tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72368609544456102972024-03-18T02:48:59.281-07:00Choices: Nutrition. Life. Love.Tips & Tricks from One Mama to AnotherAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-34448039989670628742018-03-16T12:18:00.001-07:002018-03-16T12:37:31.337-07:00Daily Supplement RecommendationAlright, not gonna lie..its been a minute since I've been able to sit down and write a blog post so I'm a bit rusty but here we go....<br />
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Have you ever heard the quote "When you say 'YES' to others, make sure you're not saying 'NO' to yourself."? Well, that was alot of me over the last couple of years trying to do it all, be everything to everyone & stressing myself out along the way. It came time to put myself first - especially my family and making them my priority. Taking more time day to day for me and spending more time with my beautiful children. It could be because my 4th and final was born in 2015 (hence the hiatus) and seeing how quickly they grow into amazing little humans, I wanted to make sure I spent as much time with them as possible. This quote struck my attention and says it all because the way I read it, its so important to remember YOUR place on Earth and why we're here, the beautiful family YOU created or belong to and the great blessings that come from that. I chose to take a step back and refocus on what was the most important thing at this point in my life and that was my family and I'm sure glad I did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZfJFjU5ybuhPElkh4j8-v49VCtPpqqIvxpkII1xZ1k781tStc30CzN92xvi7Xkt2u8ZGxaEml833PalJf_-FiN2ZbqomOkLNbmkq1yFveELOaOMJlSGPF-d9C19pR1aG9I-BdpzLM-Y/s1600/a460f72f33ca3e28e181713cc0e76ac7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZfJFjU5ybuhPElkh4j8-v49VCtPpqqIvxpkII1xZ1k781tStc30CzN92xvi7Xkt2u8ZGxaEml833PalJf_-FiN2ZbqomOkLNbmkq1yFveELOaOMJlSGPF-d9C19pR1aG9I-BdpzLM-Y/s320/a460f72f33ca3e28e181713cc0e76ac7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now that I've gotten that out of the way, throughout these past couple of years I've been approached by different companies to review or test out their products - anything from books to baby products to nutritional items. Some I've agreed to and others I have put on the back burner because I knew I couldn't give it 100%. Recently I was approached by a writer from <a href="http://reviews.com/">Reviews.com</a> about sharing her teams findings in regards to probiotics....say what?? Ironically, I had posted the exact same day on my Instagram feed the supplements I take daily and one of which was a probiotic supplement I had just started taking (and LOVE) which happened to be in her findings! So as all the stars were aligning for the day I felt the strong urge to agree to promote their review and share it with all of you. Supplements are so important, especially as you age. And please remember that everything should be consulted with your personal doctor as everyone needs something different - everyone has different needs & deficiencies. I would love to get 100% of my daily nutrition and vitamins from food, but unfortunately its not the case. Adding simple supplements can change all of that for the better and help you live our best life.</div>
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My Daily Supplement Routine</div>
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<b>Taken every morning with water & food: </b></div>
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<a href="https://www.rainbowlight.com/our-product/womens-health/womens-one-multivitamin.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Light Women's Multivitamin</a> (2 pills)</div>
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<a href="https://www.rainbowlight.com/our-product/bestsellers/everyones-omega-fish-flax.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Light Omega Fish & Flax</a> (1 pill)</div>
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<a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/product/dr-formulated-probiotics-once-daily-womens/" target="_blank">Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Womens</a> (1 pill = 50 Billion CFU)</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Lakes-Gelatin-Collagen-Hydrolysate/dp/B005KG7EDU?th=1" target="_blank">Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate</a> (1 Tbsp in coffee)</div>
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<b>Taken every night with water before bed:</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Absorption-Magnesium-Glycinate/dp/B000BD0RT0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1521227306&sr=8-1&keywords=Doctor%27s+Best+High+Absorption+Magnesium" target="_blank">Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium</a> (2 pills)</div>
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How did I choose these you ask? My simple answer is trial and error. What works for me may not work for you. All needed to be as pure to nature, gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free as possible. I also had to be able to stomach taking 4 pills every morning (which is not an easy task). Capsules are your friend! Rainbow Light I have been taking for quite some time and it just seems to work for me. It makes me feel good, energized, more clear-headed and overall better about myself. When I travel and forget to bring my supplements I truly feel like I'm missing something. Garden of Life is a largely reputable brand, not as commercialized as most probiotics so you may not see it out there as much, but it has done wonders for my digestive system since I've started taking it. It has been life changing to say the least! As for the magnesium, that was something I didn't even know I needed...until I started aging. I was feeling fatigued all the time and a little foggy brained (only way I can describe it). I was pushing it off for a while b/c I did just have a baby, but then I started to do a little research and the answer was as simple as possibly just adding magnesium to my diet. Now again, of course I'd rather have it in food form but my intake wasn't doing it. I had to add 2 magnesium pills a day and by the end of the first week I noticed a huge difference. I had more energy, I was sleeping better, my muscles were not as crampy and I was in an overall better state of mind. My doctor wasn't surprised when I told her my findings either. Magnesium is something alot of women are deficient in and don't even know it. So for me, and many others, it worked and I will shout it from the rooftop to try it yourself as I highly recommend it.</div>
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Now, going back to probiotics....this is another area I waited too long in life to jump on board with and I bet could have solved alot of digestive symptoms I've had in the past. Probiotics are so good for us and if you have never looked into them before, please check out these reviews on Review.com as they get into great detail about the BEST probiotic for you: <a href="https://www.reviews.com/probiotic-supplement/">https://www.reviews.com/probiotic-supplement/</a>. They give such a great breakdown on the different types, brands, CFUs and why anyone could benefit from such a simple addition to their daily routine.</div>
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Oh! Real quick...while we're at it I'll give you a peak at what my kids take each morning:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWOfhh01ys4V9Mf388uAhYDc5cu2aU_mlOFell59MyzgcB1cY0j0ZMj-dB65YsiGzMkcLPQdrLCFjVk7caBHc1RBM3v5d9Za-GRC4sO2wsOgaVoOCC14QiRE-qfJtGXeduCszHhZrAZM/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1280" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWOfhh01ys4V9Mf388uAhYDc5cu2aU_mlOFell59MyzgcB1cY0j0ZMj-dB65YsiGzMkcLPQdrLCFjVk7caBHc1RBM3v5d9Za-GRC4sO2wsOgaVoOCC14QiRE-qfJtGXeduCszHhZrAZM/s320/IMG_1942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://store.smartypantsvitamins.com/products/kids-complete-fiber" target="_blank">Smarty Pants Kids Complete</a></div>
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<a href="https://store.smartypantsvitamins.com/products/kids-probiotic-complete" target="_blank">Smarty Pants Kids Probiotic Complete</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.honest.com/health-and-wellness/gummy-calcium-vitamin-d3" target="_blank">The Honest Company Gummy Calcium & Vitamin D3</a> (Only one of my children takes these as she was recommended by her doctor)</div>
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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. And don't forget to check with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet. Have a great week everyone!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-14628889576891947402016-08-06T05:04:00.000-07:002016-08-06T06:39:08.391-07:00My College Girls Tips & Tricks: Staying Healthy While Away from HomeThis one is for all you college goers out there - mainly for the incoming freshman, but also for those who are away and still trying to find there way. Navigating through the dining hall or the college town supermarkets all alone can be very intimidating. I'm here to help you narrow down your options and give you confidence along the way. You could be like me and stock your dorm room with pop tarts, Quaker granola bars and slim fast shakes (yep that was me for a brief moment in time)...OR you can CHOOSE wisely, prepare and stay focused throughout some of the best years of your life!<br />
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When it comes to food choices it can get very overwhelming so just don't over think it. Stay simple. Simple from the Earth foods in their natural form (fruit & vegetables), simple ingredients (the less ingredients the better), ingredients you can pronounce and most importantly water, water water!<br />
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<b><i>Some general helpful tips for being away at college:</i></b><br />
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<li>Stay away from soda & energy drinks - they're not good for you and they don't actually give you energy. Drinking water can fuel your body naturally and help you stay focused when caffeine is fogging your brain during late night cram sessions.</li>
<li>On that note, invest in a new water bottle. Preferably one that keeps your drink colder, longer such as a <a href="http://www.tervis.com/simply-southern-quote-sparkle-24oz-water-bottle-1232371.html#start=14" target="_blank">Tervis </a>or <a href="http://www.swellbottle.com/shop-swell-bottle/" target="_blank">S'Well</a>. The price might scare you, but you can't beat their shelf life, they're good for the environment and my guess is you're more likely to drink cold water throughout the day if its available. Am I right?</li>
<li>Take a daily probiotic. Again, they may seem a little pricey for a college student, but they pay for themselves when you're not having stomach aches or not at the doctors (as many new college students get sick being away from home) getting a prescription med for some air borne illness you contracted - yuck! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Culturelle-Digestive-Health-Capsules-Count/dp/B009CUTR7G/ref=zg_bs_3774071_6" target="_blank">Probiotics </a>provide healthy bacteria for your gut (aka stomach) to thrive in a not so healthy lifestyle such as college. The more strains in the capsule, the better. Over 20 billion is best but I'm a big believer in that something is better than nothing. So if you take only 1 pill a day (with 10 billion) than you're on the right track.</li>
<li>Stock your (mini) fridge wisely. Its not just for beer. Yogurt, water, sparkling water, fruit (bananas, apples, carrots, cucumbers), protein bars (see below), etc. All these quick go-to snacks will be readily accessible when you need them so you don't find yourself eating one more bagel and cream cheese sandwich while running across campus to your morning class after you overslept (guilty!).</li>
<li>If you do drink coffee, make it count. Don't order it with milk (milk is NOT good for you beyond popular belief) or added sugars. A simple coconut milk latte or plain black coffee with a splash of almond milk creamer would be a better choice. These won't weigh you down, literally, and the caffeine might help you jump start your day. Any bottled caffeinated drink is a no-no. It will not help you in any way and will come back to bite you in the ass - I promise.</li>
<li>Get moving! Get a fit bit, take a walk, join a gym, start spinning, practice yoga. Running is my happy place, my meditative state, my "me-time". Find something that fuels your soul and stick with it. Being away from home can be tough, but finding a place that makes you happy will help you thrive. When you eat well, you feel well. When you feel well, you move well. When you move well, you will be well. Its a beautiful cycle of survival.</li>
<li>Remember that it takes while to form a habit, especially good ones. Take your time and know you are already ahead of the game if you're even reading this. Something will stick. No one is perfect, but we can all work together to promote a healthier community.</li>
<li>Finally, Call your mom...She misses you!</li>
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<b><i>Some simple suggestful on-the-go snacks:</i></b><br />
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<li><a href="http://shop.larabar.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwlZa9BRCw7cS66eTxlCkSJAC-ddmwvYlC8zmyrVt7m_W4Md1PszlgbK0t8SixTHOPccOiQhoCM6_w_wcB" target="_blank">Lara Bars</a> - Cashew Cookie and Blueberry Muffin are perfection.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.kindsnacks.com/" target="_blank">Kind Bars</a> - made with almonds and dried fruit.</li>
<li>Almonds - raw is best, but added sea salt is delicious and will do!</li>
<li>Cashews - whole and raw are best, but they have many flavored types that are supper yummy. </li>
<li>Popcorn</li>
<li>Fruit - whole fruit in its natural form is best. </li>
