arrived in Seattle

I know some may find it shocking, but it is quite often beautifully sunny here in Seattle. It is especially nice (and noticeable) when you get to skip the stuffy gym in favor of a couple laps around Green Lake with a good friend and some sunscreen. :)

Happy Monday! :)

How do you feel about a 'diet'?

I don't cover my diet or weight loss journey here too much, but my life (and diet) have been changing! I mention this now, because what I do post here (recopies and the like) are bound to experience a makeover as a result. :)
Under my doctors supervision and direction I have been following an anti-inflammatory diet for the last three or four weeks. This means no wheat, animal dairy of any kind, no potatoes, corn, peanuts, tomatoes, oranges or grapefruit, and really trying to eliminate all processes foods from my diet.
I can eat all veggies, fruits, chicken, turkey, eggs, wild game, fish, now shellfish (added back today -woo hoo!), olive oil, nuts, coconut products, quinoa, rice, rye, spelt (also added today) and other non-wheat grains.
What I am finding amazing is just how common corn and potatoes are - they are in everything!!!
But, here we go with the healthy stuff! I am finding that I really like this doctor, and while I'm still getting over my cold, I'm feeling pretty good! Really, growing up in semi-rural Alaska, this is the diet I grew up on, it will be an interesting journey discovering how my body likes the diet as an adult. :)

Quinoa with Shrimp, Carrots and Zucchini
Serves two, or dinner for one with lunch leftovers. :)

2 cups cooked quinoa
10 large pre-cooked shrimp
1/4 medium white onion
10 baby carrots
5 shitaki mushrooms
2 small cloves garlic
1 tbsp olive oil

I have a rice maker, but still don't like to wait for my grains to cook - I make a big batch, and then freeze rice or other grains in two person servings, so I can have dinner done quickly. :)

Heat/cook you quinoa, set aside.
Warn a medium pan, add olive oil, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and carrots and let them sweat at a low to medium temperature releasing the sweetness of onions and carrots, and flavoring the mushrooms and oil.
Once your carrots are cooked to your desired doneness (I like mine still a bit crunchy) add your shrimp and zucchini. Cook for another minute or two just until you shrimp are warmed up - over cooked shrimp are rubbery and over cooked zucchini is mushy, so watch this step closely.
Top your quinoa with shrimp and veggies and enjoy! :)

Out sick

I love the food blogs out there with multiple daily posts, I love the healthy ideas and insight, encouragement for weight loss, fitness, and healthy living. 'Food porn' with a healthy twist? Lol... I'm a fan! (I always laugh at the phrase 'food porn'!)
But yesterday I got a sickness... Well, I guess that isn't entirely true, I've had it since Sunday, but yesterday it became official and I got antibiotics! So this proposed week of food business maybe a bit delayed - I'm sorry!
I hope to be healthy soon!
In the meantime, how are you spending the weekend? (let me live vicariously!) :)

Before and After bathroom tile

Did you know you are supposed to seal you tiles and grout? 
Hmm....  I didn't.  That was a hard lesson to learn. 
Here is my lesson:  White grout gets dirty.  Octagon tiles are charming until you have to clean the tiny grout around them individually.  If you seal your tile apperiantly it is supposed to stay clean!
We spent DAYS scratching away the top layer of grout, bleaching, cleaning, sealing.  If you are attacking a similar tile I would highly recommend spending $100 on a dremel to remove the grout.  It is worth your time and money.

It is nice having a brand new clean white floor!  :)  We applied two layers of sealant, and from what I hear (oh how I love Young House Love!) sealant should be reapplied every 6 months. 
Have you ever learned a home related lesson the hard way?  (If so, could you clue me in?  I'm not such a fan of learning the hard way!  lol...)

The Ladybug Farm Series by Donna Ball

I've read two and am on the hunt for more!  Though it sounds like I have to wait until October for the third Ladybug Farm book, I have loved the first two - tales of three women (life long friends) who buy an old farm/vineyard/mansion, and attempt to restore both it and themselves while dealing with what life throws in the way.  I found myself identifying with all three women, wanting to pack up and move to Virginia, drag some friends along, make a dairy into an art studio and fulfill that long held dream of living off of something I can make. 
I could do this...  or at least I was so enchanted by this book that I certainly want to give it a try.  Are you with me?  :)

Port Townsend

We've been back a week, and I cannot yet figure out a way to explain how much I love this place.

So instead of trying to describe it with words (a bench that is ours, the first fire of the year, and rose buds on a bike ride), I may just show you the things I now miss the most.

Port Townsend is a place I would love to move to, my ideal kind of town all squished together in walking/biking distance, on a bluff with beaches to wander, and ocean scented breezes. 

We spend camping trips walking beaches, snuggled together on cool nights, pretending we are roughing it, but really .... well, lets just say we camp in a tent, but there is an air mattress involved.  :)

Saturday we wandered the town on our bikes, seeing things we hadn't before, found a house I would love to own, visited a farmers' market, ate some Japanese, and visited our favorite ice cream shop.  The sun even came out for some afternoon napping and more beach exploring.

Even looking at these pictures I want to go back.  :)  It was one of the best (and most relaxing) trips we have taken together, I've already booked for next year.  :)

Where are your favorite places?

A year in pictures

I have completed my Project 365!
365 pictures, a year of my life. 
Here are a few of my favorites days:

 
What should I take pictures of next?