So it's been about 2 months since I have updated this blog and many things need to be, well, updated! So this entry may be a little long!
We need to change the name of the blog, because obviously we are not longer living on Maui. So stay tune for a new makeover!
Chris and I have been here in the lovely Emerald City for exactly 2 months! And honestly, it's been pretty great! We were kind of nervous the way people were talking "Why would y'all move from Maui to Seattle where it rains all the time?" blah blah blah. I can't tell you how many times we heard that. But since we have been here it has only rained about three times. Granted we did move here during two of the beautiful months they have here in Seattle. So we have been super lucky with this weather. They say it's starts getting cold and rainy within a month. So ask us in a couple months how we are liking it here and we'll see.
What have we been doing since we've been here? Read on my friends:
1. Chris actually surprised me with a dog when I came back from my visit from Houston. He is an adorable Havanese, Irish Pied color. Pictures on Facebook. He has brought so much needed joy to our life right now. Not to mention we really missed having a dog. His name is Mac and he definitely keeps us busy but with a smile on our face.
2. We have made our duplex a home with all the great wedding gifts we received, an awesome king bed from Ikea, matching set of drawers, a Suede dark grey couch from Ashley's, a rich, dark brown TV stand (ikea) and the best 46'' HD 3D TV. We are set in that department. We even have a second bedroom and a front yard for our puppy to play in! Even have my parents coming to visit in October, his friend late October, and my best friend in Nov!
3. Chris is loving his work in the heart of downtown working at the Seattle Met Magazine. He takes the bus everyday as parking is super expensive EVERYWHERE here. He actually doesn't mind it.
4. I actually am doing some freelance PR for our company, Lucky11Studios. It is for New York Pizza & Bar. They are opening up their third location here in Seattle and I am handling all the PR, marketing and social media. I am having so much fun and love being able to do PR again.
5. When we weren't busy the first couple of weekends going to Bed Bath and Beyond, Ikea and Target to stock up on everything we actually made it out to Deception Pass. It is a huge national park right by the water. It was gorgeous. It was the first time we took Mac out and he LOVED it. Photos are on facebook. We had such a great time hiking there, sitting by the water and soaking up the sun. It was by far the prettiest thing we have seen since we've been here. We are definitely going to go back and camp there.
6. We made it to a live music show outside! It had literally been almost two years since we've been to any musical festival. For those of you who don't know Chris, that was something missing from his life and we had the best time at Bumbershoot this past weekend. He was really excited to see Broken Social Scene who put on a great show. I even found two new bands I liked a lot, The Lonely Forest (who opened up for BSS) and Tennis. The weather was amazing, sun shinning all day, and the food was great! We had such a good time and it was nice to be able to spend time with each other, listening to music and indulging in great food and drinks.
7. Pikes Place Market is the coolest thing ever! So many fresh fruit and flower vendors, antique shops, local food AND the first Starbucks which I have yet to try. Every time we walk by it the line is out the door. I am determined to get there within the month!
8. We have definitely had our share of coffee also. Well, let me say, I have, Chris on the other hand is another story. He was getting to a point where he liked it but now he doesn't. URGH! One of these days!
9. There are some GREAT food places here too. Tried some great sandwich shops downtown. So far my favs are The Berliner (german sandwiches) and a cute little sandwich shop at Pikes Place. Chis loves QDoba, a mexican place like Chipotle, of course! And I think we found our favorite Mexican place. Food is probably a little better than Maui. But nothing beats the Maui beaches and sunsets, which we miss.
10. Finally, we are loving the neighborhood we live in, Upper Queen Anne. It's a quaint, cosy and quiet neighborhood. Just minutes from a gorgeous park we walk Mac to and coffee shops where I probably spend too much time. It's super safe with a great view and just blocks from where Chris can catch the bus. Most importantly, our car is right out front and we DON'T have to pay for parking, yay!
It's definitely been a whirlwind since we have been here, going through ups and downs. But We wouldn't be able to do any of this without the love and support from our family and friends. We can't say that enough
I am writing today as we went down to the DMV (took the bus actually!) got new drivers licenses, registered our car and got new license plates. It finally hit us. We are now officially Seattlelites, and it feels pretty good.
