Five on Friday

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I am linking up with Becky, Della,  Whitney,  and Tif for High Five on Friday!

1.) I am officially on Day 5 of my cleanse today.  Less bloat, more energy, no mindless snacking or shoveling all the things into my mouth.  No pumpkin chais—sad face– but I feel great! I honestly don’t remember the last time I cleansed, so that is usually a good indication of me really needing to ‘reset’.   I’d tell ya how much weight I’ve lost, but oh yeah, my scale died.  Bought new batteries.  That didn’t work.  So a new scale is on the way, thank you Amazon–can’t wait to try it out!  I really didn’t think I was eating ‘that bad’ but oh goodness, the sugar detox has been REAL!  All those starchy carbs, sugary lattes, cookies, cakes, breads, pastas…I was out of whack.  (PS my tank is linked here!)

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Post day 3 hump woo!

2.) Last 90 Days starts Tuesday!! I’m super pumped, and have been rocking the ‘Start Today Journal’ as part of my morning routine the last few weeks. I bought it back in November of last year, then Joe got really sick (we didn’t realize it at the time, how sick he was) and then holidays came and his Crohn’s was so bad that he ended up in the hospital.  I abandoned this little journal (and myself) and then found my Life Coach.  I spent so much time working with her until August.  I honestly just felt the need to pick it back up and start again! I can’t wait to fill it up!  I love it.

3.) Family Fridays.  I miss these.  I know kids need to be in school, but man the four of us have so much fun together in the Summer and on holidays!  Sure I need my mama breaks like everyone else, but I just love spending time with these two goofballs. I miss Summer already!  I am already dreaming and scheming how we will spend our holidays and breaks.  I want to visit more pumpkin patches, drink hot cocoa, visit the kids museum, go sledding…All the things!

4.)  We had another meeting to build our dream home.  We couldn’t find a sitter, so we were hoping that we could rely on some good old technology.  Unfortunately the cemented walls in the conference room made it for ZERO cell reception.  Meeting seemed to be a (very) small step forward (better than back?) and the kids did pretty well considering.  Onward and upward!  I am leaning into my faith on this one.  Building on your own lot is no joke! Patience is key and I continue to focus on my gratitude.  I was super frustrated after leaving the meeting, but then I turned on Joel Osteen (no, I don’t care if you’re a Christian and you think he’s no good, thanks though!) and as always, the very first sentence I heard him say, spoke to me.  God will take you through the fire sometimes, and he will make you fire proof. Other times, you will be delivered and not have to fight that battle at all.  I calmed down immediately and let go, to let God.

5.) ETST aka Kelle Hampton on the gram.  (Enjoying the small things). She’s probably my favorite account to follow.  She takes beautiful photos, is so creative and I just adore her.  She has three children and is so real, yet artsy.  Her page sparks joy, inspires and I never feel less than when being in her little space here on the internet.  She does this 15 minute shake down she shares on her stories and cleans up her kitchen, which resembles any families on an after dinner evening.  She’s great! I always leave her page wanting to be a better momma. She shared this last week and I MUST MAKE IT for my crew (and neighbor friends!)

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Life Hack: Habit Stacking

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As most busy mamas, I attempt to “do all the things” pretty much on a daily basis.  When I start to feel overwhelmed, I do have a few tips that seem to work for me.

I heard the term “Habit Stacking” after reading the book Atomic Habits. You can find out more here.   It made total sense when I heard it explained.  It’s not simply multi-tasking.  I feel that sometimes we feel overwhelmed because we are doing too much at once and not really enjoying things.  However, when you make conscious choices of who, what, where, why and when you are spending your time on, things start to fall together a little easier.

He explains it more in a sense of cues, and moment by moment, like pour your tea, read your book, write in your journal…combine the things that you need to get done anyway, but chunk them together.  I took it a step further…

If you’re feeling like you never get to do anything for you, or that you have too many things going on, I suggest you shrink your daily “must do” to about 5 or 6 things.  From there, are any of them able to be combined?

For example, this may be a list for me:

1.) Meal prep.

2.) Spend time with girlfriends.

3.) Unwind & enjoy some delicious tea.

4.) Clean the house/chores.

5.) Read more books.

6.) Work on business training.

Taking a look at the list above, I could be negative and just cross off #2 because, helloooooo, I’m a busy mom with NO TIME!

Wrong. 

The truth is, we all have the same amount of time in a day and the glorious part is, we get to choose where we are spending that time!  Of course there are obligations and such, but overall, you are in charge people!

So a better way to look at the things I’d like to do is asking myself, is there any way I can mix some of these together, so that I actually get some things accomplished and feel great.  In the list above, I decided to join my friend Cathy at her house for a Tastefully Simple Freezer Meal Workshop.  While I was there, I got to catch up with her, meet someone new and as an added bonus, I got to try some amazing Chai!   Y’all know I love me some tea.

As for reading more books, I consider audiobooks reading as well.  Nothing beats a a good book in my hands, but again, as a busy mama, instead of using #notime as an excuse, I find the time.  I listen to audiobooks (and podcasts) while I drive in the car, grocery shop, clean the house, fold the laundry, do the dishes, walk the dog…I mean really any time I can.  I choose not to watch TV, I choose to spend most of this time reading or listening.