<li>Veggies - This is a tough one for college students, but if you can throw in spinach once a day on salad or grab carrot sticks on your way to class a few times a week you're on the right track.</li>
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<b><i>Those dreaded (or beloved) dining halls:</i></b><br />
First and foremost the portion sizes are out of control. This is not the time in your life to have to eat everything on your plate. Make sure half (or even more than half) of you plate is veggies whether its in salad form or plain steamed vegetables and the other half protein. Don't be scared of carbs, but there are ways to choose the right ones. Whole grains, nuts and seeds are excellent ways to round out your meal and keep you fuller longer. Watch out for the dressings. Creamier isn't always better, but also watch how much you're putting on your plate. 1-2tbsp will do and thats it! Forgo the cheese as well as croutons, won-ton strips, tortilla strips, etc. They're not necessary and you won't even miss them.<br />
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Another wonderful tip for food choices is to not restrict yourself of anything, but rather continuously add new things to your plate. Our palettes change (aka evolve) as we grow and something you may have shied away from or not even liked a few years back could be one of your new favorite foods at this point. Sometimes all it takes is trying it in new form to fall in love. Take my kids for example, some are great eaters and others are terrible, but I always tell them to at least try it and then if they don't like it they don't have to eat it. Veggies can be cooked in so many ways - raw, steamed, broiled, sauteed, grilled, and so on. Each form tastes a bit different as well as the seasonings you put on them. You need to find YOUR flavor and I promise you'll learn to love veggies for the way that they taste and most certainly for the way they make you feel!<br />
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<b><i>Drinks of Choice:</i></b><br />
Water, water water. If you've ever started eating poorly and seen more acne pop up in and around your face it could be a number of things - hormones, too much dairy, lack of sleep, or it could be NOT ENOUGH WATER. We should all be drinking way more water than we think. If you figure it in terms of your body weight (b/c everyone is different) then try to drink your body weight in ounces. For example, a 125lb girl should aim for 125oz of water a day. If you break that down with a 24oz water bottle then you should be drinking about 5 full bottles a day. Very doable and a great challenge for yourself!!<br />
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I'm a coffee drinker so I can't fault someone else for being one, but if you're not- do not start. Green tea is where its at. Flavored with lemon you've got your caffeine fix AND you won't be addicted to the<a href="http://amazingdiscoveries.org/H-deception-health-coffee-drinking-caffeine-risk" target="_blank"> #1 drug in the world</a>. Coffee also lures you into the added sugars, syrups, and massive sizes that are unnecessary to sustaining a healthy lifestyle.<br />
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If you're of drinking age and are reading this my #1 tip is stay away from fancy cocktail mixers which are loaded with sugar and stick to a clean drink of vodka, club soda + lime/lemon or a light beer. You'll appreciate this advice each Saturday morning when you're not nursing a sugar hangover. Oh, and don't smoke. Its just disgusting and terrible for your health. (My PSA for the day).<br />
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OK, so those are just a few of my tips for the day. I hope it helps you in your journey of life and know I'm behind you cheering you on every step of the way!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-3600731072986109742016-04-11T11:10:00.001-07:002016-04-11T11:10:49.202-07:00I'm learning to be tired...and thats ok!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its been a while...so lets chat!! As you can see I basically skipped 2015 - where does the time go?? I've been thinking about you all and even talking to some of you "offline" and everyone seems so great. I'm great too, but just a little bit tired. So there it is. Not sure if it ever goes away and probably takes on different forms throughout our lives, but I took a bit of a "nap" over this past year. All for good reasons!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">In my world of one husband, and 8 yr old, 6 yr old, 4 yr old and 6th month old...I'm tired. Period. And yes, you read that correctly, I have a 6th month old baby girl! It's been some time since I've last posted and lots has happened. Good, bad and better 💗. I've missed you!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Ms Taylor Ann was born in October 2015 and completed our family - she's amazing. Weighing in at a whopping 19lbs (at 6 months, not birth) we love every roll and chubby cheek this girl has to offer. She's sleeping like a champ, rolling over, eating food - obviously, and smiles all day long.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">So basically I'm learning to embrace being tired instead of trying to fight it. Fight it with that second (or third) cup of coffee, or those dreaded girl scout cookies (and all other sugars in my pantry). My arch enemies. Alcohol still helps... Don't get me wrong. Girls nights and date nights are a necessary and important part of parenting and a cocktail is just what I need sometimes at the end of a hard day. What I would do without them?!? But I wouldn't trade this life for anyone others so why wouldn't I embrace being sleepy every so often. Lie down when I need to (easier said than done) or let the laundry pile up - who cares. My 6 year old wears dirty clothes anyway (thats a whole nother blog post..ugh).</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I wish I could nap like that)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">What I'm getting at and why I'm writing this post is that I think sometimes you just have to slow down. It's how we keep ourselves healthy from the inside out. Yoga has done that for me. I've always loved yoga but never been able to implement that much in my life because i've always had a hard time slowing down. I like to run ...that's always my thing. Getting out on a trail and just running to music is something I look forward to each and every day. But with four kids it also can provide me with much unnecessary and unneeded exhaustion. I was waking up at 5/6am at some points to go running before the kids got up. Yoga has been a savior for me. At least once a week now I've been able to take some me time I just slow down and breathe. Its provided me clarity that I don't need to exhaust myself in order to feel better (aka sweat it out). Yoga is my naptime, my downtime, to slow down and take a moment.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Think about what babies do when they're tired..they take a nap. It's their much-needed rest to wake up smiling and happy again. We need to find what takes us to that place in our own self so we can wake up with wide eyed and be happy. So this past year I was able to take my nap, figuratively speaking. Just taking time for myself and enjoying my family trying to embrace my pregnancy, and delivering a beautiful baby girl this past October! I feel so much more whole and complete. Try not to stress about the small stuff and take each day as it comes. It's really helped me. I don't live up to other people's expectations... Only my own. And so should you! If life gets to be too much or you have to much on your plate remember you can always ask for help or just take your "nap". I promise you'll feel like new again very soon 💗</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-41176678169379270342014-09-22T03:58:00.000-07:002014-09-22T03:59:30.962-07:00Art Party: Grace is 7!So every year as September 19th is approaching I tell myself we're going to do something simple for my little girl's birthday. Well, when you have a daughter like Grace nothing is simple. She is so creative and certainly knows what she wants. Each year she comes up with a theme (in July!!) of what she would like for her birthday. My only leverage is that if I'm able to pull off the party she wants at home - that's what we'll do.<br />
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My mom always threw my birthday party at my house growing up and it was one of the best memories I have as a kid. Although I love the ease of having it somewhere else - no prep work, no additional hired help, no clean up, no goody bags, no staying up late to ice cupcakes at 12 am. It must be something in me I crave, like an upcoming deadline at work (see, I'm a SAHM so this is my job and these are my type of deadlines). One drawback I will mention when having it at home is having to limit the number of friends due to space and help/assistance issues. You never want to bite off more than you can chew and at home you need to make sure you have a good handle on things so no kid is feeling left out. I tried to limit it to 10 kids total, but by the time we including the birthday girl and her siblings we were up to 14...yes, fourteen, Yikes!<br />
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Anyway, this year Grace wanted to do something with Art. She loves Art & Horses at this point - her two loves as she would say. So with the help of Google, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/klworch/art-theme-bday/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, & the craft store we came up with Grace's Birthday Theme! The kids will paint their own canvas, decorate their own cupcakes, and of course have alot of fun. Genius!<br />
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I set up the party in two 1 hour shifts - first shift was Canvas Painting where each girl got a blank canvas and with the help of <a href="http://shop.crayola.com/art-and-craft-supplies/paints-and-watercolors/washable-paint/washable-kids-neon-paint-10-ct.-542390A001.html" target="_blank">Crayola Neon Washable Paint</a> was able to make a masterpiece to take home. They seemed to really enjoy creating their own personalized take-a-away. After everyone was done the girls went outside to play (shift change) to play, jump on a moon bounce, and make silly faces in a characterture drawing made with love by myself and my artistic sister, Kelsey (shout out). Must be where Grace gets her crafty side from :)<br />
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While the girls were outside tiring themselves out on this gorgeous day I was changing the table into shift #2- Cupcake Decorating. When discussing this idea with mommy friends that I was going to do this I was given a fun idea to use painters palette to serve the cupcakes on. Each girl sat down to their very own cupcake decorating station with endless options of candy, sprinkles, icing, and of course laughter to see who could build the biggest cupcake. It was adorable! One girl even tried to shove the entire thing in her mouth (although not recommended, it was pretty funny). And all mommy cared about was that Grace was having a good time with her friends. And she was!<br />
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Alongside a goody bag of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Box-Party-String-Silly/dp/B008PZGGVE" target="_blank">silly string</a> and a <a href="http://shop.crayola.com/art-and-craft-supplies/paints-and-watercolors/watercolors/washable-watercolors-8-ct.--5305252009.html#start=49&sz=48" target="_blank">Crayola Paint Palette</a>, each girl was sent home with their very own canvas - painted by them. Party was a success and Grace felt like a very lucky girl.<br />
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Happy birthday sweet girl! You'll always be my first baby and its a blessing to see you grow. I am super proud of you and who you have become. Love you to pieces! xoxoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-29280015900086745592014-09-04T04:35:00.000-07:002014-09-04T04:35:51.561-07:00True Confessions: How my Blog began?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People ask me all the time how this blog started...and honestly, it was simple. I had a passion for nutrition, life, and my family and I wanted to share it with others. I've tried very hard over the past 10 years to create a happy and healthy life for me and my family. You can always read my <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/02/about-me.html" target="_blank">very first post</a> which describes a little of how it all begin or read about our family <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/02/nutrition-health-wellness-live-and-love.html" target="_blank">motto</a>. I didn't know where to start, but through trial & error, reading and asking many questions I have found this blog to be a place of comfort. Somewhere I can share a little part of me, with you.<br />
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I'm passionate an dedicated to all things health and want others to know eating well does not have to mean you have become vegan or cut out everything you love. We all have our own triggers (gluten, lactose, caffeine intolerance) which we need to recognize. Have you ever heard "listen to your body?"...it might actually be telling you something you NEED to know. Don't ignore it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzwH3-D3RsgWXj3GYM1j1LviZXQEyA2dw0d84N244LlCT5-86bngCuyrQgk-kOAK6-O8-vkNUlYDE3ePdEf8Fsj0haPdbPntBvViaPZLCHwLiQP5MFrvkUJMbaAnfrn06plUACEhQyNw/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzwH3-D3RsgWXj3GYM1j1LviZXQEyA2dw0d84N244LlCT5-86bngCuyrQgk-kOAK6-O8-vkNUlYDE3ePdEf8Fsj0haPdbPntBvViaPZLCHwLiQP5MFrvkUJMbaAnfrn06plUACEhQyNw/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a>Health is an overall awareness of yourself, what you're eating and what you're feeding others. Now, with kids, it can be a little tricky, but we've found ways to incorporate the best nutrition with "normal" kid foods and flavors they love. Our family isn't perfect, we love our burgers and ice cream just like everyone else. We just might eat turkey burgers with sweet potato fries or that ice cream I mentioned only on special outings or occasions. That is where my blog began - as a place for people who were interested in how I nourish my family to come and not make me feel like I was preaching to you. I've said before, I'm not a doctor, but I know enough to know what I should/shouldn't be putting into my body. And I'm learning more and more everyday -I love it!<br />
