Monday Travels: A Quick Stop In Phnom Penh

If you're sitting at your desk, wishing you were someplace else...scroll through these photos and pretend you're there for a minute. If you're freezing right now, take yourself to Cambodia via 

these photos. I promise, it will warm you up for a minute. But only a minute because you'll 

soon remember how cold it really is out there. And for the rest of you just curious, enjoy 

peeking through these photos to get a glimpse of our travel!

We stopped in Phnom Penh twice, both as just an overnight or two. It was essentially
our main city we used for traveling in and out of. We figured each time we stopped there,
why not enjoy the luxuries. We stayed in some decent guesthouses, enjoyed some
slightly more expensive restaurants (mainly NGOs), and typically took the lazy route of
hitching rides with tuk tuk drivers or random motos off the side of the road.

Here ya have it!

The day I got ill (yes, ill again), I couldn't get myself out of bed. I shoved Ty

out of the guesthouse so he could go enjoy the city. And this is what he found...

Dairy Queen. For most of us, it doesn't surprise us a bit now does it?

Ahhh, the bearded man! I almost forget about him until I came across this photo.

6 weeks of no shaving...not even a trim!

CrossFit in an alley way. The monks used this lifting device

to exercise with and all those that were around us at this time absolutely

loved our mini WOD performance!

These children were sent out to sell various items rather than going

to school. Never did we buy from them as it continues to encourage the

kids to stay on the streets rather than go to school. Instead, we spent our time with

them...running with them, showing them how to lift the barbell with cement weights,

and Ty let them cling to his arms as he spun them around and around to make

them dizzy. They just loved it!

Our tuk tuk friend!

There was lots of political activity going on at the capitol. Something neat

to see and be a part of while we were traveling. However, also a scary thing

after seeing some of the stuff on the news. Above, the guys were watching from afar

where a huge crowd gathered as somebody spoke.

Even this guy (below) came to join the crowd...

Guess who went to a 3-D movie in Cambodia?
That's right, we did. We paid 6 dollars for two tickets, popcorn, and two drinks.
Never will that happen again in our lives.

Off we go. Thanks for the night stays Phnom Penh! We enjoyed

using those overnights as a time to splurge in a big city. We are so glad we 

spent our time in the rural areas...the city life just wasn't for us.

See ya another time Cambodia!

♡The Stanleys

My CrossFittin' Mama!

My mom does CrossFit. Believe it. She was also in a competition yesterday. What do you know 

about that? Can't say there are a ton of moms in their 50s out there doing this. There needs to 

be though. But seriously. How cool to have a mom you can go watch compete, grandparents that

can watch their daughter at her age, and a sister-in-law and niece to support her as well. She had 

quite the crowd cheering her on! She rocked it, enough said.

Not only is she a bad a**, but she is amazing. No bias, seriously. She's an amazing mom, 

amazing wife, great sister, aunt, friend, employee, you name it. She can run errands like 

nobody's business. My mom can get things done as soon as you ask her. No joke, even if it's a 

big project she will most likely stay up late and have it done for you by the morning. She's one of 

those get-it-done type of gal. And she will treat every person she knows as though it was one of 

her own. She gives, she loves, and she lives. We love her!

Did I mention that she is a beauty too? My dad found himself quite the babe. And he would 

absolutely agree with that statement. There are times we go out and people ask if we're sisters. It 

was something I use to get annoyed with because I just thought they were all creepin' on her 

at restaurants or stores, but now I realize that she has never looked her age...and those guys 

will always be creepy. Great thing about that is that I'm pretty sure I've got her genes and I 

just may never look my age. I can hang with that.

(apparently nobody could find the camera...every one of them are looking in a different direction!)

Good job Mama! We are so proud of you and amazed with how far you've come in only a 

short amount of time in this CrossFit journey. Lots of hard work and great coaches!

♡Cori Lou & Ty

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Want to know something funny? You all know that Ty coaches girls basketball, which is great. We 

all love watching him coach and I laugh at the stories I get to hear on occasion. In particular, this one...

The other night I came home from work and Ty shared with me that they had won their. 

Wahoo! Another in the Mac Pio's books! Well blah, blah, blah about the game until then 

he got to the best part. The actual story. 

Apparently the highlight of the game was that they found a "horsetail" on the court. And I'm sure, 

you all are thinking...what in the world is a "horsetail?" I did the same thing. Well one of the girls 

had lost their tampon! Yes, her tampon. I about peed myself. The first funny thing is the fact 

that someone lost their tampon. I'd like to know how that happens. Maybe they got confused and 

just placed it nicely in that region, not vertical if you know what I mean. Anyhooo, no need to explain 

that any further. Second thing is Ty is a guy, obviously. Good thing he had a sister growing up 

and married me, and good thing those things don't bother him much. Like seriously a good 

thing. Nonetheless, a bit awkward for all. More for her than anybody else. Poor thing. 

Lesson learned...read the direction on the tampon box a little more carefully for proper insertion.

I don't mean to poke fun, but as a woman it is slightly funny, don't you think? I mean we all have 

our stories from that age...just some more than others. I find them to be quite funny. 

Anyway, now that we've got the tampon discussion out of the way, it's time for dinner. Great 

story before dinner, right? I timed that one out just perfect. Thought you'd like that.

If you're no longer hungry, make this tomorrow instead.

Paleo Buffalo Chicken Salad

(unsure where Ty found this)

Serves enough for 2 for dinner & lunch!

