May 27, 2017

Summertime Kale and Cauliflower Salad

Hey friends! I hope you are all finalizing your calendars and gearing up for an epic Summer 2017. With the way mine looks, it’s bound to be a memorable one as always! Summer means bbq’s, friends, bikes, beers, sun and tons of fun, which is why I thought now would be a good time to share with you my summertime twist to the Cauliflower and Kale Detox salad so you have something new and fresh to take to your patio parties.

I changed a few things to give it more of a summery-citrus vibe by adding more lemon, some balsamic vinegar, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries. It’s addicting and oh so good.

The Salad

1 Head (or bag) of Cauliflower crumbles
2ish cups kale, chopped
1 bunch sliced green onions
2 oz. bag slivered almonds
1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries

The Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup water
4 cloves crushed garlic
sea salt and black pepper to taste
- Note: the balsamic vinegar will turn the cauliflower brown, so if that weirds you out, you can omit and replace with more lemon juice.

Cheers!

March 9, 2017

Fulfilled Purpose

For those who have followed along on my escapades over the years know how much I try to live a life of purpose and intent and do so with involvement and a present mind.

I like to do. I like to experience. I like to break barriers. I like to set goals and destroy them. I like to push myself. I like to serve others. I like to involve myself in things that have a larger purpose.

One being a Master Trainer for Beachbody Live.

In 2015, I set out with a goal and a purpose. I conquered the first goal of auditioning and proving to myself that age and body-type don’t have to be barriers for a role as a Master Trainer for a fitness company. And for two years I trained and educated the minds of current and future fitness instructors. And it was incredible. And purposeful. And was for a larger purpose.

And it was fulfilling.

Today I tell you that I am an officially ‘retired’ Beachbody Live Master Trainer. I have hung up the hat and packed away the jacket. I am happy. I am content. My cup runneth over with two years of certifications and the opportunity to experience things outside of my comfort zone and meet people I’d never have crossed paths with before.

It’s been a helluva ride and I loved the journey.

To all my peeps I have met along the way, thank you. Thank you for trusting me and living out this dream with me. What a ride.

As for the future, I am going to continue doing me and all that I love. Work, teach fitness classes, ride my motorcycle, hang with the hubs, attend more concerts then my bank account can handle, drink my PBR’s, enjoy happy hour with my girlfriends, spend more time in the weight room, help my husbands business on the weekends. Who knows what you’ll see me getting into now that I won’t be traveling and certifying on the weekends. I have a hunch you will see and hear about it along the way.

On that note, please allow me to share the many pieces of my heart from the last two years. To all of those in these photos (and those photos that I missed) please know you impacted my life in an incredible way. Thanks and see y’all on the flip.

Cheers!

❤

February 21, 2017

Colorado Dreaming

In less than 24 hours our family will be heading out for our 5th Annual ski adventure to Copper Mountain!

This years adventure will be minus the two patriarchs of the family due to priorities at home. Can you all please do me a favor and keep your thoughts and prayers with Gr’pa Drake, my mother-in-laws father, as he faces declining health. Gaylen and Debbie have chosen to stay back this year to be with her parents and let us kids continue on with the skiing adventure. We have promised a TON of photos, GoPro videos and memories made so that we make it feel like they are right there with us.

Each year brings new adventures, more wipe-outs, daring jumps and good quality family time. We are always so thankful and appreciative of this trip.

From family dinners and card games, to pool challenges, trips down Kokomo, terrifying journeys up the lifts (It is no wonder I keep it together when the lift stops mid-way and starts swinging), beers on the mountain, to snow ball fights while we wait for shuttles and everything in between. This trip ranks high amongst the favorites each year.

Cheers!

January 6, 2017

Bikes, Blues & BBQ 2016

Now that winter has set in and the cold has forced the two-wheels into hibernation, it only seems logical to rub salt in the wounds and reminisce on 90 degree weather and wind in the face, right?

Arkansas

I had no idea how beautiful a state Arkansas is. The trees, the hills, the hidden gems, the miles of curves. Hands down my favorite rally trip so far, minus the time Clint did that little down on one knee number in Sturgis.

On Wednesday, September 21st, a small group of us took off from Omaha to make our way down to Fayetteville, AR for the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally. It was a relatively easy and quick ride down there. We made a pit-stop at the The Garage in Harrisonville, MO where we signed our names to the wall. Score 1 for me as I found some fellow friends signatures who had been there a few days before us!

We only made three official stops on the way there for fuel and to stretch, so we made great time! Far cry from the ride to Sturgis! Once there we set up camp and awaited the arrival of the Sullivan’s before we settled in for campsite brews and laughter.

When on vacation, we are in no rush to get anywhere at anytime. No rules. No schedule. When everyone is up we all decide where to go and what to do. This particular rally included a lot of riding and a lot less walking around. This rally is the complete opposite of the Sturgis experience and I think is why it might have taken over the #1 spot in rally experiences. #beentheredonethat

Our first day of riding was pretty spectacular. The sights, the curves, the beauty!

Tourist alert

We found ourselves a pretty incredible BBQ joint called Rivertowne BBQ in Ozark, AR. The sweet potato fries and accompanying sauce to dip them in was to-die-for!

Bellies full, and back out on the road we went for several more hours, winding our way back to Fayetteville for campsite relaxing.

The next two days consisted of a lot more riding…

Parking lot rest-stops while waiting on a few lost riders…

Getting lost collectively…

Dancing while lost…

Roadside beverage and popsicles FINALLY thanks to a random roadside convenience store…

Ever wanna take a back road? Or put a little gravel in your travel? Tear down two lane country roads?

We feelin’ ya, Rodney Atkins.

I wouldn’t necessarily say we were lost again. Just exploring…

Tracy has this fun way about her. And when I say fun, I mean she holds a convincing personality that gets me to do things I wouldn’t normally do. Last year Sturgis? She had me ziplining.

This year?

It. Was. Incredible! I need a helicopter hook-up, like stat! So fun and slightly terrifying when the pilot pulled some funny stomach dropping business.