curly girl. healthy groove.

homemade alfredo sauce

2019-01-27T07:25:00.001-08:00

I wanted to start a new dinner tradition for Christmas Eve. I love fettucine alfredo but rarely eat it, and had never made it. I found this recipe on Pinterest and it definitely deserves 5 stars!! It was so delicious and easy. I served it with breaded parmesan chicken and garlic green beans. It was such a hit, the kids begged me to make it again last week.

Hope you enjoy!!

Christmas Eve dinner

A new addition: party animal plates from Amazon (Mustard brand)

The kids LOVED them!!

♥2019♥ {its been a while}

2019-01-09T19:33:00.002-08:00

Hello! It has been so long since I have posted on my blog, and I think that needs to change :)
I have realized over the past year that my kids love to hop on here and take a trip down memory lane, and that melts my heart. So, even if no one else takes a peek, I know that this is something they treasure. (I love you, kiddos!)
A lot has happened since I last posted. My "babies" are growing way too darn fast for my liking. (one will be driving soon, gulp!) The older I get the more I value the little things in life. As cliché as that sounds, I feel it with everything in me. 2018 was a great year for me (us) and I am thankful for that. Of course there were the highs and lows of any marriage, parenting & life but we are healthy and that is no small thing.
The year was filled with amazing memories as a family. Our biggest news was the addition of this guy. This is Gus. He is a petite Goldendoodle and we love him to pieces!!!

Because we added Gus, we didn't travel much this past year. It was a family effort in earning money for him, so the training was a family effort too! :) The kids have been awesome helpers with Gus!! We did squeeze in some family getaways to Duluth, Valley Fair, fishing trips along with gymnastics, football & some very treasured girl time for mama! (Stillwater and Austin, TX!)

The other VERY exciting news is that my dear friend and I partnered in opening a new shop in Osceola, WI!! It's called Oak and Ivory. It was bittersweet to close Sweet Home in White Bear Lake, but this new chapter has been a great one. The community has been so supportive and welcoming and we are having a blast doing it! Being creative is my passion and I truly feel humbled that people like my products enough to add them to their lives and homes!! THANK YOU for your support. My dear husband and kids have been so amazing through this journey.<3

And of course, running is still a huge part of my life. I get lost in the beauty, the music & God's creation. I am SO grateful my body lets me do this. In 2019 I challenged myself (and started a group of 8 other amazing mamas!) to a 365 day run challenge. It may be 1 mile or 10...intervals or stair running, but I am DETERMINED to run DAILY!

Above it all, I am grateful for God's blessings in the people I call mine. We are not perfect. We have challenges with our kids. They can cause us stress and sleepless nights and tears. Our marriage has been hard. We have been in counseling off and on for years. Despite all of that, love wins. We choose to forgive and love and help and laugh and play and stay. These 5 people teach me to love and be a better person. I am so thankful for the trials because it makes us stronger. I love them fiercely. We are perfectly imperfect. This is us.

Don't forget the teachers! (aka: heros)

2017-06-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I can't believe we are already coming to an end of the school year! This month has been pure crazy for us as we moved back to our Hugo home, and squeezed in 3 trips! I am so grateful to be settled and enjoying this beautiful weather. As I think about summer approaching I can't help but think about teachers and the much deserved break they get. Teachers, you rock. You are amazing every day and we are just so darn grateful. THANK YOU!!!
I love coming up with small little tokens of gratitude for our teachers throughout the year. This one turned out so cute.
all you need:
shredded gift bag paper
ribbon
paper (which I stamped "thank you" or teacher's names would be cute!)
Starbucks cup, lid and longer straw
Starbucks gift card
a treat...I used Annie B's caramels which are AMAZING!

