tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67616044031885183272024-03-08T11:51:11.327-06:00Kansas Poker WifeMeghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-52774650005624457052012-09-01T11:22:00.000-05:002012-09-01T11:22:02.441-05:00I MovedMy site has moved. If you are not redirected, go to <a href="http://www.kansaspokerwife.com/">www.kansaspokerwife.com</a>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-21453037126343964702012-08-27T11:27:00.003-05:002012-08-27T11:27:39.821-05:00Cozumel VacationAfter a <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/07/cozumel-diving.html">few</a> <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/07/ultra-mar-ultra-barf.html">not-so-fantastic</a> rides on the ferry from Playa to Cozumel, we finally got over to Mexico's largest Island for some diving without any problems or delays. We scheduled our dives with <a href="http://cozumeldivingwithsergio.com/">Sergio and Aquatic Sports </a>again and we were not disappointed. We arrived on Wednesday, and went to Paradise Reef for a night dive. We saw at least 4 octopi, a torpedo ray, and dozens of enormous crabs and lobsters. <br />
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After our dive and a shower at our very nice, but economic, downtown hotel, <i><a href="http://www.hotelflamingo.com/">Hotel Flamingo</a>,</i> we had dinner at Al Pie de Carbon. For dinner I had soup and salad, but the best thing we ordered was this cheesecake with strawberries, blue berries, and mango.<br />
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After a good night's sleep, we woke up bright and early for another day of diving. <br />
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Can you tell Jade is super excited to be up early?</div>
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This time we went to 4 Piedras and El Bajo de Punta Azul de Sur. 4 Piedras was incredible with colorful caves and walls. I dove 105 feet, but you could really go much deeper. El Bajo de Punta Azul de Sur was out-of-this-world amazing. We went through caves full of tiny fish and barracudas. After the area of the caves and reefs opened up to the sand ocean floor, we saw eagle rays and TONS of star fish. This was by far the best decompression dive I've ever done. Needless to say, we were not excited to go back to PdC after these dives. We talked Sergio into taking us out again the next day, and we prepared to stay another night.<br />
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On the top of our hotel watching the sunset and having a cocktail.</div>
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<i>Hotel Flamingo's</i> drink of the day: Mai Tai</div>
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Watching the cruise ship in the distance while the sun disappears quickly.</div>
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After a few drinks, we were ready for dinner. Jade found<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kondesa.cozumel"> Kondesa</a> online, and it was probably one of the best meals we've had in Mexico. I ordered spring rolls and a tropical salad. The hubs had Poblano Chicken with a mole sauce that was phenomenal too. This place is romantic and low-key, but can also be a great spot for friends. Try the strawberry lemonade for an adult beverage... so good!</div>
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After convincing Sergio to take us out one more day, we dove Palancar Bricks and Chankanab Shallow. Palancar Bricks was my favorite dive EVER! We dove along the wall. I went about 120 feet, but Jade went to 140 feet. I imagine that being in outer space is comparable to what this dive felt like. On this dive I saw my first shark (only a nurse shark- not like Shark Week), and as we were doing our safety stop, a turtle came down to say hello to us. I am in love with this dive. <br />
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Here is Sergio's video of our dive<br />
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After our wonderful little vacation, I was really sad to come back, but I was sooooo happy to see this guy.<br />
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I missed this smooshy face so much!</div>
Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-3907541584791539562012-08-19T17:54:00.003-05:002012-08-19T17:54:54.270-05:00I SurvivedI survived my first week of Crossfit without too many aches and pains. Don't get me wrong, today is the first day I can finally walk down the stairs without feeling like every single muscle fiber is being ripped apart slowly, but I'm a glutton for punishment, so will be in class bright and early tomorrow morning. <br />
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Jade and I had an excellent weekend. After working hard on an upcoming project all week, we had a date night at<a href="http://www.comocomo.mx/"> Como Como</a> last night. This place was fabulous: great food, excellent service, beautiful ambiance, and reasonably priced. If you are in PdC visiting or you live here, you have to try it. I recommend making a reservation because it stays busy all night long. If you are a local, ask for a local discount too.<br />
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View from the street </div>
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My man and I snuggled up. Love this guy.</div>
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And a dive update! <br />
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We finally got in the water again after a long break from diving. Some of my equipment broke (as a diver, equipment is always broke), so while it was being repaired, and we waited for Hurricane Ernesto to pass, we patiently longed to be back with the fishies. Today we dove Moc Che Deep and Cueva del Pargo. The coral life was really beautiful on Cueva del Pargo, and I saw my first jelly fish in the wild on Moc Che Deep! Cozumel later this week!<br />
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<b>What is your favorite hobby?</b><br />
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Mine in this order: Reading, running, and scuba diving. Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-77665841532477132762012-08-16T18:28:00.003-05:002012-08-16T18:28:40.130-05:00Ace updateSince my baby girl, Bella is living with my sister and brother-in-law, Ace is my new 4-legged best friend. I miss Bella like crazy, but I know she is being loved and taken care of. I wish she was here with us, but an apartment life, with no yard, is not that best place for her. I will be traveling back to the US in October, and I can't wait to take her to the farm and let her run free without a leash. <br />
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Ace, on the other hand, is quite lazy and prefers to be inside all day sleeping. We are one a very light exercise routine since we found out he has some degenerative knee issues and needs a corrective operation. Ace is only 6 years old, but he's starting to fall apart. This year, we have been to the veterinarian more times than in his entire life, but I'm doing my best to stay positive and provide the best place for Acers to live. <br />
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He is out cold!</div>
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Any suggestions or recommendations for a dog dealing with <i>Patellar Luxation</i> are much appreciated. </div>
