Maternity Plus Motherhood Blog

Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad

2016-02-25T11:05:00.001-08:00

Southwest Chicken Salad

3 oz. Grilled Chicken

2 Romaine Lettuce Leaves

4 Slices Cucumber, diced

1 Slice Red Onion, diced

1/3 c. Black Beans, drained & rinsed

2 Tab. Salsa

In preparation for the meals this week, I had my husband grill about 14 chicken breasts over the weekend. I figured between my meals, his lunch and evening meals with the kids it would last us the week. However, I didn't count on my husband getting a bit tired of chicken by Wednesday. So, we still have a ton of chicken left that I'm going to have to freeze.

Planning ahead is key to keeping the work of preparing healthy meals to a minimum. I had a meal plan for the week for my own meals, but I didn't make a meal plan for the rest of the family. I ended up over calculating how much chicken my family would eat. It's okay, since the chicken can go in the freezer and be used for next weeks meals. However, if I over calculate on vegetables and fruit I may find myself with a bunch of wasted food, (and I've done that before).

Vegetable Omelet Breakfast

2016-02-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

Vegetable Omelet

2 Eggs

1/4 c. Mushrooms

1/3 c. Broccoli, Steamed

3 Slices Tomato

3 Slice Turkey Bacon

I steam my broccoli at the same time I cook the bacon.

In a non-stick skillet cook bacon.

After bacon is cooked, I sauté the mushrooms until tender. Then, remove from pan & save for later.

Scramble 2 eggs in a bowl and place in skillet.

Add broccoli & mushrooms.

Fold mixture in half to make omelet.

Serve with 3 slices of tomato.

24 Feb 2016 Healthy Lunch for Mom & Toddler

2016-02-24T11:49:00.001-08:00

Easy Chicken & Veggies

4 oz. Cooked Chicken

1/2 c. Chopped Red Onion

1/4 c. Diced Green Pepper

1/4 c. Diced Mushrooms

1/4 c. Chopped Tomato

1 Clove Garlic

1 Tab Olive Oil

Heat oil in skillet.

Place all ingredients in skillet.

Heat until veggies are soft and chicken is heated.

Modified Easy Chicken & Veggies for Toddler

2 oz. Cooked Chicken

1 slice Tomato, diced

5 slices Mushroom, diced

Olive oil

While I was enjoying my lunch today, I had a little visitor wanting what I had. However, she does NOT like onion or green pepper. I put together this modified version of what I was having and she gobbled it up.

24 Feb 2016 Snack

2016-02-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

12 Cashews for a snack before I start my workout today.

24 Feb 2016 Deviled Eggs Breakfast

2016-02-24T07:23:00.001-08:00

Deviled Eggs

2 Hard Boiled Eggs

1 Tab Light Mayonnaise

1 tsp Spicy Brown Mustard

1 Tab Pickle Juice

2 Tab Chopped Pickle

1 Tab Chopped Celery

1 Tab Chopped Red Onion

Dash Salt

Paprika

Boil 2 eggs.

Cut eggs in half and remove egg yolks.

Combine egg yolks in a bowl with

mayonnaise, spicy brown mustard, pickle juice, pickle, celery, red onion, and salt. Mix well.

Spoon yolk mixture into egg halves.

Sprinkle with paprika.

Enjoy!

23 Feb 2016 Dinner

2016-02-24T07:09:00.001-08:00

4 oz. Grilled Chicken

1 c. Broccoli

23 Feb 2016 Snacks: Healthy vs. Unhealthy

2016-02-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

My first snack My second snack

Seriously, I was just going to have two, but they were soooo good. I ended up eating 6 Girl Scout cookies.

I know I am weak when it comes to certain "treats." The best thing for me is to just stay away for now.

Staying focused on my goal is the only way I am going to reach my goal.

I cannot "cheat" by eating unhealthy snacks.

If I had better self-control it would be okay to have 2 cookies,

but the truth is, I have not mastered self-control.