As we start another chapter of our life together so do my sister and brother. MY brother and his wife have moved to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, living in our family cabin we have there and are liking it right now. My sister starts her second year as the first grade teacher and Reading Coordinator at St. Augustines, planning their wedding for March and have some really exciting news coming soon. Chris' brother graduated high school and started college, his youngest sister had a job at Holiday Inn but still looking for a teaching job and his oldest sister is still working with the energy company. And our parents all have good bills of health- which is always a great thing!
We are so lucky for the amazing opportunities God has blessed us with. AS we are approaching our one year anniversary October 9, we are blessed and so thankful to have each other in our lives and definitely don't take that for granted. Always say "I love you" and never have regrets. Life is too short to be mad. Love the one you're with and thank God everyday. I know we do.
Thanks for reading!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, September 9, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Falling In Love Already?
Two years, two apartments, two jobs, one car, too-many-to count adventures, to-die-for beaches and a handful of friends who made us their family: yep, a pretty good description of a life well spent on the Valley Isle.
Present day: three night stay at the Arctic Club Doubletree (Hilton - franchised not owned), seven apartment look and see's, 8-9 restaurants outings, navigating through a city that has no stop signs in the intersections (what's up with that Seattle?) and up and down all the hills, and 10 luggages later we found our new home here. A cute duplex (2 b/1b) at the top of the hill in the Queen Anne neighborhood.
Every where we went we had numerous people asking us if we were enjoying the weather. It was bright, sunny, and 65 degrees - so yes we were absolutely enjoying the weather! Today, there is no sun, but still 65 degrees..... Not too bad. I believe we came during one of the best weekends. It sure made it easy to fall in love with this city already.
All the restaurants had amazing food; there was the Seattle Seafood Festival with tons of local vendors, music and food we got a chance to visit; checked out the terrain of this beautiful city; and even got to go to a Best
Buy and Target, which we hadn't visited one in two years! It was amazing!
That was pretty much our weekend. Chris started his new job today and as we speak I am enjoying a cappuccino and pastry at a corner bakery. Hmmmmm, I could get used to this! I'll look for a job later ;)
We can't thank our friends and family enough today for all the kind words and support y'all have given us as we embark on this new journey together.
Follow me on twitter @sabrinadskiles and Chris @lucky11studios as navigate through Seattle together, find me a job and as Chris makes his mark in the design world. Stay tune!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Present day: three night stay at the Arctic Club Doubletree (Hilton - franchised not owned), seven apartment look and see's, 8-9 restaurants outings, navigating through a city that has no stop signs in the intersections (what's up with that Seattle?) and up and down all the hills, and 10 luggages later we found our new home here. A cute duplex (2 b/1b) at the top of the hill in the Queen Anne neighborhood.
Every where we went we had numerous people asking us if we were enjoying the weather. It was bright, sunny, and 65 degrees - so yes we were absolutely enjoying the weather! Today, there is no sun, but still 65 degrees..... Not too bad. I believe we came during one of the best weekends. It sure made it easy to fall in love with this city already.
All the restaurants had amazing food; there was the Seattle Seafood Festival with tons of local vendors, music and food we got a chance to visit; checked out the terrain of this beautiful city; and even got to go to a Best
Buy and Target, which we hadn't visited one in two years! It was amazing!
That was pretty much our weekend. Chris started his new job today and as we speak I am enjoying a cappuccino and pastry at a corner bakery. Hmmmmm, I could get used to this! I'll look for a job later ;)
We can't thank our friends and family enough today for all the kind words and support y'all have given us as we embark on this new journey together.
Follow me on twitter @sabrinadskiles and Chris @lucky11studios as navigate through Seattle together, find me a job and as Chris makes his mark in the design world. Stay tune!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, July 4, 2011
Easy Steps to Cut Calories Today
The biggest battle during weight loss seems to be how to cut those non-essential calories from your day to day meal plan to eventually LOSE WEIGHT.
I have seen my mom struggle with Yo Yo dieting and friends of friends go to extreme measures to lose weight. But it's not about that. It's about learning to eat right, educating yourself on what is actually healthy, reading labels to actually know what you are putting into your body and having the right motivation and support system around you.
I know what you're probably thinking- what does she know about having to lose weight? Granted I have never been over weight, but it's for the aforementioned reasons that got me to a point to want to educate myself so I am able to help others. Having psoriasis for over 10 years was another reason to make me want to eat better. Though psoriasis has many triggers, eating right is a great way to start.
Now I am happy to say I am an American Fitness Professionals Associates Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant! It is a closer step to eventually becoming a registered dietician.
