Happy Thanksgiving!!  We made it to my in-laws last night around 5pm.  We have been relaxing and enjoying family time since then.  This morning we ran the 2.75 mile Drumstick Dash, which is always a fun way to start Thanksgiving day!  Here is a look at our week so far!

But first, a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daddy!! (his bday was yesterday)!!! I love you so much and wish we could celebrate together!! 

Monday nights at our house… ugh..

My favorite protein snack bar for on the go!

My sweet Callie girl waiting for a walk.

Sweet pups waiting for a walk!

Early morning body pump class before heading to the airport!

A yummy breakfast of fruit, green juice, chia seed pudding with bananas and peanut butter and coffee, ofcourse.  

Last minute packing… someone was getting worried… 

Little did he know.. he was coming with us!

Riley is our great little travel buddy.

He just sleeps the whole time… no drugs needed for this pup.

Annual Drumstick dash… (my mother-in-law and her turkey hat)

Me and the hubs before the run!

Family before the run/walk!

Thankful for our firefighters!

Quick lunch when we got back (leftover salad and cauliflower fried rice) so yummy!

My sweet Riley.

Ready for the day! We are just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather!

The hubs and me!

Myself, my husband, and my in-laws (love them!), and ofcourse, Riley

My sweet sis is watching our Callie and giving us so many fun updates.  Callie and my sister’s dog Otis are besties!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I am so thankful for great friends and family, my doggies, my job, my house, the list goes on.  I feel so blessed.  I hope everyone gets to have yummy food surrounded by family and friends! 

QUESTIONS: 

1. What is your favorite thanksgiving food?
2. Are you celebrating with family this year? Friends?
3. Do you do a Thanksgiving race?

 

 

 

 

It is almost Thanksgiving and I can’t wait! Today we are headed to my in-laws and I am excited to just relax and spend time with family.  Today, I thought I would keep things light and fun by doing a survey so you can get to know me a little better!  I found this survey a while back on Ashley‘s blog, one of my favorites!

Here we go…

A – Age: 26

B – Biggest Fear: Heights, the dark, losing my parents, etc.

C – Current Time: 10:50 am

D – Drink You Had Last: Water

E – Easiest Person To Talk To: My husband, Jon.  He will listen to me go on and on and on unlike anyone else.

F – Favorite Song: Um I have a lot, but currently I love Carrie Underwood’s song “Smoke Break”

G – Grossest Memory: When I was young I fell backwards on the sidewalk and landed on my elbow.  Blood and green slimy stuff came oozing down my arm (TMI, sorry :))

H – Hometown: Nashville, TN

I – In Love With: Jonny and our sweet pups.

J – Jealous Of: People who travel for a living exploring new places for a travel blog

K – Kindest Person You Know: My mother-in-law.  She is so kind and generous and always serving others.

L – Longest Relationship: Jon. We just got married this year, but have been together for 6 and a half years.

M – Middle Name: Erin

N – Number of Siblings: Two.  One sister and one brother.

O – One Wish: Safe travels over the holidays.

P – Person You Spoke To On The Phone Last: Jon

Q – Question You’re Always Asked:  When are you going to have a baby?? FYI, the answer is – not for quite some time.  We have lots of traveling to do before babies come into the mix.

R – Reason To Smile: I am so blessed with a wonderful life that my husband provides for us.  I have a job I love, the best friends and family, and the sweetest doggies and husband in the world.

S – Song You Last Sang:  “Hello” by Adele in the car on the way to work.

T – Time You Woke Up: 5am for a body pump class.

U – Underwear Color: black

V – Vacation Destination: St. Thomas, where we went on our honeymoon.  I am ready to go back.

W – Worst Habit: Waiting way too long to shave my legs… lovely, I know.

X – X-Rays You’ve Had: Dental xrays, shoulder xray, back xray, foot xray… I’m kind of a mess.

Y – Your Favorite Food: Hmm… this is hard! I love mangos, dark chocolate, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, kale salads… Ok, I really can’t pick just one.

Z – Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.

Questions:

1. Where would you travel if you had all the money in the world?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. Do you have any dogs? If so, how many?  What kinds? 

