Daily Ups & Pounds

Almond Butter Dream Bars

2015-01-19T22:54:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'm being a little eccentric with the title of these bars - but they are seriously SO DELICIOUS. They are candy bar delicious, my friends. I have tried to make homemade granola bars before and failed in flavor and in form. I wanted a granola bar or a cookie or SOMETHING earlier today, but I wasn't willing to let myself succumb to the kids' cookies or leftover Christmas candy.

So, we went for it. I had to make some more almond butter, but it was totally worth it. To date, these are the best homemade granola bars I've made and tried. As I posted on my Instagram and FB page, these are not 100% clean. If I would have had Enjoy Life vegan chocolate chips on-hand, I would have used those. Alas, I had Tollhouse milk chocolate chips leftover from holiday baking. I added less than 2TB in the whole recipe; so, really, it's a pretty minor offense. Do what you wish; I don't think a few Tollhouse chips vs. 100% dark chocolate - in this recipe - will make or break your day.

This recipe makes about eight or so bars. Double it up if you want more or make as is if you're skeptical.

Here's what you need:

2 cups raw old-fashioned rolled oats
1 TB unrefined coconut oil, melted
1 TB chia seeds
3/4 cup almond butter - I used my own recipe, but any natural nut butter is fine.
1 tsp pure vanilla or vanilla extract
Sea salt, just a conservative dusting
2 TB of unsweetened shredded coconut
About 1TB of chocolate chips.
Enough honey to coat the mixture together as you combine - giving it some stickiness.

Here's what you do: (ready? this is so challenging...)

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients listed above.
Press into an 8x8 baking dish, lined with parchment.
Move dish to the freezer until solid.
Remove when solid; cut into bars or bite size pieces (better for kids) and enjoy!
You may want to return the bars to the fridge for storage as they do get a little melty at higher room temps.

Tips:

WAIT until they really solidify to serve. If you try to eat these soon after you make them, you will need a spoon. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Don't over-do it on the honey. You really just need it and the peanut butter to bind the rest of the ingredients together.

That's it! SO easy, so delicious and more or less guilt-free! I will definitely be making these again. They are an awesome alternative to store-bought bars and take very little time or effort to put together. Hope you enjoy them!!!

It takes three weeks to create a habit.

2015-01-19T04:00:00.000-05:00

You guys. I have been a Team Beachbody Coach for a while now and I started using TBB products about four years ago. I haven't really opened up about my experience with TBB because I wanted to make certain that the products lived up to their promises before I started sharing them.

After using multiple TBB workout videos, drinking Shakeology, following Chalene Johnson and the other TBB trainers on social media; and using available tools on the TBB website, I am convinced. TBB has a solid set-up, options for all all levels of fitness, and gives customers proven tools to receive attainable and sustainable results!

If you have been stuck in a cycle of bad eating habits; yo-yo diets; depression and anxiety that result in binge eating; or maybe you just need a fresh start from holiday over-eating, I want you to look closely at the promotion TBB is running right now! The 21 Day Fix takes the frustration and guesswork out of eating well. Getting frustrated with rules and points and numbers to count is why many of us quit before we even really start. This is different, and fuss-free!

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Personal online coaching from me - I understand where you are because I have been there, too!! It's always best to have a support system in place when you're going after new goals!
Access to a meal guide and custom portion control containers. 21 Day Fix shows you exactly what to do in order to lose weight. You’ll learn how to incorporate your favorite foods into a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that you actually enjoy. This is my favorite part - YOUR favorite foods!
Thirty-minute workouts that WILL get you on the path to optimum fitness;
A bag of Shakeology - the healthiest meal of the day. I started drinking ShakeO over four years ago to help me shake the sugar addiction that was overpowering my every move and leaving me lethargic, overweight and ill. It's worth it's weight in gold; I still drink it today and purchasing it with this complete package is the way to go!

If I wasn't already a coach, I would be taking advantage of this special without thinking twice. I needed this kind of guidance and direction when I started clean eating two years ago and I am happy to link arms with you today and help you get through. If you have questions, PLEASE ask below or message me here. If not, click the photo below to place YOUR order and let me know you did so right away so I can add you to our 21 Day Fix community.

Here's to eating clean, together, in 2015!

Simple and Delicious Butternut Squash Soup

2015-01-15T04:00:00.000-05:00

I know it's not everyone's favorite food, but I LOVE SQUASH. It's delicious roasted; in lasagna; and especially amazing in soup!

It's been a while since we've had butternut squash soup - probably a good two years! I was so excited to see that my mom put together a fresh batch to share with us this past weekend. I had a bowl at her house and two bowls the next day; it didn't take long for me to realize the squash I purchased earlier in the week to roast was going to have to be soup instead.

My mom sent me the recipe she used from All Recipes; it was a GREAT version and I would totally have made it just like she did - except - I needed it to be less fuss. I am not against fussy recipes, but today I probably could have taken a nap if I just blinked long enough. So tired.

I needed to make the soup plus another dinner for the rest of our family. So, here's what I did. It was an amazing and tasty alternative. I can't wait to finish off the leftovers tomorrow. Even my non-soup-eating husband enjoyed a serving of this recipe.

Here's the scoop (or would that be ladle?).

What you need:

Butternut squash. I used 2lbs, pre-cut, from Costco.
1 rib of celery, diced
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1-2 handfuls of baby carrots.
Sea salt and pepper to taste. Heavy on the pepper, if you please!
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1-1.5 cups of water

What you do:

In a skillet, sauté the celery and onion (seasoned with s&p) until translucent.
In a sauce pot, coat the squash and carrots with EVOO, salt, pepper and start sauteeing.
Once all veggies are tender, combine in sauce pot and add water.
After everything is broken down and flavors have combined, drain off any water that seems excessive (there may be none) and transfer soup to a blender to smooth out.
I used my Blend Tec 570 on a slow speed so I could watch the consistency as I went along.
Transfer back to stock pot and serve or cool slightly and store for later.

Also? Here's what I had for dessert. It's like a faux ice cream sundae. Ice cream cone, fruit and a few chocolate chips with a sugar cone on the side. It has many of the flavors you want, with less guilt.

So, that's it for today! Hope you are brave enough to try this tasty soup. If you like potato soup, chances are you'll like this, too.

Good luck and comment with questions if you have any. :)

Gingerbread Almond Butter - for the win!

2015-01-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

When I was addicted to sugar, my blood sugar used to drop and spike all day every day. I could feel it my bones and in my brain. Terrible feelings. When I started eating clean, those swings basically disappeared and I felt like a normal person for maybe the first time ever. Every now and then, if I wait too long to eat or get out of line with my eating (too much sugar), it will happen. BUT, I have a new solution.

Let's rewind, shall we? At my last job before becoming a stay-at-home-mom, I used to go home for lunch and hit the gas station on the way back to the office; I would grab a candy bar; a 44oz DIET* soda; and some chips or another snack. Awesome, right? THAT way, if I reached that moment of blood sugar desperation I was...prepared? Now that I think of it, it was more of an "armed and dangerous" scenario.

Now I know that if my blood sugar drops or if I just have a "need to eat" moment, a much better choice is to grab some protein! Hardboiled eggs are often my go-to, but I don't always have them ready. If my blood sugar has dropped - ain't nobody got time to boil eggs. SO, I like to have some type of natural almond or peanut butter around. Usually a spoonful brings me right back into the atmosphere and all is right again.

The trouble with natural nut butters is this...they are seriously pricey. SERIOUSLY. I am guilty of paying $10-$12 a jar for a fancy blend. That's not really frugality, friends, which is what I aim for at the store.

The good news is this - if you have a high-powered blender or food processor, making your own nut butter is easy! I want to share a recipe with you that I made a test-batch of earlier today.

