Happy Birthday Tata Albert

Every year for my Tata's birthday we hike Picket Post, the mountain that shadows the small mining town known as Superior. He turned 81 this year, and after having heart surgery just a few years ago, he hasn't been able to make it up the mountain since his 76th birthday I believe... (don't quote me on it!) Pretty awesome huh?  My Tata Albert is awesome. He has always been so kind, I've never seen him upset (except when he talks about doctors and medicine, or as he calls them "chemicals").

Sidenote: He is very much into natural healing and vitamins and "things of the earth". I asked him to write down things he takes and why, and what he would recommend for me to take to help my body out, and he knows so much about it all. He has his own "pharmacy" of natural remedies. He refuses to take any "chemical" the doctors recommend because he knows it does more harm than good. And, even coming from a nursing student- I would have to agree to a certain extent. I see how medications can effect people, and have found it odd that in learning about medications, there are SO many adverse side effects to just ONE pill. When you come across a patient taking 10-30 per day, its no wonder they are in the hospital. I believe much could be done with proper education and care of our bodies; exercise, diet, NOT smoking or drinking, etc... However, that is one whole different topic altogether. The fact is, my Tata knows what he is talking about. His doctor was baffled that he has been doing SO well that he even asked for a list of what he is taking to learn more about it. Cool, right?

Back to Picket Post... Its a tough hike. The first mountain to help me cope with my fear of heights. I haven't conquered that fear quite yet, just able to deal with it. Sometimes. Enjoy the pictures!

Picket Post Mountain

Eating our lunch on top

The whole group!

Mailbox for documenting trips and writing messages. Cool tradition.
First time as Newlyweds for Kyle and I :)

The boys.
(L-R) Kyle, Adam, Nate, Aaron, Gallant, Austin, Josh.

Love this adventurous man!

View from on top looking southeast

View from top looking northeast.
That little town is Superior.

My Tio Tito, the one who keeps the tradition alive. 

No Baking Required!

I have a very slight addiction to Pinterest. Just ask the husband. On second thought... maybe you shouldn't.

To add to our healthier habit goal, I found this recipe for some delicious no-bake energy bites! Made with all natural healthiness. Ok, it cheats a little bit with some chocolate chips, but hey, that can be substituted with dry fruit, pecans, almonds or anything else your heart desires. I made mine with chocolate chips :) The awesome thing is that there is NO baking required. All you do is mix the ingredients together, chill for half an hour and then roll into 1 inch balls. Then devour... slowly. Seriously, can't get ANY easier than that. YUMMY. Here is the link to the blog with the recipe.

The deliciousness!!!

I highly encourage you to make some of these. I think this will be a family favorite for many years to come!

Lately the husband and I have been putting more effort into making healthIER choices when it comes to what we put into our bodies- aka food. I love food. And I love the kind of food that I probably shouldn't. Kyle was never much of a "sweets" eating guy, but I sure was! I never realized it until after we started dating and he made little comments here and there about how much "sugar" I ate. At first, I didn't care. I liked it! But I can feel the effects of it now that I am slowly aging. Doesn't do well for my goal for a figure competition one day either!

So, because I am now a wife- and have my own kitchen!- creating wonderful and healthy masterpieces is a quest I am indulging in. We received a wonderful cookbook as a wedding gift:

 
Now, with a title that starts off: "The Fat Sisters", you might wonder if it really is something worth using. Let me tell ya- it IS! I made some delicious, home-made pancakes with fresh blueberries for a late breakfast/early lunch today. SUPER delicious. Kyle was so excited :)

That sweet griddle is also a wedding gift we received :)

Just a quick one today.

I had clinical in the ICU at Banner Desert today. Interesting experience. I had always imagined it to be more... chaotic or busier like the t.v. shows always say. (One more reason t.v. is a floosy. Lies, all lies!) It has been a good learning experience though. Really helps to connect the dots when patients have multiple disease processes going on. Makes my brain more tired than my body.

Kyle is absolutely wonderful. I hadn't been feeling too good this past weekend, and Kyle was my hero. He took such good care of me. I love that man :) He is always hard at work. Good thing he's got me, or he'd never get any rest! haha.

Also, he's extremely good-looking :)

I have the most brutal test coming up this Thursday. Which is why I am silly for being on here right now. Sometimes while studying I just need a break... or two or three or ten. Our "pep" talk from our instructor was more like "make sure to sleep well and eat breakfast, because no matter how much you study you will still fail." Nursing school: its a wonderful life. Thank goodness its almost over. (Fingers crossed!)

...... please pray for me!!!