GOTR: Mason Jar Salads

Whats on the menu for lunch today? I'm in love with these mason jars - I use them for everything from my breakfast oatmeal, to smoothies, to perfectly portioned salads. They're adorable, durable, and best of all reusable.

I don't work in an office anymore so there isn't much need to pack my lunch these days, but I am on-the-go more often than not so these perfect salads in a jar work well with my schedule. And aren't they cute? There are also so many options when it comes to salad that this makes the ideal lunch for moms and school age kids alike. A mason jar, unlike Tupperware, will seal in all of your ingredients with a spill proof affect that will keep your food in place until ready to eat.

I feel its so important to introduce salads to your children when they're young so they're more likely to eat them as they get older. The best part is - a salad can be any combination of vegetables & dressing to your liking! The options are endless and once you find your family's style and taste preferences you'll be packing them weekly. Salads are such a wonderful, and healthier, alternative to a sandwich.

Think about packing one for after school when your child is hungry before or after a sports program. Here are some of my favorite Mason Jar Salads I have found on Pinterest. They're nutritious and delicious - I encourage you and your GOTR girl to try one today! Let me know what you think!

I personally would omit the meat and always use vinaigrette dressings..just as an FYI :)

Photo courtesy of All Parenting

Cobb Mason Jar Salad by Rachel Voorhees (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons red wine vinaigrette, Ranch or French dressing
• 2 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 4 hard boiled eggs, sliced into circles
• 2 cups crumbled bacon
• 2 cups chopped avocado (tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning) 
• 4 tablespoons green scallions, finely chopped
• 2 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 4 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

Directions:

• All ingredients are listed in layering order.
• Divide all of the ingredients evenly among four Mason jars.
• Shake to coat salad items with dressing and enjoy!

Photo Courtesy of The Daily Muse

Greek Chickpea Mason Jar Salad by Kate from Cookie + Kate (Serves 1)

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Squeeze of lemon juice (the juice of 1/4 of a small lemon)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas
• Small handful cherry tomatoes, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 8 kalamata olives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
• 1/2 roasted red pepper, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Crumbled feta (optional)

Directions:

• All ingredients are listed in layering order.
• Divide all of the ingredients evenly among four Mason jars.
• Shake to coat salad items with dressing and enjoy!

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 9: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary to my Amazing Husband!

What seven years of wedded bliss has brought us:

• 2 Moves
• A Perect New Home
• 3 Beautiful Children
• Numerous Family Trips/Vacations
• Tons of Great Memories
• Lots of Laughter & Love!

When I think back to our wedding day I have nothing but wonderful memories. Choosing to get married in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware couldn't have been a better backdrop to hosting all of our family and friends on such a special day...or should I say weekend. Still, to this day, I think its the best wedding I've ever been too - but I'm probably just biased. You have made me the happiest girl on Earth throughout these years and I cannot wait to spend many more right by your side! 

Held by the Guiness Book of World Records, the oldest living couple on Earth is Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher of North Carolina. They were interviewed this past Valentine's Day about their marriage and what has kept it so successful.These were their words on the best piece of marriage advice they had ever received: 

Respect, support & communicate with each other.

Be faithful, honest & true.Love each other with ALL of your heart

I love it! I couldn't have said it any better myself! I don't think anyone goes into marriage with the intention of it failing, but what I do know is you have to work at it. I love being married to you. Life certainly brings the unexpected and I plan to have you by my side every step of the way. All My Life.

~ Kiki xoxo

My 10K Training Schedule

For those of you who were interested, below is the training schedule I followed (to the best I could) throughout the weeks leading up to the race. I believe its important to stick as closely to a training program as much as possible - that's what its designed for. There is likely to be setbacks and obstacles in your way with your schedule, but don't let that discourage you.  If you need to, take a day off to rest and get right back to it the very next day! Don't stress yourself out, this should be fun.

Note: I couldn't figure out how to make the chart prettier. But you get the gist :)

From the beginning of my training process I used an iPhone App called Map My Run. I found this application extremely helpful in tracking my runs and my progress - calculating pace, distance, routes, etc. It is so user friendly and I would highly recommend this to anyone starting out. After your first few runs you get a good idea of your natural pace which helps you determine if you want to stick to that or speed up/slow down throughout your run.

My Personal Training Tips

1. Get a Plan - I just happened to Google a training plan for a 10K 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.
2. Grab a friend - 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. It helps you stick to your goal!
3. Proper Attire is Key - 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.
4. Stay Hydrated - 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 hydration is so key!
5. Stay Healthy- 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 vitamins & supplements to boost your immune system and recharge your overall health.
6. Have Fun - Simply put, enjoy yourself. This shouldn't be grueling. Make small goals for yourself  and what you know you can handle. The reward will come on race day when you cross that finish line - I promise!

Mama & Baby Love - You'll Love her Too!

So my baby girl ended up getting sick a few times in the middle of the night last night and ended up sleeping in our bed. In order to make sure she was OK and comfortable we let her watch her favorite cartoon until she was comfortable enough to fall asleep on her own - which took some time. So what does every mom do while up in the night - why go on the Internet, of course. Unfortunately all I had was my phone to browse on, but it didn't matter...I was hooked on a fellow (and way more experienced) bloggers site. I've mentioned her before in previous posts, but if you've never paid attention I recommend you do now. She wrote a wonderful book, which I own, about Slow Cooker Freezer Meals. Its simply wonderful!