23 Feb 2016 Grilled Chicken Salad Lunch

2016-02-24T06:20:00.000-08:00

Grilled Chicken Salad

4 oz. Grilled Chicken

1 c. Romaine Lettuce

2 oz. Diced Cucumber

2 oz. Diced Green Pepper

1 oz. Diced Tomato

1 Tab Red Wine Vinegar

The meals I have been preparing make me thirsty. Each meal I drink at least one 8 oz. glass of water and sometimes more.

Each day I try to have a minimum of 64 ounces of water. Some days are better than others, the important thing is to just keep chugg'n it whenever possible.

23 Feb 2016 Workout

2016-02-24T06:01:00.000-08:00

I was a sweaty mess after my workouts yesterday. I started with Fire Up Your Abs from the Rev Abs program. Then, after a 10 minute break I did Speed & Agility from the Asylum program. It was a tough workout, but I had so much more energy doing both workouts in the morning than I have had trying to do one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

At the end of the workout I weighed in and discovered I had lost 2.3 lbs. from the day before. This is a total of 8.5 lbs from the time I started in November. I yo-yoed with my weight in December and January. So, the 8.5 lbs is calculated from my first attempt at getting fit.

It is not always easy to stay on track and reach goals, but the important thing for me to remember is that I can just try again. There is only one thing that can keep me from reaching my goal, and that is me. If I don't try, I won't succeed.

23 Feb 2016 Breakfast

2016-02-23T05:43:00.001-08:00

Healthy Tuna Breakfast

2 oz Tuna Salad*

(previously prepared)
2 slices Tomato
2 oz Cucumber
1 celery stick

*Tuna Salad

1 can light tuna packed in water,

drained

1 Tab. Light Mayonaise

1 tsp. Spicy Mustard

1 Tab. Pickle Juice

6 Pickle Chips, diced

1 Slice of Red Onion, diced

1/4 Celery Stock, diced

Dash of Salt

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy

Two Years Postpartum

2016-02-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Two years after the birth of my fourth child, I realized my first two children, (ages 11 & 13), had the best of me. I was 41 years old and I felt OLD. I had little energy to get down and play like I did with my older children. I still had 20 lbs. of weight I just couldn't kick off as easily as I had done with my first two and I was kinda grumpy.

I had been exercising occasionally, but after Thanksgiving I decided I needed to really make some changes in my exercising and my eating habits. So, I started the 21 Day Fix program from Beachbody. My goal was to lose 15 lbs by Christmas... ya, that was probably a bit unreasonable with the holidays. However, I did manage to lose 7 lbs. and I was, overall, pretty good about sticking with the program. I worked out 6 days a week and I kept track of what I was eating and sticking with the recommended eating plan.

Then, Christmas vacation for children started and it all went down hill. I gained back the weight because I didn't stick to exercising every day and I didn't follow the recommended eating plan. After the New Year I started the program again. My next goal was by Valentine's Day to lose another 10 lbs. I figured; I was eating healthier, exercising daily, so it wouldn't be very hard to shed the weight. By this time I had ordered a second round of the Shakeology that the 21 Day Fix program included. I realized however I was drinking too much milk weekly, because I had not been calculating the Low Fat milk I added to the Shakeology. I cut the milk altogether and just used water. I did another 21 days and lost only 3 lbs. By this time I did notice I was making progress, even if the scale didn't show improvement, a pair of my jeans did fit much better. I was making changes. I had more energy to play with my younger children, I had a better attitude, and I just felt better overall.

This journey to lose 20 lbs. has been difficult and downright frustrating at times. I decided to add the P90X program to the 21 day fix. I had used P90X occasionally over the past few years and had started seeing results, but then life happened and I had quit. I did one workout in the morning and one workout in the afternoon a few times a week. Yet, after another two weeks I saw nothing change on the scale.

I searched through all the programs I had available on demand through Beachbody and discovered Rev Abs. I saw there was a 14 day 'jump start' eating plan. So, I decided to give that a try since I ran out of the Shakeology and needed some breakfast ideas. The first three days of getting off of Shakeology and doing the 14 day meal plan I noticed a significant difference in my waist and I lost 2 more pounds. For a week I struggled with the eating plan, but I still exercised daily with P90X and Rev Abs a few times. I just maintained, I didn't lose, I didn't gain.