Working on business training, through mastermind groups or watching videos, I set aside time to focus on that (instead of TV) or if possible, I’ll do some light housework while listening too.

Another example of habit stacking would be acknowledging your wants/desires.  In this case, we wanted to be outside, eat lunch, and work on some business.  We stopped at our favorite burger joint and went to a park. Bradley was content as there was a little playground, so we could also enjoy time with him.  It was honestly a win all around!

I think more than anything, when you are optimistic and see the glass as half full, your mood shifts.  You’re in the “I get to” mentality vs the victim “I have to.”  You realize that you do have time, you just have to really think about how you’re going to spend it.  Now I totally don’t structure my days 24/7, but if I can take the time to plan them out 80% of the time, things run so much better!

PS I told my friend Cathy she was even better at habit stacking than she realized! She was making money with her side hustle (Tastefully Simple), enjoying girl time AND making meals for her family.  #rockstar

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Focus on the wins and celebrate ladies.  We really can do it all!  (Not all at once, but if you put your mind to it, anything and everything is possible!)

What are some ways you already habit stack, or is it something you may consider? I’d love to hear some different ways you are choosing to spend your time wisely!

Currently

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Watching: You Tube  I confess that yes, I have still been binge watching these meal prep videos, cleaning videos, housewife/momlife you tube videos! I honestly have picked up so many little tricks (Slow cooker liners!) and delicious recipes that it’s worth having them on in the background while I’m doing laundry, making beds, washing dishes, ya know the fun things in life!

Drinking: Chai Latte with Pumpkin Cold Foam. I hopped on the pumpkin spice train and am loving the iced soy chai with pumpkin cold foam from the Bux.  If you’re looking for less sweet, get only one pump of pumpkin, but if you wanna go crazy, enjoy the 2 pumps.

Wearing: Leopard Print. And I do love this leopard cardi from Amazon! It’s a bit of a different material, but it’s lightweight, buttons and perfect for these wacky Fall weather days! I sized up to a medium, as I feel like I have long arms.

Loving: Brooke started dance. She had so much fun! She’s in competition dance this year, so we have a lot to look forward to.  She’s got some sweet girls she’s friends with in there and loves every second of it! She already found out she’ll be doing a dance to Frosty the Snowman for a hospital to raise money.

Enjoying: My morning routine.  It’s been a whole week–wahoo! I’ve been setting my alarm for 6:00 am and pretty much getting right out of bed! I sneak downstairs, stir up some pre-workout, take my probiotics, & have some ‘do you time.’ I like to read one chapter of a leadership book (currently reading Mind Power) do my Start Today Journal & then I also make time to journal.  (My mood instantly improves after a few days of journaling!! Thank you again to Lindsay Preston, my life coach who truly helped me tap into my best self.)  I feel so much better after putting ME first in the morning to get my mind & heart right for the rest of the day.  It’s truly worth playing with!

Workouts: I’m back to the gym.  After a few months hiatus, I felt like I wanted to go back to the gym.  I loved being with the kids so much during the Summer and it was just so nice out, I didn’t want to be inside much! We were pretty active too, playing, riding bikes, walks…I have already done a Zumba class and even did some Beachbody on Demand right in the dumbbell area! I need to be told what to do but sometimes a whole class is too much.  It’s the perfect way to get out of the house, socialize a bit and get a quick (yet effective) workout in.  I love being back in a routine.

Reading: Fall Books for kids. I pulled out my Fall decor and have been letting Fall slowly creep in here and there.  I have seen some wonderful book recs on Instagram, so I decided to keep an ongoing list here so I could go back and see them and share them with you! I am excited to read them with my kiddos.

Laughing: Corny memes. My mom has always loved stupid silly jokes and I honestly do too.  I saw this goofy one the other day and shared it on her FB timeline.  I think laughter is truly the best medicine!

 

Weekend Review

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We had such a great weekend! As always, it flew by super fast!

Friday I snuck out for some “do you time” and honestly enjoyed my mani/pedi like no other! It was a great ‘cheers to me’ for having an awesome Summer home with my babies, and an amazing feeling knowing they were both off and in school while I soaked my tired feet! I went with a Fall color, kind of like a red wine!

After that I ran some errands, met up with my boys for a working lunch at a park and we were home to meet Brookie off the bus before we knew it.

Saturday was a pleasant surprise, as I had made plans to attend a freezer meal workshop with my girlfriend Cathy, and assumed I’d bring the kids.  Joe decided it was his Saturday off and took them instead! It was so wonderful to focus on chopping the meats, fixing/bagging up some recipes and most importantly have some GIRL time, I was so grateful! This tasty Chai comes out soon and you betcha I’ll be ordering some!

Saturday called for a night out with my honey, and since the temps are cooler, it was time to bust out one of my favorite faux leather jackets!  Still rocking open toe shoes though.  Had to show off that pedi!!

