Become A Morning Person

Are you trying to become a morning person ? Maybe you are looking to take control of your day by taking control of your morning. That was my plan when I started googling reasons to become a morning person. Being a SAHM has made it difficult for me to get up before my son. Instead I was waking to the sound of my son yelling for me ( sound familiar ?) . It wasn’t till I read the miracle morning that I realized I needed to take control of my mornings.

I was doing so well with my morning routine ..until summer hit and trouble sleeping happened due to this growing belly! But its time for me to get back to my morning routine and I’m super excited to get started and share with you how I plan to do it!

There are tons of benefits of waking up early. Research shows that people who wake up early are happier and healthier, that should be reason enough to get up !! Waking up early can lead to a more productive and stress free day. Mornings can be the BEST time of your day . Take the challenge with me and become a morning person!!!

Become A Morning Person

Go to bed earlier Duh! But the best way to wake up early is to go to bed early ( and ready for the next day ) Give yourself a bed time and stick to it! If you have to set an alarm in your phone to go off every night to remind you to get ready for bed.
Put your phone down before bed & establish a routine ( and don’t start scrolling as soon as you wake )
Set your alarm for the same time everyday. Make it your schedule & turn it into a habit. We thrive on schedules. STOP hitting that snooze button , it is not helping you at all, instead its making you grumpy that the alarm keeps going off so now you are starting your day grumpy… no one needs that.
Set your coffee maker . I set my coffee maker to go off every morning at the same time. It’s about 30 minutes before my son normally wakes up . The smell of the coffee is enough for me to get up! Plus theres nothing better then enjoying some hot coffee alone
Wash your face right away. Even if you just splash some water on, it will wake you right up
Start your day with a GIANT glass of water ( before coffee )
Make stretching part or your am routine. If you are like me and cannot workout first thing in the morning try doing some light stretching
Try doing A miracle morning .

Remember , waking up early is hard at first but it WILL get easier when it starts to become a habit you love. It won’t take long to so just keeping going!! Id love to hear from you , what has worked to help you become a morning person??

Third Trimester Check List

Whether you are a new mom or already have one at home getting your house ready in the third trimester is a must! Below is my third trimester check list to help you prepare to bring your new baby home . Id love to hear from you , how did you prepare to bring baby home? Comment below and get the convo started!

Third Trimester Check List

A lot of people make a birth plan… I am not one of them! My plan is to go to the hospital and have a baby!
clean the house .Declutter as much as you can . People will bring you flowers, food, gifts , you’re going drop your hospital stuff as soon as you walk in so having a clutter free home before you head to the hospital will make life a little easier when you get home
stock up on supplies . Make sure you have coffee, wine, paper towels , toilet paper ect. I know its easy to order on amazon and have everything the next day but it is nice to have everything you need when you need it.
freeze some meals . Also make sure you have food in the fridge ready to eat for when you get home you will be hungry!
pack your hospital bag and put it in the CAR!
install the car seat
find a pediatrician
have diapers and wipes ready, you don’t want to run out at 2 am!
stock up on batteries for swings , sound machines ect
wash baby clothes, blankets and bottles
prepare an at home post birth recover kit . Think pads, witch hazel, peri bottle ect
make plans for your other children and pets ( make sure you have food for your pets! )

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September 5, 2018September 3, 2018

Get Out of Your Funk and Back To Healthy Living

Sadly Labor day has passed , summer is over and the kids are back to school . ( and I’m still pregnant ! ) Almost everyone I know is ready to for change ! Who else had too much ice cream, pasta , bread and cocktails??! By the end of summer we are all in a funk and ready to get back to our normal healthy lifestyles . I know I’m craving normal meals and my daily workouts . When was the last time you got a good workout in? If you said June , trust me you are not alone!

