Sweet & Spicy!

Happy Monday! Cooking has become a real love of mine. When we lived in Greer, it was hit or miss for me. Now, that we live in Texas, and have an even smaller kitchen, I find myself pinning lots of new recipes to try. B loves it. I already told him, next house = double ovens. I love being in the kitchen even if I am the MESSIEST cook/baker. It also helps that B handles dishes. Even in our small kitchen, you have to be cooking & washing at the same time or you will not have any space. So shout out to B for washing all the dishes...you the real MVP.

I wanted to share this awesome recipe that B & I tried out on Friday. It is super delicious and healthy all at the same time! This recipe is technically for the grill, but since we live in an apartment and sold our Big Green Egg, we use the oven 100% of the time. And for all my fellow grillers, don't worry...the Egg is the first item to be purchased once we move back home. We are dying without it!! I don't think we could ever go back to a gas grill. A story for another day!

I did not take pictures of this myself because we were HANGRY. Enjoy the beautifully photographed Pinterest picture.

Source

I baked this on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. I did toss them around half way through. At the end of 20 minutes, I broiled on high for 2 minutes just for a little extra crisp. If you have a grill, by all means, GRILL THEM.

Ingredients
1 large sweet potato (peeled and cut into approx 1in pieces)
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (Just realized I used chicken breasts because it was what I had in the freezer. Still was wonderful!)
1 medium sweet onion cut into 1in chunks and seperated.
EVOO
12in Bamboo Skewers (if you're grilling)

Spice Mix + Glaze
2 tsp garlic salt
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
6 TBSP honey
2 tsp cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Place potatoes into a pot and add enough water just to cover them. Bring potatoes and water to a boil over medium heat & cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool. I let them sit in the colander while I worked on the rest.

2. Prepare the spice mix & the glaze. Mix together in a small bowl your garlic salt, chili powder, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika & crushed red pepper. In a separate bowl, combine your honey & cider vinegar. Set aside.

3. Add your cut chicken to a medium bowl and drizzle with EVOO lightly. Toss with HALF of the spice rub. Repeat the process with the sweet potato and onion chunks.

4. If you're grilling, thread your chicken, sweet potato, & onion on your soaked skewers. Be sure to alternate your items.

5. Preheat your grill on medium high (or your oven to 375), and grill for 8 minutes (or bake for 20 minutes) turning frequently. Baste with your honey glaze while grilling.

Note: Since I baked mine in the oven, before I put them in, I added a little bit of the glaze to the pan, mixed well and then baked. When it was done cooking, I added the remaining glaze and mixed well.

6. Serve & enjoy immediately!

If you think this will be too spicy for you, you can always do less chili powder or leave out the crushed red pepper. We love spice in our house so this was an all around winner!

This made enough for seconds for each of us + one large serving for leftovers. This is a great tasty meal & one that will be added into rotation as we like to call it in our house.

This recipe was adapted from Little Broken.

Bon Appétit!

xoxo,
Haley

P-Daddy in the House

Dana asked me to write something for her blog today.  My first response is “what am I going to write about?  I’m not a writer.”  Then I started to think and reflect on our marriage since we just celebrated our 7 year anniversary.  It’s hard to believe we have been together for over half of our lives (15 years) and married for 7.  We were 22 when we got married and couldn’t have been more excited.  Since we dated for so long, we didn’t want to wait long after college to begin our lives together. 

Whit was born in March, so Dana had to go back to school to teach for the last 6 weeks of school and then would have the summer off to spend with Whit.  We checked out several daycares for him and chose one and had him signed up to start in August.  As summer went along, Dana realized she could not leave him everyday and wanted to do whatever it took to stay at home.  This was a huge decision early on in our marriage.  We talked about it for weeks, going through and looking at what we would have to cut in order to be able to afford her staying at home.  In the end we came to the conclusion that it was best for all of us if she stayed at home and did what we had to do.  This is the best decision we have ever made.

Our marriage was on the fast track from the beginning.  We were married at 22, had Whit at 23, Cecilia at 25, and Brandon at 27.  After Cecilia, we thought we were finished having kids.  We had a boy and a girl and we were good.  Well, when Cecilia turned one, we started talking about the possibility of having one more.  With Whit and Cecilia, we found out the sex before they were born, but with Brandon we decided not to find out and have it be a surprise.  Brandon was the perfect completion to our family in that he was born on November 12 (the day Dana and I started dating in 2001) and we were able to name him after Dana’s brother.   It’s amazing how God works. 