So with the summer in full swing, I wanted to write about simple ways to cut calories out of your meals. Best thing? You can start them today!
With some help from my wonderful Women's Health, read on and thank me later :)
BREAKFAST cut 100 calories
- Gotta have carbs? Split a whole wheat bagel with a co work and use non-fat cream cheese or sugar free jelly.
- Ditch the Pop-Tart for a slice of high-fiber toast with strawberry jam.
- Scramble together four egg whites instead of two whole eggs. Egg whites are more lean and feel free to season with herbs and spices as much as you want. My tip: serve on a whole wheat English muffin and slice of pepper jack or Swiss cheese, mmmmm!
LUNCH
- Slather your bread with mustard rather than mayo and save 80 calories per TABLESPOON!
- Make your burger with turkey, not beef. Rich tasting, less sodium which will help that stubborn waistline.
- Reach for a bottle of Snapple raspberry white tea instead of Snapple raspberry iced tea. Way less sugar and your taste buds won't know the difference. And white tea has proven benefits including flavonoids, an antioxidant which inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent development of new ones.
DINNER
- Substitute a serving of nonfat Greek yogurt for a serving of sour cream- on any meal! My tip- I never eat sour cream. On our Taco Tuesdays, I use yogurt instead, and honestly Chris has said it's best he has ever had (he still doesn't know I switch them, shhhhh!) also, when cooking and a recipe calls for mayo, use yogurt instead. It's the same consistency for way less calories and sodium!
- Use low sodium chicken broth instead of oil to sauté meat or vegetable. Oil loses Most of it's heart-healthy antioxidants when burned at high heat. and the veggies will soak up the broth enhancing its flavors!
- When preparing packaged foods that call for butter or oil, like rice or stuffing, use a broth instead.
HAPPY HOUR
- Ordering a cocktail? Make it on the rocks instead of frozen. Slushy fruit drinks tend to be made with bottled mixers that contain added sugar and syrup.
- Pop the cap off an MGD 64 instead of Killians Irish Red. MGD has 64 calories versus 163 and taste just the same! Chris drinks these and I actually don't mind them when I want the taste of a beer minus the calories.
- Drizzle extra hot sauce, not blue cheese or ranch, on your wings. Ranch is one of the worse dressings for you- sodium ridden and calorie filled, the only time you want this to touch your lips is if you dip your veggies sticks in it!
AT THE DRIVE-THROUGH
- Pass up a Wendy's backed potato with sour cream and chives and chow down on Value Fries instead.
- Crunch on one Taco Bell regular taco (fresco menu pref) instead of a Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco. And load up on all the hot sauce you want- the capsaicin in the peppers and hot sauce are heart healthy.
- Make your daily pick-me-up at Starbucks a skinny (only a 130 cals) sugar free vanilla latte, not a regular one.
- Go for grill marks! Order a flame-broiled chicken sandwich rather than one that's breaded (and usually fried in oil).
ON YOUR SNACK BREAK
- Move your stack of (insert your fav candy here) six feet from your desk- you'll dip in half as often!
- Have a half cup of fresh grapes instead of that little snack box of raisins. My tip- pre pack them the night before, and they're ready to go the next day so you don't have to think about it!
- Lay off the Lay's Classic Potato chips (please!) and have a handful of Rold Gold Pretzels. My new fav snack- pretzel chips. Less sodium and baked not fried.
- Satisfy a crunch craving with baby carrots, instead of potato chips. My tip: stock up on these on your next shopping trip: PopChips! They are not baked or fried. They are pressurized under heat till they pop. Which limits the amount of salt, and partially hydrogenated oil needed and used. You won't ever go back to regular chips again!
Have any snack tips that have worked for you please feel free to share!
As always:
HEALTHY EATING!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I have seen my mom struggle with Yo Yo dieting and friends of friends go to extreme measures to lose weight. But it's not about that. It's about learning to eat right, educating yourself on what is actually healthy, reading labels to actually know what you are putting into your body and having the right motivation and support system around you.
I know what you're probably thinking- what does she know about having to lose weight? Granted I have never been over weight, but it's for the aforementioned reasons that got me to a point to want to educate myself so I am able to help others. Having psoriasis for over 10 years was another reason to make me want to eat better. Though psoriasis has many triggers, eating right is a great way to start.
Now I am happy to say I am an American Fitness Professionals Associates Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant! It is a closer step to eventually becoming a registered dietician.