Get Out of Your Funk and Back To Healthy Living

set small goals. Set some daily , weekly and monthly goals. Set goals you know you are going to crush! This will give a confidence boost and help you to get out of that funk and to keep going!
figure out your biggest challenges. What is going to be your biggest obstacle ? Workouts, nutrition, meal prep, motivation ect . It’s best to figure out your biggest challenge and come up with a plan to get past it.
be honest with yourself about how you go to this point. Be honest, maybe you enjoyed ice cream every night, skipped your workouts most days, had too many cocktails . Being honest with yourself and how you are going to make a change will help you get back to feeling great a lot quicker .
simplify your life/meals/workouts. Make it simple. Don’t get crazy and find some over complicated recipes and meal prep ideas on pinterest. Keep everything easy and make your workouts fun till you get back to a good routine
get outside. Take a morning walk or after dinner walk. Getting fresh air & exercise is a great way to boost your mood
buy some new things ! Get a new workout outfit, water bottle, sneakers or something fun to make meal prep more fun. Adding something new is exciting and can help get you out of that funk. You don’t have to go crazy, sometimes just a new water bottle is enough for me!
start small. Don’t go crazy and throw away all the food in the house and sing up for workout classes 7 days a week. Take it slow. Maybe start with some walks and clean up your diet slowly . Going from 0 to 100 is not going to help you make this healthy lifestyle a long-term thing.
focus on one thing at a time. workouts / nutrition. If you have to start with one thing at a time. Take a week a focus on nutrition . Get back to feeling good , heal your gut and then add in your workouts .
track your foods. I know this isn’t always fun! But tracking what you eat even for a few days can give you a lot of perspective about what needs to be changed.
finish the day the right way. Relax, take a hot shower, stretch if you need too. Get your workouts ready for the next day so you have no excuses. Pour a big glass of water and have it ready for when you wake up. Organize the house a bit so you don’t wake up to chaos. And don’t forget to go to bed early!
talk about it/ find an accountability partner. Sharing your new goals with somewhere is a great way to help keep you on track. You can help keep each other accountable and help each other out when things get tough.

Id love to hear your best tips for getting out of a funk! Comment below and let me know .

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August 31, 2018August 30, 2018

Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

These Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats have to be one of the easiest meals I have ever made! They tasted great and I was able to save some for lunch the next day. They stayed fine overnight in the fridge.

Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

Ingredients :

4 zucchini
ground chicken
buffalo sauce
cheese
Optional: avocado & fresh tomato

Preheat oven to 350. While the over heats up cook your chicken , adding your buffalo sauce while the chicken cooks. If you want to make this a more traditional healthy buffalo chicken recipe you can add plain greek yogurt & cheese to your chicken mixture, I however did not.

While chicken is cooking prep your zucchini . Cutest hem length wise and then scrap out the seeds .

Spray pan with oil and add your boats ( zucchini ) top with the cooked chicken , cheese , tomato and more buffalo sauce if you want it extra hot. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes .

Top with avocado and enjoy!

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August 29, 2018August 28, 2018

Before Baby Freezer Meals

When I was pregnant with Brody I had big plans to make some freezer meals for after but I never got around to it! Now that I have my insta pot meal prep is so EASY that I had no excuses this time around. Below are the meals & recipes that I have made , most are pretty healthy and will serve me, my husband and Brody.

I have been making double batches of the meals below, one for us to eat now and one to freeze so I feel like I am a meal prep queen!

Before Baby Freezer Meals & Recipes

https://www.skinnytaste.com/instant-pot-turkey-meatball-and-ditalini-soup/

I made this in my insta pot. I followed the directions for the meat balls but made some changes for the rest. I plan to reheat on the stove tope so I will be adding 2 cups chicken broth, zucchini, carrots and pasta on the day we eat this! Everything else got frozen.

https://www.skinnytaste.com/easy-bagel-recipe/
https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-chicken-enchilada-soup/
chicken pot pie .

There are tons of recipes out there for pie. Mine is my mother in laws recipe . I made the pie but did not bake it. I will bake from frozen the day we eat it.

these are mainly for Brody but will be great if we are in a pinch or to add to a meal/salad for lunch

I did a double batch of this because we love taco soup!! On the day we eat this I will add avocado and some more cheese .

https://onceamonthmeals.com/recipes/instant-pot-chicken-parmigiana/

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I also frozen some plain shredded chicken , I plan to make buffalo chicken zucchini boats with it but it can be used for other recipes .

