We’re Going On An Adventure

Otherwise known as our life. And we leave in less than two weeks! (Actually move from our apartment in South Florida to become gypsies, digital nomads, or like I like to call it, Airbnb’ers!)

I can hardly believe it. What once was a thought of, talked through, pipe dream is fast becoming our reality, and I cannot wait to tell you about it.

First things first, a little about my story. My hubby and I are anything but traditional. We moved and lived to Panama for 6 months early in our dating life. We came back and got married on the sly. And then, once we were back (home,) Nick found himself his dream job and we left and moved to Florida.

And today, we are coming up on almost three (HOT) years in Florida. It’s really crazy how fast it went. Wow.

And now, we’re on to the next!

We plan to spend most of August and September back home (in Wisconsin,) almost all of October traveling, November back here in the Florida life and by Christmas we will be to my mom and step dad’s in Arizona. Whew!

From there, we plan to spend most of 2019 on the west coast. We have lots of love for California, Washington and Oregon, and are excited to visit new states and areas, too!

The end of this year will go fast and there are so many things I am looking forward to. A Brewer’s game back home, seeing friends and family, walking on the lake path in Lake Geneva and my favorite egg rolls ever are just the beginning.

Maybe I should back up and preface all of this with, both my husband and I have the ability to work remotely. Travel and seeing the nation (and the world!) is on both of our hearts and with the remote work option, neither of us can say exactly where we want to live “forever” or where we want to be even for now. We want to see, and be, in it all!

We talked about this life, this dream, this possibility..all the way back when we lived in Panama. Truly, that feels like a long time ago. It’s crazy how much time has passed, how many things have changed, and all that has happened to us in the last five years.

And now, we both are in completely new professions that hold our passions and allow us to live out our other passions, too, like spending time with our people and traveling.

Life has not always been easy and sometimes, it still isn’t. But things happen and you have to be flexible, and be as positive and patient as you can!

I am so excited. It’s hard to believe. But for now, I must go. I need to pack my life, my place, and my suitcase! (We’re off to Vancouver Canada at the end of this week for 10 days,) and we move three days after coming back. Oy! Oh yes, and don’t forget about that work life, too!

Thanks for reading and do me a favor and put in a prayer for us! Life may not have turned out like we “wanted it to,” or even how we thought it would. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t turned our exactly how it was supposed to.

I can’t wait to share this journey with you and all of my continued love for natural everything, delicious food, God, workouts, friends and family, travel and everything else Emmy!

XOXO

Gluten Free Meats Paleo Recipes The Life I Live vegetables

Chicken and Vegetables with Red Curry and Coconut Milk Sauce

Do you ever make a recipe you love, but then you kinda forget about it and don’t make it again for a while? That was this recipe for me.

My husband was the first to make this Chicken Curry dish and I loved it so much. After what we made was gone, I made the recipe again that week, because it was so good. It was my new fave. But..then it wasn’t? I forgot about it!

Then, I thought of this recipe, for some reason on the way back from our Mexico trip, and I just had to have it. This time, I put my own spin on the recipe, including throwing it all in the crock pot, and it came out great. It was so good, I had my leftovers for breakfast.

Chicken and Vegetables with Red Curry and Coconut Milk Sauce

1 pound ready-made gluten-free and soy-free chicken strips
2 red bell peppers, sliced
1 white onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
8 mushrooms, washed and sliced
1 can coconut milk
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons Thai Red Curry
1 teaspoon ginger powder

Add everything to the crock pot and let cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8. Serve it with cauliflower rice to keep the dish Paleo. Otherwise you could serve with rice, rice noodles or as a side to potatoes and a vegetable.

Enjoy!

Like this recipe? Go HERE to check out my books!

The Life I Live

Inspiration: Finding Old ‘Blogs’ From Before I was a Blogger

“As I’m sitting down Saturday early evening to write up a new recipe I created, I turned on a documentary to listen to. All the sudden a flash of “Yan Can Cook” is shown along with Julia Child and Emeril Lagasse. I think to myself, huh, I was just remembering old school cooking shows last night and thinking of Yan Can Cook on PBS or some network channel as a child.

As I continue to listen, the narrator starts talking about this man who is about to be introduced as a speaker and how he wrote several books, one of which is entitled “The Botany Of Desire.” At this point, I have a bit of a chill. With a slight turn on my chair, I glance at my bookshelf to see that book, a book I read in college English, a book my husband pulled out and placed on the bookshelf when we moved in, staring back at me. It’s almost eerie, almost chilling, when you seem to find yourself exactly in the place where you were meant to be. And in that moment, there is nothing to feel other than inspired.

My point is, sometimes in life you sit down or stand up to do something, and it just seems to click. It feels right. The stars align. The door opens. The universe points in that direction. Your past returns. You are reminded of a thought you just had the night before. Your doubts are hushed. Your time is rewarded. You feel like, “Yes, this is what I am meant to be doing right now.” And lastly, a sense of calm comes over you.

Whatever that thing is, whatever you started to do, DO IT! I believe in things happening for a reason, I believe in following your dreams and chasing after every last goal. If you love something, it will always be enjoyable.

When everything around you is pushing you towards something, do it. When your thoughts and actions fall into place, do it. When you have a want or wish, don’t wait, do it! Take your extra minutes, your day off, your ‘you time’ and work. Work hard. Work more. Work consistently. Don’t ever stop.

Just my thoughts for the day, now back to my show! XOXO”

I love that I found this and even more, what it says. I still agree with every word. Since, I’ve become a self-published cookbook author and write my own lifestyle blog. Along with the many other endeavors I spoke of recently.