This caught my eye instantly. It was from M & BL's website. Think about it.

Click here to view more details

Her name is Stephanie and she has a masterpiece of a site called Mama & Baby Love. She covers everything from motherhood, to healthy eating, to yoga, to chronically her recent move to Southern Florida. She is so inspirational and you wonder how she does it all- but like every mother, she works very hard and prioritizes her time. Although I'm a huge fan of her Real Food eating method and farm raised food, I came across an article at about 1 am last night I couldn't stop reading. It was her bearing it all for the sake of making every mom out there accept who they are and not be so hard on themselves for not spending countless hours at the gym everyday. Now, she does explain that she works very hard at healthy eating and living a healthy lifestyle (which I couldn't agree more with), but she also expresses how little "gym time" she takes for herself. This is so important for everyone to read - There are so many ways you can easily incorporate exercise into your day without having to trek off to the gym. Her article,  Workout Just 3 Hours a Week and Be Slim & Healthy, has something in it for every mom. Believe me, I'm a gym go-er myself and sometimes its what I need for my own sanity..and she couldn't agree more. But her focus is to draw your attention to the importance of eating healthy so you don't have to spend those hours burning it off on an exercise machine. Genius, right?!

Furthermore, her comments on Cod Liver Oil & Weight Loss caught my eye and I certainly agree to adding a fish or cod liver oil to your supplement regimen. Please take some time to check out her website -I promise you won't be disappointed. I don't know Stephanie, personally, but you're easily drawn to her through her words and experiences. I just love her! I guaranteed you'll be just as hooked as I am!

Mommy Lifesaver #5: Good Nite Lite

Like most parents, I have had trouble with my children waking up at all hours of the night. The worst offender being around 5am when they think its morning and time for breakfast. Thats just way too early for me! After a few nights in her new big girl bed, my daughter Grace (2 1/2 at the time) had realized that when she woke up she could get out of bed to come see mommy and daddy. Although very self-sufficient, waking up at 5am was not mine or my husbands idea of a good start time to the day. And frankly, Grace was still tired too. Still being so little, the thought of teaching her to tell time was out of the question - thats when I found the Good Nite Lite. Its one of the greatest mommy lifesavers I have ever purchased...and I still stand by it to this day!

Out of package. Not plugged in.

The Good Nite Lite is a small plug in night light for your child with no digital time to read on it. It has a combination of a Sun & Moon on the face and when its night time the moon lights up in blue and when its morning the sun lights up in yellow. The parent sets the timer - so we did 7pm night time and 7am morning time. This was my kids schedule so it worked great for us (tweak it to your own routine) and we did this up until she could read a digital clock. We then passed it on to my now 3 year old....and it worked like a charm.

I have recommend it to numerous parents over the years and I don't know anyone that was disappointed.  Obviously, your child is going to go through phases of sickness, nightmares or bathroom accidents that will cause their sleep to be disrupted, but I have found that this night light has saved us some valuable sleep time - on both the child and parent end. I urge every parent out there to check it out...you might just gain a few extra moments of sleep!

GOTR: Avocados are Awesome

Happy Tuesday!

Today I have to share my love of avocados - the most versatile fruit in my opinion. It may seem a bit silly to say, but I love avocados for so many reasons. I buy them every week and use any excuse to make them a part of my meals. My kids love them too which makes it easier and the nutritional value they add is certainly beneficial to your overall health.

To pick the perfect avocado you do a touch test. When you lightly squeeze it, the skin should give you a bit of a give. If its overall squishy - its too ripe. If its hard, its not ready to eat. Pick up a few and serve 'em up!

As I've mentioned before, I'll put avocados in just about anything - smoothies, salads, sandwiches  guacamole, or simply plain. They are low in calories and rich in healthy fats and fiber. When added to smoothies it helps gain a smooth consistency without too many added calories. For salads, dice it up and use less dressing. I also replace condiments such as mayo or mustard on sandwiches with smooth avocados and I think its even more delicious! Guacamole is a staple in my kitchen and even my baby asks for it - its pretty funny.

My Homemade Guacamole Recipe:
With guacamole, everything is to taste. So however you like it - onions, tomatoes, lime juice - go for it! For parties I use all of the ingredients below because mainly adults are eating it. For our family dinners I use only the top three ingredients, along with the onions, because that what my kids will eat. Try out different versions for your family and see what they enjoy. I believe there is a guacamole recipe out there for everyone!

Ingredients
2-3 Ripe Avocados
2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
Sea Salt
Fresh squeezed Lime
Diced Onions (optional)
Fresh Salsa (optional)

Directions
Dice avocados and place in large mixing bowl and mash (I use a potato masher). Add next 3 ingredients to taste and then any additional optional ingredients to your liking. I found this video on Real Simple that will help you understand how to easily dice and peel an avocado. Get your kids involved - making guacamole is one of my 5 year olds favorite things to do in the kitchen.

Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips or even carrots and sliced peppers. Its really that easy and is always a crowd pleaser!

For more information on the benefits of avocados, check out: http://www.avocadocentral.com/

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 8: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Road to 10K: We Did It!

...and I stress we very hard. I could not have done this without my beautiful sister by my side. Although we live far apart and didn't train together, we signed up to run the actual race with each other - and wouldn't have had it any other way. I highly recommend always having someone to run with...it definitely makes it easier. Luckily her and I run the same pace!