Everytime I make kodiak pancakes I make a double batch and freeze them for post baby. Just heat up from frozen in the microwave. These will be perfect for me or Brody for a quick breakfast.

Id love to know your favorite make ahead & freeze recipes! Share some below .

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August 24, 2018August 23, 2018

My Favorite Personal Development Books

If you follow my in instagram ( you should ! ) then you see me share quotes in my stories all the time. People always ask me what books the quotes come from so I thought I would share the PD books I have read this year. Below is a list of my favorite personal development books that I think you will love too.

If you do decide to read some of my favs remember reading the books is one thing but actually doing what the books suggest is whats going to help change your life!

My Favorite Personal Development Books

Miracle Morning ( I have read three! )
The universe has your back
The Secret
The 12 week year
The energy Bus
Rejection Proof
The Compound Effect
Spirit Junkie

Are you a fan of personal development books? Id love to know some of your go to books. Please share below !!

Hospital Bag Must Haves, Round Two

Want to know whats in my hospital bag this time around? Well nothing yet because I haven’t packed!!! But I will be doing that soon and leaving my bag in my car. I had packed my nag for Brody but since my water broke early it was in the car yet ( neither was the car seat! ) So this time around I’m thinking I should prepare a little sooner . Below are my hospital bag must haves for baby number two. I’m sure I’m forgetting something , Id love to hear what you brought! Comment below things I need that I’m missing.

Hospital Bag Must Haves, Round Two

clothes for me and baby. Newborn and 0-3 months. Luckily with Brody I threw in a newborn outfit last-minute because he was too small to fit into 0-3 months.
shower stuff. That first shower with your own things is so good!
pineapple juice ( Pineapples are a natural anti-inflammatory that can help with blocked ducts! pineapple juice is also loaded with fiber and vitamin C )
light weight robe. I was SO hot after having Brody, the hospital felt like it was 200 degrees! A light robe is a must
lotion for hands and face , tooth-brush & paste , brush
phone charger for me and Shane
chap stick
wallet with ID & insurance card
protein bars
nursing bra ( I don’t think I ever put this on last time but I’ll pack one just incase )

My list seems small but I think that is all I am bringing. Last time I brought all sorts of after birth care items but the hospital had everything I needed so I will leave those at home this time. Am I forgetting anything?? Please let me know below!

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August 17, 2018August 14, 2018

Second Baby To Do List

Now that I’m 32 weeks pregnant and Brody came early I should probably get stuff ready! Before Brody I had plans to make some freezer meals but I never got around to it. Making some meals is definitely on my to do list this time around. Id love hear from you, what I am forgetting?! Comment below with some ideas for me, I appreciate it.

Second Baby To Do List:

finish her room. I still need to paint
wash things that have been stored. Clothes, blankets, swing cover ect
get size one diapers. Its been awhile since I bought small diapers!
clean carseat + install base ( we didn’t have it in the car with Brody because he came early! )
set up a plan for Brody while we are gone. I am hoping someone will come stay at our house with Brody & the dogs
freezer meals
pack a bag for me and Shane
set up crib ( after I paint ) and pack and play. We used the pack and play a lot with Brody, it has a seat and a changing table on top.
make sure I have enough dog food
supplies for the house. I want to make sure I have enough coffee, dish soap, tooth paste , shampoo paper towels ect. I know those things are easy to buy on amazon but its nice to have a stock pile. Plus people will be stopping by and it’s always nice to have extra coffee to offer
baby proof for when I am nursing. I need to make sure Brody can’t get into anything while I feed the new baby.
pick up some of my favorite red wine

Things I have done already

stroller set up. I have the uppa baby vista and I already have a rumble seat that come with one set of attachments. I just need to get a second set which isn’t totally necessary but does add extra room.

Ha! I haven’t done a lot ! Id love to know how you prepared for baby. Comment below and get the convo started.

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August 15, 2018August 14, 2018

Diastasis Recti, A Plan To Help You Close The Gap

You have probably heard about the “mom Pooch” but you might not actually know what it is. It could be ab separation , and the good news is there is a way to fix it!