Whole 30 club

2017-04-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! By now, you may have heard a thing or two about the (dreaded?) Whole 30 eating plan. It's basically signing yourself up for misery....at first. NO cream in my coffee, no dairy at all. No grains (no Skinny pop!), alcohol or added sugars of any kind...even artificial sweeteners are out. Meat and veggies/fruits are in. My husband wanted to do this. Me? Not so much. I sort of pride myself on eating healthy and taking care of my body. He ordered the book, and it didn't take long for me to be intrigued. But this would OBVIOUSLY be easier to do together. I conceded....I DO kinda love a challenge. The truth is we both needed a little extra motivation. So, I'm here to tell you how we made it out alive...and HAPPY. We learned SOOO much about food...sugar is in EVERYTHING! It's truly eye-opening. Although this was hard at first to adapt to this way of eating, we both started seeing and feeling some amazing things. We felt lighter, (we did lose weight) and had more energy and positivity, we just feel GOOD. If this is something you have been considering, I definitely recommend. The idea is to slowly add some foods back in to see what foods may trigger various issues to your body. We did not do this, as it was our anniversary the day after we finished the thirty days. DO NOT do what we did. We indulged in sushi, (free) cake, and ice cream....14 years of marriage felt treat-worthy ;) WE WERE SICK. Our bodies were not happy about all that sugar. We didn't sleep. Gross.
So, the things we have learned going forward are simple, yet profound. We CAN pass on treats, because we know we will feel ill. We have developed the mentality that fueling our bodies with healthy foods, will just feel amazing in the long run. We CAN do this and you can too. It's not to say we won't enjoy a treat on the weekend or a glass of wine or beer on date nights, but feeling good about what we put into our bodies is more than important. We are achieving goals, and that's important to share with each other too.
Here are some random tricks and tips that worked for us:

EGGS! lots of eggs...make them in many forms.
eating olives helped my desire for a piece of chocolate..who knew?!
vary your salad ingredients so you don't get tired of them
raspberries make a great night time snack
The recipe for the perfect burger:
https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Whole30-Burger-Recipe-38071359

ENCOURAGE each other!!
These sauces SAVED me...so DELICIOUS! (Whole Foods or Fresh Thyme):

POTATOES!! olive oil + salt + pepper

Eating healthy doesn't mean eating less.

I'm all for doing things that are kind to our bodies. Our earthly bodies should be cared for daily. It doesn't mean perfect eating days every day. It means choosing foods you love that will fuel you to be your best self. It means loving yourself every day. It means balance. It means believing you CAN. Don't do it alone. Find your people who will encourage you on your journey, and maybe do it with you. You are worthy.

♥ Day-of-love snack ♥

2017-02-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Each year I try and find a new lil snack/treat to give to the kids after school. This year, I'm hoping I don't eat it all before they get home! It's so simple and I think you will love it too! :)

How to Hygge

2017-02-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

So this is a concept I first heard about last winter. I remember seeing an article on Facebook about Hygee, (pronounced hue-gah) and I though it lovely. The idea originated from the Danish. It is the concept of staying cozy and content through the long winter days. I realized a lot of these concepts are already in place in my life, but I wanted to have this idea in the forefront of my mind heading into winter this year. It is a perspective that I can honestly say has changed me. I actually DO love winter. I love the changing of seasons, running outside, freshly fallen snow... but it sure can get long sometimes. This idea is simply "creating cozy" with the ones you love. It comes in many forms (wherever you are!), and I hope this might help you through these long months as well. These are some things that I find to be the sweetest, simple, cozy treasures of life: candles, cozy lighting, fuzzy blankets, warm soups and chili, hot-out-of-the-oven cornbread, more candles, tea & coffee, mouth-watering treats, and reading a great book fire-side. (and more candles! I'm obsessed--especially with Volcano Capri Blue!) As I get older, I realize more and more that these simple gifts are what I look forward to. Happy Cozy-ing up with your loved ones & friends :) And remember, spring, in all it's glory, will be here soon!
*Check out Pinterest for more tips and ticks on creating cozy!

Advent "calendar"

2016-12-04T16:49:00.001-08:00

Last year our beloved little slippers-on- a-string Christmas countdown broke. I was on the hunt for just the right thing this year. At Sweet Home (where I sell my creations) one of the gals was selling this old 7up crate, and I thought it would make the sweetest little countdown, and also not take up a lot of wall space! You can find these crates at my shop or also antique stores. The other materials were all purchased at Target. I bought these little drawstring bags for each day of the month and filled them with things like: candy canes, Christmas chocolates, love notes, coins, gum and stickers etc. I rolled them up as small as I could and shoved them in the boxes ;) The number stickers were in the dollar section and I just put them on a gift tag and taped them to the box with washi tape. Easy peasy! (I've also seen cute countdown stickers at Hobby Lobby!) I decided that the 25th bag will be hiding in the tree on Christmas morning :) Hope this inspires you to start a new tradition as well. Merriest Christmas, friends. Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year ♥

Banana bread

2016-12-04T16:33:00.001-08:00

BANANA BREAD!

