tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40998027969178573092024-03-12T19:22:29.494-05:00Live, Laugh, Love, Bake.Living Simply, Laughing Often, Loving Fully and Baking All The Yummy Things.RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.comBlogger400125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-50343355462100081592019-11-01T19:30:00.000-05:002019-11-04T01:23:42.210-06:00Rely on Him, He's Got You. <div style="text-align: center;">
I'm gonna get real for a minute here. I mean, REALLY real. But it's so heavy on my heart right now, and when it's THIS heavy on my heart, I know it needs to be shared, cuz someone out there may be going through similar and maybe they need to read it. I promise you, this isn't me complaining. Tho if you don't read till the end, it may seem that way. And by the way, I'm totally gonna talk about God. AND this is gonna be LONG. So if either of those things aren't your thing- just scroll through and find a different post to read. I love you anyways. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, life can seem like it just plain SUCKS. It DOESN'T suck tho, it just FEELS like it does. These last few months have been that way for me. In a MAJOR way. Where to even start?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Money?? For months now, despite budgeting like crazy, we've struggled to take care of what we NEED to take care of money wise. It's SO hard to be able to budget each week, when we have absolutely NOOOO idea what the paycheck will be from week to week. We never know what bills we can pay till the paycheck hits. Then we readjust as best as we can to work with what we have. Lately, it's been a lot of too little paycheck to cover too many bills. Many weeks it's a struggle just to put food on the table, let alone "healthier" food. Cell phones got shut off and will probably be off for the next week, at LEAST. The soles of my husband's and daughter's shoes have been separated from the bottoms of the shoes for MONTHSSSSS now with no way in near sight to replace them. Behind on several other bills cuz I was waiting and waaaaaiting on a check that turns out, wasn't actually coming because the school took the money and used it for Michael's school fees that he forgot to pay. Today I noticed 2 new chips in my windshield, one of which is starting to spider out. I've even cancelled the very few "extras" I was getting to save money, with no difference shown from doing so. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emotional Health? I have felt more alone this past year than I EVER imagined possible. I don't talk to anyone. Aside from a couple of people, no one reaches out to me anymore and many times when I reach out, it goes unanswered. I know that sometimes goes with being in sales- they assume if you're reaching out that you are looking for a "sale". That's NOT me. I'm not reaching out for a sale- I'm reaching out for HUMAN INTERACTION. I don't hang out with anyone. I don't get invited to get togethers. MANY friendships have faded away. (Different paths in life. I get it. We all gotta do what we gotta do.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life in general? Aside from grocery shopping once a week and school drop off/pick up, I don't leave the house. AT ALL. I have no hobbies. No outlet. I clean all day, (almost) every day, and by the end of the night, the house is trashed again and I've gotta do it all over again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm tired. BONE TIRED. SOUL TIRED. I get tired of hoping for an end to the storm that's been consistently beating down upon my household for what feels like forever. I'm tired of being strong and pushing forward with a smile on my face. Sometimes, I even feel tired of praying when nothing seems to be changing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you see all the hearts throughout this post? They seem pretty out of place, given what I'm saying, don't they?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These hearts signify LOVE. Because NO MATTER WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH- No matter how alone or forgotten I feel- No matter how weary I get-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I AM SOOOOOOO LOVED AND BLESSED by God!!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We may not have a bunch of money. Sometimes, we may not even have some of the money we NEED, but we DO have more money than others out there. And HE knows what I NEED more than I do!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those shoes? They're a lesson. We're learning to stretch and make the most of what we have. SUCH an important lesson. AND it shows me every day, what a dedicated hard working hubster I have. Cuz he wears them every day, rain or shine and rarely complains about them. And my daughter hasn't complained about them, not even once. And she's a teen, y'all. That's HUGE. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We don't have the nicest house, and barely enough room for everyone, but we HAVE a house. We HAVE a roof over our heads and walls to shelter us from the elements. MANY DON'T. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may not see or talk to my friends often anymore, but I know that if I really needed them, most would have my back. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It may FEEL hopeless sometimes, but there's ALWAYS hope. I promise you, it's always there!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We tend to pray when times are hard. Obviously. And we thank God when things are great. But one thing I've learned is that it's SO important to thank God WHILE you're struggling! Like: "God- I'm struggling cuz there's not enough money to pay xyz- but THANK YOU for blessing us with EVERY penny that you DID!! God, I'm SO tired of cleaning up all these messes every single day, but THANK YOU for giving me these beautiful children that make the messes AND the ability to be able to clean them! You are truly a GOOD GOD! Thank you for all that you have done in my life, and ALL that you are GOING to do." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No matter how tired I am, God NEVER gets tired of hearing from me. He NEVER gets tired of loving me. And I DO believe that He gave me these storms for a reason. And He gives me the strength I need to battle my way through it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. without fail. Even when I'm at my weakest- BOOM! That strength kicks in. I truly believe that He is sending me through these storms so that I can learn to STOP relying on myself for everything. Because HE is the one I should be relying on. In ALL things. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s7m11ljrz-IK9M_oJa5vTcH-Ulb3rkmkB_J2fdi0x6oDEfZwE6dlmnoV1-u9yTZ1ZuwFopZDrsVDIcy_JGFoA_cccTRyzb6PNhrOKlMYTdgGPOnDIO-qsbqoifqSDaBgE0O4wQfPL8WP/s1600/God+Sends+The+Storm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Have Faith" border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s7m11ljrz-IK9M_oJa5vTcH-Ulb3rkmkB_J2fdi0x6oDEfZwE6dlmnoV1-u9yTZ1ZuwFopZDrsVDIcy_JGFoA_cccTRyzb6PNhrOKlMYTdgGPOnDIO-qsbqoifqSDaBgE0O4wQfPL8WP/s1600/God+Sends+The+Storm.jpeg" title="God sends the storm to show that He is the only shelter" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No matter what I'm going through or you're going through, no matter what life throws at us- God's GOT me. And He's got YOU. EVERY single step of the way. We are SO unbelievably loved. So count your blessings, keep your head up, and just keep marching forward. Even when you feel like you can't. It'll get better. Through the storms, we learn to truly appreciate all the good!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnRqxcAdulpWjBpxOsBlGV2JNmM-Edp-7X0xdP8h1gzGTbLInngDeCGfSXZN6kLin62DTWl4-AXY-6aKEgrpsmBN2INh6xClLr7vWttG8KGRmoon4-Td8CBzdCBEb_9Vj6WkKUS7Gq0lb/s1600/20191103_122238_0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Count your blessings" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnRqxcAdulpWjBpxOsBlGV2JNmM-Edp-7X0xdP8h1gzGTbLInngDeCGfSXZN6kLin62DTWl4-AXY-6aKEgrpsmBN2INh6xClLr7vWttG8KGRmoon4-Td8CBzdCBEb_9Vj6WkKUS7Gq0lb/s640/20191103_122238_0000.jpg" title="Gratitude brings abundance" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I promise you, He has SO MUCH good in store for you and me. AMAZING things. Things that are so much better than we could even imagine. We just gotta cling to Him and keep the faith through the storms. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
❤❤❤</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love and Light, my beautiful friends. </div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-64030574833928139682019-10-30T16:00:00.000-05:002019-11-03T20:13:02.581-06:00Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins<div style="text-align: center;">
While I love trying new recipes, there are just some recipes that I will never stray from. I have used them over and over again, and will never use a different one. This Chocolate Chip Banana Muffin Recipe is one of them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHddbjUNcM1uXexzpYxIQcfGURgSedoCqib5NULguCcFxBJp_5-xiHVRn55HlrpzMbDe4fVtnSO6CpWUB4dfaJfGEUD3xEMklexaIncadJv_6fsjrRtwkV1QaXhXG7TRJKXrpd44dKTjf/s1600/20191021_192517-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins on a tray" border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHddbjUNcM1uXexzpYxIQcfGURgSedoCqib5NULguCcFxBJp_5-xiHVRn55HlrpzMbDe4fVtnSO6CpWUB4dfaJfGEUD3xEMklexaIncadJv_6fsjrRtwkV1QaXhXG7TRJKXrpd44dKTjf/s1600/20191021_192517-01.jpeg" title="Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins " /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They started out as my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, and one day, I randomly decided to try them as muffins. And it worked amazingly well as muffins. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that is literally how my Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins were born. From a random craving. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are super easy, make the entire house smell fantastic, and they are absolutely delicious. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: left;">YOU NEED:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;">
<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1 and 3/4 cups flour</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">3/4 cup sugar</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">2 Tbsp brown sugar</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1 tsp baking powder</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1/4 tsp baking soda</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">pinch of salt</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">2 eggs, beaten</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">4 large bananas, very ripe, mashed very well</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1/2 cup butter, MELTED AND COOLED </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: start;"><b>Directions:</b></u></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin tin with your cupcake/muffin liners.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. Set aside.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">In medium bowl, mash your bananas. To the bananas, add your eggs, melted butter and vanilla and mix very well.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, just til incorporated.. DO NOT OVER MIX!!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pour batter into muffin tins to about 2/3 full and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or til golden and they pass the handy dandy toothpick test. </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If you want a little extra something something, you can lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar. (But really, they are sweet enough on their own!)</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.84px;">I hope you love these as much as my family and I do! If you make these, I'd love for you to comment and let me know what you think! And feel free to share on Facebook and pinterest.. etc. After all, sharing is caring, right?! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.84px;">Love and Light!</span></span></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-83933872716703676182019-10-19T15:19:00.000-05:002019-10-19T15:19:59.867-05:00Mom Life Is No Joke!! Finding the Joy In My Journey. <div style="text-align: center;">
Some of you mommies have it all together, every second of every day. You run a tight ship, your kiddies behave perfectly, your home is immaculate. You do it all, flawlessly, and never ever complain. And while that's awesome, and I give you MAJOR kudos, this post is not for you, Susan. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously. I joke about mom life a lot- but sometimes "mom life" is no joke. And it's so easy to lose yourself in the day to day monotony of it all. Especially when you have really little ones in the home. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm in a season right now, where my days consist of getting kids cleaned up and dressed (several times a day cuz my kids get beyond filthy and spill shit all over themselves multiple times a day).<br />
<br />
Cleaning up ALL the messes (cuz I promise you that no one else here is gonna do it).<br />
<br />
Breaking up fights.<br />
<br />
CONSTANTLY saying "don't put that in your mouth", which is alwaaaays followed by yelling "GET THAT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!!!!" to the younger kids, which is alwaaaays followed by digging said object out of the offenders mouth while they scream in displeasure.<br />
<br />
Always yelling "DON'T YOU EAT THAT!!" to the dogs, which is always followed by "DAAAAMN IT!!" and trying to dig the object out of THEIR mouths. <br />
<br />
Wiping up the millionth puddle of juice, water, and milk, because those Spill Proof/Leak Proof Miracle 360° cups are cute little cups of LIES. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wipe faces, hands, butts, noses, and tears (not in that order) seemingly nonstop. I get to relieve myself with a toddler in the bathroom with me who is hellbent on tearing everything out of the cabinets while I am temporarily immobilized and unable to stop her. And she knows it. And when she's NOT in there with me, you better believe someone else is trying to talk to me through the damn door. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Begging kids to just eat the food I made, especially since I usually cook 2-3 different meals for dinner. EVERY. NIGHT. No preaching about "you're the mom- they'll eat what you make or they can go hungry. If they're hungry enough, they'll eat it." Cuz NO, that doesn't work with ALL kids. It worked with 3 of my 4. One of them tho, cannot make herself eat what she doesn't like. And if you try and force her, she WILL go hungry. Again and again and again. And then she will become malnourished and VERY scarily sick. Been there, done that. I'll choose to keep making more than one meal over that ANY day, thank you very much. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My life right now is an endless cycle of diapers, laundry, and dishes- the last two being the jobs I dispise the most- but again, no one else is going to do them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is no quiet in my life- not even in bed cuz the hubster snores his ass off. I don't think I'd know what to do with quiet if I ever got it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do the budgeting and I do the shopping while trying to stick to that budget. And I try to work on building up stock in our freezers and pantry so that we can be prepared for hard times. Which isn't always easy when you're on a tight budget- but it's even more important to do that when your budget is always tight. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I work hard to ensure that we are getting as much as we possibly can out of anything we buy, and trying to minimize waste. Trying to make sure that each family member is prepared for each season, especially the cold winter months. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tend to everyone else when they're sick, even when sick myself. And then I get to disinfect the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been on a NONSTOP 24/7 shift for 20 years now, with no end in near sight. I don't get breaks. I don't get timeouts. I don't get sick days or days off. It's just go go go go go go go go GO. Every moment of every day. I KNOW there are other mamas out there that feel me on that, right?? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't have hobbies anymore nor the time for the ones I did have, let alone the ability to get out without the youngest kiddo and actually do them. Lol</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a mom. Which also makes me a short order cook. A maid. A laundry service. A chauffeur. A nurse. A referee. A therapist. A sounding board. A mediator. And sometimes even a doormat.