Taking Control of YOU

CHOICES: NUTRITION. LIFE. LOVE.

Make sure you are making your own choices in life. And be proud of them.

Provide yourself with the proper nutrition your body deserves. Fresh is best.

Live each day as if it were your last - we never know how long we have. Enjoy it.

Love yourself first. The rest will follow.

For those of you who are unclear, there really is an important meaning behind the name of my blog. It came to me fairly easily because, in my opinion, so many people seem to be so worried about what others think when it comes to any part of their lives - from what they wear, to what they eat, to who they love. When, in turn, they should actually be taking control of their own thoughts - and lives.

Now that I have three little ones of my own these three topics are of even more importance to me. You can interpret each one anyway you'd like and how they fit into your life, but just remember that we each have the capability to make our own decisions. Those decisions are not always going to be the right ones, but we can learn from them. And that's OK.

I feel its important to remind ourselves often that we have the choice to decide how we let others affect us. We are the ones who allow others to make us feel inferior, or insignificant, or unaccepted. But we have the choice to live our lives the way we want - through proper nutrition, living life to its fullest, and loving how we deserve to be loved. Its really that simple. If we live our lives in this manner then hopefully we can pass this positive self-acceptance into our own children. There is nothing that would make me happier.

~ Kristen xo

True Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom

1. I sometimes use the kid's bath time as an excuse to breathe. And to contain them.
2. When my husband calls to say he'll be home late, I immediately poor myself a glass of wine (or two!).
3. I wear workout clothes almost everyday just in case I make it to the gym.
4. I pray daily that I'll find my inner peace to never yell again. It hasn't worked yet.
5. As much as I despise fast food I always have chicken nuggets and french fries in my freezer.
6. I'm secretly happy when my kids say "yucky" to #5.
7. Getting my nails done is my getaway these days. It used to be Miami Beach. (sigh)
8. I've been known to eat a cupcake for breakfast - it was a Georgetown Cupcake and it was staring me in the face, I swear :)
9. I'm obsessed with Pottery Barn Kids Bento Boxes and enjoy every moment of packing my kids lunch.
10. I've given up on the "no TV" rule before dinner. Its changed my life!
11. I have realized that when I put the kids in time-out its really for me.
12. Candles make everything better - especially Yankee Candle Pumpkin Buttercream. YUM!
13. I can make a mean grilled cheese and I'm proud of it.
14. I dance with my kids everyday. Its fun...you should try it!
15. I take no better joy then walking into a clean home. #amazingcleaninglady
16. I kind of miss Dora the Explorer.
17. My friends are my therapy...sorry ladies :)
18. Besides my family, Country Music is the love of my life.
19. I kind of don't mind when I wake up with little toes in my face. I know that it won't last forever .
20. I LOVE being a mom. I'm not perfect and that's OK because I'm happy <3

Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes Cookbook

Its finally here!!!

I only ordered it a couple days ago but I am so excited that it finally arrived - From Your Freezer to Your Family Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes by Stephanie Brandt Cornais of Mama and Baby Love. I began reading about Stephanie on a fellow bloggers site and immediately was drawn to her. Her style is very much my own and her nutritional epiphany began with the birth of her own daughter, much like mine. All we seem to be striving for is better nourishment for the ones we love and being aware of the food we put on the table is a good start.

You Tube Video: Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes
Click here to view more details

I gravitated towards Stephanie's love of the slow cooker. Who would've thought, right? With it being winter here, the crockpot is a staple on my counter these days. Typically for soups and stews, you can also simmer sauces for hours and they won't burn - my new trick to a warm dinner on the table even on the busiest of days. Anything from spaghetti sauce, to tacos, we got it covered at our house. Anyway, her tactic is a bit unique and one I am happy to try myself. I'm a big planner so the idea of meal prepping almost seems fun to me! In her cookbook, Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes she takes roughly 30 recipes and breaks them down by ingredients for you to shop for at your local grocery or farmers market. Once home, you peel, cut, and prep your ingredients, place in a large Zip Loc freezer bag to store in your freezer for later use. This is genius!  My tactic was always a bit simpler, but always seemed to hover around the word leftovers. Whenever I cooked a stove top meal or a slow cooker meal I always doubled the batch to freeze for later. That was it. But its basically a leftover meal in the freezer. Still a good idea and always fared well when reheated (in the slow cooker), I seem to like hers better because the fresh ingredients (veggies and meats) are frozen at their fresh point as opposed to being placed in the freezer after the cooking process which can lead to less flavor and nutrients. I am excited to try out her cookbook immediately and I encourage all mamas out there to try it as well!

I have even heard of having "Meal Prep Parties" where a group of women get together with all of their ingredients and pack their freezer bag meals for the month. Maybe over a glass of wine...or two (who's counting) :) Its a fun way to get your girlfriends together and make sure you're feeding your family well on those days where cooking just isn't your thing. Stephanie is a Real Food cook so her ingredients come from farmers markets, gardens, farms where animals are grass fed, etc. Although an ideal way to get your food, do your best and what works for you. That, in itself, is enough.

My Family's Pantry Essentials

A well stocked pantry can make all the difference in the world when trying to figure out your next meal. By keeping certain items on hand, you'll be able to select ingredients for the next meal in a pinch. Having those staples will enable you to either gather a meal in minutes or to only run to the local grocery for those fresh items needed for dinner that evening.

