Bacon Burgers..

Oh. My. Word.

When I make burgers, I usually stuff them with stuff. Sometimes Mozzarella and tomato sauce, sometimes spinach and feta, sometimes red peppers and spinach and feta. (Yeah, I like spinach and feta.)

But bacon? As in, adding raw chopped bacon to the meat mixture? WHYYYY have I never done this before?!? As the bacon pieces cook, all their yummy bacon juices drip through the meat, making the burgers super most and incredibly flavorful. 

If you have done this, WHY didn't you tell me?!? And if you haven't done this before, you simply must! This is a total game changer. 

You can really just add chopped raw bacon to whatever burger recipe you usually use and it should work great. If you don't have a usual burger recipe, but this is what I did. It's very basic, (dude, I was tired. Cut me some slack!) but super yummy. In fact, my hubster told me tonight (as he came in for a second burger) that from now on, I'm not allowed to make burgers any other way. Bahaha

I simply threw into a bowl:

1 lb ground chuck

3 slices of bacon (raw) chopped

1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried parsley 

1 tsp ground pepper 

Mix it all up very well. Form into patties and cook in a skillet over medium high heat for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side. (Depending on the size of your burgers and how rare or well done you like them. Cook em how you like em!)

I topped mine with a slice of cheddar cheese and a Tbsp of pico de gallo.

YUM!

That's it, tho! Super simple, right? Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Trying to Lose Weight?

Are you on a weight loss journey? Have you stalled out? Do you need some extra encouragement or maybe just an extra kick in the ass to keep pushing forward?

My DietBet starts Monday, and I'd love for you to join me! 

Guys and gals are all welcome. 

All you have to do is lose 4% (yes, FOUR %) of your weight over the course of 4 weeks to win. If you win, you split the pot with the other winners. So you are guaranteed to AT LEAST win back your original buy in bet. 

Plus, you'll have some great people in your corner cheering you on along the way. On our own we are strong, but together we are unstoppable. 

So if you've been struggling and need some extra motivation, come on over and put your money where your mouth is and let's DO THIS! 

(But not literally, cuz money is fucking filthy. For real, keep that shit away from your mouth and go wash your hands.)

Slow Down..

(I can't quite make out the name of who to give credit to for this picture. But it's on the side table thingy. Lol)

I've been reading a book called Women Living Well (by Courtney Joseph) And upon reading it, I came across this paragraph. It really hit me hard because it is so completely true. I just knew I had to share it. 

"Electricity has created an artificial day during our nights. Rather than sleeping like most of nature does, when the sun goes down we try to defy nature and keep going as if it is still daytime. We live in a world that runs 24/7. Computers, televisions, cell phones, the Internet, restaurants, grocery stores, and more are at our access around the clock. We try to keep pace with our hyperactive culture, and then we wonder why we, and some of our children, are so . . . well . . . hyperactive! 

We must slow down and create calm moments. It is in our unhurried moments that we can see and hear clearly. When we are on the go-go-go, we can’t see the person who is hurting and needs a hug. We can’t perceive our husbands’ need for our tender affection. We don’t have time to linger at the bedsides of our children to really listen. We don’t write an encouraging note to a friend who is hurting. We can’t enjoy the sunrise, a surprise game of hide-and-seek, or a spontaneous song of praise."

Seriously, how true is that?! Since reading this, I've really been trying my best to slow down a bit

To enjoy the little things more often. 

To look harder at who needs my help. 

And of course to get to bed earlier. LOL

And you know what? My stress level has been going down more and more each day. I wake up happier. I'm not as grouchy anymore. (I still have my moments, tho. I'm no saint!)

I urge you to slow down a bit and focus on the little things more. Because one day we're going to realize that those little things were actually the big things.  

What do you think of this? Does this hit home for you, too?

Shortcut to Weight Loss...

Have you struggled to lose weight? Do you feel like it's always one step forward, two steps back? Are you looking for a quick and easy shortcut to making it happen? 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have to tell you (and deep down, you already know this), there is no quick fix.

 No magic wand or special fairy dust. There are no shortcuts. If you want to lose weight and/or get healthy/fit, it's going to take determination. It's going to take GRIT.

G- guts 

R- resilience 

I- initiative 

T- tenacity. 

That's it.

 You have to want it enough to MAKE it happen. 

You have to throw your excuses in the trash and turn your back on self doubt. 

And most important? Never ever ever give up. Because you CAN do this. 

Will it always be easy? Hell no. 

But will it be worth it? Absolutely!! 

Dig deep, put in the work, crush your goals, and don't let ANYONE stop you. Especially not yourself. 

