Snow Day Fun!

A snow day with an 8 year old and a 2 year old can either be filled with fun and excitement or crying and temper tantrums.  Throwing in a blood sugar condition and experiencing the latter becomes even more of a possibility.  I have found that planning different options is the way to navigate the day. 
As a parent I want my kids to love nature.  I want them to have winter wonderland memories of snow days and playing together.  Due to Zoe's hyperinsulinism, her blood sugar can drop too much for her to safely play in the snow with her brother.  In order to continue the snow day fun, I came up with a fun snow day activity that allows both kids to play in the snow safely. 

What you will need to create this snow day fun:
*A large container (we used a rectangular dish)
*2 smaller bowls
*food coloring
*2 spoons or paint brushes
*LOTS of snow

Fill your 2 smaller bowls with water and food coloring, we used purple and green, and place on table.  Next, fill your large container with LOTS of snow and place on the table.  Finally, time to create a masterpiece with your spoons or paintbrushes in the snow!  HINT: When you want a blank canvas just add snow!

Hope you have a great time playing with the snow!  If you try this at home please post a picture here on my blog or on Instagram!  Please tag me!  Looking forward to seeing your creations!

See you soon!

Love always

5 Tips to Keep and Reach you New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!

With a new year comes a great opportunity to think about our lives and think up ways to make this year even better than last year.  Here are 5 tips that I use to keep and hopefully reach my new year resolutions. 
The first tip is to set smaller and timed goals to help you reach the main goal.  One year can be an overwhelming time frame.  It can also cause you to lose your momentum and excitement.  By creating smaller timed goals you are making less daunting changes.  Also it is easier to think "I can do this for 30 days!"  Once you reach that smaller goal you have created a habit and added the excitement of reaching a goal. 
The second tip is to always keep your resolutions and smaller goals visible.  Either keeping them in your planner, creating a colorful poster, or posting sticky-notes everywhere giving yourself a visible reminder will help remind you of what you are working towards.  If you add the time frame until reaching your next smaller goal you will also add excitement.  This will also remind yourself that you can do it!
The third tip is to get others involved.  Studies have shown that talking about your goals makes you more likely to achieve.  Getting others involved in your goals also makes it more fun!  You will also be less likely to cheat if you are working with friends or family.  Be each other's cheerleaders!  Yay for encouragement!
The fourth tip is to stay hydrated.  Keep a bottle of water with you at all times!  No matter what your new year resolutions are, staying hydrated will help.  If your resolution is to lose weight, drinking water will obviously help.  But hydration will also help your mood and health.  Everything is better when you have a positive outlook and healthy!
The final tip is to never give up!  Always remember that even if you are slow reaching your goal, you are still lapping the person not trying or that already gave up.  If you need to adjust your smaller goals time frames, do it!  Just keep taking small steps towards your resolution and you will make it!
What new years resolutions did you make this year?  Do you use any other tips to help you achieve your goals?  Would love to reach our goals together!
Hope these tips help you reach your new years resolutions this year! 

Love always
See you soon

Caprese pasta

I know... this is my third food post this week.  But, with the crazy holiday schedules coming up and all the uber decadent and indulgent food, I think it is important to mix in lighter and healthier recipes whenever possible.  This caprese pasta is so easy to make!  Let me know what you think if you try it!
Make any kind of pasta you like.  My son chose penne for us.  While the pasta is cooking, slice cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.  Take a couple fresh basil leaves and roll them up before slicing.  This gives the basil a ribbon effect.  Once the pasta is ready it is time for plating.  First, put the pasta on the dish.  Second, arrange slices of mozzarella on top of the pasta.  Third, sprinkle tomatoes and basil on top.  Lastly, pour balsamic vinaigrette on top of everything and you are ready to eat!  You could also add blue cheese crumbles on top as well if you want a little extra bite. 

It is red, green, and white.  That makes this a holiday pasta dish right?  Let me know your favorite holiday pasta dish!

See you soon!
Love always

Soupy Sundays - Holiday twist

I love the holidays!  I love family and food.  Combine the two and I am set!  Making these holiday meals usually takes lots of time prepping and cooking.  Spending all that time with my family is great!  But, sometimes during a busy week or at the end of a busy holiday weekend you really want the coziness of a holiday-style meal without all the mess and fuss.  This meal is easy, delicious, and lasts for multiple meals!
In a crockpot, place your chicken or turkey breasts and thighs.  On top of the meat pour a can of golden mushroom soup.  Then take a bag of stuffing, any kind you like and mix it in a bowl with either a cream of soup or a golden mushroom.  After it is completely mixed, pour it on top of the meat on one side.  Then add frozen green beans to the other side.  Again, pour a can of cream of or golden mushroom soup on top of the green beans.  If you want you can stir those as well, but I usually stir them throughout the cooking process.  I usually am running late, so I like to cook this on high for 4 hours.  And then you just wait for the crockpot to work it's magic!