As you can see, it has been a busy seven years, but I must say, I have the best partner to do it with.  I remember in college driving to Columbia to see Dana on the weekend, and having this giddy feeling and being so excited to see her and spend time with her.  I still get that feeling today, whether it is coming home from work or even if she is gone running some errands on a Saturday.  She gives me this tingling sensation just by smiling at me.  

The last picture below kind of summarizes our family (or our unit, as Dana and I say!).  We love spending time with each other and going of fun adventures together.  I am truly blessed.

Thanks for letting me stop by.

Patrick

All I Want

It is almost LOVE month! I got proposed to on V-Day so it holds something pretty cool and no it wasn't cliché to propose that day..it was cool and apparently it just worked out that way because that was when my ring was ready.

Crissy said she loves to read lists so I will try to do that because I usually do paragraphs.

1. I NEED an hour or hour and a half  to be at the gym. I need it. It is my therapy! You need it for your safety as well. It doesn't always work out to workout but I'm doing my thing. I have to remember good things take time! Trying to transform from thin and fit to buff and tough HA HA!!! There is definitely a difference in what I want. I'm literally eating all day. I'm eating so much protein so that means a lot more groceries. The main thing is being healthy!! I always tell Patrick the kids watch what we are eating so I try to always keep the junk out of the house except for a special occasion. (NeNe & Mimzy don't help bringing us bags of chips and white powdered donuts HA!!!)


2. I really want all the Almond Butter! And all the coffee. The other morning Patrick said you are drinking more and more coffee.....I cut my eyes so sharp at him. I don't need that kind of negativity in my life from my non coffee drinking husband...that isn't even normal to me. No coffee???

3. I want more time to not have to worry about responsibilities and to just be free with my kids!

I think that is also blocking out all the negativity from the outside. People can drain your joy! I'm super analytical so I will replay things in my head. It is terrible. I also absolutely love connecting with people on social media and being able to keep in contact with so many people that I don't get to see that much. It has really been a blessing. Then there is always the downside to that but I think staying true to yourself is important.

4. More cute food ideas. Sometimes I run low on ideas of foods for my kids that they will enjoy! Pass those this way please! Thanks Haley for the most recent one!

5. I want Rocco to STOP going potty in the house. This too shall take time. He is still a baby and I can't imagine the size of his bladder at 3 lbs.(That is our new puppy!)

6. I want more brown in my hair. I got it darkened and it is already faded. I need MORE. It is a sign....blonde for life HAHA!

7. I want the boys to grow the top of their hair out longer. Here is their recent cuts and Cecilia is ALWAYS perfect! I've never in my life wanted to be any one else...but I think I want to be Cecilia. She is so fun and carefree. Life of the party!

8. Go get a spray tan...gotta run! No winter white please HA HA!

XoXo,
dana

Will you be my Valentine?

One of my all time favorite "holidays" outside of Christmas is Valentine's Day. Why? Hello pink! Also, I love the candy. We were in Target the other night <side note: B actually said after dinner the other night, "Let's go walk around in Target." and then he proceeded to take me to ice cream after that. L O V E   L A N G U A G E> Target always does their holiday set ups right in my opinion.

 Don't lie...you know this is sexy.

It was like one giant pink, red and purple explosion happened in the back with allllll the candy. It makes me feel so good inside. I can't describe it. I had B take pictures of all the candy I wanted so he would remember exactly what to get me. I can't believe I just admitted that. No shame in my game.

Anyways, how do y'all celebrate Valentine's in your house? Do you only give candy? Do you get expensive gifts? Do you get small gifts but several? Or do you not celebrate at all. We have always stuck with small gifts but this year we are thinking of a joint gift in the form of espresso.

Nespresso

Another love language of mine... lattes!! So what do you give your significant other or maybe you gift little sursies to your favorite gal pals? Giving gifts is also another love language of mine. Sometimes I can't even wait until the event happens to MAKE them open their gift. Maybe this post should have been titled "Haley's Love Languages"? But I digress.

Whether you give gifts or just eat candy, it's all good! And if you don't have a Valentine...I can be yours. I would love to send you candy...good candy. None of that crappy stuff. HA!

