Well, this week is the week of firsts. It is the first week of phase one of my new "eating plan."

For years I have struggled with health problems. Last year we had a break through, when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. This conquered most of my problems but they were still many days when I did not feel right. I was STILL having migraines and feelings of achiness. My memory suffers still from what the doctors call "brainfog." I was not satisfied with the results so I went in search for more answers.

I found out about the LEAP program. And since I can't explain as well as a doctor, I will copy and paste from a website:

LEAP or Lifestyle Eating and Performance is a program that will help you overcome any food sensitivity problems you might have. LEAP allows you to quickly identify what foods, additives, and chemicals are likely provoking your symptoms, and, more importantly, which foods have the highest probability of being safe. LEAP uses a patented, proven blood test named MRT (Mediator Release Test) to isolate a safe foods diet for you. MRT eliminates the guesswork to give you definitive answers. Once the test is performed, an eating plan is developed and tailored to the needs of each individual client.



So, as you can see, the LEAP program works in conjuction to the foods that you are sensitive to.

Ergo, I can't eat anything this week: I found out I am highly sensitive to these foods. (I realize that noone is really interested in all of this. I am mainly writing about this for my own good. It's good to journal these major events in one's life.)

So this is what I CANNOT eat for the time being, at least: (Highly sensitive foods) Apply, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Buckwheat, Caffeine, Capsaicin, Carob, Cashew, Coffee, Oregano, Pistachio, Rye, Scallop, SMB. Suflite, Sole, Tuna, Yellow Squash.

(These next foods I showed a reaction to but a little less severe than the previous ones listed) Almond, AM. Cheese, Apriocot, Aspartame, Barley, Beef, Blueberry, Catfish, Cauliflower, Cola Nut, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Paprika, Shrimp, Sodium Sulfite, Spinach, Tilapia, Tomato, Turmeric, Tyramine, Zucchini.

Week 1: Phase 1: This is what I CAN eat. Pork, Egg, Lentil, White Potato, Celery, Lima Bean, Lettuce, Mango, Organic Grape, Cantaloupe, Yogart, Butter, Pecan, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Corn Oil, Honey, Lemon, Vanilla.

Needless to say this week has been interesting trying to come up with fun ideas to eat. I'm not very creative in the morning so everyday I've made scrambled eggs and bacon...not a bad deal though. I could get used to this.

The porkchops, however, can go...and I won't say a word.

For more information, (and if you're just really really really bored or interested in this kind of stuff, read this.)

engagement pics

This was my first "official" engagement session. It was really really cold so we might have a retake. Lauren & Daniel were just shivering the whole time. But I managed to snap a few good ones.

my brother

Today is my brother's birthday. Chris is one of the best brothers a girl could ask for. He has always been there for me as a role model and as a friend in my life. His will is strong as a rock but his heart is that of a child's. He has taught me so much as I have watched him navigate throughout life's traffic and turns. Above everything, Chris always has a smile on his face. He makes the best out of every situation. THAT is what I truly love about him.

I can remember growing up, on family vacations, he was our entertainment. He was always the one to make us laugh on those 24 hour car rides to Estes Park, Colorado. We never got tired of him being our tour guide and entertaining us with those ridiculous songs he would come up with off the top of his head. His creativity never cease to amaze me.

That is why today, on his 29th birthday, I can think of no better way to wish him a happy birthday than to simply say "thank you."

Chris, thank you for always being strong even when those around you weren't. You can't imagine how many times I thought to myself, "What would Chris do in this situation?" Thank you for always making me smile even when I didn't feel like it. I know I can always count on you for a good time. Whether it be listening to rap music in your car or getting lost in Disney World on New year's Eve, I will always remember those times as GREAT times!

