Doc Appointments

At the beginning of the year, I feel like I have all of my annual doctor appointments. Do you guys? I have had my physical, dermatology (get your skin checked!!), mammogram, OB and ophthalmology. Dentist is coming up soon.

This year I added a cardiology appointment. I've heard of too many people in their 40's dropping dead that were D1 athletes. The least I can do it be proactive right?! I do believe there is a healthy balance of being paranoid about your health and LIVING! There has to be an in between. 

I had that cardiology appointment last Friday. First thing he asked was why was I there? I said I want to be alive for my kids!!! He was super interested in lifestyle more than anything. I didn't have any tests because he said it's not necessary assuming my LDL levels are less than 100, ideally less than 80, and if I exercised and ate things mostly right etc. He really liked me having my apple watch and seeing how my heart rate gets up with exercise and if I can sustain that. He said the stress test on a treadmill would be silly for me. 

Anyway, point is - being proactive is my motto these days. Eating right, exercising, doing all of the right things to the best of my ability while still living is the name of my game. 

Weekend

Hello! It was a fun weekend. On Friday night we went to my bosses house to pick crabs on his back porch. Gorgeous setting right? Everything was gorgeous and delicious! So much fun.

Saturday morning came exceptionally early after a late night but we were excited to be out there cheering our Grady on!

He went 4/4 and his team beat one of the best teams in the league 13-11. It was awesome to watch!

Kevin met a friend to watch basketball and Molly Anne had a birthday party so Grady and I played taxi and went out for Mexican food and ice cream! We love our little dates together. Let me always remember that he wanted to sit on the same side of the booth as me. And hold my hand throughout Lowe's as we bought spray paint for his rock at school!

Sunday he and I walked 3 miles then headed to the batting cage to practice! He got his bat on some 50mph balls which was awesome. The lowest level speed is 37mph and those are no problem. I think in their games it's 30 or 35mph.

Then he had swim practice and we picked up Thai food because it was Kevin's and my anniversary! We always have Thai food for our anniversary. 12 years!

Also, a big happy birthday to my Dad today!

Five on Friday

ONE - Some signs of spring around our yard!

TWO - been looking for something for this space for about 3 years. Fell in love with this super reasonable vase and fake orchids from Creative By Nature which is a local Charlotte shop. Put water in it to make it look more real!! This pink is making me so happy with all of the blue in our space.

THREE - it's been a very rough week with my puppy. Molly Anne took this pic.

FOUR - cruised up to Norfolk and Nags Head for a meeting this week. Taryn always finds the best lunch spots!

FIVE - Molly Anne loved her trial class at D1 this week. Her friend asked her to go and they had a blast together and got to work on their agility for an hour! This is a great idea to help with other sports and fun to change it up!

Cute Things

Found some cuteness this week...see below!

ONE - loving this soft tank

TWO - super cute clutch

THREE - I recently got this dress in black and now feel as though I need it in every color. I did have the seamstress sew the front a bit more so it wasn't too low cut.

FOUR - comfy gauze dress

FIVE - the perfect sweater and you can wear it over your shoulders too

Two Recipes - Sausage, Rice and Beans and Reuben in a Bowl

Reuben in a Bowl - my kids loved this and it took me 5 minutes to make. I used lunchmeat Roast Beef.

Sausage Rice and Beans - this is my friend Kellie's recipe and it was a lot better than I was expecting! I made it the night before then just heated it up for a quick dinner before sports.

Ingredients:
16 ounces smoked sausage
2 cans rotel

2 cans red beans
1 can black beans
1 medium sweet onion chopped
1 stick butter - I used unsalted
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt

Directions:
Saute the onion in the butter. Pour all ingredients in the pan and let simmer for as long as you would like. I let it get to a boil then let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the sausage in a few minutes before you serve.

You can also cook this in a crockpot. Add 1/2 cup water and let it simmer all day. Add the sausage in the last 30 minutes.

Serve over a bed of rice and add some hot sauce!