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I do it all without expecting anything in return. Because taking care of others is just my heart. It's in my blood. It always has been and always will be. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So yes, maybe I signed up for all of this- but that doesn't chage the fact that it's EXHAUSTING- mentally and physically. I wish that *I* could just pack up and go somewhere for an overnight trip. Shit, even just for a few hours without phone calls and texts about "wheres this? Where's that? Baby is getting cranky. Baby is REALLY cranky now. Baby is tired. When will you be home? Baaaaaaabe??" 🤣</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd LOVE for my hubster to recognize that I'm burning out, before it actually happens. I'd LOVE for him to be able to help me out around here. But that man works incredibly long hours and when he comes home after working his fingers to the bone all day, he just wants to sit down and relax. And I get that. I WANT him to be able to unwind after a long day. He more than deserves that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But so do I.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tonight, the hubster gets to go away and play at our yearly camping excursion while I'm holding down the homefront. AGAIN. I've missed out on this much anticipated camping trip for the last several years now. And I'm not gonna lie- I'm a bit jealous. Maybe even a bit bitter. I'm only human- fight me. 🤣 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I'm also happy that he got to go unwind and blow off some steam. And I hope he has a great time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to clean this child tornado strewn house. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to cook the meals. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to wipe the butts and noses and rock and shush the toddler. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then, I'm going to build a giant fucking blanket fort with the kids. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to fill it with every pillow we own. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to put a movie on and watch it with them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to laugh with them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And snuggle them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And read with them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to get on my knees and pray my heart out to my God, that He takes the sting out of my heart and rights my attitude. That He gives me the strength to do all that I have to do and the grace to do it with a softer heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I'm probably going to pass out. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And THEN- God willing- I'm going to wake up in the morning and do it all again with a smile on my face. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cuz I'm a mom and that's just what we do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every single day that we are blessed to wake up, we have to make the CHOICE to see the good in all we do. To recognize that every seemingly mundane task that we do, BLESSES our families. To be grateful for what we have. To find JOY in our journey.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-hKNPrrspe3MjsGi8Yb27On2telAj5vwcNFz6sB1vx-jqrEicu2AsKTgMg8XGPRHymTQl49LesWLjPk9_fv2wrpmKZVEUKTrVUm23AREYx16glcoDyk35IlvGkesRJNNgvWvkOHAdk_i/s1600/PhotoGrid_1571514857685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Find Joy" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-hKNPrrspe3MjsGi8Yb27On2telAj5vwcNFz6sB1vx-jqrEicu2AsKTgMg8XGPRHymTQl49LesWLjPk9_fv2wrpmKZVEUKTrVUm23AREYx16glcoDyk35IlvGkesRJNNgvWvkOHAdk_i/s640/PhotoGrid_1571514857685.jpg" title="Find Joy In Your Journey" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And ya know what? I'm beyond blessed to have a home to clean. To have these beautiful sassy mouths to feed, as well as the food to feed them with. To have all that dreaded laundry that keeps us warm and cozy and covered. To have each other and to have LOVE.<br />
<br />
If that doesn't put a smile on my face and a skip in my step, I don't know what will!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blessed beyond measure, y'all. </div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-78820635569760103982019-10-14T23:52:00.001-05:002019-10-14T23:55:07.402-05:00Fall Dinner Party<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday night, we hosted our first Annual Fall Dinner Party. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnW6XHoS37_c5oWjOFLlciOmKHLc34qnYRZLxkVldiX9sa2sSadssOeQLVAi98R8lwSuxs_TlGs6ksXoiMKHLz0zBGUgUrr6bfEteuNsDD6UX0tuzdwFfcSXK3jwnaD_sq4URhboES4H6/s1600/20191013_144043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnW6XHoS37_c5oWjOFLlciOmKHLc34qnYRZLxkVldiX9sa2sSadssOeQLVAi98R8lwSuxs_TlGs6ksXoiMKHLz0zBGUgUrr6bfEteuNsDD6UX0tuzdwFfcSXK3jwnaD_sq4URhboES4H6/s1600/20191013_144043.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't let that beautiful sky fool you- the weather was not exactly pleasant, as it got mighty cold and was extremely windy, but between the fire and the warm food, we got by just fine. 🤣</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had so much fun decorating and making the food for the party, but most of all, we just enjoyed being with our friends and family. Here are a few highlights:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These went on the tables: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDS5_a-dKYPqjLg_ytL9_Bi_4XYgC1Ym2ICeraZfpneaJcZUZFENo0I22xOw5ht1g8nxNhlXHEIEaZYbdjyD-3Q1uavUmtsuAROK4wRSSAQpxHig0x6W1PYMHVMShWCaoI1paQ-bA17eG/s1600/20191012_122537_20191014162253888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDS5_a-dKYPqjLg_ytL9_Bi_4XYgC1Ym2ICeraZfpneaJcZUZFENo0I22xOw5ht1g8nxNhlXHEIEaZYbdjyD-3Q1uavUmtsuAROK4wRSSAQpxHig0x6W1PYMHVMShWCaoI1paQ-bA17eG/s1600/20191012_122537_20191014162253888.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tables set up:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujcEIMnUee8VKl0Gt1cG5IvsoOG4D0tx77gJz1yj6HR27BDjH3l9eyLTQ-icp9TR_LoOoa7d2wz6WInxrxlaEOKAjxSdMfvSrMpHkvdRUOS0FqFS5qYJnsix8pA_HvJlo8id51I1Hic32/s1600/20191012_181442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujcEIMnUee8VKl0Gt1cG5IvsoOG4D0tx77gJz1yj6HR27BDjH3l9eyLTQ-icp9TR_LoOoa7d2wz6WInxrxlaEOKAjxSdMfvSrMpHkvdRUOS0FqFS5qYJnsix8pA_HvJlo8id51I1Hic32/s1600/20191012_181442.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6UxWeP5GzH3s6aVPqOiYnV9aerxZ1rJl0LdXbn6n4l1iIhq412No1O_ovpTbDECoLdEQhfHrhMNxqbyjrRAxs8SlxKk41vaj1H5ekLy1G3iCR-BNtDeRdjJmcI4QeSWV5OFirE5yk6lG/s1600/20191012_195926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6UxWeP5GzH3s6aVPqOiYnV9aerxZ1rJl0LdXbn6n4l1iIhq412No1O_ovpTbDECoLdEQhfHrhMNxqbyjrRAxs8SlxKk41vaj1H5ekLy1G3iCR-BNtDeRdjJmcI4QeSWV5OFirE5yk6lG/s1600/20191012_195926.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Random shots of the festivities:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexUWIrEzVNKlTNyfAamjcFsySjWNFv1ME-LnNGffEMBeYIHNiE9DpCmcKbSQhNfrY3x0NuwXh7an52T5Fk4sTP8YjoCOTkFnpTlnEdHkeaY2995NK7MxV2w2k9LGtUoD1PykqwZlzqkNV/s1600/20191012_192932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexUWIrEzVNKlTNyfAamjcFsySjWNFv1ME-LnNGffEMBeYIHNiE9DpCmcKbSQhNfrY3x0NuwXh7an52T5Fk4sTP8YjoCOTkFnpTlnEdHkeaY2995NK7MxV2w2k9LGtUoD1PykqwZlzqkNV/s1600/20191012_192932.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1kRexvvZth8ANIy7WZ3xrrd6iaj0Sa8apyLcLo0q5wclbKoexSM_U0NdTk5HjsPd0zDpfUVhf-grf8rz3BrZkegL7x4TQ_zjGeoiFHzHe9Ugim5yR0aNx5ZcMUVlA_lJEEfRMhSnyLAH/s1600/20191012_205529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1kRexvvZth8ANIy7WZ3xrrd6iaj0Sa8apyLcLo0q5wclbKoexSM_U0NdTk5HjsPd0zDpfUVhf-grf8rz3BrZkegL7x4TQ_zjGeoiFHzHe9Ugim5yR0aNx5ZcMUVlA_lJEEfRMhSnyLAH/s1600/20191012_205529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d3OnRyWDemNk_IKwbwlJ48D_ZRjKXwPAoRIQQXqcQNiDUcaRnHEJ0dd-4rfa247fIFpKq_tyE2Sm9rYZO6gxNxITkqahyphenhyphenFocnyv5Sady2HhKq1L4GYEQdaiR7OY4z3M6okj27-k2dGBe/s1600/20191012_204503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d3OnRyWDemNk_IKwbwlJ48D_ZRjKXwPAoRIQQXqcQNiDUcaRnHEJ0dd-4rfa247fIFpKq_tyE2Sm9rYZO6gxNxITkqahyphenhyphenFocnyv5Sady2HhKq1L4GYEQdaiR7OY4z3M6okj27-k2dGBe/s1600/20191012_204503.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljVPaCuUHn5LiXRx_Wy4k0xUwQyuGGcFpls8QrCcBjxQKCkkMLE6ruC2jGT2pMpeXJ8EyZN4KBG-Ghi8_jr-H5679_JVUqJGpKDlNt4xJv8fjBLgqQlZ1N5Xv76M40t4WThf-bkKm4e4x/s1600/20191012_202229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljVPaCuUHn5LiXRx_Wy4k0xUwQyuGGcFpls8QrCcBjxQKCkkMLE6ruC2jGT2pMpeXJ8EyZN4KBG-Ghi8_jr-H5679_JVUqJGpKDlNt4xJv8fjBLgqQlZ1N5Xv76M40t4WThf-bkKm4e4x/s1600/20191012_202229.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_0e8F4eGyrrORVDX-t__Bn-oN1BbE7QNxNUsiQ6R5sGeE3F33fJpcyJGyYbGD4-NLd55JaJ0W1r0gK-Tmt8-fBgS-ZVjSqnHkRUibRjvBapgH7KedJkfj0974VONZuzqrNmWWfz1lZn2/s1600/EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_0e8F4eGyrrORVDX-t__Bn-oN1BbE7QNxNUsiQ6R5sGeE3F33fJpcyJGyYbGD4-NLd55JaJ0W1r0gK-Tmt8-fBgS-ZVjSqnHkRUibRjvBapgH7KedJkfj0974VONZuzqrNmWWfz1lZn2/s1600/EFFECTS.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HSXVrBxHdjxIL3RYvpEu3bgXlvjPLMVYA1ZT2pJO-nCnLlnNNtSokSncMGwl9YZhyQ07-RLtrIUAmGydWYSzb4I4nN9fgtayr4FRyWYFBCvMR5XcAXnO_56kZdemsp9H0w0jnll3WzK2/s1600/20191012_204308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HSXVrBxHdjxIL3RYvpEu3bgXlvjPLMVYA1ZT2pJO-nCnLlnNNtSokSncMGwl9YZhyQ07-RLtrIUAmGydWYSzb4I4nN9fgtayr4FRyWYFBCvMR5XcAXnO_56kZdemsp9H0w0jnll3WzK2/s1600/20191012_204308.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Not to toot my own horn, but the food was so delicious and absolutely perfect for the weather. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We enjoyed:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2014/06/if-i-could-marry-meal-this-would-be-one.html?m=1" target="_blank">Bison Sweet Potato Chili</a> with corn muffins:(no pic of the muffins- sorry!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNd_gxlQaQ5FN8aj-EUOwojb5laASxOvIbqTrtru_g3MOIHVjpyOzneZyhnvnhT1lDkL-nlTAMivtaCuTJCmm4XmxFR6_Op5z7WZSSyl0lSB6p-8qSG5wxfZvMdEM97RM5ih1L90qWE9D-/s1600/20191014_171410_20191014174208218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNd_gxlQaQ5FN8aj-EUOwojb5laASxOvIbqTrtru_g3MOIHVjpyOzneZyhnvnhT1lDkL-nlTAMivtaCuTJCmm4XmxFR6_Op5z7WZSSyl0lSB6p-8qSG5wxfZvMdEM97RM5ih1L90qWE9D-/s1600/20191014_171410_20191014174208218.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2018/10/homemade-hot-chocolate.html?m=1" target="_blank">Homemade Hot Chocolate:</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(with Mini Maple Marshmallows!! YUM!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1Sq4ZXet1PGH4jJdbxgP92hymygRD4vHzt1xoftc_vaiE0rvN4ifKX355YMZRNpYyQ89BglQed3ORJvtDxW5eZkR32lnBT4-DtDQdJAJs3qfEqXAxNNan9W3WQ5E2HacpyiEyMKN6hEX/s1600/20151101_003643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1Sq4ZXet1PGH4jJdbxgP92hymygRD4vHzt1xoftc_vaiE0rvN4ifKX355YMZRNpYyQ89BglQed3ORJvtDxW5eZkR32lnBT4-DtDQdJAJs3qfEqXAxNNan9W3WQ5E2HacpyiEyMKN6hEX/s1600/20151101_003643.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2011/01/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-cookies.html?m=1" target="_blank">Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkMy7TL3U-O-iWOBwtIjSqMDk7bz9WlPpt-U8beuVlSKfSq7sMDVpmkA6XzR0hQkTaMZUhMT9ZVkuo7VcuKJFTJrOokPX_n44-grERgdipaSA7HvBVdYYy2zbdrpKlicvDnUHCfLZdkg7/s1600/PhotoGrid_1443459145238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkMy7TL3U-O-iWOBwtIjSqMDk7bz9WlPpt-U8beuVlSKfSq7sMDVpmkA6XzR0hQkTaMZUhMT9ZVkuo7VcuKJFTJrOokPX_n44-grERgdipaSA7HvBVdYYy2zbdrpKlicvDnUHCfLZdkg7/s1600/PhotoGrid_1443459145238.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2019/10/fall-brookies.html?m=0" target="_blank">Fall Brookies</a>:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQoySzHEWts_pMcTgjBcXPFAXJNilWs1zKYNuRdGWAs2jRP9tiJqHYhDm_VjyZRmd5PqeAVD2iFuRJ-3bDno4l3GQsUJ2c-LzVOjYqccPVljuWDQVciD53TfRTFjfDk4Klz6vH5JwQy_h/s1600/20191014_171631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQoySzHEWts_pMcTgjBcXPFAXJNilWs1zKYNuRdGWAs2jRP9tiJqHYhDm_VjyZRmd5PqeAVD2iFuRJ-3bDno4l3GQsUJ2c-LzVOjYqccPVljuWDQVciD53TfRTFjfDk4Klz6vH5JwQy_h/s1600/20191014_171631.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Triple Chocolate Brownies:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZUvx71GuoQxyFY2Pak93Pxw7c8oYovhsbqp8Ac2tQtlS4NgIjmcrF989BkwN1bZ2TLoLb2qTbCUr2s4UPnPpiPdjiU8B4lnbQx6uk7uq36lqSE1KJ9wwfHZTfMlryQ9iBmS6aCSOJTdW/s1600/20191014_171811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZUvx71GuoQxyFY2Pak93Pxw7c8oYovhsbqp8Ac2tQtlS4NgIjmcrF989BkwN1bZ2TLoLb2qTbCUr2s4UPnPpiPdjiU8B4lnbQx6uk7uq36lqSE1KJ9wwfHZTfMlryQ9iBmS6aCSOJTdW/s1600/20191014_171811.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a S'mores Bar. (No pic of that either, but it was Hershey's bars, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, marshmallows, pumpkin spice marshmallows, and Graham crackers all laid out.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We truly enjoyed the night and already can't wait to gather together and do it all again next year!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-86196941455122671302019-10-14T20:30:00.001-05:002019-10-15T14:32:44.655-05:00Fall Brookies<div style="text-align: center;">
I love Brookies. I mean, brownies with cookies on top? Hello, that's a dream come true! What could be better than some plain old brookies? My Fall Brookies, that's what!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What makes them "Fall" Brookies, you ask? Well, the cookies on top of these brownies are no ordinary cookies, my friends. No, they are my seriously ahhhhmazing <a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2011/01/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-cookies.html?m=1" target="_blank">Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTA0tv6wTQqEF1Zb9OIpXuNjBvuLxmo5Tex66VCgpGQLG2iFy1rhXnHEXAzApRBzIlOLUfB7Yqw314xMzbfFgKjcQJVzYlWNs5R9Jkh_6WpezAQK6eLgdCdR5uV3zgYevGTEX0mQ6zuoV/s1600/20191014_171631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Brookies" border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTA0tv6wTQqEF1Zb9OIpXuNjBvuLxmo5Tex66VCgpGQLG2iFy1rhXnHEXAzApRBzIlOLUfB7Yqw314xMzbfFgKjcQJVzYlWNs5R9Jkh_6WpezAQK6eLgdCdR5uV3zgYevGTEX0mQ6zuoV/s1600/20191014_171631.jpg" title="Fall Brookies" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those two combined, created an out of this world Fall Brookie that, you guessed it, is perfect for Fall! I made them for our first Annual Fall Dinner Party and they FLEW! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, I LOVE baking from scratch, but lately I just haven't had the time for all that. So I started with a boxed brownie mix, added some tweaks and then topped it with my cookie dough. Super simple!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, I'm going to warn you, my cookie recipe makes A LOT of cookies. So, you can make the batter to use some on the brookies and then make some cookies, too. Or you can make the cookies and just save some for the brookies. Or you can use some for the Fall Brookies and freeze the rest for future use. I freeze that cookie dough all the time and they still bake up beautifully. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Onto the recipe!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 box of brownie mix (use homemade if you'd like!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">.25 cup strong brewed coffee </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">My <a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2011/01/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-cookies.html?m=1" target="_blank">Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol>
<li>Mix up the ingredients to make the cookie dough using the recipe linked above. </li>
<li>Preheat oven to whatever your box mix or recipe says. Spray your baking dish with cooking spray (I used an 8x8 dish) </li>
<li>Prepare your brownie mix as directed on the box, and then add the cinnamon and coffee. Stir well. </li>
<li>Pour brownie batter into baking dish and top with dollaps of cookie dough. Press the cookie dough down just a bit. </li>
<li>Bake however long the box tells you to, based on your size baking dish. </li>
<li>Cool completely, cut into squares, and serve em up!</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoy these Fall Brookies as much as my family and I do! Do you have a favorite Fall recipe? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!</div>