Diastasis recti happens during pregnancy when the two large ab muscles separate due to your growing uterus. In some cases your ab muscles go back to normal once you give birth but in a lot of women they do not. Diastasis recti is very common and often called the mom pooch. If you do have an ab separation ( even if your kids are older ) you can do some moves at home that can help close the gap.

Remember always check with your doctor first before adding in any of the moves from below. Also a Dr can help determine the size of your gap.

I hear from moms all the time that they can not get rid of their belly. Diet and traditional exercise will not help fix DR. You can be spot on with your nutrition and still not see the results you want if you are suffering from DR.

Check for Diastasis Recti:

First you need to check to see if you have DR. To do so:

Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet close to your butt.
Place your hand on your abdomen with your fingertips flat at your belly button, fingers facing downward.
Gently push your fingertips into your abdomen while rolling your shoulders off of the floor, keeping eyes looking up
Here is where you will feel for a separation between your ab muscles. A 2-2.5 finger gap or more signals diastasis recti.

Close the Gap

Start by doing the five moves listed below 5-10 reps per move every day for a week. Each week add 5-10 more reps in . You want to take deep breathes in and out and really focus on the muscles you are contracting . Try these moves for a month or two and then re-test your ab gab. Avoid sit ups, v ups and planks for now.

Abdominal Drawing In

Draw ins NOT suck ins. This move will safely start to engage and strengthen your ab muscles. Drawing in is not the same as sucking in, instead its done by using your inner ab muscles to pull your abdomen toward your spine. Think about using your lower abs for this move. This move is something you can do as you walk around your house, as you sit & stand, when you pick up the baby ect or you can do it lying down .

Belly Breathing

Lying flat on your back. Deeply inhale, your belly & chest should inflate. Next you will slowly exhale all the air out, drawing in your abdominal wall & hold that draw in for as long as you can ( image that you are wearing a corset) You can also do this move standing up tall. You will inhale deeply just like if you are on the ground and exhale, drawing your belly button in and up toward your spine( again image you are wearing a corset ) and hold that draw in for as long as you can

Abduction Ab Activation

Grab a resistance band and loop it right above your knees. Lying on your back exhale, draw in and engage your pelvic floor muscles while you pull your knees apart. Rest & repeat.

Draw in Rotations

With a broomstick or small pvc pipe behind your neck on your shoulders, perform the belly breathing from above, when all your air is exhaled and you are holding your breath and drawing in, slowly rotate from side to side for as long as you can .

Heel Sliders

Lie flat on your back with your knees bent , feet flat on the floor. Exhale as you engage your core and slowly slide one heel along the ground until your leg is straight. Inhale, engage your core then exhale as you bring your heel back to the start position.

There are a TON of videos on youtube to help learn how to breath correctly I highly recommend watching a couple.

Id love to hear from you! Do you have a gap? Or did you get one after having kids? I love to know if these exercises worked for you. I plan on adding them in this fall after having this baby!

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August 10, 2018August 8, 2018

Zucchini Noodle Bowls

Zucchini Noodle Bowl

These bowls are so tasty and thanks to Trader Joes ( and most stores ) , extra easy to make!! Sometimes life with Brody can be difficult , especially around dinner time!! Getting the pre cut, almost ready foods are not my fav but I do love almost anything from TJ and these things are simple and clean. So I bought some guac, already zoodled zucchini and some already pealed & cubed sweet potatoes to make life easier.

The sweet potatoes come all peeled and cut, all you have to do is cook them. I like to heat them in the microwave for about 2-3 min then add them to a skillet to make them crispy. The zucchini is these bowls are not cooked! How easy is that!! And since the guac comes already made all you have to do is mix it with the zoodles.

I like to top mine with hard-boiled eggs and tomatoes to make it a little more filling.

Zucchini Noodle Bowl

cooked & cubed sweet potato
zoodles
guacamole
salt & pepper
Optional, eggs & tomatoes

Mix the zoodles, guacamole , slat & pepper . Add the cooked sweet potatoes , and egg and tomatoes ! Garnish & enjoy!!!

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