I understand that life is busy. I really do. As you may remember, I recently quit my job as a full time accountant and made the switch to stay-at-home-mom. I’ve seen and lived both sides.  They’re both hard and extremely busy.  Add blogging and helping with my hubby’s business, packing, selling a house, moving, and house-shopping, and some days I wonder how I’ve made it through!  But there will be free days (or a free Saturday) when you have no "schedule." ... Read more » about Embrace the Mess + Other Parenting Words of Wisdom

It's been another successful week in the #elf4health challenge.  I think the best thing for me is that it's made me be more aware of what I'm eating during this normally busy holiday season, challenging me to get out of my comfort zone...ie. creating a holiday Tabata workout, calculating my fiber intake, eating the rainbow in a day, and as I'll share today - make my first ever homemade salad dressing! ... Read more » about Homemade {Blueberry Balsamic Salad Dressing}

Ahhhhhhhh, the holidays. So much fun. So much baking. So many parties. So many cute Pinterest ideas. So much shopping. So much stress.  I guess you could say I have a love/hate relationship with the holiday season. So, I have set out to make your holiday party a little easier, a little healthier, and a lot more fun with these mini pie bites ----->  If you've spent much time on my blog, you know I'm not much of a dessert person. ... Read more » about Holiday Pie Bites: Chocolate Raspberry Pie & Apple Pie

People who know me or who have heard my story about losing over 50 pounds ask me a variety of questions...ranging from "how'd you do it?" to "you didn't even have a birthday cake?!?!?" to "you drink broccoli?" to "what do you snack on?"  Though I've answered most of those over the weeks and months of having this blog, I'd like to give one comprehensive post with some great snack ideas that you can implement for yourself or your family starting today! ... Read more » about My Top 10 Favorite Healthy Snacks

It's been a loooooooooong week my friends. In the moments when we should have been filled with joy and excitement after finally going under contract on a new mountain house (remember what happened to the first one?), we received the news that my father-in-law had a major heart attack and was being rushed to the hospital for immediate surgery.  My FIL, barely 58, had a total blockage of his left anterior artery ... Read more » about A New House, A Heart Attack, & {Rainbow Fish Tacos}

Friday's Elf for Health challenge was to "EAT THE RAINBOW" and see how many colors we could squeeze into one day.  I had so much fun making my meals as colorful as possible (with no dyes of course!).  If only I could would eat this good EVERY day :)  The challenge made me think about getting a variety of colors and nutrients/vitamins, as well as focusing on fruits and vegetables, which tend to be the most colorful foods! I felt like breakfast was the most notable difference: boring monotone toast, oatmeal, cereal etc... ... Read more » about Eat the Rainbow + {Golden Meatloaf}

Remember the Elf for Health: Holiday Challenge I told you about last week? Well, we are 3 days in, and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!  Each day there are little challenges and you get to interact with amazing other health-minded folks.  It is just what I need to jumpstart my weightloss again and really have fun in this holiday season.  If you haven't already signed up, there's still time to join for Round 2 or 3! ... Read more » about Holiday Tabata Workout: Lower Body Sculpting

The Holiday season is in full swing, and with it comes a full range of emotions, especially when it comes to eating, weight, and guilt. I am so excited that the #elf4health holiday challenge started yesterday and that above all else, I am going to at least be mindful of my health during this season.  And I'll have an elf buddy to help motivate me and keep me accountable.  Perfect! ... Read more » about A Holiday Must: {Elf Juice}

As you know, we are in a bit of a transitional housing situation, living at my inlaws' during this holiday season until we can find a new mountain dream home, with most of our belongings packed away in boxes stacked in the garage.  Because of that, I've decided to go fairly minimal and simple on the whole Christmas decorating thing this year, and come up with a few NEW traditions to make this Christmas memorable and special.  First up, we bought our very first REAL Christmas tree this w ... Read more » about A Pinterest-y Christmas

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! We spent ours up in the mountains at my inlaws' cabin.  A good time was had by all.  It was beautiful, mostly relaxing (because a meal with a two-year-old can NEVER be described as fully relaxing!!), and fun.  The cranberry relish and pie bites were a hit!  My father-in-law mentioned at the table as we were finishing up the lavish meal, just how much love (and effort!) goes into preparing such a feast, and how quickly it is gobbled up and over.  So true! But the good news is, the leftovers last for a few more days :) ... Read more » about Food Photography + {Buffalo Cranberry Grilled Cheese}