This recipe is meant to mimmic our favorite molasses cookies; our family loves these, but they aren't super good for you. This almond butter is a pretty tasty alternative, much healthier, too!! I am guesstimating measurements, below. Please adjust to your needs and taste preferences.

Gingerbread Almond Butter

1 cup roasted almonds (I roast mine for 3-4min at 350 on a cookie sheet)
1/4 cup fractionated/liquid coconut oil**
1-2 TB organic molasses
2 TB pure maple syrup
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp sea salt/kosher salt

Follow your manufacturer's directions for making nut butters in your food processor or blender. YouTubing videos may be helpful if you've never made homemade nut butter before. It's a trial and error process and requires patience - but it is so worth it in the end!

That entire bag of almonds, at Costco, was around $13. So far I've used them in a few batches of sesame cookies, this batch of almond butter and there's still plenty left. I think this DIY almond butter will be more delicious, nutritious and cost effective than anything you can get at the store.

Now for the asterisks...

*Diet soda. I drank diet soda every day for many years - through my teenage years and into adulthood. I would be doing you a big disservice if I didn't share this info with you. It may not be confirmed as a carcinogen - but there are plenty of other reasons to avoid it. Read on to learn more. I have experience with all of these symptoms and can vouch that this isn't media sensationalism. Switch out your soda for water, tea or 100% fruit juice.

**Liquid coconut oil/FCO is not the same as the solid coconut oil you probably buy (not the kind I buy and use for everything from makeup remover to recipes and household cleaners); FCO stays liquid! You can use traditional coconut oil in this recipe, but the consistency will not be as nice and it will solidify in some temperatures (like the fridge). I know the health benefits of FCO are probably not as great, BUT, it's my preference. I don't like my almond butter to get...funny.

Just FYI, I used my Vitamix 5200's dry container to mix up this batch. Use of the tamper was required. YouTube Vitamix nut butter for more detailed instructions and demo videos. I ain't no pro, the kitchen is just my favorite room in the house.

I'm not obsessed with Costco.

2015-01-13T04:00:00.000-05:00

No, really. I'm not. I *do* mention it a lot on Facebook because, well, Costco is new to our area and inquiring minds want to know. I've been shopping at Costco for almost two years (thankful I no longer have to make a 40 min trek each way to do so). I've learned about many great products during that time and I try to share what I find and spread the good foodie news.

That is all.

Because we have a family of six (soon seven), I just take my grocery money straight to Costco each week and buy-big for a great value. I rarely go to other grocery stores now and usually end up spending less stocking up at Costco and the food usually lasts us more than one week because of quantity. I went this evening and stocked up on lots of fresh fruit; some frozen fruit; fresh veggies; eggs; cheese; chicken for my family; and...as one of my friends lovingly pointed out, on Instagram, bulk Oreos. They are for the kids, not me. I promise. I am totally grossed out by Oreos this pregnancy. Thanks, little baby. Looking out for mom already.

What are we going to do with all that food, you ask? Oh, I have plans for it....

You'll note about 12 pounds of bananas up next to the eggs. Two of our children have been channeling Curious George and there's no limit to the number of bananas they put down in one day. I also usually have one per day in a smoothie and blend some into smoothies for the other kids as well.
Eggs. Our two-year-old begs for eggs (ooh, a rhyme) every day. So, we need to make sure we have plenty around. Also, if I'm out of ideas for dinner, eggs and waffles or pancakes it is. I keep the ginormous bag of Costco pancake mix on-hand for such desperate times. We also love hard-boiled eggs and egg breakfast sandwiches. I also love to scramble eggs and add them to rice and veggies, like we did this evening.
Cutie oranges, strawberries, and grapefruit are all for snacking.
I have a couple big bags of frozen fruit in there - pretty much just for blending with spinach and coconut water.
Lemons - for enhancing water or smoothies.
Broccoli and mushrooms - for endless things. Crustless quiche, roasting, stir-fry, rice casserole, etc.
Onions - I love to have a big bag of onions on-hand because...well...it's hard for me to imagine most dinners without the taste and smell of onion included.
Cheese - grilled cheese, of course! The kids love it and it's a quick and easy lunch for them (and me) to put together. It's also great for a quick snack if someone is losing their blood sugar and starting to get grouchy.
Ginormous bottle of vinegar - cleaning the house, making buttermilk and dressing salads! :)
Sweet Kale Salad - so, so delicious
Rotisserie chicken - part of tomorrow's dinner! I have no idea what the other part is yet...

Yum, yum, yum. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and start blending and cooking some of these delicious Costco finds.

I plan to make some chocolate almond butter as well, so look for a post on that. :)

But first? Coffee.

Hope you all have a lovely week and eat some great and healthy meals!

We fixed the glitch, with a fabulous green smoothie.

2015-01-09T04:30:00.000-05:00

We fixed the glitch.

One of my favorite lines from office space. My husband and I quote that movie all the time.

In this post, I'm not referring to a glitch in the payroll system; I'm referring to a glitch in our kids' diets. You see, half of them (sometimes 75% of them) aren't down with the veggies. They get pushed to the side, covered up or tossed on an unsuspecting sibling's plate.

The other day, as I was taking a leisurely stroll through Costco with only two children in tow, I saw that the Zico coconut water was $4 off. I've tried coconut water before, and honestly, not impressed. However, I have heard how glorious it is in smoothies and wanted to give it a fair assessment. So, as you do at Costco, you make a commitment when you buy one of their ginormous bargains.

I was really happy to see that one serving of coconut water has as much potassium as a banana. I have super restless legs during pregnancy (annoying) and supposedly, potassium helps alleviate that. Win win. I ran some test projects through our Blend Tec and was VERY HAPPY that three of our children (one wouldn't try) LOVED the result. So, here it is...

(This makes a few decent servings)

1.5 c Zico coconut water
2 bananas
1-2 cups frozen pineapple
2-3 cups raw organic spinach
1/2 cup raw oats (optional)

Combine all and blend until totally smooth!

I like smoothies with oats, but some people may not prefer that flavor or consistency. To me, that makes it a meal as opposed to a snack.

I have been making green smoothies for about four years now, but nothing has set them off as much as adding coconut water! Also? Our eight, four and two years olds approve and ask for more! That makes this mama's whole foods heart happy! I love it and it will be a staple on our shopping list from now on.

Slow down and you won't get in trouble.

2015-01-08T11:36:00.002-05:00

My husband and his brother standing by speed racer (c. 1998)

I've heard my mother-in-law use this tried and true phrase countless times over the seventeen years I've known her. She used it quite often when we were young teenagers, getting ready to haul off here or there in my husband's red Porsche 944. Can you imagine the horror of watching your child - your precious cargo - take off in a Guards Red rocket? Ticket bait. An accident waiting to happen. Insurance premium insanity. Thankfully, my husband listened to his mother's advice and always got us from point A to point B safely.

I was thinking about this just yesterday as I was speeding to our kids' swim lessons and approaching a big hill. It recently snowed and I had no idea what was on the other side of the hill, so I slowed down and approached with caution.

I thought about this again when I was making bread yesterday; I was in such a hurry to whip up a loaf of bread and get it on the dinner table, that I didn't notice the yeast expired FOUR YEARS AGO. We had a beautiful golden-brown dough brick on the table at dinner.

I thought about it again when I was hurrying to set the coffee maker. I was moving quickly because I had use the bathroom (for the 47th time) and get upstairs to watch our favorite show (the only one we watch routinely, which has recently moved to a very inconvenient weeknight time slot). I was in such a hurry that I dumped a scoop of coffee grounds in the water reservoir (filled with water, btw) instead of the coffee filter. You have no idea what kind of a mess that makes. I ended up with wet coffee grounds all over myself, the sink, the counters, the cabinets, the floor. Sigh. If I wasn't in such a hurry, I wouldn't have had that mess to deal with. That mess caused me to miss our show AND almost pee my pants.