I also love fried onions on top of my green beans.  Yum! 

Do you have a meal that you just love eating, but wish it was easier to make on a regular basis?  Would love to hear it!

See you soon!

Love always

Avocado Breakfast

Usually during the week I am a grab and go kind of breakfast girl.  But on the weekends, breakfast is my favorite meal that I love to slow down with.  It also looks really fancy if you want to impress guests for brunch.  Just don't tell them how easy it was!  The smoked salmon, avocado, egg combo is salty and creamy... just delicious!  I suggest getting large long avocados as the "well" seems to shrink with the addition of the smoked salmon. 
While heating the oven to 350*, cut your avocados in half and remove the seed.  Place avocados hole side up on a aluminum covered baking sheet.  place smoked salmon in the "well."  I really like smoked salmon, so I use a little extra.  After pushing the smoked salmon down, crack one egg in a bowl and then pour it into the avocado "well."  It will overflow, but please don't worry.  Just try to keep most of the yoke in the "well" and the white on top.  This is when the size of your avocado is most important.  Place in the oven and cook until the egg is done to your preference.  I like mine a little runny to dip my toast into. 

What is your favorite weekend breakfast?  Do you like runny eyes for your toast?  So yummy!!  Would love to hear if you enjoy this delicious meal!

 

See you soon!

Love always

Fitness Update: Braving the Spin

After a couple months getting my footing with the Barre Pilates class I have been taking, a friend of mine convinced me to take a spin class with her.  Well really she said "I took this class with you and now you have to take a spin class with me."  hahaha  I know what a bunch of you are thinking.  I am clumsy walking on a good day.  How would I ever walk away from a spin class in one piece.  My only hope was that the class is on stationary bikes. 
One of the aspects of Barre Pilates I love is the easy gear.  During the warmer months I would show up in flip-flops.  The mat and bands are all provided for me.  This is not the case for spin.  My friend was so happy showing me her cool spin shoes that were made to clip right onto the bike and special spin shorts that contain extra cushion in the tushy section for a more comfortable class.  She then informed me that my bum was probably going to be quite sore tomorrow. 
And in comes the doubt.  Was this actually going to be a fun workout or a form of torture?  I was really starting to get concerned.
We were among the first people into the spin room.  After deciding on bikes, I opted for one near the fan, I learned that not only does the seat move up and down and forward and back, but the hand part moves multiple ways too!  It was starting to become overwhelming and then the instructor came in.  She took extra time to make sure I was comfortable and correct in my pose on the bike.  After ensuring that I was secure she also told me a little about the class.  She showed me different techniques she would be calling out to the class.  She started going over the jumps.  Yes, you heard correctly.  Spin class is about doing jumps and sprints on stationary bikes. 
Thankfully one thing I have learned about group fitness classes is that the instructors are there to facilitate the push, but also offer easier alternatives to make everything doable even for a beginner like myself.
The spin class lasted for 1 hour.  It was such a rush!  The instructor choreographer the "ride" to go with the music.  We did sprints, jumps, hills, and long climbs all based on the resistance we set on our own bike.  It was great.  I felt the cardio burn and the sweat, but had a blast learning something new.  The jumps are no joke!  They are timed like dance moves and are quick and controlled.  And they really work your legs!
I am so glad my friend pushed me to take the spin class with her.  I plan on joining her again next week.  It was such a different class, but I loved the challenge!
And yes, in case you are wondering, my bum killed the next day. 
Have you ever taken a spin class or ever thought of taking one but got too scared?  Do you have another cardio class you love that you think I should try?  Would love to hear from you!

See you soon!
Love always

Real life, Real food - Our Lifesaver!!

While looking for my beloved time savers, I found our actual life saver.  If Zoe is having a toddler moment and doesn't really want to eat or we are having a busy day running around and I want to ensure she is getting carbs, I almost always turn to this product.  This product is so easy for Zoe to eat.  It has 33g of carbs, 4g of protein, and 20% of Iron.  And after much build up, the product that we live by is, drum roll please...  Beech-Nut Just apple and red bean.

Along with being a great baby.  As Zoe grows up, this product will grow with her as well... everyone loves applesauce! 

As always, I am not a nutritionist or have any type of medical degree.  I am just a mom trying give my kids the best and as normal as possible lives they can have.  Hope our discoveries help other families get closer to that goal as well. 

Do you have a "go-to" product that your family lives by?  Would love all help we can share!

See you soon!
Love always