5 Tips to Shopping Round Top

My sister is a big fan of antiques and even started her own business - I'm so excited for her. She turned me into a fan too, and we LOVE  Round Top, Texas. Twice a year, this tiny, precious town has an antiques week, and it is a blast. Grab your girlfriends, your shopping shoes, maybe a mimosa, and hit the road. Here are my top 5 tips to shopping Round Top (with help from the pro herself, my sister). 

ONE - Stay Overnight

I know kids and life get in the way of this one, but if you plan ahead, you can make this a fabulous girls weekend. There are some precious farmhouses and B&Bs to keep you cozy after a day of shopping. We have stayed here numerous times, and it's perfect. The food? YUM. Another tip to staying overnight - book early. The next antiques week is September 26-October 1 so you can go ahead and get something on the books now!

TWO - Know the Best Time to Shop

Go at the beginning of the show for the first dibs on all the goods. Or, go at the end of the show for the best deals. It's pretty popular at these times, so go in the morning if you can. The traffic can get crazy, but there's tons of parking! Wherever you land, you'll will be in the midst of shopping. 

THREE - Bring Cash and/or Checkbook

It's just easier for everyone to have cash on hand. The service can get spotty out there, so it's easier on the vendors if you use one of these payment options. And, when you find the perfect thing, that booth may not take cards! Prepare - hit the ATM before and you will be good to go. Also, you can negotiate with the sellers with sensible offers too. 

 FOUR - Go to the Junk Gypsy Prom

I have only gone once, but I highly recommend the Junk Gypsy prom. Get gussied up in fabulous clothes, listen to good music, stop by the photo booth, and have a ball! My sister just prom'ed it up - how cute is she?!

FIVE - Get Comfortable

You will walk and walk some more, so wear comfy clothes and shoes. Put on a hat and some sunscreen too - this shopping thing is hard work, so you want to be prepared. And, if you have a wagon or a cart, bring that too (they do sell carts there if you need one).  If you find some goodies, you will want to be comfy as you shop and lug your treats around Round Top. Added note - if you find something big, you can make arrangements to pick up later as you head out.

My sister's treasures can be seen in these pictures. You can also see more on Facebook. 

Or, if you do come out, come find her! Say hi and get something fun. 

Happy shopping!

{Pin this!}

Saying Good-Bye to the Pity Party

There are a few things I'm good at - drinking coffee, being disciplined with my workouts, loving my kids, eating foods that aren't the best for me, and having pity parties. I can do that last thing LIKE A BOSS. Moping around because my day is the worst ever or staying in a rotten mood because I have to grieve more than the average bear - I'm just super great at that skill.

So this weekend with my birthday happening and a post going live that had me scared AND excited, I had SO much to make me happy. And guess what? I WAS so happy. Friends came out to celebrate my day - plus a dear friend surprised me when he came too! Then, my post was shared and shared some more; people reached out, and I felt so much love. I felt peace and prayers; I felt God. With Easter coming this weekend too, it was just good timing.

Now, I want to put this right here and leave it right here - I want to say good-bye to my pity parties. I want to hang on to this weekend and remember how good it felt and how PERFECT our GOD is. Life isn't pretty, and no one promised it would be without bumps and bruises. But, I am surrounded with love, laughter, and life. And if life goes crazy again (I pray it does not), I really feel that this life around me will sustain me in some way. Grief will sneak in; anxiety will come creeping back, but I want to chronicle the good from this past weekend. If I can hold on to these sweet memories, I will remember life can be good right after it's bad. Holding on to that thought will get me (and YOU) far if we let it.

I really, really like that thought. I am changing some things I'm good at - not the coffee or the occasional bad food item (I'll never say good-bye to the occasional queso or cupcake), but I want to be good at celebrating a better party. Not the pity, but the party.

Thank you to my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, my blogging family, and my God for letting me see that light so brightly.

Have the best week, friends. I plan on it.

If you havent, I hope you will head over and read my post at Her View From Home. I wrote this post right before my brother passed. Now, it's helping me find my strength again. Thank you for your support!

Friday Finds {Vol. 24} - My Birthday List

High five, it's FRIDAY! We have a three day weekend to celebrate Easter, AND it's my birthday. Normally, I wouldn't shout that from the rooftops since this year is my last in the 30s, but I am in desperate need of some celebration. Since life has been heavy, I need something light. Welcome to this week's Friday Finds - My Birthday List. My husband keeps asking what I would like for my birhtday so I thought I put together a list of some practical gifts. Consider it a little gift guide for this tired, crazed mama.