Note: We started in the second wave so the finish time isn't accurate.

The morning was beautiful and we only had a slight bit of anxiety, never have running in a race before (other than smaller charity runs throughout the years). We started off with confidence and said all we would do is stick together and keep on running no matter what! I don't have official race results, but by the looks of it we kept a 8:50 min pace and finished around 50 min. We were extremely proud of ourselves. Its not easy finding time to do things for yourself, but this race was important to me. I couldn't have been happier I did it!

With the tragedy in Boston this past week, I couldn't help but be emotional towards the end of the race. Knowing my family was waiting for us at the finish line, I kept thinking of those Boston Marathon runners who were approaching their own finish line coming up on that awful catastrophe  Not even being able to comprehend what could have possibly be going through their minds at the time, I got a tear in my eye. God bless all of those emergency personal who were right there to help, along with the heroic civilians who put their own lives at risk to help others.

Completing this race was important - as a mom, wife, sister, daughter, and even woman. Its necessary to make yourself a priority every once in a while. And not to loose yourself in your family, work, and day to day life. I don't think of it as being selfish, I consider it making me a better person. I'm happier when I get to take time for myself - feeling almost "normal" again and not so consumed by the world of homemaking and motherhood.

I look forward to signing up for another run - hopefully soon! Thank you for all of the kind words of encouragement throughout this process. Its been so amazing!!

Infant Feeding Schedule

For all of you moms (and dads) out there - here is a chart that helped provide me sanity when my kids were infants. Remember, its just a guide but I found it extremely helpful. I hope it can help you too!

Weeks                   Feedings             Ounces per feeding

Birth- 1 week          10-12/day                  2-3 ounces

1-4 week                 6-10/day                   4-5 ounces

5-12 week               5-8/day                     5-6 ounces

3-4 months               4-6/day                     6-7 ounces

5-12 months             3-4/day                     8 ounces

Between 4-6 months: Start rice cereal & baby food.
6 + months: Start table food (cut up small)


I also always played by the Rule of Three when it came to growth spurts. Meaning at 3, 6, & 9 weeks old - as well as 3, 6, & 9 months old, the baby is going through a growing stage where they may be fussier at times, hungrier than normal, and needed bigger diapers (this you figure out pretty quickly). But after my first child, I was told about the chart above and it really helped when those unexpected fussy times came into play. We upped the ounces in the bottle, got a larger nipple (as you should as baby grows), and got a bigger size diaper. All was well.

Of course, every baby is different so you always want to check with your peditrcian first. This chart is basic and something to keep in mind so you don't get frustrated. Seems like a simple tip, but it works!

True Confessions: A Day in the Life

So the million dollar question every stay at home mom gets is "What the hell do you do all day?" Thats definitely a loaded question - filled with various creative (and some explicative) answers from different moms. Although I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day each morning, not one day is the same (usually).

 Here is a glimpse of a day in the life of a Stay at Home Mom (aka SAHM):
6am: Wake up.. First things first, make coffee! Empty dishwaser while coffee is brewing.
6:30am: Baby wakes up so I get bottle and breakfast for girls knowing they'll wakeup shortly.
7am: Everyone eats while I attempt and get dressed, put make up on and brush teeth. Done.
7:30am: Get all kids dressed, teeth brushed, go potty, & hair done. Change Diapers.
8am: Clean up and get school gear ready for carpool. Throw in load of laundry.
8:15am: In car to pick up carpool.
8:30am: Drop off girls at school.
9am: Run errands/Grocery store/Dry Cleaners/Gym Class
10:30am: Home. Transfer laundry to drier. Load dishwasher, clean kitchen & unload groceries.
11am: Snack/bottle for baby. Check emails, phone calls, etc.
11:30am: Pick up little girls from school. Drop off carpool.
12pm: Home. Lunch.
12:30pm- 2:30pm: Naptime. Fold Laundry, Prep for dinner, & possible shower.
2:45pm: Big girls school pick up.
3:15pm: Back Home. Snack. Play or off to sports program.
5/5:30pm: Back Home. Prepare dinner.
6pm: Dinner is served.
6:30/7pm: Clean up kitchen. Baths, teeth, potty & wind down.
7:30/7:45pm: Bedtime
8pm: Straighten up the house. Pack lunches for next day and kiss my husband - We have made it through yet, another day! Phew!

Side Note: We had a double peeing accident with my toddler the other night so I spent most of the day doing 4 loads of laundry and replacing bed linens. So fun, huh?

Love this photo: This is what it would look like if I didn't do anything all day, honestly.

I must note, that although I do most everything myself on a daily basis, I have a wonderful group of friends and family who help out when I need them to. I also have a dear friend whom she and myself worked out a carpool for our little girls in two different schools -we'll only make that mistake once. Next year, same school, same schedule. Although this is an average day, its not everyday. Add in doctors appointments, sports, sick days, and travel - the days seem never ending. So the next time you're thinking about asking a SAHM what it is she does all day, think again. We do a ton, don't get paid, get no pat on the back or bonus at the end of the year. We work very hard, inside the home, and try our hardest to maintain a happy home -just like you!

I love my life. I'm an extremely lucky girl. Its by no meas glamorous. Not too exciting. But I love it - and I embrace every day as it comes..Usually with a glass of wine in hand! Cheers!