Life's A Bitch...

At the grocery store just now, I got stuck in line next to an extraordinarily snooty couple. That's not me pre-judging them, btw, that's what I learned of them after standing next to them for 30 seconds. Cuz they made it very clear that that's who they are. Not even a full minute after stepping into line, I'm already aware of it.. I can feel it before I actually see it:

 Enter obnoxious giggles, whispers, and dirty looks from said couple, directed my way. (Dude, for real, what are you, 13 years old?!)

I just kept right on smiling, cuz well, mother fucker you're NOT gonna dull MY shine! 

So as I'm leaving and walking through the parking lot, this little old lady walks by me. She stops me and exclaims "Oh honey!! Your hair should be green, not blue and purple and pink!" I just laughed and said "trust me, I'm Irish enough without that." She cracked up and said "me too! And ya know what? You just have fun and do whatever the hell you want to do. It's YOUR life!!" I told her "you are so right. And life is too short not to, right?" 

And SHE replies...

 "OH HONEY- life is a bitch and then you die!!! *giggles* Do you and enjoy every minute of it!" 

She hugged me twice and we both parted ways giggling and with smiles on our faces. That woman MADE MY DAY.

Roller Derby Progress!!

FINALLY!!

There have been many roadblocks in my derby life. I mean, seriously, so many. Issues with my skates, issues with my feet, a foot injury, anxiety keeping me from skating.. the list goes on and on. So, while I have been doing the damn thang for over two years now, there were a good six months or so (off and on) when I wasn't skating much because I just couldn't. But this, this is more about the mental block. Being way too much in my own head. Thinking way too much. That's been my BIGGEST hurdle. And like I'm always telling everyone else "GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD. YOU'VE GOT THIS!" 

It was time to practice what I preach. 

 Two of my biggest struggles have been T-Stops and jumping. T-Stops I just plain struggled with cuz my foot just wouldn't go behind me and jumping while skating? I honestly never even tried. I used to jump on roller blades back in the day but in 2 years of derby I had NEVER even attempted it. 

After being in the Tinley Park Irish Parade this afternoon and then heading to practice, I was exhausted and way too in my own head. Leading up to jumps, I started having a panic attack. When it came my turn to jump, I did my lap but couldn't bring myself to do it. I teared up,  i was SO pissed at myself. So I shook myself out of my head, took another lap, and then....

 I. FUCKING. DID. IT. 

I jumped, not once, not twice, but 3 times!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!! (And I'm not ashamed to admit that I totally cried after I did it! Lmaooo) I also managed to T-stop AND half ass turn around toe stops. LOL. I feel on top of the fucking world. Ohhh Crossovers, I'm coming for you next! 😁😁😁

I Need Another Me...

Sometimes, I really wish there were two of me. 

One to tend to the kiddos and keep them happily occupied while the other would get done all that needs to get done. I could do either job, it really doesn't matter to me..

Hmmm.. better yet, maybe three of me! That way I could kick back and relax while supervising the other two doing all the work. To think, I'd never have to do laundry, cook meals with kiddies clinging to my leg, I could take a freaking pee in peace and quiet!!! Yes, I think three of me would definitely be better!

But let's be real here: these would be clones of ME. And I know me. So I kinda feel like the other two of me would probably slack off and throw a huge party that I wouldn't be invited to but I'd damn sure have to clean up.  

Hmmm... maybe this wouldn't be such a good thing after all. 

That's ok, tho... I really truly don't mind doing laundry because it means that we are blessed with clothes to wear. I don't mind cooking because it means that we are blessed with food to fill our bellies. While I may get tired and worn out, and sometimes I feel like I have a million more things to do yet I have nothing left to give, I wouldn't trade my job as a mommy and wife for anything! Sometimes I just need to take a few steps back, regroup, and go back at it good as new. 

But I really would like to pee in peace. I've tried telling the kids that if they ask me for something while I'm in the bathroom the answer will be an automatic "no"... but well, that never ends well..

 I'm outnumbered here. Send help! And maybe a bottle of wine...

No... a shot of Jack, please...

Better make it a double. 

Messy Beautiful Motherhood

This pic right here sums up my life as a mom. Do you know what it says? 

It says that my life isn't perfect. Far from perfect, actually.

This is my youngest daughter, proudly sporting her crooked new haircut which was done by mommy after she got SUCH a gnarly knot in her hair that cutting it was our only option.

See all the crap piled up on the counter (and on the floor) behind her? I'm in the process of decluttering the house, but messes still happen.
So yeah, excuse the mess but... 

well... 