One

Sleep. I want to wake up on my own. I don't want any children to scare me into the day with their face in mine. I love them dearly, but when your 7 year-old creeps in about 6:30 am on a weekend and asks if he slept in...it will jolt you into the day for sure. I would like some sleepy time then to wake up at my pace and prepare for gift #2.

Two

Coffee. Like, a whole, hot cup in one sitting. I NEVER get to finish my cup - blame the toddler, the 1st grader late for the bus, or the laundry that beckons. I use to wake up extra early just for the quiet and the coffee, but on my birthday, I just want to wake up and drink in peace. The coffee of my dreams would be in a fun little mug, and I would sit gingerly on the couch and sip until my heart's content. A cup I don't have to reheat 37 times, please.

Three

A long shower. No children allowed in the bathroom at this time either. No toddler trying to see if my liquid eyeliner is her color. I might even wash my hair AND dry it with an actual hair dryer. Put on some make-up and non-workout clothes and just be cute for a hot minute. If I see little fingers under the door, it doesn't count and my time will start over. It's my birthday, I make the rules.

Four

A solo trip to Target. No, I don't have a list. Maybe hand me a gift card on the way out the door for an added bonus. Me, the red cart, and let's be honest - a Starbucks. Also, please be patient too because I plan to casually make my way up and down the aisles taking in all the goods. Honestly, if you can't work out the other gift ideas, I'll just settle for this one. Alone in Target = vacation.

Five

Quiet. Take the kids, run some errands, see what it's like. I may be here on the couch confused by the stillness but enjoying it nonetheless. I do have some Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Fixer Upper to watch on the DVR, so no rush at all. Enjoy those sweet kids. You've got this, honey.

Via

BONUS

While you're out, if you see anything in the form of a chocolate cupcake, I'll take one, please. Grab one for yourself. If you make this gift guide happen, you deserve a treat, too.

Birthdays sure have changed when you get older, and on a serious note, I am thankful for a husband who will probably make a few of my wishes come true. Starting Friday night when we have quiet, kid-free time with wine and friends! 

What would be your perfect birthday gift? We all deserve the quiet, the coffee, Target, and the chocolate. Pin this nifty gift guide if your big day is coming soon. I say use these ideas for Mother's Day too! These gifts are universal. 

Cheers to 39! It's going to be a good one!

The Heavy

Amidst a crazy time in my life, I am so happy that the Healthy Mama Series got such great feedback. I am excited to share the next mama soon!

Now for The Heavy. I found a post this week that really hit home for how I've been the last few days. Sure, we have had some spring break fun and celebrated some family moments, but life has been hard.

We are two months into life without my brother, and I am not sure I can put into words how weird and hard and beautiful life has been. I prefer the beautiful part, but I am not naive - the harder parts are there too. They lurk and sneak out without warning. I read this post this week, and wow. Those 100 foot waves are crashing down on me right now. They are big, and they are heavy.

I am in the season of grief where life just keeps going, and you go too. But, you have this moment in the middle of a good time, and you are suddenly stunned. My brother isn't here. I can't call him to check on him or ask him to help me with something. He's not there, and that feeling is heavy. Just this week, I was at the rodeo with my son having a great time and I see an old friend. We hug, and he says, "I am praying for you." I have to be honest, it took me a second to realize why he said that. Then, I spent the night going back and forth between sad and fun. He meant well, but that's grief for you. Sneaky little thing.

Then, I feel alone. Grief is different for many people, and it comes out differently. I am angry, and I am sad. When my dad died, I took one month off of work to process what I could. Now that I'm a mom, I don't get to take time off to "work" on my grief. I am okay with crying in front of my kids - I want them to see real emotions. But, wiping the applesauce painting (by my toddler artist) off the wall when you really want to crawl under the covers - it's a weird balance.

There are also the times when I think I am grieving incorrectly. I do feel angry, but should I feel it more than I do? I could sit for hours and pray and/or write, but I don't cry. Should I cry more? We spent the other weekend with family while my nephew ran his first marathon. And dare I say it, but I had the best weekend. Just real people having a casual time - laughing a lot. Should I not have that kind of fun when grieving?

I don't want to change the focus on my blog from well being to grief, but I do feel it's honest to share when life isn't perfect. When it's dirty, gross, confusing, and downright frustrating. I know I am still in the early season of grief, and maybe I am afraid because I know already how nasty it can get next week, next month, and even in the next 5 years. Sometimes, I just don't want to do this grief thing all over again.

They say that it will get worse before it gets better. Maybe this the worse right now. Maybe it's not. I have to get the words out so I could feel just one bit lighter. Until then, I am going back to this post over and over. I am going to admit I am not okay and remember that THAT'S okay.

From The Wellness Warrior

If you’re struggling today, feeling like you’re not enough, that you’re broken beyond repair, and that you’ll never have your act together, here’s some good news:
YOU DON’T HAVE TO. 

