Tag: mom approved

Opening the door…

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It’s interesting how things play out sometimes, and how one simple act can start a domino effect to something bigger.

I took the kiddos to the indoor play place today because the weather was crap and we needed something to do. Afterwards they wanted to go to Panera, which I am always happy to oblige because y’all know I love to eat. Ha! We went in, and walking in I saw the cutest kids with their mom by the door, and I told them both I loved their hair, especially the colors in the girl’s hair.

We walked up to the counter, ordered our food – the clerk asked dine-in or take out and I said dine-in. He responded that the restaurant was currently full and that there would probably be a wait to find a table. Not a problem, we don’t have anywhere else to be.

The kids and I stood around for 5-10 minutes, me eagle eyeing for an open seat or two, when I finally spotted a group of teens getting up from a table in the back, so I ushered the kids over and we grabbed our spot to eat. On my way to fill my drink, I notice the same mom and kiddos (adorable baby not pictured) glancing around the still packed to the gills dining room so I mention to her that I have a 6 person table I snagged in the back, and she’s welcome to sit with us, that we weren’t creepy (that I know of, LOL) – she accepted and we all sat down to eat.

It took about 3 minutes for the little boy to turn to Wyatt and in the sweetest voice offered to share his tablet, and within seconds the little girl sitting next to Tatum offered the same with hers. I sat there making some small talk and watching the kids happily play together like life-long friends and thought to myself, wouldn’t it be nice if us adults could make friends so easily?? At which my next thought was, well, why the heck can’t we??? So I looked up at the mom and said, “You know, I’d be happy to share my phone number with you if you’d like to set up some play dates or something” at which she laughed and said she had just been thinking of saying the same thing.

Turns out they moved here mid-last year and haven’t had the chance to make many friends yet with everything going on and her kids were super excited to meet some other kids their ages (much like mine always are!!) that they could hang out with.

So, now we have a play date with new friends scheduled tomorrow, and the moral of the story is, I don’t really know what – but sometimes just a simple thing can open up the door to some great new friendships! So good to meet you and your adorable kids, Ashley! (I won’t tag you though until you decide if you actually like me or not with my no-filter random self. LOL!!)

Opening the door…

admin

It’s interesting how things play out sometimes, and how one simple act can start a domino effect to something bigger.

I took the kiddos to the indoor play place today because the weather was crap and we needed something to do. Afterwards they wanted to go to Panera, which I am always happy to oblige because y’all know I love to eat. Ha! We went in, and walking in I saw the cutest kids with their mom by the door, and I told them both I loved their hair, especially the colors in the girl’s hair.

We walked up to the counter, ordered our food – the clerk asked dine-in or take out and I said dine-in. He responded that the restaurant was currently full and that there would probably be a wait to find a table. Not a problem, we don’t have anywhere else to be.

The kids and I stood around for 5-10 minutes, me eagle eyeing for an open seat or two, when I finally spotted a group of teens getting up from a table in the back, so I ushered the kids over and we grabbed our spot to eat. On my way to fill my drink, I notice the same mom and kiddos (adorable baby not pictured) glancing around the still packed to the gills dining room so I mention to her that I have a 6 person table I snagged in the back, and she’s welcome to sit with us, that we weren’t creepy (that I know of, LOL) – she accepted and we all sat down to eat.

It took about 3 minutes for the little boy to turn to Wyatt and in the sweetest voice offered to share his tablet, and within seconds the little girl sitting next to Tatum offered the same with hers. I sat there making some small talk and watching the kids happily play together like life-long friends and thought to myself, wouldn’t it be nice if us adults could make friends so easily?? At which my next thought was, well, why the heck can’t we??? So I looked up at the mom and said, “You know, I’d be happy to share my phone number with you if you’d like to set up some play dates or something” at which she laughed and said she had just been thinking of saying the same thing.

Turns out they moved here mid-last year and haven’t had the chance to make many friends yet with everything going on and her kids were super excited to meet some other kids their ages (much like mine always are!!) that they could hang out with.

So, now we have a play date with new friends scheduled tomorrow, and the moral of the story is, I don’t really know what – but sometimes just a simple thing can open up the door to some great new friendships! So good to meet you and your adorable kids, Ashley! (I won’t tag you though until you decide if you actually like me or not with my no-filter random self. LOL!!)

An exercise in self-control.

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I’ve been doing this Keto thing faithfully since October 15th now. What do I mean by “faithfully” – I mean low carb, no sugar, pretty strict, NO STARBUCKS. Seriously, that last one is a BIGGIE because I adore starbucks.

The low carb thing I’m doing pretty good at – you’re allowed 20g of net carbs a day, and it’s rare that I even make it that high. I’ve never been a crazy bread eater, but I’ve found low/no carb substitutes for just about everything including No Carb Bagels, Bread, “Tortilla Chips”, and even a Pizza Crust by Thin Slim Foods – I’ve tried them all and most I can’t even tell the difference!