So with the summer in full swing, I wanted to write about simple ways to cut calories out of your meals. Best thing? You can start them today!
With some help from my wonderful Women's Health, read on and thank me later :)
BREAKFAST cut 100 calories
- Gotta have carbs? Split a whole wheat bagel with a co work and use non-fat cream cheese or sugar free jelly.
- Ditch the Pop-Tart for a slice of high-fiber toast with strawberry jam.
- Scramble together four egg whites instead of two whole eggs. Egg whites are more lean and feel free to season with herbs and spices as much as you want. My tip: serve on a whole wheat English muffin and slice of pepper jack or Swiss cheese, mmmmm!
LUNCH
- Slather your bread with mustard rather than mayo and save 80 calories per TABLESPOON!
- Make your burger with turkey, not beef. Rich tasting, less sodium which will help that stubborn waistline.
- Reach for a bottle of Snapple raspberry white tea instead of Snapple raspberry iced tea. Way less sugar and your taste buds won't know the difference. And white tea has proven benefits including flavonoids, an antioxidant which inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent development of new ones.
DINNER
- Substitute a serving of nonfat Greek yogurt for a serving of sour cream- on any meal! My tip- I never eat sour cream. On our Taco Tuesdays, I use yogurt instead, and honestly Chris has said it's best he has ever had (he still doesn't know I switch them, shhhhh!) also, when cooking and a recipe calls for mayo, use yogurt instead. It's the same consistency for way less calories and sodium!
- Use low sodium chicken broth instead of oil to sauté meat or vegetable. Oil loses Most of it's heart-healthy antioxidants when burned at high heat. and the veggies will soak up the broth enhancing its flavors!
- When preparing packaged foods that call for butter or oil, like rice or stuffing, use a broth instead.
HAPPY HOUR
- Ordering a cocktail? Make it on the rocks instead of frozen. Slushy fruit drinks tend to be made with bottled mixers that contain added sugar and syrup.
- Pop the cap off an MGD 64 instead of Killians Irish Red. MGD has 64 calories versus 163 and taste just the same! Chris drinks these and I actually don't mind them when I want the taste of a beer minus the calories.
- Drizzle extra hot sauce, not blue cheese or ranch, on your wings. Ranch is one of the worse dressings for you- sodium ridden and calorie filled, the only time you want this to touch your lips is if you dip your veggies sticks in it!
AT THE DRIVE-THROUGH
- Pass up a Wendy's backed potato with sour cream and chives and chow down on Value Fries instead.
- Crunch on one Taco Bell regular taco (fresco menu pref) instead of a Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco. And load up on all the hot sauce you want- the capsaicin in the peppers and hot sauce are heart healthy.
- Make your daily pick-me-up at Starbucks a skinny (only a 130 cals) sugar free vanilla latte, not a regular one.
- Go for grill marks! Order a flame-broiled chicken sandwich rather than one that's breaded (and usually fried in oil).
ON YOUR SNACK BREAK
- Move your stack of (insert your fav candy here) six feet from your desk- you'll dip in half as often!
- Have a half cup of fresh grapes instead of that little snack box of raisins. My tip- pre pack them the night before, and they're ready to go the next day so you don't have to think about it!
- Lay off the Lay's Classic Potato chips (please!) and have a handful of Rold Gold Pretzels. My new fav snack- pretzel chips. Less sodium and baked not fried.
- Satisfy a crunch craving with baby carrots, instead of potato chips. My tip: stock up on these on your next shopping trip: PopChips! They are not baked or fried. They are pressurized under heat till they pop. Which limits the amount of salt, and partially hydrogenated oil needed and used. You won't ever go back to regular chips again!
Have any snack tips that have worked for you please feel free to share!
As always:
HEALTHY EATING!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, July 1, 2011
Many Mahalos Maui
Wow, exactly one week to go! It's getting here so fast.
It hit us first here, when our good friends The Shafer family, packed up and moved back to Cali last week. Then we realized, we are not too far behind them.
We have already got a lot of things accomplished:
1. Two out of six bags are fully packed.
2. All our furniture is sold and/or spoken for.
3. Lease ends July, so it worked out perfectly.
4. My cousin and Chris' friend are taking our dishes and pots and pans.
5. We are donating whatever clothes we don't pack - and yes we have already started a pile. (our place is a disaster right now).
6. Our car arrived in Seattle three days ago, a week ahead of schedule. So now we don't have to worry about that.
7. We have narrowed down where we want to live: Ballard or Queen Anne. Going to look at several places once we arrive next weekend, eeek!
