5 years ago...

Happy Birthday Noah!  I can't believe you are 5 years old!  I remember meeting you for the very first time.  Here are Megs and I enjoying your company:

Miss you!
xoxo,
Auntie Lau

thankful

I have reminded myself countless times in the past three and a half weeks to enjoy each and every moment in this precious life.  I hate to be so cliche but never has the need to do this been more apparent than now.  No matter how difficult times may seem, faith and hope lift me up. 

I continue to soak up the love and hugs of friends and family nearby, the words of encouragement and love from those across the country, and the simple presence of loved ones.  We as a family are so very grateful for all of the prayers and outpouring of support.  It means the world to us and will continue to lift our spirits.  THANK YOU!

I wish I could share details with you on dad's condition, but I can't in this forum.  I hope you will understand, and feel free to reach out to me in other ways if I haven't already been in touch with you.

Prayers

As you may already know, my dad was involved in a very serious train accident recently. Thank you to all of the friends and family who have shown support and love. Your thoughts, prayers and encouragement are much appreciated and mean the world to me.

Calgary, from the air!

Taking pictures distracted me from the bumpy airplane ride over the Rocky Mountains.  Enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Portland and Calgary

I really enjoy travelling for work.  The opportunity does not present itself often, but when it does, I enjoy it. 
This month, I got to go to Portland for a Pacific Northwest MBA Fair.  The best part was not the fair, but the visit with Abby and Mike.  Even though it was brief, it was wonderful to catch up with them and trade notes on the Financial Peace University course.  I also got to tour Abby's work, visit Powell's Books and walk around the city.  It was just lovely.  Sorry that I don't have any pictures to share from that trip, other than this one of King Street Station in Seattle.  Really loving the work they've done to it in restoration.  This is the entry way.

Thank you, Abby and Mike, for hosting me!
Presently, I am in Calgary at an advising conference in a *beautiful* hotel with heated ceramic tile floors in the bathroom.  It's the little things that I marvel over :)  I am quite certain that I will enjoy the king sized bed all to myself and the 18th floor pool & jacuzzi overlooking the city!

I had some down time to explore the city a bit today.  Shall I say "BRRRR".

An ice skating rink downtown...

The Calgary Tower

More downtown scenes:

Hoping for a productive and educational conference tomorrow :)

Tulips!

I can't remember how I stumbled across this blog, but I just love today's post: http://24corners.blogspot.com/2011/03/only-one-month.html.  These are some of the most beautiful tulip pictures I've ever seen. 
Reminds me of Tyler and I's rainy visit to the tulip fields last year, only my pictures werent so impressive. 

Have a great day!

a big topic

Those of you who see me regularly know this already but for those who are reading from afar, its about time I "come out of the closet" about my health-related journey.  I could blog for hours on this topic, but will try to keep it simple.  Last year, I started to have random joint pains and inflammation which my family dr. and rheumatologist swore were no big deal.  Every other indication (physical exam, bloodwork, etc) pointed toward "health", but after putting up with the pains for too long, it was time to try something new.  Since October, I've been seeing a naturopathic doctor who is helping me to find balance and feel healthy again.  Thankfully, it's working :-)  The most interesting part about this experience has been the anti-inflammatory gluten-free diet that she has me on.  This is indeed a drastic change: no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol, no peanuts, no potatoes, corn or tomatoes.  Pretty much, back to a simple, raw diet.  It can include meat but should be organic (no hormones added) and grass fed beef if I eat beef.  Phew!  Rest assured, though, I am eating plenty, feeling great and energetic, looking better and just plain happier.  For the first few months, it was really hard to tell a difference and know whether it was the diet or something else that was the cause of the pain and inflammation.  In recent days/weeks, it is much more evident that the diet is working which is so refreshing.  It will be interesting to see where this journey takes me, but for now, I'm of course grateful to be here today with a smile on my face. 

One of my new favorite foods is hummus.  Not the junk-loaded hummus from the store, homemade hummus adapted from my mom's work recipe.  I have to share it with you, that's how good it is! 

Hummus:

2 cans garbanzo beans
3 Tbsp. tahini
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 c. lemon juice
3-4 cloves garlic
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 c. water
red pepper flakes, to taste
blend REALLY well for an extra creamy consistency

Inspired by some new blogs I follow, I thought I would share some cooking photos.  By the way, here are the new blogs in case you're interested:

Gluten Free Girl
Tasty Yummies
Ginger Lemon Girl
Gluten Free Goddess
Love Veggies and Yoga
The Spunky Coconut

When making hummus, it helps to have a nice man who will juice the lemons for you :)

Serve for dipping veggies, or all rolled up in a brown rice tortilla with spring mix and olives.

Meals always taste better with Susie's pickled beets.  And, my new addiction: kale chips. 

De-lish!

Cheers to good health!

Valentine Love

Tyler and I celebrated Valentines Day at one of our favorite restaurants, Seastar.  I am always pleasantly surprised at how delicious they make seemingly simple things.  For example, I love mushrooms, you may know that.  Well, instead of salad as a starter, I tried their cedar plank roasted mushrooms...imagine this...
"Portabella, cremini, shiitake, are seasoned with Chef Howie's procini mushroom rub, fresh herbs, olive oil and lemon, oven roasted on a Western red cedar plank. Served with lemon vinaigrette dressed frissee and arugala."
SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS!  :) 

Tyler's favorite is the dungeness crab and corn bisque.  For the main course, I enjoyed rainbow trout with asparagus and wild rice.  So buttery and delicious, wow!  Tyler enjoyed the swordfish.  Sorry if I am making you hungry as you read this.  It was just so delicious I had to share.  Too bad I didn't take pictures of the food.  Here are Tyler and I though, ready to eat :)

And Tyler surprised me with some beautiful flowers.  Thank you, lovely!

XOXO to all :)