Raising Little Girls

There are so many things I want to teach my girls - from honesty, to compassion, to self-confidence, loyalty - you name it. Raising a girl is tough because there are so many outside influences that can bring them down. They're emotional, sensitive, but most of all lovable. I'm so thankful at how much time I get to spend with my girls. I spend alot of time thinking about what I will say to them when certain life unexpectedness happens - whether it be a tough time with friends, not making a sports team, or loosing a loved one. All of these are bound to happen and I want to instill all of the proper things my girls need to eventually work it out themselves. Knowing I'll be there with them every step of the way...Or even if I'm not here, they'll know what to do.

I started a journal a few years back - not journaling my everyday, but writing down tips of things I want my girls to learn throughout the years - I believe there is something in there for everyone. We are always saying how crazy and busy our lives are - but we only have one life so we better make the best of it. I'm trying my damnedest to do so!

My sweet Hadley & Grace

We have been lucky so far - we have a home, our health, and our family. Not all of our friends have been so lucky. Some have lost parents, siblings, and even children. Through all of the tears and sadness does comes joy - through memories, keepsakes, new babies, and a new appreciation of life. I want my kids to enjoy life before its too late. I want them to embrace each day and appreciate all that they have. Although life hands us many choices to make on our own - good or bad, life happens to us whether we want it to or not. I have certainly learned to rid my life of negativity and try look at the good in all things (as much as possible).

I will be posting some of my journal entries to my girls in this blog - hoping for them to be life lessons for all of us. They are almost a wish to myself that I had these words of wisdom when I was growing up. I think, as parents, we do the best we can with what we have, but there is always room to grow and learn. I believe we can all learn from each other.

Life may not be fair sometimes, but life is good. We must remember that.

GOTR: My Favorite Breakfast Oatmeal

Good Morning!

If you like oatmeal, you're going to love this recipe! Ever since college, I used to buy the small, pre-packaged oatmeal in which you add water to in the microwave. Two minutes and you're done. Seems quick and easy, but they were just always too sweet for me and were never on the top of my go-to list of breakfast options so I stopped eating them. Then, once I discovered Almond Milk a few years back I ended up trying it with everything - cereal, smoothies, and then eventually oatmeal. Even though the almond milk is unsweetened, the almond flavor has a natural sweetness to it that won't hurt your waistline or cholesterol level. Also never loving hot oatmeal - I would always wait until it was room temperature to eat it. Anyway...

Here is my easy, delicious, and cool oatmeal treat you can take on-the-go. I make it the night before and typically eat for breakfast (sharing it with my 14 month old son) or grab it for a mid-morning snack. Its the perfect combination of protein, fiber, and vitamins to start my day and keep me full. I recommend you try it! Did I mention it only has 3 ingredients and yet, endless options?! Perfection!

I use and love these little pint mason jars by Ball. They are the perfectly sized for portioning oatmeal, sauces, salad in-a-jar, fruit salad, etc. You could also use any cup that has a lid on it, that's fine too. The advantage of the jar is it keeps the oats air tight as well as the easy access to take it with you in the morning - to school, work, appointments, sports activities, etc.

Overnight Breakfast Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Rolled Oats
2/3 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1-2 Tbsp Raisins
Dash of Cinnamon (optional)

Some of My Favorite Additions:
Dried Cranberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Sliced Banana
Diced Apples
Slivered Almonds
Chopped Walnuts

Directions: The night before put oats and almond milk into jar/cup. No need to even stir. Let sit overnight in fridge (or at least a couple of hours). Once you're ready to eat, add a dash of cinnamon and your raisins and done. Or test and try any of the above additions to make you're perfect combination. And there you have it - You have breakfast on the go!

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 7: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Tragedy into Triumph

On the eve of the 6th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, I expected to pay tribute to the resilience of that town, that city, those families. I never expected to now be mourning another city after the horrible bombing of the Boston Marathon. It leaves no words, only emotion.

My heart truly goes out to every runner, every family, and every bystander that was there today. They were there for courage and celebration - no one expected this outcome. Such tragedy.

I can remember the Virginia Tech shooting as if it were yesterday. My sister was attending the school at the time and it was nerve wrecking hearing on the news what was going on and not being able to reach her. She, thankfully, was completely fine and was able to contact us as soon as she could to let us all know she was OK. Since then, there has been more school tragedies, mall shootings, and even a movie theater massacre - which can be called nothing less than that. There are people in this world who are trying to frighten you, scare you into not wanting to leave your home feeling safe. Its awful.

This all brings me back to being a mother. I love everything about bringing a child into this world - except for these insane people who try to ruin it and destroy our hopes of a peaceful world. All of these tragedies make me think of how I want to raise my kids and what to say to them when terrible things like this happen. I believe the simple explanations are the best. The details just confuse them, especially if they're young. We have to stress love and resilience and how to turn tragedy into hope - and move on with doing good things in life. Having a purpose is the best way I explain it. I tell my kids they are on this Earth to serve a purpose - as a kid their purpose is to have fun, go to school, and be a kid. As they mature, their purpose matures. Maybe its service through their school or a local organization, or maybe its volunteering to help another kid in school, or sports, or with music. Every child should learn that they are put here to love and help others - in any way possible. I always talk to my kids about how much they have and how lucky they are. We donate many clothes, toys, books, and food on a monthly basis to various organizations and church. They are well aware of this and they help choose what things they're willing to give up to others. Its important for them to learn not every kid is as lucky as they are.