Here I am the 20th of February and have started the 14 day eating plan AGAIN. I am doing the Rev Abs workout in the morning. I am doing Asylum part 1 in the afternoon and on Monday, & some Fridays and Saturdays I will be doing some of the 21 Day Fix workouts. My 11 year old daughter needs a workout to strengthen her core for gymnastics; the 21 Day Fix program is low-key and is a workout my daughter likes. I chose Asylum, because my 14 year old son will be joining me in the workouts 3-4 days a week and he liked what he saw in the program and how it will help him perform better in sports.

I'm not going to lie, staying on track with the eating program is hard. I hope as I keep a record of my progress and share my meals, snacks, and workouts it will help me to stay motivated and focused. I have a goal. "If the plan doesn't work, change the plan but never the goal." The plans I have tried in the past have given me little results to reach my goal, so here I try again with another plan. The important thing to remember is:

October 2014 General Women's Meeting

2014-09-27T18:31:00.001-07:00

Happy Baby

2014-09-26T07:06:00.001-07:00

Orange SALE!!!

2014-09-24T12:12:00.002-07:00

We Are Having An Orange Autumn Sale!!!

Just for fun we are going to have a sale on ALL items that are orange.

Here are a few of the item on sale.

Bailey Nursing Top

Bailey Maternity Top

The Bailey Blouse is perfect for this fall! Wear this khaki orange top throughout your pregnancy, while breastfeeding and long after the baby days are over. This chic, versatile top flatters the baby bump and hips with stylish side gathering. The color contrast is chic and provides extra interest to this fashionable blouse. Easy breastfeeding access is via a teardrop opening at the center front of the tunic. Wear with black leggings for the perfect fall look!

Ruffles Cardi

Ruffles Maternity Cardi

This beautiful coral cardi by designer Annee Matthew is comfortable, cozy and perfect for this autumn as a maternity or nursing top. This stylish long sleeve cardigan sweater has ruffles along the neckline, down the front and on the cuffs. Add this cute sweater to your fall fashion wardrobe and bring in the season! The coral ruffles cardi is a transitional top you can wear during and after pregnancy! For easy breastfeeding access; button down the center and lift inner layer.

Kuddos To The Flylady!!!

2014-09-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

Several years ago a friend of mine introduced me to The Flylady, I immediately jumped in with both feet to get my house and life in order. But, after getting remarried and moving into a new home I "misplaced" and quickly forgot about her until just recently. A friend of mine on Facebook posed the question of how to get her kids to clean up after themselves and I had a sudden recollection of The Flylady's tips for helping children get organized. Although my children were very young when I was first introduced to The Flylady, I still read EVERYTHING The Flylady offered and considered how I might use those tips in the future.

So, last week I started all over again with the baby steps she offers to assist us in getting our home and life organized. What better time for me right now as we are planning to move here soon and need all the tips and advice we can get. This time, however, I have connected with The Flylady on Facebook and get frequent reminders of what I need and can do for myself and family for organizing and ridding our home of the clutter. Therefore, I don't need to worry about "losing" here again with this move.

Monday, was an extremely busy day as I recruited my 12 and 10 year old in helping with the Weekly Home Blessing Hour. My son did the mirrors & doors while my daughter dusted. I asked them to clear the floor in their bedrooms, so I could vacuum and I did the rest of the blessing hour while they kept tabs on my three year old and 9 month old. We also folded and put away five loads of laundry that had previously been washed, but were just sitting in baskets in the laundry room. Finally, I took time to put out the biggest hot spot out at the end of my bed of piled up laundry.

Whew! It was an incredibly busy and tiring day, BUT my reward was the compliment from my husband when he came home that night to a much needed and improved master's suite.

Monday we were finished with our chores by 1:00 pm and we didn't get started until about 10:00 am. After my children helped me I told them they had the rest of the day to relax and enjoy their childhood.

Tuesday, I gave my two oldest children the Fly Kids Challenge, that is, to clean off their night stands.