It's not only the little things though. It's not just driving, cooking or cleaning. More and more, we see people making crazy irrational permanent life decisions to fix temporary life problems. Slow down, dear friends. Your climb might be hard, but you don't know what's on the other side of the hill. Proceed with utmost caution. Think your decisions through. Take the time. Put in the effort. Seek counsel. Pray hard. Go the extra mile. Buckle your seat belts and read the directions. Stop fixing temporary problems with permanent solutions. And? Don't lose hope.

"Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)

Believe me when I say, I am guilty of making a million-and-one quick irrational decisions and need this advice as much as anyone, but I thought I'd share in case you're in need of encouragement today.

Do you even know who you are??

2015-01-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here's something maybe like, one or two of you can relate to...

When I was in my 20s, I was very career-minded. So career-minded, in fact, that I pretty much just worked, ate, and slept. Through college and early adulthood, I dumped all my hobbies; lots of friendships; and basically just put my nose to the grindstone day-in and day-out to bust out some goals and benchmarks and all that other corporate bologna. And, when I wasn't working, I was thinking about my next career move and my next degree - which never happened because every time I started a masters or licensure program, I ended up being pregnant again. I think God was trying to clue me in and I just wasn't getting it. At any rate, when I was so incredibly, unbelievably, amazingly ~~please don't ever ever make me go back to work~~ blessed to quit my job and the end of 2011...I came home to be with my kids, full-time!

And pretty soon after my first day as a stay-at-home-mom, I was all..."What the crap am I going to do now?" I haven't been unemployed for more than a couple weeks time since I was SIXTEEN. Who. Am. I.

What. The. Crap.

And, when I say "what am I going to do?" I don't mean - "what am I going to do every day?" Though I did have a lot of make-up work to do when it came to full-time parenting. I mean, in the event that I do get second to sit down, what are my hobbies? What do I even like to do now besides drink coffee and wear yoga pants? I know. So basic. It had been SO LONG since I did anything besides work, I kind of really didn't know what to do with myself outside normal parental duties.

More coffee, anyone?

It was just a strange awakening of sorts and I had to re-figure out my interests. I love music, so my iPod was quickly filled with things to listen to. I started this blog because, duh, I paid a lot of money to get an English degree. Might as well use it. And then, one day, when my kids were doing some art projects at the kitchen table and instead of asking them, every five seconds, to mind their messes I sat down with them. I quickly remembered the hours and hours I spent while growing up (and I mean every day for hours) drawing to pass time or to wind-down. I noticed our oldest daughter's love for art - and she is really good at it! It felt great to encourage her as she created. My love for drawing came back seemingly at once. Our art closet was soon filled with notepads and pens and a bazillion markers and paints; trips to Michael's were many and my Pinterest boards were overflowing with ideas.

Zentangle drawing with Pitt Pens

I absolutely love drawing. I love that it's something I can do to wind down and share with my kids as they wind down as well. We love creating together even if we are working on separate projects. There's just something about being in community, working alongside one another, and putting our imaginations on paper. The conversation is good. The outcome is always fun to see, analyze, and discuss. I love seeing what our kids come up with. It helps me understand them even better. We get to talk about all of the art-lovers in our family and all of the different kinds of art in the world. I'm not into sports and, at 33, there's really no chance of that changing. BUT, every one of our kids from the oldest to youngest loves art. I am so glad that's something we can share and do together.

Zentangle with Pitt Pens and Prismacolor Markers

A lot of times, we have been in career-mode or mom-mode for SO LONG that we simply forget our own interests and who God made us to be. I'm not talking about having some mid-life independent woman freakout. It's not that at all. Remember the gifts you've been given and share those with your children! Let them see your abilities and how you work to improve; get them involved, too. It's a great way to tighten the parent/child bonds, promote community, discipline and it opens doors for communication as well. So, whatever your interests (so long as they are constructive and age-appropriate, that is) share them with your kids! Chances are, they will share some of the same and it will draw you closer, still.

Free-style drawing and lettering with watercolor pencils and Pitt Pens.

Little tricks...bathroom organization.

2015-01-06T04:00:00.000-05:00

I've been on a "Pinterquest" (exhaustive journey through stores, websites, craigslist, online garage sale sites, etc.) to find a cart or dresser suitable for a kitchen coffee station. While on this arduous quest for the perfect furnishings...a friend saw my inquiry for the perfect cart offered me the Ikea Raskog cart for $30. That's like $20 off the price of buying it brand new AND I don't have to drag my husband and/or kids to IKEA with me. Because, you know, no one in this house really likes Ikea except me. I had a feeling it wasn't going to work for the kitchen because of the color, edges on the shelves and it's a little smaller than I hoped for. THANKFULLY, I quickly noticed that my friend's Ikea cart coordinates perfectly with our kids' bathroom. The bathroom that has no storage aside from the medicine cabinet. Which...you can't really put towels in there.

A year ago, we ripped out the entire bathroom and put in new flooring, new paint, new toilet and new sink, new decor, etc. We decided to go with a pedestal sink because our children (who love to play in water) had played so hard at ye old bathroom sink, that our vanity had suffered significant water damage. Now, you can try to tell kids all you want that sinks are not for recreational use. However, they will always find a way to wash their hands a little longer. To get another drink. To brush teeth another time. All of these things usually end result in swimming toothbrushes, floating boats and extended periods of washing dolls' hair. Sigh. It's just a stage of life. They won't do it forever. I ain't scarrrred - except when they water damage our furnishings.

The pedestal sink looks great; it's pretty kid proof, but obviously offers zero storage. My intention was to put up some shelves (as seen on Pinterest, of course), but that never happened. When I saw this Raskog cart in the perfect color - I knew my bathroom plans were coming full circle.

Look. At. That. It matches the mirror, rug, wall-art and looks like it was made to squeeze right in that space between the wall and sink! I love it. I have it set up with three mason jars to hold toothbrushes and toothpaste (previously they would land in the sink or - gasp - the floor); hair products; hair accessories; and other bathroom-y things. The bottom two shelves have towels and washcloths (which were previously sending our hall closet into overflow status). I LOVE having this cart.

The only problem? Now I've thought of at least one, maybe two more places in the house where I need one.

Also? I found the perfect cart for our coffee station, but it's back ordered. Hopefully I can post on that in early February after it shows up. SO excited!!!

This week's meal plan - (mostly) all from Costco. :)

2015-01-05T04:00:00.000-05:00

Did I mention that I love Costco? I think I did...maybe once or twice. I usually go during the week with all four kids and we do our weekly grocery run. My husband had some errands to run this morning, so he dropped two of the kids and I off at Costco for A WHOLE HOUR. Did you know that taking two kids to Costco for an hour is like equivalent to being there for ten minutes with four kids? Don't do the math...just trust me. It was like a leisurely stroll in the park.

As a result, we got to look at ALL THE THINGS and I actually have this week's dinners planned and purchased for this coming week. It feels great to be ahead of the game, but it doesn't usually happen that way for us. I was going to post something else today, but pushed it back till tomorrow so you can check out my weekly meal plan and glean some ideas from it if you like! I know when I'm at a loss for what to cook, I read blog after blog via Pinterest until it's figured out.

Ready? Here we go!

Monday - Oven seared salmon with roasted butternut squash, broccoli and crimini mushrooms and maybe some brown rice on the side - I have to decide if rice is necessary.
Tuesday - Spinach and cheese ravioli with homemade bread and garlic butter - maybe some roasted veggies on the side.
Wendesday - Slow cooker Italian chicken with rigatoni or angel hair.
Thursday - Garlic butter quinoa and shrimp
Friday - Company is coming! Menu TBD
Saturday - Chipotle (hoooray!!)

