Christmas Magic

One of the things that makes this season so wonderful is that it is an excuse to slow down the pace of life and do things that we don't normally get to do.  

Like puzzles.  

And full days spent in the kitchen baking and decorating cookies.

And Hikes through the nature trail in the middle of the day.

And Candlelight Christmas Service to remember the reason for our hope and peace.

These are the things I cherish, the things that I look forward to all year long.  Before too long, we'll be back to the break-neck pace of life.  Running to meetings, and sports practices, and doctor appointments.

But for now, more of this please.  More forgetting about what day it is, more hours without looking at our phones, and more of my family please.

Game-Changer

I am unapologetically a Biohacker.   If you've read my previous post on Biohacking, you'll know that we all Biohack in little ways.  Yup, you do too.  But I found a BIG way to change the course of my health.

Here's how it happened for me: 

In June of 2019 I was at my daughter's Horse riding lesson when her trainer started talking about some new crazy product she was taking.  She could not stop talking about her increased energy, decreased allergy symptoms, leveled out moods (*ahem* not a small feat with women)... and the way it had changed her sleep.

That's where my ears perked up.

Momentum

I believe in the power of MOMENTUM.   

Some days I’m going downhill and everything comes easy.   

Other days, it’s a constant uphill battle.    

But I believe in the power of that first leap…step…or even crawl.  

Lacing up my shoes and stepping out the door for a run even when my body is begging me not to.

Writing that first sentence in an apology in order to try to restore a relationship.

Mustering the willpower to turn down a cookie because I know I won’t be able to turn down another one…or two…or three after that. 

I’m working towards my goal.  It seems so lofty and distant, but the minute I take that first step, it suddenly feels a lot more manageable.

I'm a Biohacker

The first time I heard that word, I had many thoughts...and none of them were good. 

Futuristic, New Age, Sinister, Cult-ish are just a few of the things that popped into my head.  They were grouped into that category with "Things I would never want to touch with a 10-foot-pole".  But when I took the time to research what it truly means, I realized just how life changing (and not even the least bit scary) it was.

Outfit Highlights of the Week

Dinner of the Week: Crescent Roll Pocket Sandwiches

Making Memories: Mini Date Nights

Life is busy.  If we waited for the timing to be perfect, my husband and I would go months without getting time alone to catch up and connect. Which is why we embraced a brainchild called...

The Mini-Date

Dinner of the Week: Birthday Pancakes

In our house, birthdays are a pretty big deal.  Life is for celebrating and one way we keep the celebration going all week long is with birthday dinners.  We allow the birthday kid to plan their week's worth of favorite meals.  While this may seem slightly indulgent, it's actually pretty genius because it gives me one free week of NOT planning meals!  

Dinner of the Week: Burritos

These Burritos are great for a night when time is short and everyone is running out the door in a different direction.  Just prep the ingredients and let each person load it up and cook it as needed.  The prep takes about 15 minutes and each burrito cooks in less than one minute.  

Outfit highlights of the Week

Dessert of the Week: Malted Milk Ball Ice Cream Cake

Dinner of the week: Marinated Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Summer is for grilling and we're desperately trying to soak up these last few days of warm weather.

With a few kids splashing in the pool, another kid playing on the swing set, and a husband doing yard work, the last thing I want to be doing is preparing dinner in the kitchen.  This dinner had me outside reading a magazine next to the grill while watching my family enjoy the great outdoors.

Outfit Highlights of the Week

Jeans day at work during the summer can only have one pairing:  Flowy, breezy blouses.

Themed Family Movie Night and Menu: Peter Rabbit

Movie night is a regular event at our house.  It might come from our love of watching one of our old favorites (and quoting it the whole time), a deep need to just connect as a family, or just because we're too tired as parents to corral kids in public.  There is something so relaxing about cuddling up under mounds of blankets, eating snacks, and laughing (or crying) together during a movie. 

A few week's ago, the kids chose the movie Peter Rabbit.  The boys and I had seen it at the theater during Spring Break while my daughter was in Chicago with her cousins and they couldn't wait for her to see the bunnies dance or McGreggor get thwacked in the face with a garden rake.  

 If I've got enough energy, I usually try to create a menu themed around the movie.  This week's movie menu was easy.  You've got an iconically British story and rabbits stealing veggies from the garden.

Dinner of the Week: Crescent Roll Ring Sandwich

On the first day back to school, I make a kid-favorite dinner.  Something they love that I can easily assemble while I listen to them chatter on and on all about their day.  

Item of the Week: Connoisseurs Jewelry Cleaner

Dinner of the week: Mini Cheeseburger Pies

These bite-sized Cheeseburger Pies are perfectly pop-able for an easy weeknight meal.  Added bonus?  The kids love them and have a blast loading on their favorite toppings.

Outfit Highlights of the Week

Classic colors, Classic silhouettes, and Classic statement jewelry.  Can you guess this week's theme?

Dinner of the Week: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

 Chicken drumsticks are quite possibly the easiest and cheapest way to feed a crowd.  

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks 

with Baked Beans and Steamed Corn

DESSERT of the Week: S'Mores Cookies

How could I have waited THIS long to do a Dessert Post?!  Sugar is practically a main food group in our house, and as such, it deserves at least a post or two each month.  I'll start with two of my favorite desserts: S'Mores and Cookies.

S'Mores Cookies