</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-75508111486551801422019-04-25T08:30:00.000-05:002019-09-11T16:17:11.296-05:00Happy Birthday, Little One!<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it sure has flown by! I cannot believe that it has been one year since our sweet little Gwendolyn made her first appearance into the world.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPwEOUCMtqQcvwdU17SUdk81Qjobc3THwuZ9Dqssimm0NfhSlh7Nv54_kWAvcXEzzEhBXGiN3FrWBuWg6Qs1O8-8_iuR889-c5KXl-QokycdsSjcd_9q4ISEe4la8N74KuNrG9-fPA2yW/s1600/20180425_101050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPwEOUCMtqQcvwdU17SUdk81Qjobc3THwuZ9Dqssimm0NfhSlh7Nv54_kWAvcXEzzEhBXGiN3FrWBuWg6Qs1O8-8_iuR889-c5KXl-QokycdsSjcd_9q4ISEe4la8N74KuNrG9-fPA2yW/s320/20180425_101050.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously, y'all, love at first sight!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3cpop73NgcXbRURaqlk2Y_H9zYOxBI8xFPNcWGire6RgxO90q45yq2X1x3Mnto04m4epiPmQRebF6C-YU-xsQjsqmk1alXyJnirGEDlHHBK0IBwqB0mnUC898mg1v31mWHiMcS1oTmh3/s1600/20180426_152405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3cpop73NgcXbRURaqlk2Y_H9zYOxBI8xFPNcWGire6RgxO90q45yq2X1x3Mnto04m4epiPmQRebF6C-YU-xsQjsqmk1alXyJnirGEDlHHBK0IBwqB0mnUC898mg1v31mWHiMcS1oTmh3/s320/20180426_152405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd be lying if I said that going from 3 kids to 4 kids took no adjusting. Just having a baby in the house again after 6 years was a serious adjustment!! Maybe that's also because I'm older now? Who knows. As hard of an adjustment as it was tho, I wouldn't change it for the world. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gwendolyn has brought so much sunshine to our family. So many belly laughs. And let me tell you, we thought our Josephine was the daredevil of the family? Gwendolyn has officially taken over that title, in every way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fem5vWld-mq4n31UbcZoE9Rv-D-58bNTb-oIwEUI4kc49tYhfjfBHD03SYbyay7abrY9Rf1XIclgXhFe3uw2tNYbzuUCamgG4r8MFkQuuPhAC4xv3Pb8SJpbQEzRQTd9iehES6B3EYk6/s1600/20190421_125822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fem5vWld-mq4n31UbcZoE9Rv-D-58bNTb-oIwEUI4kc49tYhfjfBHD03SYbyay7abrY9Rf1XIclgXhFe3uw2tNYbzuUCamgG4r8MFkQuuPhAC4xv3Pb8SJpbQEzRQTd9iehES6B3EYk6/s320/20190421_125822.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are so incredibly blessed to have her in our family. (We're blessed to have each one of our amazing kiddies, but this post is about her.) And we cannot wait to watch her grow. Tho if time could just slow down a bit, I'd surely appreciate it. Mmmkay? Thanks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtg-6m531CyZqm2yp6fldqSENOWT8yN0Fv4HmgvSngV4s4Syt3lMxwPZnSuHEefATYtn5RV8IioanR1j_MstnSWFUyMoPkhnLfbXecfzViHfUJAJa8pPFLjEgLUdY_Ll8DI3ze97V5eo8/s1600/20190425_072912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtg-6m531CyZqm2yp6fldqSENOWT8yN0Fv4HmgvSngV4s4Syt3lMxwPZnSuHEefATYtn5RV8IioanR1j_MstnSWFUyMoPkhnLfbXecfzViHfUJAJa8pPFLjEgLUdY_Ll8DI3ze97V5eo8/s320/20190425_072912.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Happy Birthday, sweet girl! We love you!</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-74788520521089874182019-04-13T16:51:00.000-05:002019-04-13T16:51:19.415-05:00Bedroom Makeover On A Budget<div style="text-align: center;">
Our bedroom was in desperate need of a makeover. About 7 years ago, we turned our dark smokey blue room into a dark purple and black cave. Seriously, I don't know what I was thinking when I chose the colors I did. They are great colors, but they really did nothing for the space they were in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP2lBzORxoieacJEXQuHtTdLWJMtRbNdRIJe6jofWMt6Wpa0VcQgpRsGw83_BJUf1ZPeJtI3iLH-PhnL71Z7KAbq1ZFOlmPH5QzkVEVUXQ9QFgXWJRcjXjI3WOpMn5ju714IwnaF3BMzY/s1600/FB_IMG_1481549724570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black and purple bedroom" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP2lBzORxoieacJEXQuHtTdLWJMtRbNdRIJe6jofWMt6Wpa0VcQgpRsGw83_BJUf1ZPeJtI3iLH-PhnL71Z7KAbq1ZFOlmPH5QzkVEVUXQ9QFgXWJRcjXjI3WOpMn5ju714IwnaF3BMzY/s1600/FB_IMG_1481549724570.jpg" title="Purple and black bedroom" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We put up a black canopy and had purple (and red) christmas lights along the ceiling. I guess it fit my mood back then.. But over the years, my tastes changed. My then youngest kiddo loved to pull on the canopy, so that was the first thing to go. We used really cheap paint and didn't prime the walls at all, so fast forward to a year ago and the old blue paint started showing through the newer purple walls and black ceiling. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We didn't realize that was what was happening tho, so when I was pregnant with my now youngest kiddo, it was really seriously annoying me. I had my hubster take a wet rag and wipe the ceiling down. All was well and my nerves were settled. Until about 3 days later when the streaks came back and brought along about a million friends. You can really see it in the pic below, on the ceiling. Talk about an eyesore!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHLtoMcuL8b47Drn8WN2e9Wc_2AYxRVHLtFFIXg3a1OXDwkaDdLMpOOHb4lf14uZ5c5QBGuei9YnCsdHhyB9wKaIZlRwCCWIOQg9sxjmmDVkuiFlcLs-cHQHE4avT7KfvZ8I3p5QKGQp5/s1600/20190316_131342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cheap paint" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHLtoMcuL8b47Drn8WN2e9Wc_2AYxRVHLtFFIXg3a1OXDwkaDdLMpOOHb4lf14uZ5c5QBGuei9YnCsdHhyB9wKaIZlRwCCWIOQg9sxjmmDVkuiFlcLs-cHQHE4avT7KfvZ8I3p5QKGQp5/s1600/20190316_131342.jpg" title="Old paint job" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we decided it was time to just repaint. I decided that the space needed to be lightened up. Like, a lot. I found a beautiful pale purple and grey and ran them by my hubster. I'll admit, I was a bit worried that he would think the purple was too feminine of a color. I didn't want to be that chick, ya know? Luckily, he loved them and gave the ok. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I just had to piece everything together. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We bought Behr premium paint with primer in the shades Evening Slipper and Flannel Grey. At around $40 a gallon, the paint was a bit more than I wanted to spend, but I didn't want to risk the old paint showing through again, so I decided to splurge a bit. It was definitely worth it and the colors totally transformed the room. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a crappy little shelf that we had spray painted black for the previous makeover and a black tv tray as our bedside tables. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBWdi8NK2LuID7lWxXlrB9z2V9eWcr7_g3fatebcGLEKm9ylvz4EZl_cuxl1FQaZD0cSDDR2CLk-Bzt_i-WW3XzhduS7QGBo0x7tRBGNSnlM4lr8RF1j1ec5_fmzJkv_jhZHZuJkhZ-18/s1600/20170123_102509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Old shelf" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="759" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBWdi8NK2LuID7lWxXlrB9z2V9eWcr7_g3fatebcGLEKm9ylvz4EZl_cuxl1FQaZD0cSDDR2CLk-Bzt_i-WW3XzhduS7QGBo0x7tRBGNSnlM4lr8RF1j1ec5_fmzJkv_jhZHZuJkhZ-18/s1600/20170123_102509.jpg" title="Old nightstand" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They HAD to go, but I was not willing to drop a couple hundred dollars each for nightstands. I shopped around.. a lot. I'm not kidding you, I think I looked at just about every store out there. Two hundred for one, FIVE hundred for ONE... Are you serious?? I only had about a hundo budgeted for two of them together. And the cheaper ones had terrible reviews. I was starting to feel defeated. Then I stumbled across one on Overstock. Two of them were going to cost a little over $100 and the reviews were great. I put them in my cart and waited and watched the price. Over the next two weeks or so, sales came and went. Then one day, boom! Together, on an awesome sale, it was going to be exactly $100 for both of them together! Better believe I jumped at that. They fit the space perfectly and I'm extremely happy with them. You'll see them in the last pic. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been back on a major decluttering kick again and really wanted to get rid of a ton of crap, especially eye clutter. So most of the shelves that were previously on our walls did not go back up. After putting all of our dvds into a dvd case, the metal dvd stands were kissed goodbye as well. Minimizing what was on that wall and dresser was a total breath of fresh air! We mounted our tv on the wall, too. The tv mount kit was like $30. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BEFORE:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U0iUm9dm7l4UUgbyP55xhgl_HgnNBFE6shjqoABSro6ZdcVu-nNHuFoTr1tMOQDfpiOZooQkzfktr4_8yFaxw0pqTjk6AJ0e8tlTGq5tjOD5EykR-GJ3sZKH-eQI3G3m8hIagTi3cl5V/s1600/20170123_102241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cluttered wall " border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U0iUm9dm7l4UUgbyP55xhgl_HgnNBFE6shjqoABSro6ZdcVu-nNHuFoTr1tMOQDfpiOZooQkzfktr4_8yFaxw0pqTjk6AJ0e8tlTGq5tjOD5EykR-GJ3sZKH-eQI3G3m8hIagTi3cl5V/s1600/20170123_102241.jpg" title="Tv wall before" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
AFTER:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQwiH0L4gZQ9sYO1iHuVOTLLjruQtw3GfQgTho1nEPHilboKY_xykCT8Xf3mwrY3n4SBgo3QaVZ8VNzy6zUplCyPTXyKOGiXCtJ-xkXw9HkA06bjxFvmuWE9ZcOSTAgnnszSjqt6akXvk/s1600/20190408_155259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Decluttered dresser" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQwiH0L4gZQ9sYO1iHuVOTLLjruQtw3GfQgTho1nEPHilboKY_xykCT8Xf3mwrY3n4SBgo3QaVZ8VNzy6zUplCyPTXyKOGiXCtJ-xkXw9HkA06bjxFvmuWE9ZcOSTAgnnszSjqt6akXvk/s1600/20190408_155259.jpg" title="After tv wall" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More decluttering happened in the closet, tho I don't have a good before pic of that before I emptied it out to paint. Let me just say that our closet was a total trainwreck. We had my husband's dresser in there and storage containers full of junk crammed in every space possible. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We gave my husband's dresser to our youngest kiddo and we are now sharing my dresser, half and half. That alone freed up a ton of space in the closet. We also installed some adjustable shelving on both sides of the closet to put shoes and purses and stuff. We're really digging how open it is in there now! I'm still working on going through the stuff that's in the last storage bin. (No clue why there's a toy in my laundry basket, tho. Life with kids, ya'll. )</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BEFORE:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqinincf8ZFtGRxZXY45sBooWD8HihOL5IOypUdhIHn1ugBQocFZoUH9in5O6PaBa821hugJmFy2tQGKmdFeDDVaIz8KjlRaqIKMzAWz_T-FQTQq6XR-TSxaW2153RWFfAeuYfpa6Htcd/s1600/20190316_164650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Closet ready to paint" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqinincf8ZFtGRxZXY45sBooWD8HihOL5IOypUdhIHn1ugBQocFZoUH9in5O6PaBa821hugJmFy2tQGKmdFeDDVaIz8KjlRaqIKMzAWz_T-FQTQq6XR-TSxaW2153RWFfAeuYfpa6Htcd/s1600/20190316_164650.jpg" title="Closet before" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
AFTER:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm5K8_tnBTVZQCS5XyvyXwhQYhjhguST-_Ppu2nSn-ltPho_3Ag605IGiHAH5v5ID2gZP8lJWUl_hla7MqAWurs05cxU1_jinoELtEgjLrbDKy0UBSWOoauiTe4NWplmowU4pOqu4aCFO/s1600/20190408_155325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Closet painted" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm5K8_tnBTVZQCS5XyvyXwhQYhjhguST-_Ppu2nSn-ltPho_3Ag605IGiHAH5v5ID2gZP8lJWUl_hla7MqAWurs05cxU1_jinoELtEgjLrbDKy0UBSWOoauiTe4NWplmowU4pOqu4aCFO/s1600/20190408_155325.jpg" title="Closet after" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKhvSp_kjyqJXd6uUHh-ATCBMeOLw5NYxIoWzaTv0GG-6JAVAhhRpvESGFcvxuMXLBY41dck54u6llqbXe17e3SS8xym_P-jA69gZ2lDSObLILRpwgX9auYX9N_xq4G7mJqCoi-0NxJuW/s1600/20190413_154914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Closet makeover on a budget" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKhvSp_kjyqJXd6uUHh-ATCBMeOLw5NYxIoWzaTv0GG-6JAVAhhRpvESGFcvxuMXLBY41dck54u6llqbXe17e3SS8xym_P-jA69gZ2lDSObLILRpwgX9auYX9N_xq4G7mJqCoi-0NxJuW/s1600/20190413_154914.jpg" title="Shelving in closet" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I definitely wanted to get rid of the black curtains, too. I found the perfect pair but they sold out before I could buy them. My second choice worked out beautifully, tho, in my opinion. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5xTnoqkOVn9cwf3-bU5680fgDGlZ0MuP6FrFCq7M-sctrmtrQC4uQ0Fk1tzcKOzeVd9GFcvU-8oEVPZHsfrKgPDEG8fV2wbnKc4IXymMOkQBpyRRrgYhH5B8uCR1u8K430TI-ZdFpPRI/s1600/20190316_164711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black curtains" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5xTnoqkOVn9cwf3-bU5680fgDGlZ0MuP6FrFCq7M-sctrmtrQC4uQ0Fk1tzcKOzeVd9GFcvU-8oEVPZHsfrKgPDEG8fV2wbnKc4IXymMOkQBpyRRrgYhH5B8uCR1u8K430TI-ZdFpPRI/s1600/20190316_164711.jpg" title="Old black curtains" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went through all of our knick knacks and chose my absolute favorites (mostly the succulents and flowers) to be displayed on shelves that flank our bed and we got rid of the rest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I brought up our storage bench and put that at the foot of our bed to store our older comforter. I did update our comforter. I bought one thinking it was a flat grey one very similar to our older one that was brown. I was a bit disappointed to see that in real life, it wasn't quite a flat grey, but rather a silver. It's grown on me tho and now I love it. The old one will come back out next Fall/Winter as it's quite a bit heavier. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite part of the makeover tho is this bed. My entire life, I've wanted a bed with a headboard. Ya know, like an actual bed. I've only ever had a mattress on the box spring and metal frame that you buy with the mattress. (Aside from when I had a metal futon when I was pregnant with my first kiddo.. that was an awful idea!) I couldn't justify spending a ton of money on it tho.. They can be SO pricey! So I found a couple that we liked at different stores online. I added them all to the sites' carts and I waited. I waited and watched the prices go up and down. I waited and waited and watched and waited some more. Finally, a crazy awesome sale hit and the price was beyond ahhhhmazing. Knowing we would likely never see the price that low again, we jumped on it. Seriously ya'll, we paid less than half the original price. That's a super mega win in my book!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BEFORE:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdXtDu3EiOemiLgepZuBYC4qVTBHtzsrwgMg4i4kKvrRVjvBvx-EJGPuBDc-M7PHG1WNuNLG1rrLbmKW26TgtEMHw5utj-QP-HodvHEFf7X3qGexku2_PdmqgRrf2wY68VRz-yKyMwmMw/s1600/20190316_131342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Before bedroom makeover" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdXtDu3EiOemiLgepZuBYC4qVTBHtzsrwgMg4i4kKvrRVjvBvx-EJGPuBDc-M7PHG1WNuNLG1rrLbmKW26TgtEMHw5utj-QP-HodvHEFf7X3qGexku2_PdmqgRrf2wY68VRz-yKyMwmMw/s1600/20190316_131342.jpg" title="Bedroom before " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AFTER:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBtTaB_ac2THK_pjIydIkgPValxkd6tGslcP0vu7K6EP6j7t5_HFhK8A6bKsWgLP-Zb9kUDcKnfMv7O9ng81vizDkAjzsDH0PbYcpu-SOnZXK6PM75wW5Co-8TskPNDupw2_KgEbelHef/s1600/20190323_133934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bedroom makeover" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBtTaB_ac2THK_pjIydIkgPValxkd6tGslcP0vu7K6EP6j7t5_HFhK8A6bKsWgLP-Zb9kUDcKnfMv7O9ng81vizDkAjzsDH0PbYcpu-SOnZXK6PM75wW5Co-8TskPNDupw2_KgEbelHef/s1600/20190323_133934.jpg" title="Bedroom after makeover" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Doesn't that look so much better?! Seriously, I walk into our room now and I instantly smile. I sleep so much better (well, as well as I can sleep with our youngest peanut hogging the bed.) and wake up happier, too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I absolutely love the way that our bedroom turned out. I'm so happy that even tho my hubster couldn't see my vision, he trusted it. I know it wasn't easy, not knowing if it would turn out well, but he just kept saying "whatever makes you happy will make me happy, babe." And in the end? He absolutely loves it, too. Which is a total win!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our floor is in terrible shape but we'll tackle that project next year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-37071055248625036602019-01-07T12:48:00.000-06:002019-01-07T13:38:18.392-06:00English Muffin Bread <div style="text-align: center;">
