Starting over with anything, can be hard. Ok it IS hard. In some way, shape, or form. What better time than a New Year, right? So cliche, but so true.
This is not my typical mom blog post so if that’s what you’re looking for, that’s for another day.
First off, I’m welcoming myself back to my own blog. Yes, my own damn blog. The one I bought my domain and then hit a zero motivation wall when the big bad Covid came to wreck our worlds. I tossed that money down the drain.
I went from making a full time income on social media to nothing. I just didn’t care or have anything profound to say.
I’m here to say I miss creating content. So I’m back and starting from square one. My goal though is to only work with brands that value creators, and brands I can honestly stand by. So if that’s you, email me 😉
This is just part 1 of the starting over blog. Stay tuned for part 2. Now that I’m back, I may never shut up.
It’s not a secret the holiday routines are a little different this year. We could all sit around and sulk, or we can make it one to remember. Make it something special with what we are handed. Right?
Every year we each pick out an ornament for our tree. We get one in the summer on our beach vacation, then one when we put our tree up. Now that there is five of us, you can say our tree has exploded! Each ornament tells a story. I have ones in memory of my dad and they’re so special to me. Then we have some he had given us before passing, so they get put at the way top! It’s funny to see the kids interests change each year with what they pick. We go from Nemo to Toy Story. From Goofy to The Grinch. I can guarantee you if you ask the girls, they know which one is theirs…and where it came from.
Our goal for this is so when they are older, we get to give them each their collection when they start their own family. So that they can carry this tradition forward with their kids.
The only thing I suggest is for all my fellow OCD moms, keep a separate tree for this. The clutter is no ones friend but so worth it in the end!
I’ve connected with some amazing Bloggers to share some blogs featuring Christmas! Regardless if you’ve decked the halls or not, you don’t wanna miss these! Recipes, crafts, decor & more! Head to each of their blogs to check out what they are sharing.
Cheyenne
The Ultimate Kids Gift Guide For An Intentional Christmas
! I knew getting two girls ready to get out the door was going to be a challenge. We live so close to the school that I decided it was best I drive them this year. With COVID, they have to wear masks on the bus and I didn’t want them to experience that. I also did not want to get up a 5 am just to get all their stuff ready. No thanks, totally not a morning person!
Right now they’re on a hybrid schedule. Every other day they are home and doing virtual learning. So it gives me time to plan for their school days. Every night before they have their normal school day I get a few things ready. I pick out their outfits, down to the bows they want to wear! That saves me so many meltdowns in the morning of something they don’t want to put on!
They are kept on the floor for easy grabbing in the morning. They know which one is which and there hasn’t been any arguing, yet! I get their book bags packed the night before with any of their homework they have completed. Blake has nap time at school so she gets her pillow and blanket packed too! Although she hates nap time and tells her teacher she won’t. Kids these days don’t know what they’re missing! I save the rest for morning, and we head to bed!
When we get up for school I get them dressed as I go down to pack lunches. They also refuse to eat school lunches, and who can blame them. Lunch is so different this year with them not allowed to sit with friends. So I try to pack them things they’ll like and make their day better. Fruit snack mom over here with zero shame! They have to take a water bottle to school because drinking fountains are shut off so we get that packed up and ready to go.
At this point we are ready to go. I have everything ready by the door. It’s so crazy to see masks hanging with their book bags like it’s normal. I guess the new normal I won’t ever get used to.
I’m hoping to set routines for myself too. I never ran off a schedule but now that I’ve done it, I think the entire family will benefit from it!
I’ve connected with some amazing Bloggers to share some blogs featuring routines. Routines for mornings, working from home, homeschool, self care, plants and so much more! Head to each of their blogs to check out what they are sharing.
Tacos are a weekly family favorite in our house. If I don’t make them once, sometimes twice, the girls will let me know! This week got away from me with deciding the girls schooling fate, meeting with teachers, phone calls, and shopping for homeschooling…I honestly just forgot. Mom fail, I know.
So after meeting the teacher late last night I had to improvise with the only store in a 20 mile radius from us, Dollar General. I knew this would be tough but I think we managed! Bonus for being super budget friendly!
I’ll be honest, I had no idea what I was looking for as I walked the aisles. I just grabbed random items I saw and hoped for the best.
Best find of the night? Queso blanco cheese sauce in a can. Sounds awful, am I right? But being it was canned and cheap, it was pretty dang ok in my book!
The girls didn’t even notice there wasn’t taco meat thank goodness! I guess the two pounds of cheese made them overlook that fact.
I also found these frozen quesadillas in the freezer section. I grabbed them on a whim just to test the waters. Guys they weren’t awful, I mean they aren’t something I’d regularly make for taco night, but for a quick cheat it was alright!
Pro mom tip: grab those disposable pans when you do this to make for easy clean up. I had close to no dishes to clean and that’s a major plus for me!
So while these don’t look the prettiest or fanciest, they worked. My kids were happy and it was a fun dollar store challenge! When in doubt, you can always find something at the dollar store!
I’ve connected with some amazing Bloggers to share some blogs featuring tacos. Tacos, fajitas, nachos and all things taco themed. Head to each of their blogs to check out what they are sharing.