I love you! Happy Birthday!

non conformist

I went shopping with my mother this weekend for all the things I didn't think I needed yet somehow came home with. She's good at thinking of all the things I forget...which is everything and quite often. We went to store after store searching for the perfect outfits to this and to that. Banana Republic, Ann Taylor (two of my favs), then to Chico's and Talbot's (two of HER favorites). After saying many, "No's" and several what seemed like THOUSANDS of "I just don't like it, mom! It's not my style", we finally went to anthropologie. It was like walking into heaven. or so it seemed. There was soft lighting and green plants and candles burning that reminded me of my grandmothers house. As a flitted (is that a word?) from rack to rack touching every single dress and blouse, I repeated over and over, "What about this one, mom?" or "Oh, I LOVE this!" At first mom was NOT happy about my choices. Her style is definitely more tailored, more classic, and less "hippie" so I've been told. But as I put my foot down there in Anthropologie, I told her I did not want to be restricted with button down shirts and jackets and pants that come clean up to my eyeballs! This was my wedding, therefore the showers I was attending were my showers and I would wear "wrinklie" dresses, as she calls them, and I would wear them proudly.

I think that was my first bridzila act. I promise it won't happen again.

On the good side though, mom and I both agreed on SEVERAL outfits. I mean, if you HAVE to attend showers, brunches, teas, and things of this nature, you might as well look cute.

http://www.anthropologie.com/

I DID end up with a jacket but how could I resist?

Love. & Marriage.

The countdown has begun. 148 days until I become Cara Beth Buie! C.B.B. I think I can get used to that.

That's right folks, I'm engaged! The wedding is July 5th. I will apologize now if my next months entries are filled with wedding stuff. Just bare with me because right now it's all I hear about. You see, my mom is a wedding planner on the side of everything else she does. As soon as she heard about our wedding plans she jumped right on everything. We just announced our engagement this week and I already have a photographer, a caterer, a florist, a wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner site. I am already ready for the planning to be over, but I'm going to try to enjoy it because we have a short engagement.

It's still weird to say that I have a fiance. I like it though. More details about the wedding will come. Here's a link to our website at theknot.com.

lovely pics.

My boyfriend and I realized we don't have any quality pictures of us. Grant Harrison took a few pictures this weekend in downtown Little Rock. I am very impressed! This one is my favorite so far.




Also, check out grantlharrison.com. It's pretty much amazing.

what a great weekend!

New Orleans was amazing! It might have been a short trip, but it was so packed full of fun that I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I went down there to visit my college roomie, Becca Core. We lived together all four years of college and managed to not kill each other! Correction: SHE managed to not kill me. Now that I look back on it, she really was like the greatest roommate ever. This weekend was all about taking pictures, relaxing, and catching up on the last year and a half of each other's lives. I think we accomplished just that. Here are a few highlights of the weekend.

Can you tell I have a thing for shutters and doors? New Orleans has such great art and architecture. I couldn't put my camera down. Hopefully it won't be quite as long before I can go back down.

Email me!

Hey people! I got a new email address strictly for my photography business. If you need your picture taken, please email me at bluehammockphotography@gmail.com.

Peace out.

Road Trip

I haven't taken a road trip in a while. Normally when you think "road trip" you think great friends, driving cross country, sleeping in dirty hotel rooms or sleeping in the car taking turns driving. Well, this road trip is a little different. It's just me. I'm driving down to New Orleans, so it's not exactly cross country. My college roommate (the whole four years) lives in Covington, La which is close to N.O. so I thought it was way past time to go see her.

New Orleans is such a historical city. I've always loved its history, art, and architecture. I can't wait to see what kind of shots I can get down there.

I'm looking forward to the drive down there almost as much as getting there. I haven't had a chance to be alone in a while. I plan to listen to some great music, spend some quality time with just me, the road, and God. Maybe He'll give me some brilliant word while I'm driving South for the weekend.

Here's to your next road trip.

New Year

I haven't written in a while but that's probably because I've been so busy taking pictures. Over the holidays a took several cute ones of my little cousin, A.J. This one is by far the best one! I told him to smile, but I'm not sure what kind of face this is. Isn't he so cute? (View in flickr.)

On Flickr I've started a new group called "365 Days." Your goal is to post one picture of yourself each day and add it to this group on the web. Hundreds of people all over the world are also doing the same thing, so it's fun to meet new people and see the pictures they post each day. Here are a few of my favorite. Here is a link to see the rest of my 365 pics! Enjoy!

