Sunday, July 25, 2010

escape from reality

Have you ever gotten so busy with your work, family, friends, and adult responsibilities you forgot to take time out of your day just for YOU? If so, I highly encourage you to do that at least once this week. Whether it be for 5 minutes, an hour, or a whole day - get out there and do something just for yourself.

FH and I did just that today. We have been so swamped with wedding planning, house renovating, and moving that we really haven't had much down time with each other lately. The closest we get to spending time together most days is drilling a shower curtain rod into the bathroom (sad, I know!).


As part of my birthday present, I requested we do something "free" (and healthy as well!). We drove about an hour to visit Starved Rock State Park to go hiking!

We packed some lunches to eat in the car, and we were off!

gluten free bread from here, veggies galore (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, AVOCADO, and mustard

I had this sandwich with an apple and some raisins and almonds.


I may or may not have spilled some mustard on myself in the car - I am a very messy eater.

It was the perfect day - around 80 degrees and partly sunny skies.


happy to go hiking!

Starved Rock is actually a very historic place. Native Americans dwelled in this location for many years before it was settled by the Europeans. Fort St. Louis used to be on top of "The Rock" to try and get the Native Americans to stay in their villages. The structures within this state park are absolutely stunning - who would have thought Illinois could be this pretty?


reading the history

"will you consider it leaping if i push you off?" - FH (what a great lover - haha!)

at the top of Lover's Leap - no, he didn't push me :)














We had such a great time. It was just nice to spend time with each other without worrying about fixing something in the house or deciding upon something for the wedding. I want to go back again in October when the leaves are starting to change colors - I can't wait. It will be absolutely beautiful.

While hiking, I found something that reminded me of someone....Want to guess who?


Any ideas who?


KELSEY!!!

Since she is the "snacking squirrel", I found an acorn and brought it home for photography purposes!

When I got home I was ravenous, but really wanted roasted veggies, so I decided to wait it out. While I was waiting, I almost lost all control - I started snacking on chips and hummus. I had my fair share and then scolded myself for not being hungry for roasted veggies.

Bahahahah! Who are we kidding? I am always hungry for roasted veggies!


Roasted veggies are so easy peasy! All you have to do is slice up whatever veggies you want (I did sweet potatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper, zucchini, and green beans) into BIG chunks (so they don't get too charred), toss them with some EVOO and spices (black pepper, garlic, oregano, basil) and cook them in a baking pan on 450 degrees for 40 minutes.


Yum! I always make sure to mix my vegges every 10-15 minutes so they don't get burnt.

Along side the veggies, I ate a large spinach salad.


This is the kind of meal I dream of.. <3 <3 <3 <3

After dinner, i had the most intense craving for Blueberry Muffin Crunch Cereal. There was only one problem... I was all out of muffins!

I decided to quick whip up some of my blueberry oatmeal muffins and call it a night! This recipe is so simple and if you have all ingredients on hand, you can whip them up in about 20 minutes!

I call this snack: bridezlla diversion


blueberry muffin crunch cereal
Delicious!

I think I am going to go watch Father of the Bride - I am totally feeling "weddingy" tonight! Tomorrow is filled with running, wedding preparations (makeup and facial? yes please!!), and lots more wedding errands. 5 more days, I can't even believe it!

Question: What do you do just for you? Big or small, I don't care! I want to know!

13 comments:

  1. YAYYYY FOR HIKING!! oh my goodness- you KNOW i love this. we are basically soul sistas since i went last weekend. i seriously keep thinking about it and i want to go back SO bad! I loved it! IT IS SO PEACEFUL!!!

    father of the bride is such a classic!!!!

    just for ME- i take a hot bath to unwind and pray. its SO nice!

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  2. Hiking! That sounds like so much fun!

    I'm a messy eater, too. I make it a rule, actually, to not wear white when there's food involved just because. :D

    I like to spend time curled up with a good book. =) People know better than to pester me when I'm huddled up under the covers, engrossed in whatever novel I'm reading at the time. :D

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  3. BEAUTIFUL photos!! and your food looks so delicious!! :")

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  4. Yay for being able to spend time with the one you love! I can only imagine how crazy things must be for you two right now with the moving and the wedding and all, but it'll all be worth it very, very soon (!!) and you can enjoy each other's company for the rest of your lives :)

    LOVE the pictures of your hike; they're so beautiful. It's been a while since I went on a hike, and I miss it! So peaceful, and the view at the top always takes my breath away.

    Me time for me usually consists of curling up with a book, writing, taking a hot bath, doing some meditation/relaxation exercises, watching a Disney movie, or taking a nap. I really need to get a little bit more me time in my life...

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  5. Looks like the perfect way to getaway and relax!

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  6. I go read a book (for fun, not school) at a local coffee shop for some me time!

    That hike looks awesome. I need to find some trails after I move.

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  7. What a beautiful place to go hiking! I loooovveee hiking, but Southern Cali is so bare and dry so it's really hard to find a trail with lush green trees like that. You and FH look so happy together :)

    Roasted veggies are awesome! you can pretty much roast anything and they'll always turn out great!

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  8. Looks like you guys had a wonderful day! I don't take enough me time I don't think, but when I do, I cherish every second of it!

    I love roasted veggies. I could eat them every day!

    Your wedding is close! Good luck with all the last minute stuff this week! It'll go great!

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  9. That sounds like a great time - I love hiking with my boyfriend, and we were just on a camping trip and went on two fabulous hikes. Some other things I do for myself are going for runs and walks, and picking berries in our yard (which get shared with friends and family, or baked into delicious treats).

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  10. I love hiking! I wish i could go more often you two are just adorable! :) And I love all of the photography. Just for me I work out everyday. I take care of myself so I can be the best self I can be!

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  11. Your hike looks amazing! You and FH are too cute together. Except for the comment at Lover's Leap. Haha and my exercise time is definitely for me! I love it!

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  12. I can only imagine how stressed and busy you must be right now! Hiking is such a good way to take some time off and refresh. And that looks like such a pretty place to hike! :)

    To do something for myself, I like to buy a magazine and read it while sipping a Starbucks.

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  13. lol "no he didnt push me" ... but YOU pushed him right!??! lol jk.

    you need ur down time for sure! and hiking was a great choice since it really depletes you mentally so it kind of drains all the stale thoughts and stress and clears ur mind :)

    plus u just had ur birthday and its good to start it off the least stressful as possible! its gonna be a fabulous year for you, i know it ;)

    xoxo <3

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