name='p:domain_verify'/> Always A New Day : May 2015


5.31.2015

The Summer Bucket List

Last summer, my son wanted to create a list of things he hoped to accomplish during the summer. We had a long list of about 50 things, and I'm happy to say we did quite a bit. We are inching closer to another fun summer, so he already asked to create his list. When we do an activity, we just cross it off and look forward to the next one! He LOVES to cross off an item and see what's next!

2015 Bucket List (in progress) -  by month :) His choice!
So grab your littles and make a summer plan!

Pick some BIG activities 

We only had a few big items on our list as these are items that may take quite a bit of planning on your part. We spaced these out so we could get really excited about our plans. We also made sure to do them on weekends so daddy could join in the fun (and help the frazzled, planning mommy!). Check your area for fun family activities -like the beach or maybe even a local camping spot - and see how you can incorporate these great places.

***Houston friends, here are some of our favorites***

Noah's Ark

For a small entrance fee, you can have access to a great area for splashing in the water! Pack a lunch or grab pizza and snacks at their concession stand. I'd say this place is one of my son's all time favorites. There's also a large pool and slide if your kids are strong swimmers. Lifeguards are always on duty!

Children's Museum Houston

This museum can get crowded, and the parking is a bit crazy, but we do try and go once during the summer. If you have little ones, there's a great toddler area upstairs. And the waterworks outside are always a hit!

Miller Outdoor Theater

Check out their summer schedule as they have movies and plays for free! Pack a late dinner and find a spot on the hill - always a good time if you don't mind a late summer night!

The Woodlands Children's Museum

We have enjoyed every visit to this small, but fun, museum in the Woodlands. There's an activity for every age - from magic shows, a pretend grocery store, dress-up, big building blocks, to a small play area for your toddler. It's a must on our list!

Sugarland Skeeters Game

We are itching to get back to Constellation field. The Skeeters games are AH-MAZING for the kids and adult kids too! You can purchase a seat or purchase some spots out in the field where you can bring a blanket! Don't forget your swimsuit - there's a splash pad and a pool too! And if the kids get antsy, take them to play on the playground, too!

Discovery Green

Located in downtown Houston, Discovery Green is a great place for your kids to run free! Splash pads, playgrounds, and big hill for climbing and running - make it extra special and stop by before or after an Astros game! Many food vendors are around the green as well.

Houston Zoo

Pack a picnic for a fun trip to the zoo. The new gorilla exhibit is now open, and it's fantastic. My gorilla-loving son enjoyed opening day and having a gorilla talk with one of the zoo keepers. I highly recommend a membership too - many perks and great events throughout the year. 



Showboat Drive-In Theater

If you don't mind a late summer night, you can bring your favorite snacks and/or dinner to Hockley and enjoy the show! Tickets are reasonable, but get there early to grab a good spot. Movies will not start until after dark, so you will have a later night. No problem - bring the kids' pajamas and let them snooze on the way home! Great concession stand too!

Make it educational

If your child is able, have him/her write his own list. Since we started kindergarten this last year, and he's learned quite a bit, we are making sure to stay focused on all the new things he's learned. I bought this book from a friend's recommendation, and we plan to work our way through it by summer's end! He's so excited that we've already started it! He's determined. Or, you could hit the library a few times and mark that one off your list. Choose some great books to take home too - another fun bucket list item!



Choose little, everyday activities 

Kids love the little things - especially all the things that make summer so memorable. On our list, we included eating popsicles (or make your own!), have a family movie night, catch love bugs, swim, run in the sprinklers, have a picnic - you could think of a bunch! One item he is thrilled about is having a friend spend the night - his first real sleepover! He's already talking daddy into pitching a tent and making it a mini-camp out (bless Daddy if he convinces him!).

We are starting off on the last day of school with a pool party. I can't wait to make these for our guests!

I'd love to hear your ideas. Summer is coming, and it doesn't have to be boring - get your child involved and make some fun plans. Big or little, your kids will create great memories!

5.29.2015

Friday Finds {Vol. 2}

I hope you've all had a great week! This week was unexpectedly cut short due to the crazy rain we've had here in Texas. I'm praying for everyone who has lost so much in this weather. I am hoping we see sunshine today, and it sticks around for a while - we need it!

My meal planning was changed up due to the weather and school being canceled, but I did manage to throw something together with what I had. So first up this week, I'm finding this quinoa pasta salad quite delicious!

Recipe - Quinoa Pasta Salad




1 box quinoa pasta (I used Ancient Harvest - found at Kroger)
2 Tbl. Ken's Light Olive Oil and Vinegar dressing
1 chopped cucumber
1 diced red bell pepper
1 cup fresh spinach
8 slices hard salami (I used the mini slices from Private Selection - found at Kroger)
8 grape tomatoes, sliced
2 oz. sharp white cheddar, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to box instructions. While the pasta is cooking, chop your cucumber, red bell pepper, salami, tomatoes, and cheese. Drain pasta and run through cold water. Add the chopped goodies to the pasta and mix. Next, add the fresh spinach, salt and pepper, dressing, and top with Parmesan cheese. Keep in the fridge until cold. Serve with a side of Naan bread - lightly toasted at 400 degrees for 3 minutes. Perfect lunch!

The Perfect Shake



We are still loving our Shakeology! After a few recipes, we've finally found our favorite. And by "we," I mean the kids too! G told me this tasted JUST like the ones I get at Smoothie King.

1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
3 strawberries (drop right in with stems too)
1/2 a medium banana
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
4-5 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy! It's so good and filling!

