Jersey Boys, Sailing and Fireworks

 

My boyfriend and I got to go see JERSEY BOYS the movie!!!!!!!!!  I LOVED it!  I've been waiting months to see this movie.  I'm a huge Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons fan!  I've even seen Frankie Valli live and saw the play, Jersey Boys.  I follow Frankie Valli on Facebook.  He's been posting information and behind the scenes pictures for months.  I could not wait to see it!  So as soon as we were able, we went to see it!  I thought it was brilliant!  They did a phenomenal job!  I loved how majority of the actors are unknown.  I also love how they got the original stage actor to play Frankie Valli in the movie.  He's amazing!  They all are!  I recommend everyone to see it!

 

My boyfriend enjoys going out to the suburbs (we live in Chicago).  So he decided to introduce me to a couple after seeing Jersey Boys.  I can't remember all their names.  However, we ended up in Wheaton.  There's a cute town there.  We walked around, window shopped and had dinner at The Bank.  I had one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had!  So delicious!  I had a hard time stopping eating when I was full.  It was too good to waste.  In the end, I couldn't eat that much food. Next time we go, we're planning on eating in what they call the vault.  It could be used like a banquet hall but if its not rented out, you can eat in it.  The vault used to be a bank's vault.  It was all transformed into a restaurant.  Such a great idea!  I enjoyed the town.

 

 

I took this picture while we were driving.  It's difficult to see, but I couldn't resist attempting to capture the rays of sun peeking through the clouds.  So beautiful.

 

After our road trip, we went out sailing on his boat.  He shares a boat with a few friends.  I haven't been out on the boat with the sails up.  It was really cool!  I had to take pictures.  I didn't take many because it was rocky and didn't want my phone to go overboard.  It was a beautiful night!

 

It was really windy.  My pictures were coming out blurry.  But I love this one for some reason even though its super blurry.

 

We went far out on the lake to sail around before watching fireworks.

 

I loved the light and colors on the water.

 

It was such a beautiful night. 

I had such an amazing weekend.  I feel so blessed.

 

What did you do this weekend?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

 

What I Eat

People ask me a lot what I eat.  Usually its after I tell them I'm vegan.  Majority of people think that vegans eat fruit and vegetables and that's it.  I eat a variety of food and its never boring.

 

 

This week  I decided to try this wine.  Not going to lie, it was for the label!  haha

I've heard its not a good idea to buy wine based on the label. But look how cool this one looks!  It wasn't the best I've had but it wasn't terrible.

 

One meal I made this week was stir fried veggies with tofu.  The pile of greens is cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.  You can get them at Trader Joe's pre-chopped in a bag labeled cruciferous vegetables.  I sautéed them in olive oil, lemon juice and black pepper.  Then I sautéed mushrooms, onions, and asparagus in a little olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.  I added the tofu last.  The tofu was already pre-seasoned.  This was so filling and delicious.

 

Another meal I made was with the same greens as above cooked the same way.  Then I sautéed spinach with olive oil, lemon juice and pepper.  Then cooked some faux chicken nuggets and added tomatoes to the side.  This was so delicious and a repeat.

 

I try not to eat faux meat very often.  I'd rather have tofu or another form of protein.  But it's a nice variety on occasion.

 

What are some of your favorite meals?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

Just Because

On Sunday, I was running errands.  I even did a good workout and played dance games on my Kinect.  Afterwards, I just felt like relaxing.

 

 

So I made popcorn, had a glass of wine and watched movies.  When I took this picture, I was watching 300!  I love that movie!  "This is Sparta!" haha  I watched two or three more movies.  I occasionally played games like solitaire, phase 10 and drew pictures.

 

I went grocery shopping on Monday.  I couldn't resist these gorgeous sunflowers!  Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers!  They're such a happy flower.  So I got these for myself just because they made me smile.

 

These sunflowers continue to make me smile!

What has made you smile today? 

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

Spontaneous Lunch

I went out with a friend for lunch.  It was spontaneous and impromptu.  We decided to meet up at Native Foods.  I heard about it from a vegan friend but had never checked it out.  I hate that I never ate here before!  It was delicious!!

 

My friend had the nachos. I didn't try them but they looked so yummy!

 

I had the Scorpion Burger with sweet potato fries.  This was so delicious!  A tempeh burger with tons of veggies!  It also had a chipotle sauce on it that was out of this world!

I had the watermelon fresca.  So refreshing!  My friend had the lavender lemonade.  I tasted it.  It was different but I'm not sure if I'd be able to drink a whole glass.

 

I had so much fun catching up with her and having a spontaneous afternoon.

 

When we were saying goodbye, I saw this over her shoulder...

 

 

It's a giant statue of a head!  I used to work down here a couple weeks ago and it wasn't there.  So this is a new addition to Millennium Park.  It made me laugh.  My friend took this picture.