The no sugar aspect has been a little more difficult. Halloween was rough, but I was able to resist ALL THE CANDY the kids brought home this year. I guess you could say their “parent tax” was cut in half. At the suggestion of a friend I tried Russell Stovers Sugar Free Chocolates and they’re actually VERY good so that helps curb the chocolate cravings. I especially love the Pecan Delights! Taste just like turtles! YUM!

Finally that Starbucks problem… That was super hard, but I finally managed to put something together that was Keto friendly at home that tasted so very similar that I no longer even really think about Starbucks anymore! I knew I needed to get some MCT Oil/Collagen Powder so on a recommendation I tried the Bean Envy Vanilla and I use it similar to a powdered creamer with a little heavy whipping cream and my “Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea” and I have to tell you it’s freakin delicious! Like pumpkin pie in a cup!

It’s been a little difficult to find things at restaurants to eat, but with a little creativity it’s possible to go out to eat, not be super difficult with the waiter/waitress, and still enjoy myself and my food. I feel like the hardest generally is Tex Mex, because I constantly forget to bring my own low carb tortilla chips and pretty much everything has a taco shell or tortilla involved, but it’s still possible.

Tonight was a little more difficult, an exercise in self-control, but I was so proud of myself – I ordered the taco salad, but basically asked for only the mixed greens, picadillo (theirs doesn’t have potato), shredded cheese, and sliced avocado in a regular (not taco shell) bowl.

Aaaaaaand everything came out awesome except the delicious looking fried taco shell bowl it all arrived in. Whoops. I could SMELL the delicious carbs fried into it and I wanted it so bad, but in the end I ate my salad and then turned the bowl over to my hubby and daughter to eat because my goal is more important to me than a few moments of taste bud gloriousness.

Speaking of my goal – I am down almost 11 pounds since I started about 3.5 weeks ago, my energy level is up and I don’t feel so draggy during the day while I’m trying to work! It’s easier to get myself out of bed in the morning, and I’m starting to SEE the difference in my body. I couldn’t be happier!

***As an Amazon Associate, I do get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you for supporting my blog! <3

I have nothing to call this.

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I walked into the gynecologist’s office a little under a week ago for my yearly visit. No big deal, normal stuff, right? She asked me to step on the scale, and granted, I had my clothes on but still…. the number that popped up on that thing kind of threw me for a loop. Yikes….. I’ve really not been very good about healthy habits for sure but that was kind of a slap in the face.

I have friends who have had some success with the Keto diet, and to be honest being able to keep meat, cheese, and dairy sounded pretty fabulous to me, so I decided to check it out! Not entirely sure if I’ll be able to stick with it, but surely it’s a stepping stone to eating a bit healthier, and cutting back the sugar and carbs.

So I jumped in. Chef salad for lunch with my favorite homemade dressing. Keto friendly yogurt for a snack by :ratio foods. I was pleasantly surprised at the taste of the yogurt, I was expecting more of a bitter taste with an unpleasant aftertaste but it didn’t really have any of those things.

Keto Friendly, Cashew Approved

I had done some meal planning yesterday and a grocery pickup this morning, so I was pretty prepared for dinner! I made “Taco Stuffed Peppers” and they turned out pretty magical, if I don’t say so myself!

Jump to the Recipe Here!!

Paired up with some fresh avocado and it was a pretty easy, satisfying, and tasty meal! Even hubby approved!!! (Not kid approved, but my kids don’t approve much of anything edible to be honest)

I’m hoping to document some of this journey here, but don’t worry, I know people don’t like endless weight loss posts coming into their inbox, so I’ll find other things to write about too – like how I got a call from the school nurse on my 6 year old because she thought my daughter was sick but it turned out to be a sweaty crotch…… *sigh* #MomLife

Thinking inside the box…

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Leaving my Target run and as I’m loading my things on the belt at the register I start thinking to myself, this is weird, literally every single thing I am purchasing is in a cardboard box. Right about the time I’m thinking this through the cashier looks up at the belt and says, “Wow, everything you’re buying is in a box!” and gives me a funny look…

What can I say, at least I’m consistent in my weirdness. 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤣

I’m kind of a big deal…

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Me in all my nerdy glory

Well, not really, but after THIS INTERVIEW with me from Kristin from Exploring Domesticity came out on her blog today I kinda feel like it.

(If you can’t get that link to work here it is in all its glory: https://exploringdomesticity.com/jamies-mom-life)

Seriously y’all, after a really tough, trying day with both kids (the boy in particular) I actually needed to read through this interview again myself and remind myself all of the little joys in parenting and ALSO to stay as low-key as I possibly can. Believe me, it’s hard enough sometimes taking my own advice, but it’s fairly sound….. I think.

Make sure you take a look around while you’re over there, such a fun website full of awesome tips! <3

I came, I worked out, I might die.

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Yesterday Wade made fun of me when I invited him to do day 2 of 21 day fix with me. He laughed at my silly workout, but he did it. 1/3 of the way through he got real quiet, 1/2 of the way through he started grunting and moaning, and by the end he was toast. I’m pretty sure he went off to the living room to cry after that. #LegDay 😂

BUT.

He showed up today, and worked out with me again.