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It makes me happy when my girls want to cook with me in the kitchen or grocery shop and want to choose a new veggie or fruit to try. That is what its all about - trying new things together and figuring out what works for you.<br />
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My family is the most important component of my life, they come first. Their health and happiness is why I get up in the morning and be the best mom and wife I can each day. This blog is to enhance the well being of our family, not to take away from it. Any gaps you see in my blog posts are due to me taking some time off to spend more time with the kids (typically over the Summer when they're all home or when we have a new baby and life just shifts). Life is good right now, we're all happy & healthy. I count my blessings everyday.<br />
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<i>XOXO</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-31891214016106903962014-09-01T07:01:00.000-07:002014-09-22T04:09:11.694-07:00Labor Day Book Give-A-Way!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">Happy Labor Day!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">xoxo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-60677480635977690732014-08-26T13:38:00.006-07:002014-08-26T14:15:59.116-07:00Q & A with Holli Thompson: Discover Your Nutritional Style<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi There!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I </span>recently <span style="font-family: inherit;">had the pleasure to interview someone I admire greatly. Her name is <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/08/discover-your-nutritional-style-book.html" target="_blank">Holli Thompson</a> and her </span>guidelines<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and teachings for a Healthy Lifestyle are ones that anyone can follow or adapt to. They'e simple, easy, and delicious. Below are some of the questions that I had for her that might help all you other mamas out there too! A little food for thought...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: I can honestly say I could not put this book down - it is so well written and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the photographs are insanely beautiful. What can people expect from </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discover Your Nutritional Style?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: It’s been called an informative guide, a bedside reference, and also </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">funny. I like the funny part! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe that this way of eating is a life changer, for many people. There’s </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a difference between doing something like eating for your Nutritional Style </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">some of the time, and doing it consistently. That’s the big take-a-way. I </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">also advocate for joy, and fun, and some leeway. Stress surrounding our </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">food isn’t healthy either! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIKVW8g0slIR2h88-AYWDSRmX-988HogZFgHrIeywlCOknYnwtjpsQO-FqtJPMhro2QdzbceA3wuEVHeNPNpV-vBpisE5ya6l_aBuyyJXxmfvIlhDc1BjlJO2Q3HlAZNYZsRxTgTN5n0/s1600/Nutrition-Cover-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIKVW8g0slIR2h88-AYWDSRmX-988HogZFgHrIeywlCOknYnwtjpsQO-FqtJPMhro2QdzbceA3wuEVHeNPNpV-vBpisE5ya6l_aBuyyJXxmfvIlhDc1BjlJO2Q3HlAZNYZsRxTgTN5n0/s1600/Nutrition-Cover-sm.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: I firmly believe that everything and everyone comes into your life for a </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">reason and hopefully teaches us something along the way. What’s the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">most important lesson you want people to take away from your new book?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: That you need to take care of you. Begin there, and the rest will </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">follow. You’re an individual, and what works for your skinny bff may not be </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">what works best for you. Explore your own path, discover what’s unique </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">about your body, then make it a lifestyle. That’s the key. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: On the other hand, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned through </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writing this book?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: Writing DYNS allowed me to dive deeply into what I was seeing and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">hearing in my own practice. It forced me to hone down to what women </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">were really saying and doing with their health; what worked and what did </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">not. It also allowed me to address modern society’s influence on us, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">how so many women are pressured to try what’s trendy, without really </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">knowing their own body chemistry. So a huge piece of this is freedom and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">empowerment; I hope to empower women to forge ahead with knowledge </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to create their personal Nutritional Style. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: I have three young children (ages 2 through 7). How would you guide </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">moms, like me, to easily implement good nutrition into our children’s daily </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">lives?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: I would begin with seeking out organic foods, at all costs. Pesticides, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">growth hormones and antibiotics used in livestock feed, are all harmful to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">growing children’s bodies. Emphasize fruits and vegetables, in their whole </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">form. The rule is our house is, fresh produce at every meal. Breakfast </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">might mean fruit in my son’s protein smoothie, or sautéed spinach or fresh </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">salsa with his eggs. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides that, if your child has chronic infections, or sinus/allergy issues, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">you might want to look at food intolerances. My book explains how to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">approach that topic. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: You mention in your book how “life is busy, we’re all busy”. What would </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">you tell those who are scared to take that leap of faith - whether it be in life </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">or with their health because they feel there is no time?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: Forming a new habit takes time, but once it’s part of your lifestyle, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">it becomes routine. Hold onto that. In the same way that I make time </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to wash my hair, or go to barre class, I make time to pick up organic </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">produce, or learn a few easy meals that will suffice a houseful of boys </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">before I would order pizza. Try to make one change at a time, and be </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">diligent about it. Then move on to your next. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: I’ve always believed nutrition is your best medicine. Can you explain why </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">it’s so important that people listen to their own bodies and not just doctor’s </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">orders?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: Depending on what type of doctor you are using, they may or </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">may not know to ask about your food. During years of suffering from </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">inflammatory issues my doctor did not ask me what I was eating. Your </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">food affects everything, and knowing and really getting that is the first </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">step. I’ve seen small changes in food choices create huge improvements </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">in health. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen: I see big things happening for you - you are smart, kind, funny, but most of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">all relatable. I can see myself through your words and you make health & </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">nutrition seem so accessible. What are your aspirations for this book?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: I want to sell millions of copies, and reach as many people as </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">possible. I believe the book is relatable, and attainable. My message </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">is simple at its’ core, but requires dedication to change, in small, do-</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">able steps. I want my book to influence and help heal. I want to alter </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">mother’s choices, so that kids will grow up with better habits and greater </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">knowledge. I want to give women executives and entrepreneurs more </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">energy and balance, so that they can live happier lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recent events have taught me; life is short, live it feeling as good as you </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">possibly can. (<a href="http://www.hollithompson.com/2014/07/27/sad-news-office-holli-thompson/" target="_blank">see more</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kristen: Who has been your biggest influence in the world of Health & Nutrition? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holli: While I am a fan of many health influencers, I have been influenced most </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">by my own learning. That’s the message here, learn the basics, what to avoid, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(those bad boys that I outline in my book) and discover what works for you, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">personally, in an honest way. Influence yourself, and take care of yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nobody else knows you, like you!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-86060825698460360072014-08-23T04:25:00.003-07:002014-08-23T04:25:41.377-07:00Discover Your Nutritional Style: Book Review!!<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #0a263c; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.35; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Discover Your Nutritional Style: </span></i></h1>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your Seasonal Plan to a Healthy, Happy & Delicious Life</span></i></h1>
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I'm in awe..</div>
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In a few years everyone is going to know Holli Thompson's name. You cannot possibly read her book and not fall instantly in love. She is highly relatable and her concepts are smart and simple. One of the reasons I started this blog was to share the most amazing things I came across and want to share with all of you. This book is one of those things!!</div>
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I think of Holli as my kindred spirit - although she'll describe her path to good nutritional style as a story of raw medical issues and undiscovered intolerances, mine was more of a personal choice to discover better nutrition when I got pregnant with my first child. I didn't grow up with the knowledge of why we eat food, and how it all works together (if chosen wisely).. Holli's book makes me smile because its all I've ever wanted to share with others and yet her extensive knowledge on the topic peaks in my core to learn more. I could not put this book down!<br />
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Throughout her book she describes eating for the seasons - seasonal produce which would mean organic and in season to fuel your soul (and tummy, of course). In her seasonal descriptions she made me want to ride a bike in the Spring, wander in fields all Summer, make soup in the Fall and cozy up under a blanket in the Winter. Each season provides us with nature and nutritional leads we can take advantage of if we so choose. The bounty of <a href="http://whole30.com/downloads/seasonal-produce.pdf" target="_blank">fruits & vegetables</a> available each season should be your eating guide. I never really thought of that before. Yes, of course I always take advantage of whats in season, but we certainly have our staples. Holli is right, if its not in season and it comes from miles away...is it really still that nutritious for us. The answer is no, not really.<br />