Home Workouts

By now you know, I attend boot camp 2 nights a week, and I LOVE it. Megan, my trainer, has become one of my dearest friends. Besides seeing results, having her as a friend makes me come back week after week! Even though I want to see her everyday, that's just not possible. On the days I don't go to boot camp, I work out at home. These last two weeks, I've been trying PIYO. Honestly, the first time I tried it, I thought it felt too simple. Uh, no. The instructor does not mess around - stretching, planking, lunging, squatting - it's all there. And the best part? I'm done in 30 minutes! Boom!



Up next, I am joining an awesome group of moms as we take on the BEAST! Body Beast, that is! Strength training is so important to your workout routine. You can do all the cardio you want, but if you want to tone, you need to lift those weights. If you would like to join in my challenge - and get those delish shakes too - shoot me an email! You can go to my page here to learn more!

And there you have it....enjoy your weekend! Summer is around the corner. I can't wait to share with you all we have planned! Stay fit, mamas!

5.22.2015

Friday Finds {Vol. 1}

Today is the first edition of my Friday Finds! I hope to post finds I use in my daily life - anything to make a mom's life easier, am I right?! So without further adieu, here's what I'm finding fun this week!


Shakeology

One meal a day is usually a shake/smoothie of some kind. The kids are fans, too. In fact, that cute guy in this picture is a picky eater. However, when I throw some goodies (spinach, bananas, berries, etc) in a smoothie, he is hooked! What makes it even better?? Adding in a scoop of Shakeology! He is as addicted as his mama! I bet it will go fast with these two loving it as much as I do. Another bonus is making my own vanilla frappucino in the morning! I included the recipe below - yum!

1 scoop of vanilla Shakeology

1 cup of chilled coffee

1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Ice

Blend and enjoy! You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top too!


New Recipe

We do a taco night once a week, and I try to change it up a bit every now and then. Recently, I decided to do my usual taco filling except this time, I threw a sweet potato into the mix! My favorite way to eat a taco lately is to use oven-baked corn tortillas and turn the taco into a tostada! Here's what I do for these sweet potato/turkey tostadas!

Sweet Potato/Turkey Tacos

1 lb. ground turkey
1 sweet potato, diced
1/2 onion, chopped
Homemade taco seasoning - recipe found here

Brown the sweet potato and onion in olive oil  until potatoes are cooked through. Remove from pan and add turkey to cook. Once turkey is done, add the taco seasoning plus 1/4 cup water. Cook until water is gone. Add the potatoes/onion mixture to the turkey and heat.

Tostadas

Corn tortillas
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place corn tortillas on foil lined cookie sheet and brush with olive oil then sprinkle with sea salt. Bake on each side for 4-6 minutes until crispy.

Add the taco meat to your tostada and include your favorite toppings - lettuce, cheese, salsa, and avocado are our faves!

BONUS - add the leftover turkey to your eggs in the morning. A great breakfast to start your day! 


Sweaty Bands

I recently went on my annual girls weekend with my college friends where we end up sharing our favorite things. One item that was shared was the Sweaty Band! It is the BEST headband for working out! It does not slip and keeps the sweat from dripping into my face (sexy, right??). It's the perfect headband for some Insanity! Holy heart rate, Shaun T! You can find your Sweaty Band here.



Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog on its first week. I know I have A LOT to learn, but I am so excited to share my mom/life/fitness journey with you. Be patient with me on my pictures - my good camera is at the doctor (thanks to a certain mischievous little girl). 

If you have any questions about Shakeology or anything mom/fitness, please email me - see the link to the right to send me a note!

Have a great, long weekend. Remember why this weekend is important. xoxo

5.09.2015

Change





With this post, I will officially share my blog. I am nervous but excited - well, to be honest, I am mostly scared out of my mind. I don’t do change well - I like plans. I like keeping it simple. But I have changed quite a bit lately - honestly, since I had my second child. I went from working a busy job to staying home with only little people to talk to about life. I was lost for quite some time and knew I needed to change. The change started slowly - it wasn’t pretty. In fact, I may have changed, but I don’t feel like I am done.

Fitness has been important to me since I’ve gotten older. I’ve done boot camps, gyms, home workouts - you name it, I’ve sweated to it! After struggling to have a second baby then learning I was expecting my baby girl, I didn’t want to risk anything so I stopped working out. When she was born, I eased my way back into working out, and the first workout that got me going was the 21-day fix from Beachbody. I found a friend in Tiffany at Bump 2 Buff, and she became an inspiration and support for me. I am so thankful for this workout because it made me stronger after baby.

Now, a year after discovering Beachbody, finding a love for running, and devoting 2 days a week to an amazing boot camp, I’m at my best weight and feel amazing! People always ask if I’ll go back to teaching or counseling, and I don’t think it’s in the cards for me right now. I feel like this physical and mental change I’ve worked on for a year is leading me to teach in a different way. I want others to see how fitness can be worked into ANY busy life.

When I first thought of starting a blog, I wanted to be a support for other moms who need to know someone gets the joy AND chaos of everyday life. I hope to be that support and find others to support me on my crazy days. But, fitness and health have quickly become a passion of mine, and I want to offer support there as well.

I am excited for my next journey of teaching - of extending to others what Tiffany and my boot camp instructor, Megan, have extended to me. Taking this break from teaching/counseling has been harder than I thought. I had to find a new place for me to help others. I'm excited to take it a step further by beginning the process to become a fitness instructor as well as work with an amazing group of ladies at Team Inspire. I can’t wait to share workouts, tricks, tips, and anything to help you on your fitness journey. I’ve got big plans for a healthy future. You can too because it can happen - no matter what your life looks like. I promise.

To see my first post on who inspired my blog, click here.


April 2014 > April 2015

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