WOW! October!!!

I see the calendar and it’s October!

I have been busy yes, still struggling but hoping it will be OK by the new year!

I am trying to be positive about everything and hoping thing’s will turn out well.

Praying and hoping my New Year will be a good year!

So looking forward to 2019!!!

I am constantly running like this dog :)

©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography

August Really???

My week goes by so fast that when I sit and think about where I am,

What happened?

It's end of August already :P

I am trying to take advantage of this summer weather and hike as much as I can,

But the smoke from the wild fire is stopping us :(

Hope everyone is safe around all this fire!

 

We went to Rattle Snake Ledge hike last week and it was so easy!

I really need to challenge more than these easy hikes I go with my husband :P

 

Trying  to keep myself strong and think positive as always.

©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography

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©Estee Cha Photography

Oh My! June Already?

I can't believe it's June already!

I am already into my second month at my new job!!!

All is going great, great environment, friendly co-workers, I can't wish anything more.

Last night, I met this cute doggy charging towards me at the park.

Life is a hurdle and we just need to keep running and embrace what we have!

Be happy everyone! It's JUNE!!!

©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

What a beautiful Sunday!!!

I was hoping to be out at the pool for some tan this weekend, but lucky me they have been working on the pool area for some kind of fix since few months now :(

So we have decided to go on a long walk, well, not "we" but more like "I", LOL!

Anyhow, we had really great time today walking & viewing beautiful surroundings!

Look around you! Life is beautiful :)

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©Estee Cha Photography

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers!!!

What a beautiful weekend it has been!

My husband and I really enjoyed getting out there every morning for a morning walk.

Looking at all the flowers around the neighborhood has been more than entertaining!

What a beautiful world we live in :)

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©Estee Cha Photography

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©Estee Cha Photography

~A New Chapter~

On Monday the 7th, I will be starting a new full time day job! Yay!

I am still pursuing what I love to do which is photography & stylist, but for now, I am happy and thankful for this new opportunity.

I always think there is many given chances throughout our lives and this is one of it!

I know I will be busy but no worries! I will still be around :)

I am really enjoying the fresh green everywhere around me!

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©Estee Cha Photography

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©Estee Cha Photography

My Life & Veggies!

Call me crazy, but I am so fascinated by preparing my veggies nowadays that I can stand in the kitchen all day long.

Knowing this will last me only less than a week, and I have to do it all over again, but I am still happy!

I know it's not easy, but make it a habit, eat healthy, live healthy, and be happy!

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©Estee Cha Photography

~Cherry Blossom In Seattle~

Hello!!!

It's been a while!

I had been really busy, but I promised myself to make a visit to the UW this year for the cherry blossom and so we did!

My bestie tagged along with us!

I went this day (March 18, 2018) because media had said it was going to be full bloom but not quite.

We still took pictures and walked around the campus for a bit.

It was pretty chilly at 7 AM but well worth it with a lot less crowd.

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©Estee Cha Photography

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©Estee Cha Photography

~Snow Geese~

How many of you drive up to Skagit Valley for snow geese viewing?

My husband and I used to drive up there during the season every year, but since my surgeries, we have not been back.

So this new year, on a really nice sunny January Sunday, my hubby and I packed lunch and drove up to Skagit Valley.

I know many people do drive up there for Tulip Festivals and sometimes people get lucky to spot them but they are kind of hard to find and people mistaken with Trumpeter Swans.

Snow geese are massive, I mean uncountable massive group.

This is why I LOVE Washington.

We live in a paradise people!!!

For in depth educational info on snow geese, click link below :)

http://birdsofwinter.org/snow-geese-of-the-pacific-flyway/

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©Estee Cha Photography

Jump Rope Exercise?

Early last year, when I started working out, I tried doing jump rope and it was quite brutal.

I was a bit too heavy and stiff, I couldn't even jump few times, seriously!

Looking back, I was so motivated to do any workouts but my body didn't quite cooperate with me. My mind and body were acting two different ways :P

Anyhow, now that I am about 20 plus pounds less, I tried it again and guess what?

I am flying!!! LOL!!!

So I have decided to add jump rope to my daily workout!

©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography

Sorry for the messy background! It's the reality of having a tiny kitchen :O

People complain about not having enough room to exercise.

I live in a little less than 600 square feet studio apartment and I make room for my workouts.

Don't let everything and anything be your excuse, let's be real :P

I can't tell you enough of all the benefits of adding a little extra 15 to 30 minute jump rope exercise, but I will link a website for you to read :) 

Click on the pics below for the links!

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©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography

We all have excuses when it comes to doing exercises(been there, done that!)

1. No time - really?
2. Have bad knee, ankle, back, etc... modified version?
3. Too cold - do it inside!
4. Not enough space - I live in less than 600 SQ FT APT
5. Stressed - We are all stressed
6. Too much work - everyone has too much work
7. And everything else - yeah yeah yeah

Come on please, let's be real... You CAN spare 30 min. a day.
Stop making all the excuses, because you CAN do it.
You just don't want to do it, that's all.
In that case, just say you don't want to do it, not because of all the excuses 😂
I know there is always haters out there, but I'm just saying...