So go and make your dreams come true. I’m telling you. You can! Happy Tuesday All=)

My books are proof of what can happen. Check them out!

Want a paperback copy? Reply in the comments and I’ll send you one!

Explorations The Life I Live

Don’t Forget To Follow Your Dreams

Remember when you were little and all around you, you were told you could be whatever you wanted to be? Well, let me tell you something. You still can.

I’m not saying it’s easy and I’m not saying to go spend every last dollar you have, but please, don’t forget to get out there and live!

About a year ago I found myself in the middle of jobs and feeling a little frustrated. I needed to feed my soul, not just my bank account. So (with the help and support of my hubby,) I did.

I had already been blogging a bit and it came easy to me. I like to talk so I have a lot to say and rather then blab to Nick all day, I started writing and sharing. It wasn’t easy and it didn’t come right away, but soon I had secured my very first, remote, freelance writing position! I still write for this 80s website in which I started and will write about the 90s too, come this fall.

I find myself working four (part-time) positions, and I couldn’t feel better about it. You see, I never wanted (nor excelled) in a 40 hour work week, at the same job. I always preferred multiple endeavors (and income streams) and it turns out, nothing has changed.

But all the sudden. I work from home, with a schedule that’s mine to make, and (almost) more work then I know what to do with. And well this may not be your dream, I just want to encourage you to remember YOUR dream. And make it happen.

How do you do this? Well, you have to figure out what it is you want. What do you love to do? What do you do everyday, “work day” or not? What makes you smile? Laugh? What do you loathe? Dig deep and make sure to be honest with yourself.

Find ways to indulge your soul. Do more of what you love. Want a new job but don’t know where to start? Do something on your own, at home or whenever you have time, unpaid, and dive in. If you start a blog, make sure to post more than once a week. Want to become a personal trainer? Talk to someone at your gym and see what they have to say. You can further your education with free online courses (some even taught by Harvard!) Whatever you do, remember this is your life. Don’t waste it.

The thing is, for me, I laugh at myself. Why? Well, everyday, I like to write, cook, and workout. The weekdays are filled with this (and tapings.) But then, so are the weekends. I find myself always wanting to do these things whether it is a workday or weekend day. A holiday or vacation. For instance, I’m on a train in Norway, right now, on vacation. And what do I do? Write.

As for my other jobs, because I know you’re wondering, here you go.

I write for LT80s (liketotally80s.) Like I said, it’s remote (from anywhere I want) and freelance, making it fit into my life, my way. Also, starting in the fall, I will be writing for the same boss for another website he’s procured, noduh90s. As an 80s baby and a 90s kid, both of these writing gigs are nostalgic and fun.
I work as a mystery shopper for A Closer Look. This job is too fun, fully reimbursed, sometimes includes a bonus, and includes write offs. The company has “shops” all over the US and even into Canada. Taking in a great meal, visiting the dentist, or even having a drink at the bar are all things that you can do with this company. Love it.
I work for Trust Review Network. This job sends me products (again, fully reimbursed) to try out and write a review on. If you share it, you make more money. If you tape yourself doing a video, you make more money. In a couple of months, if they are happy with my work, I will make more money. Pretty awesome, huh?
I test recipes for HelloFresh. As a part of their taste makers program, I am sent recipes to test and try (most of which I already have the ingredients for as I am an avid foodie and cook) and then I complete a short, concise survey, and I’m done.

Oh, and did I forget my blog? I guess that’s five jobs. Not to mention I have written four self-published (mostly cookbooks) in the past year as well.

So, that’s that I guess. And the thing is, since starting vacation (a little over a week ago,) I have received next to no work emails, stressed phone calls, or anything. It has been over two years since both Nick and I have taken a non-work vacation, and it’s a true and honest vacation this time. What a blessing.

But here we are, on the train, working. Haha. Happy Monday!

Want to see my books? Check them out!

Want a paperback copy? Reply in the comments and I’ll send you one!

The Life I Live

Goals, Dreams and Life- Thoughtful Thursday

Dreams are an interesting thing. Goals even. You want this or that with your life and you put in so much effort and you strive and try harder than ever and then..

Then, you hit that goal! You made your dream happen. And now what?? Now you work even harder!

Say what?

Yes. Continued effort. More trying. Harder work. More work. More time and dedication. More striving. More learning.

When you get married, for many that’s a dream. But it isn’t until after that, that you put in that time or that effort. Because now you’re not trying for that dream of getting married, you’re trying for a dream of being married. You’re trying to make your marriage the best it can be.

The same goes for a job. You work so hard to get that dream job. Whether schooling gets you there or it’s the experience you need, you do the unthinkable and you make it happen. Then you have your dream job, so you’re done right? Nope. Time to work smarter, work harder and try more.

Come to think of it, having children will likely produce more of the same. The goal is to get pregnant. For some, it’s the natural ease it was meant to be. For others, just getting there can turn into a dream. For those people it’s nonstop prayers and doing the best you can all while trying to remain patient and calm.

Then you get pregnant. Whew, what a relief. Your dream became reality. But now you have to prepare life for a big change. And then suddenly your baby is there with you, all the time, everyday. And now that you made your dream happen, what now? Well now you just want to try harder, strive harder and be the best (parent) you can be.

And so on it goes..

That’s the thing about dreams. If you work tirelessly and manage to achieve your dream, then that’s when the work starts. That is when the efforts are needed.

This is what makes dreams, dreams. Most people can’t get there. So if you do, don’t let it slip through your fingers.

TRY HARDER, DO MORE, PROVE IT, MAKE IT HAPPEN

…and remember, this is your life.

Happy Thursday!

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Faith, Food, and Real Life

Tag: dreams