Another family favorite. My kids squeal when I have fresh, warm banana bread just waiting to be buttered and set before their hungry little faces!

Here's my recipe:

(*I double this to make 2 loaves)

1.5 cups gluten free (or all purpose) flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 egg

1 cup mashed bananas (3 medium)

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cooking oil

Grease 2 loaf pans. In medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and 1/8 tsp salt. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture. Set aside.

In another bowl combine the egg, bananas, sugar and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir just till moistened.

Spoon batter into pan(s) I like to sprinkle the top with a cinnamon & sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove loaf from pan and cool on rack.

Enjoy!

my favorite chili

2016-11-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

It's finally getting chilly outside, so that also means chili season! I make this A LOT because the whole crew loves it. Cheers! To cozy days and warm, full tummies! :)

(I'll post my favorite white chicken chili soon!)

Recipe for my favorite:

1 lb beef

1 large onion, chopped

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 15 oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce

3 teaspoons chili powder (I use extra!)

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp pepper

Put all in a crockpot, stir and cook for 6-8 hours on low setting.

I serve with a salad and cornbread with honey butter!

easy apple galette

2016-10-10T15:01:00.001-07:00

This simple (and pretty!) dessert has quickly become a favorite of fall. After a beautiful, crisp morning at the orchard, I had a fun day baking in the kitchen with my littlest loves & our harvest.

what you will need:
your favorite crust recipe or store bought pie crust
3 apples for baking (I use McIntosh) CORED, PEELED AND SLICED!
brown sugar
cinnamon
3-4 T butter
parchment paper-lined cookie sheet
(yes, that's it!)

I used my apple corer, peeler slicer from Pampererd Chef and highly recommend!
Cut the apples in half.
Roll out your pie crust.
Layer apple slices in a circle, leaving enough room to fold over the crust.
Top with desired amount of cinnamon and brown sugar.
Fold crust up, a section at a time.
Brush crust with MELTED butter, and drizzle the rest of the butter over the apples.
Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown and apples are tender. (about 45min-1 hour)
*optional: top with caramel and whip cream :)

Happy birthday, Ya'll!! (3 Sept babes)

2016-09-25T15:55:00.001-07:00

I love fall. ADORE IT! I love the crisp air, the cozy sweaters, the warm drinks, the running along the lake admiring God's gorgeous masterpiece. I also really love that my 3 September babes love having a family party together! It is so fun! I love the time with them planning and shopping, and baking and preparing. Being that I grew up on a farm, I was extra excited for this one! :)

Clara, Ty & Addie:

I love you. I love celebrating you and (hopefully) making you feel special. You bring so much joy to your daddy and me every day. Happy birthday, my loves. You have my heart.

Lila's face.

Lasso!

Precious time with Auntie Natalie

BEST BUDDIES!!!

overnight crockpot pumpkin oatmeal

2016-09-21T15:17:00.001-07:00

I've always wanted to try the overnight oatmeal thing. THIS was delicious...IF you love pumpkin. Half of my kids weren't a fan ;) Honestly, they were scared to eat it because it does not look appealing :) I would definitely make again though! Put all the ingredients in your crockpot and stir well. Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. (I started mine at 11 pm one night) Turn off crockpot about a half hour before you eat...give it a stir and let it rest. Top with brown sugar, pecans and butter for added sweetness. We had lots of leftovers. For a snack we even topped with a little reddi-whip. It tasted just like pumpkin pie!

1 1/2 cup can pumpkin
2 cups steel cut oats
1 TBSP PB2 (peanut butter powder)
1 TBSP pumpkin pie spice
1 TBSP cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 TBSP vanilla
7 cups water

easy crock pot orange chicken

2016-09-21T15:01:00.001-07:00

Orange chicken for dinner anyone? I loved this one!