Also, if I get a second, I'm going to make some more viscotta (Italian sesame cookies) for the hubs and I do dip in our morning coffees. :)

Mini Update - Happy new year!!

2015-01-03T11:34:00.002-05:00

Hi friends,

We made it through all the holidays, did you?? This is our family business's busiest time of year and
our first year juggling the busy season, homeschool, pregnancy and a few home renovations all in a very short amount of time! It seems that this season of craziness has come to a resting place, though, and we are ready to return to normal life...until this spring when the baby shows up. :)

I'll admit, after losing a ton of weight and being in the best shape of my adult life, it is kind of hard to go back in the other direction for the better part of a year. I'm not getting wound-up about it, though, because I know post-partum fitness is attainable! This pregnancy, I am focusing on maintaining a (mostly) clean and vegetarian diet, and simply not over eating or binge eating. I am allowing myself grace when it comes to cravings, but not letting them overpower my goal for having a healthy pregnancy. I'm also doing my best to drink more water. That's always been a problem for me in pregnancies past. It's not that I don't love water, I just don't like to be bothered with so many trips to the bathroom so I ignore my fluid intake. I know - bad. bad. bad.

I've had the oddest cravings (for me) this pregnancy... ginger, green beans, lemon meringue pie, carrots, eggs, toothpaste (two different kinds...no I'm not eating that); and sharp cheeses.

I have also been posting some kid-friendly dinner recipes on my Facebook page and hope to report some of those to you, as well. Let me know what kinds of things you'd like to see and I will add them to our meal plan. :) We also got a new crockpot and waffle maker for Christmas, so hopefully I can post about some fun recipes on that end, soon, as well.

Meanwhile? You *might* want to check your local Costco to see if this Trek Mix is in stock. It is SO MUCH FLAVOR. And? I don't feel bad eating it.

Attention: Blessings may be closer than they appear.

2014-12-06T09:30:00.002-05:00

If I had to rank each day on a scale of difficulty, 1-10, with 10 being the type of day where I'd like to start chain smoking, yesterday was about a 12. As a whole, it wasn't like they formed a mob and rose up against me or anything, just a few things happened that nearly sent me over the edge. And, you should know, I'm not one that tarries particularly close to the edge. It really takes a lot.

It was cold, dark and rainy yesterday so we were stuck inside all day long. After half-a-day of this, the minions start getting restless and that's when trouble sometimes ensues. The baby (two-year-old) was all dreaming up sugar plums up in her bed; one child was watching a movie; one was parked at the kitchen table (coloring, I assumed); and the other was upstairs doing something, I don't know, blowing her nose for like 20 minutes. Since I appeared to have a break, I settled into my favorite couch with Pinterest open, some cozy pillows and a fall blend of oils diffusing to my left. All was well, I tell you. Then? The child who had been upstairs came down and says to me... "Mom, sprinkles are everywhere." I said, "ok, clean them up." Three minutes later, "mom, I can't." Odd from my quick-to-help child who LOVES to vacuum and sweep. I went in to inspect.

The child who had been sitting quietly at the kitchen table somehow tossed? exploded? dropped? ...who knows... a bulk container of round sprinkles. My friends. In my almost eight-and-a-half years of mothering, I don't know if I have ever seen such a wide spread mess. Sprinkles filled every grout line, covered every tile, traveled to the next room and blanketed my yoga mat. Have mercy. To say there was a million of them was probably not much of an exaggeration. As we started vacuuming them up, the vacuum was spitting them back at me. I emptied the vacuum canister and, of course, spilled the contents of that back on the floor. Though annoyed, I remained pretty calm (I'm going to pin that on the oils I was diffusing...). About 45 minutes later, and one kid with peed-pants later, we got it mostly cleaned up though I don't doubt we will be finding sprinkles around for the next five years.

I sent the kids upstairs to get socks and appropriate clothes on for dinner out and, in that time, they decided to get rowdy. And then I heard, "wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." The baby, who was dreaming every so fondly of sugar plums, was now awake...like an hour too early. I banished a kid to the couch and sent the other off to do chores while we waited on dad to get home - all cited with excessive noise violations during rest-time hours. Sigh.

The rest of the evening was pretty status-quo. We had a couple of pre-bedtime meltdowns from kids who wanted ice cream and homemade cookies produced at 8:30pm. I wasn't about to get kids wired up again before I was home-free for the day. I sent the sprinkle-dropper upstairs to bed and I followed with her baby sister. After I had baby sister in bed, I went back downstairs to grab my computer and other things. I crawled into bed and settled in to Pinterest while waiting for everyone else to come up. When my husband came upstairs about 10 minutes later, I said..."have you seen #3 (sprinkle-dropper)?" He said, "No? Let me see where she is."

We couldn't find her. Anywhere.

ANYWHERE.

After we'd searched every hiding place in the house, we still couldn't find her.

All of the worst things were going through my head now. We tore apart every bed. Threw open every drawer and closet door. Exploded every laundry pile. We yelled her name in every corner. Nothing. Not a sign. Not a trace. How could we lose a child in our house? We never heard any doors open, but could she have somehow gone outside? Surely she wouldn't go into the dark rainy abyss. I started feeling really sick and imagined someone taking off with her right from our home. What did the perp look like? What kind of car? What was she wearing? I wouldn't be able to explain any of it. I didn't know how we would explain this to the police, but I pictured the headlines and we have never been so close to calling them.

Absolutely frantic, I went back into our bedroom and threw the covers off of our bed (where I was just laying moments before).

This child. There she was, sleeping soundly - angelically even - fully covered in our blankets.

She went upstairs and thought it would be fun get under our covers and hide so we'd be surprised to find her when we got into bed. Before we had a chance to find her, she fell asleep fully covered in blankets and had sunk in to the memory foam mattress a little, which is why I didn't notice her RIGHT NEXT TO ME as I laid in bed. Even my husband looked through our room three times and under the bed. We moved her, as she slept soundly never realizing that we almost called in the troops for her return. We praised JESUS over and over and over and I consider it a lesson learned.

Sometimes our blessings come in ways unexpected, friends. Sometimes they are hard days and things that are there to teach us patience, mercy, forgiveness, etc. And, sometimes, they are right beside us and we get SO caught up in panic and mis-trust that we don't even notice them. I am STILL praising the Lord this morning that our child wasn't really missing. We are going to spend the morning doing some fun projects together and loving one another intentionally!

Blessings are all around you, friends, and some may be unexpected and closer than you think.

The word is pretty much out anyway...

2014-12-02T09:29:00.000-05:00

Back when I started this blog in 2012, we were expecting baby #4. I had just made the transition from Corporate America to stay-at-home-mom. I never expected the Lord would lead me in that direction, but He did and being home with my children has been the biggest (surprising) blessing in my adult life! In fact, I am hanging on to this time as long as possible - because it is precious and it will be behind us before we know it. Last spring we experienced a first-trimester miscarriage. I have had such easy and uneventful pregnancies in the past and I really thought I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of loss. I thought I'd just vaporize into the atmosphere if something like that should happen. The Lord proved otherwise and showed His faithfulness once again. He extended absolute peace to our family during that time and allowed us to tell people about His love and sovereignty as a result of what we were experiencing. In turn, I was able to see His love through all of the people who were praying for us and taking care of us.