I just have to say, as I walked into each room throughout my house Tuesday afternoon, I was overjoyed with the feeling of success. Our house was being transformed right before my eyes. We are far from being de-cluttered completely, but with the manageable steps, challenges and tips that The Flylady offers, I know we can get there.

The Many Adventures of My Three Year Old!

2014-09-05T09:11:00.001-07:00

Part 1:

I love the toddler stage! Although there are moments I want to pull my hair out, the funny cute things they do make the tantrums & marked walls so much easier to handle.

Yesterday, I fixed my son his snack; I cut up slices of cheese into four squares, gave him four crackers, set it on a napkin at the table, then went back to prepare myself and my 10 month old a snack. I fully expected my three year old to eat his snack like he did just a few days earlier when I had purchased him a snack pack from the store that came with slices of cheese, meat and a treat. But, to my surprise this is what I found…

"Cheese & Cracker Sandwich"

He had made himself a “Cheese Cracker Sandwich!”

What will he come up with next? Stay tuned for "The Many Adventures of My Three Year Old!”

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

2014-07-28T04:18:00.002-07:00

Purple Stephy Formal

Motherhood is full of wonderful new changes and one thing that can’t go unnoticed is your cute expanding belly. You may be online today because you’re no longer able to wear your cool pre-pregnancy clothes. As your body prepares to make room for your unique developing baby your non-maternity clothing will not fit properly, may even be uncomfortable around your hip area and more than anything, no longer gives you that stylish trendy look that you once had before pregnancy. However, this doesn’t mean that your fashion conscious style has to be stored away with your chic pre-pregnancy clothing.

3 In 1 Yoga Pants

Now that you are officially entering motherhood you are in need of a new cute and fun pregnancy wardrobe with designer maternity apparel that is trendy and will show off your smart fashion sense. Pregnancy is a time to celebrate and what better way to embrace motherhood, than to flaunt your cute new body in pregnancy clothes that will fit you properly, be much more comfortable, and will allow you to keep your chic style all nine months.

As a new mother myself, I know how hard it can be to find unique trendy apparel for pregnant women that is comfortable and fashionable. No matter what your fashion choice may be; elegant, hip, chic, funky, or fun you can find stylish designer maternity wear online at The Mommy 2 Be Clothing Store.

Gold Swimsuit

The Mommy 2 Be Clothing Store is dedicated to providing stylish, trendy maternity apparel for women to wear with confidence. We carry designer maternity clothes for all the special events that often occur during pregnancy, as well as, versatile comfortable maternity wear for work, play and rest. Our stylish online clothing store has a selection of trendy maternity clothes that have been specially chosen with you, the chic mommy-to-be in mind! Here you will find unique, designer maternity wear for any occasion.

Tier Maternity Tunic

Again, this is the time to enjoy yourself and look forward to motherhood in cute maternity apparel that fits your style. We are continually searching for the latest fashion trends in popular maternity clothes and products so that we are bringing you the most appealing items available. We are confident you will find our online selection of maternity wear to be of the highest quality, fashion and comfort guaranteed!

Visit our online maternity boutique at http://www.The-Mommy-2-Be-Clothing-Store.com and we hope you will consider us your online maternity clothes store, for cute and trendy maternity apparel for any occasion during pregnancy!

Beautiful Baby Products By MeZooMe Designs

2013-08-09T05:56:00.000-07:00

Cotton Fitted Crib Sheet

Busy Bee Baby Blanket

Baby Bunting Bag

Pully Mully Pacifier Holder

MeZooMe Designs features organic and eco-friendly baby products that are the perfect mix of functionality and style!

Each MeZooMe baby item is designed with safety first, and use only AZO free water based dyes on the printed baby bedding, stroller liner, pacifier holders and other products. The soft organic fabric on the Wabbit baby blanket and Acorn fitted crib sheet is made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and eco-friendly dyes. The other baby blankets, crib & toddler bedding, pacifier holders, stroller liner, and the baby bunting bag are all made of 100% Egyptian cotton.