8. And get a dog once we get there. This is a little higher on my priority list then it is on Chris'.
We are making our list and checking it twice. Everything is coming to an end here quickly.
Yesterday was my last day of work (for now) at the Grand Wailea. It has been the first and only job I have had since being here. I have met some good people and made some great friends. It was evident yesterday as they got me a cake and card signed by everyone. And my friend Karen even gave me an aloha photo album filled with photos, and a Plumeria sterling silver bracelet. Karen and her husband are actually from Seattle and they have been filling us with all their knowledge, likes and dislikes of Seattle.
Funny story: when I told Karen the possibility of us moving to Seattle she said "oh, you are a total Seattle girl. You all are going to love it there." I sure hope she's right!
Chris and I never expected to stay this long and have made such great friends here. We are truly going to miss this atmosphere, all the adventures we have had(living in a TINY studio for a year; all our gorgeous Hana road trips; my sister and his friends and family visiting us; many Maui sunsets; snorkeling Molokini; surfing in Lahaina; running outside; 80 degree weather EVERYDAY; wearing shorts, tank tops, swimsuits and flip flops or "slippahs" all the time; living right down the street from the beach; several restaurants (but food is not Maui's finest point) and so much more.
I can't begin to describe everything else Chris and I have been through, but we definitely wouldn't change anything. I mean, how many people get to say they started their married life on Maui?! Three more months till outr newly wed phase is "technically" over. But it doesn't mean it will be over for us. Another new adventure. Another new job(hopefully two). Another new home to settle into. Another new dog to complete our family. Another new experience I wouldn't want to take with anyone else but Christopher.
For everything we have done, for all the adventures we have accomplished and for all the people we have met: we thank you for making Maui feel like a second home, taking us in and making us feel like family. Our Maui memories will always be filled with your love, smiles and aloha.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It hit us first here, when our good friends The Shafer family, packed up and moved back to Cali last week. Then we realized, we are not too far behind them.
We have already got a lot of things accomplished:
1. Two out of six bags are fully packed.
2. All our furniture is sold and/or spoken for.
3. Lease ends July, so it worked out perfectly.
4. My cousin and Chris' friend are taking our dishes and pots and pans.
5. We are donating whatever clothes we don't pack - and yes we have already started a pile. (our place is a disaster right now).
6. Our car arrived in Seattle three days ago, a week ahead of schedule. So now we don't have to worry about that.
7. We have narrowed down where we want to live: Ballard or Queen Anne. Going to look at several places once we arrive next weekend, eeek!
8. And get a dog once we get there. This is a little higher on my priority list then it is on Chris'.
We are making our list and checking it twice. Everything is coming to an end here quickly.
Yesterday was my last day of work (for now) at the Grand Wailea. It has been the first and only job I have had since being here. I have met some good people and made some great friends. It was evident yesterday as they got me a cake and card signed by everyone. And my friend Karen even gave me an aloha photo album filled with photos, and a Plumeria sterling silver bracelet. Karen and her husband are actually from Seattle and they have been filling us with all their knowledge, likes and dislikes of Seattle.
Funny story: when I told Karen the possibility of us moving to Seattle she said "oh, you are a total Seattle girl. You all are going to love it there." I sure hope she's right!
Chris and I never expected to stay this long and have made such great friends here. We are truly going to miss this atmosphere, all the adventures we have had(living in a TINY studio for a year; all our gorgeous Hana road trips; my sister and his friends and family visiting us; many Maui sunsets; snorkeling Molokini; surfing in Lahaina; running outside; 80 degree weather EVERYDAY; wearing shorts, tank tops, swimsuits and flip flops or "slippahs" all the time; living right down the street from the beach; several restaurants (but food is not Maui's finest point) and so much more.
I can't begin to describe everything else Chris and I have been through, but we definitely wouldn't change anything. I mean, how many people get to say they started their married life on Maui?! Three more months till outr newly wed phase is "technically" over. But it doesn't mean it will be over for us. Another new adventure. Another new job(hopefully two). Another new home to settle into. Another new dog to complete our family. Another new experience I wouldn't want to take with anyone else but Christopher.
For everything we have done, for all the adventures we have accomplished and for all the people we have met: we thank you for making Maui feel like a second home, taking us in and making us feel like family. Our Maui memories will always be filled with your love, smiles and aloha.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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