That’s why God sent us Jesus.
You are enough because of who He is.
You are not broken, you’re loved. We get to turn to Him and let Him take our broken places and to turn them into beautiful testimony of His healing power.
And you don’t have to have your act together all the time. Our weakness is the perfect vehicle to display HIS glory. 

Truth is? I’m not okay. But I’ve got a Savior who is. 
And THAT is enough for me.

The Healthy Mama Series - Meet Kristin

I am SO excited to start my first blog series - moms sharing their transformations and stories of health, hope, and happiness. Moms are crazy busy, but we deserve the time to take care of ourselves. These awesome moms will share how fitness works in their lives, and I hope they inspire you just as they do me!

Up first - Kristin! Kristin is a teacher, coach, wife, and mom of twin toddlers. I love her transformation story and thank her for sharing her world with us!

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I first want to start off with a thank you to Kim for asking me to share my story. I have never done anything like this before and do not really know where to start. So, I will start off stating my struggle with weight and being healthy has gone on since high school. I was very active playing volleyball full time, but even then, I wasn’t happy with how I looked. Then off to college I went where I yo-yoed through the four years.

Fast forward, I was now married and wanting children. After four years of different fertility treatments, we were blessed with boy/girl twins. Through the process came a lot of weight gain, due to hormone treatments, depression, pregnancy and so on. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy during my pregnancy and embraced every moment as I knew it was a blessing.

The twins turned one and as I looked at pictures, I didn’t recognize the person in them. I first went into denial and continued my horrible eating habits. I knew I had to do something so that summer I decided I would start “running” again. My mile times were in the 15 minute range, but I was doing it. One morning I ran by what looked like a boot camp, I went home to google Camp Gladiator and read what they were all about. They were at the time running a special so I contacted the trainer and set up a chance to go try it out. Oh I forgot to mention, this was 5:30 in the morning! Little background, I have always been the person who said they would NEVER wake up early to work out, sleep is too precious. What I didn’t realize is your time is limited when you become a mom. I fell l in love with the program and the trainer. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it work when I went back to school, but I was determined to figure it out. The class time changed to 5:15 to help us teachers out, but with me needing to be at school at 7:10, I was still pushing it.

I started going twice a week; those first two weeks I couldn’t walk and came home to almost throw up each time. That is how out of shape I was. I then moved it to three days which in turn changed to five days a week. I started work, and it was tough, but I made it work. I got to class at 5, got some light jogging in before class started and left at 6, a full hour. My best friend ended up joining which made class even better. We then moved the time up to meet at 4:50 some mornings to get 2 full miles in before class. Here I was a person who said they would never wake up early to work out, getting up at 4:15 to workout, then go to school to coach to then return home to be a mom and a wife.

I was feeling really good, so one Saturday, I set my alarm to get up and run. I made it six miles with no problem. I also realized my mile time went from 15 minutes to around 11 at that time. At this time I had run four marathons and was a runner in the past. It felt good to get outside and be running again. I decided to keep going each weekend and soon my 6 miles turned to 10. I registered for the Cypress half marathon where I beat my record time by 5 minutes. Here, I was a mom of twins with a full time job and I just hit my PR for the half. Needless to say, this was a very emotional day and one I will remember forever. Please know I am not judging any other moms here as we all know our plates are filled with different obstacles and challenges.

My love for running came back full swing, and I quickly got into the Houston half and Katy Half. I ran three half marathons in 3 months and now my total count was 7! I still do Camp Gladiator 4-5 times a week and run on the weekends. What I hope you get from this is find what you love and get back into it. We all have to start somewhere, mine was a 15 minute mile now down to about a 9:45-10 minute pace. Never say never and ALWAYS make healthy time for you!

Also during all of this, I tried a new product line Plexus. Plexus brought me back to healthy in a way I never imagined. It balanced my hormones and blood sugars to in turn helped the weight loss. I sleep a lot better and the Plexus slim gives me energy for the whole day…4:30AM comes quick! I would love to share with you the many products Plexus offers and that I currently take, if you are interested at all in learning more about this product, you can contact me at kristin.forrest@cfisd.net or message me on Facebook. You can check out the products HERE.

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I am SO excited for Kristin! With a full time job and little twins at home, her story is more than inspiring. My message - just like hers - is for moms to explore their health and fitness options. We all can find time for our health - boot camps, at home workouts, running, etc. You have so many options to find your fit - just as Kristin did!

I can't wait for other moms to share how they make fitness work into their worlds. I hope you find something to inspire you!