We dined at a local favorite and it was so good! I hear comments from time to time about how many date nights we go on, but honestly it’s THE BEST THING for us.  I miss him when we don’t see each other a lot and with two dogs, two kids and a business, it’s pretty much vital we get this alone time.  We always have a good time no matter what we do or where we go!

I didn’t snap a photo of the pork belly special—we were starving!  The pork was outstanding and they served it with avocado mousse, melon, watermelon & cucumber balls–drooling just thinking about it!

This pizza was also scrumptious!! It was like a salsa verde on a pizza with a chorizo, cilantro–total party in our mouths.

As for Sunday we had places we should have gone, but our bodies said rest…so I spent the morning finishing up Big Little Lies and honestly relaxing all day.  It was heavenly! I was full of energy this Monday morning and attacked the day!

Happy September!

Tea with Me

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If we were to sit down and have a cup of tea, I’d enjoy this kind! My bestie gifted me a “Sipscription” and this was one of the teas from Sipsby.  This one actually kind of tastes like coffee!

I’d have so much to tell you, since back to school just started!  Summer flew by, but I so enjoyed every stinking minute.  I sometimes wonder why I feel so much emotion though; even the change from Summer to Fall has me all weepy.  I know I love Summer the most, but I do enjoy our Fall weather.  When the trees all change it’s so pretty! I enjoy going for donuts and cider, pumpkin picking and all the slow cooker recipes!  Football, red wine and cozy fires are in my future and I’m not mad about it.

I’d probably tear up telling you all about my babies going off to school for another year.  I was a teacher, you see, so of course I know the value of an education, the mingling of like aged children and stimulating my kids’ minds is so important to me.  But selfishly, I miss them.  I miss the baby snuggles, the bottles, the sticky cheeks, the consumption of them needing me.  No, I don’t want more babies, but I think it’s normal to always have a feel of just wanting your babies just a little while longer.  Don’t get me wrong though, 4 & 6 is such a fun age! They are so sweet and innocent and get along pretty well for the most part. My husband and I keep saying how much know we will miss this phase too! I really had such a beautiful Summer with them.  Parenting is so crazy; I am so ready for bedtime and to sit down quietly, but gosh they grow so darn fast!

I’d tell you if Summer 2019 had a sound track, you’d find these songs on it!

Dancing With a Stranger, Calm Down, Git Up Dance, Old Town Road, Have you Ever seen the Rain, and it would conclude with Dreams–this song has come to me over and over and over again in August.  I would see the lyrics, “thunder only happens when it rains” and I heard it on Big Little Lies.  My husband randomly played it, and I’ve heard it come on several times on the radio.  Why?!?

If we were having a chat, let you in on a little secret—I may not watch TV, but I am known for binging on You Tube! I can’t help it, but I get sucked down a rabbit hole once in awhile. Lately I’m back on the wife/mom bandwagon and adore these two ladies!  How Jen Does it & Beauty & The Beastons

I would fill you in on my manifestations.  “What you think about you bring about.” Thanks to a mastermind training, I’ve started really putting things out there and whoa—they do come back at ya!  Something as small as Joe and I talking about how we wanted a picnic table for the land, and we just wanted to find one…I was walking with the dog and someone had it out by the road. Score! Now we can have picnics or even a bonfire before it gets too cold!

I’d say that I am pretty pumped that I have done 37 workouts out of my 100!  I’m feeling so great and can’t wait to just keep going! It’s amazing what CONSISTENCY does.  I don’t love every workout but I get them done and that’s what counts.  30 minutes or less, there’s really no excuses.

I was also proud of myself for not buying all the things at Home Goods yesterday! I did scoop up a few new pillows for our couch, because Bailey, and all of the Fall Decor was so cute.  I cannot wait until I have our new home to decorate!

I’d admit that I still haven’t used my Instantpot.  I don’t know what my problem is, I’m like nervous or something?! I did use my slow cooker yesterday.  I did the old chicken breasts, cubed small potatoes, green beans, butter & a packet of Ranch dressing. I didn’t want to have to grab fast food after a late afternoon at my sister’s gymnastic’s center, so I prepped before we left. I felt like a total badass for having dinner ready when we walked in the door.  So, I’m giving myself some grace on the Instantpot.

I am pretty excited about some “DO YOU TIME” tomorrow.  With Joe’s work schedule and the kids back to school crazy, I haven’t done much for me. I have worked out, but I am excited for a few hours of daylight alone! I see a pumpkin cold foam iced chai latté in my future.

I’m looking forward to doing some Freezer meals with my friend Cathy on Saturday.  Some of these recipes look so yummy!  I’m really making efforts to make more meals at home as we got into a bad habit of eating out a lot this Summer.  It’s okay, we’ll reign it in and it will be delicious!

Currently I am trying to read my Book of the Month book, The Reckless Oath we Made, but I haven’t been into reading much.  I am making it a goal to read tomorrow though!

Looking back at this Summer, I can’t help but believe that since I took all that time to work on me, it was truly the best gift I have given myself, my husband and my children.  I am so grateful for this crazy beautiful life.  I have never been happier, and it’s crazy because I know life is only going to continue to get better.  It’s what we make of it, and I know and believe there’s so much more in store.