Life doesn't have to be terrifying and we can't let these tragedies keep us from moving forward. We can learn from them and be a hero in the meantime - a hero to our children - and hope we instill in them the values of being good people. Loving people. Turning these tragedies into triumphs. We can all work together to make this world a better place.

Probiotics - The Good Bacteria

I've been wanting to discuss probiotics for a while now. If you or your child have never had a tummy or bottom issue before, then you may have never given probiotics a second thought. Until about 5 years ago, I never even knew much about probiotics except from the yogurt commercials claiming all that they can due to aid in your digestion (which is true by the way). I was a Marketing major in college so I tend not to buy into all of the gimmicks on commercials and in magazines. But in this case, that Activia commercial you saw was right. Yogurt does contains good bacteria necessary for properly regulating digestion.

My probiotics story began with my daughter, Grace. When she was about 2 years old we began noticing issues of multiple yeast irritations (not necessarily infections) and bathroom "troubles". After talking to my pediatrician and researching online, I decided that implementing a daily probiotic won't hurt her and could even possibly help her regulate her syste. Within a week we noticed a difference and she's been taking one ever since.

There are plenty of probiotics to choose from, but we like: Culturelle Kids Chewables

According to the World Gastroenterological Organization (WGO), there are many ways to achieve optimal digestion in addition to taking daily probiotics. Some of those ways, include:

1. Include foods rich in FIBER - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts & beans.
2. Consume FISH 3-5 times a week to get your Omega 3's and/or take a daily Fish Oil supplement.
3. REDUCE intake of fried and high fat foods which are rough on your intestines.
4. Select LEAN cuts of meat - pork, chicken, and turkey.
5. Drink WATER (see Water...and those Other Drinks)
6. EXERCISE regularly. Even a daily walk will aid in proper digestion, as well as overall health.

Its important to know your own body and to help your kids understand theirs. When their tummy is constantly upset or if they are having trouble going to the bathroom (regularly) then its worth a conversation with their doctor about probiotics, I have found them to be a lifesaver for us, they may for you too!

For more information on the WGO, check out: http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/wdhd-2008.html

Road to 10K: Final Saturday Run

Its amazing how good you feel when you get a FULL 8 hours of sleep - its priceless! I think that was the first time in 18 months that has happened. Seriously. Anyway, today was my final Saturday run before the 10K which meant I had 7 miles of open road ahead of me. Although living in a suburb of a larger city that means lots of side streets, major intersections, and dodging construction vehicles. I had the best of luck this morning though - it is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous outside. A brisk 70 degrees and sunny. I could not have asked for a better morning to run a peaceful finale to my Road to my first 10K. And I did it!

I have to honestly say, I wasn't sure how I would find the time to work everything out with the different recommended runs and workout scheduled for training. And of course, there will always be set backs with kids, school, sports, or even injuries. You just have to know that going into it and know everything will work itself out. My advice would simply be to take a day off if you need to, but always get right back up and keep on going. You'll be so thankful you did.

One of my favorite sayings ever!

Love this saying so much! These words are so true and so relevant for the time we live in. Life seems as busy as ever, but we don't want to forget what we (as moms) love to do and what we enjoy. Running is something that gives me pride, energy, and most of all - sanity. I am very proud of myself for making this commitment and I can't wait for the next challenge -who's with me?!

Family Night: Homemade Pizza

Pretty much every Friday growing up we had pizza for dinner and I've carried on that tradition with my family. We cook every night of the week, typically, so it was easy for me to order in on Friday nights to give me a break from the kitchen. Then once I started to realize how much we were spending on a simple pizza and how much worse store bought was for you - I just had to make my own!

My sweet Grace helping mommy

We started making our own pizzas about 5 years ago and now we even make them for friends and family parties. They are super easy to make and inexpensive to buy so it was a no-brainer to me! I used to buy our pizza dough at the local Italian Store/Deli - and you can too - but now I buy it at our local grocery which is always having sales of $1/ball of dough. I buy a bunch and freeze and then the night before I know we're going to make it I let in thaw in the fridge. I rarely put sauce on the pizza, but if I do its very little as it can make the dough soggy. The only other ingredients my family uses are mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, large pepperoni and sea salt. The options are endless when it comes to toppings and I encourage you to get creative, but this is just what we enjoy and what I know my kids will eat - so there is no argument.

I also have a Mario Batali Pizza Pan that a friend had recommended to me and it was worth every penny, but I assume it can easily be made on a large cookie sheet as well. They key I've learned to the perfect pizza is an extremely hot oven. It took me a couple times to perfect it, but I've got it down after all these years. I have even pre-cooked the pizza dough during naps on a nice day so if we spend a little extra time outdoors in the evening. I have minimized my steps and cut down on my cooking time significantly!

The finished product!