Also, if you are so inclined, I am sharing my race recap over on my personal blog today. You can read it here. 

Happy Monday!

xoxo,
Haley

The New Year

"Really MOM...Its Cold!"

Our year is off to an ok start... Stella Grace had an infection around her eye the first week and had take antibiotics. There is nothing more pitiful than a sick baby. We also learned not to give her childrens tylenol for her fever because it hyped her up. She acted like she was "ALL JACKED UP ON MOUNTAIN DEW"- I couldn't resist referencing one of my favorite movie quotes. After about 24 hours of antibiotics everything had cleared up...thank goodness!

We had our first round of "wintery mix". We really just had a dusting of snow instead of the 5-8 inches they were predicting. Daniel and his best friend Phillip deciding to take off to the mountains to enjoy a day of snowboarding on that fresh powder. It was the most snow that Sugar Mountain had received in years and the slopes were packed after lunch so they ended up heading home early. While Daniel was gone for the day, Stella Grace and I just hung out and then I decided to take her outside for the obligatory photo in the snow. She was not amused and didn't even crack a smile. Either way it was still a great memory and I got some funny photos.

Last week she turned 9 months old and she is off to the races. She is constantly on the move and touching everything. She is standing up about 80% of the time whether its playing with her toys or using anything possible to pull up. It won't be long until she is walking without assistance and then running.

I wanted to share with you all my New Year's Resolutions even though its a few weeks late...

1. Lose 20 lbs this year and should be attainable by sticking to my goals of: 5 workouts a week and eating healthier. I'm a little obsessed with my FitBit that I received from my company for Christmas and have enjoyed tracking all of my goals. (Hopefully I can stick to it)

2. Complete 2 bible studies. I have 2 studies that I am currently involved in right now. My Sunday School class is reading The 5 Habits of Highly Missional People and Armor of God with a few girls from church. I've really enjoyed both so far and have been able to devote a couple hours a week digging deeper in the word.

3. Being Present. Instead of looking forward to the future and the next steps in life I really just want to enjoy this year with family, friends and our apartment community.

Cheers to a New Year!

-Stella-

Beach or Mountains?

Happy Hump Day! I know it's not my day to write but I missed my day yesterday...sorry :)

Over the long weekend I came across some pictures on facebook of some friends of mine who had gone skiing. They were great pics and looked like they were having fun but then it got me thinking of that question that gets asked a lot....if you had to pick...beach or mountains?

For me...it's a pretty easy answer...BEACH! Always...always beach but hey...I grew up in the lowcountry so can you blame me? Don't get me wrong..I LOVE the mountains...the cool air, beautiful scenery, etc. but if I HAD to pick on a dream vacation destination my first thoughts always go to warm sandy beaches. I mean how can you beat the sun, sand, cool water and a cool drink in your hand? Ahhh...can I go there now? Especially on a day like today where it is 80 degrees and sunny in JANUARY! I mean I know mother nature loves to throw us curve balls but come on...make up your mind already lady! Is it winter/spring/summer? But I digress...

As I was looking at those pictures over the weekend I was actually on my way to enjoy an afternoon walk on the beach! Such great weather this past weekend and we tried to take advantage. It's something about the salty air that does the soul good...it just does. Don't get me wrong, I can see the appeal of the mountains especially if you're athletic and enjoy skiing/snowboarding, etc. But for me, the beach will always be my happy place...no matter what mood I'm in...standing with my toes in the sand will instantly improve my mood :)

Ok I'm ready for summer now....can I get an amen? So, I now ask you...if you had to pick...beach or mountains?

xoxox
Katherine

Monday Random Thoughts & Confessions

Happy Monday! I don't have anything ground breaking for you guys today but thought I'd pour out some random thoughts/confessions. I always love posts like this when I read other bloggers. It's interesting to me to see what bounces around in others' heads.

I am struggling to eat healthy. Like just give me the cupcakes & the brownie a la mode & nobody gets hurt. My drive for sweets will not ever subside I don't think.

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Does anybody else leave their bed unmade and then right before their husband comes home get it done? Oh and tidy up everything else? I do. #RealLife #Owningit 

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How I am turning t-h-i-r-t-y this year? Like what the heck? Kind of freaks me out. 

