With 163 Days To Go

.....we are crossing a lot of things off our list! Today we went to a Tuxedo shop to get Chris fitted with the right sizes and see what styles of suits he liked. It was so exciting! We decided what style, just haven't decided on whether he (and his groomsmen) will be wearing a tie or bow tie. I think we're both kind of leaning towards the white tie, with a white vest etc. I'm still not sure about a bow tie.....

Another thing that kind of sucks for us is that there is no Men's Warehouse or Al's Formal Wear, so it makes it SO hard! Now, what we have to do is, send his sizes to Men's Warehouse, decide on the style that we like from what they have online then he will only have like a window of about a week and a half when he gets into Houston for the wedding. Ugh!! Seems a little frustrating right now, but it will all work out :)

Next thing on the list is the bridesmaids dresses. Yes, I know I thought we already decided on one, but I think my girls changed their minds. Hey, we're all girls! It's totally normal. This dress stays with the classy look that I want and is elegant at the same time. I love the belt instead of the silver jewel which was on the other one.
My girls will look great in anything, but I think this style will suit them all and I've heard a yes from five out of six. Just waiting on my other and I think we should be good!!

Now, we're trying to decide how to print the invitations. Should we go with just plain (but still looks good)? Should we add a gold foil stamp (our favorite so far)? Do embossing? Lots of decisions but printing them a certain way, will of course cost more money. Since we're trying to help my parents out as much as possible, we're trying to stay as affordable as possible. So we're still trying to decide. Because invitations are important. It is how your guests will see the theme and your overall wedding impression for the first time. We want it to look classy and elegant while at the same time not breaking our bank (or our parents). Stay tune....

I feel a lot better that we got Chris all measured up and decided on the style. We have a little more time for him and the guys, but the sooner we take care of everything the better. It is never bad to be early, just bad to be late :)

I'm still on the look out for some white shoes for the ceremony and of course my splurge for the wedding a pair of crimson Blahniks or Louboutin's. Anyone who knows me knows I love my shoes so of course I have to have a pair of gorgeous crimson (the color of the wedding) ones for me :) If anyone knows of a good website for affordable pair or knows someone who knows someone who knows someone.... let me know PLEASE!!!!

We are also taking our engagement photos tomorrow! FINALLY! We are so excited to get some really great shots of us together and what a better place to do then on this beautiful island of Maui on one of the best beaches of the world. It's ok, you can be jealous. Check back later as we post our photos from the wonderful Sean M. Howard.

That's all for our wedding update for now. Stay posted on the rest of our decisions and check back in the next couple of days as we peruse the island on a zip line tour this weekend, YAY!!

Six Rules: Eating Healthy Everyday

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/6-rules-how-to-eat-right-on-the-job-1307786/

Ok, I know this article was titled How to Eat Right On The Job, but after reading it, I thought all of the advice applies to your everyday life. For those who don't have time to read the whole article right now, I will keep it short (as short as I can) to get all the important and fun! information for ya!

Things you will need:
A new food attitude: Carbs are not the enemy. Neither is fat. Eliminating certain food groups may help your waistline, but it will hurt your brain functioning.
A stash of snacks: To keep your brain well fueled, you can’t let yourself get too hungry. Have a ready supply of trail mix, peanut-butter crackers, or Snickers bars (yes, but only half a bar) at work. The combination of carbs and protein in these snacks will stabilize your blood sugar, fill you up, and keep you energized.
Some willpower: Big meals actually reduce the supply of energy to your brain and leave you feeling sleepy for hours. Eat half of what you order, and take the rest home.


1- Balance What You Eat, Whenever You Eat
Besides the basic four food groups meat, dairy, grains, and vegetables we should be having, nutritionist today about a different set of food groups "proteins, carbohydrates (which produce glucose), fats, and fiber — and a different way to combine them." I know it may sound hard, but they recommend having a little serving from every group every time you sit down to it - that's where the new attitude come in :) And yes including the carbs, which some diets normally restrict. "Why? Because the combination of carbs and protein (and to a lesser extent, fats and fiber) regulates your glucose levels and keeps your mood and mental ability on an even keel." If you cut back on either group, you’re missing half the benefits that food can offer.

2- Neglect Carbs at Your Own Peril
Brain cells require twice the amount of energy needed by other cells in your body because they never rest. And high-carb foods like pasta, bread, fruit, and rice produce the brain’s favorite fuel — glucose. “Your brain only wants to burn glucose,” says Shawn Talbott, a nutritional biochemist and author of A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements: Magic Bullets or Modern Snake Oil. It can burn protein if it has to, Talbott adds, “but it’s like trying to run a gasoline engine on diesel.” Shawn Talbott is a nutritional biochemist and author of A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements: Magic Bullets or Modern Snake Oil Long story short: CARBS ARE NOT THE ENEMY!