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For some shocking, but not surprising facts about McDonalds, read this <a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3549/5-MindBlowing-Facts-About-McDonalds.html">link</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3549/5-MindBlowing-Facts-About-McDonalds.html"><i>5 Mind-Blowing Facts about McDonalds.</i></a> </div>
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Who's hungry?</div>
Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-37777677357494919802012-08-15T21:44:00.001-05:002012-08-15T21:44:46.812-05:00Fad follower... yep that's me!Yesterday I joined the rest of the world and tried my class of Cross Fit. This, along with reading the entire trilogy of <i>Fifty Shades of Grey</i>, proves that I will follow (or try) any seemingly popular fad.<br />
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I have the scrapes to prove my awesomeness (or incredibly soft hands) at my first class. As my husband would tell me, "It's a long ways from your heart." I think I'll live, but maybe I'll do some complaining first... then quietly buy some gloves and STFU.</div>
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As for Cross Fit, every muscle in my entire body is super sore, but totally SWOL! I went to my second day of workouts today, but skipped yoga class tonight after taking a half a dozen Advil and thinking about shrugging my shoulders still makes me want to pee my pants. </div>
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I'm all for the <i>No pain, no gain</i> mentality, so in my book, Cross Fit is a total win. It also doesn't hurt that everyone in my class has a super awesome body, that I'm currently jealously admiring. Every time I order a large cappuccino and chocolate croissant, I think, "Hey, I've earned this!", and totally undo all the hard work I've just done. But a girl's gotta live, right? </div>
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As for some inspiration, check out my new office poster!</div>
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-68242634580792032972012-08-11T19:31:00.000-05:002012-08-15T21:46:42.963-05:00Back in the kitchenThis week, Jade's computer has been on the fritz, so out of boredom, he's been helping me in the kitchen. My husband is a great cook, so I'm happy to share the cooking duties with him, although most of the time, he creates a bigger mess in which I <i>get to</i> clean up! <b>BUT</b>, I'll take doing dishes + a homemade meal by my man any night! <br />
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There really is nothing that says summer time more than a man working the grill.</div>
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Last night was my turn back in the kitchen, and I created a delicious <b>Salmon with Fettuccine Alfredo.</b><br />
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Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo</h3>
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Ingredients:</h4>
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<li>2 4 oz Salmon Filletes</li>
<li>non-stick cooking spray</li>
<li>salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>2 tsp olive oil </li>
<li>1/4 c chopped onion</li>
<li>5 fresh mushrooms*</li>
<li>2 TBSP butter</li>
<li>3 cloves garlic- minced</li>
<li>2 TBSP flour</li>
<li>2 cups skim milk</li>
<li>3/4 c Parmesan and Romano cheese</li>
<li>chia seeds** </li>
<li>4 cup Spinach Fettuccine- cooked according to package instructions</li>
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Instructions:</h4>
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Coat aluminum foil with cooking spray and place the salmon fillets. Season with salt and pepper and another mist of cooking spray. Broil in oven 3 inches from heat until easily flakes off with a fork (approx 10 minutes). Meanwhile, heat oil in a small skillet. When hot, add onion and mushrooms and cook until translucent. Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add garlic, and saute for 1 minute. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, gradually adding milk and stirring continuously with a wire whisk. Cook an additional 10 minutes and add the onions and mushrooms. If necessary add additional milk. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese and stir until melted. Serve over pasta and top with salmon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.<br />
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* You can substitute different vegetables, zucchini, eggplant, etc... or omit the mushrooms and onions all together. This is a very basic sauce and can be manipulated to your taste buds easily.<br />
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** After cooking the salmon, I sprinkled each fillet with a pinch of chia<br />
seeds. These super foods are making headlines and grabbing a lot of attention. After reading <i>Born to Run</i>, I knew I had to try them. I'm still not brave, or hungry, enough to make the chia smoothie described in the book. Sorry <i>Tarahumara</i>, that sounds disgusting. <br />
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This recipe also makes quite a bit of sauce. If you are cooking for more than 2 people, broil 2 more salmon fillets and make more pasta. You will have more than enough sauce for 4 people. <br />
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I didn't get enough veggies (or colors) from the fettuccine, so I put together a beautiful romaine lettuce side salad. YUM!<br />
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-58897361344282467732012-08-06T19:13:00.000-05:002012-08-06T19:13:01.363-05:00Puerto AventurasA short drive south from Playa del Carmen, you will find a little area called Puerto Aventuras where the beaches are pristine, the water is crystal clear, and is the most perfect location for snorkeling, paddle boarding, or relaxing with a good book. At Puerto Aventuras you can choose from several different restaurants, enjoy a small market of fresh and local fruits and veggies, and also do a little souvenir shopping. The most exciting part: they also have manatees, sea lions, dolphins, and massive manta rays, AND you can swim with them all!<br />
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One day last week, my Spanish teacher and I took the short 20 minute trip down to Puerto Aventuras for a day of classes away from the <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/spanish-classes-in-playa-del-carmen.html">classroom</a>. <br />
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The water is shallow and crystal clear. Perfect for snorkeling around the small patches of reefs. </div>
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I took this with my iPhone and edited this with Instagram. I could live here forever. </div>
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A perfect place to get away from the party atmosphere of PdC.</div>
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The sea lions. They swam and played tag like best friends.</div>
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And kissed a little like lovers. </div>
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This photo does not do this justice. The manta ray was enormous! 5-6 feet wide! </div>
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A family playing with and feeding the manatees. </div>