This is most definitely one of the easiest breads I've ever made. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhZ9Iutm3dhu7QBz1N0q1wO2n4mKR9orUhU_s-5utTyajdrlW42v0tTA66dA-csXrzxrexWg_VUmDVoaxFSxGJZFZNJE62flNofPhyphenhyphenHztTeNGEnPHptolcA0Cm5KiY_HNzn_suO136JYR/s1600/20190107_111518_20190107111912847-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toasted English muffin bread and coffee" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhZ9Iutm3dhu7QBz1N0q1wO2n4mKR9orUhU_s-5utTyajdrlW42v0tTA66dA-csXrzxrexWg_VUmDVoaxFSxGJZFZNJE62flNofPhyphenhyphenHztTeNGEnPHptolcA0Cm5KiY_HNzn_suO136JYR/s1600/20190107_111518_20190107111912847-01.jpeg" title="English Muffin Bread" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And trust me when I say that a lot of bread has been made with these hands, aaaand passed through these lips. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Straight to my hips. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously, I feel you Shakira. My hips don't lie either. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways, back to the bread... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This stuff whips up like a dream, bakes up beautifully, and when toasted, tastes just like an English Muffin. You get the nooks, the crannies, and all of the deliciousness. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've got several variations in the works, but this is the base recipe for all of em. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Note: I usually use honey to sweeten this, but I knew my 8 month old peanut would be eating it so I replaced the honey with sugar this time around. Cuz you know, the whole botulism/ honey/ babies under 12 months thing. I've read that cooking/ baking isn't high enough heat to kill the potential spores, so I err on the side of caution. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh_4rh2uwiACCDs0eJn5zzUr-hzAdVIjLrV99V45onGRfSvfdegDduKJd9LDUVAgwwNouhYy6rrZ4aG1PzwF3XDQhoHTqZa95vh-arRBdPhcgqhT460q1kFX-V0cBPF5DPY2Wb7WrjBa6/s1600/20190106_171353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="English muffin bread rising" border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh_4rh2uwiACCDs0eJn5zzUr-hzAdVIjLrV99V45onGRfSvfdegDduKJd9LDUVAgwwNouhYy6rrZ4aG1PzwF3XDQhoHTqZa95vh-arRBdPhcgqhT460q1kFX-V0cBPF5DPY2Wb7WrjBa6/s1600/20190106_171353.jpg" title="English muffin bread" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All you need is:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">2 and 2/3 cups of warm water</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">2 Tbsp sugar (you can totally use honey instead) </span></li>
<li>3 and 1/2 tsp Active Dry Yeast</li>
<li>1 Tbsp salt</li>
<li>5 and 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour</li>
<li>2 Tbsp butter, melted</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPK3Z4Z6B0LyYJ4-J2Jdd1JK0hLKysmGFIgvhvo4C5-VVHt9axnuZ1ace4Ct2oWfV5hpCO9BDI8hp3NJNeA8Ms1BQB5vfEW9HOhVBNrz7BMPfx69Nd4ssMeTAGKnvTZb4Q7PdCrESze-R/s1600/20190106_184844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="English muffin bread baked" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPK3Z4Z6B0LyYJ4-J2Jdd1JK0hLKysmGFIgvhvo4C5-VVHt9axnuZ1ace4Ct2oWfV5hpCO9BDI8hp3NJNeA8Ms1BQB5vfEW9HOhVBNrz7BMPfx69Nd4ssMeTAGKnvTZb4Q7PdCrESze-R/s1600/20190106_184844.jpg" title="English muffin bread " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In a large bowl, add the water, sugar (or honey), and yeast. Give it a stir and let sit for 5 minutes or so to let the yeast proof.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Add the flour and salt and mix very well. This is not going to come together or look like regular old bread dough, so don't freak out and throw it away thinking you messed up. This is a VERY wet sticky dough. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (or a warm damp towel) and let rise until the dough touches the top of the bowl. This took about 40 minutes for me. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease two loaf pans. Divide the dough between the two pans. Yes, I know, the dough is crazy sticky! It can help to spray some cooking spray on your hands to help minimize the sticking. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Cover the pans and let sit til the dough reaches the tops of the pans. This took about 30 minutes for me.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Pop the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. READ: 5 to 10 minutes before your bread is done, pour the melted butter over the tops and finish baking. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">By now, the smell should be driving you absolutely crazy! When the bread is a nice golden brown, remove from oven and cool in pan on wire racks. Wait until completely cool to slice. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Toast some up and slather with butter.. or jelly.. or both. My hips won't judge you.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Now sit back and listen to the Heavens sing!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "crimson text" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-7513986229105019092018-10-11T23:36:00.000-05:002019-10-14T23:38:03.069-05:00Homemade Hot Chocolate<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a total sucker for a piping hot mug of rich hot chocolate on a chilly evening. And homemade hot chocolate?!? Seriously, there are few things better!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV1q4IYv2gDJjM-6kctnrl5oUBtsOXVWy-B7zHJlnxA9xWbFX2uExV1s6bckkWLCW92g8UetK3LpYgMnsj72Zurh1ZmkNyQMtWS0ccvQRLjE421dBtcZv0Knj_sc03dBURTl4uxKRytHt/s1600/20151101_003643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mug of rich and creamy homemade hot chocolate" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV1q4IYv2gDJjM-6kctnrl5oUBtsOXVWy-B7zHJlnxA9xWbFX2uExV1s6bckkWLCW92g8UetK3LpYgMnsj72Zurh1ZmkNyQMtWS0ccvQRLjE421dBtcZv0Knj_sc03dBURTl4uxKRytHt/s1600/20151101_003643.jpg" title="Homemade Hot Chocolate" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm being toooootally honest with you, I'm a bit of a Hot Chocolate snob. Ok, maybe not a snob, but I know what I like and I know what I don't like. And what I don't like, is hot chocolate from a packet that is made with water. Now, I've got nothing against the packets!! They are great for when I want some hot chocolate and I want it NOW! I just do not like the taste or consistency when they are made with water. Some like it that way, and that's ok. But I am not one of them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I do like, no, what I absolutely love is homemade hot chocolate. You control the ingredients and the flavor. Yes yes yessss!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And really, homemade hot chocolate isn't hard to make. Like, at all! It's pretty simple and once you've done it a few times, it goes almost as quickly as using a packet. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's a whole bunch of recipes for homemade hot chocolate out there, and I'll bet most are fantastic! This is the one that I stick with tho. It's my favorite!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This makes about 8 cups. It doubles, or even triples, nicely. Which is great for get togethers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>7 cups milk (I use whole milk, you use what you like) </li>
<li>1 cup of heavy whipping cream</li>
<li>0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder</li>
<li>0.25 cup white granulated sugar</li>
<li>1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips</li>
<li>1 tsp ground cinnamon</li>
<li>0.5 tsp vanilla extract</li>
</ul>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Place cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon into a large pot. Whisk everything together to combine. Turn heat onto medium. </li>
<li>Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy whipping cream. Whisk it really well. You might think it's never going to combine, but I promise you, it will! Keep whisking it frequently. </li>
<li>Heat till very warm but NOT boiling! Add in your chocolate chips and whisk till fully melted and mixed in. (Did I mention that this is also a great arm workout?)</li>
<li>Whisk in the vanilla. </li>
<li>Serve it up!</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I enjoy mine the most with some whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top. Cuz why not, right? But I also sometimes enjoy marshmallows in there, too. Especially the little crunchy ones like you find in cereal. Mmmmm!!!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoy my homemade hot chocolate!! What's your favorite hot chocolate add in? Marshmallows? Whipped cream? Peppermint? Tell me below!</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-30310226613838950462018-09-29T20:03:00.000-05:002018-09-29T20:03:12.989-05:00Keto Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was a beautifully chilly day. I don't even want to talk about the fact that it is supposed to be 81° on Monday.. Let's just pretend that's not going to happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a sucker for soup on a chilly day. Especially homemade soup that's been cooking away in the crock pot, filling my home with delicious smells. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my faaavorite soups is Chicken Tortilla Soup. Which is, as I'm sure you've figured out, NOT keto friendly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, it is now! And I think I might just like this version even better. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkV1ZcZ2IdH3J0O01wGueZ2W953fDg0ri0NPZo-Iy1vAIwlZxMHari3TdfELxXTgUlWQuacnTtvJxO0WbxXgwoVtZr3jp2u9hfktESdBMbUSHxhN8nip3q-2VW-UjGLYEXM7JMq9VPQy8/s1600/20180929_191648-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delicious Keto Soup" border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkV1ZcZ2IdH3J0O01wGueZ2W953fDg0ri0NPZo-Iy1vAIwlZxMHari3TdfELxXTgUlWQuacnTtvJxO0WbxXgwoVtZr3jp2u9hfktESdBMbUSHxhN8nip3q-2VW-UjGLYEXM7JMq9VPQy8/s1600/20180929_191648-01.jpeg" title="Keto Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wasn't sure if it was going to work out in real life the way it did in my head, but it totally did! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't you just love when that happens?! I know I sure do!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it came together like a dream. So so soooo easy. The end result is perfectly creamy, not gritty or grainy, which I'm guessing is from adding the cream cheese and cream in towards the end. It's cheesy without being overwhelming or salty. Did I mention it's super filling, too? Yessssssss.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You need:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast</li>
<li>1 tsp Chili Powder</li>
<li>1 tsp Paprika</li>
<li>1 tsp Garlic Powder</li>
<li>1/2 tsp Ground Cumin</li>
<li>2 cups chicken broth</li>
<li>8 oz low carb salsa (I used Paul Newman's)</li>
<li>6 oz Cream Cheese, cubed</li>
<li>3/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream</li>
<li>1/2 cup shredded Pepper Jack Cheese</li>
<li>1/2 cup shredded Mexican Blend cheese</li>
</ul>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Throw your chicken into the crockpot. Season with all of the seasonings and add the chicken broth and salsa. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. </li>
<li>After 4 hours, shred the chicken and put it back into the crockpot. Add the cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and cheeses. Stir well, cover and put crockpot on low for one more hour. </li>
<li>Serve it up and savor every bite!</li>
</ol>
<div>
That's it! I topped mine with (low carb) tortilla strips that I baked up in the oven and a little extra pepper Jack cheese on top. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is a perfect hearty meal for any chilly evening. I already can't wait to enjoy the leftovers tomorrow! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope you love this as much as my family and I did tonight. What's your favorite chilly weather keto soup? </div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-24440599029734433372018-09-28T11:11:00.000-05:002018-09-28T11:11:10.264-05:00Low Carb Enchiladas <div style="text-align: center;">
I've been hard at work in the kitchen. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, maybe not hard at work, cuz really, I love working in the kitchen. There is nothing like watching people enjoy a meal that I've put together with my own two hands.. Seriously, it brings so much joy to my heart!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been experimenting a lot in the kitchen lately, trying to make more of my family's favorite comfort meals into low carb/ keto comfort meals. That's not always the easiest thing to do. The other day, I managed to perfect my <a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2018/09/low-carb-white-enchilada-sauce.html?m=1" target="_blank">Cheesy White Enchilada Sauce</a>, which I was so excited about. But how would it all taste together?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I set to work and got my hands dirty, working on my Easy Cheesy White Chicken Enchiladas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruniMjqMmtrx4C3TFTFkrbtcIsnLaKyZVh6RVEUGje5ZVAAXAjsj6bc0Q2IBbspeOmE1GDiqCsA9gFuN9p68tTgmaKXBEoh5_nEW39qcTbSO5lk07sAUri8ZL32CHD2vdf6c6ixGD0-a2/s1600/20180928_102103-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto enchiladas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruniMjqMmtrx4C3TFTFkrbtcIsnLaKyZVh6RVEUGje5ZVAAXAjsj6bc0Q2IBbspeOmE1GDiqCsA9gFuN9p68tTgmaKXBEoh5_nEW39qcTbSO5lk07sAUri8ZL32CHD2vdf6c6ixGD0-a2/s1600/20180928_102103-01.jpeg" title="Low carb enchiladas" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it was so so SO worth it. They came out absolutely delicious and so very filling. My family absolutely raved over them. And that is a major win in my book!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is so super simple, and so ridiculously yummy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You need:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>1 to 2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs</b> (depends on how many people you are trying to feed. I used about a pound and half, which made enough enchiladas to feed 4 of us with some left AND some chicken leftover to use in another new recipe that's coming soon!) </li>
<li><b>1/2 Tbsp paprika</b></li>
<li><b>1/2 Tbsp chili powder</b></li>
<li><b>1/2 tsp ground cumin</b></li>
<li><b>1 tsp garlic powder</b></li>
<li><b>Sprinkle of salt and pepper</b></li>
<li><b>1/2 cup of water</b></li>
<li><b>2 cups shredded Monterey Jack</b></li>
<li><b>Low carb tortillas of your choice</b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2018/09/low-carb-white-enchilada-sauce.html?m=1" target="_blank">My low carb White enchilada sauce</a></b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Throw your chicken into a crock pot with the seasonings and the 1/2 cup of water. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. (All crock pots cook differently. Yours may take more or less time) </li>
<li>Whip up your sauce using recipe linked above. You can make this sauce a day or two in advance if you need to! Just heat it up and stir it well when you're ready to use it!</li>
<li>When chicken is done, preheat your oven to 375° and spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread a liiiittle bit of your enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Not a lot, just enough to help keep the bottoms from getting too crispy. </li>
<li>Place the chicken into a large bowl and shred it. Add 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese to the chicken and mix it up. </li>
<li>Take some Chicken/ cheese mixture and place it on top of a tortilla. Roll it up nice and tight and place it, seam side down, into the baking dish. Repeat till you've used all your tortillas </li>
<li>Pour your Enchilada sauce on top of the rolled up tortillas and top with remaining cup of Monterey Jack Cheese. </li>
<li>Pop into the oven for 15 minutes, til cheese is all melted and bubbly. </li>
<li>Serve it up and enjoy!!!</li>
</ol>
<div>
So incredibly simple and tasty, right?! This will most definitely be going into regular rotation at my house. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You simply must try this! Don't forget to come on back and let me know what you think! I love comments. 😉😘</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-23241666418540303292018-09-26T16:35:00.000-05:002018-09-27T14:06:55.340-05:00Low Carb White Enchilada Sauce<div style="text-align: center;">