How To Set Your Goals {7 Quick Steps}

Spring Break is just around the corner, and we need some family time up in here. It's a good time to reorganize, replan, and rethink my goals for this new year. As I've shared, this year did not start as I had hoped - and you can bet those 2016 resolutions can to a crashing stop. Grief sure is a crazy, mad journey, and I am hanging on for dear life. I keep reminding myself to take one day at a time, let myself rest, and give myself grace; I'm doing that when there is downtime, but I am also feeling the urge to get back to things - but get back to them differently. These 7 steps are how I plan to set my new goals.

Follow a Process

Since so much has changed, I need to spend time brainstorming and planning what I want to do now. I'll be honest - my plans have changed; I just feel different. Just like you would research for any project, paper, job, or blog post - research YOU. The English teacher in me plans to pre-write, draft, and final draft those goals. If they are important to you, you need to spend time constructing them.

Use a Planner

We always need an excuse to go to Target, right? Head over and grab a planner, desk calendar, dry erase board, sticky notes - anything! Once you see the goals in writing, they become real. This planner becomes your book of dreams, and I am strong believer that moms can dream big too. Check out this awesome free printable here that is great for goal-setting. 

Set an End Date

I want to have my personal training certification done by July 1st. Having an end in mind helps me focus and plan how each step will look and how long it will take. Plus, I can start making plans for the fall and prepare to open my own boot camp. With these visions in mind, I can get to work.

Be Realistic

We are moms - we work, we play, we need sleep. You know I am a big proponent of taking care of yourself so you can take care of them. So when setting your goals, realize you cannot do it all - and you definitely can't do it all today. I could easily study and make this certification my first goal in life, but that's not my reality. I need to pace myself and spend time with my family. Honor those commitments - and mainly that commitment to your well-being when setting your goals.

Chunk Your Goals

Look at the goals you've created then figure out the steps to finishing each one. For studying, I need to chunk my time for each topic, chapter, etc. For blogging, I need to look at one element at a time so I can improve this little blog. Each goal takes time and won't be accomplished in a day, so chunk them into little pieces and work on each one slowly. Give yourself that time so each one falls into place just as you envision.

Involve Others

Share your plans with friends - maybe those who are like-minded. My trainer knows my studying plans; my sweet friend, Kristy, supports my blogging goals. Both are mentors to me as they give great advice and check in when needed. Or, grab your besties and share your goals with them so they can be your cheerleaders. You will need others to rally around you as you push forward.

Reward Yourself

This reward isn't for the end- small rewards along the way are great motivators. If I study on my designated study days/times, I may use the next day to catch up on Fuller House :) Or, if your finances allow, go buy something nice for yourself - celebrate that you spent time on your goal and spend time on you. I may slowly buy workout equipment with each small goal I accomplish. Go for it - those small rewards push you towards the big reward at the end. 

I'm sharing this post today because I want to empower myself and others to keep going. We are going to have ROUGH days for sure, but just think of all you can do if you plan and set those goals. That day will make all the yucky ones in between worth it. We are all WORTH it. 

This little one is watching. I want her to be a goal-getter too! 

If you're ready to draft your goals, pin these tips - they'll help get you all set! What goals are you reaching for in 2016?

A Slumber Party

I wanted to title this post something like How to Be a Good Friend When Your Friend is in Crisis or How to Keep Your Friend From Going Crazy. But, I'll keep it simple. I am almost 40 (gasp), and I went to a slumber party on Friday. Like, put on your jammies, get some junk food, talk about boys kinda slumber party. And, it was a blast.

When my brother passed away in January, so many friends asked what they could do. They took me for drinks, watched my kids, brought me wine/dinner/etc. We had a private service for him, so many friends wanted to do something to help me cope since they wouldn't be at his service. Since grief is not new to me, I knew what I would need - once all the chaos slowed down, and people returned to normal, I wanted to "get away" with my girlfriends and be real. Real tears, real talk, real laughter...just a time to gather 'round my peeps - minus kids - and just have FUN.

And we did.

We ate cupcakes.

We laughed. We laughed A LOT.

We watched a movie - a WHOLE NON-CARTOON MOVIE. I even stayed awake for the whole thing.

Then, I slept so peacefully (though we went to bed late, and my natural alarm clock now goes off so early. Darn kids).

If you have a friend who is going through anything hard, check on them even if you think things are okay. If you can, kick your kids and hubby out (in a nice way, of course) then get on your pajamas, open some wine, indulge in some goodies, and just laugh.

Mom life is already tough so when there is a crisis too, it's really suffocating at times. For the first time in two months, I felt really happy.

Thank you, sweet friends, for a fun night. I cannot wait until the next one.