Ingredients

• 2 Pizza Dough Balls (I purchase mine from either an Italian store, Trader Joes, or Harris Teeter)
• 2 8oz packages of Mozzarella Cheese
• 1 Package of Deli Pepperoni (Large Pepperoni Style)
• Roma Tomatoes (Sliced Thin)
• Fresh Basil (Chopped)
• Sea Salt
• Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

Optional Toppings: Peppers, Onions, Chopped Bacon, Sliced Pancetta, Ground Beef, Sausage, Mushrooms, etc.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Put a few Tbsp Olive Oil on pizza pan (swirl around).
3. Press out dough on pan with fingers until it reaches all edges. Room temp dough is best. Cook one pizza at a time for best results.
4. Place in oven for roughly 5-6 min or until golden brown. You are cooking the crust here.
5. Pull crust out of oven and spread half the cheese on the dough, sauce (optional), spread pepperoni and remaining mozzarella cheese.
6. Put back in oven for 5 min (or until cheese is melted).
7. I always broil for a minute or two at the end to get a more well-done pizza.
8. Transfer to pizza stone or cutting board. Let cool, cut, and serve!
9. Repeat for 2nd pizza. Follow all steps except after you place the sliced tomatoes on the pizza, spread a bit of sea salt to bring out the flavor. Top with remaining cheese and fresh basil. Bake and you're done!

Its that simple and better than delivery! My kids love being a part of the cooking process so I let them put the toppings and cheese on which makes them feel so helpful. Its something we look forward doing together every week :) Enjoy!

My Baby is Walking!

My life, my joy, my happiness....my baby boy is walking! I think I'm having a harder time with this than his 1st birthday. Is that weird? He is the definition of a "Mama's Boy" and I ate that up more than you could possibly imagine. He is a sweet snuggly munchkin. OK, I'll stop bragging. We had to go and buy him some new big boy shoes and I couldn't believe it. The fact that this little being is going to be running around our home soon is beyond joy for me.

There is something special about boys. I haven't put my finger on it yet, but they really are different from girls. I can't wait to see what this little precious red-headed, blue eyed boy turns into. But I'm certainly not going to rush it! We moved into our new home with our two little girls exactly 2 years ago this April and to think I wasn't even pregnant then. Now, just a few short moments later we have our baby boy walking the halls, climbing the stairs, and licking the windows (don't ask) :) 

Its amazing how fast time flies. You hear it all the time from moms of grown kids, but we really do have to take the time each day to appreciate every moment we have with our children. I am so thankful to be a stay-at-home mom. Even on the days when they make me want to pull my hair out, I try and sit back, take a deep breath and appreciate the wonderful life and family we created.

I wouldn't change it for anything in the world!

Easy Recipe Swap: Sweet Potato Fries

If you have kids and know how much they love french fries, one easy swap you can make is sweet potato fries. Not the frozen kind either. I'm talking about making your own. Its is pretty cheap to buy sweet potatoes in bulk and easy enough to cut them up and bake them right in your own oven - cutting fat and calories and adding vitamins and nutrients essential to all of our diets.

I make sweet potato fries all the time - funny enough, my husband is the most cranky about the swap. I just don't see french fries as any benefit to you. If you're going through a drive-thu, of course, get your craving and eat 'em up! But when you're at home, working hard to create a nutritious meal for your family, why not show your kids you can make them just as good as any fast food establishment. If sweet potatoes are too much of a drastic change, just go for the regular potato, but if you can go full force I highly recommend it. Whether its on the side of burgers or chicken, I make sweet potato fries at least once a week. They're delicious!

According to Livestrong.com, sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat! I agree!! They are loaded with vitamins and minerals, as well as contain anti-inflammatory properties which is essential to any American diet.

Simple Sweet Potato Fries Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Peel 4-6 sweet potatoes and slice small (size of a thick french fry)
3. Drizzle with Olive Oil and spinkle with Sea Salt & fresh ground pepper.
4. Mix and place on non-stick baking sheet.
5. Bake for 30-40 min. (Turning over 1/2 way through cooking time with a spatula). Enjoy!

If you have toddlers, just dice up the fries for easier eating. As for infants, if you have an extra sweet potato, bake it up on a baking sheet (400 degrees for 45 min.) and mash it up with a fork (skin off). They'll love it!

To read more about benefits of Sweet Potatoes, click here.

Road to 10K: Two Weeks to Go!

Cheers for warmth and sunshine!!!

With two weeks to go, it was on my training schedule to run 6 miles on Saturday. I've been really lucky because every weekend the weather has gotten better and better - leading me to only want to get outside and challenge myself. Now remember, I don't doubt can run the mileage of a 10K, but its important for me to physically train to get my body, joints, and muscles prepared. Its been a struggle finding alone time due to our family's schedule, but I've done my best to stick to the program. I ran 6 miles on Saturday and it was so gratifying. I've been having so much fun along the way and have been embracing the time to myself, mostly, getting some me time :)

Funny enough, on Sunday, I had a bit of a setback because I twisted my knee. Not running, but playing in the yard with my kids, of course. It was bound to happen. I've rested for about 2 days and plan on getting back out tomorrow for another 4 miles. I hope this weather keeps up because when its sunny and warm there is no place I'd rather be than outdoors. I think I thrive off sunshine - I really do!

Whats been fun during this process is talking to my 5 year old about running - she asks me if I've won the race every time I go out. Its really cute! At this age all they want to do is be like their mom and dad - we can provide them a good role model of someone who enjoys being outdoors, exercising, and allowing ourselves precious alone time. But most importantly, we can show them how we live with overall healthy habits. 5 year olds are very curious little beings and its much better to show them how to be happy and healthy rather than trying to explain it.

Anyway, I'm getting pretty excited for the final run in two weeks. I can see where this race thing might get addicting. I can't wait to sign up for a 10 miler next time...anyone??