A while back, I posted a recipe for my <a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-cheesy-white-enchiladas.html?m=1" target="_blank">Easy Cheesy White Chicken Enchiladas.</a> They were delicious. (Tho the pictures from back then were terrible. Please don't judge me! 😂)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I started keto and realized I couldn't really have those anymore. So I set to work on making a <a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2017/04/low-carb-white-enchilada-bake.html?m=1" target="_blank">low carb bake version,</a> minus the tortillas. It turned out delicious and was filling, but it still wasn't quite the same without the tortillas!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then one day I got a notification through Instagram that happy_lowcarb_mom had remade them using cutdacarb flatbread. How freaking genius is that?!? I had never even thought about using low carb wraps or tortillas. DUH! Hers seriously looked AHMAZING. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I decided to use some low carb tortillas in place of the carb heavy ones and whipped up a batch using my low carb bake recipe. Turned out great. Even my nineteen year old carb obsessed son loved them. (Have I mentioned that I got him on board with keto?? Yup! Score!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways, the other night I was thinking about how I wanted to try and simplify the sauce. I was a bit hesitant to attempt it cuz it was already so good and I didn't want to waste ingredients cuz, hello, we are broke more often than not! But the little voice inside my stomach urged me to try anyways. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why are you looking at me that way? Doesn't everyone have a little voice inside their stomach?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Folks, I am SO happy that I listened to that voice cuz HO...LY... YUM!!! It takes more simple ingredients, it cooks up quicker, and... I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but it tastes even better!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIuApB4jPVLmsxsEBbJe8ma2FtNVUT3AQN8Dxd5q-uSem4A6gU5l715IuBVfmVRsi4aTEyPTwokW6hr4qN7x9YunqOSdVAednQU9Yvlwn0nH6JJw8sIE7hzdQc7XI1yINgfrlRpqKYU7P/s1600/20180926_151008-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto enchilada sauce" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIuApB4jPVLmsxsEBbJe8ma2FtNVUT3AQN8Dxd5q-uSem4A6gU5l715IuBVfmVRsi4aTEyPTwokW6hr4qN7x9YunqOSdVAednQU9Yvlwn0nH6JJw8sIE7hzdQc7XI1yINgfrlRpqKYU7P/s1600/20180926_151008-01.jpeg" title="Low carb white Enchilada sauce" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, enough story telling. Let's get to the whole reason you came here, shall we?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You need:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>1/2 stick of butter (so 4 Tbsp)</li>
<li>1 Tbsp cream cheese, softened</li>
<li>1/2 cup chicken broth</li>
<li>1/2 cup heavy whipping cream</li>
<li>Sprinkle of salt and pepper</li>
<li>1/2 tsp garlic powder</li>
<li>1/2 tsp paprika</li>
<li>1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese</li>
<li>1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese</li>
<li>1 small can diced green chilies</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>In a medium to large saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Add your cream cheese and whisk like crazy till it is fully mixed in. It looks a little weird, but don't worry!</li>
<li>Slowly whisk in your chicken broth and then slowly whisk in your heavy cream. </li>
<li>Add in your salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Whisk well. </li>
<li>Add your parmesan and Monterey jack and whisk again. </li>
<li>Let it simmer for just a couple minutes to thicken it up. Whisk it again, turn off the heat, and stir in your diced green chilies.</li>
</ol>
<div>
That's it. How easy was that?! Use it however you want it. I'm definitely going to be throwing it over some Chicken enchiladas using low carb tortillas. I cannot wait! </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This recipe doubles beautifully, too, in case you want to make a bigger batch. I would double everything except the chilies.. tho that's just me. I suppose you totally could double those, too..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you try this, please come on back and comment. I'd love to know what you think!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxqt9rGaM_pYXJOMaz1tHgBSeYU8gzOCeQkFNd90YDJTGlXTp38gy9sygvtA0cjnOSzBg_v1dqNomrK38KXrg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-52182855178045229422018-09-12T20:02:00.002-05:002018-09-12T20:02:42.297-05:00What I Ate Wednesday: Keto<div style="text-align: center;">
I swear, this has been the longest week ever! And it's only Wednesday. Say whaaaat?! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQEYdPtvenbTXOOMfV3AZXmcH-s3M9OfQmmvm_DisnZpeRiQLR6n2PMOT5ShYKcKn8fCnUNU9CQkO_CJ0WGR55OdPWhZjQFoOF9hPZqMfR3cbdnIfPLrgq2ihzBPcAv4hU5BqMyUtulrN/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto food" border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQEYdPtvenbTXOOMfV3AZXmcH-s3M9OfQmmvm_DisnZpeRiQLR6n2PMOT5ShYKcKn8fCnUNU9CQkO_CJ0WGR55OdPWhZjQFoOF9hPZqMfR3cbdnIfPLrgq2ihzBPcAv4hU5BqMyUtulrN/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luckily, I ran into some pretty great sales again last week, so we ate pretty well this week. Does anyone else get SUPER excited over finding great grocery sales? Please tell me it's not just me.. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to another edition of What I Ate Wednesday: Keto Edition. Some of our favorite foods from this week were:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bacon Cheeseburgers (and dogs) on top of salad and topped with pico. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZFKU96lIjGWzxZpAcfUmjDhYR1yW-ytGv401dnBew1GbfWY2EldBRJPcJtt31ZHldloCX3pkU34WUZ9is2mjoYTVLgGirnvsw65DUfXOVqMUzcr_LVm2-KQ6WnRZw0GfNRc-Jh7Vm2K3/s1600/20180903_185133-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto food" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZFKU96lIjGWzxZpAcfUmjDhYR1yW-ytGv401dnBew1GbfWY2EldBRJPcJtt31ZHldloCX3pkU34WUZ9is2mjoYTVLgGirnvsw65DUfXOVqMUzcr_LVm2-KQ6WnRZw0GfNRc-Jh7Vm2K3/s1600/20180903_185133-01.jpeg" title="Keto meal: bacon burger" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wings. Alllll the wiiiiings! That "breading"? It's seriously just parmesan cheese and seasoning/ spices. So freaking yummy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrwNsPXj5MaSSFqNny7gQfLc2z9tvkEgW-VuwT2OJ0SPnecgetx8i_dyxWqc8f6EtipYnzsWaRi-DLy-8CfyqmZbBhQG9BVZv1tW6OGqoaJTnotjJ6hg1g6R04uSXJHVaCsl-AIecDuKo/s1600/20180907_201038-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto meals" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrwNsPXj5MaSSFqNny7gQfLc2z9tvkEgW-VuwT2OJ0SPnecgetx8i_dyxWqc8f6EtipYnzsWaRi-DLy-8CfyqmZbBhQG9BVZv1tW6OGqoaJTnotjJ6hg1g6R04uSXJHVaCsl-AIecDuKo/s1600/20180907_201038-01.jpeg" title="Keto "breaded" wings" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I still had a third of a pork loin from the killer pork sale I caught last week, so I cut it into chops and topped them with parmesan and seasonings and a squirt of fresh lemon and baked them. They were AHHHH-MAZING! So moist and delicious. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUhm8jFbAAgdi__JArmU88vo-BfhGmHo6Kp6snlgbER6uxiqt_odt01lqjCmaxIjzaJniL38YK50oAnPRtNfMtSVyHOL4hqZ5atNBdiE_k8RIZ7UzErdh2RiPGHxLZyjgylulH5HjmtQT/s1600/20180905_203622-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto meals" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUhm8jFbAAgdi__JArmU88vo-BfhGmHo6Kp6snlgbER6uxiqt_odt01lqjCmaxIjzaJniL38YK50oAnPRtNfMtSVyHOL4hqZ5atNBdiE_k8RIZ7UzErdh2RiPGHxLZyjgylulH5HjmtQT/s1600/20180905_203622-01.jpeg" title="Parmesan Herb Pork Chops" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also threw together a quick deconstructed lasagna.. which is basically a lasagna minus the noodles. And ya know what? I didn't even miss the noodles. (The Italian in me is shaking her head in disbelief. Lol)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleRd8Yg0i0UUT7wjPrKqZAF85ke_LQs-iTXyWr6lb8f39Lf9dsXm7oj784r2D_ADeEaKqRTyY5wvxKdH7BdGvlI2laIdRGdIFg8p0IFvRb8URZ7PummzBMb0bSDkTRb74wVezdB-XN-Wm/s1600/20180908_203605-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto meals " border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleRd8Yg0i0UUT7wjPrKqZAF85ke_LQs-iTXyWr6lb8f39Lf9dsXm7oj784r2D_ADeEaKqRTyY5wvxKdH7BdGvlI2laIdRGdIFg8p0IFvRb8URZ7PummzBMb0bSDkTRb74wVezdB-XN-Wm/s1600/20180908_203605-01.jpeg" title="Keto Lasagna" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still not sure what I'm going to put on the menu for this week yet.. Payday is on Thursday and no two checks are ever the same, so there's no telling what we have to work with until that day. Thursday is also grocery shopping day, so it's a day of looking through the sale ads of my favorite stores to figure out where I'm going to score the best deals, and then getting all the shopping done. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I swear, by the time I'm done doing all that, dropping my daughter off at practice, and putting all the groceries away, it's always tempting to just order a pizza for dinner. LOL Tho luckily (and also unluckily) after grocery shopping, we usually have little to no wiggle room in the budget for the rest of the week. Which means no pizza. 😂</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you all next week!</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-61048995002728022822018-09-11T09:24:00.000-05:002018-09-11T11:35:45.305-05:009/11 Tribute.. Never Forget. <div style="text-align: center;">
I still can't see pics from that time without vividly remembering it like it was yesterday and crying every bit as hard.. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3iy2L9VeUfc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3iy2L9VeUfc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I did not create this video or song. Found on YouTube.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At 20 years old, it was the first time that my eyes were fully opened to what a dark place the world could be. But I also got to see how unified our country could be, in the days that followed. I still get goosebumps thinking about that part.. My, how far we've fallen since then. How far this country has divided and drifted apart. And it's not because of politics. We've turned our backs on what is most important in this world, in LIFE, to focus on things that don't matter. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I was a kid, I could never understand how adults could remember where they were and exactly what they were doing on significant days in history.. Until that day. I can still tell you exactly where I was, what I was doing, what my daddy was doing, even what my sweet then 2 year old Michael and I were wearing. I'll never forget... I don't think any of us will..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Every year on this day, I click a link like this one and I wonder if this will be the year that I can look at the pictures in them and not sob. And every year thus far, I haven't been able to. I honestly don't think I ever will be able to.<br />
<br />
I remember waking up and rolling over next to my sleeping Michael, who was 2 years old at the time and snuggled up on me. I glanced at the TV and was overcome with fear and doubt. I remember looking at his sweet innocent little face and wondering what the hell kind of cruel world I had brought him into. I ran my hand over his hair, kissed his forehead, slowly pulled my arm from under his head and went into the living room to see my dad. He was already up and at the kitchen table prepping a sure to be delicious breakfast.<br />
<br />
I asked if he knew what was going on and he told me a plane had accidentally hit one of the towers. Suddenly I saw the second plane hit and I shouted for him. He told me they were just replaying the footage. I told him "No! LOOK!"<br />
<br />
As he realized what had actually happened, and as we watched the towers fall.. the look on his face... I will NEVER forget that look for as long as I live. I can still see it now, as if he were right in front of me. I knew it was baaaad because my daddy was shaken and my Superman didn't shake easily. We sat and watched all morning in silence and disbelief.. I remember saying something about stuff falling from the tower windows and my dad telling me "those are people jumping, hun".. you can't ever unsee something like that. It's etched in your brain forever.<br />
<br />
I was one of the lucky ones that didn't lose a loved one that day. But still I mourn(ed) deeply. I stopped on my way to work the next morning and bought every red, white, and blue carnation I could find. As I left the store, the gas station, and even outside of my work, I stood and handed them out to strangers. Some smiled. Some cried. Some hugged me. Some prayed with me. I'll NEVER forget those moments.<br />
<br />
The rest of that day (and the days that followed), I remember the fear, the disbelief, the sadness.. I had never seen so many people shaken. No one was immune to it. A whole Nation torn..<br />
<br />
But what rose from that was one of the most AMAZING things I've felt in all my years. Love. Hope. Strength. Unity. Pride. We, as a Nation, were truly ONE. You could FEEL all of those things in the air just buzzing around you. So real, I was convinced I could reach out and touch that feeling.<br />
<br />
Strangers were helping each other. Strangers were smiling at each other. Can you imagine that? THAT is what this country needs to get back to! Screw color, screw gender, screw sexual orientation. We need to get back to LOVE... To UNITY... To ONE NATION, UNDER GOD. Because you know what? If we just get back to love, then color, gender, sexual orientation, etc, means nothing. Because where there is love, there is light. And when there is light, the darkness doesn't stand a chance...<br />
<br />
Today, I pray for everyone who's life was affected in any way. For those that lost loved ones, for those brave men and women who ran in to help and will have those images forever ingrained in their memories, and for those like me that lost no one but still deeply mourn the day..<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's get back to our TRUE greatness, America. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Smile at one another, even strangers, FOR NO REASON AT ALL other than to share and spread joy and love. Our country, our WORLD needs more of that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Compliment each other. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be there for each other. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look out for one another. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Help those that need help. You never know when the shoe will be on the other foot and it will be you needing help. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love one another. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quit worrying about money, possessions, and status.. Those things mean NOTHING. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Focus on love and living your best soulful life. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's the only way to truly make America great again.. It lies within each and every one of us. Let's make it happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm off to go snuggle my babies a little extra tight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love and light! 💗💗💗</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-37907217495511171252018-08-29T18:40:00.000-05:002018-09-03T18:41:54.750-05:00What I Ate Wednesday <div style="text-align: center;">
Another quick and easy week which was also another kick ass week of keto.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to another What I Ate Wednesday: keto edition. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTsv0Azjo1pvSjcoujNY2OWkrFvfzPL3v8m3uMGrmvUbsl5YYGg0N9c10zKWxIsz0zoNzA0xME3uudXCdMw9azljVxbg0Q_f_Hx-OM9fjkTSCtjCE_NFr9R3cw_0DoL-RRhV1Fsp8vRCN/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto food" border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTsv0Azjo1pvSjcoujNY2OWkrFvfzPL3v8m3uMGrmvUbsl5YYGg0N9c10zKWxIsz0zoNzA0xME3uudXCdMw9azljVxbg0Q_f_Hx-OM9fjkTSCtjCE_NFr9R3cw_0DoL-RRhV1Fsp8vRCN/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ahhhhhh.. It's that time of year that I dread the most. Back to school time. I know so many people love back to school time but I despise it. Seriously, I am NOT a schedule kind of person. Never have been, probably never will be. I enjoy coming and going as I please, and not having any time constraints.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get them to school by this time, pick them up at that time, followed by running to and from practices, trying to get dinner done by a reasonable time... Which in itself isn't easy with a hubster that works crazy hours.. I try to have dinner ready or done shortly after he gets home from work cuz we usually wait to eat with him, but some nights he's home at 6:45, other nights it's 7:30, 8:00, even 9:00 pm!! Those nights suck, man! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways, yeah, quick and easy is most necessary most nights! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jumping right in, this week we enjoyed:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grilled steak (hello, buy one pack get one free! My belly and wallet appreciates the shit out of you!) With asparagus. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGJSTTQ3LQHQxK5-wOqc1pmoaUsyWfpzZXzWEMhE7HSJOL4-4h-7gz7lVj-e2V6_o9RSAZRkfz-JgT4_zwbIhlAz134zHgJrSXjhvusnETDTsPLecVttq_P302OaUOES_-Ho3jfeThDSV/s1600/20180826_191737_20180903174326466-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steak and asparagus" border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGJSTTQ3LQHQxK5-wOqc1pmoaUsyWfpzZXzWEMhE7HSJOL4-4h-7gz7lVj-e2V6_o9RSAZRkfz-JgT4_zwbIhlAz134zHgJrSXjhvusnETDTsPLecVttq_P302OaUOES_-Ho3jfeThDSV/s1600/20180826_191737_20180903174326466-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eye of Round Roast (also for a pretty good price of $1.99 a lb!) with broccoli.. and yes, we eat it super rare..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmWc2mItUST_uHSagYsa9OCnkClq1OL8OEaOVZ7NwSJYtIkXGY2cOl8wV3X_pORsKmtR8QZGeTfgHDQ3HuKKlSsk0HORV75P6VJDmtZ2-iHc8Who8KRe42u7DCfW4uoAeD7TutsGimLze/s1600/20180828_204454-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Round Roast and broccoli" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmWc2mItUST_uHSagYsa9OCnkClq1OL8OEaOVZ7NwSJYtIkXGY2cOl8wV3X_pORsKmtR8QZGeTfgHDQ3HuKKlSsk0HORV75P6VJDmtZ2-iHc8Who8KRe42u7DCfW4uoAeD7TutsGimLze/s1600/20180828_204454-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We thoroughly enjoyed this shrimp alfredo with asparagus and spinach.. I had been using classico alfredo sauce till I found a killer keto recipe for one. TOTAL. GAME. CHANGER! This is the real deal, folks!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8nXds_TJC2grCtqFbmk-oRqPf6ts8sN4gaRDED6Jz1u4ivr_ESHWhP1WIzVJmW_30G0DJI_unTx4dmvmF7ilCd_C-pyy6-iFC44IDyeCcQbLowuF1PF5TkZYnMqfrPnmv7YiynYNTXD9/s1600/20180902_182945-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto Shrimp and Asparagus Alfredo" border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8nXds_TJC2grCtqFbmk-oRqPf6ts8sN4gaRDED6Jz1u4ivr_ESHWhP1WIzVJmW_30G0DJI_unTx4dmvmF7ilCd_C-pyy6-iFC44IDyeCcQbLowuF1PF5TkZYnMqfrPnmv7YiynYNTXD9/s1600/20180902_182945-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And finally, garlic lemon butter shrimp and asparagus. (Shrimp was buy one get one free, too, which explains shrimp twice in one week.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UXv6GLRYvSmpsD2pi-643IqAA3FxgIparsfcTA0AS5i3Llbv7Y18OxS4Wx-v5EBcUTuVCcWStYf5MjEqFec2M-OwpnoMjgnUBzJXsUq7G7QRFsg9d4Uw2eLreXDYTC8_ECJMfoH2GA_t/s1600/20180831_195926-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shrimp and Asparagus" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UXv6GLRYvSmpsD2pi-643IqAA3FxgIparsfcTA0AS5i3Llbv7Y18OxS4Wx-v5EBcUTuVCcWStYf5MjEqFec2M-OwpnoMjgnUBzJXsUq7G7QRFsg9d4Uw2eLreXDYTC8_ECJMfoH2GA_t/s1600/20180831_195926-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With all this delicious keto food, I was down another 4.6 lbs this week. WOOOO HOOOO! After a week and a half of being "stuck", I will gladly take that! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you all next week, with more yummy keto-ness!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-24166801708166737942018-08-28T18:31:00.000-05:002018-08-28T18:31:40.202-05:00Helpful Keto Tips<div style="text-align: center;">
