Nieces and Nephew's!!

I just have to share how proud I am of my Nieces and Nephew's! It is so fun to watch them grow. Josh's sister and her husband have 6 kids! They are each amazing and so special to Josh and I. They just finished up their school year in Florida, and are now moving to Tacoma, Washington. We are lucky enough that they will be stopping in Hubbard on their journey out West.

Group picture of all 6 kids! I have to say they are a good looking bunch!

 Grace walking the bridge from K-4 to Kindergarten.

 Grace with one of her teachers.

 Maggie graduating Kindergarten!

 Jack won the Most Improved Award.

 Conner received The St. Mary's Religion Award.

 Annabel also received The St. Mary's Religion Award.

 Benjamin and his friend going to a dance. Doesn't he look dapper?

 

Looking forward to spending some time with all of The Brinkmeyer's!

 

 



My Best Friend's Wedding

Over Memorial weekend I stood up next to one of my best friends, Amanda Sue, for her wedding. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding and a perfect weekend! I wish her and her new husband nothing but the best! Here are just a couple candid photos I took of her big day!

 Such a stunning bride!

The sweetest little flower girl, Addison.

 My handsome husband and I.

 Amanda's new family

Chicken Sausage with Quinoa

This recipe is very similar to the one found here.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Chicken Sausage (any type)
• 1 Orange Pepper
• 1 Green Pepper
• 1 Yellow Squash
• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup spinach

Instructions:

• Slice all the vegetables.
• Heat pan over medium heat, add the vegetables and vegetable broth.
• Saute vegetables.
• Add sliced chicken sausage to pan.
• Add salt and pepper to taste (or any other sesoning).
• Add cup of uncooked quinoa. Cover the pan with lid and let the quinoa simmer for 15 minutes or until tender.
• Enjoy!

You can add any type of vegetable to this recipe and make it your own. It is always nice to use what is inseason!

 

 

Crossfit....

Crossfit...those words to me once were a crazy term. My sister and some of my good friends were doing it, and I thought they were nuts when they talked about it. I didn't understand it at all!

Today, I can't imagine my life without Crossfit. I have only been part of The Arena for a little over a month, and it has impacted my life in such a positive way in just a short time. I think people have such a miss conception of what Crossfit is. I truly had no idea about anything until I started my Foundations classes. Yes, you will lift weights, and do weight lifting you never imagined you could do. No, you do not have to get all beefy, but you will get FIT. You do not have to show up the first day and be expected to do the RX weights, they MODIFY! You do not have to show up the first day and do 10 strict pull ups, they MODIFY. I think this is the BEST part of Crossfit, is that ANYONE and EVERYONE can do it! At The Arena, we have such a variety of people, it is amazing.

I have done a lot of different physical activities in my life, and this is one I am willing to wake up at 4am to get my workout in. I feel good when I leave each day. Check our your local Crossfit gym, it might be something that changes your life as it has mine.

Dear Jen,
If you are reading, I want you to know what an INSPIRATION you are to myself, and so many others. I've met a lot of people in my life, but have never met such a positive and truly caring person. I appreciate you taking the time to guide me to be a better person inside and out. The atmosphere you and Monika have created at The Arena is indescribable. We are all so lucky. It has changed me as a person, in a good way. I needed this. 
Thank you for EVERYTHING!

Remember whatever it is you do for yourself, it is important to keep yourself healthy. I truly am a happier person when I eat healthy and workout.

Hopefully some new recipes to come next week!

Gingery Broccoli and Beef + Easter

My sister and I are doing a 21 Day Paleo Challenge, I've done my best, but I have not eaten 100% Paleo. Here is a recipe I made for this challenge. (Husband tested and approved).

Ingredients:

•  2 Tbs Coconut Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into very thin strips
• 2 Tbs Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup broth (beef or vegetable)
• 2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Heat the 1 Tbs coconut oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium to high heat.
2. Add the sliced beef and 1/4 tsp sea salt, and brown. Remove beef from pan to a side dish, and get rid of excess juice left in pan.
3. In a small bowl mix lemon juice, grated ginger, and black pepper with 1/4 cup broth.
4. Heat pan again over medium heat. Add 1 Tbs coconut oil when pan is hot.
5. Add broccoli and carrots to pan. Pour liquid ingredients on top and toss to coat.
6. Cook over medium heat until broccoli is tender.
7. Return the beef to the pan and add the green onions. Add the extra broth if preferred.
8. Stir beef in until it's coated with sauce, and let simmer for a few minutes until beef warmed through.

This makes dinner for 2, with some leftovers for lunch the next day!

Easter, what a beautiful day it was!

We spent a lot of time outside, planting our vegetable garden, fixing up stuff around the house! What a fabulous and beautiful weekend!

 

 

My Random Thoughts for Today

• We tilled the area for our Garden on Sunday! I am super pumped about this. Basically we've taken over my father-in-law's yard and will be growing as many vegetables as we can!

• Anyone else planting a vegetable garden? If so, give me tips... Do we put up a fence around the garden? How do I keep the pesky animals out? Last year I did a garden with my friend, Kim, so this will be the first year of the Dubberke Garden. (I love that my husband is just as excited about this as I am.)
• I started Crossfit last night, and let's just say I am excited to get my butt kicked! Anyone else do Crossfit? Would love to hear how you like it.

• I also learned last night that being healthy is 80% of what you eat and 20% of how you exercise. That is CRAZY, but I totally believe it. Clean Eating is the way to go.
• I am running a 10k at the end of April, and lets say...I am not prepared at all! Ahh, I need to get outside and run some laps.
• Wedding season is almost upon us. I received 3 invitation in the mail for the month of May, and still know I have another one on the way. Ready for weddings every weekend in May!
• My mother is coming to town at the beginning of May, already started my count down.

Those are my random not so exciting thoughts for today! (Sorry for the lack of pictures)

Fat Blasting Baked Egg Casserole

Ahh Friday! So glad you are back!! Here's another recipe for the books.

They say breakfast is the MOST important meal of that day, and for whatever reason it is the hardest for people to eat.  I know for me, making something the night before helps me out A LOT! Especially when I want it to be on the healthier side. I found this recipe on Pinterest the other day (I can't seem to find the link where I found it, sorry), and thought it would be the perfect morning casserole!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable broth or water (I recommend the broth for a little more flavor)
• 6 oz (2 cups) sliced Crimini Mushrooms (really any kind will work)
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning (I used Mrs. Dash's, but you could also use Simply Organic)
• 2 teaspoons fresh jalapenos (optional)
• 2 1/2 cups packed fresh spinach, chopped roughly (oops, I forgot to chop mine, but it still worked)
• 4 oz turkey bacon, cooked & chopped
• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper
• 9 egg whites
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line 7 x 11inch baking dish with parchment paper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of broth or water, mushrooms, red peppers, seasoning & jalapenos.

• Cook stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add spinach, cook down until bright green, about 1 minute.

• Remove pan from heat.
• Stir in the turkey bacon & season with sea salt and pepper.
• Spread the spinach mixture evenly on bottom of the baking dish.

• Whisk egg white, then pour over the spinach mixture. Scatter green onions on top.

• Bake until egg whites are set, 25 minutes.
• The casserole should be moist in the middle, not liquidy.
• Let casserole sit for 5 minutes & serve

I really did enjoy this dish for the AM! I even ate a half portion for some snacks! DELISH!

One of these days I will get it so there are printable versions of my recipes.