At the end of last school year, He put something new and unexpected on our hearts again! We felt lead to begin homeschooling our children. Homeschooling was another avenue way, way, way - I mean across the world - off my radar. I never felt capable, organized enough, grounded enough, focused enough... Alas, I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do and my husband agreed. I knew that the Lord would prove faithful once again and show us the way. So, we have been homeschooling since September. I have made so many great homeschooling friends and they have been a true blessing to our family. And now? There is more...

We are expecting #5.

It seems that we've had a major life change every couple years for the last 10 years. It hasn't always been easy and I haven't always transitioned well or with a grateful heart; After learning to fully trust in Him, though, and know that He is always sovereign and He is always mighty, these transitions have become easier and easier as they go.

We are thrilled about #5, who is expected this spring.

Please pray for us as our family transitions once again, during an especially busy season of life. We truly appreciate your prayers.

And, while we await #5's arrival...I hope to share some awesome recipes with you; my Costco faves (we JUST got a Costco store close by and it's my home away from home); some aromatherapy things I'm getting into and thoughts on homeschooling. :)

Happy time of Advent, friends. Hope you and your families are well. :)

Creamy Tortellini and Roasted Veggies

2014-11-10T22:05:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I have some disclaimers to make.

Our ugly and delicious dinner.

I am a portrait photographer. I am not a food photographer. The following photo, of tonight's dinner, does not represent my skills as a photographer nor any culinary skills that I may or may not have.
The only healthy thing about the following meal was the roasted veggies. This is probably an excellent meal to eat while you're carb-loading for a race. I'm most certainly not. I'm just eating this way because it's fall. And it's fun. I did get to shower today, though. So, that's something.

Onward and upward....sometimes when I'm at the grocery I just grab random stuff for that night of the week (and there's usually always at least one) that I have NO CLUE what we're going to make for dinner. Like...my brain just can't process what we have available to make or I'm not hungry for anything and/or I am just out of time. Whatever the case, I grab a few things I can throw in the freezer for such days as this.

We had to take a full sick day on Friday because our baby (two-year-old) was battling a respiratory infection of some sort and needed me on the couch with her ALL DAY LONG. She was really sick, you guys, and it was really sad. What? Snuggle a sweet buttercup baby on the couch all day? Twist my arm. So...we did that. We watched show after show and learned that she REALLY loves the movie/musical Annie. She was still sniffly Saturday and by Sunday the other kids had whatever she was having. SO...we got behind on basically everything and I had to kick it into high gear today. We got a bunch of school work underway, laundry folded, other junk cleaned and I started dinner early, LIKE A BOSS.

I remembered the tortellini (cue the harps, bells and trumpets). I've never made anything with tortellini before. So, I did the only truly logical thing. I made a cheese sauce for it. Friends, when in doubt, cover dinner with cheese and you'll be everybody's favorite mom. Just saying.

Cheese sauce went like this-ish: 2c almond milk (or whatever you have); 1 brick of cream cheese; a handful of Romano; some butter; pepper; a bunch of garlic; flour and...I think that's it. Melt it all down on medium heat and stir it all together till it's thick and smooth. If you can't get the flour lumps out - stir a figure 8 in the pot until they start to thin out. That's not witchcraft; it works.

Also? I know some of you Type A people are freaking out because there are no measurements listed and you're probably scrolling down to leave a comment right now and tell me there are no measurements. You know why? I have no idea how much of what I threw in there (I even guessed on the 2c of milk). And? It really doesn't matter. You have to trust me. Start with a 1/4 of flour and don't go nuts with the other stuff. You will be okay. Just keep smelling it and taking taste tests.

I threw the tortellini (frozen) in my crock and poured the sauce over. I cooked it on high for a while (a few hours) and checked for doneness. Once it was nice and cooked through, I left the crock on keep warm till dinner.

On the side, we had my favorite Costco veggies (roasted in the oven with: olive oil, sea salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, Hungarian paprika, and dried minced onion). YUM. Listen to me...all you really need is salt, pepper and olive oil and your veggies. Add what you like!!! I cooked these around 425 for...you guessed it...a while. I don't know. 40 minutes maybe? Watch for doneness and don't burn 'em.

Finally, my last starchy component - the Sister Schubert roll. If you like rolls. Please do yourself a favor and get some from the freezer section!! Delicious yeasty amazing rolls ready in 10 minutes. YUM!!

As always, enjoy!!!

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes!

2014-11-06T21:54:00.000-05:00

It's a rare-occasion, but sometimes the Internet does indeed let me down when it comes to finding recipes. That rare phenomenon happened this morning as I searched - to no-end - for a crockpot scalloped potato recipe. Basically, this is what happened. Every recipe had ingredients that I didn't want to mess with; didn't have; or required time I didn't want to spend. So, alas, I invented something. We haven't sat down to dinner yet, but I smell the potatoes cooking and I think the outcome will be favorable. I also might have scraped the leftover sauce out of the pan and ate it straight. So I kind of know it's going to be good as long as I don't burn it.

Here's how it went down...

Prep work:

Wash and thinly slice some red potatoes. I think I used 5 or 6 to feed our family of 6. Tough, right?

On the stovetop:

2c almond milk - bring it to a boil
Add in 1/4c flour - or just accidentally dump in some random amount like I did. It's cool. Stir till it's smooth.
Salt, pepper, garlic, minced dried onion and butter (like 2T of butter). Stir it up some more.
Throw in a handful of cheese. I don't know how much. Don't fret. Just put a generous palmful-ish in. And if you crazy, add more and more and more and more. I love cheese.

JUST DON'T FORGET TO STIR CONSTANTLY. K? I'm not responsible for your burnt cheese sauce, only my own.

Now, layer it up in your crockpot:

Spray the TAR out of your crockpot with a non-stick spray. Otherwise, you might as well just throw out your crock when you're done.
Layer 1: Potatoes (salt, pepper, minced dried onion and parsley them)
Layer 2: another handful of cheese;
Layer 3: pour on 1/3 of the sauce.

Repeat 1-3 until you are out of ingredients or space in your crockpot. Top with some more pepper and parsley or whatevs. I use dry parsley because fresh parsley is like...I might as well just throw it in the trash right after I use it the first time. I never use a full head of parsley before it turns into a science experiment.

Cook on LOW for 8-10hrs or HIGH for 4-6hrs. I cooked on HIGH because I basically can't think about dinner 8-10hrs ahead of time unless it's like Thanksgiving day or we have RESERVATIONS. Can I get an AMEN?

Enjoy!! I served it with baked ham/pineapple for my meat-eaters and boiled cabbage.

We also had banana/vanilla wafer pudding - part of our homeschooling math and science lesson for the day. Sadly, I forgot to add the bananas. Live and learn, right? This is real life, people.

Here's to all the breakfast sandwich lovers!!!!

2014-11-06T08:59:00.001-05:00

Okay, I realize that I just told you about my dinner a few hours ago - but I really can't wait until later this evening to tell you about breakfast! I absolutely love breakfast sandwiches. We don't usually get breakfast out; whenever we go on a road trip, though, getting a breakfast sandwich (preferably something McNasty) is one of the highlights. Is that sad? I don't think that's sad.

My glorious waffle egg sandwich.

A month or so I was cruising the aisles of Target and made one of the best impulse-buys of all time. The Hamilton Beach 25475A Breakfast Sandwich Maker (which is cheaper on Amazon than at Target) has been my breakfast go-to almost every morning since.

Here's how it works - the sandwich maker has a few different layers. You add in half of your bread/muffin and the cheese; then add egg and salt or other seasonings in the next layer and top with the rest of the bread/muffin. It cooks it all together and is ready in about 5 minutes!

At first I started with standard breakfast sandwiches (one of my favorites is the egg-white breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons). I just used an english muffin, egg, cheddar and some salt and pepper to re-create. It was super tasty, but pretty basic. I started imagining all the possibilities...