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And getting even more real...how about not cooking dinner and saying "Fend for yourself"? YES! Nothing thrills me more than not dirtying up my kitchen and eating a bowl of cereal for dinner. Or leftovers. Tonight is a leftover night.

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  How long can I go before I need to do laundry?

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Wonder if we can move back to the Carolinas by the end of the year? Remember to ask husband about this for the 7,482,459,874,975 time.

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It's taking too long for Scandal to return. #OliviaPope

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I finally learned how to master the half up top knot, and now I feel like a boss. Like...my hair's dirty...but you don't know that.

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Google lab puppies. Ask husband again if we can get another dog and convince him that Gopher is really the one asking...

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Keep dreaming up ideas for my mobile coffee shop despite that my husband and parents think I'm crazy. It's going to happen.

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Snapchat is my addiction. Quitters never win. Just ask the girls who also write here.

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My love for breakfast tacos is out. of. control. Texas is to blame. 

Give me all the eggs, peppers, cheese and spicy green sauce!!!

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I am usually thinking about my next meal before I'm finished with the one in front of me. I'm on a seafood diet. I see food & I eat it. 

Have a great week everyone!!

xoxo,

Haley

7 Year Itch

Here we are. Days into the New Year. January is usually a slow and dark month for many. For life, I will have a bright light that shines through on this month because on January 23, 2010 I said I do! So, now, I always have a special weekend each January.

Often times you hear the phrase "The Seven Year Itch!" Well we are at the 7 year mark (crazy it has been that long! 15 years together!) but no itch here.  One of my friends told me last weekend that Patrick is too obsessed with me. Not possible! I want us to always be like teenagers with each other. Brandon grabbed two stuffed animals the other night and had them kissing and said Mommy and Daddy!! If that isn't how each child should view their parents and view marriage then I don't know!

I always say Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder (thank you preschool HAHA!). Well Patrick was gone a few days last week and it just made me appreciate him that much more. I can't do life without him. I think even without 3 kids, a house and a dog...I think I need him just for life in general. He is my sweatpants of life and always puts me first. Isn't that all women really want? We want the guy we love to show us love and attention (and help around the house!). It isn't hard!

So, I can't say we are taking some big trip or doing something absolutely amazing but I think we will have 24 hours alone and that is something to celebrate. We will probably do a great dinner and a movie. We will toast champagne and maybe go out for breakfast. We are simple but it never matters. We still have fun just being together. We laugh that we can't wait until he retires one day and we go eat at the IHOP and go visit our grandchildren and spend every day together. Goals! 10 year anniversary we must take an awesome trip!!

I love you P'Daddy!!!

xoxo,
Mrs. Hamilton ;)
Mrs. Rock Hill
Mrs. P'DADDY!!!!

Color Correcting

Happy Monday. Did everyone make it through the first week of 2017? 2017 seemed to greet everyone with an arctic blast to the face. BRR! Even in Texas we got some cold air. Dallas even saw  a bit of snow.

Today I wanted to share about color correcting makeup. I am sure all of us have parts on our face that we don't particularly like and don't cover up well even with concealer sometimes. I had gotten a color correcting sample from Sephora some months ago and loved it. It came with a green and a peach. The peach became my life saver because it helps to conceal dark spots. My skin scars very easily and my under eye has lots of blue tone to it. I use this color correcting fluid and it really works wonders. It is pricey but this isn't something you should be covering your face in. You should only be dotting it around in target areas.

I usually start with my primer, then dot this in where I need it and let it dry completely before I start on the rest of my make up. It really does help correct those pesky areas that we women so frequently fight to hide. Below is a list to show you what the different colors help to do.

Do any of y'all color correct? Or do you have perfect skin? HEHE! If you do, hats off to you ladies!! Hope everyone has had a great start to their resolutions this year!

xoxo,
Haley

God Doesn't Make Mistakes

My kids may not have understood my need to play this song in the car! Ha Ha! I'm experiencing life as a single mom to 3 little ones for 5 days. Oddly enough I've had two other friends who had two nights alone and they have been in contact about the struggle being REAL.

I will say so far I'm very impressed with how I'm doing but I will say it is lonely. It is weird. I think if you are used to it then it is your normal but I've never even been away from Patrick for 5 days and we have been married 7 years this month.

