Let's try this again...

Somewhere during my year of no social media I apparently decided to just stop blogging too. Bummer... But yesterday during lunch Cade and I were talking about it and I realized that I really do miss it. I miss the motivation to go places, or take photos all with the sense of mind that I'd get to blog about it. I think that in all of my 27 years on this planet, the last three-quarters of a year have been the most detrimental to my "growing" and becoming who I am. Back in January I went on a cruise to Mexico (or ma-he-co as I like to pronounce it) and while it was crazy beautiful and something that I'll post about soon to share the photos, it was taunting for me. I think that's when it clicked that I was probably the most out of shape I'd been in my life and not only based on the outside appearances... I was feeling it all around. I wasn't sleeping at night, I literally had to buy all new clothes within a few weeks of each other because nothing fit... I was bloated after every meal and I just felt so tense all the time. Slowly, but surely I started making small changes. I certainly drank less and started to think of food as the fuel for my body. Once I felt comfortable in that position, then I started to branch out into new foods that used to be SO uninteresting to me (example: kale). Also, I should mention that Cade went step for step with me through this whole thing too. He's my own personal superhero. Then when the time was right, I started working out. I'm happy to report that as of right now, sitting on my couch this quiet Sunday morning; I am officially down 17 lbs after 1.5 months of really, truly taking care of myself. It's not a diet, and I fully intend on keeping this new lifestyle change because it's just that. A lifestyle of mine now. One that I am proud of and comes with the motivation through results that keeps me going. So, here I am. Ready to get back into blogging. Blogging about whatever it may be... Cleveland, our dinner, where our next adventure awaits, or just a craft. I'm telling y'all. I'm happy, I feel happy and therefore, I'm spreading happy. This quarter life crisis probably doesn't rank on the list of bad things worth complaining, but nonetheless, it's notable and worthy of sharing (in my eyes). 

OK, so for the real excitement... I wanted to share some fun things that you may or may not have already seen via social media, but here are some photos and words for what's been going on lately. 

I believe we have been to 5... or maybe 6 Indians games so far this year? Living 15 minutes from the stadium has its perk :)

This girl has the best personality and somehow it just keeps getting better. She really might change the world with her smile.

My boys.

Our neighbors rose bush and crooked shed. LOVED seeing this every morning before heading to work... Flowers, am I right?!

Rocky River Reservation. I work just a few miles from here so I tend to visit a few times a week to get a good walk/jog in. So much beauty!

Look at my city. Oh, Cleveland. If only people knew how much you truly had to offer.

The fixings of an incredible salsa that may or may not have been consumed quicker than the time it took to make it.

(Rocky River again... See what I mean?)

A couple of weeks ago we made some southwest black rice burgers with some homemade sweet potato fries and dang (!). It was mouth-watering-ly good.

I had an old fashioned for the very first time ever and it did not disappoint.

Dinner at (a-la-la-la-la) Bomba. I had the fried avocado taco and the black bean zucchini taco with coconut mango cauliflower rice. (salsa on the side of course, because... Onions.)

Where's my fellow Kombucha lovers?! I think Health-ade and Brew Dr. Kombucha are my favorite brands. BUT, this beet flavored 'bucha is in a whole different playing field. I might* have drank the whole bottle in one sitting. (*I definitely drank the whole bottle)

While we're on the kombucha talk; Cleveland Tea Revival has their own and it's dangerously good.

And last, but not least. Saucy Brew Works. This is exactly where we were sitting when we had the conversation about blogging more. Having some pizza and a kolsch for our "treat yo' self" meal (thanks parks and rec for the best saying EVER)

Thanks for reading (if you made it all the way through, extra stars next to your name). I promise to be back soon. I need to post about our trip to Mexico and give more kudos to our ol' city of Cleveland. 

Now, enjoy your day and TREAT YO' SELF like Donna and Tom would if they were you.