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My Spanish teacher wants to be reincarnated as a manatee. She says she will be lazy, ugly, and eat and swim all day long. I guess there could be worse things....</div>
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It is said that sailors coming across the pond from Europe thought manatees were mermaids. It shows you the desperation of the sailors during a 5 month stretch without women. To me they look less like mermaids and more like a hippopotamus!! </div>
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Here he is eating soggy lettuce... YUM!</div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-75386230793834051642012-08-02T18:11:00.001-05:002012-08-02T18:11:33.736-05:00Mexican FruitsLiving in the Caribbean has provided me with the opportunity to expand my cultural pallet, as well as my taste pallet. I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to meet new and interesting people and travel.<br />
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Since moving to PdC in January, I have learned to <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/07/cozumel-diving.html">scuba dive</a>, <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/04/ruins-of-tulum.html">traveled</a> <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/04/uxmal.html">across</a> the <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/celestun.html">Yucatan</a>,<a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/02/cancun-and-akumal-travels.html"> swam</a> with the <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/akumal-snorkeling-with-turtles.html">sea turtles</a>, visited the <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/05/chichen-itza-7-wonders-of-world.html">7th Wonder of the World</a> ...<a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/07/chichen-itza-recap.html">twice</a>, went to my first <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/03/mexican-wedding.html">Mexican wedding</a>, and become <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/spanish-classes-in-playa-del-carmen.html">fluent in Spanish</a>. I've also braved outside my comfort zone and tasted new flavors and textures of foods very different from the traditional American cuisine-- shocker, there is more to food than hamburgers, french fries, and fried chicken! <br />
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The Yucatan cuisine consists of unique with foods and flavors you can only find here. One of my favorite spices is called <i>xcatic </i>(pronounced sh-ka-tic) and is typical Yucateca. In PdC, you can find food prepared this way at <a href="http://www.mayacuisine.com/">Yax-che</a> and <a href="http://www.lacasadelagua.com/">Casa del Agua</a>, two of my favorite restaurants here. <br />
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As my readers know, I love the fresh fruits and vegetables I can buy in PdC year around, and for a fraction of the cost in the US of A. <br />
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Check out these different, and beautiful, fruits that are grown locally.<br />
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This fruit is called Tuna, and don't let the name fool you. It tastes like a pamagranate and has a bright red color on the inside with edible seeds. </div>
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This fruit is called <i>pitaya</i> and is beautiful on the inside and out. It's flavor is sweet, not at all sour or bitter. </div>
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Aren't they beautiful? To eat, simply peel off the skin and enjoy.</div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-73687757674135844942012-07-31T19:47:00.001-05:002012-07-31T19:47:17.482-05:00One thing to improve healthIf you were going to give up something, <i>one thing</i>, to immediately improve your health, what would it be?<br />
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I finally gave up soda, or as I like to call it, pop, and I can't believe it took me almost 28 years. What was I thinking drinking this, deliciously sweet and beautifully marketed, <strike>beverage</strike> <b><i>poison</i>?</b><br />
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Here's the facts on soda:<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Phosphoric Acid</b> in soda weakens bones and eats through enamel to rot your teeth.</li>
<li>The caramel color added to soda is made of chemicals, does nothing for the flavor, and is purely for cosmetic purposes. Oh, it's also full of <b>carcinogens</b>.</li>
<li><b>High fructose Corn Syrup</b>- is a concentrated form of sugar. Fructose is derived from corn. It increases body fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides in your blood. It also increases hunger.</li>
<li>For those of you (me) who drink (drank) diet soda- Aspartame and excessive artificial sweeteners are <b>addictive</b> and make you crave more "sweets".</li>
<li>Believe it or not, <b>formaldehyde</b> is in your soda. It is a carcinogen and not added directly, but when you digest aspartame, it breaks down into <b>2 amino acids + methanol = formic acid + formaldehyde</b>... yum = diet soda!</li>
<li>Potassium Benzoate is a preservative. It breaks down to benzene in your body. When your soda is in contact with the <b>sun + benzene = carcinogen!</b></li>
<li>Food dyes can lead to impaired brain function, hyperactive behavior, difficulty focusing, and lack of impulse control. Maybe our children's behavior has more to do with what they are putting into their bodies, and less to do with ADHD!</li>
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If this wasn't enough to get you to change one small thing about your lifestyle to improve your physical and mental health, take a look at this scary infographic from <a href="http://www.mindgreenbody.com/">www.mindgreenbody.com</a> <br />
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-7494603191096711092012-07-30T19:13:00.000-05:002012-08-06T19:13:56.183-05:00Guiltless Chicken ParmesanThanks to <a href="http://sallyspins.com/">SallySpins</a>, I found this wonderful <a href="http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/Recipe/Guiltless-Chicken-Parmesan.aspx">recipe</a>.<br />
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<h2>
Guiltless Chicken Parmesan</h2>
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INGREDIENTS:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Olive oil cooking spray</li>
<li>2 tsp olive oil</li>
<li>1/2 cup white onion, diced</li>
<li>1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced </li>
<li>2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li>2 tsp dried oregano, divided </li>
<li>1 28-oz jar crushed organic tomatoes </li>
<li>1 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste or organic tomato paste</li>
<li>1/2 cup whole-wheat panko bread crumbs </li>
<li>1 tbsp reduced-fat Parmesan cheese, grated</li>
<li>1/2 tsp dried thyme</li>
<li>1/4 tsp sea salt</li>
<li>1/4 tsp ground black pepper</li>
<li>4 4-oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1-inch thickness </li>
<li>1 tbsp Dijon mustard</li>
<li>1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded </li>
<li>8 oz cooked whole-wheat penne (or your favorite pasta)</li>
<li>1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped</li>
</ul>
