Lovin' Me Some Reuben

     You know what? I'm pretty easy to swoon. Yeppers, it takes very little effort to knock me off of my feet; you pretty much have to give me one tiny push, and I've fallen like "and I can't get up" commercial victim. Nah, really, one word: Kit-Kat. If my husband brings me a Kit-Kat, I turn into melted butter. I know we're not the only ones, but I don't know of another couple outside of Reuben and me that actually got Kit-Kats for a wedding present--thanks, Aunt Judy. Anyway, I'm not one of those girls that needs to be bombarded with flowers, purses, chariots, or diamonds. Okay, diamond(s) I'll take, greedily, but all the other stuff is for the self-indulgent oh-look-at-me birds. And luckily, my husband knows this about me. Do you know what he bought me that got me tickled-to-heavens excited? These:

Yep, Mens Hanes Wide Leg Sweatpants. I literally just moved my computer to take this picture. You're witnessing my actual current state and what I wore to work today. I kid you not. I love these! This goes to show you what kind of girl I am--simply happy--and I attest it all to my wonderful husband.
     Ladies, I think we rely on the husbands a little too much when it comes to igniting the romance flame. I mean, c'mon, I know life is sweet while rolling around in my yoga pants sans makeup and bra, reading my Kindle, and stinking the house up with steamed broccoli, why wouldn't my husband want to throw himself at that pretty little scene? But we need to bra-up and treat our man every once in a while. March 12, 2013, was our WE'RE ENGAGED anniversary, and even though I can be won over by sweatpants, I don't assume the same to be true for my husband. So, bra-up I did for this special night.

     This is what Reuben came home to last Tuesday:

This is what he saw when getting off of the elevator, walking to our apartment.

This is a self portrait I created of my happiness when he popped the question at the beach. What he noticed is that turned him from a man to a question poppin' chair.

He has a slight "that's what she said" obsession. Well played, Abigail, well played.

He was absolutely smitten right off the bat. He was ready to run in to take me in his arms, but...

...he was greeted with door paper fringies!!!

We usually have a huge Alabama A right here, but it's only okay to move it when such a spectacular piece of art is made and displayed.

"Abigail, oh Abigail..." where could she be??? As he walks past this amazingness to find my awesomeness, he sees...

...the latest thing I learned on Pinterest.

And the "where is Abigail" mystery is solved!! (I just realized Seyo is in the picture!! She's so cute, lovin' up on that wall)

I had to plan it out perfectly so that I would be waiting in the car. Thanks to my girl, Jess, I was able to hide out in her apartment until I knew for sure that he was out of the parking garage. We had a great date night on a Tuesday. We walked around Uijeongbu, ate at Durga (incredible Indian food), and recounted all our steps that got us where we are today.
     The second best part about that night was that Reuben got to be the passenger in the scheme that I created. For once, he didn't have to plan something or make all the decisions, and he was so grateful for it. The number one best part about that night was when we came home, pulled on our Hanes Sweatpants (yes, he bought himself a pair as well), and talked/laughed ourselves to sleep. Although I did this for him, I got to benefit from seeing my husband get a glimpse of how much I love him, adore us, and value what we have together.
     I'm sharing this not to get awesome wife points, woot woot, or anything like that, but to express the importance of shared affection. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't communicate not only our love, but our appreciation for each other. I appreciate the fact that Reuben proposed because with out that we wouldn't have this, and I showed him by showering him with butcher paper gratitude. I like to revert back to flirtatious high school antics; it keeps us young.
      I've been thinking for ten minutes how to wrap this up with something sweet and funny. I've got nothing but a belly full of meatloaf and a brain full of tired. With that being said, goodnight, y'all.
   

My Latest Nom Nom Noms

     My latest facebook post was, "I'd be so skinny if it wasn't for food...darn food...it gets me every time." It really does, though. I'm like, "la la la la, life is great, ya ya ya, running a few miles, doo do doo do doo, tighten another notch on the belt, yay yay yay...OH SNAP...FFFFOOOODDDD...GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVVVVYYYYYY...DDDOOOUUUGGGHHHNNNUUUTTT...CCCHHHOOOCCCOOOLLLAAATTEEE...CCCHHHEEESSSEEE....GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVVVVYYYYYY...SSSSAAAAALLLLLTTTTT...GGGGGOOOOOLLLLLDDDDDFFFFFIIIIISSSSSHHHHHCCCRRRAAAACCCKKKKRRRRSSS...GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVVVVYYYYYY....CCCCCHHHHHEEEEERRRRRIIIIIOOOOOOSSSS...IIIIIIICCCCCCIIIIINNNNNGGGGG....GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVVVVYYYYYY(recover from blackout), la la la la, life is great, ya ya ya..." and the cycle continues. I LOVE FOOD...like a lot. I really wish my love for food was outweighed with my love for losing weight, but it's not. But you know what's amazing? Food! The best part about food is that we have the power to make it taste amazing while controlling the fat and calories and laksdfdlkjlakaieinw0e9tijg...I don't care...just make it taste good!
     I'm still upholding my New Years Resolution of making one new recipe a week: best resolution ever. While counting calories and trying new recipes, I've stumbled upon some keepers. Today, I will share with you my favorites thus far.