Friday Finds {Vol. 23) - The 4x4 Diet

You know I am all about my workouts and fitting them in NO MATTER WHAT. You know I do it for my sanity. And, for the longest time after baby #2, I could not figure out how in the world to make it happen. After quite a bit of trial and error (not to mention a gym contract gone bad), I found my "place" with a fitness routine that works for me. But, my plan may not be yours - our lives are different! My goal is to share ideas so you can see just how mentally beneficial fitness can be for the tired mama.

Time is the number one reason why moms do not work out. If you had time to do something for you, you'd be fast asleep or parked on the couch watching a Real Housewives episode. And, I do those things too - I just schedule time to workout; I find time each day to MOVE. With my boot camp now down to one night a week, I have increased the at-home workout plan. This week, Beachbody released it's latest workout - 22 Minute Hard Corps - and I've worked it into my weekly routine. TWENTY-TWO MINUTES. I am digging this one for sure.

But, what else is there? When can you get your heart rate up each day? You work; you are tired; your kids have activities every 5 minutes - when do YOU take a few minutes and workout? Recently, a former student (Hi, Linds!) posted a picture with celebrity trainer, Erin Oprea. Erin released a book about getting your body where you want it in 4 weeks - including key foods and FOUR minute workouts. I am loving this book and her information. She is a busy working mom who gets it - she has found a way to make diet and exercise work in our overwhelmingly busy lives. Connecting to moms like Erin is why I love social media and why I'm learning more about healthy living every single day.

While I am in the middle of this great book and my notes to make it work for me, I see a news story about Erin - with her client, Carrie Underwood, jumping in to defend this awesome mama. Here's the gist - Erin was at her son's soccer game when she decided to make her workout happen. What does she do? Grab her jump rope (smart idea - keep one in the car!) and gets some cardio in while watching her son play. And without knowing, a man snaps a picture of her and blasts her over the interwebs for trying to grab attention to herself, and thus, a debate erupts.

But, here's my take - and it's a take I've had since I started sharing my journey almost one year ago - there is nothing wrong with taking time for YOU. I applaud Erin for using this time to stay healthy. The mom life is so crazy that we rarely remember to take care of ourselves so we can take care of them. If you have 30 minutes at your child's practice, grab the jump rope or walk/run around the field.  Or try these ideas: wake up earlier - just 20-30 minutes and do something at home. Join a gym with childcare and take a class. Grab your neighbor and make one night a week your night to walk. Hit the park and do some step-ups while chasing the kids. Research local boot camps and try a free class. I am forever glad I did that. It can happen, friends!

Or, grab Erin's book and let her continue to be an example to the busy mom - use her key foods/recipes to change up your meal planning. Try her workouts and notice what happens when your body starts to change. I am so excited to use this book as a guide and Erin as my role model for getting that workout in no matter your lifestyle. Grab your copy and maybe we can make a book club of out it :)

I am so excited to share her influence on me in just the short amount of time I've been reading and learning from her. And, coming soon, I will be sharing more amazing moms who have found a way to make health a priority.

Now, excuse me...I'm going put a jump rope in my car. Have a great weekend, friends!

Life Lately

Let's be honest - moms struggle, and that's the truth. Your struggle may be stress at work, financial issues, sickness, anxiety, crazy kid chaos, finding time to do it all, etc... If your mornings are like mine, you are herding children around slowly losing your mind until any of them decide to listen. We struggle in our beautiful mess daily.

My life right now is living with grief again. It sure is a wild and bumpy ride. I am currently all over the place, and I want to be candid with my journey - and simply, to be honest. Sometimes. social media can make the lives around you seem perfect while yours is just not so.

So I want to share a realistic picture of where I am right now - with all of it. I hope this post is one I look back on later this year (or heck, maybe next year) and see how I've overcome the struggles I'm having lately.

Exercise. I workout so I don't wig out. I like that motto because that's what moving does for me. My journey started when I began to share how fitness has completely changed my life. I try on a daily basis to share that story - the ups and downs - but, I get flustered when there is not much response. Sometimes, I feel like I am talking to a wall, but I have to keep moving - for me.

Running. Where I was a year ago with running is not where I am now. My pace is so much slower; I walk more on a run. It's really frustrating when it use to feel so natural. The same 10K I did last year is coming up, and I am not confident. My nephew, who is running with me, says he's sticking with me the entire race. I may come in last, but I've got to run - especially with him by my side!

Eating. I have always had a big ol' love for some good eats. I can rock some healthy meals during the week, but once that weekend hits, I fall back - some times really far back. I don't want to beat myself up about it all, but it seems like every Monday is another new start. We love to socialize on weekends, so we tend to eat too many treats. I am a big fan of "everything in moderation," but I am struggling with confusing stress with needing something not so good for me.

