insomnia. not my friend.

Anyone that knows me knows that I could be a professional sleeper. Which is why it is insane that I have had two hours of sleep in the past thirty-six hours!! What is going on with me? I slept from about 6am-7am this morning then went to work out on the beach with a group Nicolette found. If you can imagine, this was a very intense work out on the sand (my first) and hard with no energy. Still, a nice break from the gym. So gorgeous to be looking out on that ocean all morning. Yup, pretty fantastic. Nicolette found the group on meetup.com--can not believe I haven't heard of this site before. Literally any interest you have, it is there. You can join different groups for basically anything. We are going on a six mile hike tomorrow with a group I found on there! I would love to find the most off the wall hobby and go to one. Could be very entertaining and interesting. 

http://www.meetup.com/San-Diego-Oceanfront-Beach-Workout-Meetup-Group/

After the work out I checked out a thrift store I have been wanting to go to. 

ANIMAL PROTECTION and RESCUE LEAGUE - An farm animal advocacy group protecting and education others in the treatment of farm animals. 5497 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont, San Diego

my treasures I found today>>>

I have been in love with globes and maps lately. This is for our bedroom. The one room I've neglected and hate right now. Can not wait to decorate. 

This is where I planned sleeping the rest of the day away. nope, no luck here>>>

my attempt of sleep.

I did get to try out my new bikini from Target*!

Well the second hour of sleep reluctantly came around four this afternoon....until about five when I woke up to a maintenance guy in the hall yelling and cussing and Kingston barking his lungs off---my little protector. I almost punched both of them in the face. I forced myself to eat (you do not want to do anything when you are this tired--mind you I have not had an all nighter since college, then no biggie) and I have been a zombie since! Probably time to pour a glass of red. 

Well enough complaining for one evening! 

xo lkgb

*very depressing subject at the moment--my April challenge is no Target. I can't even talk about it and it's only week one.

AACC!

Reminiscing Allison's trip to SD with a few favorite pictures!

So far Miguel's on Coronado Island is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I highly recommend. I love the outdoor seating & has a great atmosphere AND the best part....CHEESE DIP! I swear it is so hard to find a Mexican restaurant here with cheese dip, nonsense. 

Both of our first times at SD Zoo. It was pretty awesome, and yes we got lost multiple times and walked forever. 

love plants

favorite animal there. 

We went to PB Ale House twice on the trip. Great Happy Hour and delish food! The best part is the open air seating upstairs and awesome view of the beach.

the view. 

Swedish meatballs at Ikea.

Lunch at the Living Room in La Jolla. This place was interesting but we really liked it. And all the stoned Asian girls that lingered by our table. 

oooooo cupcakes :) YUM.

I could die.

We got our hair done at the Dry Bar! Fifteen minute head massage. Perfect. 

xoxo lkgb 

this city is gorgeous.

After my work out and taking Kingston on an extra long walk I was feeling pretty lazy. Then it occurred to me how worthless I was on Saturday...therefore I decided to go to Torrey Pines for a hike and some beach time! I'm so glad I did. It was my first time here and one of the most beautiful beaches I've seen in SD. Maybe it was the huge shock from coming over the hill on the road and bam, there was this breathtaking ocean with massive waves. Other than paying ten bucks to park (I'm sure I had many other options, but I give in too easy) it was a perfect day. 

Kingston absolutely loved being able to be off his leash! I can't believe this park is  at the end of my street and I just found out about it. Even though it is for the other apartment complex. shh. 

Me pre hike. I take a lot of these awkward/unattractive pictures of myself and send to Nick....just so he knows what he is missing ;)

trails getting a little steep!  

this view! pinch me!! 

I love the rocks on the beach. so pretty. 

So nice to sit on the beach and paint the ocean! He was really talented too.

a little thrifting. a little cooking.

So once again it has been awhile! I'm not too good at keeping up with things..and you know I'm just so busy. Beach bumming and trying to get fit. ridiculous. I did do some awesome thrifting on Thursday! Well Bargain Box in Hilcrest was so/so. I got a few books and an eight pound weight (which I decided Wednesday night I needed after bootcamp, so perfect!). The real treasures were found at the Veterans Thrift Store on Sutherland off Washington Street. There is also a pretty cool consignment furniture store close by that Nick and I checked out. 

loved the frame, and for five bucks! 

Started reading Paint it Black-such a good book so far!

I have been looking all over the place for pasta containers I liked. 

I still have a lot more to check out. They are everywhere! There is one right next to ww, so that will be my treat when I lose every Friday :)

SO as a part of more balance in my life I have made a huge effort to start cooking more. I enjoy it a lot- as long as there are few ingredients and a small amount of steps. I'm sure Nick will enjoy it too, in the past he has been the cook. I do make some killer sandwiches though. 

