Yesterday was my birthday.
Not just any birthday I was informed, but my "golden birthday". 28 years old on the 28th!

And let me just say is was so golden.

There are no pictures for this post because I was too busy enjoying myself to even think of my camera.

Husband pulled out all the stops for this one.

Here is a run-down of my amazing day.
The house got cleaned by The Cleaning Authority. That was just a coincidence, it was their day.
I LOVE those ladies. They come in and accomplish in just a few hours what would take me days to do. They even clean things like picture frames. Are you kidding? I have never cleaned frames on the walls of my house. Sorry but there is just no way.
So score 1 right there.

Greer also took her first steps the night before. We got it on video and it rocks.


At 2pm husband came home from work and I got to head off to the spa. Not only did he find the spa and make the appointment, he pre-paid for everything.
All I had to do was show up.

Glorious-ness!!

I got a massage and a facial. Never in my life have I had those two things on one day. Actually when the facial lady asked "how long since your last facial?" I had to reply "Ten years". I don't know how much the facial lady liked me, but I sure did love the facial.
Sitting the the dark quiet room with a steamer and 3 layers of yummy smelling stuff on my face, I think I fell asleep at one point.
But that's just between you and me.

The party didn't stop there! When I got home Greer's Godmother Joanie came over to babysit. Husband and I headed off to Bistro Niko for dinner. It's this amazing French style place.

The food was delicious and the company was even better.
I dare say it was too loud in there... wow how old am I?

But 28 was golden. A birthday I will never forget. Thanks husband. Much love from this very happy lady.

I always try to write this blog like I'm talking to a good friend.
This past weekend, at a wedding in New York, I was talking to a good friend. A really good friend, who told me she doesn't feel so great these days. "I weigh more than ever and I'm buying clothes in bigger sizes than I ever have." she said.
I started telling her all about Paleo. "First do this, then do this" I said.
Suddenly it dawned on me that I don't feel so great these days. I weigh more than I ever have (while not prego) and I'm buying clothes in bigger sizes than ever.
I quickly realized how lax I was in my everyday diet. I just grabbed what was easy instead of thinking about what was going into my body. No wonder I'm not feeling great!

I always say the simplest way to get started on Paleo is to just start!

Here are my quick tips I tell anyone who asks me.

1. Cut sugar from your diet.
Look around, read labels. Sugar is everywhere!
Places the little devil hides! Coffee creamer, Salad Dressing, Processed Foods. Just to name a FEW!

2. Compose all meals and snacks from plants and animals. Sounds funny right? But it's such an easy rule to follow. Evaluate your next meal. Remove all the processed food and see what's left.

3. If you're working out, bring a recovery with you. What the heck is that you ask. When you're done working out do you get home and finish a box of Cheese-Its before you even know what happened?
Your body needs to be replenished right away, with good nutrition.
I suggest making a smoothie/shake (whatever you want to call it) to go along with you to your workout. Drink it on your way home. Then when you get back you're not scrambling to find something on the fly.
A favorite of mine is frozen strawberries, banana, and papaya with a scoop of protein powder. If you're scared to death protein powder will make you bulky then just omit it! Blend it all together with some ice, thin it to your liking with water and pack it to go!

Follow these 3 steps to get you going on Paleo and I promise you'll feel better. You'll feel more energized. Don't focus on the numbers of weight or dress size, I know it's hard.
I just try to focus on how I feel.
I've decided to take one month of hard core Paleo.
I will follow this descriptionEat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar.
(I also eat dairy sometimes)
So if you are not feeling your best then give this a try!

Here are some good places for information and support:
Good recipe source.
Old interview husband and I did.
New blog I just found.
Always good info here.

Cutie Pie, Pizza Pie, & Tye Dye

Wow. Time flies over the summer. Has it almost been a month since I've posted?
Greer is 10 months old now. How did that happen?

She's 10 months of adorable-ness these days.This is what she thinks of solid fruit.Disclaimer - her dad popped her collar. He finds it hilarious.

She does love some leg warmers though. Not a fan of crawling, she prefers the butt-scoot. Or whining until I let her hold my fingers and walk.
Here's a delicious summer lunch. Amy's Pesto pizza. And fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden.You probably thought I meant my garden.
No.
Thirteen oak trees don't leave much sun for produce :)
Our neighbor is frequently out of town and asks that we take whatever produce is ripe.
OKAY! Don't have to ask us twice. All we have to do is water it? We don't have to dig and plant and weed? No problem, we'll take your fresh produce!

Adam's kickball team got white shirts this summer. We all got together and tye-dyed them. Fancy Pants needed her onesie dyed as well.
Have a great week. My BFF is getting married this weekend at Oheka Castle.
Same group from the Hamptons two summers ago. We're all a little older now so this trip will be...hmm should I say calmer? Nah, not with this group!!