January 2, 2020

30 Things to Let Go Of So You Can Live a Happier, Healthier, More Productive Life!


Letting things go can be hard at times, but letting these 30 things go will be life changing for you.




Things to let go of in 2020:

1. Comparing yourself to others.
2. Feeling sorry for yourself.
3. Spending money on items you don't need.
4. Being obsessed with viewing others "perfect" social media lives.
5. Fearing the unknown and the anxiety that comes with that fear.
6. Holding on to hurt.
7. Putting off vacation.
8. Feeling jealous.
9. Toxic relationships.
10. Waiting for the "right time".
11. The need to control every detail of everything.
12. relying on others to make you feel complete.
13. Avoiding the real world.
14. Keeping up with the Jones'.
15. Your hesitation to enjoy life to the fullest.
16. Creating unrealistic expectations for yourself.
17. Fearing failure.
18. Living in the past.
19. Worrying about what others think about you.
20. Living a disorganized life.



21. Trying to control the people around you.
22. Being TOO busy for everything.
23. Analyzing and picking apart situations.
24. Trying to fit in.
25. Blaming others for your problems.
26. Friends who don't care about your best interests.
27. Avoiding change.
28. Being afraid to BE you!
29. Holding on to useless items.
30. Avoiding the truth.


January 1, 2020

My Year to Be Here Now & a Greek Gods Yogurt, Fruit, & Granola Power Breakfast


This Post is sponsored by Greek Gods Yogurt, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

It's that time of year...

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In years past, I've made New Years resolutions. I've wished for things, I set goals, and I've worked hard to achieve them. When I reach those goals or turn my wishing into success, I've been proud, but I'm not necessarily any happier than I was before.

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So this year, instead of setting goals, I'm striving to just live in the moment and enjoy it all. We all know every moment that passes is a moment we won't get back. My idea or phrase for the year is "Be here now" and I look forward to meditating on it and enjoying life as it comes instead of stressing about goals or wishing for more.

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I think we all can agree, starting out the new year on a good note is something all of us strive to do.

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Whether you're the type that makes resolutions and sticks to them or you're more of the "go with the flow" type like I'm aiming to be this year. We all want to celebrate starting anew, it's like the new year brings a refreshing wave of consciousness to all and it's so nice to relish in it all.

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While I'm still contemplating how I'll overcome my constant need to meet goals or achieve, I feel almost a bit of zen about how this year is starting.

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Maybe it's because breakfast this morning was so delicious...? I truly enjoyed every last bite. If the rest of my day, week, year... could be that effortlessly enjoyable, maybe this year will really be MY YEAR.

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Are you looking for a breakfast that brings happiness into your day? Maybe something better for you than the average breakfast dishes?

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I'm super excited to share this delicious easy recipe using Greek Gods Yogurt with you today, it''s one I think you'll love through out 2020 and beyond.

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Greek Gods Yogurt, Fruit, & Granola Power Breakfast


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To make this amazing yogurt recipe you will need

1/4 cup blueberries
1 tsp agave
3/4 cup Greek Gods Honey Vanilla Yogurt
1/2 banana (sliced)
2 strawberries (sliced)
1/2 cup granola

You'll also need a saucepan.

To start this recipe, heat the blueberries in a saucepan at low heat for about 4 minutes, bursting them open while heating. Add in the agave and stir together. Remove from heat.

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Next, you'll need to mix in about 1/4 cup of the Greek Gods Honey Vanilla Yogurt. Making a purple-y colored yogurt mixture. Place in bowl on a thin layer of granola(or in my case, mason jar).

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Top with another small layer of granola. Then add a scoop or two more Greek Gods Yogurt.

Now add in sliced banana and again, add another scoop of Greek Gods Yogurt in Honey Vanilla.

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Next add the sliced strawberries and the final bit of yogurt you have remaining, now top with granola to your preference.

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That's it... it's THAT easy!

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Wondering where you can find Greek Gods Yogurt? Greek Gods can be found in the dairy aisle, in the yogurt section, on the lower shelf.




I promise this is a recipe you're going to want to eat over and over so go ahead and pin this for later:

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While this fruit and granola recipe is delicious, I added some MaraNatha Almond Butter and bananas to my Greek Gods Yogurt this morning and had to let you know this combination is also AMAZING!

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Be sure to grab some when you're at the store for your yogurt so you can try this wonderful concoction for yourself!

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So tell me, what would be your ideal ingredient to mix with your Greek Gods yogurt?

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December 31, 2019

Lime Piña Coladas - The Best Frozen Cocktail - Simple & Delicious!



Do you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain?


OK. Then we can totally be friends. LOL.


This lime piña colada is legitimately one of my favorite adult beverages and the perfect mixture of sweet and sour, I promise you'll be craving these all year long.


So let's get to the point and start serving up some beverages - it is almost 2020, after all!


Lime Coladas


3 oz white rum
2 cups of ice
1 1/2 oz creme de coco
1 lime juiced

Mix all ingredients together in blender until smooth and serve in a tall glass, garnish with lime if you'd like!