I can’t wait to share my next mom hack with y’all! Stay tuned 🙂
When it comes to splurging I have to admit I’m bad at it. I’m bad in a way I never treat myself. I’m a mom of three so I’d rather splurge on them. While that’s a moms job to spoil and love them, sometimes a mom needs something for herself. Am I right?!
The thing is, when you’re working hard to save money, get out of debt, or even just pay the bills, it’s easy to start to believe that splurging is “bad”! That it’s something we should feel guilty about.
But the whole point of working hard and having money is to sometimes be able to enjoy it. My dad always said you can’t enjoy it after you die! I’d say he was correct in that! So while too much splurging can definitely get us into trouble, it’s ok to do it responsibly!
It’s really in the last few years, since I’ve entered my 30s, that I’ve begun to feel comfortable with the idea of spending more money on a few really important things. Things that I want, plain and simple. And things that will last forever, those are really worth the extra bucks!
Yes, it’s important to live within your means. I totally get that. Taking on more debt for a frilly vacation (even though mama needs a Caribbean escape!) or a new outfit probably isn’t wise, nor is it advisable, especially when trying to tackle debt. There I said it.
With all that being said, I totally recommend getting a planner to manage finances and set that splurge day up! I love my planners, I have about five. Maybe that’s my splurge!
Something I REALLY wanted was my Cannon camera. But it’s so hard for me to bite the bullet and get something, even if I’ll use it and need it! My husband actually had to hit the order button for me, I’m such a chicken sometimes. If you’re going to buy a camera, splurge girlfriend. Do it. It’s worth it and you’ll use it for years.
Something else I really wanted and saved for was a professional heat press to help me produce shirts at a faster pace. I also didn’t want to hit order but it’s something I’ll use for a long time in my business. Creating crafts is something that soothes me. Every piece I make just makes me happy!
Another thing that’s so silly and most will laugh at is my tier tray decor & Rae Dunn. Sorry not sorry, it’s my guilty pleasure that technically I don’t need, but WANT. I was so happy to buy our new house and have a two corner cabinets to display my Rae Dunn! Although now I need more, and man finding Rae Dunn during a pandemic is rough. I also found myself buying decor for my tier tray, and losing it between holidays. So I started making my own in my Etsy shop! It’s still a splurge buying the stuff to crest pieces but I get exactly what I want, and I can make them for friends!
So my point really in this entire blog is, treat yourself. Please don’t ever think I’m telling you not to. DO IT GIRL. Just do it responsibly and make sure your splurge is something that brings you joy.
I’ve connected with some amazing Bloggers to share some splurge day themed blogs with you. Head to each of their blogs to check out what they are sharing.
This post is Brough to you by our sponsor ” Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.
So this is my fourth and final blog update on Always Eat After 7 PM, and I have loved sharing this journey with you all. All together I have lost 15 pounds, gained so much energy, and learned how to keep my nutrition on track. I’ve learned that myths are just that, myths. I won’t ever be afraid to try something out of the norm, or just because someone told me it wouldn’t work. I will stick with the truth from now on.
Fact is, most diets are extremely narrow with regard to food choices and variety, and many even limit entire macronutrients altogether over the course of the entire program (think low-carb and low-fat diets). Three months with no carbs? No thanks. Such practices not only are entirely unnecessary, but make for a miserable, unsustainable experience.
I plan to continue following Joels plan and document all of my results. Following a plan with amazing recipes and an easy no fail plan, is my kind of lifestyle. There is no way I will go back to where I was a month ago.
As a reminder: The Always Eat After 7 PM plan consists of: The 14-day Acceleration Phase to kick-start the program and see rapid results, The Main Phase where you’ll learn exactly which foods to eat when in order to achieve your weight-loss goals, The Lifestyle Phase to keep the weight off for good.
If you are just now tuning into these blogs, make sure to check out the first three to see what this is all about.
Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.
This post is Brough to you by our sponsor ” Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.
It is week three and I am loving this. My energy just keeps increasing and my diet has been so easy to follow! Joel makes this all so easy for on the go moms! He shares so many recipes that actually taste good, not like the normal bland diet foods that only rabbits eat.
Specific higher-carbohydrate foods (including berries and cherries) support your fat-burning metabolism while you sleep, providing your body with a steady stream of fuel throughout the night. The trick is knowing how to combine them with other evening and pre-bedtime fat-burning foods to fuel your metabolism as you sleep.
Speaking of sleep, I’m actually getting some. You know, when the baby lets me! No really, I used to have an awful time falling asleep. Now it’s easy and I feel rested when I wake up.
Joel Marion’s Always Eat After 7PM program makes dieting easy and eliminates 90% of reasons for resistance. There go all my excuses for not following through!
If you haven’t checked out my first two blog posts about this journey go ahead and click here. I promise they won’t disappoint!
Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.
This post is brought to you by our sponsor “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed are my own.
This post is Brough to you by our sponsor ” Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.