GOTR: Bananas - A Portable Fruit

Happy Tuesday!

And welcome to warm weather...what a great day for a run!

One of the most perfect fruits for anyone, especially runners, is a banana. I don't know many people who don't love bananas. I think they're good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner - or best of all snack. I found this chart below about all of the wonderful health benefits of bananas and I thought I would pass along. Such a simple fruit can do so much for your well being. Bananas are one of those fruits you can't use the excuse of expensive, inconvenient or messy - you can take them anywhere with you. Anyone from babies through adults can enjoy this versatile snack. 

If your bananas become too ripe before you get a chance to eat them- peel, slice and place in zip-loc bag in freezer for a quick addition to any smoothie. Or, grab your GOTR girl and make a family banana bread or muffin recipe. Yum! Bananas are one of the reasons I'm at the grocery store so often - we can't keep them in the house.

With all of these wonderful health benefits, who wouldn't want to grab a banana everyday! 

For more information on how powerful of a fruit bananas are, click here.

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 6: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Marinades, Spices, & Rubs

Happy Monday!

What a beautiful weekend we had!! I recently was asked about my favorite marinades - the truth is I really only use one! Thats right, one. It actually was a childhood favorite of my husband and his family. Its called Spiedies Original Marinade and that's all. We order it in bulk online because we use it so much. I don't like to bake meat in the oven so I either grill it or use a grill pan on the stove in the winter months. The key to marinade is to note the serving size - for example, a bottle of Spiedes Marinade can be used for 5 lbs of chicken. I don't ever make 5lbs of chicken at a time so make sure not to waste and only use  half. I will, however, easily marinate up to 2-3 lbs of chicken in which I will grill and then serve throughout the week with a veggie and rice, slice up on put on a salad, roll up in a tortilla and some avocado - it has such a mild, yet distinct, flavor that it goes with everything. My family loves it!

I've always said, you have to note your family's likes and dislikes when it comes to food. Over the years of trial and error I've noticed my kids don't like alot of dipping sauces, marinades, and casserole type dishes. They tend to eat simple and clean (yeah!) which makes it easy for me. I do, however, use spices on a daily basis. Its such an easy and inexpensive way to jazz up a meal - whether it be meat, chicken, or fish.

My Top 10 "go-to" spice combinations (also known as "rubs") include:

1. Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper - chicken or fish
2. Rosemary & Thyme with Olive Oil - chicken or fish
3. Sea Salt & McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning - chicken or fish
4. McCormick Garlic Salt with Parsley & Worcestershire Sauce - mix with ground beef for burgers
5. Oregano & McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning - chicken wings or whole chicken
6. Old El Paso Low Sodium Taco Seasoning/Trade Joes Taco Seasoning - chicken, beef, or beans
7. Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning - chicken or beef
8. Old Bay Seasoning with Olive Oil - chicken wings, chicken tenders, or white fish
9. McCormick Red Pepper Flakes - I would put on everything if I could. Mainly spaghetti & pizza though :)
10. Morton's Season All & Worcestershire Sauce - mix with ground beef for burgers

And there you have it! You don't need 10 different marinades or even 10 different spices - keep it simple, enjoy what your family loves and it'll become your family's new "go-to". And remember, a little goes a long way. Enjoy!

Mommy Lifesaver #3: Pinterest

Happy Friday!

Just like Facebook at one point, Pinterest was something that took me a while to catch on to. I thought it was just another social media site trying to get your personal information for their greater use. I had never actually seen the site before and here I was a stay-at-home mom of 2 little girls (at the time) and was attending birthday party after birthday party of all these creative - and extravagant - ideas. I always thought I was creative when it came to my kids parties, but this was on a whole different level. It peaked my interest and within days - I was HOOKED! Pinterest has become not only one of my favorite online sites, but a mommy lifesaver as well.

I already liked to cook, plan parties, shop, and eat well, but this gave me a forum to "pin" everything in one place so I could go back and refer to quickly and easily. Almost everything I have pinned, I have gone back and utilized or will soon in the future. Its a virtual pin board of all of your thoughts and ideas- sort of mommy inspiration.  I do have boards which are pure fantasy - expensive clothes, shoes, and home decorating ideas - but then I have boards which save me so much time and have helped streamline my mommy processes - kid activities, recipes, and organization techniques. Its genius!

Making these for my kids for our Disney Trip

Love these containers - but the labels are super cute!

I get asked this recipe ALL the time. Its so simple.

Anyway, I'm sure Pinterest isn't new to anyone here, but I wanted to share how much its helped me as a mom. Here are a few things I have learned from Pinterest:

1. Recipes don't have to be extravagant to be delicious.
2. Healthy meals can be some of your simplest meals.
3. I have learned how to cut out many steps of my cooking processes.
4. Words of inspiration are good for your peace of mind.
5. Living in a dream world of mansions and scenic backyards is perfectly fine.
6. Someday I will tackle everything on my Organization Obsession board. Its a goal!
7. Having a vision board is important for conquering those goals.
8. Teachers these days get the best gifts, unlike what we grew up giving them. Sorry.
9. My style would be really good if I had the money and time to shop more!
10. As a whole, Pinterest helps you think outside the box, which really is a good thing ;)

I don't see Pinterest as intimidating, I see it as a learning tool to improve on what I already know and to simplify my current lifestyle. To follow me on Pinterest, click here! Happy Pinning!!