Studying. I have plans to have my own boot camp one day and was studying to get certified. But right now, my brain is struggling to do little tasks each day so there is no way I can focus on muscle groups and oxygen cycles in the body. Looks like I need to extend my deadline, and I am okay with that right now.

Appearance. Almost one year ago, I began sharing my journey. I had some great before and after photos to show my hard work. I am not in that "before" picture anymore, but I am definitely not the "after" now. My struggle here is that I feel as though I am falling behind - some days quicker than others. Life has been so crazy and different lately, that I am giving myself grace, but I am ready to feel comfortable again.

Source

Here's what we all need to do when we life gets to be too much. We need to pray; we need to fight one day at a time; we need to love our kids; we need to be good friends; and we need to be patient. Patience is why I want to share this time with others - I'm ready for life to be "normal" again, and sometimes I expect it to happen RIGHT NOW. The fact is - we have to process change (and in my case - grief) without putting an expiration date on it. We have to give ourselves grace. Perhaps my journey now is not just fitness but sharing how I'll overcome life's hardships once again.

If you are struggling right now with whatever stresses or change life has handed you, give yourself a moment or many moments to process it all. As moms, we don't often have time for ourselves to rest our brains, the what ifs, or the scenarios in our head. I need to write these words to remind myself to give it time. And to remind myself that I have gotten through tough times before, and I will be okay.

Maybe you needed that reminder today. I pray all of your "life lately" struggles are preparing you for something greater too.

Portion Control - How to Balance Your Daily Meals

TGIF, friends! Yes, I did indulge in an Easy Brownie Trifle, but I'm not letting that indulgence get me down - we all deserve treats every now and then. My past fitness "plan" was to workout then eat whatever the heck I wanted and eat it all the time (like that trifle). And guess what happened? Not a darn thing. I knew I needed to watch what I ate, when I ate it, and how much I ate.

I had to learn how to balance AND portion my meals. A little program helped me do that - once I tracked my meals and measured carefully, it became a natural habit for me. Now, no matter where I am - home or out to eat - I try to build my plate very carefully (NOTE: I say TRY because I love chips, queso, margaritas, chocolate, etc. I am just learning that "everything in moderation" thing).

Balancing your meals and constructing your plate takes time - and of course, it takes preparation. Here are some ways I build each of my meals throughout the day. 

1. Plan your grocery list carefully. I use my planner to list my meals - from breakfast all the way to dinner. From this meal planner, I build my grocery list and make sure the bulk of my groceries come from the outer perimeters of the store. I know that the processed food will not settle well with me or my goals. If I go in without a plan, I leave with bad choices.

2. Build a protein-packed breakfast. Eggs and more eggs. I usually have 2 each morning and mix in with my favorite veggies. When I start my day with protein, I feel full. To think, I use to skip breakfast completely. Try these breakfast muffins if you need something quick and on the go. Another great idea is Greek yogurt - top with berries, honey, cinnamon, peanut butter, or granola. It's filling and a good compliment for that sweet tooth. 

3. Snack twice daily. My snacks are also packed with protein - I am either having a shake or hard boiled eggs. The protein in these snacks give me the boost I need - especially during that afternoon slump. Another good snack option is fruit. I buy fruit like crazy then wash and store so I can grab when needed. A nice fruit bowl of grapes and berries make a nice snack buddy with that protein. 

4. Leave the carbs behind after 3pm. When I began working out before my wedding, my trainer at the time suggested leaving the carbs out of your meals after 3pm. Since I try to follow this on most days, my dinners are mainly protein and loads of veggies. For me, heavy amounts of pasta and or breads leave me feeling bloated and heavy. I don't like this feeling right before bed so I keep the dinners light (I try to save my treat meals for Fridays - nothing says, "congrats, you made it through another week" like some comfort foods. And maybe an adult beverage).

5. Move. I could talk about exercise all day long and how much it saves me daily. I HAVE TO MOVE - for mental strength more than anything. Walk, do Couch to 5K, join a gym, boot camp - just MOVE. You can find 20-30 minutes a day to get up and get out. With the balance of healthy meals, the physical activity will kick your life up a notch. I recently read an idea to give up 20 minutes of social media scrolling and move - great idea for those who can't find time!

I've been sharing some meal ideas via Instagram, and I am including some of my favorites here. You can make delicious meals that leave you feeling good and full. 

And, for me, the saving grace has been these containers and this program. I used the containers so much that I can build my meals quickly and know I am giving myself all then necessary nutrients I need in this busy life. Each meal below was built with these handy containers, too!

