Reception Detail #5: The Parade!

So, every bride and groom decides on an exit. A time, a toss item, etc.

We were going to be a little bit different here. It just so happened that our hotel was literally right next door to our reception site, and there would be no point in us exiting the building and getting in a limo only to take us two seconds down the pavement. So, what would be better than a mass parade next door? Instead of throwing weird things at us, our guests were handed little toy instruments (drums, whistles, noisemakers, etc.) and they all escorted us to the elevator that would take us up to the Presidential Suite!

When the time came, Daddyo as the parade leader, led everyone out. We had an overwhelming response from our guests on how much they loved it!

Brilliant idea and flawless execution, if I don't say so myself.

- Megan

Fruits and Veggies: They're grrrreat!

Greg and I have noticed that when we add lots of fruits and veggies to our diets, we feel so much better. We've both been pretty good. It's hard to plan your meals around fruits veggies, but there are ways to incorporate them easily.

As a side note, let me add that I practice Weight Watchers. Greg actually lost quite a bit of weight on it and he's maintaining right now and not counting as much as I do. I'm more of a flip-flopper. I go through waves of awesome eating and not-so-awesome eating. Overall, I'm pretty healthy, and most of my friends and even students notice. I do my Weight Watchers online where I track what I eat each day and I feel like it's the easiest way for me to stay on track with my nutrition and eating habits. I am quite a foodie and I love just about anything set in front of me, or at least, I'll try anything. The major problem with being a foodie is that I like FOOD! That's where Weight Watchers comes in....

Here are a few of my favorite ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into my diet:

 - Add a salad to every meal. A spinach/romaine salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, mixed (red, yellow, orange) bell pepper, and baby carrots. It's actually easy. After I get home from buying our produce, I wash and cut everything up and put them in plastic bags. When it's time for me to make a salad, I just throw everything in a bowl and add some yummy enriched vinegar (I have an Acai Pomegranate Red Wine Vinegar that I love) so that I'm not adding extra calories with oily salad dressings. And the best thing about this salad is that it is ZERO points (if you're counting Weight Watchers Points, like I do)! I try to have a salad at lunch and dinner. If anything, I'll at least take one to lunch.

- Berries!! High in antioxidants and are good for you! I like frozen berries (I either get the mix of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries or just the frozen blueberries) simply because they're much cheaper, especially when out of season. I use a pyrex measuring cup and add about a cup of berries. I microwave it for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Sometimes I'll add a dollop of Fat Free Cool Whip. Only 1 Point! It's really satisfying, especially if you are craving something sweet after a meal.

- Apples. Greg is the apple man. I like them too, but don't eat nearly as much as he does. He eats a ton of them and they really can curb cravings. My favorite apple of the moment is the extra-large Granny Smith apples. Super fresh and juicy! And if you want to add some extra nutrition to it as a snack, add cinnamon! Cinnamon has tons of antioxidants and there is a lot of research telling us that it is amazing for your health. Don't believe me? Google it!

- Frozen veggies. You know those Green Giant frozen veggies that steam in the microwave? Best invention ever. Some say that frozen veggies might even have more nutrition than fresh because they are frozen at their peak while fresh vegetables have to travel to grocery stores across the country and can lose nutrients. I love adding frozen veggies to just about any meal, especially if I am still feeling hungry. My favorite Green Giant veggies is the Immunity Blend, Green Beans and Almonds, and Healthy Vision Blend.


Well, that's all I got for now. There are lots of other ways, obviously! What's your favorite way to get your fruits and veggies?

-Megan

I'm back... again!

Hello blog readers, whoever you are.....!

Whew, I'm back!

Last week was great. The show went so well! I am so proud of my kids and amazed that we put this show up in as little as four weeks. I got tons of positive feedback from audience members and I'm glad it went so well!! My students are already bored and want another play to be in! Unfortunately, the winter play is the last one of the year for those not in the UIL cast.

Here's a shot of my lovely cast and I:

I would post a lot of pictures from the show, but I'm feeling lazy.

So what's next for me? I go straight into co-directing for the UIL One-Act play. I haven't been to any of their rehearsals since I was busy with my own so, so I'm not sure what to expect. I know it's going to be fun, nonetheless, and it'll be good to work on it.

I'll be blogging some more, too. I want to get through all of the details of the wedding and honeymoon, so that is completely finished. After that, I've been thinking about where I want this blog to go. I think this blog will become a smorgasbord of various topics that apply to our married life! Fun, right? We shall see.

Here's to more blogging!

-Megan

Ready for some Big Love this weekend...

Whew, I've been a bad blogger!

These past two weeks have been insane because of the show I'm directing.  As I've said before, I'm directing Big Love by Charles Mee. We go up this Thursday! And here's a promotional poster:

Usually the two weeks before the show can be described as "hell week." This time is no exception. Between having a cast of 50 kids, 25 girls in wedding dresses, having our first tech rehearsal three days before opening night, and quite a few kids failing their classes and losing eligibility (although luckily most are extras and I'm not replacing anyone), there are a lot of things to worry about. Surprisingly enough, though, I'm not really that stressed. I've been organized since the first rehearsal (and we've only had a five week rehearsal period) so I'm not having to do a million things at the last minute. I feel like I'm in some sort of directing rhythm and I know what things I should do in what order to save my sanity the week of the show. Not to mention, my show is pretty much ready to go, acting wise. It's just those little technical details that we have to worry about at this point.

Greg has also been busy working in the evenings and consumed with things that he needs to do as well. We've been missing each other and not really been able to hang out that much, but I know that this is a temporary thing. He works hard and I love him!

Once I have some more free time starting next week, I can continue my postings! The last thing I want to do is neglect this blog. I hope you all understand -- whoever you are (since I'm not sure who reads this blog, exactly).

Well, ciao for now. Think happy thoughts this weekend for my show!