My Favorite Hair Care Products

Seen as how I color my hair (shocker, right??) and don't have much time to pull myself together on a daily basis, I need tried and true products that actually work. I have very fine hair so its taken me a while to adapt to products that didn't weigh my hair down. I also have to wash my hair everyday, even though you're not supposed to. These items below are products I have now used for a few years that work for me. I have spent countless dollars on products that do not work - from high end shampoos to serums that turned my hair green. As much as advertisers try to get you, you have to do what works for your hair type. This is what I've found works for me!
                                
               
Here are some of my favorite hair products that I couldn't live without:

• Loreal Color Vive Shampoo & Conditioner: Purchased at your local drugstore it is the BEST around!
• Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment: A rich, velvety balm that dramatically helps repair damaged hair in minutes.
• Kerastase Sublimateur Jour: Provides Instant light-weight nourishment. Fiber is protected against frizz and dryness. Does not leave hair greasy.
• Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide: Shine perfecting serum for free flowing hair (aka "stray hairs"). Apply only to ends for a seamless look and shine.
• Kenra Root Lifting Spray: Volumizer for maximum body & style support. This stuff is amazing.
• Tigi BedHead Masterpiece Shine Hairspray: Massive shine, serious hold hairspray. Even smells like strawberries!

Because I already color and wash my hair daily, I don't like blow drying my hair everyday for damage purposes. As I mentioned above, my hair is very fine so it also takes me close to 45 min to blow dry my hair. For this reason, I tend to wear my hair pulled back during most of the week and then blow dry it on the weekends. I'm running around so much during the week and often at the gym, that there really is no reason for me to apply product and do my hair all the time. These products above I can guarantee will stick with me for a very long time and I can promise you you'll love them too!

All of the above products can be found online, at your local drugstore, or hair salon. Good Luck!

Costco Food Finds - Healthy Style

Although I can't stress enough the important of fresh food, farm food, and real food - there is also an element of buying in bulk that can really help out a family on a budget. With that being said, I still have a hard time getting out of there without spending over $200! Recently I decided to take on the warehouse store we go to - Costco - and scope out some healthier items you and your family can purchase to have on hand for those quick and healthy family meals.

What you have to keep in mind with any warehouse store is that even though they sell fruits and vegetables, you have no idea how long ago they were picked, packaged, and driven to that store to then sit on a shelf to be purchased. However, buying fruits and vegetables anywhere is better than not buying them at all!

Some of the healthier items I purchase for my family are:

100 Calorie Popcorn Packs- Perfect kid snack and friends love it too.
Almond Butter - Great buy! Use on sand which bread, apples, celery, etc
Amy's Lentil Soup - Perfect Fall/Winter lunch.
Avocados - Make homemade guacamole, slice up on salads, dice for kids or mash for babies.
Black/Navy/Kidney Beans - My kids love beans. Eat plain, with rice, in chili/tacos instead of meat.
Brown Rice & Quinoa Quick Packs - A one minute side dish to any meal.
Cheerios - When you have toddlers this is a staple.
Chobioni Greek Yogurt - Plain, add granola or fresh fruit, add to smoothies, etc.
Craisons - Put on salads, or a go-to snack at our house is "goldfish & cranberries".
Fresh Fish - not as fresh as I would like, but great for larger anticipated dinner needs.
Frozen Fruit - Smoothies!!
Frozen Perdue Chicken - Easy single servings you can thaw in hours and have for dinner.
Frozen Salmon - Easy single servings you can thaw in hours and have for dinner.
Hummus - Buy the small individual packs for school/snacks.
Hot Sauce - My husband puts this on everything.
Kashi Go Lean Cereal - My whole family loves plain or with Almond Milk.
Lemons - Put in water, squeeze on salads, slice on fish, etc.
Macaroni & Cheese - Annie's Homegrown is a staple in my pantry.
Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar - Great for sautes or salad dressings.
Organic Crushed Tomatoes - Homemade spaghetti sauce!
Organic Diced Tomatoes - Mexican dishes, chili, sauces, etc.
Organic Eggs - Need I say more.
Organic Jelly - I prefer all natural, but you can't beat the price per ounce.
Organic Tomato Sauce - Make your own enchilada sauce, add to ground beef or chili.
Organic Tortilla Chips - What is Mexican night dinner without tortilla chips?
Pretzels - Another bulk item I always have on hand. I try not to have chips in the house.
Red/Yellow Onions - Saute, grill, or roast. We add onions to everything!
Spices - Buying spices in bulk saves a ton of money!
Sweet Potatoes - Dice and bake or slice up like "fries" which is a favorite in our house.
Tunafish - Try mixing it with brown spicy mustard instead of mayo.
Veggie Straws - School snacks or take on the go.
Walnuts/Almonds/Pine Nuts - Buying in bulk saves money. Eat plain as a snack or add to salads.
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread - By far one of the best deals going. We go through alot of bread.
Whole Carrots - So much better tasting than baby carrots...its worth peeling your own.
Whole Grain Pasta - Good for any last minute dinner.


We all know I'm not a fan of fast food, so I'd rather make a semi-homemade meal with the help of a box or a can than run through a drive-thru anyday! Good luck with your finds - these are just some of my family's favorites. Happy shopping!