1-2lbs chicken breast

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1 tbsp oregano

1/3C Franks hot sauce

2 tbsp coconut oil

mixed salad bag

4 stalks celery, sliced

3 large carrots, sliced

1/4 onion, sliced

2 small tomatoes, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1/4 paleo mayo

1/4 tsp paprika

chives, chopped as desired

1/2 tbsp lemon juice

salt & pepper to taste

Cook up your chicken breasts in a sauce pan with 4 C water, garlic cloves, and oregano. Bring water 

to a boil, turn to simmer, simmer for 20 minutes, then turn off burner and let chicken soak for 20 

more minutes. (In the meantime, mix up your dressing with the mayo, paprika, chives, lemon
juice, etc). The chicken should just fall apart at this point. Place in bowl and shred it! Place a 

pan on med-high with the coconut oil and allow to melt. Put your shredded chicken on the pan and 

coat with the hot sauce. Once it's mixed well, turn off burner. In a large bowl mix up your salad 

and veggies with the dressing. Serve the salad in a big bowl and top it off with a heap 

of buffalo chicken!

Hope you all enjoyed the snow today!

♥The Stanleys

Gift Idea #4: A Gift Of Life

There's nothing like getting a gift you've been dying to have, right? That Michael Kors purse, 

that playstation video game, or that new system for your car...all things that are things. 

Sometimes the best gift to someone isn't a 'thing'. Sometimes the best gift can be giving to 

someone's life, helping to let them keep living.

I've been trying to post gift ideas that benefit others or benefit our health, but this gift idea goes 

much further than that. This gift WILL give a gift of LIFE to someone you may not know 

and may never know. But who says you need to the the person and who says you

can't just do it anonymously?

Michael Hogan is married to someone I once played soccer with. He is a man who loves the 

outdoors and works hard day to day in his job. However, since he was diagnosed with an 

auto-immune disease that attacks his kidneys, life has changed. He's had to miss work and of 

course, missed out on all those outdoor activities he loves. He was recently blessed with a match...

a friend who has decided to give Michael one of his kidneys! The surgery is scheduled for next 

week, but they are in need of some donations to get them started on this long, expensive journey.

I challenge each and every one of you reading this today to donate a minimum $25.00 to Michael Hogan for his kidney transplant. Or go beyond and donate $50.00 for the kidney transplant and all 

the recovery needs thereafter. Rather than spending that $25 or $50 on your next new 'personal item' 

of choice...give to someone who needs the money to begin living again.

You can donate by visiting the DONATION PAGE.

Bethany & Michael: 

we pray that the surgery is with ease, the recovery is quick and as painless as possible, and 

that Michael can get back to all those outdoor activities he's been waiting for!

♡T&C

Gift Idea #3: Tandem Bike

Craigslist. Hunt and search, hunt and search, and then buy one. It will be the best gift ever and 

worth every penny. I take that back. It will be worth the pennies if you actually use it. So just make 

sure you don't let it sit in your garage with all the other things you think you'll use, but never do.
Chris & Courtney, lots of credit to you for introducing us to our two-wheeled, double-seated
mode of transportation that everybody gets a kick out of!

I'm pretty sure the Cosby, Stanley, & Sparrow clans have all gotten some ride time

on this thing. Get yourself one!

Why not invest in some light exercise with a family member or friend, a way to work on communicating with your significant other, or use it as on-your-own counseling session (hash
out those problems because you sure as hell have to communicate while on that bike). 

It serves as a multi-purpose bike.

Again, another gift that is more like a 5-in-1!

♡T&C

Gift Idea #2: Krochet Kids

I'm obsessed. I was obsessed when I got my Krochet Kids beanie years ago from my

mom and then I realized I was way more obsessed than I had thought. First you'll love

certain items for yourself, then you'll look at the children's crocheted items & you'll die.

Nothing like mini human beanies, booties, and scarves! Anything that is a mini

size is always that much better. If you have a baby, please buy something from these 

guys and post a photo of your child so I can oooo and ahhhh over your babe.

That's all I need. Thanks.

(click on the photo below to take you to their website)

What's super cool is that this company has a faith base and a mission to provide jobs, education, 

and strong community in Northern Uganda and Peru. Why not buy a gift that goes 

further than you'd expect?

Gift Idea #1: Yubo Lunchbox

I know I just shared a million gift ideas for young teens up to adults, all focused within the 

Vancouver area. I realize that many of you weren't planning on driving to Vancouver and that's 

fine. But for those of you who need some extra gift ideas this month, we'll help you out a bit.

Rather than going for the local small business, why not help out small 

businesses continue to grow? 

The story behind this gift is that Ty loves watching Shark Tank on the iPad. We may not have 

a TV, but he can sure get reruns on Shark Tank as he wishes! So this gift comes from his 

late nights of ST. I suppose it benefits us in one way or another...here is the

Yubo lunchbox!

Anyway, for those of you with kids, grandkids, or nephews & nieces this lunchbox is great! 

My two favorite things about it are that they:

1) can be completely disassembled and completely washed. Yes, completely.

2) can grow with the child. 

The faceplates can change, so start with a kiddy one and 

move up as they age to a customized faceplate.

I kinda want one. And not secretly anymore since I just shared it with you all.

Best thing is that right now they have 25% your total purchase until December 2nd. 

Enter green13 and boom, you've got yourself a deal, a present, and if you buy 

an extra faceplate then a stocking stuffer as well! 

A three-in-one!

♥The Stanleys