What I have come to learn, especially after having kids, is having a well stocked (and nutritious) pantry helps me to prepare dinner without having to worry about serving up a healthy meal. In winter months I find I have more time to deliberate what I'm going to make - with slow cooker meals and hearty meat dishes in the oven. But come Spring and Summer my kids and I live outdoors and the last thing I want is to rush in early from playing to prep for dinner.

Here is a recent photo of my pantry with the items I feel are essential to my family's needs.

Kashi Go Lean Cereal - a quick breakfast option or snack
Quaker Oatmeal Packs - great for toddlers as an afternoon snack
Old Fashioned Oats - add to smoothies for extra fiber
Whole Grain Rice - a side dish (or slow cooker addition) in less than 20 min
Pasta - add some veggies and parmesan cheese and your done
Tuna fish - my favorite pantry lunch item
Taco Seasoning- a mexican dish in a flash
Annie's Shells & White Cheddar - our family's version of mac & cheese
Black, Kidney & Navy Beans - add to anything instead of meat or as a simple side dish with rice
Almond Butter - our main version of peanut butter
Marinades - quick addition to chicken and throw in the oven
Balsamic & Red Wine Vinegar - salad dressing in minutes
Olive Oil - stove top pan prep or salad dressing addition
Diced Tomatoes - chili's, stews, jambalaya - a crockpot staple
Crushed Tomatoes - make your own pasta sauce in seconds!
Tomato Sauce - add flavor to tacos, chili, spaghetti sauce, etc.
Chicken Stock (Low Sodium) - your soup base and crockpot staple

With any of these ingredients you can prepare just about anything at the last minute. Keeping your pantry organized also helps you restock, as needed. Lets face it, with kids its all about keeping things simple!

Peanut Butter: All Natural. One Ingredient.

In our house we put PB on everything - toast, celery, apples, spoons - you name it :) When I was pregnant with my daughter over 5 years ago I had an "ah-ha" moment. As I was growing this baby inside me I came to the realization that I was solely responsible for nourishing this tiny little being. How could I possibly put things into my body knowing it was going directly to my unborn child. Chemicals, toxins, pesticides, etc. I started my own personal nutrition movement with peanut butter and I will never forget it.

I've told this story one thousand times so forgive me if you've heard it before. I am a PB & J girl - always have been and always will be. Its just an easy go-to comfort food for me and not to mention its easy to prepare for the kids. I grew up eating "regular" peanut butter - loaded with sugar and salt - not knowing anything different. And no disrespect to my parents, they didn't know any better either. Who knew peanut butter had so much crap in it? As I embarked on my nutrition movement, I decided to switch from old fashioned "regular" peanut butter to an all natural peanut butter which had only 1 ingredient - peanuts! I was completely unaware there was actually a peanut butter on the market that didn't contain sugar and could provide you the health benefits it intended . It only took me 26 years to discover this and I don't want you to go another day. Once I made the switch I never looked back on any other brand. Natural peanut butter is absolutely delicious and there are so many brands out there now that you can find it almost anywhere!


It is such a simple switch, and yet makes an enormous impact on your health...and your kids. They won't even know the difference! I'll be honest and say its a bit pricier than conventional peanut butter, but worth it in every way.

Tip: If you buy natural PB it requires stirring after opening due to the separation of oil and peanuts. Once purchased, store upside down to allow the oil to mix through evenly. After opening, store in refrigerator.

Here are a few of my favorites:
Trader Joes
Crazy Richards
Whole Foods - My kids LOVE to make their own PB!

Mommy's Lifesavers

Throughout this blog I will periodically be posting items (lifesavers) that I could not live without. These items will be anything from a new baby product, to a new kitchen item, or even my new iPhone (its changed my life in more ways than I have time to explain...but I'm sure I'll try!). 

I hope you find these tips to be useful to you and feel free to share your tips with me - I always welcome ways to make my life easier. xo

Oprah's 21 Day Meditation Challenge

Don't try to argue yourself out of your impulses and drives. - Deepak Chopra
#supersoulsunday

My beautiful and talented sister-in-law sent me an online invitation the other day for Oprah & Deepak Chopra's 21-Day Meditation Challenge. She's very spiritual and pretty bright so I immediately hopped on board. With such a busy day to day schedule with three little ones I really don't take enough time for myself. Even when I get the kids down for their naps I find myself making excuses of what needs to be done around the house or I begin preparing for the next day. Taking this time each day really will be a challenge for me - and I welcome it!

I encourage you all to try it too. We can all do it together. Its a simple way to take time for yourself to reflect on all of the happiness and wonderful things in your life. Its a commitment to your well being and you'll be proud of yourself for completing it. Its easier than running a marathon right?! ;)

According to researchers at Harvard Medical School, here are 7 scientifically proven benefits of meditation:

1. Increased Immunity
2. Emotional Balance
3. Increased Fertility
4. Relieves Irritable Bowel Syndrome
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
6. Anti-Inflammatory
7. Calmness

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/relax--its-good-for-you-20090819-eqlo.html#ixzz1kQtHr9Pm

If you ever thought meditation was not for you, you're not alone. I didn't know much about it myself until a few years ago. What I have come to learn it it can do wonders for your stress level - not to mention your soul. Thank you, Kate.

Two ways to join:
http://www.oprahdeepakmeditation.com/Bestsellers/LandingPage.aspx?BookId=178&af=850
Download an APP called the 21 Day Meditation Challenge.