"slow and steady wins the race"

Well, you know what they say..."slow and steady wins the race." My "photography business" is coming along well, nicely and slowly. I put "photography business" in quotations because it still sounds weird to say that. Technically it's not enough to claim on taxes or anything but it's enough to make payments on my new Canon! :) But it does sound strange to say that I have any sort of business at all...even though that has been my life dream! (well, besides being a mother) I am working with this new company that a friend recommended. I placed my first order today so I'm excited to see how they turn out. Before I had just been using kodak but this place is more personable...like when I call I talk to an actual person! Anyway, here are a few of the pictures the family ordered.

Enjoy! And if I can take your picture, please let me know: cbwalker23@yahoo.com

mills family 016

mills family 016
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

This is the beautiful family I took pictures of on Sunday afternoon. Three sisters and a brother, his wife, and the kids. All so beautiful!

Life is what you make it

I used to get sad...like really sad...when I watched movies where real life is portrayed in an unrealistic way. Oh wait! That's like EVERY movie! More specifically it's the little moments in movies that would make me stop and think, "That would never happen in real life!"

Lately, (I know it sounds vain) but lately I have been wondering if my life would be worth watching if it were a movie....and I think YES, yes it would. I may have a simple life, predictable in some cases, but I love my life. From the time my feet dive into my "old man slippers" (as I call them) until my last sip of tea signifying the days end...I love my life. I was walking my dog, Conner, yesterday, breathing in the (somewhat humid) November air, and I thought, "This is my favorite part of the day." What's funny is that I had thought that about an hour earlier when I gave my love, Brent, a huge bear hug after I got home from work. Later on that day, the same though flashed through my mind as a stroked my cat, Hazel's, back and she purred.

If I were a cat, I would have purred, too.

a few black and white pics

more more more

I've been taking more pictures lately and I can't seem to get enough. Photography fills this hole in my self like nothing else can. I can't explain it if you don't already understand. I know many of you do. You take pictures because you have to. I don't take pictures because I'm good at it or because someone pays me. Although one day, I hope for photography to be my main source of income... I take picture because I have to.

So if you're wondering where I've been...I'm probably out taking pictures somewhere.

It's fall....my favorite time of year...I just can't seem to get enough. To see more of these beautiful girls, click here.

Eureka Springs pics

I never posted any favs from E. S. so ....as requested...and as promised. Go to my facebook to see all of them.

Eureka Springs

Buie and I had a blast in Eureka. We had a full day of ghosts tours, walking up and down all of those hills, visiting rescued kitties from abused homes, and tripping down really steep stairs in really wet caves.

It was a great to get away by ourselves and really spend some quality time together. I also was able to take lots of great shots. I took about 450-500 photos in one day which isn't hard to believe considering all the places we went. Over the next few days I'll post a few of my favorites.

One thing Buie and I talked about was the fact that Eureka Springs is such a great place to get married in or take a honeymoon or BOTH...although Scotland sounds a little more enticing. :)

it's a framer!

a little weekend endeavor...

I recently purchased a Canon EOS 30D. I'm pretty excited about it. You know how when you purchase a boat or a car and you take it out on its first stroll? Well, this is that weekend. Buie and I are going to Eureka Springs and the 30D is going with me (I really need to name it-any suggestions?) So I'm pretty pumped about trying out the new bells and whistles because it has plenty!

I'm also pretty pumped about Buie and I going somewhere together. Until last weekend, we hadn't really ever taken a road trip besides just to Minden (my hometown) or Rison (his hometown). Well, I guess one time we did drive home together from a wedding in Seaside. Anyway, I'm still excited! It should be fun. It was originally supposed to be a surprise but Buie let it slip where we were going. ha. He was so mad at himself. He won't tell me anything that we are doing on Saturday which presents a problem which trying to decide what to wear. (Girls, understand me).

Well, me, Buie and the Canon (needs a nickname) are going to Eureka Springs. Can't wait!

METROcommunity

Last night Buie and I went to METROcommunity group at METRO BCM. It is located on UALR's campus...first time I had actually been there. We enjoyed it a lot. Grant Harrison led the worship time which was really good. It was just what I needed.

Ben Maddox, the METRO campus minister, brought a powerful message as well. I encourage you to attend METROcommunity. I'll be there as often as I can. Thursday at 7 pm.

http://www.metrobcm.org/