After leg day it was hard enough just squatting down enough to make it to the toilet seat without groaning, and now with Upper Fix and the “Bonus Abs” I feel like raw meat. 😂😂😂

Also, I went to Sprouts today and came home with a much better selection of healthier foods and produce, and rid our pantry of most of the items that would cause me to stray off-course.

I CAN do this.

Dinner tonight:

-Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs trimmed of fat, with a citrus poultry spice blend in the air fryer (I ADORE my air fryer!!)

-Brown and Wild Rice Blend

-Avocado

-Banana for a nighttime snack. ❤️❤️❤️

Introspect.

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From my teens to my late twenties I was always rail thin. Seriously, no meat on my bones, stick figure thin. I’m certainly not trying to brag, that’s just how it was. My high school nickname was “Twiggy”.

For quite a while now, since I started fertility drugs before I had my daughter, I gained what I’ll call “The Mom Muffin”. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not much weight, maybe 30lbs extra, but I didn’t make much of an effort at all after I had her to get it off. I always joked that I was just going to have another baby and there was no point.

Well, second baby came along in June 2017, and here we are, TWO YEARS LATER and it’s still there. It’s time to do something about it.

Now, don’t get me wrong…. I don’t WANT to start eating healthy and exercising, I LOVE my chicken fried steak and my grande Starbucks. However, I’ve gotten to the point where I hate my reflection in the mirror MORE than I love those delicious things. We planned a beach trip this year at the end of July with the kids and I started trying on bathing suits and was completely depressed with each suit I tried on… so much so that I just stopped trying them on.

So here I am, trying my best. I’m NOT going to try to sell you anything, so don’t worry about that, accounting my #MomBod journey in my blog is basically just for me, for accountability. I want to be my BEST me, both for myself AND for my kids. I want to be able to chase them around the yard and be around to see them start families of their own. So here starts my journey.

I’m not going to post a before photo here, because I’m not quite that brave yet, but I took one last week when I started out. I’ve been in the “mode” for a week now and I’ve learned a few things:

  • It’s not just about the working out, I’m going to have to make some major lifestyle changes about the way I eat. NO more chugging down a gallon of sweet tea every day. No more daily Starbucks. Less snacking and choose healthier snacks.
  • It’s not going to be easy – but I’m determined, so that should help.
  • For me, right now, it’s ok to “treat myself” every once in a blue moon. I really feel like if I just go cold turkey on all the things I love, that I’m dooming myself to fail before I start. For example, I’ve gone from drinking a grande or a venti Starbucks (loaded with whip cream and sugar) once/sometimes twice a day to having a tall once or twice a week. Moderation – and I’ll slowly wean myself off of it in favor of healthier drinks/snacks over the next several weeks.
  • I really have to plan out my meals. Mid-afternoon wondering what I’m going to fix for dinner is not going to cut it, and is going to lead to problems with my diet.
  • I have to stock my fridge and pantry differently, and get those items I will have trouble avoiding out of the house. Out of sight, out of mind.

I started the 21-Day Fix exercise program yesterday, after struggling through a couple of self-led workouts, so I’m excited about not having to decide what to work on each day. I also ordered the containers that go with the 21-Day fix eating plan, so hopefully that will get me on the right track eating-wise.

I know this is about the most boring blog post I’ve done, but again, personal accountability! If any of you are going through or starting up the same life change, I’d love to hear about how it’s going for you. Maybe we can motivate each other!! Tomorrow I have a different blog post planned, and you’ll probably enjoy it more, but for now, this is me!

Happy Tuesday y’all!

Advice from the Pros ;-)

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Doling out the unsolicited advice this week with Exploring Domesticity – love her blog, and I hope you’ll check it out! 23 of us mommy-folks share what made new motherhood a tad easier for us.

(Now we just need an article on how to make second-kid motherhood easier, because WHEW, it’s no joke.)

Link straight to the article here:
https://exploringdomesticity.com/new-mom-advice/

Projects in the works

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I’ve been wanting to try “shaker” projects for a while, and actually have had the tools to make them for quite some time and never taken them out of the package! Whoops!

So I sat down last night at my craft table after the kids went to bed and gave it a shot. It sucked. Seriously, I could NOT make that dang fuse tool work to save my life. I got more and more frustrated and finally just gave up and went a different route and laminated the thing so I could say I actually got something done.

But since I stay up late (vicious afternoon nap cycle for the win/lose) I spent some time last night on YouTube trying to figure this thing out. I didn’t find much that was helpful, lots of videos of people using their fuse tool with zero issues (doesn’t help me at all), and finally found this random video of a lady who gave some tips as she had the SAME issues I was having.

This morning I woke up and decided to give it a try…. It’s not perfect, but it was WAY less frustrating than last night’s projects!!

I used this We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool I purchased a while back on Amazon, except instead of using the fuse tip, I used the CUTTING tip, which they don’t bother to tell you ALSO fuses. Woot! I have the silicone mat from We R Memory Keepers, but I really thing the tempered glass surface will do better and provide a cleaner fuse/cut, so that arrives tomorrow. Thank you so much, Amazon Prime. 😉

Hope you enjoy today’s project! What is everyone else working on this weekend?