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Holli also uses the word "<i>choice</i>" often in her book, which I love for obvious reasons. She reminds you all the way through her <i>Nutritional Style</i> coaching that it ultimately is your choice as to what you eat, how you move, and how you approach this. She is here to guide you all the way through if you allow her...but that is a <i>choice </i>you have to make! Her excitement about food is something I can relate to - from planning my daily meals to searching for new recipes on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/klworch/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. I can't get enough. She takes you on a year-round journey of health. Even through the dreaded holiday season.<br />
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Her <i>Holiday Recovery</i> section will have you encouraged and ready to conquer December gatherings like a true champion...no more winter blues and seasonal depression. You'll take her words of advice and use them as motivation at your next holiday party!<br />
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<b><i>My Review:</i> Must have book of the season! Nutritional Bible, easy read, deliciously descriptive. Not a tell all, but more of a how to. Fall in love with Holli. She'll become your food friend and guide without ever having to leave your home. This book will change you life for the better. I can't wait to share it with my friends and family...you will love her just as much as I do!</b><br />
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<b>No gimmicks, no fads, no diet, just simple eating from the Earth and she'll teach you how Mother Nature is our guide and how to listen to our own bodies. No two digestion systems are alike - we all need to take care of ourselves. For a sweet-tooth like me her Banana Nut Ice Cream recipe is insane and her Famous Creamy Cauliflower Soup is going to be a staple on my dinner table this Fall.</b><br />
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<b>She teaches you about herbs and not only how yummy they can be,but also helpful in fighting diseases and inflammation. And you don't have to be diagnosed with arthritis to have inflammation...most people don't even know they have it until they start taking care of it. I would like to move away from the over the counter anti-inflammatories and aspirins and focus more on proactively taking care of our systems from the inside out.</b><br />
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<b>She gives you recipe ideas, meal plans for your nutritional style, and even all natural beauty regimes you'll want to try!</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-12056081102299464072014-08-22T06:45:00.003-07:002014-08-22T06:45:22.142-07:00Letters to My Daughters: Strong is the New SkinnyI'd love to remove the word skinny from a female's vocabulary. Unfortunately, its become an obsession for many and not a healthy way of seeing yourself. I firmly believe in living through example...I love to exercise, eat healthy, grocery shop and cook. But I also love to sip wine, bake, and snuggle in bed on lazy Sunday mornings. I want to be strong (mentally & physically) and healthy, not skinny and hungry. These simple notes are what I want my girls (and boy) to look at when they see me. A mom who cares not only about her kids and family, but herself too. It took me a good 4 years into mommyhood to join a gym b/c I felt guilty. I didn't want to leave my child with someone else, that was my job (or so I thought). I went for many walks and would get up very early the the a.m. to go running with my oldest daughter in tow...but 4 good years for me to accept the fact that is was ok for me to put myself somewhere near the top of the totem poll of importance. Once I did, I felt a sense of empowerment - not being at home all day in yoga pants and spit up on my shoulder. It allowed me to have a purpose to leave the house each day (Lets be honest, staying at home full time sometimes makes you feel like a prisoner in your own home) and feel like I was accomplishing a goal I set out of myself. I craved the strength in my mind & body to make sure I was allowing myself the time to be a better mother, wife and friend.<br />
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After having my third baby and realizing my alone time was becoming more precious, I signed up for a <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/road-to-half-marathon-we-did-it.html" target="_blank">1/2 marathon</a> last Spring - a goal I always wanted to accomplish and knew if I set my mind to it I could do it (I signed up for my 2nd this Fall). It took some time away from my kids, but important time they were then able to spend with dad and see their mom working hard towards something that meant so much. They cheered me on and even wanted to wear my medal I received. It was a good time for me to choose to accomplish a goal and now I'm able to take a bit of a break while life leads me. I still run almost everyday, but I know more now its for my mind than my body.<br />
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I want my girls to strive to be strong and healthy. Play sports for fun, get outside and explore the neighborhood. Ride bikes, play tag, swim, hide & seek, you name it. All of these things give you strength, confidence, healthy laughter and most important time with your loved ones. That is what matters in the end. I have a quote which I love that says "<i>Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away</i>". A good reminder as parents to sit back sometimes and just take it all in. Watch them play and see how they live. Its in those moments that we allow ourselves to be in the present - and happy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-35803785130034153842014-08-20T04:33:00.000-07:002014-08-20T06:20:46.430-07:00Grace's Summer Mission: BoxTops for EducationAs you all already know I am so super proud of all my kids, but especially my daughter Grace right now. When the school year ended we had to come up with a summer plan. Not so much as to fill our days, but more so to see what kinds of activities and goals we wanted to achieve before the end of August. We wrote down a few things...here is Grace's <i>Summer To Do List</i>!<br />
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In case you're having trouble making out her list she made in school, here is goes:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Go to the pool (ok, doable)</li>
<li>Read 1 or 2 books (better be more than that)</li>
<li>Maybe get a tan (um, sunscreen please)</li>
<li>Go on snap chat and facebook (she has no clue what those are)</li>
<li>Have a sleepover (too young)</li>
<li>Get a many/pedy (manicure/pedicure...we'll see)</li>
<li>and say hi to your teacher (of course!)</li>
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She definitely is funny and certainly knows what she wants, but one of the things we came up together (other than <i>get a tan</i>) was simple - <b><i><a href="http://www.boxtops4education.com/participating-products" target="_blank">Box Tops for Education</a>! </i></b>Its something that most, if not all schools participate in and its super easy. Collect as many (or as little) Box Tops from participating company's products as you can. Each Box Top equals $.10 for your school. Every little bit counts! Cut them out and give them to your school. Its FREE money for your school for all kinds of fun stuff - check out their <a href="http://www.boxtops4education.com/how-box-tops-works" target="_blank">website</a>!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRUoBNTlSrDfPuY7OmNBjzI214PYjbib-gJE4A77dgNpmbMnOGtj6rzcYkzhEJbzxEu59RUvfyQEyfW9WY9IPvd7BFXLglgY7ehyZuCIPsbW9fq-M2VzK6NOuKQlsdyT8zQ6a0rZTt4o/s1600/boxtops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRUoBNTlSrDfPuY7OmNBjzI214PYjbib-gJE4A77dgNpmbMnOGtj6rzcYkzhEJbzxEu59RUvfyQEyfW9WY9IPvd7BFXLglgY7ehyZuCIPsbW9fq-M2VzK6NOuKQlsdyT8zQ6a0rZTt4o/s1600/boxtops.jpg" /></a></div>
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Grace set a goal of collecting 1,000 Box Tops. Although a seemingly out of reach number...we thought, "why not?". Together, we sent out an email to all of our family & friends asking that they keep an eye out for any Box Top products that they might already have in their kitchen and just cut them out and send them to us. Along the way Grace gets to receive mail from her friends & family throughout the summer and keeping her accountable for a goal she set out to achieve.<br />
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We are in our last week of summer and she has collected over 300 Box Tops. This is an ongoing fundraiser for her school so we wont stop there, but now we have our family & friends keeping an eye out for products they may have passed over previously. Hunt around your fridge and pantry - you may have FREE money lying around and not even know it! Thank you to all of those who participated and made a mama very proud.<br />
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Happy Hunting!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-7527900792755738962014-08-18T04:29:00.000-07:002014-08-18T04:39:35.520-07:00Mommy Lifesaver: Mom Agenda CalendarHi Everybody!!!<br />
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Let the 7 day countdown to school begin...yay!<br />
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So I posted a picture on my <a href="http://instagram.com/klworch" target="_blank"><i>Instagram </i></a>a week ago and I've been getting inquiries ever since. I posted a picture of my <a href="http://www.momagenda.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>MomAgenda </b></i></a>Calendar I use for the school year. Yes, I have an iPhone, but I'm a little old school when it comes to paper calendars. I have a bit of an organization obsession and these date calendars fill every void I need to helping me clearly organize my family's activities throughout the year. It breaks down my month and week, as well as having line items for each member of your family (including your husband) and a space for whats for dinner that evening!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b2TKOHO4CEOb3DgZxPK8qJLguLRiO8ziTNwlcNx8UCny1SOV-A7K_Fnc7pJ9lQt88_CeJqpnEq3C7JfTqVV3LfEjztrMTQR7t-IIto8-CqrU2FH4fOL_SP4JJn6YyS52W15jEd-wL40/s1600/10458653_10152554043957559_8157598526550988622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b2TKOHO4CEOb3DgZxPK8qJLguLRiO8ziTNwlcNx8UCny1SOV-A7K_Fnc7pJ9lQt88_CeJqpnEq3C7JfTqVV3LfEjztrMTQR7t-IIto8-CqrU2FH4fOL_SP4JJn6YyS52W15jEd-wL40/s1600/10458653_10152554043957559_8157598526550988622_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.momagenda.com/products.cfm?cID=32&pID=96" target="_blank">MomAgenda Home Office Edition</a></div>
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A calendar after my own heart (see <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/03/mommys-lifesaver-1-my-meal-calendar.html" target="_blank">My Meal Calendar</a>), I was introduced to it just after my first baby was born. I've been using them every since and as low as $32/calendar, its worth every penny to keep me sane. I'm a visual person so instead of having to grab my phone and jot down a "to do" one day at a time, I can open my gorgeous <i>Mom Agenda Calendar</i> and see what I have going on that whole week!<br />
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Since posting, I've already had many people say they've already ordered one! You won't regret it...and please feel free to share the love of family organization and tell your fellow moms. We're trying to make this crazy world an easier place to navigate one tip & trick at a time!<br />
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Enter your email address on<a href="http://www.momagenda.com/" target="_blank"> <i>momagenda.com</i></a> and receive 10% off your first order. Cheers to an organized and successful school year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-17079760785069039102014-08-16T03:43:00.002-07:002014-08-20T06:19:46.961-07:00Mommy Lifesaver: Momme Meals "Go Chews"Yay! So exciting....<br />
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Here is a BRAND NEW <i>Mommy Lifesaver</i> I wish I had had back in pregnancy, nursing, new mama stage! They're called <i><b><a href="https://www.mommemeals.com/product/go-chews-original" target="_blank">Go Chews</a></b></i> and they just arrived on my doorstep from a dear friend asking me to check them out. I have to say it was <i>love at first bite! </i>Coming off a new mama visit myself of a girlfriend who just had her first baby I only wish I had these in hand to let her have at 'em. They're delicious!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-qkKY0mVy8elZBkyht1e3alXff3SGvkc3sukbZmA_rFQ2xdYH4yaHfNKDow2Pezv1R8IbN849XVc-ldveTdtjn5Ei43gguWUTBVGnU86Y2-s-a2aFBuFXOTeBdKx5hHC5zsRp8EESA8/s1600/01de6106c57c9db62488b914bcfdde4e6609cda920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-qkKY0mVy8elZBkyht1e3alXff3SGvkc3sukbZmA_rFQ2xdYH4yaHfNKDow2Pezv1R8IbN849XVc-ldveTdtjn5Ei43gguWUTBVGnU86Y2-s-a2aFBuFXOTeBdKx5hHC5zsRp8EESA8/s1600/01de6106c57c9db62488b914bcfdde4e6609cda920.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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momme meals: http://mommemeals.com/</div>