If you haven't watched any keto videos from Dr Berg or Dr Barry, you are seriously missing out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They have so many wonderful tips and truly helpful info! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are just a few of my favorites!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THREE FIRST STEPS TO GOING KETO:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qQQ2nwXIqzs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qQQ2nwXIqzs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TOP 7 KETO TIPS YOU NEED:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6E1C2zq5v58/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6E1C2zq5v58?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WEIGHT LOSS "STALL" ON KETO:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kZXVqvn1uhw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kZXVqvn1uhw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
KETO AND INTERMITTENT FASTING FOR BEGINNERS:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AnyFVWwzgJI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AnyFVWwzgJI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
KETO Q & A:<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sehrfcdGghg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sehrfcdGghg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
WHAT'S MISSING IN THE "CALORIE THEORY":</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iMi-49Olt20/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iMi-49Olt20?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seriously, I highly recommend subscribing to these guys. They have a wealth of keto info!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-860415699524711312018-08-22T18:17:00.000-05:002018-08-28T18:33:01.801-05:00What I Ate Wednesday <div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTF4i4Y-eFZokM0QOHt_BjG5CDXNUDyo_-ihwYpoTT9Bon9k9W-pIVkkNBRXwOjDP9rMe9Ia3XjAeOwNMZhP47Alig1neemvsZ6uWtBE4Fj76VGIi0fSPRF6EKZnQbGrlW2pIDSYkomPD/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto foods of the week" border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTF4i4Y-eFZokM0QOHt_BjG5CDXNUDyo_-ihwYpoTT9Bon9k9W-pIVkkNBRXwOjDP9rMe9Ia3XjAeOwNMZhP47Alig1neemvsZ6uWtBE4Fj76VGIi0fSPRF6EKZnQbGrlW2pIDSYkomPD/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<br />
Back to school week is usually hectic over here, (isn't it for everyone?) so I wanted to keep meals as simple as possible this week. Less stressing out over meals makes a busy mama very very happy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, I found a killer sale on pork roasts this week, so you will notice that we ate A LOT of pork. Full bellies all week with a little extra cash in my pocket? Ummm... yes please!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favorites from this week was slow cooked shredded pork that I fried up in a pan with butter and eaten on top of some cheddar crisps that I baked up. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaIqqph6jpsjfbrE7njyQgRjUckn1BvRxLZ-Yl6XgLZBGJMZnF-frVfVTtz3thvqTfPt1g3GWPGLgIUIwUReGKEawwL81mBH97yG4T5DHCLx0cbbmcQaly6OixHoh8FNAJ5qGkNU-upwZ/s1600/IMG_20180821_203228_655-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What I Ate Wednesday " border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaIqqph6jpsjfbrE7njyQgRjUckn1BvRxLZ-Yl6XgLZBGJMZnF-frVfVTtz3thvqTfPt1g3GWPGLgIUIwUReGKEawwL81mBH97yG4T5DHCLx0cbbmcQaly6OixHoh8FNAJ5qGkNU-upwZ/s1600/IMG_20180821_203228_655-01.jpeg" title="Pork carnitas on baked cheese crisps" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another favorite was actually from last week (I didn't post, sorry!) and it was pork on pork action in the form of bacon wrapped Pork tenderloin. Ohhhh yes! So good! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjMFF47s1bU6q11p71jN1GC8XDxmCW8jVUsWFEW8ZydX2hrcG-QBjIzWgwuLivNWmhLYRllMMeLvKNke5Li88A-2DqxGLoSIZSrYb7nDrB_vPTM2fx70exdXzvg61V2j7lldJz78OOuQm/s1600/IMG_20180815_212824_095-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What I Ate Wednesday " border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjMFF47s1bU6q11p71jN1GC8XDxmCW8jVUsWFEW8ZydX2hrcG-QBjIzWgwuLivNWmhLYRllMMeLvKNke5Li88A-2DqxGLoSIZSrYb7nDrB_vPTM2fx70exdXzvg61V2j7lldJz78OOuQm/s1600/IMG_20180815_212824_095-01.jpeg" title="Bacon wrapped Pork tenderloin " /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also the leftover shredded Pork that I used for the carnitas, was a big time favorite. Slow cooked on low for 9 hours, shredded, and topped with a little cheese was absolutely devine. Everyone raved about how delicious it turned out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxDyK7lBs4cvGvNUoBBkt5Ttr9pfdecU9XX2XlrZ4WKDWJ98gqsPT4RpDXxT5sRcAksljdSVReyLdBAnjVUZ-ZxsdxRknXaYpkX-1QM1Q6ikaDd82NaNJBvH3jRB7iZumPgxDfFWYFbdh/s1600/IMG_20180824_085056_833-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What I Ate Wednesday " border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxDyK7lBs4cvGvNUoBBkt5Ttr9pfdecU9XX2XlrZ4WKDWJ98gqsPT4RpDXxT5sRcAksljdSVReyLdBAnjVUZ-ZxsdxRknXaYpkX-1QM1Q6ikaDd82NaNJBvH3jRB7iZumPgxDfFWYFbdh/s1600/IMG_20180824_085056_833-01.jpeg" title="Slow Cooked shredded Pork roast" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And finally, last but definitely not least was this butter beef concoction. So soooo so yummy, ridiculously simple, and oh so filling. I actually meal prepped another batch of this for my mama and I for the week. I'll be posting the recipe for this bad boy next week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNUw7v33TqBiFv0uZVzBovx0SKblxsGliCOZoWV7R1PT_pMS0VS7akxhaYQx6oy9hcV_PmfLIGwG4yl7qpM6Shc_rK0TEqwyBI5Y4Zy6cv44IScWsAIW1KJvLNakAoEYAIouurZgNo7M6/s1600/IMG_20180825_205803_306-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What I Ate Wednesday " border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNUw7v33TqBiFv0uZVzBovx0SKblxsGliCOZoWV7R1PT_pMS0VS7akxhaYQx6oy9hcV_PmfLIGwG4yl7qpM6Shc_rK0TEqwyBI5Y4Zy6cv44IScWsAIW1KJvLNakAoEYAIouurZgNo7M6/s1600/IMG_20180825_205803_306-01.jpeg" title="Butter Beef Skillet" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's it for this week! See you all again next week!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-86051728252450060562018-08-17T16:59:00.001-05:002018-08-24T15:18:18.957-05:00Getting Started On Keto<div style="text-align: center;">
I often get asked about how I got started on Keto. So I thought I would shed some light on what I did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ntby9UOnk_mM8xgScsNzTWAJMlKCoPggXYbWE46qnjdd0-c6YHNQfWkPTUh5oz6_XX4JzfEulov3J8C7GotO3-09KfPYIhvILpYer1ePI4lZLMHW1A8BVXTr9kxnaKXGNxRwQkV4Zikr/s1600/PhotoGrid_1534545473291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="861" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ntby9UOnk_mM8xgScsNzTWAJMlKCoPggXYbWE46qnjdd0-c6YHNQfWkPTUh5oz6_XX4JzfEulov3J8C7GotO3-09KfPYIhvILpYer1ePI4lZLMHW1A8BVXTr9kxnaKXGNxRwQkV4Zikr/s1600/PhotoGrid_1534545473291.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Obviously, the very first thing I did was research the hell out of it. I had always been told, and preached myself, that carbs were a necessary way of life. And 'all things in moderation'. After completing a whole 30 round, I still felt like crap. I had taken a quiz that led me to thinking that carbs were an issue for my body. I wrote about that <a href="http://livelaughlovebake.blogspot.com/2017/02/going-keto.html?m=1" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started researching Keto and the more I looked into it, the more convinced I was that this was going to be a Godsend for me. I'm not even going lie, I was terrified to start. I was a total carb junkie. I ate carbs, and lots of them, with every single meal. And probably between each meal, too. I told my mama about my plans to start keto and explained it to her. She looked at me like I was crazy and said "good luck". Just a few hours later she came to me and said "I'm in. Let's give it a try." I started the next day and she started the day after I did. We did so incredibly well on it and while I had to temporarily put keto on hold after 8 months after getting pregnant with our newest peanut, (Morning sickness and food aversions threw me WAY off) my mom continued to rock it. She's now half the size she was before and i'm SO proud of her! My brother also started about a month before Easter and when he came over for Easter dinner, HE was half the size he had been, too!! It was so crazy to see him like that! My oldest son is currently doing it too, to prepare for college wrestling season, and so is his friend. YES!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I jumped in head first and cut my carbs, most often only eating between 5 and 15 NET carbs a day. I also drank chicken broth with a bit of Kerry gold butter melted in it once a day for the first week or so to help keep the carb flu at bay. And it worked cuz both my mom and I never got the carb flu. *whew!*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
What I *didn't* do: I didn't stress myself out about it. It is such a drastic change for most people, so if you need to start out with baby steps, then do that! Start one day by removing all the crap carbs and sugary stuff from your house. Get rid of your bad oils (canola, corn, veggie, soy... etc these are HORRIBLE!). The next day, make it your goal to eat 50 net carbs or less. A day (or two or three) after that, bump it down to 20 or less net carbs.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways... There is an overwhelming amount of information out there about keto. Lots of it is garbage. There's a ton of MISinformation out there about it, too. There are so many doctors and nutritionists out there that simply haven't been properly educated on keto so they look down their noses at it. They shake their heads and talk about how necessary carbs are... yeah yeah yeah.<br />
<br />
Pinterest is your friend... and also not your friend. There is an abundance of keto recipes on pinterest. However, NOT all of them are actually keto! Some are created by people that want the blog traffic keto recipes will bring, but aren't very knowledgable about what keto actually is. So be sure to check out the ingredients in each recipe before getting all excited. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the crazy amount of info out there, I give you two important things: 1) different people keto in different ways. Some of us eat "dirty keto", which is basically allowing foods that have iffy ingredients but still fit within your macros. Some eat "clean keto", which is NOT allowing foods with those ingredients. Some allow certain artificial sugars, (I do) some don't. Do what YOU feel comfortable with.<br />
<br />
The second thing is a website I found during my months of research while doing keto. Ruled me is hands down THE BEST site out there, in my opinion. And they have a truly fantastic guide on starting keto. You can scroll and scroll and scroll some more and it just tells you EVERYTHING you need to know. I can't recommend it enough! You can find that guide <a href="https://www.ruled.me/guide-keto-diet/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. They even have a keto calculator (there are so many out there and this is the only one I truly trust. I've had the best results using theirs.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The most important thing to keep in mind while doing keto is to think of it this way: your carbs are your LIMIT. Your protein in your GOAL. And your fat is your LEVER. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What does this mean? It means that each day, be sure to stay at or below your carb allowance, try to hit your protein goal without going over it, and if you are still hungry, eat some more fats. If you are stalling after a while, cut back on your fats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have a lot of excess fat in your body, I recommend NOT eating all of your fats each day. Why? Because you want your body to target the fat stores inside of your body. If you are eating too much fat, your body will burn that fat first, before moving onto burning your stored fats. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another thing that I feel VERY strongly about: you do NOT need to buy ketone supplements. Once Keto started gaining popularity, the vultures started coming out of the woodwork. "Hey! I have this coffee/preworkout/tea that has ketones in it. You can get into ketosis in hours instead of weeks!!" HELL NO. Why would I buy something that my body makes FOR FREE?!? Don't let them talk you into that crap. Seriously, you don't need it. <a href="https://youtu.be/6E1C2zq5v58" target="_blank">Your body knows what to do. It's in our DNA!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keto has been the best thing I've done for myself and I have no doubt that my mom and brother (and so many countless others out there) would say the same thing. If you need meal inspiration, scroll through my blog here and keep an eye on my What I Ate Wednesday posts. Also, if you're on Instagram, you can find me there as @keto_glam. There are so many wonderful people in the Instagram Keto Community!<br />
<br />
Also, I highly recommend checking out both Dr Berg and Dr Barry on YouTube. They really know their keto shit and have so many helpful videos! (Also check out Nurse Cindy's keto "whoosh" video.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope that this post has helped you in some way. Don't forget, if nothing else, please be sure to check out the ruled me keto guide I linked above. It's seriously amazing and tells you everything you need to know. And remember, take it easy on yourself! There is a bit of a learning curve with keto, but once you are a few days into it, you'll find your groove!<br />
<br />
Love and light!<br />