3- Pack in the Protein
This is SO important! Because protein (and fiber) keeps you fuller for longer, thereby eliminating big meal times and grazing. Proteins such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, beans, and nuts slow the absorption of glucose so your brain gets a long and steady flow of fuel, rather than the brief blast you get from eating carbs and sugary foods (fats and fiber also help with this). And protein also brings its own set of brain boosters to the party. Great snacks are FiberOne bars which contain 35% of your daily value of fiber, have one along with your breakfast or as an afternoon snack; and toast with peanut butter and bananas - delish!!

4- Eat Smaller Amounts, and Eat More Frequently
A lot of people, especially people that are close to me, always scoff when I say this advice. But I eat 3-5 meals a day including snacks, I exercise daily and don't drink ANY soda (I swear!) and I would like to consider myself has healthy. "Too much food — even if it’s well balanced — is going to make you drowsy because it introduces too much glucose for your body to handle at one time." When was the last time you ate so much you wanted to take a nap as soon as you were done? Yea, not a good feeling. Eat well-balanced meals (and yes even tasty) and that feeling will soon subside. “Five to six small meals tend to make people perform much better than three squares.”

5- Fat Is Beautiful ... for Your Brain
You probably know that omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart. But they’re great brain food, too. The fats found in salmon, walnuts, and kiwi improve learning and memory and help fight against mental disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and dementia, according to a 2008 report from the Brain Research Institute at UCLA. The fats support the synapses in the brain where much of our cognitive functioning occurs. Enough said

6- How to Keep Things in Proportion
This is such an EASY and great way to measure food servings, and all you need..... YOUR HAND! Your fist is the size of the carbs; your palm is the size of the protein. Make an OK sign with your thumb and index finger, and that’s how much fat you should have. Open your hand as wide as it can go; that’s the amount of fruits and vegetables. That’s going to be a well-balanced mix.”

I know that was probably a little longer than you would like to read, but I like to include everything that is important and super easy to incorporate into your life. Trust me 5-10 mins of reading is worth adding extra years to your life. Sounds good to me!

ENJOY AND HEALTHY EATING!

Take Time to Listen Today

This Sunday, we went to church like we do every Sunday (well me every Sunday, Chris not every Sunday, but I'm happy when he does go). It was a great mass. I love feeling the way I feel when I'm in church and when I leave. Besides praying and thanking God everyday, I feel especially close to Him when I'm at church.

Besides feeling joy that I was in church on a gorgeous Sunday, with the love of my life, the homily was great once again. I love when the Father relates his homily to everyday life. Today he based his homily on this verse "My Sheep hear my Voice" (John 10:27) He said that sheep are raised to hear their owners distinctive voice and answer only to them, not to anyone else. Though they aren't that smart of animals, they will only respond to their owners voice. Sheep's listen, that's what they do. The Father then asked "When was the last time you really listened to someone?"

We are inundated with words, words, words everyday from our Blackberry emails and texts, to jobs, clients and complaints to our family and significant others. But when do we actually listen? A relationship, friendship is not only based on trust and communication but we have to be willing to listen to each other. Think of the last argument or "discussion" (that's what I always call them... haha!) and I bet both of you were talking over each other, not letting the other person finish their sentence. Therefore when this happens, we aren't actually listening to what the other person is saying. We are too wrapped up in what we want to say and the point we want to make that we aren't listening to the other person. Once I realized this, it changed the way I discuss things with Chris or just communicated in general. We rarely argue or get into fights about anything. We always communicate what we want to say and we listen to each other. It feels great to be in a strong, mature and healthy relationship like this and I thank God everyday for putting him in my life.

The Father said "This world isn't quiet enough to hear God's word." And it's true. If we stop and listen for just a second, I think things and this world would be just a little different. And yes, YOU can make a difference.

When was the last time you listened?

The Strongest Woman Role Model in My Life

We found out today that my mother, who has undergone intensive chemotherapy for Uterine Cancer, is DONE WITH CHEMO!!!!!!!! She has been strong throughout this entire process and hasn't had a self pity day at all. Lot's of people would be down in their life and completely depressed. But not my mother. She is the happiest person you will meet, even through this. I think her family has a lot to do with it, if I may say so myself :)

I honestly have looked up to my mother my entire life, and why not? She is the strongest woman I know and I can only hope I am and will be as strong and caring as she is. Her and my dad have always supported everything my sister, brother and I have wanted to do. They have been married 28 years and couldn't be happier. All my strength for my self, how I view things in life and my relationship with Christopher comes from them.

I am a big believer that prayer is a very strong and powerful thing. My strong faith also comes from my parents. Chris and I have prayed and continue to pray for my mom throughout this entire process as well as my dad and his parents and those closest to us.

Take notice of those who you consider a strong, influential person in your life and continue to pray for them or hold them close to your hearts. They will continue to inspire you each and everyday, just like my parents do. A simple "Thank you" goes a long way. Have you thanked your favorite person today?

I know I do everyday.

Like I tell my mother everyday:

STAY STRONG NOW AND ALWAYS!