Party, Pants, and Friendship

I got home not too long ago from my best friend Debbie's birthday party. It was so much fun. I got to ride to the party with her and hang out with her family and meet all of her friends. I met so many wonderful people who I have heard about for years, but can now put a face to the names.

The moments leading up to the party were a bit more challenging....what to wear?? I had one outfit in mind...but you know how that goes; once you try it on you decide maybe not.

This was my original outfit, but I wasn't feeling it and
the shoes weren't that comfortable

The weather can't seem to decide from one minute to the next if it is winter still or spring so that never helps, okay it will be inside that helps. The hardest part came when it was time to choose pants. Usually I would have worn jeans, but the truth is jeans just aren't that comfortable on me. Tight in some areas super loose in others. So frustrating! When I was sick last year I lost a ton of weight, now that I can eat again I managed to put some back on. Not a lot, but enough that my jeans notice the difference. So I tried on about 5 outfits with jeans and 5 outfits with leggings. Feeling completely frustrated and unsure what to wear.  I finally decided to go with leggings and be comfortable and just have a great time. I paired my leggings with some cute heals to lick the outfit up a notch and ended up receiving so many compliments!  Wardrobe crisis no more!

Tada!  This is what I wore to the party and I am so glad I did!
I felt totally comfortable and was able to have more fun because of that

The hardest part about parties for me, is usually before I get there wondering what I will be able to eat. I didn't have to worry about that this time, Debbie told me a few weeks ago she ordered a carving station with roast beef for me (other guests were allowed to eat it as well, haha I share). She knew I could eat plain meat and wanted to make sure I was covered. She then proceeded to surprise me and told me she got me a cake. I said to her you got me a cake for your birthday party? She said absolutely! She wanted me to be able to have dessert and cake with everyone else and that is what you do for people you love, you make sure they have fun too. I was shocked. I actually started to cry a little. I am so lucky to have her in my life and be able to call her my best friend.

I had broccoli and roast beef.
So delicious!

I am sitting here now, still a little amazed at the trouble she went through to make sure I had a good time and food to eat. I know I have done something right to have a person like that in my life and I will never forget the love she showed me today. To some it might just seem like meat and cake, but to me, it made my heart happy and the food was good too.

Gluten free, dairy free, coconut flour cake
I still can't believe she got me a cake.
It was really fun being able to have dessert with everyone

Have a great Saturday everyone and if you have a friend like mine remember to be thankful for having them in your life and maybe even give them an extra hug when you can!

Food Food...Everywhere!

Coming up is my big work convention. We spend so much time preparing and getting ready. Making sure everything runs smoothly, how the Events Director pulls everything together is really amazing. It's a really wonderful event to be part of, but also really exhausting!!

Silly girls...it's not time to pack yet!

We get up early and go to bed late. We, the staff, are pretty much all over the place making sure things run smoothly and every one of our guests are happy. In addition, this year I am really excited, because I was asked to take photos for my company. The convention not only has really wonderful education sessions, speakers, and classed, but it also has amazing delicious food! We start with a big lunch that includes sandwiches, soups, and lots of pastries. That's nothing compared to the dessert reception where you will find a chocolate fountain, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, you name it!! The following night our big dinner banquet includes Caesar salad, pasta dish, entree, and of course dessert. I'm stuffed thinking about it. 

Anyone want dessert? 

With the convention dates creeping closer I was really starting to worry. What would I eat? Last year was when I started noticing I was getting sick eating high carb and sugary meals/dessert. So it's not even that I don't WANT to eat all of that, but I really CAN'T! I know if I eat any of that I will be so sick and being sick is not fun any time, but especially at a huge work event...yikes! Turns out my amazing coworker had my back. She ordered me a Cobb salad for my lunch full of everything that I can eat and enjoy. For dinner I will have a house salad with oil and vinegar, steak and shrimp, and by then I will be so stuffed I won't need dessert. I am also planning on stashing some snacks in my purse just in case. Thanks to my coworkers taking care of me I can spend more time focused on work and enjoying the convention and less time on what my next meal might me.

Saw this on Pinterest and had to agree
Being healthy is hard work and more than just weight loss

Crockpot to the Rescue

This week has been busy! Fun, but busy. Sunday is my day to usually do the food shopping and cooking for the week. I really love being prepared and knowing the I will something to eat for every meal. I know that more "ugh why did I eat that" moments happen when I am not prepared. My usual Sunday turned into a really fun creative day. My mom and dad have been changing and redoing rooms on and off with lots of DIY (do it yourself) projects. My sister and I headed over for this weeks project of updating photos and hang frames. I admit I left the designing to them, but helped with picking out photos. Like most projects once you start it's too fun to stop and it also turned into a fun family dinner when my brother in law came over to help too.

Beginning of the DIY photo hallway

Fast forward to Monday morning. I am in the kitchen having breakfast before work when I realize I only have enough cooked food for lunch. I was also supposed to have plans to meet up with Debbie for coffee later that night. Not leaving me much time to cook. And then I heard my crockpot calling my name from the cabinet. I pulled it out with a plan. I grabbed a chuck steak from the freezer and placed it in. No need to remember to defrost the extra moisture from being frozen just makes it that much juicers as it cooks. I cut up some garlic, sprinkled some salt and pepper, and put in a couple of teaspoons of butter. I know, I know, you are saying BUTTER? That's what I said to my mom when she first told me how to make this meal, but trust me it works and it's delicious! I put the lid on and set the crockpot for 8 hours on low.

I found neat garlic tip...
After you cut off the end, put the flat end of the knife on top and push down lightly.
This helps you peel the garlic so much quicker!! 

It is as easy as it sounds
Place chuck in crockpot/garlic/butter, cook, and enjoy

I came home for lunch and let me tell you my place smelled amazing. I was drooling just thinking about my dinner.

Lunch time check in...I didn't want to open the lid and release the heat
but you can see it getting delicious and juicy

Finally home after a busy Monday and was really happy I had remembered to use my crockpot. I roasted up some broccoli and had a complete, healthy, low carb dinner meal with enough for leftovers during the week. Thank you crockpot and my mom for teaching me her meal ideas.

Finished crockpot chuck steak!

My finished low carb/paleo dinner
The meat came out so juicy and tender.
I was full after eating, good thing Debbie and I only got coffee