My Third Anniversary, 'Three Reasons Why' Wednesday, Pupper Pics

Thanks you guys! LOVING the couscous recipe links - you guys are awesome! As you know i'm always looking for a new recipe to try so it makes sense to build a recipe around something you love - like couscous. I need to find a quinoa recipe round up next - love using that little grain. Well friends, today is my third anniversary!

Zach Porter Photography

I have been married for three years today. Like every year, it doesn't seem like it's been that long but then it's like oh yeah, a lot has happened since we got married! We bought a house together and moved, got a new pupper, each got new cars, Austin got a new job, I got promoted at my job, I've started the blog, we lost a combined 70+ pounds (and gained back a bit!), we've done so much work on the house (lighting projects, granite, new appliances, new roof - you name it!), we've started cooking and meal planning, we've gone on fun trips to NY, Punta Cana, Arizona, etc., we've celebrated so many of our family and friends' birthdays, weddings, babies - the list goes on! I love being married to Austin and feel so lucky that I can honestly say, "I'm happy."

Zach Porter Photography

Two little words, one little phrase, that can seriously mean YOUR WORLD. Yes, work is overwhelming sometimes, I get sick every once in a while and I've been known to spread myself too thin with commitments and freak out. And some days I wake up and feel fat/my hair looks bad/my skin is "gross", etc. But I really do feel happy with my family, my friends, my job and my life. Did I just ask the other shoe to drop? Maybe! :) Two days ago was our 10th Valentine's Day together. CRAZY. And WOW, I checked back on the blog:

First Anniversary (2009): It was a Monday, Austin was sick, we were in "house hunting hell," so we stayed in and I cooked for him. Then we went out to our favorite Lobster Bar to celebrate.

Second Anniversary (2010): It was a Wednesday, I was under the weather, but we went out to Pampas Steakhouse for steak and wine and had a great dinner.

K - enough anniversary talk! The day, outside of that, was pretty much spent with working, had to work through lunch (SO much to do!). Now we're just hanging at home - going to postpone dinner until I feel better! But are going to have a nice dinner in and watch a movie - yay!

So I used to do these 3 Reasons Why, and really loved them. Such a great way to highlight things you love and focus on the positive! So i'm going to do one now - here goes. Three Reasons Why I Love My Puppers.

1. They always make me smile with their adorable faces. I mean, really - cuties!

my sweet boy!

and girl!

2. No matter how bad your day is, coming home to this is pretty sweet.

3. They truly love you... no matter what!

Q: Who or what would be in your "3 Reasons Why" today?

Q: How do you prefer to celebrate anniversaries or big milestones? Dinner and a movie? Chill night in? Bowling? What?!

New Pasta Recipe (again!), 7.5 Miles, Reasons Why I love My Mom

Happy Thursday! Today has been SO much better than the last three days - thank GAH! I slept great last night, was able to sleep in later than usual and just woke up feeling so much more optimistic and energy-filled - FABULOUS. I had a light breakfast, got to work, and then had a new recipe for lunch - i'm on a roll!

Linguine Alfredo with Chicken and Bacon
Makes 4 Servings - one serving pictured below!
Recipe adapted from Cooking Light

8 oz. linguine, reserve ¼ cup cooking water
3 slices turkey bacon, cooked in microwave and diced
12 oz. chicken, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup fat-free milk
2/3 cup Kraft parmesan cheese
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve ¼ cup cooking water. While pasta cooks, set a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add flour over garlic; cook for 30 seconds stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Slowly add milk; stirring constantly; cook 1-2 minutes, or until slightly thick. Gradually add cheese, and stir in salt, nutmeg and cooking liquid. DON’T let it get too thick, keep stirring. Add hot pasta to pan and toss well to combine. Add bacon, chicken and parsley.

Nutritional Information: 420 calories, 47 carbs, 9 fat grams and 39 protein grams.

Review: LOVE. Alfredo was one of those things I figured i'd just never eat again - just SO fatty with all of the cream and butter. BUT this recipe is a good replication, just be VERY careful to not let it get too thick (I did - this is why I added notes above about stirring, turning down to low, etc. ) You may want to reserve a bit more cooking liquid just in case. I know this wouldn't happen with fresh cheese, but I like the jarred kind! Anywho, great filling recipe, and the addition of bacon was a fun surprise.

I took my lunch break to walk 4 miles. Then I worked more, and after work headed back to the gym for a run - i'm really trying to get this 10K training going! I've done 5 3.5-mile straight runs in a row, so today was a 3-mile run (with a 1/4 mile walk on front and back)... then Saturday I try my longest run every: 4 miles. I'm loving this one step back/two steps forward approach - it's really going well!

One thing i've been wanting to do more of is reflect on the positive. I feel like sometimes I can get so bogged down with what I need to do, where I need to be, what I need to buy, that I worry I'm not focused enough on all of the good things in my life! So, I want to recognize and remind myself of this with "Three Reasons Why I Love _____." Today, I'm going with Three Reasons why I love... my mom. (this will be part 1 of many i'm sure as there's tons of reasons I love my madre!)

1. She posts stuff like this on her blog.

2. She has a blog.

3. She's pretty. hehe (come on, it's fun to be shallow sometimes)

THE END :)

Q: Who or what would be in your "3 Reasons Why I Love" today? Now that i'm in the mood I can think of so many things, people, places to give shout outs too - very exciting!!

Q: Do you like alfredo sauce? If so, do you have a low-cal one you love, do you roll with the fantabulous full-fat variation or do you just abstain as I had done?!