4 Ways for Busy Mamas to Embrace Some "Me Time" (when they have the chance)

 This post is sponsored by Celestial Seasonings but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Let's just cut to the chase here - being a parent is the most rewarding and the most tiring job any of us will ever have. Whether I'm slicing up my sweet girl's grilled cheese into tiny triangles or dancing to Baby Shark for the 30 billionth time, Delainey is my reason for everything I do. I'm not complaining about this fact... just stating it. I literally cherish every second with her because she is my dream come true.

While she's my everything, I know I'm not the only mama struggling to find the time to breathe during this stage of life. I mean, my little dream baby is two - so with her sweet moments, she has her more questionable, less desirable toddler terror tantrums too, as you can imagine if you also have kiddos. Occasionally she snuggles and is the sweetie I love, but lately she is howling because she didn't get the right type of cracker or thrashing around because the color of the grass is different in the spot she likes to stand while blowing bubbles. It's really a toss up lately on which version of my toddler I'm going to be dealing with.

I love spending the good and the more trying fit-throwing moments with my princess, I also have come to learn I need "me time" to be sure I'm the best version of myself I can be for her. After all, if my cup isn't full, how can I pour into another? With that said, I've been mastering the art of "me time" in 2019 while hubby takes D on little adventures (or while she's napping and he's working on his honey-do-list). It hasn't been easy learning to take the time for me, but it's been rewarding when I actually have the chance to think and breath.

So we'll start there, with my list of ways I've learned to embrace my me time when I actually have a moment to myself --

1. Breathing exercises- It may sound silly but learning to breathe can truly be relaxing. I have been listening to  meditation podcasts on occasion and I'm not even lying, the benefits are overwhelming! From making sure I'm connected to my inner self, to maintaining healthy habits like good posture and practicing focus - I love how beneficial a little meditation time has been lately and if I could give anyone some advice on how to use their alone time - it's to meditate any chance you get!

2. Tea Time - On the same note, have a cup of tea any chance you get, more specifically Celestial Seasonings Tea! In so many flavors and variety, it's always hard for me to pick a flavor to try each time we hit Walmart - this time I decided to get a few, because who doesn't love options?

The flavors I couldn't resist were Peppermint, Country Peach Passion, and Honey Vanilla Chamomile - the perfect variety to add to my stash and each one more delicious and flavorful than the next!

I've found that not only do the delicious flavors of Celestial Seasons Tea amuse my taste buds, the benefits of drinking the warm tea water is actually pretty awesome for my digestive system too... and there's just something so calming and rejuvenating about a nice warm cup of tea. On the other hand, it's great served iced too!

The benefits don't stop there though - I also have to brag on the fact that Celestial Seasons Tea, as a company, is thoughtful too. All of the boxes are made from recycled boxes and the tea bags are stringless, truly showing dedication to a more sustainable world! So any time you have a second, boil some hot water and get to sippin' some eco-conscious tea!

3. Books - Another way I've learned to really embrace time to myself is to read. It's something I don't get the opportunity to do in silence very often so any time my little nugget & daddy slip away, one thing I love to do is read a chapter of a book I'm trying to finish!

If you're like me, you may have so much on your plate that you don't even have the chance to read a physical book, maybe the next time you're working on something like paying bills or ironing press play on an audiobook - I do this whenever I'm gluing blooms late at night and I've loved being able to "read" more without sacrificing time spent working - it's like stealing a moment of alone time without really taking one in some ways!  Either way, providing your brain with knowledge is a great way to spend time - so grab a book or snag an audio book and start reading!


4.  Budgeting and Planning - The last tip doesn't sound like it's relaxing or embracing alone time- and in reality, it isn't... it's stressful to budget and plan for the future, but it's something that relaxes me in the long run. Anxiety creeps up on me if I don't have a budget and a plan in place, so when I have some extensive alone time, one thing I like to do is start planning. For my businesses, for our family outings, for our finances - planning is part of my plan to revive in 2019 and so far it seems to be working out well.

So tell me, how often do you get the chance to unwind and how do you embrace your alone time? Want to try Celestial Seasons Tea? Find it here.

My Favorite SUPER Quick & Healthy Meal - Healthy Choice Power Bowls!

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Healthy Choice.

If you've been following along in 2019, you may already know - but for this year, I've chosen the word REVIVE as my inspirational, intentional word of the year.

Choosing to eat a more balanced diet is definitely part of my healthy/reviving plan in 2019, but if you know anything about me and my food habits - you know I love flavor so I can't just give up all the "good stuff".