We LIVE here.

We LAUGH here.

We LOVE here. 

While I do share lots of our great moments, 

like my oldest kiddo dominating at his wrestling meets,

Or my middle kiddle winning spelling bees 

for her school and her district

  or rocking Tae Kwon Do,

And (rare) sweet moments with my hubster and I...

Don't let all that stuff fool you!

You won't see perfect here. 

What you WILL see is perfectly imperfect.

My ducks aren't all in a row and 

the 'eggs in my basket' often get broken.

Sometimes, in the wee hours of the morning, I'll wake up to my four year old snuggled sweetly next to me, playing with my hair. And other times I'll wake up to that same four year old snuggled up next to me, her nose pressed to my nose, and she'll smile at me and say "mommy- did you brush your teeth? Cuz your breath smells like shit." *facepalm*

Sometimes I trip over the obstacle course of Legos, barbies, and stuffed animals that have been left on my bedroom floor as I shuffle my way through the dark to collapse into bed. Why? Cuz I was too tired to clean it up.

Sometimes my teenage son and I get into screaming matches over stupid things that really don't matter all that much. (I'm still learning to pick my battles.)

Sometimes I let my youngest kiddo sack out in front of the TV so that I can get some cleaning done. (And sometimes it's just so I can have a few quiet moments to gather my thoughts.)

Sometimes I get grumpy as hell over always having to do everything for everyone and be everything to everyone.

Sometimes I go to cook dinner and realize that I have not a single clean pot or pan to cook in nor a single fork to eat with. So I have to wash dishes before I can even start cooking.

Sometimes my four year old eats Ramen noodles for dinner 4 nights in a row because that's all she will eat.

Sometimes my youngest rips huge holes in her pants (on purpose) and has crazy hair. And I let her stay like that for the day. (Not leaving the house like that, tho! I'm not totally crazy.)

The only reason we don't constantly have crumbs on our floor isn't because I always sweep them up- it's because we have dogs that eat them.

Sometimes I fall so behind on laundry that my poor hubster has to tell me "I really need clean socks, babe. Can you please do my laundry?"

Sometimes I'm too tired to make everyone's lunches for the next day, so I send them all with lunch money instead.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and just plain lose my shit.

So you see, my house isn't always clean, our hair isn't always done up nicely, some days we get a little extra dirty and still skip bath time, some nights we read bedtime stories and some nights we don't, some nights we eat not-so-good-for-us-food, there are times when we fight, and times when we fight worse than other times... but we always have each other's back.

This is messy beautiful motherhood, and despite not being perfect, there is NO shortage of love here. And THAT, my friends, is what truly counts.
Are YOU a perfectly imperfect mama? Shout it out below!! Let's show all the mamas out there that they aren't alone!

30 Day Decluttering Challenge

I always feel like I'm constantly cleaning yet it never looks like I cleaned a damn thing. And of course shortly after cleaning, everything gets trashed again SO quickly. Please tell me that I'm not alone?!?

After some serious thought, I realized that I simply had too much stuff. And that rather than owning this stuff, this stuff was starting to own me. How crazy is that?! No matter how much I "organized" it, constant clutter was making me anxious and sapping my energy. See, I form emotional attachments to stuff and struggle to part with them. I have (had!) cards from my 8th grade graduation. Birthday cards from 10 years ago. Knick knacks from my first baby shower. Purses from high school. Clothes that don't fit but I couldn't bear to part with because as I'm losing weight, I might fit back into one day. (Ummm hello- when I hit my goal, I'm buying new clothes. Lol) TONS of random shit I wanted to keep "just because".

But none of this stuff had a purpose for me anymore. So a couple months ago, I sat down late one night and I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Some of the stuff in her book was a bit... out there for me. (Talking to your belongings?) But the rest really sparked something in me and I immediately started the process of eliminating as much as possible. I thanked the stuff for being a blessing to me at some point in time and then I let it go. Some stuff went straight to the trash but other stuff is going to bless other families.

That day alone, I freed myself of EIGHTEEN big ass bags of stuff. Some stuff I never thought I could part with. But I did it and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I couldn't wait to do more, tho garbage day being only once a week limited what I could do and when I could do it.

I've had a lot going on for the past couple months and so decluttering took a bit of a backseat lately. But I'm SO ready to start moving forward again. I swear, my house is screaming at me to do it. And I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this need, so I'm kicking off a 30 Day Decluttering Challenge on Facebook. Are you looking to simplify your home and life? Need a little extra support and encouragement ? Well what are you waiting for? This is your sign!! Join me and take back control of your life!