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INSTRUCTIONS:</h3>
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. </li>
<li>Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, until vegetables are soft. Add 1 tsp oregano and stir to coat. Cook 30 seconds, until oregano is fragrant. Add tomatoes and tomato paste and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, in a shallow dish, combine panko, Parmesan, remaining 1 tsp oregano, thyme, salt and black pepper. Mix with a fork to combine. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with Dijon. Transfer each breast to panko mixture and turn to coat both sides. Arrange chicken on prepared baking sheet. Coat surface of chicken with cooking spray. Bake 20 minutes. </li>
<li>Top each chicken breast with 2 to 3 tbsp tomato sauce and 2 tbsp mozzarella. Return chicken to oven and bake 10 minutes more, until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. </li>
<li>Arrange pasta on a serving plate and top with remaining tomato sauce. Serve chicken with pasta on the side, garnishing both with basil. </li>
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Nutrients per serving: Calories: 439, Total Fat: 12 g, Sat. Fat: 2.5 g, Carbs: 43 g, Fiber: 5.5 g, Sugars: 3 g, Protein: 34.5 g, Sodium: 585 mg, Cholesterol: 70 mg </div>
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Try breading and cooking zucchini or eggplant instead of the chicken for a vegetarian version of this recipe. Yum! Enjoy!</div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-86073742735873024702012-07-28T18:46:00.000-05:002012-07-28T18:46:31.841-05:00Perfect SaturdayAfter a stressful and crazy day yesterday, I'm appreciative of this perfectly, lazy, and uneventful Saturday. I took Ace to the vet yesterday for a consultation on his continuously worsening hips and legs. Poor old guy could barely walk up the few stairs to the vet office. He also had a surgery to remove a concerning mass on his neck. The operation went fine, but when I picked him up, the vet told me he needs knee surgery and will have to be put under anesthetic. Jade and I are still talking about our options. I want Ace to have a good quality of life with or without the surgery. I feel pensive about the recovery process and if one operation will be enough to last his life. Any opinions on this are welcomed. <br />
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For my perfect Saturday, I was able to sleep in with my hubby. Snuggling in the arms of someone you love is incredibly under appreciated. After our late start and a few errands, I headed to the gym to sweat and think about my 4-legged concern. A little pool time, some light reading, and yoga can sure make a girl feel relaxed. Now, the hubs and I are going to enjoy a little<a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/05/going-deeper.html"> Lentil Soup</a><br />
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some of this...<br />
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And the Olympics! <br />
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-20359681600119568262012-07-25T22:21:00.000-05:002012-07-25T22:21:01.007-05:00Be Grateful Lately I've read so many books, blogs, and articles about women who
feel less than adequate. This post is for those women... myself
included. <br />
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"It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever
recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely
determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not
comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others."<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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-Sidney J. Harris</div>
</blockquote>
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I know many women whom desire to change their bodies. Some friends of mine have been so unhappy with their given body parts, that they've surgically changed those parts. Don't get me wrong,<br />
I have days where I HATE my body. Not all of my body, but my flabby tummy, the inside of my soft thighs, my saggy butt, my incredibly small breasts... etc, but there are parts that I think are pretty beautiful too. It also helps that my husband thinks I'm beautiful and isn't afraid to tell me daily. Lately, I've tried to change my mind set from the things my body <i>isn't</i>, to the amazingly adaptable structure that my body <i>is</i>. Every time I run 6 miles, I'm grateful I can do that. Every time I play tennis, basketball, swim, and practice yoga, I'm thankful for my health. I try not to think of how fast or far I used to be able to run, but that I <i>can</i> run. <br />
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Our bodies are incredible machines, and I have abused mine plenty, but I'm beginning to learn how to take care of my mind and body in healthy, maintainable ways. I've only very recently come to a point in my life where I'm proud of all that I've accomplished and the woman I've become. I will continue to strive for improvement every day, (in body, mind, and spirit) so maybe in some ways, I am not completely self-accepting, but I'm grateful I have the ability to improve. And that's okay too.</div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-60952610127205672832012-07-24T12:44:00.001-05:002012-08-06T19:14:26.134-05:00Chichen Itza RecapSince my brother left, I feel like I am a bit boring. True, I do have the time to workout when I want, cook what I want, and enjoy the activities I want, but since he's left, I don't do many blog worthy things. So I thought I would give a review of our travels to Chichen Itza.<br />
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We left early in the morning, and arrived before the big tour buses. It was a beautiful, cloudy day, with a nice breeze, and no mosquitoes. I let Patrick use my Cannon Rebel, so all the pictures you see are taken with my iPhone. <br />
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Chichen Itza is quite large, and during my first visit, I completely missed an entire section of the park. Patrick informed me on how good of a tour guide he is. He's also a cut throat negotiator too!<br />
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Columns at the Temple of a Thousand Warriors </div>
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Temple of a Thousand Warriors </div>
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My favorite! El Castillo... The Castle </div>
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Venus Platform </div>
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Venus Platform- close up showing the drawings </div>
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Grand Ball Court </div>
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House of the Jaguar</div>
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Again, El Castillo de Kukulcán </div>
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A little information. </div>
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Ossario </div>
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El Caracol, The observatory temple </div>
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El Caracol, the snail, receives its name from the curved shape of the stairs in the observatory. The structure has an unusual place, but it thought to be in alignment with astrological events and specifically the path of Venus. </div>