Hi there! If you know me, you know I have tried every new health or superfood product on the market.  Very few of them actually become staples in my diet though.  A few of my favorites include: flax seeds, coconut oil, braggs liquid aminos, nutritional yeast, and chia seeds.  

Chia seeds have amazing nutritional properties including: fiber, Omega-3s, protein, calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3.  Holy SUPERFOOD.  

When mixed with liquid, chia seeds can expand to hold ten times their dry weight.  When chia seeds absorb liquid, they become a gel-like consistency, which is why people call it “pudding.”

I have tried many chia seed pudding recipes and the best thing about it is that you really can’t mess it up.  I have tried it with coconut milk and almond milk, honey, sugar, maple syrup, raisins, bananas, peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and more.  It is so adaptable.  

My favorite recipe: 

I use unsweetened almond milk and raw, local honey.  

Chia seed pudding is so easy to make. All you do it mix the above ingredients in a big bowl. 

Then place the bowl in the fridge for at least an hour.  At this point, I like to spoon the mixture into individual serving size bowls (like previously seen in the recipe picture) so they are ready to eat in the morning!  This is a great idea if you have guests or have a large family.  It is so nice to wake up in the morning with breakfast ready to go.  My favorite toppings are sliced bananas, blackberries and a little dollop of peanut butter!  This breakfast literally keeps me full until lunch, which is very nice for a snacker like me.  I hope you enjoy!!

Questions:

1. Have you ever made chia seed pudding?

2. If so, what is your favorite recipe?

3. What else do you use chia seeds for?  I like to add them in smoothies, protein pumpkin squares, and to top my salads.

Happy Thursday, yall!  I am really looking forward to a fun-filled weekend with my husband and pups (plus a few extra pups… that’s a story for another post).  I always have friends and clients asking me for simple, week night meals that can be made for one or for an entire family.  I don’t know about you, but after a long day of work, I like to keep dinner easy and stress-free.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook and spend hours in the kitchen, but not after a long day at work when I have to get up early the next day.  Today I thought I’d give you a peak into some easy meals that I regularly make in case you are needing some inspiration!  

Salad with roasted veggies, sauteed shrimp, cilantro and avocado.

Pan-seared salmon with a side of black beans and roasted broccoli and peppers.

Brown rice bowl with black beans, corn, grilled shrimp, cilantro, home-made guacamole, and salsa. (A different take on the first meal idea).

Ok, we kinda like Mexican food around here…

Tacos with grilled corn tortillas, sauteed tofu, veggies, beans, salsa, guacamole and cilantro.  

Veggie tofu spring rolls with homemade peanut sauce: rice paper with sliced cucumbers, beets, carrots, cabbage, avocado and tofu. 

When making a simple weeknight meal, I rarely follow recipes.  I often browse Pinterest or my favorite blogs for inspiration and then open my fridge and build a meal from the ingredients I have on hand.  I do wish I was better about meal planning for the whole week.  I usually think up a few meals while grocery shopping, but sometimes that can be dangerous as I come home with the whole produce section and all of isle 3.  

Questions: 

1. What are some of your favorite easy weeknight meals?
2. How many nights a week do you cook?
3. Do you meal plan before your weekly grocery shopping trip?

 

Good morning! Today I want to share the reasons why I decided to start a blog.  If you ask my husband, he will tell you that I have been talking about starting a blog forever.  And I really have. 

When I first started following a few blogs recommended to me by friends, I was instantly hooked.  I loved to check if there was a new update on my favorite blog’s page.  Not only have I learned recipes, makeup tips, budgeting tricks, decorating advice, new workout ideas, and travel locations, I have also discovered the blogging community and friendships that have come from this space on the internet.  

I love the idea of sharing my thoughts, tips, tricks, and advice with others, but more so, I love the ability to ask others for recommendations on all things food, fitness, fashion, travel, renovations, etc.  I also like the idea of sharing struggles and hardships, and realizing that we are not alone; we all have our moments of defeat.  I have learned so much through the blogging community and have long felt the urge to join it.  So here I am today (after mustering up the confidence), joining the blogging world.  I hope you follow along my journey.  

 

Questions:

1. Why did you start a blog?
2. What is holding you back from starting a blog?
3. What topics would you like to see covered in a blog post?