So lets all take a moment to bow down to the single moms and dads and all those who have husbands in service. I literally praise you. I get the comment a lot...oh you are a supermom...I will say I'm striving for my A game because it is my personality but I am far from a super mom. I make mistakes daily but I do hold myself and children to high standards. But we can make mistakes, God doesn't.

We made it out the door, in the cold, to church this morning. We even started the morning with fun foods. I used to always document my fun foods for the kids and I did this morning and even started an album of ones I've done. Here is this mornings and a few of my favorites.

I clearly enjoy this and I hope it is something my kids will always remember from their childhood.

So we got a little bit of a disappointing snow storm yesterday but nonetheless we got to get out and play in it and I even braved taking my three to a Winthrop Basketball game. My hubby is having a grand time at the Clemson National Championship Game in Tampa. I hope he loves me for this lol. I'm SO happy for him but I just can't wait to kiss him all over. We need him!!

This morning at church was nice to have some quiet time and the sermon was great. Rev Rett talked about baptisms. We as Methodist believe in all baptisms. My three children were baptized very early on as infants...usually within 4-8 weeks old. I personally would prefer my child to baptized as early as possible in case of death (I know that is difficult to talk about.).

I, however, was 9 years old and I went (my little shy self) right up to the Preacher (Baptist) and told him I was ready to be baptized. It was my decision and I recall it very vividly. But today, we discussed how a baptism isn't a DECISION. It is God's and all God's. I may have RECOGNIZED that I was God's but my baptism was all His. Regardless if you are baptized as an infant or an adult, God does NOT make mistakes. You are His and you are surrendering to the Lord. Now, the time that you DECIDE and ACCEPT that is up to you. It can be in your confirmation or dedication to fulfill your duties as a child of God. I believe as a parent, I also baptize my child after birth to yet again illustrate this is GOD'S CHILD and God simply blessed me with the child to care for on Earth.

I'm sure my words are not perfect in describing this for all of the Methodist church but it is where my thoughts are right now. I just enjoyed listening to Rett because it is a topic that comes up at times for those who don't quite understand how you can believe in infant baptisms and also recognize adult baptisms. Some think a person should DECIDE to be baptized. You don't decide. You are God's so you aren't all of a sudden deciding to be His. The most important fact is that you are baptized before the end of your life. You are God's child and the only thing you can DECIDE is if you will be a disciple of Christ and walk the path he has paved for you.

I guess I needed some adult conversations and thoughts apart from kid stuff.

Anyways, my Harris Teeter fast lane groceries are being worked on and it might be a jammies and movie kind of night before we start another week.

Hope everyone has a fun week! Go Tigers!! I have a good feeling they are going to bring it home!

Love,
Dana

New Year, New Me, New Last Name!

As we all look forward to a new year I can't help but look back on the last 12 months and how busy of a year it was! I moved twice within my own city, met the love of my life and best friend, took on two senior living communities in my job, got certified in LSVT BIG, traveled to Austin, TX/Florida and MANY mountain weekends, got engaged, came out OK from hurricane Matthew and somehow have made a good dent in wedding planning all while attempting to keep up with all the other things in life ;) There are a few things that come to mind looking forward that I would like to do more of/or better for this upcoming year!
1. Read more! I have so many books I've started or wanted to start and just don't make time for myself on a daily basis to do this. I get busy with work or wedding planning or really anything and this hobby tends to come last!
2. Paint/distress furniture. I got an Annie Sloan starter kit for my birthday and LOVE the look of distressed furniture even bought a few project pieces.....now if I could dedicate some time to explore this new hobby I am certain I will LOVE it.
3. Manage stress better. This is a BIG one for me! I tend to be a perfectionist and get upset when things do not work out right. Shockingly so far I have not felt this way about wedding planning though there is a lot of time left not to mention the day of. I want to start thinking more positively and less worrisome and learn to go with the flow just a little more. I know I am not alone on this one but gosh its so frustrating when you work so hard and plans dont work out lol! I want to get back into using exercise as my stress reliever because I truly feel better afterwards.

2017 is going to be a big year around here! Four short months and not only will we be 1/3 through the new year but I will have a new last name and on my new adventure as MRS. O'BARR. I am so looking forward to not only the big day in April but spending time with all my closest girlfriends in March to do some celebrating! So here's to a new year, a less stressed me, more hobbies, and a new last name!

Improvements

2016 was a very busy year (shock!). I feel as my boys get older they just get busier :) Can I get an amen?