You'll need:
3/4 cup BBQ sauce
2 TBSP soy sauce
3/4 cup sweet orange marmalade
4 chicken breasts (cut up)
sesame seeds
scallions
Cook in crockpot on low 6-7 hours

egg "muffins"

2016-09-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

I may have posted this before, but with the start of school I wanted to share a quick, easy favorite of my kids.
Combine:
whisked eggs, any cut up veggies you like, deli turkey pieces or cooked bacon and cheddar cheese. Spray muffin tin with olive oil cooking spray and fill cups about 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 min or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean. I love these because they get some protein and veggies and can also be grabbed on the go!

what to do with all this basil...part 2.

2016-09-13T20:19:00.002-07:00

I've got more basil than I know what to do with...again! I love it though. I love that my little Addie loves to pluck the aromatic little leaves off, wash them and hand them over to me to cook. We eat this yummy little mixture quite often. It's so simple and delicious paired with any meal!

Basil

sliced onions (1-2)

cherry tomatoes

1 T organic coconut oil

drizzle of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Sauté on med heat until basil cooks down a bit and onions are golden brown. YUMMY!

Goals.

2016-09-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

I personally think we always need a goal. Something that can make us a better person. Something that keeps a fire burning in us. Something that keeps our passions alive. It can be a big thing, but sometimes the small, daily goals are such satisfying little victories. Today, I just want to share one thing that I pray will/can always, always be a passion of mine...taking care of the body I have been given. If I can inspire one person to do something good for their bodies, then I am happy. Maybe my kids will read this one day and see why it's so important for mommy to have my alone time, running. I had a goal going into this summer of getting 150 running miles before school started. I had some injuries this summer, but made my goal at the end of the first week of school. It felt great! For me, it's running, but there are so many other things we can do to love our bodies. I challenge you today to take time for YOU. To love your body and be kind to it. It's the only one we get here on earth.

Soaking in the sheer beauty all around me is a gift enough, but I DO like to give myself little rewards. Whether it's a needed massage, a pedicure, chocolate, or my favorite:

NEW SHOES!!
or check out this awesome little journal I found at Target! Writing down our goals helps BIG time!

I also believe that anyone can start running. There are so many great starter plans out there too. like this one:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I switched running apps from Strava to Nike+ because I ended up doing a lot of running while my kiddos biked. I like this app because it stops the clock for you when you have to stop to tie the shoe of your wee little one :) It also sends you great little encouragements!

Doesn't life continue to show us that we are stronger than we thought we were? It's never to late to start. So get out there! Be encouraged and empowered today.

Easy peasy crockpot taco chicken

2016-08-24T19:27:00.003-07:00

This is a super easy recipe that all of my kids love. With school just around the corner for all four of them (gulp) I'll be using my crockpot a lot. Shuffling kids to and from school and sports/activities, there's nothing better than coming home to the yummy aroma of dinner...DONE! I'm on a mission to find and try as many new heathy recipes that I can this fall, so stay tuned! This one is at the top of my list already.

what you will need:

6 raw chicken breasts quartered (I almost always have mine frozen somewhat)

1 large can corn

1-2 cans of black beans

1 large jar of your favorite salsa

2-3 T taco seasoning

(I have a large family, and this still gave us leftovers. So, you might want to freeze some, or better yet, give half to a neighbor :)

throw it in your crock pot, give it a stir, and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

shred the chicken, let sit for 10-15 min.

serve with tortilla (or top your salad!) serve with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cheddar cheese, sour cream etc

Enjoy!!

Leo-Love 2 months old ♥

2016-08-14T10:53:00.001-07:00

We were blessed with the gift of the Onyango family coming to visit Minnesota! It was an incredible, memory-packed 10 days. Seeing the love amongst the cousins, all the baby snuggles, and the laughter are moments that are written on my heart forever. It's moments like these that I can't help but stand back in awe of the amount of love, support and the beautiful hearts of the people I get to call family.

You two are incredible parents and it's so fun to watch you in this journey. I love your baby boy more than I can believe. THANK YOU for sharing him with us! xoxo

This is my favorite :)

A hand-me- down from big cousin Ty! (Time flies)

Grandma love

He was mesmerized :)

two months old on 8.09.16

PB & banana roll-ups

2016-08-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Today my oldest and I got the day started early in the kitchen together. I love this time of day and also how much she likes to learn new things with me. These roll-ups were gobbled up quicker than I could make them! We go through a lot of peanut butter and bananas for breakfast so I thought I would try something new with this fabulous duo. Hope you (and your munchkins) enjoy these as much as we do!

what you need:
bread
cinnamon and sugar mix
eggs
peanut butter
bananas

Load up your bread with peanut butter
place banana slices on one end of the bread
roll up
roll in whisked egg
roll in sugar and cinnamon mixture
cook on low heat in buttered skillet til golden brown on all sides

Love this girl.