Enjoy!

December 30, 2019

Low Carb, Gluten Free Cauliflower Alfredo & Chicken Bowls

This creamy cauliflower and chicken alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for. It's just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness with so much healthiness packed into it.

After switching up my lifestyle and losing 30lbs, I've been trying to find delicious ways to still eat healthy. I try to limit carbs when possible, eat plenty of protein, and I never limit myself on veggies. While I love indulging on occasion, I really try and keep things healthy as often as possible. This creamy alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for, the perfect mixture of deliciousness and healthiness.

This creamy cauliflower and chicken alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for. It's just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness with so much healthiness packed into it.

You can probably tell by the photos, it's just the right amount of creamy, what you can't tell is it also has so many healthy ingredients packed into it. I'm not even exaggerating when I tell you, this recipe is THE BOMB and totally worth the prep time.

This creamy cauliflower and chicken alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for. It's just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness with so much healthiness packed into it.

If you're looking to feed your picky family something so incredibly delicious, be sure to pin this - I guarantee they'll want seconds!

This creamy cauliflower and chicken alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for. It's just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness with so much healthiness packed into it.

Lower Carb Gluten Free Alfredo Cauliflower & Chicken Bowls

4 servings


For the chicken:

1lb chicken
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
1/3 cup almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 egg
2 tbs milk
2 tsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder

Heat the air fryer to 360 degrees.

Slice chicken into 1 inch strips. Put the coconut flour in one bowl, egg and milk whisked in another bowl and the almond flour, breadcrumbs and parmesan into a third bowl. Dip the chicken into each bowl in the order then place on parchment paper until ready to be cooked.

Spray the bottom of the air fryer with canola oil, then place the strips in. Spray the top of the chicken strips lightly with canola oil (any oil will be fine). Cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes or until a golden brown. While they are cooking start the bowl preperations.

When chicken is finished, cut the strips into pieces.

For the bowl base:

2 cups riced cauliflower
1 cup chopped asparagus
1/2 chopped red onion
1 cup chopped spinach
2 slices of bacon cut into bits
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tbs Italian seasoning
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
Red pepper flakes to taste
1 tbs avocado oil
1 tbs olive oil
 1/8 cup shredded mozzarella


For the white sauce:

1/4 cup whole milk
3 oz cream cheese
3 tbs butter
1/4 cup mozzarella
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 tbs Italian seasoning
2 tsp garlic powder

To prepare the bowl base:

Add oils to a large pan and heat on medium heat.

Add the chopped red onion to the an and saute until more translucent.

Now add in the asparagus, garlic gloves and seasonings.

Cook together apx 5 minutes.

Now add the cauliflower, spinach and bacon.

Cook for another 5 minutes, then reduce heat to low, add the chicken and cheese and stir all together .

To prepare the white sauce:

Add everything but the Parmesan into a pan over medium heat. Whisk until melted and well blended then stir in the Parmesan.

After the sauce is finished, dish out servings into each bowl the pour the sauce on top.

ENJOY!
This creamy cauliflower and chicken alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for. It's just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness with so much healthiness packed into it.


Pin this for later:

This creamy cauliflower and chicken alfredo bowl is what my healthy lifestyle was longing for. It's just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness with so much healthiness packed into it.



 

December 26, 2019

2020 Will Be Your Best Year Yet - Quotes to Remind You!





Make this year your year.

2020 is going to be here in less than a week and that means you have one week to prep yourself to make this year the most amazing one yet.

Here's a few fun graphics I made to motivate you through the year, be sure to save them, share them, and remember them always!





This will be your best year yet, be ready!

This will be your best year yet, be ready!


This will be your best year yet, be ready!


December 10, 2019

Who Wants FREE Starbucks?

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link, that means when you click through you are helping my family - you won't be charged anything for this, it just takes a percentage from your sale and adds it into my account! Regardless, this whole post is all my own thoughts.

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Oh hey girl, you want to grab some coffee?

Grab a friend and go (on Thursday)!

This month, the merry just got merrier and the under-caffeinated just got friendlier.

That’s because Starbucks, everyone's favorite, is hosting a pretty hopping Happy Hour! This special occasion is actually happening every Thursday from 2–7 p.m. at participating stores.

Hit up a friend and plan a coffee date, you need to celebrate with their Happy Hour special! Thursday's only you can buy one, get one free handcrafted drinks, in their grande size or larger.

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Meet your bestie, hit up your old homeroom buddies, catch up with an old co-worker, or just take a break with your spouse. No matter who your lucky buddy is, it's time to celebrate the holidays with Free Starbucks!

Just download the Starbucks® app, and then watch your inbox on Thursdays for your Happy Hour coupon.