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When approached with the idea of being a food taster for the better of all mommy's out there I sure wasn't going to pass that up - I'm not too picky. And although not too picky when it comes to food - I want good food, fresh food, tasty food, satisfying food. Satisfying being the most important because as any mama out there would say, we are never sitting down, always on the go and needing something to starve off cravings while driving carpool, running errands, etc. These bite size chews are a new (and healthier) take on a granola bar or lara bar type food. Their ingredients are simple and whole, organic and local. Providing essential vitamins and minerals all new mamas or moms-to-be need in order to help their nursing or pregnant selves. Now, with all of that being said, there is nothing wrong with noshing on these small treats at anytime..or even giving to your kids!<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">They're philosophy* is simple: </span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 21px; margin: 1.5em 0px; padding-left: 2em;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">Work with only the freshest, seasonal most nutritionally dense ingredients</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">Support agricultural sustainability by sourcing locally when possible</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">Incorporate only organic and all-natural ingredients (100% non-GMO)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">Review each of our recipes with a registered dietician</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">Provide foods you can trust for you and your family</span></li>
</ul>
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I love real food that is portable and <i>Go Chews</i> are just that! Throw them in your gym bag, diaper bag, or purse to make sure you're always helping yourself get the best (and all natural) ingredients you possibly can while on the go. I really hope you all enjoy them as much as I do. I would highly recommend them to any nursing mother or mom-to-be out there. Why not wrap them up for your new mommy friend as a hospital treat - a little mommy to mommy push present!</div>
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Find them at your <a href="http://momme-meals.myshopify.com/pages/where-to-find-us" target="_blank">local health store market</a> or <a href="http://mommemeals.com/collections/go-chews" target="_blank">order online</a> in as easy as 1-2-3!<br />
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<b>COUPON CODE: MOMMYLIFESAVER for 15% off your order</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 21px;">*provided by mommemeals.com</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-14473572971381544032014-08-12T18:28:00.001-07:002014-08-13T04:50:54.456-07:00Out of Sight, Out of Mind...with Food.Have you ever heard of "out of sight, out of mind?"...well, I find the opposite is true as well. Keeping healthier food options in the line of sight will help you (and your kids) gravitate towards those versus the lingering "junk" in the closed pantry. One thing I do is keep clear glass containers on my countertop with healthier alternatives to snacks - such as lara bars, fruit & grain bars, cliff bars in one and shelled pistachios in the other. As well as a filled fruit bowl on a weekly basis - bananas, apples, oranges, etc. Lets not forget that when you have little kids its hard (and exhausting) to have fresh food constantly. So I have found certain packaged foods that I am willing to feed my family maybe as a quick snack - especially at school or on the go. My philosophy is that fast food doesn't have to be a drive-thru. Our family's fast food is a almond butter and organic strawberry preserve sandwich on wheat bread (cost virtually nothing) and maybe a portioned bag of pretzels, cheese stick, all natural fruit strip, applesauce or veggie sticks. Always with a side of fruit!<br />
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Keeping items visible and readily available allows routine in a positive way for your kids to <i>choose </i>the better option for a snack. And if your kids are always complaining that they're <i>starving </i>tell them to drink more water. Water will give your child the energy they need to motivate them to go and play, rather than sit and watch tv (while eating costant snacks). And believe me, although I once swore off tv for my oldest, I now find is necessary during dinner prep time. And again, by <i>choosing </i>and monitoring<i> </i>the proper shows they watch, they might even be educational! Nothing to kick yourself over.<br />
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On the contrary, keeping less healthy/packaged items away (maybe in a pantry or cabinet) will make the temptation of those snack items less enticing. Now remember, your first line of defense is to not even buy them. But realistically, I tried to do that for a while and then didn't want to be "that parent" who never allowed my child to make their own decisions. As they get older I try and let them choose for themselves, and then hopefully guide them in the right direction. But ultimately, we are in control.<br />
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Back to snacking....Fruit is best organic and whole, but also take note that I can take one apple and feed all three of my kids a snack. I slice it up and give them a little portion of all natural (one ingredient) almond/peanut butter to dip in. The combo is better for your metabolism anyway! As for vegetables, for some reason they're taboo in a childs world. Maybe b/c of the dull color? But I promise you, the more you try and give it to them, the more they'll take to it. Cut up carrots, cucumbers, peppers, etc. dipped in hummus or even mustard (yes, mustard) might be your kids "go-to" for a while, and thats fine. Just getting that bit of added veggie/nutrition in their diet is worth being repetitive. Try it out and let me know <i>your </i>tips & tricks!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-75372002878331746122014-08-07T04:54:00.002-07:002014-08-07T07:16:22.832-07:00K5 Learning: My Honest ReviewHi All!<br />
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I've been gone most of this summer and after going over some of my blog posts I noticed my review of <a href="http://www.k5learning.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>K5 Learning</i></b></a> never got published. Forgive me for that. Now that the school year is fast approaching I wanted to share a unique tool for Elementary learning! Below is my personal opinion on the K5 Learning program and would love for you to check it out yourselves! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa2pDE-u8kuAlcxT7fHVhJR6pUTfisTt4pVss_Yhdz9NUh7r1Pb12JDPETcskDJsuEiZAkw4_QjNRpmq_AoBAAkSrb76s6Pwk6nFyKSejFufFgxhglOfZ9GgNuuWMZsAOQeRxuV7LQzg/s1600/k5+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa2pDE-u8kuAlcxT7fHVhJR6pUTfisTt4pVss_Yhdz9NUh7r1Pb12JDPETcskDJsuEiZAkw4_QjNRpmq_AoBAAkSrb76s6Pwk6nFyKSejFufFgxhglOfZ9GgNuuWMZsAOQeRxuV7LQzg/s1600/k5+Logo.png" height="86" width="200" /></a></div>
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My six year old daughter, who I did this for - my 4 year old was just too young for the program - thoroughly enjoyed it. She loves to learn and loves all things "school". It made her feel special that she had her own log-in and special time on the computer (which she doesn't normally get). With two other toddlers in the household I couldn't monitor her every move, but trusted her excitement and feedback whenever she talked about K5. She was eager to log-on each day and wanted badly to pass each level with flying colors. If I was able to spend more one-on-one time with her while she was doing the trial I believe we both might have gotten more out of it. Unfortunately, I'm at the place I am in my life where I appreciate the more independent learning tools, such as K5, more than something I have to manage. She gave the program two thumbs up and I agreed!<br />
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To give you an idea, if I could compare K5 to another well known online children's learning tool it would be ABC Mouse.com. To be fair I've never owned or reviewed ABC Mouse, but I know they do good marketing as my kids are always asking about it! When I was approached by K5 I felt like they were doing a good thing on their own - reaching out to the mom, dad, blogger community to get their personal feedback. I certainly appreciated that because I was able to assess it on my own before pushing it on my children. It seemed like a good learning tool and what mommy or daddy would pass that up!</div>
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<b>Pros</b>:</div>
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<li>Website is easy to navigate</li>
<li>Good overall learning resources in both Math & Reading</li>
<li>My rising 1st grader asked to "play" it daily</li>
<li>Provides free <a href="http://www.k5learning.com/free-worksheets-for-kids" target="_blank">worksheets </a>to students</li>
<li>Provides progress reports for parents to see how each child is doing</li>
<li>Free to review to see if it works for you and your family</li>
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<b>Cons</b>:</div>
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<li>Not visually appealing. Needs to be more colorful and vibrant - grabbing your attention</li>
<li>A little slow paced for those kids who move more quickly through problems</li>
<li>Limited in amount of resources they provide in the sense of growth for the child</li>
<li>Wish they had a language tool for helping to learn Spanish, for example</li>
<li>Lacks commercial marketing and excitement to draw kids in</li>
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Overall its a wonderful program and with previously working in the Education Department of a well known television company myself, I know there are so many underutilized programs out there that could help kids (and parents too!). Go to<b><a href="https://www.k5learning.com/login" target="_blank"> <i>K5 Learning.com</i></a></b><i> </i>and do a trial run for each of your kids - there is no obligation. Or maybe, ask your child's school what they recommended. You never know if there are resources out there that might work for you!</div>
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My older daughter attends the public elementary school in our county. Something that just came to my attention was that parents are able to obtain access to their school's online resources that the children use throughout the school year (like a K5 type learning tool). Who knew?!...You learn something new everyday!<br />
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Enjoy and let me know what YOU think!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-66531998309296916582014-08-06T11:14:00.000-07:002014-08-06T11:14:20.421-07:00Our Summer: A Kitchen RennovationWell, we've had quite the summer so far...<br />
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Since last Spring we have been gearing up for a pretty major kitchen renovation. Having to be the General Contracor of this project (while still managing my 3 little ones) has left me not much alone time, if any at all. Its been one of the most challenging and exciting things I have done to date. Scouring Houzz.com and Pinterest was my daily/nightly routine for months before we even broke ground. Staring at friends and relatives kitchens, in and out of home decorating stores, researching tile, picking out fixtures, you name it...it was exhausting!<br />
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After everything was delicately chosen we made sure to order ever little piece of tile, lighting, knob, faucet, appliance, cabinetry, etc. before we began to make sure there would be no lag time. Having your entire 1st floor ripped up while living in it isn't something I recommend. Dust, dust, and more dust! My coffee pot was in my bathroom, microwave in basement, and more paper products than one could imagine. The good news though was the contractor said it would only take 4 weeks...WHAT!?! Not possible, most people thought. Well, they did it. They got it done in 4 weeks flat - we couldn't be happier and its everything we ever imagined.<br />
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Here are some before & after photos...<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BEFORE</span></b></div>
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For obvious reasons I couldn't be happier that the project is now complete! On top of us having our kitchen back up and running, I sort of have a little piece of my life back. No more vendor meetings, daily trips to Home Depot, numerous "work" phone calls, dragging kids around, and so on. We have 3 weeks left of summer and I plan on taking full advantage and RELAXING!<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed your summer as much as we have ours...a little hectic at first, but ended with a fabulous family beach vacation and a few weeks to chill at home and/or by the pool. Cheers!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-38883186859280893782014-08-06T10:36:00.000-07:002014-08-06T10:36:49.105-07:00Transition Years: KindergartenWow! Over in a flash. This has been a wonderful year of accomplishment for my little Grace. She has confidence, strength, happiness, and reading skills you wouldn't believe. I am so proud of her!<br />
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Sometimes I think that starting school is harder for the parents than it is for the kids. Seeing our little ones becoming so independent is something we strive to achieve, yet have a hard time accepting when the time comes. Once achieved, there is no turning back. They're out there in the world - even if they're only 6. Kindergarten is a major stepping stone in a child's life and I'm so happy we had such a wonderful first time experience. With Grace's first year of Kindergarten came lots of changes - we switched from private to public school which was a very unexpected and challenging decision for our family. We felt so lucky to be in such a wonderful neighborhood community and town that we couldn't pass up the chance to put her in such a wonderful school. Not to mention we can now walk to school!<br />