Luckily I've found the answer to my flavorful healthy food needs in Healthy Choice Morning, as well as their vegan and vegetarian Power Bowls! Coming in clutch, Healthy choice has created the most epic Breakfast and Buddha Bowls that we all want to eat, rich in fiber and full of quality ingredients - whether you are eating a vegan bowl, vegetarian bowl, or a morning Power bowl, you know you're filling your body with nutritious goodness!

Healthy Choice Morning Power Bowls provide people like us health conscious, quick, nutrient-dense breakfast options. Each flavorful recipe is the perfect mixture of leafy greens, proteins, ancient greens, and steel cut oats. With 10-15 grams of protein and 3-5 grams of fiber, these are the perfect way to make sure you are starting out the day the right way. I was sent the Turkey Sausage and Egg White Scramble and the flavors were delightful and so satisfying. With turkey sausage, egg whites, and veggies all served on to of steel cut oats, farro, and buckwheat and red quinoa with a creamy avocado sauce  what's not to love.

Speaking of love and satisfaction, this year I've learned that veggie-filled meals can be more fulfilling than their counterpart. That's why I'm so stoked these Power Bowls also came in some super delish vegan and vegetarian options like Cauliflower Curry or the amazing bowl I was sent - the Mango Edamame! With so many rich flavors mixing together, 10-16 grams of protein and 7-16 grams of fiber, these Vegan and Vegetarian Power Bowls are lacking nothing and so amazing!

What makes these bowls different? Well, beyond the fact the nutrient rich meals are specially formulated, with each bowl having the perfect base mixture of whole grains (like red quinoa or whole grain barley), leafy greens like kale, chard, and spinach, and proteins - these bowls are actually made of fiber. I mean the actual bowl is plant-based and totally recyclable... truly, every ingredient in these Healthy Choices bowls matters - even the bowl itself!

So tell me, what have you done in 2019 to revise and renew your life? If you're trying to eat healthier this year, I highly suggest you give these delicious Healthy Choice power bowls a try!

Refresh Your Workout in 2019 for just $1 with Planet Fitness!

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx & Planet Fitness,
regardless all opinions expressed here are completely my own.

As you may have read, in 2019 my goal word is REVIVE. I'm looking to refresh and renew myself in every way - physically, emotionally, within my soul.

On the same token, I'm learning to give myself a break. After all, life isn't perfect, but it is pretty great when I stop expecting perfection.

Instead of stressing about the little stuff, I've already started writing for fun again, I've spent time painting with Delainey, and I've created designs for my creative business that are outta this world. So I'm on the right track.

I've been doing everything I possibly can to have a renewed and grateful outlook on life and I'm learning to appreciate every aspect of it. I can already tell this refreshing disposition has made a difference in myself and the way I treat those around me. But if we are being real, another step I needed to take towards this revived and renewed me was making sure I'm keeping my body active. My mind can't relax enough to accept imperfection without a good workout, it's just who I am.

I've been doing my best to keep up with at-home workout routines, but sometimes a girl just needs a place to do some endurance or strength training and what better way to do that than in a judgement-free, easygoing fitness center like Planet Fitness!

With an environment for "everyday people" like myself, I love that I don't walk into a macho man zone - it's 100% the place for a girl like me to hop in and get a quick, relieving work out in without having to stress about who's watching me or if someone is going to linger too long and make me feel judged. It's like I walk in and I have a huge home fitness center, everyone respects each other and it's never a place I feel uncomfortable - which I can't say about other fitness establishments.

Speaking of uncommon things fitness centers offer... Beyond pizza night or lunk alarms, the reason I love our local Planet Fitness so much is the fact it went SOLAR! That's right, our St. Pete Planet Fitness is solar powered. How epic and eco-conscious is that?

But here's the most refreshing part about joining this judgement free zone this year --- now through January 15th, new Planet Fitness members can join for just a $1 enrollment fee, then it's just $10 a month with no commitment. That means you and I both can start our journey to a new, refreshed, revitalized us for just a $1 this week! Who wants to join with me?

Visit your local Planet Fitness to Get Down with Your Judgement Free Self!

Revive - My Word of the Year in 2019 & 4 Awesome Ways to Refresh Post Workout

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx, regardless all opinions expressed here are completely my own.

So far in 2019 on social media I've seen a lot of people sharing their word of the year. I'm not sure if I just run in an inspirational circle or if this is a yearly trend I'm just now becoming aware of... BUT I'm loving the idea of letting go of resolutions and choosing to live with a word of intention instead. Setting up goals is great, no matter what you want to call it, but I feel like intentional living is so much more rewarding and beneficial in the long run! Since it seems to be the thing to do I decided this year I also want to live with intention, so I'm choosing a word to live by in 2019...