If you don't have the time to run to Starbucks, check out these epic deals on Starbucks via Amazon.
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November 26, 2019

Fostering Independence in Your Toddler - 4 Ways to Encourage Your Kiddo to be Independent

This post is sponsored by Earth's Best Peanut Butter Puffs but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Raising an independent child is something I'm truly striving to do. This may be hard to believe, since I mean, I've openly admitted I have an issue, at times, with being a helicopter parent... but it's something I'm working on, I swear. The thing is, even though it's taxing and sometimes down right maddening debating with a toddler - I'm always excited to hear her speak her truth and that is why it's all worth it. Every hissy fit over a tiny misunderstanding, every crocodile tear shed over a mishap, every little ounce of drama she creates... it's all tough to deal with at times, but it's all a great reminder that she's this amazing, magnificent, overwhelmingly awesome little person and she's just expressing herself.

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Now don't get me wrong, we don't encourage her to throw fits at the store after we tell her "no". But hey, it happens and instead of spanking her or abandoning ship and heading out to the car, I've learned that reasoning with her and discussing why she feels upset truly does help. I mean, it may not have a year ago, but now that she's so much more vocal - it only makes sense to discuss her feelings with her.

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I mean, Delainey isn't a perfect child, by any means... She's extremely emotional about 99% of the time so we are constantly having discussions, but with encouraging her independence I'm seeing some major changes in her behavior and well, that just warms my heart. Maybe I'm doing something right, after all? I think we all know that warm, endearing feeling.

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So I guess you're probably wondering what types of changes we made to fight the toddler struggles of terrible twos and terrifying threes?



How exactly have we encouraged Delainey to be more independent lately...? Here's the scoop:

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The first step we took toward independence was encouraging her love of mysteries. She's really been into the idea of "vestigating" [see also investigating] all kinds of things lately and I'm 100 on-board with it.


From being curious about where electricity comes from to asking me to uncover a stone with her in the backyard, I've been going full force and encouraging her curious behavior in a healthy and productive way. Wanting her to solve the mysteries herself, I set her up for success and sit back and help when asked. I love watching her make discoveries and analyze situations and I've also seen her use those same problem solving skills in situations with her peers and sometimes even when she's negotiating with me.

Plus, we've learned new things and we've also solved some mysteries! Being a "detective" with my little firecracker is truly helping her come out of her shell and she's "blossomed", if I can humbly brag for a bit.


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The next step we've taken on this path to independence is allowing her to call the shots. 

 

Well, sometimes we let her take the lead, anyways. She doesn't "rule the roost", but she is often in charge of decisions that effect her, as we see fit.

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One of the first decisions I noticed she LOVED making was what to have for snack time. From fruit to crunchy munchies, she's always looking for something new to try and she's always excited to shop the organic section at Walmart. So when she saw the delicious Earth's Best Organic Peanut Butter Puffs (with Elmo on the front), I already knew it was game over and she had found a snack she loved.


As soon as she saw it, she grabbed the package and told me "dis one, mama, I want dissss"! I was curious about what she had picked, but once I saw it's an ideal snack for toddlers and made of only 5 ingredients, I knew that we 100% we had found a snack we could agree on and she was thrilled to grab a couple of bags!

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This a great "starter snack" for her. These delicious, dissolve in your mouth treats are something we both can enjoy and appreciate... but the best part is, it's so easy just to grab a pack and go!

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Want to give these yummy Peanut Butter Puffs a try? Hit up Walmart or get more information on the delicious, toddler friendly snack here!
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I promise, you and your toddler will be huge fans of this easy, delicious snack!

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Another step we took to foster independence in our wild girl was letting her learn new things on her own.

We've struggled through worksheets in the past and I've tried coaching her on how to properly get a toy to work, but allowing her to completely learn to do something on her own has been life changing for us both. Instead of tears of frustration, we now spend our time peacefully waiting as she has decided she will be the one to feed herself, brush her own teeth, dress herself, etc. It may be time consuming and sometimes I have to redo her work, but seeing her satisfied with herself after accomplishing a great "feat", I'm not changing this for the world. That look of success and her absolutely beaming pride as she's accomplished a new task, there's nothing like it in the world.

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The last step but possibly the most important step since it relates to all the other steps, is CONSTANTLY reminding myself to let go and let her live.

I mean, I'm still fully involved since she's a tiny little nugget in the scheme of things, but I try to let her do her thing more often than not, as I nervously watch every step from a far. With growing her independence, she's become truly her own person and I've had to let go even more recently and it's been such an amazing, bittersweet feeling. One of the many recent ways I've really had to "let it go" was allowing her to choose activities she wanted to do and watching her form her own friendships. It's been amazing to see who she is becoming, but man, no one warned me this all would happen so quickly. She went from a baby to this strong, capable little kiddo in the blink of an eye.

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While it may sound crazy, the independence seems to help her in so many ways, from gaining confidence in herself to better listening skills - we are really in a good spot. I''m curious, do you have a toddler as well - if so, how do you foster their independence? If your little one is in a different stage in life, I'd still love your input, after all - we're all on this journey together and hey, as they say, "it takes a village".

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For most infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study.