Egg sandwich on Ezekiel muffins with spicy cheese

Variations

Hubby's double fried egg experiment

I bought a spicy shredded cheese from the grocery. Basically once that happened, I haven't gone back to a normal cheddar since. I LOVE spicy cheese.
Using *special edition* english muffins. I tried the apple and my husband tried pumpkin - both were very good!!!
Yesterday and the day before, I used Ezekiel 4:9 Cinnamon Raisin english muffins (with said spicy cheese), egg, and salt. That was tasty, but my husband wasn't a fan. He claimed too many flavors. We'll just agree to disagree. I thought it was great.
This morning, I attempted my ultimate sandwich...I wasn't sure this was going to work because of the size of the waffles, but it totally did. Two blueberry waffles; 1 egg with salt; 1 slice of colby jack cheese. I could eat this sammie EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Omgosh. I may even try to incorporate syrup somehow. It was SO good and I didn't feel that fast food breakfast guilt. Eggo makes a similar frozen breakfast sandwich, but they are like $6 for 4 sandwiches and not as good. I bought them one time and got one - our oldest daughter got the other three over a couple day time period.
Also this morning, my husband used the sandwich maker to create a double fried? egg. It came out beautifully. He's so sensible.

So, those are just a few of things you can do with this amazing device. Now, can I get my own informercial?

Garlic Pasta & Shrimp (On the table in less than 20 minutes!)

2014-11-05T21:52:00.000-05:00

I had big plans for today. We were going to get school finished up early and then I was going to
overhaul the pantry. We did get school finished, but after lunch I made a mistake. I sat down. You never sit down when there's a laundry list of crap to get done. It's like sitting down in the middle of a race. You just don't.

At any rate, by the time I hoisted myself back up off the couch and got the baby down for a nap, I was a little behind schedule on the pantry issue. Then I got halfway through and felt like taking a nap. Alas, no nap - ever. Because? Four kids. Do I need to explain that to you? I didn't think so. Your current mental image is surely sufficient. Anyway.

I recharged with some Halloween candy and other random (likely expired) junk I found shoved in the back of the pantry and, we pushed forward. I got the pantry put mostly back together with one or two shelves left to go through (another today...like next year) and it was like 4:40pm. Dinner is served about 5:30 here. But, I really needed to take a shower.

So, quickest shower ever and back to the kitchen to start tonight's kid-friendly supper - garlic pasta and shrimp. VERY easy! The shrimp takes 12-14 min in the oven; angel hair pasta takes water-boiling time plus like 5 minutes and then sautéing some mushrooms with butter takes about as long as the noodles. It all goes together great. Unless.

You forget about the shrimp.
And set off the smoke detector.
Then your kids shriek in terror.
And the baby chokes on an apple because of said commotion.
And your husband has to save the day with the heimlich.

Friends, that little episode of "Mommy Burnt Dinner Again" terrified me. Alas, a few minutes later we were all sitting around the table, totally composed and enjoying the garlic pasta and shrimp before heading out the door to the next thing.

Sometimes it just feels like "a day." And then, in the midst of all the burdens we're carrying, we take a look around and see all of our people; all of our blessings; all of the sovereignty; all of the abundance and we have nothing left to say except - God is good. All the time. Even when nothing goes as planned. Even when we are let down; even when we are in need of a never-happening nap; when people all around are falling apart; when we are anxious; or making dinner on the crispy side, again... God is good.

Hope you enjoy the pasta. It's pretty phenom.

Here's what you need:
-1pk crispy butterfly shrimp (you know, the kind from the freezer section that's good, but not good for you).
-Angel hair pasta (however much serves your family)
-Shiitake mushrooms
-Half a stick of butter (or more, if you dare)
-A bunch of garlic
-Salt and pepper.

Here's what you do:
-Cook the shrimp according to package
-Boil the pasta
-Sautee the mushrooms in garlic, lots of butter, salt & pepper.

Got all that? Throw it in a giant serving bowl when you are done and tell the kids it's fancy food. Hope you love it!

Maple Sweet Potato Casserole

2014-11-04T19:15:00.000-05:00

With a vegetarian/clean eating mom and four kids who like all different things, dinner can quickly turn in to a debacle. We are just thankful that dad comes from a family of eight kids and will eat whatever is on the plate before him. We're working on getting the kids there, but realistically it may not happen for a few years with the littlest of our littles. I'm trying to keep track of all the kid friendly meals I've been making lately, but I wanted to record this recipe before I forget what I did to create it. :) It will come in handy for Thanksgiving, too, if you need an extra dish to bring.

I love sweet potato casserole and I always feel like mine never comes out quite right. You know, a lot of times it comes out like this.

But this time...gracious. It was SO good. I think I've finally cracked the code on sweet potato casserole mastery.

Here's what I did.

First things first. It's not because I'm lazy, it's because I'm left-handed. I don't like peeling sweet potatoes. It's a huge pain and I usually end up slicing my hand in one way or another or dropping a potato down the garbage disposal. So, I didn't peel the potatoes. I baked (four of) them in the oven (pierced and wrapped in foil - 400 degrees for like an hour or hour and a half).

Once the potatoes were nice and tender (and only slightly scalding hot), I sliced them in half and scooped the potato out into my baking dish. Instead of egg (remember my irrational salmonella fear?) I added half a cup of Greek Yogurt (I didn't really measure it, but I was aiming for half a cup). Then I seasoned the tar out of all of it with cinnamon. After I cinnamonized it, I came to the moment of truth. Do I lace this sucker with brown sugar or try a "clean" alternative. I just so happened to have pure, local, maple syrup. I would say I used 1/4-1/2 cup of maple syrup and stirred to combine. Omgosh. So good. I added about 1/2 tsp of sea salt as well. Next, I scooped in the rest of the butter in the butter dish (about 2T and then added 1T of coconut oil). Mmm..... I stirred all well to combine and baked at 325 for about 30min or so. Once my salmon patties were about done, I added some mini marshmallows and allowed those ~~to burn and set off the smoke detector~~ melt beautifully on top of the casserole.

It was SO delicious. I have to think the maple syrup and coconut oil had something to do with it. I hope you'll try this recipe. It was seriously the best ever...after I removed the charred marshmallows and made a second attempt.

Here's what you need:

4 big sweet potatoes
1/4c pure maple syrup
Cinnamon
1/2tsp tea salt
1/2c plain greek yogurt
2T butter
1T coconut oil
Tons of mini marshmallows

Now, go make it and enjoy!!! :)

Did you really think I was going to quit eating meat?

2014-08-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I totally did. It's been one month since I the last time I had meat and I'm feeling really good about it. Liberated, even. Here are five fun things that have happened since adopting a vegetarian lifestyle:

1. I don't have to freak out about the possibility of consuming raw or undercooked meat at each meal. Yuck, right? That's one of the big things that grosses me out about meat. I've had food poisoning before and I can't say I ever want it again. I know one can still get food poisoning from other non-meat items, but at least I've knocked a few possibilities off the docket, right?

Garlic Zucchini, Feta Omelet and Fresh Cherries

2. The very first week of my "vegetarian lifestyle," one of those steak solicitors started up the drive way. Now, if filet mignon grosses me out, buying steaks from a door-to-door guy with a clipboard and a box of meat chillin' in his truck is definitely not on the agenda. Thankfully, my hubs was able to pull the herbivore card real quick and go, "sorry, my wife is a vegetarian." Steak dude took his clipboard ran for the hills.

Quinoa Tacos - You won't even miss the meat!

3. I'm not tempted to stop at a fast food place. Yeah, it does hurt my heart a little that Chick-Fil-A sammies are off the list, but it's for the best! Being a vegetarian means no Big Macs, no nuggets, no Whoppers, no General Tso's chicken, no pepperoni pizza and no wild wings. It feels good to have boundaries! I don't need those things any way!

