Wrapping It Up

At the ending of every year, I typically reflect on the months beforehand and note those things that I wish I could have done differently.  It's not that I focused more upon regrets than milestones or that my missteps outshined those well taken; I simply always traveled into each new year determined to make the next 365 days better than the last.

This year is different.  I look back on 2011 and am unable to find one single thing that I wouldn't want to repeat: I updated and created a lovely home that I look forward to coming home to every evening; I trained for and completed my first marathon, while in the process becoming the healthiest I have ever been; I married my best friend and am currently carrying our first child; and lastly, I spent the holidays with dear friends and a family that I feel incredibly grateful to be part of. 

Happy New Year, and may each of you find comfort and gratification in the little things.  Those small blessings that are sometimes overlooked may just be what bring the most happiness.

I Do, He Does, & Baby Does Too!

At 3:30 in the afternoon on Saturday, October 22, Jeremy and I tightly tied the knot while ten of our closest family members and friends cheered us on.  Perhaps the most untraditional wedding I have ever attended (I wore maternity jeans and hiking boots), it was for sure--in my opinion--the loveliest.

Our 'wedding party' met at Roxborough State Park, a hidden Colorado gem that Jeremy and I stumbled on a couple of months ago, and hiked one mile to an overlook which boasted some of the most breathtaking views we'd ever seen.  No one got gussied up; not a penny was spent on flowers or a band; and one of my dearest girlfriends officiated the ceremony.  It was as simple as simple could possibly be.

As Jeremy and I exchanged our vows, we found comfort and happiness in believing that our wedding encompassed only two single things: the purest commitment that we have for each other, and the deep love we have for our family, friends and baby on the way.

She Said Yes!

Three Julys ago, I met my soul mate.  I knew this from the very instant I saw him; the comfort of his voice and lines around his eyes made me feel like I had fallen into a vast sea of protection, friendship and love.

The relationship that he and I have cultivated over the last two years is bullet proof, and I believe this to my core.  It has not only survived my addiction and illness--it has flourished because of  it.  Each battle that I have fought, he was there--standing behind me, picking me up and dusting me off each time I fell.

Jeremy: you are the best man I have ever known and you help me to be better as well.  I love you so passionately, I respect you with all of my might, and every day I look at you in awe of how you live your life with such incredible spirit.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share the rest of my life with yours.  Of all the gifts you have ever given me, this one means the most.

Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes

I have always been a self-proclaimed 'chocoholic,' but ever since I  made the decision to eliminate wine from my diet, my sweet tooth has skyrocketed to unsurpassed heights.

Whipping up tasty, gluten-free baked goods can be tricky, and Cake will be the first to tell you that a couple of my dessert attempts spent more time on the counter than they did in our stomachs.  This recipe for beautifully rich, dense chocolate coconut cupcakes won't disappoint, and they're gluten and dairy free.

Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes

-taken from mydarlinglemonthyme.blogspot.com

Makes 8.

• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (you can also sub agave nectar)
• pinch of fine sea salt

Chocolate Ganache Icing

• 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• toasted shredded coconut, extra (optional) to decorate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line 8 muffin tins with paper cases.

Place the chocolate and coconut into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground (the consistency of coarse sand). Add the eggs, maple syrup and a pinch of fine sea salt. Pulse until well combined.

Using a 1/4 cup cup measure, scoop out cupcake batter into the paper cases. Bake for 20-25 mintues or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center.

Leave the cupcakes in the tins to cool for at least 1 hour before icing.

To make the coconut ganache icing, place the coconut milk and chocolate into a small saucepan and melt over a very low heat, stirring as you go. Once it is melted and smooth, spread tablespoonfuls of the ganache onto the top of the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with toasted coconut.

Happy Indulging!  

Now There's The Silver Lining!

I am a distance runner.  But a fair-weather one.

I will only run before 10am and after I've consumed 16 ounces of coffee (no more, no less).  I prefer the temperature to be under 65 degrees with a wind speed of 5-9 mph, and if we've got a little cloud coverage: even better.  My running shoes and I had the luxury of enjoying a long, cool spring this year, but this Fourth of July weekend is accompanied by warm sunrise temperatures that I anticipate will stick around.

This morning I was virtually (Facebook, to those of you familiar) complaining about the wrench that's been thrown into my morning running routine, and within seconds my friend Dave commented, "You can always run at 5am!"  Dave's humorous and (I think) sarcastic remark made me throw my coffee cup in the sink and scramble upstairs to change into my warm-weather running gear.  He was right!  At 7:30 I'd missed the 5am cutoff, but I think what Dave was really telling me was "Come on, Alex.  Just shift your attitude a bit."

Five minutes later, I bounded outside with my headphones and ran for an hour under gorgeous bluebird skies.

Thanks, Dave.

You Are What You Eat

Two months ago I completed my first marathon, and every single thing that accompanied the event was fantastic.  My parents flew into town to cheer me on, my darling boyfriend (Cake, to those of you who know him) made handmade posters that would encourage me along the route, and two of my best friends surprised me at the finish line.

My favorite thing about five months of grueling training, however, was that I could eat.  And eat. And eat and eat and eat.  Pints of Haagen Dazs; Nutella and peanut butter sandwiches; french fries drenched with truffle oil---it didn't matter what it was or how much I ate.  I was a calorie-burning machine and I used my runner's metabolism as a primary excuse to stray from a healthy diet.

Since my marathon training ended in May, I have developed a taste for fresh fruits and vegetables, and most surprisingly: gluten-free cuisine.   There are gobs of cookbooks, blogs and websites that cater to such a lifestyle and I've been fortune enough to discover a couple of favorites:

www.roostblog.com (try the Chamomile & Honey Almond Meal Muffins)

www.heathereatsalmondbutter.com (spaghetti squash as a pasta substitute?  GENIOUS)

I've tested quite a few recipes from those two sites and nothing has failed me yet!

Happy Eating---

Happy (Step) Father's Day!

I think we can all agree that fathers are very significant people.  As small children, they teach us such skills as sharing; the importance of saying please and thank you; addressing our elders as Mrs. and Mr; and waiting our turn to speak in conversations.

As teenagers, fathers teach us about dedication and persistence; they teach us how to drive a car; and they teach us about punctuality as they wait up for us when we near our curfew.  And as adults they celebrate our new jobs, toast us at our weddings and whether or not they live across town or across the country, they never stop cheering us on.

My dear stepfather came into my picture just a few years ago, but his presence in my life has been nothing short of extraordinary.  He has supported me without hesitation, he is the best sounding board a girl could have, and he lives a life that is honest, peaceful and filled with love.

Thank you Bob, for being the very best stepfather I could ever ask for.  Happy Father's Day!