The fun unique characters on each item is sure to delight your child at bedtime on the super soft fitted sheets and baby blankets, in the stroller with the baby stroller liner or anytime with the vinyl wall decal stickers The fun characters found on the MeZooMe baby products inclue: Mr. Mush, a smiley mushroom; Wabbit is a very happy little bunny rabbit: Owle is a wise owl; Acorn is a fun little acorn that pops up everywhere; and the newest character just added this summer is Busy Bee a bright colorful yellow bee. Find the same familiar characters on the baby and toddler bedding, pacifier holders, stroller liner and many of the other fabulous items offered by MeZooMe Designs.

Bedding & Nursery Gift Set

The MeZooMe baby items are ideal for coming home from the hospital gifts, baby showers, and birthday presents. The Mommy 2 Be Clothing Store carries the MeZooMe products and has special offers on the baby blankets, fitted crib sheets, and pacifier holders when you purchase all four color options. You can also find the bedding and nursery gift set that is perfect for gift giving to any new parent!

2013 McDonald's Monopoly Sweepstakes Game & FREE Codes

2013-07-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

McDonald's Monopoly is back! Just register online at PLAYATMCD.COM and enter in your codes for a chance to win instant prizes.

If you eat at McDonald's anyway, you might as well try your hand at winning special prizes from free food items to a $1,000,000 cash prize.

There are over a million prizes to be won. On the peel & win pieces we have won FREE medium fries, breakfast sandwiches, and McCafe smoothies. Don't forget to enter in the 11 digit code off the free items, for your chance to win online prizes, including the 2013 Fiat 500 Cabrio. You can win free movie rentals from Redbox, My Coke Rewards, McDonald's Gift Cards and so much more.

Prizes You Can Win:

$1 Million prize
2013 FIAT® 500 Cabrio
Ace® Hardware $7,500 Home Fix-Up
McDonald’s $5 Arch Cards
2014 Pro Bowl Trip: Trip to the 2014 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, HI for two. You win five days, four nights for Prize winner and one guest
Beaches® Resorts: 4-day/3-night Beaches® Resorts includes Family Vacation to Turks & Caicos or Jamaica for two adults and two children 15 yrs. or younger
Beats by Dr. Dre: Pill™ Speaker prizes and urBeats Earphones
Delta Vacations: 6-day/5-night trip for two to any one Delta Vacations destination
Super Bowl Trip: Trip for two to NFL Super Bowl XLVIII
Video Game: A video game
$10 EA SPORTS Promotion Code
NFL Game Experience: A 2-day, 1-night trip for two to an NFL regular 2013 season game
My Coke Rewards
Hasbro MONOPOLY Board Game
Panasonic LUMIX® TS20 Digital Still Camera
Panasonic VIERA® 50-Inch Class Plasma HDTV
Redbox One-day DVD or Blue-ray Disc Rental
Shell Fuel For A Year
$10, $25 & $50 Shell Gift Cards
Shutterfly 20-page, 8x8 hard cover photo book

To get you started enter the following FREE game codes to be entered in to win a 2013 Fiat 500 Cabrio.

FORYOURGAME
PLAYYOURMCD
MYCOKEPLAYS
SHELLFUELIT
REDBOXPLAYS

You can find peel & win codes on the following food items at participating McDonald's

Medium (21 oz.) Fountain Drinks
Medium (16 oz.) or Large (22 oz.) Iced McCafé
Blended McCafé, McCafé Smoothies or McCafé Shakes
Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
Large (6 oz.) Fries
Big Mac sandwich
Filet-O-Fish sandwich
10-piece Chicken McNuggets
Premium McWrap
Hash Browns
Egg McMuffin
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
Egg White Delight McMuffin sandwich
Sausage McMuffin with Egg sandwiches (excludes Sausage McMuffin sandwich)
Specially marked packaging of 20-piece Chicken McNuggets

We'll keep you posted of any new codes we discover and please share in the comments if you have a FREE McDonald's Code.

Over, Mid, Or Under Belly Maternity Pants?

