15 Signs You're Addicted to Travel

Who doesn't love a good Buzzfeed for a head knodding "oh yes, that's so right" moment about once a week? 

While this week is no exception with their latest "15 Signs You're Addicted to Travel", I have a few more additions I would add as a sign of an "Experienced Traveler":

1. You can get through TSA in less than 15 minutes. 
2. You have a SkyClub membership, and can justify the expense.
3. You're a Medallion/MVP/Elite member & know how to get the best seats (with or without a complimentary upgrade). 
4. You have a GoGo Wifi Monthly/Annual Pass.
5. You know how to board your flight based on your seat (should you wait until the last minute, or board first).
6. You *never* put anything in the overhead bins. Period.
7. You have your rolling bag pre-packed at all times with the essentials you always need on any trip, regardless of destination.

What else would you add to this list? Happy Traveling!

ENFJ

I've taken the Myers Briggs personality test a few times over the years, and I am an ENFJ. What does that mean exactly? Here's a great overview: Psychology Today's Overview of ENFJ

"People with this personality type are often described as warm, outgoing, loyal and sensitive. Psychologist David Keirsey suggests that approximately two to five percent of all people have an ENFJ personality."

Here's what the E N F J stand for:

• Extraversion: ENFJs have an outgoing personality and enjoy spending time with other people. Being in social settings helps them feel energized.


• Intuition: ENFJs like to think about the future rather than the present. They may often become so focused on the larger goal that they lose sight of the immediate details.


• Feeling: ENFJs place a stronger emphasis on personal, subject considerations rather than objective criteria when making decisions. How a decision will impact others is often a primary concern.


• Judging: ENFJs are organized and enjoy structure and careful planning. Sticking to a predictable schedule helps ENFJs feel in control of the world 

Characteristics:

• Prefers harmony to discord
• Outgoing and warm-hearted
• Genuinely interest in the feelings of others
• Often have a diverse range of friends and acquaintances
• Great at supporting and encouraging others
• Excellent organizers
• Seek approval from other people

That last one, I wish I could get rid of that feeling sometimes!

Best Career Choices for ENFJs

ENFJs often do best in careers where they get to help other people and spend a great deal of time interacting with others. The following are just a few of the careers that might appeal to people with this personality type:

• Counselor
• Teacher
• Psychologist
• Social worker
• Human resources manager
• Sales representative
• Manager

I've been in sales for 13 years, now. But, I've always wanted a mix of the first 3 careers above :)

What personality type are you? 

Apple Crisp

Brunch Apple Crisp

4 Cups of Organic Apples, peeled, cored, diced
1 TBSP Coconut Oil (melted)
2 tsp Cinnamon (or more, you decide)
1 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 Cup Honey
3/4 Cup Raw Macadamia Nuts, chopped

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all of the above really well. Place into a pyrex glass dish and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I serve this with the house-made pork breakfast sausage that our food co-op makes. I buy it at PCC and form it into sausage balls and saute it in my frying pan. 

Our family loves it, and I make it on weekends when we have more time.

Asian Pork Meatballs

I made these a while back, when we first moved to Seattle. Because I'd hit a "rut" food-wise, I dusted off this recipe and made them again last night. Now, I want to make more!

And I HATE meatballs, usually... just FYI! Here's the original recipe from Health-Bent and the below is my modified version.

Asian Pork Meatballs

1 lb ground pork
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 Cup Almond Flour
1 Jalapeno, diced
1 TBSP Asian Chili Garlic Sauce (check the label for no gluten, lower sugar, etc.)
3 Green Onions/Scallions with the tops
1 TBSP Cilantro Squeeze
1/4 t sesame oil

Preheat your oven to 350º F.

I chop everything and start folding it all together as I go along. There isn't really a science to it.

Use your Ice cream scoop or something similar to form the balls.

Place the meatballs in the oven on an ungreased baking sheet covered with parchment.

Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Turn the oven on broil and brown the tops of the meatballs.

I dip them with Sweet Chili Sauce, and it's super yummy. Although, not totally paleo ;)

We are a Healthier Family

We moved to the Seattle area last March. Since that time, our little family has had the longest stretch of time where we've all been healthy. 

I realized this, because I have to do some research (finally) and find a pediatrician for Tali here! She hasn't had to even go to Urgent Care, not once.

I started thinking about what we changed, and I've come to a few realizations. 

I cleaned out our pantry of all the JUNK when we left Atlanta:

1. Gluten: we have no gluten in the house, save for a treat here and there for Tali.
2. Oil: I stopped cooking with oil other than coconut oil
3. Dairy: my half & half, otherwise we have no dairy. Coconut Milk, Almond Milk, Goat Cheese-that's it
4. Grass fed: Beef
5. Organic: Vegetables, Fruits, Chicken
6. Local/Sustainable: Wild Caught Fish, Honey
7. Canned Goods: I don't buy them. I buy Pomi for shelf stable tomatoes for sauces, etc. otherwise, I use fresh.

When we were in Atlanta, Tali had a drawer in the fridge with yogurt tubes, string cheese, etc. When we moved, we cut that out. We also cut out a lot of the shelf stable super processed snack foods, too.

Organic non-GMO snacks she eats now:

• Applesauce
• Carrots
• Bananas
• Apples
• Raisins
• Almonds with Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (soy/dairy/gluten free)
• Berries

As most of you know, Beau is gluten-intolerant and eats a mostly Paleo diet. When we moved, it was a good opportunity for me to selectively "get rid of" a lot of the things that were making us feel bad, adding fats, calories etc. to our bodies and chemicals, too.

I fully believe this change has had a significant impact on our health and immune systems :)