Breakfast - Egg and Veggie Scramble

2 eggs plus veggies (bell peppers and zucchini)

Lunch - Fajita Bowl

Flank steak, veggies (bell peppers and tomatoes), avocado, brown rice

(Dinner - omit the rice)

Lunch - Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken, veggies (asparagus and carrots), brown rice, siracha

(Dinner - omit the rice)

Lunch - Avocado Turkey Grilled Cheese with Sliced Apples

2 slices Eziekiel bread, Applegate smoked cheddar, avocado, and Applegate nitrate-free turkey

grilled on stove or George Foreman grill. 

What's the next step to balancing your meals? Find accountability. Grab a friend or your spouse and create meals and programs to help you make better choices. Check in with one another - share recipes too. If I can help you in anyway, contact me. I am a work in progress, and I like my cheat meals too; but, I just know what makes me see these inner and outer results I need to be healthy. Have a great weekend, friends!

Thank you.

Writing this post has been on my mind for almost a month. There are words inside just clawing to get out into the open. I am honestly not sure how my brother would feel about this post, but I do know he would want me to be okay. So, to the words I go….

At the beginning of January, I wrote a post about dealing with grief. With what has happened in my life, I do not consider myself any expert on the topic, but I did want to share more of my story - mainly about how the loss of my dad affects me every single day of my life. Then, I lost my brother the day before I planned to hit “publish.” That post can wait another day, because I really don’t know how to deal right now. Grief is a crazy journey; it really never ends because your heart is different. Life is just different.

I am going to put this right here because there is NO other way to say it - IT SUCKS. It truly does - no matter how or why, losing someone you deeply love is so physically and mentally painful. Dealing with grief? I have NO idea how to help you with powerful words or insight, but I do know that with all this sadness, I AM so beyond grateful. And that’s what I want this post to say - THANK YOU.

Thank you to our extended family - my amazing uncle dropped everything (again) and drove 4 hours to my mom’s. I am not really sure what we talked about, but I know he and my aunt were there. Being around them at that moment was what we needed. Thank you to our families who came to be with us at his service and after - and for calling to check on my mom. Thank you.

Thank you to my in-laws who drove far to be with me. And, they understood when I had to take a glass of wine into the closet and just cry because there were too many people at my house, and I needed a minute. Thank you.

Thank you to my children's teachers - they prayed and loved on my babies when I didn’t know how to be a mom at that point. They promised to care for and love them; I cannot say thank you enough.

Thank you to my dermatologist. I went for a skin scare check last week and for some reason, I just cried in the room. She hugged me so tight. My dermatologist, y’all. She could’ve looked the other way, but she was so kind. I felt like a hot mess, but she never showed that she thought that. Bless her.

Thank you to my friends. Wow. The texts, the calls, the prayers, the food, the babysitting, the wine, the hugs, the allowing me to cry when I had a moment (or two). The friends who said “I’m sorry you are sad, now I will pick you up at 8 for a drink and won’t take no for an answer, k?” Those kind of awesome, true friends who let you be you and grieve however you see fit.

Thank you to my husband. I am NOT easy by any means so throw in something so hard, and it can be messy. He loves me despite my mess, my sass, my crazy grief, my confusion, my happy one minute to loco the next. And, I know his heart was hurting too because he loved my brother like his own. I love you, Pocket. What a crazy, hard, beautiful ride - thank God you’re mine.

Thank you for my brother’s friends who came to his service. Thank you for hugging my mom and sharing stories about him. Thank you still for going to see her a month later and helping her. It helps her SO much. Please don’t stop those visits.

Thank you to my mom’s friends. Ms. Kathy, Ms. Janet, Ms. Mary Jane, Ms. Patty, Ms. Judy….I am forgetting so many. But, you have been her friend for so long, and I can feel relieved knowing you are caring for her.

Thank you to my nephews. Y’all, my brother gave me the greatest gift of being an aunt to these boys. In the last year, we have gotten closer than ever, and I adore them. They are my friends; they are my counselors; they are my kids’ role models (heck, mine too). They rule - that’s all I can say. I love you, Gage and Gunar.

Thank you to my mom and sister. We are strong though we don’t know it most days. We are going to be okay because we have each other. We are allowed bad days - I say take as many as we need; but, we have to keep living because our two people are having a beautiful time in Heaven. They are fishing, building, laughing, and enjoying being with each other once again. They want us to do the same here. I love you both so deeply. We can do hard things.

Thank you to my kids. Some days, I don’t feel I am cut out to be a mom. It’s hard stuff. But, when I look at both of you, I see so much of my dad and my brother - your pop and uncle. You are FUN; you are quite funny; you are carefree; you are adventurous. There’s a reason God gave you both to me. I love you both - to infinity and beyond.