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As in preschool, we still have to allow our children to cultivate their own relationships while guiding them in the right direction. Some days kids will be best friends and then enemies, jealous and then excited, feeling left out and then feeling like they're on top of the world. Kind of like mini hormonal teenagers. With these imbalances come your child's ability to find who they are and who they want to be. Allow your child to access their surroundings and see what makes them comfortable and what they might need help navigating. Kindergarten is the perfect time for all of this because its their time to explore, gain independence,and try many new things. Lean on other moms (and dads) who've been there and accept that everything is going to be ok. Keep your kids involved in school activities with friends and they'll grow to love their own place of learning.<br />
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Onward and upwards to bigger and better things....1st Grade!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-4877425453086658032014-04-04T09:44:00.001-07:002014-04-07T04:47:46.660-07:00Feeding Your Family on a BudgetI am the first to admit its hard to buy food without spending a ton of money. And seen as how the word "budget" is all relative to each family...I tend to try to focus on the <i>what </i>than the <i>how</i>. By that I mean I want families (i.e. mom and dad) to understand what they're buying and therefore what they're putting on the dinner table. There are so many studies out there discovering how "everything" is bad for you - from non-organic fruits and vegetables, to canned tomatoes and beans. Its a tough road to navigate if you don't know where to look. I always say to trust your gut. Don't make yourself crazy trying to go vegetarian, or all organic, but do know that kids need nutrients to thrive, study, focus, sustain energy, etc. If you focus on a few key points and do what works for you and your family, you'll be just fine - but also be educated.<br />
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I have read articles and books that all say very similar things when it comes to healthy lifestyles and healthy eating patterns. And I feel its just that, turning all of these crazy notions and fads and turn them into truly a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. We all know fruits and vegetables are good for you. And although protein is great - not all of your protein has to come from animal products. There are too many studies out there that indicate the meat industry and how poorly animals are treated which results in less than par chicken and beef for us. The hormones from these meat products are changing our bodies from the insides out. Girls are menstruating years before we ever did - doesn't that say something?? And ADHD has been on the rise for years. Its frightening to me and I want to do everything in my power to change this for my girls and my family. Small changes such as no routine dessert every night after dinner, only eating meat roughly 2-3 times a week, adding more fish into our diets, using quinoa as a meat substitute in our Mexican dishes (which is a family favorite), etc. We're lucky not to have any major food allergies in our family so we don't really have to navigate around that issue and I do my best to shop organic as much as possible, but like everyone else we too are on a budget. My husband and I are committed to nourishing our family well and do our best when it comes to choosing the healthiest option, but the goal is to not break the bank. Due to having small kids I don't want them to ever grow up with eating issues so I try not to deprive them of the things they want to try, but more lead them into a healthier direction.<br />
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My advice usually starts with someone telling me what they typically eat in any given week - breakfast, lunch and dinner. And even snacks. There are simple was to simplify your day as well as nourish your family wisely. From little starts like a smoothie for breakfast once a week with a bit of added spinach, to swapping out meat in tacos for quinoa & black beans. And spices are your friend - add salsa to your eggs, rosemary and thyme to your chicken, or tomatoes with chilies to your quinoa. All of these small (and inexpensive tips) can allow added health benefits to your families lifestyle. Going back to Mexican food - its a favorite in our household - so I prepare to purchase organic avocados once a week. They're not cheap, but they provide great health benefits and they're packed with great nutrition!<br />
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I don't buy a ton of meat, but when I do it mainly comes from <i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/costco-food-finds-healthy-style.html" target="_blank">Costco </a></i>(ground turkey and chicken) or Fresh Market sales (steaks, fish, and ground beef). Meat tends to be costly so we do our best to stretch it - if I make chili I add lots of beans & veggies, or if I make <i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/recipe-homemade-pasta-sauce.html" target="_blank">homemade pasta sauce</a></i> I'll add lots of crushed tomatoes, onions, and fresh herbs and then freeze half of any batch to use at a later date. Its an easy way to save a buck and one less dinner you have to make on a rainy day. I also keep my salads very simple - organic lettuce, feta cheese, red onions, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries and walnuts with a little black pepper and balsamic vinaigrette. I try to stick to a very simple recipe so my kids will eat it. My goal is to make it a part of their dinner routine - and sometimes I even send my kindergartner to school with it in her lunch (per her request).<br />
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Snacks are anything from Goldfish with raisins, pretzels, carrots with hummus, Greek yogurt with granola, or simply a cut up apple. There is nothing wrong with responding to "I'm hungry" with "Here's a banana". Nothing. If the child is hungry, they'll eat it. At the same time, stocking up on Goldfish or Pretzels (which aren't necessarily nutritious) isn't going to ultimately harm your child either. We are always on the go so the refrigerated and fresh food isn't always practical. I'd much rather hand them a portioned size bag of Goldfish and cranberries than run through a drive thru any day.<br />
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Your goal as the parent is to enhance your child's palette to appreciate fresh and simple food. And not to crave certain salts or sugars which can only be satisfied by a fast food hamburger or shake. The more kids are exposed to, the more they'll come to appreciate <i>good </i>food, real food. My 4 year old even know at this point what foods hurt her tummy if she eats them. I didn't brainwash her, I didn't train her, I simply tried to feed her the best I can and allowed her to figure it out on her own. Eating all of those chips she wants is fine, but they won't last long in her system. Within minutes of eating them she'll be on the toilet..knowing all well why. On the other hand, just the other night we were eating outdoors on a sunny evening and my 2 yr old was sitting on my husbands lap while eating dinner. My husband went to grab a bite of his salad and my 2 yr old took his fork and started eating the salad HIMSELF - onions and all! (I was shocked)...but it just goes to show that they are watching their surroundings and will become curious as to what YOU eat too!<br />
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Another way to keeping your family on a good food budget is to go back to nature and serve water with meals. There is nothing wrong with that. My husband is lactose intolerant so when my 6 year old (then 4) asked to not have milk anymore with meals I was fine with it. And with that we just implemented it for the rest of the family -except the baby who needs the organic milk for brain development. We don't drink soda or rarely even juice. I did start buying organic juice boxes to put in my kids lunches b/c it was easier for them, but they also bring water bottles. Some days they drink the juice, other days they have the water. And a rule I have is they can't have an afternoon snack until they've drinken their water bottle from the morning. Its an easy way for me to note how much they've drank throughout the day. More often than not its just plain water - maybe water with lemon, or sparkling water from time to time when I get sick of the plain jane of it all. If we're being honest here I grew up drinking milk and soda everyday and didn't think anything of it b/c I was thin. I didn't realize what it could possibly be doing to my digestive system, let alone brain. There are studies out which say that soda changes our brain system and rewires "networks" within the brain just as drugs do. Seriously??! If thats the truth why would I ever feed it to my child. Yuck.<br />
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I believe in variety. I try not to give my kids the same breakfast two days in a row - switch it up. From cereal with banana, to whole grain waffles, toast with almond butter, etc. Changing it up keeps in interesting and you're not spending your money on the same things every week. If you eat enough of alot of different foods, no one food is going to affect you that poorly, nutritionally speaking<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span>. For example, if you focus on trying one new veggie a week (you can serve them raw with dip or hummus, grill them, saute them, roast them, etc.) and sticking to a healthier menu throughout the week, then when it comes to the weekend and you want to take a meal in from your favorite restaurant there is no guilty feeling because you're sharing it with the people you love. Ultimately that is what its all about!<br />
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Stick to a plan. I put a <i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/03/mommys-lifesaver-1-my-meal-calendar.html" target="_blank">meal calendar</a></i> together for the month based on what meats I have on hand and what staples I have in the pantry. This then aids me in my grocery trips throughout the week to buy fresh fruits & veggies along with any herbs or dairy products I may need for a recipe or meal. People find this a bit overwhelming so start weekly. Take note of what you may have in your freezer or pantry and go from there. A meal can be as simple as pesto pasta with a fresh salad and fresh bread. Then maybe the next day you thaw the <i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/recipe-salmon-with-lemon-capers.html" target="_blank">salmon in your fridge and add lemon</a></i>, salt & pepper and there you go! Side it with the leftover salad from the night before and maybe some brown rice from the pantry. It doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't have to be fancy. But it should be providing your family with the best quality you have to offer.<br />
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Finally I will mention eating out with the family. We honestly don't do it much. More so because my kids either run around, eat too fast, too slow...you name it, but its also pricey. If you're trying to stick to a budget make your take out meals, in home. We had pizza growing up every Friday night and I love sticking to that tradition, but there is no need to go out for it or even buy a $15 pie from a delivery man. I buy dough from the market for a $1/ball and top it with our favorites - fresh basil, tomatoes, red pepper, pepperoni, etc. <i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/family-night-homemade-pizza.html" target="_blank">Homemade Pizza</a></i> a fun family tradition we've created within our family and its a much nicer memory than chasing my kids around a crowded, noisy restaurant. And at home...the wine is free!<br />
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<b>A Few Ways to Save a Buck in a House Full of Hungry Kids</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Roast a whole chicken and use it throughout the week. Costco sells pre-roasted for around $6!</li>
<li>Stretch a meal with a variety of beans, brown rice, and quinoa.They add nutrition and bulk to any meal without added costs.</li>
<li>Your spice rack is your healthy friend and cheaper than marinades.</li>
<li>Water is not boring, its essential. Pump it up with lemons, cucumbers, or even mint!</li>
<li>Pepperidge Farm did not create snacks, Mother Nature did. An apple or banana is just fine.</li>
<li>Organic is best, fresh is better, healthy is good. Utilize your local farmers market.</li>
<li>The crockpot is an essential for any mom, especially one on a budget. Try <i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/recipe-tacos-w-homemade-guacamole-rice.html" target="_blank">homemade tacos</a></i>!</li>
<li>Fruit can be very pricey. Shop the deals and stick to varieties you know your family will eat so it doesn't go to waste.</li>
<li>Add wild fish to your menu once a week. Costco sells frozen varieties!</li>
<li>Watch the quantity your giving your kids. More often than not, its too much. Less waste saves money.</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Please note that food allergies are taken seriously and you must know your own family.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-80929284528528830482014-04-01T04:45:00.004-07:002014-04-02T10:06:48.765-07:00Top 10 Weeknight Family MealsSo an ongoing conversation I've been having with all of my mommy friends these days is "what's for dinner?". The options used to be endless pre-kids where you could try out a new recipe you found in a magazine (now, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/klworch/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>) or maybe an old family favorite mom used to make. But these days with little ones requiring so much of our attention and brain power its hard to even come up with a new meal each day. One suggestion I have is creating a <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/03/mommys-lifesaver-1-my-meal-calendar.html" target="_blank">Meal Calendar</a>. This has helped me tremendously since becoming a mom - keeping me organized, on top of my grocery trips, and simply remembering what I might have buried in the freezer from last months Costco run.<br />