💗💗💗</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-80976483623505314052018-08-14T11:26:00.001-05:002018-08-14T11:26:33.851-05:00How Doing Nothing All Week Opened My Eyes As A Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I wouldn't say I did nothing at all.. because taking care of a baby and 3 other kids (granted two are much older and pretty self sufficient) isn't exactly doing nothing. Lol</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But housework? Yeah, I haven't done a lick of it. Dishes have piled up, laundry desperately needs to be done.. etc</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was me, basically all week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7qEolUyb5UsepOKn85OYXN_6a3HanIGHrcZ7OiUogGOOJlehkKEuBvlwpEYLEg9ok1D0SbvnlqCZfFvSPubk99lQg74-h0hhUCAxU9PjNZ5uz8nfNr7naZiriN2GhPGzgKEQolhlbhe0/s1600/IMG_20180812_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snuggling with my youngest peanut" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7qEolUyb5UsepOKn85OYXN_6a3HanIGHrcZ7OiUogGOOJlehkKEuBvlwpEYLEg9ok1D0SbvnlqCZfFvSPubk99lQg74-h0hhUCAxU9PjNZ5uz8nfNr7naZiriN2GhPGzgKEQolhlbhe0/s1600/IMG_20180812_1.jpg" title="How Doing Nothing All Week Opened My Eyes" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been sidelined with a horrible dental abscess and let me just say, I hope you never have to experience one yourself. Seriously, the pain is like nothing else. Dare I say it hurts worse than having my last baby without any drugs. I've had them abscesses in the past, (Pretty sure I inherited my daddy's bad teeth) and i'm usually able to take care of them on my own until I can get into a dentist. This time? This time has been ridiculous. Definitely the worst one I've ever had. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By day 4 I had finally had enough and called the dentist. That speaks volumes cuz I have a legit dentist phobia. I would've probably gotten in sooner had the abscess been on the bottom portion of my mouth but it's on the top. What's the big deal you ask? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, when you get work done on the top, you get that shot in the roof of your mouth which makes it feel like it's super swollen and you feel like you can't swallow. Some may be thinking "yeah, and so what? We all get that feeling. Suck it up, buttercup.." And that may be true, but my throat is permanently swollen from being sick so much as a kid. There isn't much room back there to begin with. So when it feels like the roof of my mouth is swollen, I really REALLY feel like I can't swallow and my anxiety kicks in and I start to have a panic attack. It is NOT good times. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are other reasons I tend to avoid going to the dentist, too, but I'll save that for another post cuz I have a lot to say.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My dentist was awesome enough to call me in some antibiotics and made an appointment for me to come in next week. The antibiotics took a couple days to kick in and give me any relief. So that was over a week of excruciating pain that truly takes everything out of you..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, I'm going on and on about my abscess and getting a bit off track from my point.. What have I learned from my week of doing nothing but snuggling my youngest peanut? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, two main things. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One, is that nothing bad really happens if you choose some extra snuggle time with your little ones over doing some housework. Seriously, the dishes and laundry will still be there waiting for you when you're ready. Trust me on this. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which brings me to two: the dishes, laundry, and most everything else was indeed still there. Cuz no one else did them. And I realized that this was my fault. Growing up, I did almost everything for them. If they were asked to do something and they didn't do it, I just sucked it up and did it myself. They loved helping me around the house when they were little, but the older they got, the less willing they were to help. And the more lax I got in enlisting their help..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've always been so torn, because I believe that as the mom and wife, I should be serving my family. No, not waiting on their every beck and call, but doing the housework and helping them as much as I can. But I also want them to be fully self sufficient for when they leave the nest. So really, have I been doing them a disservice all these years by not making them do things around the house? Have I been doing more harm than good?! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It really has opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes I just need help. And that it's ok to ask them for that help. Or tell them rather than ask them, if need be. Enlisting their help around the house will still be serving my family because it's preparing them for life as an adult. I want my daughters to know how to keep house and cook, should they decide they want to be a mama and homemaker in the future. I also want my son to know how to keep house and cook so that he can be a helping hand for his spouse in the future. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With all this in mind, going forward, there will be changes made around here. Everyone will be pitching in more. There may be some grumbling along the way, but this mama is putting her foot down. It's time!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, does anyone want to go to the dentist for me later today?!? Anyone? Anyone? 😂</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-4177346688047815712018-08-13T17:00:00.000-05:002018-08-14T09:57:54.851-05:00Another Newest Addition To Our Family<div style="text-align: center;">
So, we love our bearded dragon, Drago Malfoy, so much that we decided to give him/her a brother or sister. Lol</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Without further ado, let me introduce to you, Ron Beardsley. (If it turns out to be a girl, we'll call her Ginny Beardsley.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vQIJJmgPzU1KOsEYQ5PMTjKn1NzqUej_TvJmNmA3T9xUUJfwbO9s_XndTUcp3iwTxnjMgKCGCq8RB1MsIqFRhaoubPobo022yAjkPddT-Kk8hUBDoRwSZBScy2Y4jiHwSSNyz7S1TWvy/s1600/20180813_161225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bearded dragon sleeping in hand" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vQIJJmgPzU1KOsEYQ5PMTjKn1NzqUej_TvJmNmA3T9xUUJfwbO9s_XndTUcp3iwTxnjMgKCGCq8RB1MsIqFRhaoubPobo022yAjkPddT-Kk8hUBDoRwSZBScy2Y4jiHwSSNyz7S1TWvy/s1600/20180813_161225.jpg" title="Our newest bearded dragon" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look how precious! This little guy is SO chill. He just sat in my hand and went to sleep.. About a minute after the pic was taken, he rested his little head on my finger. Awwwww!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2b7LpfudblLR-NYldxg8-3-EgVH0yNShSKS6QJFPLIBpeJkf7XHkFSKROUcr1XfIwUaDvd6RGRR3Aw6-SB_U-4wZFy-KFL3VZh1fca28N8BJpv9NHTOeupRQpUxfpA8l1-TCCBpfLM9ap/s1600/20180813_161427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bearded dragon" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2b7LpfudblLR-NYldxg8-3-EgVH0yNShSKS6QJFPLIBpeJkf7XHkFSKROUcr1XfIwUaDvd6RGRR3Aw6-SB_U-4wZFy-KFL3VZh1fca28N8BJpv9NHTOeupRQpUxfpA8l1-TCCBpfLM9ap/s1600/20180813_161427.jpg" title="Our newest bearded dragon " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids just love watching the dragons. My six year old especially loves watching them chase down their crickets at meal times. I have to admit, I do, too. 😂</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqrnl4LyBhPquaJyS7-85wewM7nFWVeo9L5Andj4y3PKESWzYC9d3ZAzx4yKTNw3v2uHItq1P3OCUYq3_0Ps8w_POEIlonEIWBEFDCWiL2hXQHkWRDPk42Gh_DPqScSiALFDpkeCUMO7t/s1600/20180813_161539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bearded dragon" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqrnl4LyBhPquaJyS7-85wewM7nFWVeo9L5Andj4y3PKESWzYC9d3ZAzx4yKTNw3v2uHItq1P3OCUYq3_0Ps8w_POEIlonEIWBEFDCWiL2hXQHkWRDPk42Gh_DPqScSiALFDpkeCUMO7t/s1600/20180813_161539.jpg" title="Our newest bearded dragon" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pretty sure we're done adding to our zoo, err, home. We're plenty full now between us, 4 kiddies, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 beardies. But then again, who knows what the future will bring. Lol</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-9755593480554543822018-08-01T09:00:00.000-05:002018-08-01T09:00:10.861-05:00What I Ate Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtsbeXHgY1746o5jgQ-FiJn4S5U6JIws_9tQxMebIzS0TjPYnDGfONZm0KmNX6go3KBxu1_SwDjXlUgqi7zF3ThTvl757aVU4xKGH-QYJRhDOs009OZUqiFwyI-2w5hBTR-yNy8ZQRZef/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto food" border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtsbeXHgY1746o5jgQ-FiJn4S5U6JIws_9tQxMebIzS0TjPYnDGfONZm0KmNX6go3KBxu1_SwDjXlUgqi7zF3ThTvl757aVU4xKGH-QYJRhDOs009OZUqiFwyI-2w5hBTR-yNy8ZQRZef/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This week was chock full of yummy keto-ness. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not gonna lie, keeping myself back on track this time around has been a bit rough. Maybe it's because I'm nursing my little one and it's making me want <i>all the freaking carbs...</i> Maybe it's that I'm so busy with the kids and housework that I don't want to stop and make myself food, so I opt for a quick (carb heavy) grab. I don't know. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd go a couple days, then have an off day. Then back on track for a few days, then have another off day. Granted, my off days weren't all that bad, but I want to be all the way on track. I want to get back to where I was this time last year. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I think that the answer to both possible reasons why I keep going off track is pretty clear: I need to start meal prepping again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So Monday morning I made a Sausage Egg Bake, cut it into servings, packed them up, and threw them into the fridge. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aqK6nN3Oxr3STcmzQIrSWMeDcmcOKmE4y7AhQ5Vv1wsAZtwXXJwUc8oyBPROhTE7IP9wzcBzI_E0phcnr6ZC0KAb6i6yyPrTMIigvK9QV7-Rwjoj1RCAUYmDwbxvEz8ckC_RyH5CT3DP/s1600/20180730_104123_20180730104524799-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto egg and sausage bake" border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aqK6nN3Oxr3STcmzQIrSWMeDcmcOKmE4y7AhQ5Vv1wsAZtwXXJwUc8oyBPROhTE7IP9wzcBzI_E0phcnr6ZC0KAb6i6yyPrTMIigvK9QV7-Rwjoj1RCAUYmDwbxvEz8ckC_RyH5CT3DP/s1600/20180730_104123_20180730104524799-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then Tuesday night, I made BLT sammies for the family. My mom and I ate ours on low carb wraps with cheese and ranch (Cuz yum). So I cooked up a little extra bacon and packed that up for eating throughout the week, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr7lZ2-9pHiH5YzD3Jd8uS_vmMJLmJG639z9E_yGx4pdSUcdQbrqrRdhGRgsEZlbyQOQY22XDZgwcEbnmADXpX-7FzICVKUhjdvdH_JufjXXLRWMSp9M07r34fdBuPZD30qf6NyXJxZCj/s1600/20180731_185607-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto BLT Wrap" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr7lZ2-9pHiH5YzD3Jd8uS_vmMJLmJG639z9E_yGx4pdSUcdQbrqrRdhGRgsEZlbyQOQY22XDZgwcEbnmADXpX-7FzICVKUhjdvdH_JufjXXLRWMSp9M07r34fdBuPZD30qf6NyXJxZCj/s1600/20180731_185607-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZEAAV7pJDaS98UILoDsF0L2S4hxMHRacOcIUVpQKCtMgJnHHdwgFt0RK2isb8h7_uAT1hHdARLUK0E2WtcqWFDclN8Dx1cpYqHcstBnxHzvN501P3If8qj94YaNtGfLR3VMKwX6Wi4Bq/s1600/20180731_185644-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto BLT Wrap" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZEAAV7pJDaS98UILoDsF0L2S4hxMHRacOcIUVpQKCtMgJnHHdwgFt0RK2isb8h7_uAT1hHdARLUK0E2WtcqWFDclN8Dx1cpYqHcstBnxHzvN501P3If8qj94YaNtGfLR3VMKwX6Wi4Bq/s1600/20180731_185644-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not much, but it's a start. I go grocery shopping tomorrow, (yaaaaaay!!) so I plan on coming up with a few keto meals to pack up for myself, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Long post cut kinda short, here are a couple of my other favorite meals from the week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chili (yes, again.) With homemade keto dinner rolls. (Recipe can be found <a href="https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/the-keto-bread" target="_blank">HERE</a> ) I wasn't super fond of the rolls while they were still warm out of the oven, but after they cooled off? YUM! I will definitely be making these bad boys again. Maybe adding some herbs and cheese to them this time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5sKEFAtI0nSYT_LyM8vX1zYi_msA9OadZuWQgL3URDiHiGt895qNFv9TYssH-T1LPrmqM1UzAPCyojPpx0tFVgVjQ3fPF_gUDE3womu6aInX3fgcQ01TZ7MTEHQcdMv0s8X4Z0dbO8PO/s1600/20180727_213541-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto Chili with Keto Dinner Rolls" border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5sKEFAtI0nSYT_LyM8vX1zYi_msA9OadZuWQgL3URDiHiGt895qNFv9TYssH-T1LPrmqM1UzAPCyojPpx0tFVgVjQ3fPF_gUDE3womu6aInX3fgcQ01TZ7MTEHQcdMv0s8X4Z0dbO8PO/s1600/20180727_213541-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, cracklin chicken with lemon feta roasted green beans. Super yummy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLHO38-2dAeltJ1-djOvgowNlyVVPPWBKZdlFXaWHPQbjoCUZ9_XeoVlCb-auQp0n8bJC8-UHfw-R4LNmiww2Jvt1oSJxHTlvmrEsspKvpZ0EyBZ8G8z6Yol9oxnm-4usRLU_vOSewav7/s1600/20180730_210136-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto Cracklin chicken and lemon feta green beans" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLHO38-2dAeltJ1-djOvgowNlyVVPPWBKZdlFXaWHPQbjoCUZ9_XeoVlCb-auQp0n8bJC8-UHfw-R4LNmiww2Jvt1oSJxHTlvmrEsspKvpZ0EyBZ8G8z6Yol9oxnm-4usRLU_vOSewav7/s1600/20180730_210136-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's it for now. See you next Wednesday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-71045268592545521472018-07-18T12:05:00.000-05:002018-07-23T14:18:36.786-05:00What I Ate Wednesday <div style="text-align: center;">
It's time for another Keto: What I Ate Wednesday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9py0tSO4YUz4NqZjJV3pPjyzdy9kXWVgANzczB4p_Y6zuwppxHlEBG4I1IiOFNPkN0L_3m5WOVxDE-em1v5JoxwXggZZITFq3DO01ukjdC9il6srelLS6MaCMA9S8y1VdnCzCwwKvbjN/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto pizza" border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9py0tSO4YUz4NqZjJV3pPjyzdy9kXWVgANzczB4p_Y6zuwppxHlEBG4I1IiOFNPkN0L_3m5WOVxDE-em1v5JoxwXggZZITFq3DO01ukjdC9il6srelLS6MaCMA9S8y1VdnCzCwwKvbjN/s1600/Screenshot_20180518-201153_20180524144529249-01.jpeg" title="Keto what I ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This week I didn't feel much like cooking much. So most of what I ate was in salad or wrap form. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey, it got the job done. 😂</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQcApTHZGSoSJvZZKC9r1lPlujfLoNsA2N-ywKwoopn0EfVaE3JmcdzLct8kNPg6qHZa80JMSMWz417F9vFQb-yKHviKhRy7n-W2oxS6pBKL7ghuEYMWuUcrXT8N8uqyuS2VVWpDPN351/s1600/IMG_20180711_200208-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steak on salad" border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQcApTHZGSoSJvZZKC9r1lPlujfLoNsA2N-ywKwoopn0EfVaE3JmcdzLct8kNPg6qHZa80JMSMWz417F9vFQb-yKHviKhRy7n-W2oxS6pBKL7ghuEYMWuUcrXT8N8uqyuS2VVWpDPN351/s1600/IMG_20180711_200208-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday Keto" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBt3ikOxqOCaUINo1hR5b8p98dNgN3EIUBW3M7v1LcuyhesFjn8Mx2NKgklQF7ARmP_WDPklZNQEMo_rqwHZrX4eCI-aWvELFv3S813qmNCfGIfDhcryqW15cnPR7wgxhK9aKQhfnEMpv/s1600/20180705_210651-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chicken on salad" border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBt3ikOxqOCaUINo1hR5b8p98dNgN3EIUBW3M7v1LcuyhesFjn8Mx2NKgklQF7ARmP_WDPklZNQEMo_rqwHZrX4eCI-aWvELFv3S813qmNCfGIfDhcryqW15cnPR7wgxhK9aKQhfnEMpv/s1600/20180705_210651-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday keto " /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O1jTPD4exX3-JtAEN6wJ2soAw40LA0X7szz9VkXZTJAv7Fp-obWZzVQdLtJanfPXvjk8MSdbqR5qpkuzhaBAKfbVHr71an0Un0VRY-zpTHgXfFbyDYF3xpf3UJGv9_r_5hhGUS7krWjv/s1600/20180605_135836-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto low carb wrap" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O1jTPD4exX3-JtAEN6wJ2soAw40LA0X7szz9VkXZTJAv7Fp-obWZzVQdLtJanfPXvjk8MSdbqR5qpkuzhaBAKfbVHr71an0Un0VRY-zpTHgXfFbyDYF3xpf3UJGv9_r_5hhGUS7krWjv/s1600/20180605_135836-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I DID cook a nice big batch of no bean Chili using diced smoked sausage as a bean substitute. Super yummy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdix7ijFcMNwQwBoyGdIksN7CZE8J3yLdwBWsVk5g_S4MjNcXemJ8F-UreNMgVB0sK8JZr1qST8w0iBMExNk8Gt3gosgqch2rOqcXc9qsoFTNL7GOwvoZTFXxa1iJBRsy7mLOMgioxVWvl/s1600/20180707_193157_20180722204539432-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keto no bean Chili" border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdix7ijFcMNwQwBoyGdIksN7CZE8J3yLdwBWsVk5g_S4MjNcXemJ8F-UreNMgVB0sK8JZr1qST8w0iBMExNk8Gt3gosgqch2rOqcXc9qsoFTNL7GOwvoZTFXxa1iJBRsy7mLOMgioxVWvl/s1600/20180707_193157_20180722204539432-01.jpeg" title="What I Ate Wednesday " /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's it for this week! Super simple and yummy. </div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-34162194567120744152018-07-15T20:05:00.001-05:002018-07-15T20:05:30.720-05:00The Newest Addition to Our Family <div style="text-align: center;">