 

Have you had any spontaneous adventures this week?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

 

Endless Commentary

No one seems to care how you eat until you go against society's norms.  Almost on a daily basis, people take it upon themselves to tell me how I should eat.  I chose to eat a vegan diet for my health.  But as soon as someone hears the word vegan, they think its negative, unhealthy, and that I'm going to stand on a soapbox.  That I'm going to preach about how eating meat is wrong.  I'm not that type of person.  I don't push my beliefs on others, whether it spans between religion to food.  If they ask me questions, I'm happy to answer.  I'm very open about my life, which includes being a vegan.

I saw this on Pinterest today and I had to share it.

 

People expect me to stand up and push my beliefs down their throat.  On the other hand, they're being hypocrites and pushing theirs down mine.

 

I saw this on Pinterest as well.  It made me laugh because its true.  People are ignorant about nutrients.  They automatically think that meat is the only source of protein.

 

How do you deal with the endless commentary?

I try to take it with patience and understanding.  However, I tend to get angry when I hit my limit.  I feel like my views are not respected.  I respect yours, respect mine.  I'm only human and do reach my limit.  How do you react when you reach yours?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

Sunshine Cures All

I love going out and enjoying the sunshine.  It always seems to make me feel better no matter what mood I'm in when I head outside.  I get notifications on Facebook about unbelievable facts.  I saw this today and I felt it was a good one to share.

This statement is true.  I've been depressed twice in my life.  Two years ago, I went to a very dark place.  I was in a hole.  The bad thing was that I didn't know I was at the time.  During the depression, I barely left my apartment.  I didn't want to go outside or really do anything.  When I hit my lowest point and scared myself, I started going to therapy.  Therapy helped me get out of the hole I was in and the darkness.  Now that I'm out of depression, I go out to enjoy the sunshine as much as I can.  I try to go for a walk everyday even if its raining.  During the summer last year, I was still getting out of depression.  I was working at an outside mall.  I made a point to go outside everyday during my break, unless it was raining.  I believe that being outside in the sunshine helped me gain control of my thoughts, outlook on life, and my happiness.  Sunshine really does help cure all.

Have you gone out in the sunshine today?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Women Who I Admire

I admire these three women.  They have inspired me, taught me, and helped me become who I am today.  I just want to take a moment to thank them.

 

My mom, Beth (a family friend and former hip hop teacher), and Carol, who is my best friend's mom and has been my second mom.

 

All three women strive to live their lives how they want and do what makes them happy.

They inspire me to do the same.

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

 

 

Goal for my Birthday

I was born on Halloween.  I'm turning 26 this year and I've never been to a Halloween party.  A lot of costumes today are made sexy and are definitely not the costumes I remember seeing when I was little.  I've never been comfortable with my body enough to wear a "sexy" costume.  I love my body right now.  But I still have weight I want to lose.

My goal is to be at my goal weight by my 26th birthday.  My prize/treat for accomplishing this goal is a daring Halloween costume to wear to a party.  And I know exactly who I want to be!

 

I've wanted to be able to be Jessica Rabbit for Halloween for a couple years now.  It's the ultimate sexy and daring costume for a woman to wear.  The costume is extremely form fitting. 

Bring on the ab workouts! 

 

Who do you want to be for Halloween?  Can it help motivate you towards your fitness goal?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

My dad isn't big on holidays like Father's Day and doesn't really believe in celebrating birthdays.  But I like to try to let him know how special he is to me anyway.

I was able to talk to my dad this morning.  I am so grateful for that.  We don't live in the same state.  (My parents still live in Connecticut in the house I grew up in.)  I am so grateful that my father is the man I get to call dad. I don't think he realizes how much I appreciate him. He is always there for me no matter what, showing me support and always seems to be proud of me. I am so grateful to him for being there for me and for being in my life.   I love you dad!  Happy Father's Day!

I hope all fathers out there have a special day and get to spend it with their children.

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

Summer Goal #1 Accomplished

My first goal of the summer was to wear shorts.  I've never worn shorts out in public, only in the privacy of my home.  I've just never been one to be comfortable wearing them.

I went to Florida for a four day job.  I knew I needed to wear shorts.  So I bought a pair I liked and wore them!  I finally reached my first summer goal!  And I've worn them multiple times since then.  I'm feeling more comfortable wearing them.  I don't feel as self conscious as when I took this picture.  I'm proud of myself.

 

What have you done recently that makes you proud of yourself?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"

Zoo Date

My boyfriend and I went on a date to the zoo.  I wasn't having a great camera day.  My pictures continued to be blurry. 

 

We got there at lunch time, haha

 

This baby was too cute!  Swinging all over the place and continued to cuddle up to mom and dad.  At one point he hid behind dad and dad hugged him.  Oh my gosh, so cute!

 

I love swans!  And there were baby animals all over the zoo!  I think its the season to be twitterpated!  haha

 

After the zoo, we went out on the boat my boyfriend and his friends share.  It was so great to spend the night out on the boat.   Especially with views like this...

 

 

I never thought I'd enjoy being out on a boat so much.  But I'm looking forward to this summer and taking advantage of one.  So beautiful.  It's also relaxing being out on the water.

 

What type of things or activities are in your life that make you happy in an unexpected way?

 

"Keep Moving Forward"