This recipe has been floating around Pinterest a lot lately, but in case you haven't seen it:

Cauliflower Pizza Crust 

(it's aaa-may-zing)

- Grate a head of cauliflower 

- Microwave for eight minutes to soften

- Mix 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower with egg, cheese & spices

- Shape to 9-12 inch round and bake for 15 min at 450 degree heat (or until golden brown)

- After the crust is done just add your sauce & toppings and broil for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. 

 Ingredients for crust:

1/2 large head of cauliflower 

1 large egg

1 cup mozzarella cheese (or any you prefer)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried minced (or fresh) garlic

1/2 teaspoon onion salt

I got the nutritional information from recipe girl. Can you believe that- 84 calories & 4.6 carbs!!

Nutritional info per serving for JUST THE CRUST- per slice (if you want to do your own toppings):
Serving Size: 1 slice (pizza cut into 6 slices)
Calories 84, Fat 4.3g, Sat Fat 2.6g, Cholesterol 40.8mg, Sodium 166mg, Carbohydrates 4.6g, Fiber 1.9g, Sugar 0g, Protein 7.1g
WW Points Plus: 2 

The City Different

"It strikes you the first time you see The City Different. When city officials came up with that name early last century, they got it exactly right. For rarely does a place speak to so many people on so many levels."



So we are half way into our road trip home! Twice in just a few months that I've driven from Memphis to San Diego!! I love road trips so much though. I especially love them when I get to see my favorite place, Santa Fe, NM AGAIN :) I know I have only been twice, but there really isn't anything I don't love about this place. I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the day: (some of them didn't turn out as good on here as they look on my iPhone...guess that's what I get for not having a good camera)

Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. This might have been my favorite place we visited.  Nick and I wanted to go when we came, but it was closed. I also got in free with military id, score! 

"It was the year I got STONED!"

He is made out of American Spirit cigarette boxes, Land O Lake wrappers and match boxes. AND his jeans are real.

Pottery Belly, 2010

Strawberry Belly, 2011

Fancy Basket Belly, 2011

Rattles are spiritually sacred instruments used by the majority of North American Indians. They are used in religious ceremonies, rituals, feasts, healing ceremonies and social dances.

The Prophecy series was my favorite in the museum. 

This might be hard to read, but it gives a background to his work. Peter Jones, the artist, writes about the Mayan Prophecy that we all know too well, "The end of the world is a concept that our minds struggle to understand. Some people take it as inevitable "gods will" and resign themselves to the forecast outcomes. He also writes about another prophecy in the Iroquois culture where the world ends in 2020. The predictions are spelled out in the words of the "GaiWio"-- the good word.

"In creating the works presented in this exhibition Prophecy, I chose to represent those predictions that provide me with a visual realization that could be interpreted in clay. I want to show these prophecies as a matter of fact, take it or leave it, kind of way. This is how they are presented in the gaiwio. It is up to us to determine and witness the truth of these statements."

"In that time every poisonous creature will appear. These creatures the creator imprisoned in the underworld"

"some will enter into sleep when they lie down they will be health and as they sleep the creator will withdraw their lived for they are true."

"When the end comes the earth will be destroyed by fire and no one upon it will escape."

"Two drops, on red and one yellow, suspended as if about to fall. Should one of these drops fall it would bring great calamity upon the earth."

"A time will come when a great plague will kill many people and no on will know it's cause."

San Miguel Church-the oldest operating church. 

The oldest house in the USA.

We ended up with a suite--which was awesome for Kingston to have play space. The "Santa Fe Room"

One of the great things about Santa Fe is the shopping. The Plaza is full of shops that has amazing, gorgeous, authentic, insanely priced items! Nick and I bought a couple awesome pieces that I never posted last time we were here. This go around we discovered Tin-Nee-Ann on Cerrillos Road. They have the same gorgeous things the plaza has, but for a fractions of the price! I spent an hour in there and kinda have an itch to go back before we leave in the morning. Here are a few of the purchases I made there...I think I could definitely use more pottery (especially for fifty percent off!)

 If the shopping and art don't do it for you...the food will! This restaurant looked delicious--and I loved the door and paint.

Me at the Burrito Cafe. We ate here for lunch. It was a cute little place, not the best in the world. But did have amazing avocado and chicken sandwich & great staff. 

Dinner was a different story...Rooftop Pizzeria. MUST try this place

Blue corn crust with basil pesto sauce. Avocado, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. YUM.

They had New Mexico microbrews on tap. I tried Marble Amber Ale. I wanted to try the Marble Oatmeal Stout for my second...but the Amber Ale was good I didn't want to ruin it, so I stuck with that for round two. If it weren't for the grandparents I think I would have tried all four Marbles. They had some delicious and interesting sounding bottles that I had never tried as well...

even the water fountains are pretty here :)

Tomorrow morning we are off to Sedona, AZ. I am really excited to get there. I keep hearing amazing things about it. After that we should hopefully be in San Diego late Wednesday!! 

xoxo

lkgb