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My sight seeing buddy </div>
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The Red House </div>
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The Red House </div>
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The front side of the complex de Las Monjas. </div>
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I love this building. This my be my favorite picture because the beauty of the building is not lost, although the structure is crumbling with time. </div>
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La Iglesia, the church </div>
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La Monjas, The Nunnery</div>
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My younger brother posing in front of the observatory at El Caracol.</div>
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To get to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen, I drove North on 180 D towards Cancun. You will take this for about 200 km, so make sure to fill up on gas before you leave. Before you arrive in Cancun, you will see an exit towards Mérida. Take the exit and continue on 180 D. This highway has a cuota, which means you will need to pay to use it, about 200 pesos. After about 90 km, you will arrive at the border of Quintana Roo and the Yucatán. After the border continue another 105 km, and after the next toll booth, continue towards Pisté/Chichen Itza. In Pisté, you can find a good and cheap place to eat. From here, it is only a few more minutes to the ruin. Keep right at the Y-crossing, and shortly, you will have arrived.</div>
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Remember, try to arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to explore the ruins before the large tour buses take over. Enjoy!</div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-88080864046216954172012-07-21T14:33:00.001-05:002012-07-21T14:33:16.723-05:00Living wellI have recently gotten back into my yoga and workout routine, and my body is thanking me. It's amazing what a little physical activity can do. I now have much more energy, I'm happier, and if I keep up my high-protein diet, I hopefully will gain back a little muscle. <br />
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It may seem like I have this whole diet/workout thing figured out, but (shocking, I know) I'm not perfect. I struggle with eating the "right" foods all the time. For example, last night my husband invited his friends over for a BBQ. While he grilled steaks, hamburgers, and bratwursts, I stuck with my vegetarian burger. But I did allow myself a few glasses of Chardonnay, which probably did more damage to my diet than a hamburger. Usually I have a hard time forgiving myself for some diet slip ups, but I'm trying to learn how to move on, look forward, and think about the big picture. <br />
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A <a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/">website</a> that I've come to love, not only for it's clean eating and exercise articles, but for opening my mind in new ways, is helping me with this journey. I would like to share and article that hit spot on with how I feel, and I hope any dog-lover feels the same way too.<br />
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<h1>
Why Dogs Are the Ulitmate Yogis</h1>
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By<span style="color: black;"> Nadine Fawell</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span><a class="author-link" href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/wc/nadine-fawell" style="color: black;"> </a></div>
<img align="right" alt="" src="http://res.mindbodygreen.com/img/ftr/german-shepard-puppy-300.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" />Everything
I've needed to know about life, I've learned from dogs. I often joke
that I am like a dog: if I am unwalked, unstretched, unfed or unloved, I
get grumpy, and start tugging on my leash. OK, the leash bit is
metaphorical, but the rest is 100% fact.<br /><br />As I tramp the parks and
beaches near my house, I watch the dogs and I think about how much
simpler our lives would be if we just lived like, well, dogs.<br /><br />Everything you need to know about living, you can learn from watching dogs:<br /><ol>
<li>Drink lots of water.</li>
<li>Rest in the heat of the day.</li>
<li>Walk every day.</li>
<li>Stretch when you wake up, and when you have been still for a while.</li>
<li>Playtime is always good, no matter how old you are.</li>
<li>When
you meet someone new, be friendly, but sniff them out and don’t get too
close until you are sure they’re not going to bite you.</li>
<li>If your ears are being scratched right now, then life is good. It doesn’t matter what happened five minutes ago...</li>
<li>Greet every new day with enthusiasm!</li>
<li>Sometimes,
if you don’t follow the rules, you will get into trouble, but sometimes
you won’t. It’s worth pushing the boundaries just to investigate what’s
possible.</li>
<li>Seeing your loved ones again at the end of the day really is the most exciting thing ever!</li>
<li>There are so many interesting smells and sights in this world: investigate them.</li>
<li>It helps to be in the right place at the right time: how else do you get the best pickings off the barbecue?</li>
<li>Be gentle and patient with children.</li>
<li>Growl when you need to, and bite if you feel very threatened. It’s not always appropriate to roll over and show your belly.</li>
<li>Be loyal.</li>
<li>How
you have been treated is a direct indicator for how you will behave
now, but that can change with love and the right circumstances.</li>
</ol>
<strong>Dogs are the ultimate yogis!<span style="color: black;"></span></strong><br />
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You can explore the rest of their <a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/">website here</a>. Anyone interested in yoga, healthy living, and clean eating might find it a little addicting. I would apologize, but I'm not really sorry. Enjoy!<br />
<strong> </strong>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-75323784135008444022012-07-18T12:09:00.001-05:002012-07-19T11:19:31.016-05:00TRX ClassToday was my first day of <i>Get off my lazy ass and work out</i> plan. Since my brother and sister arrived, other than a few pick up games of basketball and diving, I didn't really get much exercise. Today, I tried <a href="http://www.trxtraining.com/blogs">TRX training</a> for the first time.<br />
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<a href="http://trx%e2%80%912.jpg/">Source</a></div>
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After the initial confusion of <i>where do I place my body</i>, I felt the burn immediately. After about 15 minutes my muscle were trembling. I can definitely tell I've skimped on weights these last few months. After my past experience as a personal trainer, finding a class that I enjoy is the perfect way to get back into a routine. Now all I need to do is convince the hubby to come with me.<br />
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And for a little fun, some photos of the few days I got to spend with my sister and her husband!<br />
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Ash and I at<a href="http://fusionhotelmexico.com/"> Fusion </a></div>