2013-07-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

Over-belly Signature Denim Jeans

Over-belly Pencil Capris

Pregnancy is a mix of emotions from absolute bliss to moments of despair. You may be thrilled at the news that not long from now you will be a new mom, but the queasiness that comes at inopportune times you’ll want to do without. You will be ecstatic when you finally feel your baby move and that’ll be about the time your belly has expanded and you’re no longer able to wear your favorite blue jeans, but no worries. Finding cute maternity pants for yourself can be just as enjoyable as shopping for those adorable little baby clothes!

Under-belly Now & Then Jeans

3 In 1 Waist Maternity Shorts

Keep in mind, designer maternity pants, capris and shorts are designed so you can wear them over, mid, or under the belly, depending on your style. Pregnancy pants will fit you properly and will make the transition from your old jeans, capris, or shorts much more comfortable. Maternity pants are designed to expand around the belly as you progress through your pregnancy.

If you like blue jeans and the over belly style, you will love the straight Leg and signature long denim jean by designer Lilac Maternity. But, if you prefer designer Lily D brands under-belly now and then maternity jeans.

Under-belly Maternity Capris

Under-Belly Twill Shorts

Comfort during pregnancy is important and stretchy yoga pants, capris and shorts are ideal for providing you the best comfort while still maintaining style for everyday wear, not just fitness. The 3 in 1 waist maternity shorts and Capris by designer OceanLilly Inc. can be worn over, mid or under the belly, for a versatile and unique design.

For the perfect fit maternity pants that are just your style take a look online at The Mommy 2 Be Clothing Store. You will f for maternity jeans, capris, and shorts that fit over, mid, or under the belly

FREE & DISCOUNTED

2013-07-06T14:40:00.003-07:00

My Coke Rewards

Do You Drink Coke Products?

If you have not heard already, now is the time to start saving and earning reward points from Coca-Cola products. Each individual bottle or multi-pack of participating brands include codes to be entered in when you visit My Coke Rewards. You can find codes on individual bottles or multi-packs of 14 participating brands including Barq's, Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, DASANI, Diet Coke, Fanta, Fresca, FUZE, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Mello Yello, Pibb, Seagram's, and Sprite.

Redeem reward points for Coca-Cola products, books, magazines, digital downloads, family fun, gift cards, movies, music, games and so much more. Special promotions are run all the time to earn additional points and to enter in various sweepstakes that are being offered on the site. There is also the option to donate reward points to support a cause or donate to a school.

Go visit http://www.mycokerewards.com today and start earning reward points for FREE and Discounted items!

Enter the following passwords/ codes for summer discounts:

PASSTHECOKE (Meals)
RWETHEREYET (Travel)
IMOUTTAHERE (Outdoor)
PLAYBALL (Sports)
SUMMERFUN (Entertainment)
GRABATOWEL (Waves )

Storefront On Amazon

2013-06-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

www.TheMommy2BeClothingStore.com

The Mommy 2 Be Clothing Store is now selling on Amazon.com.

Check out our our new storefront on Amazon!

Just over a month ago a representative from Amazon contacted us and offered us the opportunity to sell our maternity apparel via their website. If you are familiar with Amazon, you know the clothing department is not available for all sellers, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to venture into new avenues with our business.

You will find many of the designer maternity apparel we offer on our website will now be available for purchase with FREE Shipping on Amazon.

The designers you will currently find on our Amazon Storefront are Annee Matthew, It's You Babe, LLC, and Oceanlily Maternity. Over the next few weeks you will find designers Nicole Michelle Maternity, Sweet Dreams Maternity, La Leche League International, and One Creative Mama.

Visit http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A2R480TFL5J4HV to see our storefront and start shopping today!

Mother & Family Quotes

2013-06-25T04:03:00.000-07:00

Annee Matthew Temptation Red Jen Maternity Dress

2013-06-25T03:30:00.003-07:00

Annee Matthew Temptation Red Jen Maternity Dress (clipped to polyvore.com)

Annee Matthew Temptation Red Jen Maternity Dress

2013-06-25T03:30:00.001-07:00

Annee Matthew Temptation Red Jen Maternity Dress (clipped to polyvore.com)