We decided to add another member to our family. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's cute and sweet and oh so entertaining. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we're already head over heels in love with him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you ready to meet him?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ladies and Gents, I introduce you to:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeRvD-bRoTECFrayfSo4EFdnMxv4AE-XF7AP-qcF_Be4IEgABnxhl7w1V5sH4utE8TVQgr-f0auFBjzHUgmn6viUpFOgvfQMzCT2DTWuf_-djTAbzMOE_UNSXU1V4GEvmLnzJ-gWbckY3/s1600/20180715_170412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our newest family member" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeRvD-bRoTECFrayfSo4EFdnMxv4AE-XF7AP-qcF_Be4IEgABnxhl7w1V5sH4utE8TVQgr-f0auFBjzHUgmn6viUpFOgvfQMzCT2DTWuf_-djTAbzMOE_UNSXU1V4GEvmLnzJ-gWbckY3/s1600/20180715_170412.jpg" title="Bearded Dragon" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't he <i>adorable?!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUNG5aw0BgAjtQ-hRLtyLIx4jKi5lgrS30LwaBz-nXyzV67Y5j1uqfv6zud0hohMu9UfnT52WJUQwDfvh5nLdseAQsdj5CbfTEKhy4LbjLi-BEqBxX0NByjVUXRHSQ3Y5L0vyuOonwn_1/s1600/20180715_173726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our newest family member" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUNG5aw0BgAjtQ-hRLtyLIx4jKi5lgrS30LwaBz-nXyzV67Y5j1uqfv6zud0hohMu9UfnT52WJUQwDfvh5nLdseAQsdj5CbfTEKhy4LbjLi-BEqBxX0NByjVUXRHSQ3Y5L0vyuOonwn_1/s1600/20180715_173726.jpg" title="Drago the Bearded Dragon " /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUzZyiWAJ1lwiN25B8gqw6RoH8udjrN9ji52B0I34kzCoTl8tr21q11hvXS_dxF8ldlQ3crPW-hPMWgNzgmYzoFMpTQ3xtkGZj_q5O3g2o_34Z0lnOmhv4WTgGLLSWO1tq2AUiSlvELHP/s1600/20180715_173630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Newest Addition to our family" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUzZyiWAJ1lwiN25B8gqw6RoH8udjrN9ji52B0I34kzCoTl8tr21q11hvXS_dxF8ldlQ3crPW-hPMWgNzgmYzoFMpTQ3xtkGZj_q5O3g2o_34Z0lnOmhv4WTgGLLSWO1tq2AUiSlvELHP/s1600/20180715_173630.jpg" title="Drago our Bearded Dragon " /></a></div>
Looking like a scene straight out of the Lion King. 😂<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3Hh5F33ZFfOo0bCZw6QgKr2y2WfJJw0AAHBfiQtG8Wwi3tuXRXyuTMjMqbPNmpHnCrG5Yw8wIaMiwY8hwSgkz1cMaY323Ly2nE_VAjnwK8PkJSVqljx_lFpVPrxgoiBQy-4uw2EdmnpF/s1600/20180715_180335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Newest Addition to our family " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3Hh5F33ZFfOo0bCZw6QgKr2y2WfJJw0AAHBfiQtG8Wwi3tuXRXyuTMjMqbPNmpHnCrG5Yw8wIaMiwY8hwSgkz1cMaY323Ly2nE_VAjnwK8PkJSVqljx_lFpVPrxgoiBQy-4uw2EdmnpF/s1600/20180715_180335.jpg" title="Our Bearded Dragon " /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2-_VoY-eG8Z6DL94dlGlgqvss0Jerf1h2PBkFODDwoX3llxBa5sNpyLhyH2Eu_bHdRlHetoAjfxdEK-W5nIgFRFtB8QVzhKmwVyDv-j1z5cGyhXIl8Qd9QnkTZ2pfsCzWh1r0w56K46E/s1600/20180715_173140_20180715173957221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Newest Addition to our family " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2-_VoY-eG8Z6DL94dlGlgqvss0Jerf1h2PBkFODDwoX3llxBa5sNpyLhyH2Eu_bHdRlHetoAjfxdEK-W5nIgFRFtB8QVzhKmwVyDv-j1z5cGyhXIl8Qd9QnkTZ2pfsCzWh1r0w56K46E/s1600/20180715_173140_20180715173957221.jpg" title="Drago the Bearded Dragon " /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drago says "Come forth... and bring it. "</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dywYDEDqBb5hRD61C01ELOW7ti_B0djGkk7laWxXQmYEvVlrRa-DG91glhDyS4umaTPRvWI8HPrcS_5qU1akA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously, the whole family has been just chilling and watching this little guy. He's such a riot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We can't wait to learn all about him and watch him grow. 💗</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-42721523767386718372018-07-06T06:00:00.000-05:002018-07-10T15:48:42.286-05:00Earning Money On The Side<div style="text-align: center;">
This is me. Snuggling with my youngest peanut. AND earning money from my phone. And <i style="font-weight: bold;">no, </i>I'm <i style="font-weight: bold;">not </i>selling anything. Say <i>whaaaat?! </i>😂<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanLSe8QFwcL7lMVNj4h6w8EUPEpy0wmXKqGQ5RVflTGzWX9u4Y1WhNh_q0FN1-gM1wKi-oIc5E2r-e4F2qfNoAGjTBYDPcSQiE7wo2e2sQt047uVvP7EODy1JddF7BYmIIIyETn8-Natb/s1600/IMG_20180705_1_20180705174104614-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to earn extra money on the side" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanLSe8QFwcL7lMVNj4h6w8EUPEpy0wmXKqGQ5RVflTGzWX9u4Y1WhNh_q0FN1-gM1wKi-oIc5E2r-e4F2qfNoAGjTBYDPcSQiE7wo2e2sQt047uVvP7EODy1JddF7BYmIIIyETn8-Natb/s1600/IMG_20180705_1_20180705174104614-01.jpeg" title="Making Money from my phone while snuggling my baby " /></a></div>
Who <i>doesn't </i>want to earn a little extra money on the side? Especially while sitting and snuggling a sleeping baby? Does it get any better than that?! I think not!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My hubster and I are currently working on building up our Emergency Fund and then moving onto getting out of debt. (Dude, I can't wait for that day!) One thing that I've noticed is that we really don't have much money leftover after most paychecks to make any kind of dent in anything. So they say to sell belongings or cut spending in other areas, which makes total sense. Except that we truly don't own much of anything to sell and we don't have extras to cut. Literally.<br />
<br />
We share a house with my mom and we pay half of everything (including the mortgage) every month, but bills are all in her name. So cutting cable? That's not my call. We can only cut the grocery bill so much when feeding a 19 year old who's home from college for the summer (and sometimes his friends), a growing 14 year old, a 6 year old, a manual labor working hubster, myself, and sometimes my mama. We also try to eat healthy, and the price of food just keeps going up up up. So then the option is to bring in more income. I will not let my hubster take a second job, as he already works 12 to 14 hour days. He works his fingers to the bone to provide for us. So that's off the table. I stay home with the kids because we couldn't even BEGIN to afford the cost of daycare if I was to work (and I'd make peanuts since I'm not really schooled or skilled in much.)<br />
<br />
So what's a mama to do?! Whatever I can, that's what!<br />
<br />
The first thing I did was signup at Ibotta. I grocery shop every week anyways, so why not earn a little money back on it, right? Between grocery shopping offers and a welcome bonus, in my first week and a half, I've made an extra $25.50. That's pretty freaking awesome for just grocery shopping like I always do!<br />
<br />
Next, I signed up at Ebates. I don't do a ton of online shopping, but I've earned $10.47 through that in the past week and a half. Not bad!<br />
<br />
But the BEST thing I've found has been Swagbucks. Now, I had tried Swagbucks in the past and didn't like it. I'm so glad I decided to give it another try tho, because that's where I've made the most money by far! Just from sitting and taking surveys (a lot of surveys) while the baby is sleeping and in any extra free time I have, I have made $58. In a week and a half.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIKXjuIVzayI9jaPGN8qQa62z2-Gs5RZ9_o_HadhbN6NLomBi0xbBZ_o4RMtNPqRQewJNAzPA5uAxWl70jlf_uuN7Y-dnGtJn4nm_4mEeAQIn0SL7afiEz9621AKgCGgC_-CZfQWc7k4w/s1600/Screenshot_20180705-191830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="779" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIKXjuIVzayI9jaPGN8qQa62z2-Gs5RZ9_o_HadhbN6NLomBi0xbBZ_o4RMtNPqRQewJNAzPA5uAxWl70jlf_uuN7Y-dnGtJn4nm_4mEeAQIn0SL7afiEz9621AKgCGgC_-CZfQWc7k4w/s1600/Screenshot_20180705-191830.jpg" /></a></div>
Through Swagbucks, I ALSO qualified to take a special survey about radio stations where I had to listen to 503 clips of songs and rate them. Yes, that is A LOT of songs. It took me 3 hours total, thankfully I was able to complete it in chunks at MY convenience. For completing that I earned $40 (not credited for that yet- it will be paid out when the study is over in a couple weeks.) So through Swagbucks, I've actually made $98. Not too shabby for a week and a half of taking surveys!!!<br />
<br />
That's a grand total of $133.97. That's over $100 that we didn't have before. That's free money that we get to add to our Emergency Fund and to help us reach our goals. Which makes me super happy!<br />
<br />
If you are thinking about giving any of these a try, I can't recommend them enough! Heck, if you use any of my referral codes, you'll earn money and I'll get a little bonus. Win win for both of us!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=36557825" target="_blank">Sign up at Swagbucks</a> and start taking surveys, playing games, watching videos, etc and earn some side cash!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://ibotta.com/r/rxhcltv" target="_blank">Earn cash back on grocery purchases at Ibotta.</a> Join now and earn a $10 welcome bonus after completing your first $10 in cash back. (It adds up quick!) You do NOT have to link a debit card or anything. Which is great cuz I really don't like having to do that.<br />
<br />
If you want to earn money while shopping online, <a href="https://go.ebat.es/0meNZ8OEjO" target="_blank">sign up at Ebates</a>. And they have a special deal going on. Right now, if you use my referral link, and spend $25, I get a referral bonus and YOU get $10! How freaking awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
It may seem silly, but it's been so exciting for me to be able to contribute to our household, financially. I can't wait to see what I can earn in a month to put towards our goals. Bring it on!!!<br />
<br />
Happy earning, everyone!!</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099802796917857309.post-46058121559036785132018-07-05T07:00:00.000-05:002018-07-05T07:00:11.098-05:00How To Get Stuff Done With A Baby In The House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_VMQndu9xSaEmzHd_ngJxL0OAhxbo5s5uJ6atEF3StkcY-rnMQ9pngbcBxga9rd8Ai3heGsXTZueI3U3OPsjNtTdSG8i9kzN5t1g0mUf8CgkbvmEJSG_aVK_JPrsJKDUxw0ptLUQI2-a/s1600/20180704_204147-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama relaxing with baby on her lap. " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_VMQndu9xSaEmzHd_ngJxL0OAhxbo5s5uJ6atEF3StkcY-rnMQ9pngbcBxga9rd8Ai3heGsXTZueI3U3OPsjNtTdSG8i9kzN5t1g0mUf8CgkbvmEJSG_aVK_JPrsJKDUxw0ptLUQI2-a/s1600/20180704_204147-01.jpeg" title="Getting Stuff Done With A Baby In The House" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe you're expecting your first baby and are wondering how you're going to manage your household when your bundle of joy arrives. Or maybe you're expecting your sixth baby but it's been a while since you last had a baby in the house and you're just looking for some tips on getting things done. Either way, look no further, I'm here to help!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had my fourth baby back in April and it had been 6 years since I had a baby in the house. I'm older now (not to mention much more tired!) and I'll be honest, with the daily demands of a baby, plus my other kiddies, I struggled to find the time to get everything done! I focused on recovering first (that's the most important part!) and then started finding ways to do what needed to be done. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm no expert and my house isn't always super clean (sorry, not sorry. We're busy making memories over here!) but I'm doing what I can while I'm in this particular season of my life. These are my (hopefully) helpful tips for you. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to start out by stating the obvious: keeping a spotless house is not your first priority anymore. Your #1 priority right now (whether this is your first baby or your tenth) should be to relax (as much as possible, at least), recover, and spend time taking care of/getting to know your newest addition. Especially while they are in the newborn stage.. Seriously, take time to recover and spend time soaking up your precious new baby. They are only newborns for such a short time, but the housework will still be there later, I promise. <br />
<br />
Now, with that said...<br />
<br />
PICK AND CHOOSE: Once you have healed enough to be able to get around and do things more easily, and you feel like you have a bit of energy to spare, then absolutely start doing what you can, when you can. Start small. Make a list of the top three (or one if that's all you can manage, or even five if you're feeling ambitious) things you feel absolutely NEED to get done each day. Then focus on only doing those things. It's better than nothing!!! When you get that routine down and feel like you are ready to add more tasks, add just a couple at a time!<br />
<br />
NAP TIME: An obvious tip is to get done what you can while baby is napping. Now this might not be possible if you have a newborn. You may be extremely tired (not to mention the fact that you are still recovering!) and if that is the case, go ahead and nap while baby naps. You need your rest, too, not only to help your body heal, but for your sanity's sake, as well! Work in 15 minute increments if needed. 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there adds up!<br />
<br />
BABY CARRIERS: These things are a total Godsend! If you have one, and your baby tolerates it, for Heaven's sake, USE IT! Some babies really enjoy the closeness and movement while you go about your day to day routine while wearing them. If yours is one of those babies, send up a "thank you" and enjoy the snuggles while. you. work. It's an amazing thing. <br />
<br />
BOUNCEY SEAT/ ROCKER: If you have one of these, drag it into the room you need to work in. As you clean or cook, talk to your baby. Or sing songs. Babies don't care if you have an amazing voice or not. Just hearing mamas voice will offer comfort while hopefully buying you a bit of time to get some stuff done. <br />
<br />
DELEGATE CHORES!!! If you have a spouse or other children, there is NOTHING wrong with asking (or telling them!) to pitch in. I use to feel awful asking my husband to do things. He works manual labor for anywhere from 12 to 14 hours a day, 5 (used to be 6) days a week! I was the stay at home mama. It was MY job to handle all the household stuff while he worked, wasn't it?! But then one day a realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My job as mama is 24/7 and 365 days a year. I don't get a break. But when he needs help with something, I help him. WHY should I not expect the same?? Most days I would at least try to let him relax a bit first, after he came home from work. To give him some time to unwind after a long hard day. Or I'd wait till it was his day off. But there were absolutely days where I handed him the baby just a few minutes after he walked in the door. Cuz sometimes it just had to be that way and this is a partnership, after all, right?<br />
<br />NOTE: If you do decide to delegate, please don't nag when it's not done YOUR way. Just because it's not done your way doesn't mean it's done wrong. As long as it's getting done, consider it a total blessing and remember, these times are only temporary.<br />
<br />
FORGET PERFECTIONISM: Some days you'll find more time to be able to get things done. Other days, you may only be able to find 15 minutes out of the entire day. When that happens, do what you can for those 15 minutes and don't sweat the rest! There's always tomorrow!<br />
<br />
GROCERY DELIVERY: I know this isn't available in all areas, but if it is available in your area, it can be a super helpful thing. Peapod is one I've used and liked. My local Jewel/Osco and Berkots also deliver. Sometimes it's more than worth the small extra fee to have them do the shopping for you and deliver it. Then all you have to do is put it all away! Score, right?!<br />
<br />
STOW AWAY: Keep a pretty basket in your main living areas. As the day goes on, you can simply drop things into the basket (which also puts it out of sight! Winner winner, chicken dinner!) as you get a chance, then bring the basket with you towards the end of the day (or during one of baby's longer naps) to put the items where they belong. (Better yet, delegate the putting away part to someone else. 😉)<br />
<br />
One thing that I've heard over the years is NOT to let your baby get used to being in your arms. That unless they are crying or fussing or eating, there really is no need to be holding them. I have to wholeheartedly disagree with this. A baby NEEDS time in your arms, fussing or not. And there is nothing wrong with holding them for no other reason than to just be holding them. Especially in the first couple months. You CANNOT spoil a baby that young. It's just not possible. I'm not saying that you have to or should hold them all day every day, but certainly, when YOU want to hold your baby, hold your baby!<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/share/clipdata_180705_024952_120.sdoc--></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope some of these tips help you as much as they have helped me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What tips do YOU have for getting things done when you have a baby in the house? I'd love to hear them!</div>
RyanAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023384818958846535noreply@blogger.com0