I am so excited to write this blog this week. I am about to share some results I am already seeing and share why I chose this book! Guys, I have to be real for a moment, I am an energy drink junkie. I am talking 2 a day, every day. I couldn’t function with out them. I am down 5 pounds in ONE week. To put that in perspective I lost only 12 in a month following another plan. I have more energy to keep up with three kids, one being only 3 months old! That means more time playing with them and less time being a cranky mom. I want to share some questions I had for Joel so you can understand better why I chose this book and trusted him with my health.
Bestselling author, Joel Marion, is a fitness expert and nutritionist debunking the myths underlying traditional dieting and offers a simple, highly effective weight loss program.
The most challenging times to curb hunger are just before bed (hello binge eating) and in the morning. By following the Always Eat After 7PM program, you have the most willpower to stay on the diet because you are eating during the hours when you are most hungry. This also puts you into both intermittent fasting increasing testosterone and your metabolism, while putting you into ketosis.
What prompted you to write this book and share your secrets?
“After authoring 6 best selling books it was glaringly obvious there were 2 huge misconceptions about dieting that needed to be exposed. The first is that you can’t eat late at night or before bed, which science now shows is NOT true. And second, you can’t eat large portions that satisfy your natural instinct. This book solves both these problems by providing an evidence-based, enjoyable approach to dieting that can be used by any person to quickly achieve their weight loss goal”
What surprised you the most when you were researching scientific data for the diet?
That almost everything my college education and certifications taught me was NOT grounded in published scientific research.
Give me three words to describe yourself?
Born To Impact
That last question really got me, Joel knew he wanted to impact peoples health and set out to do so!
If you haven’t checked out my first blog check it out here. Learn more about the book and how to purchase it here.
Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.
As usual I will check in with you next week as you follow along!
This post is brought to you by our sponsor ” Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.
Since having our third and final baby five months ago, I knew I had to find my way back to my healthy lifestyle. That can be harder than it sounds with a postpartum mindset and a newborn baby that takes all your time. When I was asked to take a look at “Always Eat After 7 PM” I was ecstaitc to say the least! I knew I needed a guide line to get me back into my nutrition, and this was my chance. I want to share the good and bad with you over the next month with my journey.
In Always Eat After 7 PM you will learn about three phases. It is comprised of The Acceleration Phase, The Main Phase, and the Lifestyle Phase. In the Acceleration Phase you will learn how to kick off the program to see maximum results quickly, and who doesn’t want to see those results? Then there is the Main Phase where your nutrition comes into play. You’ll learn what foods to eat and not to eat so that you can reach those goals faster. Lastly you’ll learn about the Lifestyle Phase which is where you’ll learn how to make this a lifestyle. No one wants to follow a plan, see results, and then fall off the wagon!
I had always heard that eating after 7 PM was a huge NO when it came to nutrition. Any diet I have tried and failed at would have me not eating after 7 which resulted in huge cravings!
“Late-night eating also curbs calorie intake the next day. in a four-week study, dieters added a snack to their daily regimen 90 minutes after dinner every night, and check this out: late-night eaters ate an average of 397 calories per day”
I love that Joel had a thought about this, and went after answers to help himself. In his first two weeks of using his theory he lost 12 pounds! What?! Count me in! In just 16 weeks he was down 46 pounds!
I packed on almost 60 pounds with this pregnancy so I am over the moon excited to see my results and share them with all of you. Stay tuned next week for my update!
While you wait for the update check out a video from Joel with some tips and tricks to get you started! If you want to purchase the book and follow along you can do so here.
Always Eat After 7 PM: The revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks – While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.
This post is brought to you by our sponsor “Always Eat After 7 PM“. The opinions expressed are my own.
If you’ve been mindlessly scrolling Facebook while you’re stuck inside, you have probably seen this whipped coffee trend go crazy. I mean if you see it on Facebook, it has to be legit. Right?!
I don’t know about that so I obviously had to try it for myself. You’re talking to the caffeine addicted mom who drinks triple espressos and still nods off. I can’t go a day without coffee or some form of caffeine. It’s a proven fact. Maybe an unhealthy one, but fact!
First let me start out by saying most of the posts I saw…lie. Don’t try doing this by hand. Unless of course you are getting your upper body workout in for the day HA! Get yourself a tiny hand blender. I have a small one and medium size, go small! It’s going to form the best peaks in your foam that it will take a lot of whisking otherwise. Thanks but no thanks. That’s a hard pass for me.
Ingredients are super simple. Two tablespoons Instant coffee (must be instant!), two tablespoons sugar, two tablespoons hot water. Get creative and add some cinnamon because it tastes delicious and has health benefits. Thank me later.
Ready for easy? Just add that to a deep bowl (so it doesn’t splash everywhere. Trust me) , blend until peaks form, top it on your favorite milk of choice. I use a lactose free milk but any will do.
Now if you are sensitive to caffeine I would cut that recipe in half. This recipe is equivalent to six cups of coffee. You read that right mama, six. Thank god it’s easy to make or I would need an iv of it to get me through.
I’m going to need y’all to go try this and report back how you think it tastes. I personally love it, but like I said I can tolerate straight espresso. Oops! Stay tuned for my cold foam recipe this week too. I may as well keep y’all caffeinated and strong 🙂
Adventures with the Aikens 