Quinoa Salad - Just like an Italian Salad without the Greens

4. I'm consuming much more of what's better for me. More veggies; more salads; more plain yogurt; more nuts; more fruit; ~~more Sriracha popcorn;~~ more quinoa; more healthy oils; more water and more Shakeology. I'm coming up with creative ways to use these healthy foods and to make the most of them - make them delicious and amazing. Eating healthy does NOT have to be boring if you just give it a little thought. I feel much more balanced than before...if that speaks to you in any way.

Shakeology - Every. Single. Day. Msg me with questions!

5. This might be too much information, but I feel like my food is digesting really well. Something happens when you get to be about thirty (so my friends say) and you can't just throw back any old cookie, doughnut or onion ring without consequence. No, no...there are TUMS to be taken, my friends. There is tea to be consumed. There are foods to be avoided. I don't know why it happens, but I feel like taking extra special care of my digestive system these days, because I don't have extra time to feel disgusting as a result of my food choices. Do you?

Loaded Sweet Potato - Quinoa, black beans, Sriracha, cheese, etc.

I'm not pushing you (or anyone, honestly) into vegetarianism, but for me....it's been great! I didn't eat that much meat to begin with, so giving it up was really very easy. There hasn't been one time I've felt deprived without it, honestly, and it's helped me clean up my diet even more. Questions? Ask me!

And she dragged me, kicking and screaming.

2014-08-07T10:36:00.000-04:00

So, I wasn't going to post today. I really didn't have anything spectacular to say and...honestly? I have a lot of messes going on at home lately. I have piles of clothes to be sorted; a homeschool room to be organized; toys to be purged; laundry to be laundered; children to be fed; PiYo to do; calories to be counted; toilets to scrub; prayers to be said; devotions to be done; and the list goes on and on...all the while the pool is calling my name for a couple more weeks. However, my TimeHop app sent me a picture today and it prompted the following thoughts.

A year ago, I hadn't been out with friends for about 18 months. When I mean "out with friends," I mean...like out, without kids. There wasn't really a reason I hadn't been out; I've never been a big Ladies-Night-Outer, I just got so consumed with everything going on around here (adjusting to life as a stay-at-home-mom of four after working outside the home, being pregnant, nursing a baby, taking care of the house and other kids, working it all around my husband's schedule, and sinking in to my own very comfortable routine of Facebook, blogging and photos, etc) that I didn't feel like taking the effort to get cleaned up and escape for a short while and go have a coffee, conversation and a little breathing room with friends. I just didn't feel like it. I didn't want to leave my routine and comfort zone.

However, I have a friend named Jenny, jennyitup, JRap.

Everyone should have a JRap.

She relentlessly harassed me to leave the house with her, for just a bit, and go have fun. (You should also know we were friends for like two years before this point). Now, if you know Jenny, you know she wasn't trying to get me to jump ship, get blindly drunk and max out the credit cards. She's just ~~OLDER than me~~ a seasoned wife and mom, also has a slew of kids, and she knows that a little time off in the right environment, for the right reasons, and with the right folks, is good. Everyone needs a time-out, right? We planned. And I'm pretty sure I got nervous and canceled twice (~~I'm not really sorry~~ sorry, Jenny!!). Then she basically threatened me in the most Christian way possible.

So, we negotiated.

I told Jenny I would leave the house after the baby was in bed and if she picked me up. She obliged and we had coffee, chocolate and about a thousand laughs. It was a great boost and had me re-fueled for the next day. I'm pretty sure I texted her after to ask when we were going out the next time. So, one year later, we're still doing this. A few friends of ours all get together once every month-and-a-half or so and we just get together and breathe. and chat. and laugh. and eat food we don't normally eat. and get that breathing room that we all need, but so rarely make time for.

I love my husband and kids, so much, but I think a little breathe-time is good for all of us. It allows me to stop, collect thoughts and re-fuel while my husband and kids ~~get a break from me~~ can bond together, too! I've learned that going out doesn't make me a run-away mom, it just gives me an occasional time-out. Who would fight that?

I guess I'm feeling a little...

2014-07-30T10:15:00.000-04:00

Content? Could I possibly feel content? Do I even know what that feels like? For an entire decade, I went from "dream" job to "dream" job and yo-yo diet to yo-yo diet, anxiety attack to anxiety attack and I was always sick, out of time, stressed out, and always complaining...you get the picture. I had all these plans and ideals about what life was supposed to look like; what rung I was supposed to be clenching on the corporate ladder; how much more education I should have under my belt - certifications, degrees, accolades, etc. But, I never felt good about it. I kept hitting speed bump after speed bump. Then, a few years ago, something changed. The Lord threw out the stop sticks.

I felt and overwhelming sense of need to be still, and patient. To look at everything God had laid out before me and take care of that, and that alone, while waiting and praying about what's next. It felt amazing to be simply, yet extravagantly, marked by grace instead of degrees or other worldly accomplishments.

BY GRACE I was ready and able to begin staying at home with our (then) three kids and soon to be four (no one was more surprised about this than me). SO MUCH has changed since then and people often ask me how I do it. It's easy. It's so much easier than when I was trying to make these plans for myself. Three simple words, trust and obey.

I didn't know I was going to be expecting a fourth baby at the same time I felt and overwhelming call to leave my career (and insurance) to stay home with our kids.

I didn't know how to balance cooking, cleaning, child rearing, and being the wife of a business-owner.

I didn't know about the substantial loss that was coming through to us: through deaths, relationships, and miscarriage - and that overwhelming grace heals us and allows us to go on.

I didn't know I would be healthier at 32 than almost every year of my 20s.

I didn't know that I'd be happily writing a blog about life and health, with no profit, instead of making big bucks as a corporate writer.

I didn't know I would be setting-up to homeschool four littles this school year. (I'm pretty sure I said I would NEVER do this, yet I'm thrilled about the opportunity now).

I didn't know that just working to trust and obey, every day, could be so much more fulfilling than any plans I've ever made for myself.

He carries us, every single time! Realizing that God's Will reigns over all allows us to experience incredible contentment. And, for that, I am SO thankful.

What is this core you speak of?

2014-07-17T09:53:00.000-04:00

Growing up, I was in 2-4 dance classes a week plus some gymnastics work here and there; and, though

I was too young to know better at the time, I was great shape. After high school, I didn't maintain that same level of fitness. I just did what I had to do to get through college (which involved daily taco bell and the new-found glory of Starbucks coffee) while working full-time or close to it. I worked my butt off to achieve career goals, but let my physical activity level dwindle into oblivion.

Right after college (I mean two weeks after graduation), we were married and had our first baby within two years of that time. We had another baby every two years after and while I may have dropped pounds, my actual fitness level never really improved. Ever hear of skinny fat? Yeah.

Anywho. I couldn't even do a sit-up without a medicine ball because my core was seemingly dead. Gone. No where to be found. I thought maybe that's just how it was going to be after four babies stretched my stomach into uncharted territories.

Over the last two weeks, I've been dedicated and determined to move through the PiYo fitness challenge, without missing a day. I've been successful so far and while I haven't taken measurements yet (waiting till after week 4), I can totally tell a difference already. I am confident my core strength will return! My balance is still there. My agility and flexibility is improving with every workout. And, guess what? Last night, I did sit-ups WITHOUT a medicine ball. You have no idea. I've tried SOOOOO many times since having kids, and I just couldn't do it. It was like someone was holding me down.

Because I'm a slave to the scale (I know this isn't good, you don't have to tell me), I do know that I'm down 5lbs since starting PiYo!