Green Beans in Envelope Soup with Ripped Up Whole Wheat Bun

Okay, this isn't exactly a new recipe. This is what you call being a product of Melanie Gibson; if you come from her, you crave random green bean creations. This is what I created. I love it, Reuben won't look at it, and Seyo tries to sniff the bowl. I'm just sayin' beans and bread and fake soup is pretty amazing. Moving on to the real recipes...(I did have that for dinner tonight...and I kinda want some more...)

Baked Oatmeal...What WHAT!!

This is my new obsession thanks to my girl Jessica. She told me this could possibly sustain my energy throughout the day. At 150 calories per serving, and I cut this into 8 servings, I'm good for the week. I eat this before all of my runs, and it proves to keep me going. My biggest change to the recipe: no butter, only because I hate melting butter. I have to wash the cup extra good to get it all ungreasy, and "Ain't nobody got time for dat!" 

Baked Oatmeal Again Because I is Lovin' It!!

Now with this one I did do a lot of modifications to make it lighter and got it down to 150 calories per servings at 8 servings per pan. I sprayed the pan with Pam, used 1 tbs butter in the entire dish (now I'm wondering if it even calls for it since I left it out of the other one), used 2 cups of diced fresh strawberries and 1 cup fresh blueberries (no bananas because yuck), used fat free milk, and drizzled the top with sugar free syrup. Man-oh-man, it's amazing. However, do not leave this on the counter for a week unless you want to have cough syrup flavored oatmeal. I still ate it, gagged a little, but ate it. 

No-Bake Energy Bites for My Reuben

If you like no-bake cookies. These are right up your ally. I don't eat this because of my obsession with baked oatmeal, but I do have to keep my husband in mind. I don't put the coconut or raisins in the mix, instead I put chocolate chips which is never a bad decision. I do use flaxseed, though. That is powerful little ingredient!

My Lunch...Every Single Day

My previous fellow faculty member, Mrs. Stiles (My Marge), told me about this salad years ago. Baby spinach, craisins, sunflower seeds, diced apple, and Fat Free Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing. Unless the salad is a greek salad, my salads need to be fruity and tangy. This is the best thing since sliced bread in my mouth. 

I Freakin' Love Noodles: Skinny Chicken Parmesan 

Mother goose, how awesome was this meal? Even Reuben liked it, and he's not big on the Italian foods. Just stop reading now and go make this meal, you won't be disappointed unless you can't cook. In that case, go to someone who can cook and request this meal, stat!

Roasted Asparagus Because Sometimes You Need to Eat a Vegetable 

Reuben loves asparagus like I love transfats. I'm not so crazy about the stuff, but I'm trying to learn. This recipes is pretty good; I need to up the garlic, though.

Break Out the Foreman Grill it's Time for Honey Chicken Kabobs

This turned out to better than I thought! I made my marinade that morning before I went to work, so it sat for a good 12 hours before I put them on the grill. We were impressed and this will be happening again.

I've made a lot more amazing creations, but they haven't been figure friendly; in that case, send it to Reuben's office!!! I couldn't forget the soldiers on Valentine's Day...the image is a little blurry...

It Must have been Good because There Weren't Any Leftovers: Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

And, of course, on Valentine's Day I had to make the most important person in my life a sweet, little treat. 

You can't say I love you unless you do it with a pound of peanut butter and Reese Cups. PB Cake!

A Blurry Happy Reuben!! (Haha...an unintentional Urban Athletic Gym shout out!!!)

Welp, I've had a blast cookin' it up, throwin' it down, clownin' around while losin' a pound (<- I have no idea what that is, I just went with it.) I'm always looking for some awesome low cal tastiness  I'm always open for some new ideas :).  Anyway, I gotta go hand roll some energy bites..amazing little peanut butter bites of happiness.