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Hubs and I at La Parrilla Argentina</div>
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Hubs and BIL drinking a cubeta on 5th avenue<br />
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And my beautiful sis really excited for some <span dir="auto">Häagen-Dazs</span> Ice cream <br />
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<br /></div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-49503804672261302742012-07-16T13:32:00.000-05:002012-07-16T13:33:16.298-05:00I'm back!I'm baaaack, said in the creepy, stalker voice. After a fun-filled month with my<strike> little</strike> younger brother and a short visit by my sister and brother-in-law, Jade and I now have our home to ourselves again. I'm still trying to adjust from having so much going on in our lives, to having free time again. For instance, instead of doing anything remotely productive, I wasted a solid 2 days laying on the couch watching episodes of <i>The Good Wife</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://the%e2%80%91good%e2%80%91wife.jpg/">Source </a></div>
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And rather than go for a nice run on the beach, I took my new found freedom to a beach club and had a piña colada. <br />
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<a href="http://pinacolada/">Source</a></div>
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Although my house is very quiet, I am looking forward to sitting around doing nothing with the husband again.<br />
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-45260167542566655102012-07-08T23:48:00.000-05:002012-07-08T23:48:05.964-05:00Taking the advice of a 13 year oldMy brother recently suggested to me that I should use a photo of Jade and myself in a wheat field as my blog background. I have to agree this photo looks more <b style="font-style: italic;">Kansan. </b>What do you think?<br />
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I love these photos my Dad took of us. Jade and I used them as "engagement photos," although we didn't exactly have an engagement. What this photos doesn't show are the massive mosquitoes biting and sucking our blood in between our gritted teeth smiles. Random fact: Did you know that only the female mosquitoes bite? Males don't. Mosquitoes are also attracted to human sweat, so the faster I run, the more I'm attracting these blood suckers!<br />
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Just call me the new Bill Nye!<br />
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Patrick and I are off to <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/05/chichen-itza-7-wonders-of-world.html">Chichen Itza </a>tomorrow morning. Although I'm praying for a cooler day and some rain, I'm dreading the mosquitoes that I know will want to have me for lunch!Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-91301221580786579072012-07-06T19:25:00.002-05:002012-07-07T11:06:16.206-05:00Diving Dos OjosThis is the last full week my brother will be staying with us, so we tried to make the most of his time and dive almost every day. We went on a night dive, cavern dives, and <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/07/cozumel-diving.html">Cozumel dives</a>. Next up: Wreck dive to <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/05/diving-disappointment.html">Mama Viña</a>. <br />
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I love trying new adventures, and a cavern dive was something we all wanted to try. Diving in Dos Ojos was different than any other sea dive I have done. In many cenotes, the water is a combination of salt water and fresh water, but Dos Ojos was all fresh water, making us all less buoyant. There is also very little light, so very few fish live in the caverns. But there were bats! <br />
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Here is a video of the dive. We were not quite as advanced as this group, but you can get a good idea of what we were diving.<br />
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This cavern system is complex with many different lines you can follow. We dove the Barbie Line and the Bat Cave. Both were breath taking. I have visited many caves in Colorado, but viewing the stalactites and stalagmites, fully immersed, was surreal. It amazes me to think these caverns used to be completely underwater. We saw fossils of the "sea" shells that used to thrive in these caves. In 2008 scientists also found a human skeleton that was 13,600 years old. You can read the full story from National Geographic <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080903-oldest-skeletons.html">here</a>.<br />
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We dove with <a href="http://www.mexicobluedream.com/home.html">Mexican Blue Dream</a>, and had a very experienced and knowledgeable guide. I would recommend taking your next trip with them.Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-79820124049489358092012-07-06T18:51:00.000-05:002012-07-06T18:51:27.577-05:00Cozumel DivingYesterday, we took <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/07/ultra-mar-ultra-barf.html">another trip</a> to Cozumel, this time drugged with Dramamine, and we went on the most amazing dive of my life. Our trip started off a bit rocky: we missed the ferry by 30 seconds and the inflator hose on my BCD started free flowing. Lucky for me, the dive shop was pretty understanding about our tardiness, and my sexy Dive Master husband, switched out our hoses, and saved the day. <br />
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We dove the Santa Rosa Wall. It was the most beautiful and flourishing coral reefs I've ever seen. Our dive guide was also one of the most interesting men I've ever met. His name is Sergio Sandavol, and you can find him <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ssandovalvizcaino">HERE</a> on facebook. He is 74 years old, speaks 7 languages, and in 1993, had over 5,000 dives. He builds his own underwater camera filters, housing units, and makes his own you tube videos of his dives. He also let us maximize our bottom time and oxygen consumption. <br />
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To book with Sergio, visit his<a href="http://www.diveandscubacozumel.com/"> website</a> or find his business Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/AQUATIC-SPORTS-COZUMEL/100406743376251">here</a>. <br />
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Watch a video of the Santa Rosa Wall dive in Cozumel. <br />
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-72886277223494112732012-07-03T19:15:00.000-05:002012-08-06T19:18:52.672-05:00Eggplant + Tofu ParmesanLast night, my meat-loving brother tried tofu for the first time. He also tried eggplant, but his reaction wasn't quite so... animated?<br />
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I prepared a vegetarian mixture of dishes because I was really craving the protein from the tofu, but I had an eggplant that was getting a little soft. I combined an Eggplant Parmesan recipe with a Tofu Parmesan recipe, and I thought the final product was delicious. <br />
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Eggplant + Tofu Parmesan</h3>
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<li>1 eggplant- peeled and sliced</li>
<li>1 pkg of tofu- 1/4 in slices</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>2 cup bread crumbs</li>