But, I have to remind you of something reeeeallly important. Have you ever heard the saying: Abs are made in the kitchen? I totally believe that, too. In addition to being really strict with PiYo, I maintain a clean eating, vegetarian lifestyle - including one Shakeology a day.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to see what I'm eating and for more tips and tricks! Want to know more about PiYo or Shakeology? Just email me and I'll send you the info on how to order.

Everybody has that friend...

2014-07-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

That's totally my hand; not a kid's.

Who is an awesome gardener and brings over delicious garden fresh produce all season long. Right? If you don't have a friend like that, you totally need to find one. Yesterday we were blessed with three ginormous zucchini. I kid you not. These zucchinis were bigger than our newborn babies.

I love zucchini and I've made quite a few zucchini recipes over the years (remember the zoats I posted about not long ago? How about the zucchini brownies?), but today I was on a quest for something new. I gave Pinterest a whirl for a little bit, but when dinner time came around, I ended up modifying another tried and true recipe that our family loves.

I present to you, Garden Style Fried Rice

This recipe was super flavorful and really the only effort included is sauteeing some veggies and scrambling some eggs. Anyone can make this amazing, flavorful dish. I'll cut to the chase and tell you how.

1.) Cook your (brown) rice (2c uncooked). You guys know white rice is over the foul line, right? Also? If you don't have a rice maker, please get a rice maker. You can even get the el cheapo rice maker at Target. It will make your task of achieving perfect brown rice, easier; promise!

2.) When your rice is nearing the finish line, warm up some oil in your favorite skillet (I used grapeseed). Slice, sauté and season your veggies over med-low heat . I used chopped carrots; sliced onion; and sliced zucchini (when using carrots, add them in way before everything else as they take the longest to cook). Season to taste with: sea salt, cayenne, minced onions (I don't know why I seasoned onion with onion, I just did. Sue me.).

3.) When your veggies are getting nice and tender, crack and whisk some eggs in a bowl, I used four for my hungry hungry hippos. Besides, there's never enough egg in fried rice. Amen? Then, when you're ready, scramble those suckers up in another (non-stick - this is no time to make a mess) pan.

4.) When your rice dinger goes off, add the rice (gently, now) to the veggies. Still gently, incorporate all, then add egg. After that, I gave it all another once over with the salt, soy sauce (about 1/4 cup - don't saturate the rice) and added some tumeric for color, flavor and lots of interest. I LOVE tumeric. It gives the dish that "I'm not really eating brown rice" feel.

Serve and enjoy!!! I really did have to stop myself from eating more of this. I enjoyed every second and I hope you to, too. :)

This meal is kid and husband approved.

There are just some things...

2014-07-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Mmmmm....salad.

That I refuse to stop eating. I've had this conversation with folks several times in real life, and friends have told me it's re-assuring, so here's the blog version.

Friend: "Sooooo, you don't eat processed foods or refined carbs, right? Now you don't eat meat either? What DO you eat (weirdo)?"

Me: "I eat a clean, un-processed, plant-based diet most of the time. BUT, here's the deal. There are just some foods I'm not willing to give up. If I did, I may never survive this clean eating lifestyle. I love clean foods, don't get me wrong. I love fruit, vegetables, unsweetened tea, Shakeology, brown rice and all that business. BUT...I also love not-so-healthy things, and eating them in moderation isn't wrong, as long as I get right back on track with the next meal."

Here' a list of some of those things on my list:

Cherry Coke. It's been my favorite for as long as I can remember. It's extra good when it's made behind a bar with a fountain coke and some grenadine. You think? I think. I have maybe one a month, or less and I don't get a refill. Definitely not going to inhibit my clean eating lifestyle at that rate.

Pizza. For a variety of reasons, it would basically be sacrilegious for me to stop eating pizza. I love it. It loves me. I will eat any kind of pizza from the gourmet variety shown below to sick-nasty freezer pizza. I love it all. I even LOVVVVVE cauliflower crust pizza, which is clean! If I had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of my life, it would probably be pizza. Again, I usually only eat it on special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries or other parties.

Cherry Cordial Ice Cream from UDF. I'll be honest, when I started clean eating almost two years ago, I stopped eating dairy regularly. It wasn't intentional, it just sort of happened. Now, when I eat ice cream, it makes my stomach hurt. Sooooo....I reserve my ice cream indulgences for Homemade Brand (aka UDF) Cherry Cordial. Seriously - best ever - worth the hurt. Been my favorite for many o' years. Yes, my favorite ice cream comes from a gas station. S-U-E M-E.

Oh, also? If you're going to do this, go get ice cream OUT. Yes, it's more expensive this way, but guess what...there's not a chance that you're going to take a box of ice cream to bed with you and be really super sorry the next morning when you wake up with a spoon glued to your face and an empty ice cream box on your bedside table. Just saying.

Donuts. If you've known me for more than thirty seconds, you know that I've never met a donut I didn't like. My favorite? I know you want to know. Boston cream aka bavarian cream aka long john, etc. I just can't even. I remember getting donuts with my dad so many times growing up. My husband and I used to go for donuts on Friday and Saturday nights, in college, and today I go on donut dates with two of my friends and all the kids. It doesn't happen often at all and I try to reserve these indulgences for special occasions; but, no, I won't turn down a donut. Ever. Don't even try to tell me they cause XY or Z. I'll keep eating them. Donut diva for life!

Coffee. Yeah. If we go on vacation, the Keurig comes, too. Guess what guys, I have four kids. Having a cup of coffee is like my own personal Happy Hour. I even use that toxic candy flavored liquid creamer (but only a tablespoon). That's right, no shame. Try to pry this Starbucks cup out of my hot little hand, I dare ya'.

So, there you have it. Even hardcore foodies like me can survive the clean eating life. I've managed to lose 40+ pounds while still eating this crap every now and then. I try not to take "breaks" (unless I'm incredibly off the tracks and that's a topic for another post) and I don't take whole days off - just one "treat" meal one time a week.

So, go for it! Have that donut and then get back to your veggies.

I'm in love with PiYo.

2014-07-10T10:09:00.000-04:00

I think it was some time last winter when I saw Chalene Johnson make the long-awaited announcement, via social media, that there would indeed by a PiYo DVD series. At that moment, I followed every waiting list, announcement list, IG account, twitter handle and Facebook account that would send me more info because I DID NOT want to miss the big release date. I absolutely love Chalene's videos, for one, and for two... Pilates + Yoga??? It's like she invented this routine for ME. Goodness.

My videos came in the mail last week and I set them aside until after vacation because...honestly? Why ruin a good start to something with vacation ice cream, road trip McDoubles and hefty servings of are-we-there-yet ice cold Coca-Cola. Can I get an amen?

Besides, there was a PiYo challenge group starting the day after we got back in town anyway. I wouldn't want to be an over-achiever and get ahead of those guys (insert eye-roll, here).

Anywho. I tore open the videos on Monday morning and WOWEE!!! If you think you think pilates/yoga is for wimps, you are sorrily mistaken! PiYO makes use of your own body weight for strength training while defining your entire body. It's basically amazing and I can't wait to see the change that 30 and 60 days will bring. I can tell it's working already and, the best part? I actually look forward to PiYo-ing each day. Awesome. :)

I really enjoy strength training, but unless someone is telling me what do to and how often to do it - I might as well just lift soup cans 200 times a day because it would probably be just as effective. Chalene's instructions are very detailed and easy to understand. The best part? No extra equipment is required. Your body. Towel. Water bottle. And, of course, the DVD. Well, a DVD player might help, too... I love, love, love this video series and I hope you'll try it out, too!

Interested in learning more about PiYo? Message me and I'll be happy to tell you more, help you order and coach you as we go!

Order your copy of PiYo here!