I was fortunate enough to have a few weeks off of work during Christmas. My husband was also off of work during that time (yeah!!) and it really was nice to have us ALL home. (For those of you who know this is pretty rare) We were even able to get out on a few dates! Other than a very unfortunate timing stomach bug we all enjoyed some much needed down time filled with movies, popcorn, Christmas lights, parades, baking, time with family, and play dates with friends. Here are a few pics :)

Time with cousins! Aren't my nieces the cutest?

Christmas Eve Church Service

Happy New Year!

As I reflect on 2016 I remain in awe and humbled by the unnumbered blessings we have. We had a great year filled with lots of laughs, some tears, and lots of fun! We did have a fun year, but there are still several things I want to work on. I don't really like the word "resolutions". I don't know why it just seems to hold a negative connotation for me. Instead, I like to have "improvements" or a few things in my life to improve. Below is my list:

Read the Bible more: I know there are a lot of really good devotions out there but I sometimes get overwhelmed with the choices and so I decided to just spend time in the WORD to really help enrich my bible knowledge.

Learn to cut hair: Now...I know what you're thinking and no, I'm not enrolling in cosmetology school but....I am going to teach myself to cut my boys hair. Does anyone else have trouble finding the right place/person to cut your kids hair? I have gone to countless places and nobody really cuts it just the way I like it. I said to myself, "Self...why are you paying all this $ on haircuts you don't even like?" So...I went out and purchased some nice shears and clippers and am going to teach myself. I know it will take a few botched haircuts to get the hang of it but...let's face it...they're boys...they don't care :) Does anyone have any good youtube videos I can check out? Wish me luck on this one!

Focus on ME! One thing I came out of 2016 thinking was that I spent a lot of my time focusing on a lot of different things...the main things being my husband, my children, work, family, etc (not in any particular order). You know the one thing missing on that list...ME :) Now don't get me wrong I LOVE my family and LOVE being a wife, mom and homemaker and all that it entails but I found that I was starting to lose myself in it all. We just didn't stop...constantly busy and constantly focusing on making others happy. As selfish as it sounds I'm going to really work towards focusing more time on me and doing things that make me happy. It will be a delicate balance but am really going to try and make the effort.

Cut the SNACKS! Ya'll....what is it about snacking? Ugh...it gets me everyday! Especially at night! #struggleisreal I'm really going to work towards cutting out unhealthy snacks and try to either replace them with healthy ones or cut completely and replace with water. This will be a big struggle (pray for me!) Any tips?

Happy New Year!

xoxo
Katherine

Getting Back on Track

If you're like everyone else out there, we are all trying to start the new year off right eating healthy and exercising. We will see how long it lasts in our house :) Nick did drag me out yesterday for a 3 mile run and I'm already feeling it. Its a start though. 

Eating healthy definitely requires some work. I'm not going to pretend its easy. But its worth it. You feel better and there is no better feeling than fitting into your skinny jeans. Nick and I like to follow the Whole30 diet (as a general guideline). We don't do everything in that diet but I believe cutting out dairy and unnecessary chemicals is key to becoming the best you. If you can't pronounce the ingredient, you probably shouldn't be eating it. Stick to that and you will be on your way to healthy. I've complied tons of recipes that are Whole30 approved here on my Pinterest board. 

Here are a couple of things I do on a weekly basis to stay on track:

1. Meal Planning

Every week after the kids have gone to bed or during nap time, I will sit down with a piece of paper and write out the days of the week and start filling in what I'm going to make each day. I use Pinterest for most of my recipes. I also use the Skinnytaste cookbook for a lot (minus the dairy). 

2. Online Grocery Shopping

If you're not grocery shopping online, you're seriously missing out! I use both Walmart online grocery and Harris Teeter here in Charleston. Walmart online grocery is free and is great for staple products like paper towels, toilet paper, cereals, etc. I use Harris Teeter to get our produce. 

3. Snack Prep

If there is one thing that drags me off course is when I get hungry and grab the kids snacks. Its so hard to not eat their food. I've even gone so far as to put all their food on one shelf and thats the NO NO shelf. hahaha But seriously, grab some zip lock bags and cut up carrots, celery, cucumbers, & sugar snap peas to have on hand. If you're a dip person, check out this amazing Ranch dip from the Whole30 diet. You will wonder why you ever ate the full fat stuff in the first place. 