This year I've chosen REVIVE as my word to live by. As defined in Webster's Dictionary, this word means to "to return to life, become active or flourishing again". I think we all technically know the definition, it's a pretty simple word - but this year it means so much more to me. After years of being wrapped up in my daughter, my creations, and my businesses, I've decided to take some time to really bring life back into myself - mainly so I can be more present and enrich the lives of those around me.

While that may sound a little cheesy, it actually seems to have really made a huge impact on me already. My daily routine feels renewed, my body is enjoying being active, and it's truly refreshing to know that I'm doing things that are not only good for me - but good for my mind, body, soul, and family. Now you may be wondering what I've done to change things up?

Well, it's been a whopping transition across the board. I started with a daily commitment to do yoga, a weekly commitment to eating more well-rounded meals at home, a monthly commitment to be better at time management and to make time for myself, and a lifelong commitment to "flourish" and I'm hoping this commitment makes it so I'm able to help those around me do the same.

While it all sounds like fun and games, the reality is post workout I'm sore more often than not, some days I don't even want anything but cake to eat... and my mind is just tired. Even though we're not even two weeks into my lifestyle change, I've already had to forced myself to feel revived on occasion. On that note, I've been spending time thinking of ways I can easily encourage myself to revitalize after a work out and somehow Babbleboxx just knew I needed these things to reset my resolutions in my life. I feel like I need to share these essentials with you - because we all need to refresh and feel renewed, right?

As I mentioned I'm starting the year off on the right foot by implementing regular work out routines, which not only leave me feeling like I've accomplished something - these work outs also leave me feeling a little sore (in a good, "I did something good for me" type of way)! This Athlete Recovery Sleepwear from Under Armour is seriously the answer to my comfort-wear dreams. This cozy little jumpsuit is powered by Celliant within the fabric which has been determined by the FDA to increase localized circulation, leading to faster recovery.

That's all fine and dandy, but what's it mean? Basically, the fabric returns infrared energy to your body, boosting localized blood flow and increasing the amount of oxygen reaching your muscles to restore your muscles faster! Did you know your pjs could literally help restore and revive your body? Check out these super soft knit Under Armour sleepwear.

I'm also a huge fan of Under Armour undergarments so be sure to take a second to add something cozy to your cart to wear under your romper!

Next on my list of items to refresh your new year, AfterShokz Trekz Air Headphones. These little beauties are legitimately my favorite headphones I've ever used - ever. So comfortable resting on my ear not within and the quality of sound is incomparable. AfterShokz Trekz Air truly are the next generation of headphones - lightweight, allowing safety since you still have an open ear to stay aware of your surroundings, and producing amazing quality sound with bone conduction technology! I've legit never been more excited to share any item on my blog. I've used these daily since they arrived and can't recommend them enough.

From listening to my favorite inspirational podcasts to rocking out to some 90's tunes while working out, the AfterShokz Trekz Air have been a part of my "new me" daily and I have a feeling they'll continue to be a part of my routine for many years to come - built with titanium wherever possible, these beauties are durable and produce amazing sound quality... what else could a girl ask for?

Okay, well, maybe there's a few more things a girl could ask for... like pain relief post-workout! Ha. Y'all know that burn means you are working it good, but no one really likes having to walk like a cowboy the day after leg day. That's where Tiger Balm comes into the picture - helping provide relief for your muscles with penetrating heat. The Tiger Balm Patches providing a relief that can't be found elsewhere with contouring abilities and hydrogel technology, just peel and stick where you need relief the most.

The Tiger Balm Ultra is a stain-free ointment that contains the highest concentration of herbal ingredients to provide pain relief. That means whether your back or your joints or sore, Tiger Balm has the right amount of relief for you... and for me... and lord knows I need it.

The last item that came in this Renewing Babbleboxx was one I've actually used in the past in it's canned form and loved then... and I still love it now in these convenient little powder sticks too. CELSIUS On-The-Go Powder Sticks are basically amazing little pockets of energy. Available in Orange, Berry, Coconut and Cranberry Lemon - to provide you with just the right amount of variety while getting your daily boost. CELSIUS is the perfect on the go pick-me-up and based on my own personal experience it's most definitely just the right amount of torque to get my ball rolling in the mornings and to leave me feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

So tell me, how do you revitalize and revive yourself? I'd love to hear in the comments below!