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But to get back to my point of my mommy friends - we decided a few months back to do a recipe swap. These recipes would be family favorites, kid-friendly, and minimal ingredients where possible! Throw in a recipe that can be created, cooked, and served out of a slow cooker and we have a winner!!<br />
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Below are my Top 10 Weeknight Family Meals that I wanted to share with you. Keep in mind that my children are small - so simple is better. I recommend you trying out one or two and always tweak it to your family's taste. I promise you won't regret it. Enjoy!<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/08/homemade-macaroni-cheese.html" target="_blank">Homemade Mac & Cheese</a></li>
<li><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/family-night-homemade-pizza.html" target="_blank">Homemade Pizzas</a></li>
<li><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/recipe-tacos-w-homemade-guacamole-rice.html" target="_blank">Shredded Chicken/Gound Turkey Tacos w/ Homemade Guacamole, Rice and Beans</a></li>
<li><a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/michael-symon-roasted-chicken-sweet-potatoes" target="_blank">Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cooks.com/recipe/vi9pv32y/white-chicken-chili.html" target="_blank">White Chicken Chili</a> served with rice & diced avocado</li>
<li><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/recipe-homemade-pasta-sauce.html" target="_blank">Homemade Spaghetti Sauce</a> served with pasta & salad </li>
<li><a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Holidays-Michael-Symon-Ricotta-Meatballs" target="_blank">Ricotta Meatballs</a> served with pasta & salad</li>
<li><a href="http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/holy-yum-chicken/" target="_blank">Roasted Chicken Thighs</a> (aka Holy Yum Chicken)</li>
<li><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/recipe-salmon-with-lemon-capers.html" target="_blank">Salmon with Lemon & Capers</a> served with risotto, salad & veggie</li>
<li><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/quick-and-easy-turkey-burgers-10000000223449/" target="_blank">Turkey Burgers</a> with <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/easy-recipe-swap-sweet-potato-fries.html" target="_blank">Sweet Potato Fries</a></li>
</ol>
Thanks to my mommy friends who passed along some delicious recipes to my family & cheers to other moms out there helping each other put good, homemade food on the dinner table!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-8393541235315960082014-03-29T05:01:00.002-07:002014-03-29T05:01:56.009-07:00Recipe: Homemade Pasta SauceHomemade pasta sauce is something that can never go bad in anyone's home - from a simple topping for angel hair pasta, to a main ingredient in ziti or lasagna - its a must have. This is such a staple in our home and I always double the recipe to store in the freezer for a rainy day. It freezes really well in a freezer Zip Loc and then when ready to use just put into a slow cooker and simmer for a few hours on low until ready to serve!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittMSnASsx5K3h7mfBHoo1NS5hGD9jfgI0acvzPckeqDvxbAwW5UJU8VEURWK3oCQl5w6vJ3g-o9IlAkay7crP4kIWd5PrrilNS4g1e02yFw07nUNa6WXVMKKOFwSXBr04xS3PR2d50ho/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittMSnASsx5K3h7mfBHoo1NS5hGD9jfgI0acvzPckeqDvxbAwW5UJU8VEURWK3oCQl5w6vJ3g-o9IlAkay7crP4kIWd5PrrilNS4g1e02yFw07nUNa6WXVMKKOFwSXBr04xS3PR2d50ho/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
2 lbs lean ground beef<br />
3 Tbsp minced garlic<br />
1 large diced onion<br />
2 24 oz cans crushed tomatoes<br />
1 8 oz can tomato paste + 1 can full of water<br />
1 Tbsp sugar<br />
1 Tbsp gralic salt with parsley<br />
1 Tsp sea salt (if needed)<br />
1 tsp pepper<br />
1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)<br />
1 small bunch of diced fresh basil leaves (add closer to end for fresh basil flavor)<br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
Cook ground beef in pan on stove-top on medium/high heat until little to no pink is left. Add diced onion and garlic. Stir. Saute for a few 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent. Mix well and put into slow cooker on low. Add remaining ingredients and let simmer for 4-6 hours (the longer the better). If freezing for later use, let cool completely before placing in zip loc bag/container. Serve with pasta, fresh bread & salad. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-88400049178708330692014-03-28T06:06:00.000-07:002014-03-28T06:08:25.299-07:00Product Review: K5 Learning<em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">K5 Learning has an <a href="http://www.k5learning.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">online reading and math program</span></a> for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an <a href="http://www.k5learning.com/review-k5" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">online learning review</span></a> of their program.</span></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS0_kiH8br-F4Qpjk4MJnfFNF8cCz4TqWUFfTKGWQShcWJZw8eqfxwwdTpWA_gI8NNPCdtts72uiW89bNM8O8gm5xBmnBfCZm90qmHI5o0Jo7tfTRTDn0BgJzXQlwgQ4FUp6_vM45EbA/s1600/k5+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS0_kiH8br-F4Qpjk4MJnfFNF8cCz4TqWUFfTKGWQShcWJZw8eqfxwwdTpWA_gI8NNPCdtts72uiW89bNM8O8gm5xBmnBfCZm90qmHI5o0Jo7tfTRTDn0BgJzXQlwgQ4FUp6_vM45EbA/s1600/k5+Logo.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">All,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I'm very excited to announce a product review for K5 Learning. As a mom of a current Kindergartner and a 4 year old preschooler, who both love online games and learning, I'm curious to see how they adapt to the program. This could be such a useful tool in our household! After my trial period I will be writing an honest review from not only my perspective, but from my children as well. This should give you an accurate account of how to integrate it into your home. Stay tuned!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>- Kristen</i></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"K5 Learning is an online after-school study program for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. We build reading, math and study skills to last a lifetime." - K5 Learning</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-74032382608197452242014-03-28T04:01:00.000-07:002014-03-28T04:01:54.708-07:00Recipe: Salmon with Lemon & CapersAnother simple and quick recipe that can be assembled and cooked in less than 20 min. I typically by my salmon in the freezer section at Costco. Although its not fresh from the local market, it is the easiest form of "fresh fresh" this family can take at this stage in our busy lives. I do buy the Wild Alaskan Salmon to make sure it contains all of the best ingredients that would benefit my family nutritionally. And my kids will eat it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrbfqThlfup1EePtLDsJXpCCGModK2hsjw27bi8Ubt619LjjFJPPfuI8x0VIoWPM0y-q08hLMxV1hAZbFPbb1647TbTP4iyja8kZ1FlyNUdOVpAire3HnL1qSfe_6Xsk27cwtprvGGvw/s1600/CCEDI505_Salmon-with-Lemon-Capers-and-Rosemary-01_s4x3.jpg.rend.sni12col.landscape.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrbfqThlfup1EePtLDsJXpCCGModK2hsjw27bi8Ubt619LjjFJPPfuI8x0VIoWPM0y-q08hLMxV1hAZbFPbb1647TbTP4iyja8kZ1FlyNUdOVpAire3HnL1qSfe_6Xsk27cwtprvGGvw/s1600/CCEDI505_Salmon-with-Lemon-Capers-and-Rosemary-01_s4x3.jpg.rend.sni12col.landscape.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image courtesy of Food Network</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/salmon-with-lemon-capers-and-rosemary-recipe.html" target="_blank">Salmon with Lemon & Capers</a> <i>adapted from Giada De Laurentiis</i><br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
4 Frozen Salmon Fillets (thawed in fridge)<br />
2 Large Lemons<br />
2 Tbsp Olive Oil<br />
4 Tsp Capers<br />
White Wine<br />
Salt & Pepper<br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.<br />
Brush salmon with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Place each filet seasoned side down on a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap and seal. Top each with 2 lemon slices, a squeeze of lemon juice, a splash of wine and 1 tsp capers. Wrap each tightly and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10 min.<br />
<br />
Serve with risotto, asparagus and salad. Delicious and perfect everytime!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-9902460068290882822014-03-27T10:03:00.002-07:002014-03-27T13:44:22.792-07:00Recipe: Tacos w/ Homemade Guacamole, Rice and BeansThis is a staple recipe, especially in our household!<br />
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There are many versions of tacos - shredded chicken, beef, ground turkey, vegetarian, etc. You can tailor it to your liking on any given week. My kids like the vegetarian option which consists of onions, rice and beans, while my husband and I prefer the shredded chicken and ground turkey options. Here are two simple recipes for homemade slow cooker taco night:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaGaYF9J9zG1a7W3ciunw-vqFGjDntdn20TF8kWZT2uaHVIMKIXbUjZRf6QUpRSHUFlM6QlwV319-MOsB7mIkUcpcbtIJkesDPG8jKr9Fn_M7UzOrv2bgk7HvV6Xp_mgFHA4C5E_Iqzc/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaGaYF9J9zG1a7W3ciunw-vqFGjDntdn20TF8kWZT2uaHVIMKIXbUjZRf6QUpRSHUFlM6QlwV319-MOsB7mIkUcpcbtIJkesDPG8jKr9Fn_M7UzOrv2bgk7HvV6Xp_mgFHA4C5E_Iqzc/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKOjcgkK5eXv3Kde0wIUnfl-3H97diAeS4lChlEsApfUMiBR6zE3p9qzPiPat6mpf6ZoD18Ku4IRxo2Ly-mm94P9V7F3G6aVDNrnpdlq_Iz5eEKPmVmUk8IB4woI4laHOuZ2Cyymc_w8/s1600/shredded+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKOjcgkK5eXv3Kde0wIUnfl-3H97diAeS4lChlEsApfUMiBR6zE3p9qzPiPat6mpf6ZoD18Ku4IRxo2Ly-mm94P9V7F3G6aVDNrnpdlq_Iz5eEKPmVmUk8IB4woI4laHOuZ2Cyymc_w8/s1600/shredded+chicken.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Shredded Chicken Tacos</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Place 1lb lean chicken breasts at the bottom of a slow cooker</li>
<li>Add one 12 oz can of organic tomato sauce</li>
<li>Add one cup of your favorite mild salsa </li>
<li>Add one packet of McCormick Taco Seasoning</li>
<li>Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Carefully remove chicken and shred with a fork. Place shredded chicken back in slow cooker and mix with sauce. Continue to simmer on low/warm until ready to serve.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Ground Turkey Tacos</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Cook 1 lb ground turkey on stove-top on medium/high heat. Continue to stir/chop with wooden spoon so it doesn't stick to pan. Once almost thoroughly cooked place in slow cooker on low. It will continue to cook throughout the day.</li>
<li>Add one 12 oz can of organic tomato sauce</li>
<li>Add one cup of your favorite mild salsa </li>
<li>Add one packet of McCormick Taco Seasoning Packets</li>
<li>Cook on low for 2-3 hours. Continue to simmer on low/warm until ready to serve.</li>
</ul>
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<b><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/gotr-avocados-are-awesome.html" target="_blank">Homemade Guacamole</a></b> -My kids beg me to make this with me!<br />
<ul>
<li>Scoop out 3 Organic Hass avocados into a bowl. Mash with a fork (or I use a potato masher)</li>
<li>Add 2 Tbsp minced garlic (to taste)</li>
<li>Add 1 Tbsp Sea Salt (to taste)</li>
<li>Optional add ins: diced onion or fresh salsa</li>
<li>Mix and store covered in fridge until ready to serve</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>Additional Sides</u></b><br />
<b>Rice</b>: Either use Brown Long Grain Rice or <a href="http://seedsofchangefoods.com/our_foods/product.aspx?c=rth&p=285" target="_blank">Brown Rice & Quinoa</a> in a pinch.</div>
<div>
<b>Beans</b>: I use Goya Black Beans on the stove top. Simmer until ready to serve.<br />
<b>Shredded cheese</b><br />
<b>Sour Cream</b><br />
<b>Salsa</b><br />
<b>Avocado</b><br />
<br />
...Thats it! Very easy and a definite family favorite in our home!</div>
</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-59112089181791987122014-03-24T03:56:00.001-07:002014-03-27T03:36:56.983-07:00Road to a Half Marathon: We Did It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I mentioned a brief hiatus from my blog after the holiday craze and 1/2 marathon training - who knew it would take up so much of my time. Waking up early, staying up late, long runs on the weekends. Its not an easy road, but its certainly doable with focus and perseverance (and a fabulous husband who knew how important this was to me) . If you look back on last year around this time I was training for<i> <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-first-10ka-commitment-to-me.html" target="_blank">my first 10k</a></i> and very candid that although I've been a runner for years, I never ventured over 4 or so miles. That was within my comfort zone. I never had to hold myself accountable for anything longer than that. It was merely a form of exercise I enjoyed and did it to clear my head. This 1/2 marathon process has opened up my eyes to what my body (and mind) is capable of. I have to say that now completing it, I'm very proud!</div>