<li>1/4 cup Parmesan cheese</li>
<li>olive oil for frying</li>
<li>1 jar of prepared spaghetti sauce</li>
<li>oregano, basil, salt and pepper</li>
<li>2 cups Mozzarella, Romano, and Parmesan shredded cheese</li>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings in a bowl. Beat the egg until incorporated in a separate bow. Dip each slice of tofu in the bread crumbs until covered completely and place in a pan with olive oil and fry until each side is golden brown. Meanwhile, dip the eggplant into the egg and then into the bread crumbs until completely coated. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 5 minutes on each side. </div>
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Cover a 9x13 in pan with half of the prepared spaghetti sauce. Layer half of the tofu and eggplant slices. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Repeat layers ending with the shredded cheese. Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is completely melted and sauce is bubbly. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-50654174809074858552012-07-03T16:16:00.000-05:002012-07-04T07:47:11.299-05:00Ultra Mar = Ultra BarfOn Sunday we took a day trip to Cozumel to find an inexpensive dive shop. We've had some trouble finding a scuba shop that offers reasonable prices online, so we decided to check it out ourselves. Little did I know that I would spend the entire boat ride in the boat bathroom. Before we left I didn't take my usual dosage of Dramamine, and started getting sick before we even lifted anchor. IT.WAS.AWFUL! I don't know how people don't get sea sick or motion sick. I get sick in cars, buses, planes, and obviously boats. So after the 45 minutes of puking my guts out, the last thing I wanted to do was get back on the ferry to come home to PdC. Ugh! I think that was the worse part, knowing I <i><b>HAD</b></i> to get back on the very thing that made me wish for death. Jade and Patrick were fine. Jade says he has sea legs. <br />
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Our trip was a little FUBAR-ed from that point on. I forgot my driving license so we couldn't rent mopeds, taxis were outrageously expensive, and walking to the beaches wasn't an option. So we made the best out of our trip. We found wifi at a Starbucks, got on the good 'ole iPhone, and found some dive shops. We talked to a few who offered reasonable prices, and even found an amazing place to eat later that night. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> I definitely recommend <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.mx/Restaurant_Review-g150809-d1032770-Reviews-Pancho_s_Backyard-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html">this restaurant</a>. The service was impeccable and the food was traditional Mexican and delicious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Our trip wasn't exactly what we were expecting, but we made the best of it. I even found a place that sold Dramamine, and I gave myself a double dose to kinda "knock me out" before getting back on the ferry. We also sat outside in the open air, and I lived, I didn't loose my <strike>lunch</strike> dinner, and we made it home safely. <br />
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Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-33202481115589112582012-07-03T15:31:00.000-05:002012-07-03T15:31:10.155-05:00Bowling in Playa del CarmenI know summer time is a busy time for everyone, but my brother sent me this little poem to remind us to stop, breathe in your surroundings, and enjoy life. <br />
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Leisure</h3>
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By: W.H. Davies</h3>
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What is this life if, full of care,<br />
We have no time to stand and stare?—<br />
No time to stand beneath the boughs,<br />
And stare as long as sheep and cows:<br />
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No time to see, when woods we pass,<br />
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:<br />
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No time to see, in broad daylight,<br />
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:<br />
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No time to turn at Beauty's glance,<br />
And watch her feet, how they can dance:<br />
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No time to wait till her mouth can<br />
Enrich that smile her eyes began?<br />
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A poor life this if, full of care,<br />
We have no time to stand and stare.</div>
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Speaking of having a busy summer, since my brother has been here, we have tried our best to keep him entertained. On Friday, we decided to try our hand at bowling. I've never been a very good bowler, but it's always fun to go with a group of friends, family, or complete strangers. In college, they offered a bowling class, but I was much too serious for such classes. I instead chose to take classes like: anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and <b>jogging</b>! Yes, I paid for a class called jogging! <br />
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Most people don't consider going bowling in Playa del Carmen, but after you have lived here for 6 months, sometimes and activity in the air conditioning is just what we need. <i>Planet Bowl</i> is located in Centro Maya, near the cine and offers a full (bar food) menu and bar, poker tables, and an arcade. Basically, my brother was in heaven.<br />
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Patrick showing his bowling skills. </div>
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And Jade showing off his. </div>
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Obviously we are all terrible... I'm just slightly worse than Patrick and Jade.</div>
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The boys played some pool. As always, I'm behind the camera. </div>
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I'm pretty sure Jade dominated the pool game. </div>
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And killing the zombies/terrorists! HA! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wg2V0aSh_YQ/T_NT5R4NlnI/AAAAAAAABo0/3J87dbUzJv8/s1600/DSC00168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-68939068704423897162012-06-29T12:28:00.000-05:002012-08-06T19:14:54.045-05:00Taking the Collectivo to TulumI'm so mad at my little brother for deleting my pictures, but I guess stewing in my anger isn't going to bring them back. Arrrggg! I just need to be around people with a little more estrogen and and little less testosterone today. Breathe...<br />
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Anyway, yesterday my brother and I headed, via Collectivo bus, to Tulum. If you are in Playa del Carmen, and interested in taking the Collectivo, you can pick one up on Calle 2 and Avenida 15. It is super easy AND cheap. Just walk up to the front of the line, tell the driver where you want to go, and get in. The ride to Tulum from PdC takes about 1 hour and cost 40 pesos. The driver drops you off right at the ruins, and when you are ready to leave, just hop back on a Collectivo waiting to drive back towards PdC. I've also traveled <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/02/cancun-and-akumal-travels.html">this way</a> to <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/akumal-snorkeling-with-turtles.html">Akuma</a>l, and it's definitely the way to go IMO!<br />
