• Blog,  Healthy Living

    Creating a Self-Care Routine

    Ok maybe “routine” isn’t the best word but that is how I see it.  When I write my daily to-do list, self-care is always near the top.  For the longest time I though equated self-care with a special treat.  I would occasionally reward myself by getting my nails done or just having some occasional me-time. These were all part of my self-care but where I was missing the point is these were occasional treats.  I didn’t start focusing on self-care until I was diagnosed with postpartum depression.  I was diagnosed with it after having my last two babies, but I didn’t seek treatment until after I had my last baby. …

  • Blog,  Home

    Our Journey to Backyard Chickens

    We made the leap into backyard chickens! We have floated the idea of having chickens for the better part of a year.  We talked about the coop, the amount of effort it would take to maintain chickens, and even the benefits of having them for the kids.  After talking about it A LOT, listing pros and cons, and after deciding this is probably not the best time, we added “Build Chicken Coop” to our summer project list. Umm, Why? My mom asked this very question of me when I first told her our plan.  I knew my grandmother had chickens when my mom was a child, she mentioned a few…

  • Blog

    Why I Quit Whole30

    When I decided to quit Round 2 of Whole30, it wasn’t an easy decision.  I more than loved my first round on Whole30.   I loved it so much I went past 30 days and ate strict compliant for 59 days.  I felt Whole30 changed my life.  I still feel that way.   Whole30 helped me finally get to the point in my life where I was eating healthy, feeling great, and no longer felt helpless to cravings.  I think that was part of the problem this time.  My reasons for starting Round 2 were vastly different from the reasons I started my first round. I turned it into a weight…

  • Blog,  Recipes,  Vegetables

    Basic Spaghetti Squash

    Spaghetti squash used to scare the crap out of me.  It always seemed so complicated.  The first time I bought a spaghetti squash I was so scared of it, it sat on my counter until it rotted.  True story. Now I wonder what the hell I was scared of.  It takes 5 minutes to prep.  Seriously 5 minutes!!! Because it can take 45-60 minutes to bake, I usually make this on my meal prep days, then use it later in the week. P.S.  We compost.  If you compost make sure you cut up the rind into smaller pieces because it will breakdown quicker. Spaghetti squash is so easy to make.…

  • Blog

    Food Choices on Vacation

    When I ended Whole30, I had transitioned to my version of Whole30/Paleo.  It allowed me to eat clean but still have some treats like chia seed pudding and wine.  Then my family went to Maui for 12 days (10 days vacation + 2 days travel) and clean eating came to an end.  I ate plenty of clean meals while on vacation, like breakfast and most lunches, but I still ate a lot of “off plan” foods like fish and chips, fish tacos with tortilla shells, bread, pizza, burgers and fries.  Oh and carrot cake.  I can’t forget the yummy carrot cake! Do I regret it?  Nope! Not one bit! I…

  • Blog,  Garden,  Home

    You Grow Girl!

    This post may contain affiliate links.   You grow girl! That is pretty much what I’m saying as I write this.  I have never attempted to grow a plant much less a whole garden full of vegetables before.  In fact most things I have attempted to grow in the past have died horrible deaths.  Ok maybe that is a little dramatic, but I’ve even killed succulents and cacti! My track record with growing things, is not great. Even though I have failed so many times in the past, I refuse to give up! Why am I trying if I’ve failed before? Maybe because I’m stubborn or figure no matter how many times…

  • Blog,  Recipes,  Vegetables

    Portabella Mushroom Burgers and Roasted Carrots

    I’ve been trying to introduce more vegetarian meals into our weekly meals.  Some have not been that great while others have become family favorites.  The toddler always surprises me when it comes to food, sometimes she will eat everything we give her, other times all she wants is applesauce. I expected her to reject the mushroom and carrots, but she surprised me, ate every single bite and asked for more!  Of course the next day we tried to give her the leftover mushroom and she reacted like it was poison.  Oh well at least she ate it once!       Let's be social!

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