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Per your request, below is the chart I followed for my training purposes. Because I had already been running 4-5 miles every other day on most weeks, I skipped more of the shorter runs focusing on consistency of increasing my heart rate and long Saturday runs. In hindsight I could not have completed the 1/2 marathon without sticking to a plan and running my designated long Saturday run mileage. I was very lucky to corral friends to run with me which never made for a dull run. Friends keep you motivated and accountable during those tougher days when you'd rather pull the covers over you in bed. Another motivator I used was <a href="https://www.mapmyrun.com/auth/login/" target="_blank"><i>Map My Run</i></a>. There are many other running pals out there to help track your progress, but I happened to pick this one from the beginning of my training and vowed to stick with it. It helps track your total mileage and your pace (which is important when running longer mileage). You never want to burn yourself out too quickly. Starting slower can help balance out your run so you can sustain a comfortable pace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ6ghcj_RSLgho6XP2hWIdPHwGKvI3tGO2aMGNIxLvw8DqTXSlsgA62LNQbrrsgkcbi-WJxx7XAAYT5Zv3vASw1S8w_jdz220G2GCwxM6ZrQ1ZftC2uWzm7p4FlDj-NAlBOQHl8AdbXE/s1600/HalfMarathonTrainingSchedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ6ghcj_RSLgho6XP2hWIdPHwGKvI3tGO2aMGNIxLvw8DqTXSlsgA62LNQbrrsgkcbi-WJxx7XAAYT5Zv3vASw1S8w_jdz220G2GCwxM6ZrQ1ZftC2uWzm7p4FlDj-NAlBOQHl8AdbXE/s1600/HalfMarathonTrainingSchedule.png" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<b>My Personal Training Tips</b></div>
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<ol>
<li><b>Get a Plan</b> - I just happened to Google a training plan for a 1/2 Marathon and modified it (chart above) to what I enjoy. I like being active everyday so those "rest" days in the first few weeks were more of weights or light walking for me.</li>
<li><b>Grab a friend</b> - I truly enjoy the time I get to work out alone, but having someone to run alongside on race day was something I didn't think twice about (especially on the longer runs). It helps you stick to your goal!</li>
<li><b>Proper Attire is Key</b> - Not only is it important to choose comfortable workout attire, but also to make sure its weather appropriate. Good running shoes are essential - and they don't have to be expensive. Just make sure you have trained in the shoes you'll be running in..or you feet might regret it.</li>
<li><b>Stay Hydrated</b> - Not one tip is more important than this one, in my opinion. Staying hydrated will keep you from getting fatigued and keep cramps at bay during the race and will also keep your focus off unexpected hunger. Proper<i> </i><a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/02/waterand-those-other-drinks.html" target="_blank"><i>hydration</i> </a>is so key!</li>
<li><b>Stay Healthy</b>- This should be a no-brainer and hopefully by deciding to start training for any type of race you've already jumped on the health bandwagon - good for you! I highly recommend daily <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/03/vitamin-supplements.html" target="_blank"><i>vitamins & supplements</i></a> to boost your immune system and recharge your overall health.</li>
<li><b>Have Fun -</b> Simply put, enjoy yourself. This shouldn't be grueling. Make small goals for yourself and what <i>you </i>know you can handle. The reward will come on race day when you cross that finish line - I promise!</li>
</ol>
It is amazing to me how far I've come in just one short year. It was only a short time ago I was <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-10k-training-schedule.html" target="_blank"><i>training for a 10k</i></a>, now I've completed a Half. I'm so proud. I hope you get inspired as I did to challenge yourself and take the time to conquer a goal (even its a small one). This was something that was important for me to complete - and I'm so glad I did. Onto the next adventure!!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-36614823765322735372014-03-20T04:06:00.000-07:002014-03-27T03:36:16.216-07:00Disney World Tips & TricksHi all!!! Happy first day of Spring!<br />
<br />
I apologize that its been quite some time since my last post, but after planning Disney throughout the holidays I vowed to take a break and focus on my kids (and plan for a 1/2 marathon which I will discuss later). This winter weather hasn't been on our side so we've been sticking together, indoors mostly, trying to come up with activities to keep us busy. Anyway, since our trip I've gotten tons of questions about Disney - how to plan, where to begin, where to stay, meal plan or not, etc. Here are a few of my tips & tricks that I would recommend to you. There are so many resources out there - these just happened to be a few I loved!<br />
<br />
I honestly could not have planned the trip to Disney myself. I reached out for help of many of family members and spent countless hours on websites researching what to wear, what to pack, where to go, what rides are best, what time of month to go....you get it. I would like to share some of those people and websites that made it all come together so seamlessly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDatAgbzU2bjKDsBvH3NhiaHFTF2tuSgUd4Fh1RRtyIsa3tOk3cegIsmcDXTDTleBkwktLgxsM1sSlq4RNQftA2faFQ-enb8CGOEJz2WI75jgKejCMBBWvbO2OOz4niTMa7_r9vVaDK4/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDatAgbzU2bjKDsBvH3NhiaHFTF2tuSgUd4Fh1RRtyIsa3tOk3cegIsmcDXTDTleBkwktLgxsM1sSlq4RNQftA2faFQ-enb8CGOEJz2WI75jgKejCMBBWvbO2OOz4niTMa7_r9vVaDK4/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>I've recommended her before, and I will again, but <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7236860954445610297#editor/target=post;postID=8579244200071039604;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname" target="_blank"><i>Staci Kimball from Glass Slipper Concierge</i></a> is amazing. I won't gush on her again, but feel free to read my previous post on her and what she can do for you. You won't regret it!</li>
<li><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/bands-cards/" target="_blank"><i>Magic Bands</i></a>: Read up, but I don't think our trip would have been as successful as it was without these babies. From holding information such as your room key, to your meal plan, to pre-booking Fastpasses for rides, these are a revolution for Disney!</li>
<li><a href="http://wdwprepschool.com/the-ultimate-disney-world-packing-list/" target="_blank"><i>WDW Prep School's What to Pack</i></a> was essential - and they were right on the money.</li>
<li><a href="http://wdwprepschool.com/resources/" target="_blank"><i>WDW Planning Resources Pag</i>e</a>. Need I say more. Your welcome.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.disneytouristblog.com/what-to-pack-for-disney/" target="_blank">Disney Tourist Blog's What to Pack for Disney</a> is a good resource as well.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.disneytouristblog.com/dining-plan-2013-disney-world-costs/" target="_blank"><i>Disney Tourist Blog's Dining Plan</i></a>: This was something that was confusing to me until we got to Disney. The overview on this site is very helpful to allow you to lay out your options and walk you through what is available to you when using the Disney Dining Plan (which I highly recommend).</li>
<li><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/" target="_blank"><i>My Disney Experience website & App</i></a>: After downloading the app to your mobile phone you are able to plug in all of your Disney details and reservations so they're easily accessible and readily available any time of the day or night!</li>
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Those are just a few of the people and website that helped my through my planning process. The fact that people have already done the research and lay it out for you so simply is amazing. Take their advice, but remember this is YOUR family whom you know best. Enjoy yourself and your trip will be perfect no matter what. Its Disney World after all!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7236860954445610297.post-77809011809465742682014-01-17T03:40:00.000-08:002014-03-27T03:36:16.220-07:00Disney Christmas SurpriseHello there!<br />
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So its been a while since my last post, but I have not forgotten you. I've still been writing, but few and far between these days due to a VERY busy holiday season. Between the months of October and January sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. I'm psyched with the nature of Fall, countless birthdays, and the onset of the Christmas season, but its always a whirlwind! This year we hosted Thanksgiving for the first time which was amazing. Twenty-one beautiful family members all in our home to give thanks. In all of my years celebrating this amazing and cozy holiday, I've never been able to enjoy Thanksgiving in my own home. It was perfect! Once Thanksgiving was over, came the ever approaching Christmas. This year was very different from most as we decided to celebrate Christmas in Florida this year. Here is the story of our Disney Christmas Surprise!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt13RuN7W70vFvUmmQt1rKlKgDfNyYmqkQP0qlmt-m3lnkv1n9rDjkMjuJ5qEArmoqJYBNa-hMdNyZfWxSh7I2ewFxJOMZuws_ni3mN0sJiypCf0DEB5WJKymPU3V37nOqASKYQK_A8To/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt13RuN7W70vFvUmmQt1rKlKgDfNyYmqkQP0qlmt-m3lnkv1n9rDjkMjuJ5qEArmoqJYBNa-hMdNyZfWxSh7I2ewFxJOMZuws_ni3mN0sJiypCf0DEB5WJKymPU3V37nOqASKYQK_A8To/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been working on Christmas 2013 since February 2013....Its been overwhelming, exhausting, crazy, but the most rewarding "project" I've worked on in a long time. I call it a project because my husband and I have kept this Christmas Surprise from our three little ones all year. Trying to plan a trip, let alone to Disney, without talking about it while with your kids is HARD! I even kept it from some friends in worry they may spill the beans accidentally on the way. Not only is this how we're spending Christmas, but the element of surprise I want to see come across their face when we tell them is part of the magic for me. I don't think any parent could disagree with me when I say that telling your kids "You're going to Disney World" within hours of boarding a plane isn't the best surprise in the whole world. Not to mention, spending it during the BEST time of year...in my opinion, of course. Christmas is Disney - is there more magic that that??! I think not!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BYSYFsPf1pzj89MdSS7Vbuk2WjfCYdGCIHKiT16tCZpWe3Pg312SKyb1UIuEJSAljn-iHcASnVfM1jf58YKEgl9dsiHGv-AfYYsgobCB6aGMODgePERKR8nRyHN7nKQvnqtAZ632n-0/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BYSYFsPf1pzj89MdSS7Vbuk2WjfCYdGCIHKiT16tCZpWe3Pg312SKyb1UIuEJSAljn-iHcASnVfM1jf58YKEgl9dsiHGv-AfYYsgobCB6aGMODgePERKR8nRyHN7nKQvnqtAZ632n-0/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQe_QIabqU6-Zpy-olT6JfaWy56k5N3roYEA-ssK1KbSa2UGg3oviz-hF3YZ7ezH7FvShJ_rw-fxdHng-Rb3SlG_bEEoM7sQ-5fhYLH8sDE2WTXhgf6sfi8MdF3SalUBFr9lFHTuCKgI/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQe_QIabqU6-Zpy-olT6JfaWy56k5N3roYEA-ssK1KbSa2UGg3oviz-hF3YZ7ezH7FvShJ_rw-fxdHng-Rb3SlG_bEEoM7sQ-5fhYLH8sDE2WTXhgf6sfi8MdF3SalUBFr9lFHTuCKgI/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, lets rewind a few months when this all seemed like a grand idea. Itineraries were put into place, restaurants were booked - who knew you had to book dinner reservations 6 months in advance? I sure didn't! And we got the infamous Bippity Boppity Boutique on the calender for Xmas Eve - seriously, Xmas Eve with Cinderella...I might be in heaven! If I sound super excited about this its b/c I am. We worked really hard putting this all together (with help of wonderful family members of course) and I cannot wait to see how its all executed. Now, we did come to learn that Christmas is the busiest time of year in Disney World so believe me, expectations are realistic in regards to crowds and lines, but thats ok. My kids are so little that the magic will be there upon entering the park, not making sure we get on the best rides. And to watch their favorite characters come to life is a moment I want to remember for the rest of my life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ugmZqo7jkACZ1uTVEUKz_7asTsdpzylxAW1rTuY6fsRoiWPQwVzdR8QwoZ0yi0fgA3jMsY_40bLt9vD9zTxxeOHMGNEHJySc9_dSFTDiQ0ejZAUMgxK8qpOmntf55qLQ7oCNNnUygXs/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ugmZqo7jkACZ1uTVEUKz_7asTsdpzylxAW1rTuY6fsRoiWPQwVzdR8QwoZ0yi0fgA3jMsY_40bLt9vD9zTxxeOHMGNEHJySc9_dSFTDiQ0ejZAUMgxK8qpOmntf55qLQ7oCNNnUygXs/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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It worked, we did it! We pulled off our surprise and saw the smiles on the kids faces as we boarded the plan and were off to the most magical place on Earth! It certainly was a trip to remember. I've been to Disney World a few times in my life (never with children) and this was by far, the best trip. The emotion that overcomes you when you see your children's eyes light up. To the joy they have going on "big kid" rides, to the overwhelming sensation of meeting their favorite characters. There are no words to describe it but magic. Disney does it right - we were in the Magic Kingdom on Christmas day which there were 76,000 other people joining us and it didn't feel like that at all. My kids still felt like one in a million. They appreciated every second we were there...as did I. I don't think you can take for granted a trip like that. All you can do is embrace your experience and let the memories happen all by themselves.<br />
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I hope you and your family are one day able to enjoy these experiences too. We were lucky enough to be there for a full week, but it can easily be cherished in just a few days. Especially when your kids are so small and they might be abit overwhelmed.<br />
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I have been asked to supply some of my <a href="http://nutritionlifeandlove.blogspot.com/2014/03/disney-world-tips-tricks.html" target="_blank"><i>recommendations and tips</i></a> for a Disney Trip so stay tuned!<br />
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I hope everyone had a magical Christmas and a wonderful New Year!<br />
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Kristen xoxoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895682062274010526noreply@blogger.com1