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Patrick and I arrived around 3 in the afternoon. There were no crowds, but it was soooo hot! Gosh, I miss fall! This was Patrick's first ruin trip since he's arrived, so I let him have my camera and take (and <strike>edit</strike>/delete) the photos. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I came to <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/04/ruins-of-tulum.html">Tulum</a> once before with the hubs, my (older) brother, and his fiance, so I just enjoyed the scorching hot sun, and my over-sized cooler on my shoulder.</span><br />
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Posing with the temple</div>
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Patrick being goofy</div>
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Carrying the extra GI-normous cooler!</div>
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After wandering around the ruins for a couple hours, we were hot, sweaty, tired, and hungry. Not a good combination! So we decided to walk down to the surrounding beaches. Tulum has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Plenty of white sand, and the reef prevents the waves from coming in super strong. We brought all our snorkel gear with us, thinking we would take a snorkel trip, but we were a little tired from our busy day, so we just enjoyed our late lunch and relaxed. We decided to settle down at Santa Fe beach, and we were not disappointed. The beach was beautiful, with only a handful of other people. It probably didn't hurt that we didn't get to the beach until 4:30 on a Thursday afternoon. There are other beaches walking distance from the ruins, that I'm sure are gorgeous too. <br />
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Beaches of Santa Fe</div>
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Recommendations for Tulum:<br />
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<li>Bring sunscreen, bathing suit, towel, and sunglasses!</li>
<li>Bring a little snack or lunch and water... LOTS of water. There are restaurants near the ruins, but the restaurant on Santa Fe beach was not good and had a very small selection of food choices.</li>
<li>Don't be afraid to try the less popular beaches. Tulum is set right on the coast, so many of the sightseers choose to go to the beach with access from the ruins. Don't be afraid to explore, you might find something wonderful.</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">If you are wanting to do a snorkel tour, don't pay the high prices at the front of the ruins. If you walk down to the beach, you can find boats and captains that will take you out with all the equipment for less than $20 per person.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Take lots of pictures!</span></li>
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-84212433546294813202012-06-28T08:21:00.002-05:002012-08-06T19:15:17.289-05:00Banana + Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few days ago, between firing <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/rodney-yee-you-are-fired.html">Rodney Yee</a> and keeping Ace calm during the thunderstorm, I promised you this recipe. I must admit, I found the inspiration for this recipe about 8 year ago when I was on Christmas Break from college. A roommate and I were at her parents house, and her dad decided to "stuff" our French toast with things in the pantry. This was definitely the best combination we/he came up with. </div>
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Banana, Peanut Butter, + Granola French Toast</h3>
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<li>3 eggs</li>
<li>1/4 c milk</li>
<li>cinnamon to taste</li>
<li>1 TBSP honey</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>thick sliced bread</li>
<li>creamy peanut butter</li>
<li>bananas</li>
<li>granola</li>
<li>syrup</li>
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Dip each slice of bread in egg mixture until completely coated and cook on a hot skillet until each side is lightly browned. Repeat with each bread slice. Spread peanut butter on one slice of French toast, top with bananas and granola, and place other slice of French toast on top to make a sandwich. Serve hot with syrup. Enjoy!</div>
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It's a beautiful day in PdC. My little brother is officially a certified open water diver, and we are going to take advantage of the weather and go out for a dive and see the ruins at Tulum! This will be Patrick's first ruin trip since arriving, and Tulum is definitely a good one to visit. Full recap tomorrow!<br />
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<br />Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761604403188518327.post-86895760261681019032012-06-27T12:27:00.004-05:002012-08-06T19:15:07.033-05:00Spicy Baked Salmon with Pineapple Mango Salsa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To go with my <a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/mango-pineapple-and-papaya-salsa.html">pineapple, mango, and papaya salsa</a>, I baked some spicy salmon and asparagus. The combination of flavors was delicious. <br />
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Spicy Baked Salmon</h3>
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<li>1 pound wild salmon</li>
<li>2 tsp chili powder</li>
<li>1 tsp cumin</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper</li>
<li>2 TBSP olive oil</li>
<li><a href="http://kansaspokerwife.blogspot.mx/2012/06/mango-pineapple-and-papaya-salsa.html">pineapple, mango, and papaya salsa</a></li>
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl mix seasonings. Pat salmon with seasonings on the side with no skin. In a large saute pan, heat olive oil until it smokes and cook salmon for 30 seconds seasoning side down until crust forms. Turn salmon spice side up and place in oven for 7 minutes. Serve with pineapple salsa.</div>
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Baked Asparagus</h3>
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I've prepared asparagus many different ways, but this is by far my favorite. It tastes like the asparagus you will find at a fancy restaurant.</div>
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<li>1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed</li>
<li>cooking spray</li>
<li>salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>2 TBSP butter</li>
<li>1 TBSP soy sauce</li>
<li>1 tsp balsamic vinegar</li>
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Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake asparagus for 12 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and vinegar. Pour over baked asparagus. </div>
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I also imagine this sauce being drizzled over a fillet mignon and served with a nice Cabernet. </div>
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Before our dinner, I snapped some photos of my favorite bulldog. He has such a rough life.</div>
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<br /></div>Meghan@kspokerwifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523484913701126761noreply@blogger.com0