And one final thank you. To my brother. When dad died, you told me you would look out for me because he would want that. I am not sure if this is what you meant, but I know with my whole heart, you are taking care of me still. I feel your protective arms telling me it will be okay; that you’re okay. I love you, and I am so thankful I had a big brother just like you. I hope you know that. Thank you for protecting me always.

Thank you for reading my giant thank you card :) Here is what I ask now - life is going on around us, and it is hard to watch it happen sometimes. Please keep thinking and praying - we are in for another long road - one that may never end. Check on us, let’s go grab that coffee/wine. Pray for us. Visit. Call. Text. We need that love as we move forward. Thank you for your understanding, your kindness, and for reading. I will see you all very soon.

Friday Finds {Vol. 22} - Pineapple Salsa

Since the new year, I have focused more on my nutrition. I KNOW that queso and chips is not a food group (sigh) so I need to lighten up our taco nights. This pineapple salsa was a perfect companion to our grilled shrimp this week. The leftovers were fantastic for a snack the next day.

Ingredients

2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1/2 cup chopped avocado
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2-3 Tbl chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped (optional if you want some heat)
2 limes, juiced

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Chill for 30 minutes and serve.

At first, I wasn't sure the onion and pepper would pair well with the pineapple, but I loved this crunchy combo. When I was little, my mom would serve pineapple with mayo and cheese. So weird yet so oddly delicious. This salsa brought back that memory - thanks, sweet pineapple, for being versatile :)

Make this for your taco night - the salsa would be awesome on fish or shrimp tacos. You don't have to ditch all the taco night goodies - this salsa gives your dish that unique bite it's been missing.

Happy Friday, friends!

Top 5 Books of 2015

This former English teacher loves to read. But, the busy, tired mama finds it hard to sneak away and dive into a good book. I choose my books carefully - if I am going to invest in the story, I want it to keep my attention. My dad loved to read - he would bounce from one book to another, just digging into the characters and story lines. I'm proud to say he made me a reader.

Reading comes in sporadic waves - I read 2-3 books in a row then I need to give my brain a break. Then, I find another 2-3 and go at it again. This year was no different. Thanks to my wine book club, a new book is always around the corner - just waiting for me to jump into the plot as well as picture the characters, their motivation, and their outcomes. When the day is long and the kids are cranky, put them to bed early, grab a glass of wine, and get to reading. Here are my Top 5 Books of 2015.

We Were Liars by Emily Lockhart

A friend recommended this book, but after reading some heavy suspense, I wasn't sure I was ready for this one. Well, I read it in two days. This book is not a 'feel good' one in any way, but the characters grab you - mainly the lead character who has been through some traumatic event, yet you don't know what the event is. You feel for this character as she struggles yet you cheer for her to find peace from whatever caused her so much turmoil. Read ASAP.

After You by JoJo Moyes

This amazing book is a sequel to Moyes' Me Before You. Louisa is a quirky main character who stumbles upon a relationship with a paraplegic as she becomes his caretaker. The readers bonds with Louisa so you must pick up After You to check on your friend. I met JoJo Moyes, the author, at a book signing, and she is the cutest. I love the stories she tells and the characters she creates.  The relationships Louisa unexpectedly finds in BOTH books are complicated yet beautiful. NOTE: Me Before You - the movie - will be released in September 2016 so hurry and read!

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

After reading The Girl on the Train (see below), it was recommended I read this one. I guess I was on a mystery/suspense kick for a bit in 2015, and this book is no different. A young teacher is kidnapped yet no one knows how, why, or by whom. Each chapter is told from the teacher, her mother, the leader investigator, and by the possible kidnapper. I love when books do this - offer perspectives from different points of view so the reader can make their guesses on what is going on or in this case - who did it and why?

Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

You may need a drink after reading this one - it could be qualified as a saga - not because it is long but because there are so many characters who make up this beautiful, yet painful story. The book begins with someone in danger, but who is it? What is she running from? Slowly, we piece together how a young orphan begins her life on a plantation. She becomes part of a unique family all with stories of their own. What's beautiful about this story is how she assimilates with an unlikely family and how they grow to survive an ugly world together. This story is told from the point of view of many characters and by the end, you are emotionally drained. But, isn't that what makes a book so great?

Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Once you are done reading this post, go get this book, find a quiet space, and don't expect to get much done. It's gripping from the beginning - who is Rachel? Why is she so obsessed with strangers she sees while on a train?  And, how does she get involved in their traumatic life? A review described this book as "compulsively readable." So get to steppin' and don't expect to be able to jump out of her world anytime soon. Love. It.

I would love to hear your favorite books from this year. My latest book sabbatical is ending so I need some good ones. And, if you have read any of my Top 5, share your reviews too. We can call it a virtual reading club. Who's in??

You can also find me on GoodReads to see what I'm reading!