Does My Husband Eat Like Me?

Answer is "NO".

I have people asking me this question all the time.

I don't think my husband can ever eat like me but I don't want to be firm.

I have completely cut carbs and additive sugar from my diet.

So what does my husband eat?

He eats everything :)

All kinds of Korean food, and anything I cook for him.

So, I cook all kind of soups, meats, curry, anything possible and freeze them in portions.

That way he can choose what he wants to eat that day.

I also prepare Korean side dishes on my days off so he has plenty to eat.

Daily fruits and veggies are a must, so I also pack that for him every morning.

Recently he has decided to cut sweets like Korean bakery or rice cake, which I am really happy about.

Today is my day to cook and freeze, so I thought I share this post and pictures :P

Please don't think I am not feeding my husband lol.

This is what my little Freezer looks like.

And below is one of his favorite dish, Spicy Bean Sprouts Japchae :)

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©Estee Cha Photography

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©Estee Cha Photography

Jillian Michaels Killer Ab!!!

I mentioned the other day that I had completed my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.

I am really proud of myself for that and without hesitation, I started Jillian's Killer Abs right after!

Every morning, I'd be up at 6 AM, have my coffee, then straight to my exercise with Jillian.

Only 30 minutes but my well spent 30 minute of the day.

She keeps me going, and motivated, not bored at all!

I have also tried few other workouts by other people, but none of them were exciting for me :(

I am just so proud of myself that I am keeping up this promise for many days now.

I have to say, I feel different, I mean I feel so good, and I can see muscle gain through my own eyes.

Also, my diet has changed tremendously for the better that is :)

My journey will be a long one... but I won't quit!

I thought I share my progress, so that I don't give up.

I know I don't have a nice looking body, and lots scars from surgeries, but that's not the point here, please be nice :)

Thanks all!

Picture below is early January & end of January, do you see the difference?

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©Estee Cha Photography

Amazing Egg Benefits!

eggs2.jpg

Who likes eggs???

I'm sure many of you love eggs but I have never really liked eggs...

Especially the yoke part, if I had to eat them, I'd just always eat whites.

My perception has changed now, and finding how good eggs are.

So I have started to eat eggs now!!!

I had 3 eggs yesterday at work and my co-workers were like "That's too much cholesterol!!!"

So here are some of the link I'd like to share with you all :)

Also a link to the health effects of eggs :)

Good read from https://manyeats.com/health-effects-of-eggs/

Click on picture below to read the full article.

I Finished My Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred!

I am so proud of myself to have finished my 30 days of Jillian Michaels Shred workout!

I missed one day because my body was screaming with aches & soreness but most of all, it was Christmas eve and I wanted to just relax and enjoy :)

I felt so much better after letting my body rest for one full day and I got right back to it on Christmas day!

So today was my last day and I have to say, I feel great!

Did I loose weight? No, I mean, well yes, a pound, lol!

And I have to say, it is only because I ate so well, I mean really well and lots of it.

Even though I was eating healthy, I was eating way more than I should have.

I have no regrets because it's not the weight I was aiming for, but more of my body being toned and loosing inches rather than loosing pounds.

I lost about 3 inches on my waist. and my legs are much firmer.

My on going problem is my sagging tummy!

Which I have started to work on with increasing more protein in my diet.

I can't completely cut carbs but I have cut down quite a bit.

Along the way, I see people inspired by me but at the same time there are haters.

But that's Okay, one day they will realize for themselves.

I am really happy to have done this workout for 30 days and I am looking forward to starting her other exercise.

It is only you, yourself, who can change your life and habit.

It's your choice to be over weight, obese, and lazy.

No one made you, it was your choice.

Your daily workout need be part of your life, not an option.

Good luck my friend :)

?New Year Resolution?

Yes, It's 2018? And it's time for a new year resolution everyone?

Mine is quite simple...

1. Stay healthy

2. Make Jillian abs, healthy abs

3. Make more money

Looking back 2017, I didn't really set any goals but I did loose total of 30 pounds.

I did gain back 10 pounds but I am more fit and firm now.

I am still working hard to tone my body and continuing on with my resistance training.

Today marks 18th day of my workout with Jillian and it's not getting any easier :(

She's tough but I am totally getting my workouts for sure!

What's your new year resolution?

Latte? Yes!!!

I've been a latte lover for some time now, but spending $5 for a cup of latte is like a huge treat for me.

My usual coffee I drink in the morning is a half cup of Keurig with little bit of milk added.

We had been using our Keurig machine for the past 3 ~4 years now, and we have no complaints.

This winter, my husband and I decided to invest in a decent priced manual espresso maker.

So we went and got DeLonghi espresso maker!

It was on sale for 109.99, so if I make 22 + latte's, it's paying off :P

So last night, I made my first latte and totally made it too strong which made me stay up all night :( then this morning, I made my second cup of latte that was a success!!!

Ease of use, and cleanup, we will really enjoy this little machine :)

©Estee Cha Photography

©Estee Cha Photography