YUMMY!!!

served with a yummy mixed berry smoothie :)

Watermelon slushy (no kids allowed)

2016-07-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

I love watermelon. Scratch that. I'm kinda obsessed/can't live without it/could eat my weight in.... I think it's one of the most delicious perks of summer. So, here is a new (to me anyway) twist on a refreshing adult beverage. Kim Crawford meets watermelon. Hope you enjoy these two loves like I do :)

I combined:
juice from 3 slices of lemon
2+ cups of watermelon
1 cup Kim Crawford
AND ice cubes in my Ninja blender (another thing "I can't live without") Blend (and add ingredients to taste, if needed). Put in the freezer until slushy...2-3 hours (or until kids are in bed and you can put your feet up :)

CHEERS!!

fruit bark

2016-07-22T17:58:00.001-07:00

We LOVE getting fresh fruits (and veggies) from the farmers market! We thought we would try something cold, healthy and refreshing for snack time. This was so easy and yummy on a HOT day!

All you need is:

Berries, kiwi or fruit of choice (cut up if needed)

1 large tub of Greek yogurt (we used vanilla)

Parchment paper and a cookie sheet

Line the pan with the paper.

scoop in the yogurt and spread around.

Add fruit and freeze for 3 hours

Break up the bark (warning: I couldn't feel my hands afterwards :)

Enjoy!

"berry-licious oatmeal pancakes"

2016-07-22T17:47:00.002-07:00

My kids LOVE when I make these pancakes. They decided they needed a name because they are that good! :) So...they call them "mama's berry-licious pancakes." I love to think that one day they will make them for their own hungry bunch. Hope you enjoy them too! (this recipe makes plenty-o-hotcakes for leftovers too)

2 Cups flour

3 tsp of cinnamon

1 1/2 c. quick oats oatmeal

3 Tablespoons sugar

6 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

3 eggs

3 c. milk

6 Tablespoons cooking oil

Frozen mixed berries (I use about 1.5 cups)

Mix all together, add berries last.

For a golden buttery taste I use butter in the skillet before pouring in the batter.

♥Leo Edward ♥

2016-06-22T14:59:00.001-07:00

June 9th a beautiful soul was brought into the world by two of my best friends. Leo Edward made his debut and we are so in love with him!! I was so very glad to be able to hop on a plane and be there for the journey. It was a week that will forever be impressed on my heart. Those sacred, love-filled hours and moments are a treasure. Seeing these two as parents makes me so insanely happy. Love you both so much, and THANK YOU for letting me be a part of it all!! I can't wait to watch Leo grow! xoxo

*note: this might just be the longest entry I ever post...but the cuteness is irresistible and I think you'll agree :)

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY LEO-LOVE!!

♥

And baby makes 3...Onyango L♥ve

2016-05-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Besides my own kiddos, this photo session was one of THE most special times behind my camera. I have dreamed and prayed and longed to see my sister pregnant. It was not an easy road, but we are all ecstatic for these two!! Spending 5 days in Houston with Dree and Duncan (and Mom!) was memorable to say the least. We laughed a lot. A LOT! Seeing the tenderness and love between these two is so beautiful. I simply could not be happier for them. No doubt they will rock this new parenting gig. Love you to the moon and back ♥♥♥ Can't wait to meet you, baby boy Onyango!! xoxo

Sticky Chinese Chicken

2016-04-08T07:49:00.002-07:00

I have been wanting to try this recipe for months. Nope. Make that YEARS. I made this for dinner this week and scored with all four of my hungry munchkins!! They are already asking when I will make it again :) It's a fun twist on chicken that I hope you'll love too! (the green onions are crucial in my opinion!) We served with Jasmine rice and roasted brussel sprouts and carrots tossed in coconut oil. It's not as pretty as the magazine photo, but oh so yummy!! Enjoy!!

my helper