These are just a few things that help keep us on track. I am in no means a health expert and absolutely have my ups and downs. We don't follow this diet to a T and when I'm craving a burger I let myself have it. You have to live a little! 

Since its in the mid 70s today here in Charleston I thought I'd leave you with one of my favorite Gazpacho recipes for warmer weather. This recipe is from The South Beach Diet and its so delicious you will seriously be craving it no matter if its warm or cold outside. Enjoy!

xoxo,

Rachel 

Guest Post: Life Between Lunch Breaks

Hi there! I’m April from Life Between Lunch Breaks where I occasionally rarely  blog from time to time about being a working mom. I’m a wife to my college sweetheart, a mom to a 2.5-year-old independent little lady and the sweetest 1-year-old little man you ever did meet. I’m a marketing professional who loves Jesus, enjoys binge watching TV shows, party planning and a good hard cider. The lovely ladies from The Dainty Details asked me to guest blog today and I was happy to oblige!

With the New Year holiday and celebrations this upcoming weekend I’ve been thinking about 2016 as whole--- this past year has been a growing year for me as a wife and mother. Here are a few gems I’ve learned over the past year:

1.     You think you’re tired and that one kid is such a handful until number two comes along. When we had our daughter, I had this notion that I couldn’t do ANTYHING unless she was napping or sleeping that all my attention should be focused on her. I also thought that one child was such a handful, that my time was stretched so thin between mom duties, being a wife, household chores, etc. that I couldn’t be more tired and then we had the Coop man. Two kids are literally life-changing my friends. You don’t know busy, sleep deprived or the easiness of one child until you have two kids but you don’t know it until it actually happens.

2.     The sheer volume of stuff I can get done now that I’m a parent is insane. I had a conversation with some friends a few weeks ago about how it used to take all weekend to just clean the house and now I can get the house in working order, fold a load of laundry and load the dishwasher all during one nap time frame. I think I {and all other women} became wonder-woman when that tiny human exited your body.

3.     As a working mom, leave the office at the office. Now I know that being a stay at home mom is a full time job, it’s a job I’ve experienced since I’ve always been a working mother and I probably never will. What I do know is that I work two full time jobs, one is as a marketing professional by day and the other is as a homemaker and wife to my husband and mom to two tiny humans. My husband wonders where my brain is all the time, it’s going in about 50 different directions thinking about: my clients, am I getting a bonus, dinner, what groceries we need, taking the bottles away from Cooper because he’s one now, did I handle that client situation incorrectly earlier today, plans that weekend, when is nap time, who needs laundry done, did the dog get fed, is Cree going through a growth spurt will she need new clothes.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the craziness and I wouldn’t trade it for anything but it can be very tiring at times and I’ve had to learn to balance it. Leave work thoughts behind when I’m home and focus on what matter most, my role as wife and mom.

4.     You MUST make your spouse a priority. When you first have a baby, all you think about it is that baby and sometimes your spouse takes a backseat. You have to learn to balance it as a wife and mother. It’s taken some time for me to get this but our house is much happier when we get to have some quality time together because after all he was the priority before the kids. We try to get out of the house for a date at least once a month, go on parent-only vacations, watch our DVR shows together after the kids go to bed and give each other a break every few weeks for some alone time recharging with our friends.  We can and are better parents when we make our marriage a priority.

I don’t know about you but I don’t know normally make resolutions per say for the New Year but I do have some goals I’d like to accomplish during 2017:

1.     De-clutter our house and simplify.  I want to get rid of the excess stuff in our house, we still have a ton of baby stuff, clothes the kids have grown out of--- this is all taking up space in our house and I want to simplify our home.

2.     Blog More. I want get back into blogging more frequently as writing is a passion of mine, it’s a great stress relief outlet and I need to have more extracurricular activities other than watching tv.

3.     Volunteer at Church. Pre-Kids I volunteered at church with bringing in food for the volunteer team and I’d like to get back to doing something at church more so with Children’s church though. This kind of goes back to the things I’ve learned this year about time but I have more time and I should use it to help further the Kingdom.

I hope you have a great New Years celebration, hug the ones you love and if you’re living that #momlife go get your nails done and have a cold one because you’re doing great momma!

(If you would like to guest post on our blog then we would love that! -xoxo Dana)