Soy Ginger Turkey Bowl

I made from scratch an incredible meal that is healthy and filling and full of flavor (and ate it all before I could take a picture, my apologies). This is just a quick and easy lunch or dinner bowl that you just have to trust your taste buds with the measurements.

1lb ground turkey
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 zucchini
5 baby carrots
4 asparagus stalks
1 cup quinoa
ginger powder
low sodium soy sauce
minced garlic
red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
EVOO

Slice all veggies into long strips to prep. Cook 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water according to package directions. While that is cooking, brown turkey in a pan. A couple minutes before the turkey is fully cooked, throw the veggies into a separate skillet with oil, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Put the veggies on low heat while you finish the turkey (I feel like it gives them a better, crisper texture). Once the turkey is fully browned, dump any residual water and add soy sauce, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes- the soy sauce will reduce so use as much as needed but don't drown the turkey, there should be little to no sauce left in the pan. Once you find the flavor you want, add turkey to veggies and mix well. Drop a couple large spoonfuls of quinoa into a bowl and top with the veg/turkey mixture and ENJOY!

Calories: 457
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 27g
Fat: 22g (mainly from the turkey and olive oil)

Lazy days turn into lazy months.

I don't know how I've lost it, but my motivation has been completely pushed out the window. I am constantly exhausted and feel like I could sink into the couch for eternity, which I'm sure comes with motherhood, but I know is also linked to my late nights after work- and that is where I start to make some changes. I believe that if I can just focus on 'early to bed, early to rise' and get my day started bright and early, my energy levels will rise with the sun! Atti is starting to get so mobile and energetic, I'm going to need to start waking up earlier just to compete with her anyway.
I've asked BJ Ward to set me up with a meal/fitness plan and the deal was that I have to go to the gym 3 days a week for two straight weeks to prove that I'm being serious and he isn't wasting his time- so tomorrow (or Friday, if the gym isn't open on holidays) I will start day one. I am attempting to clean up my eating habits again, so hopefully that will help with my energy levels as well! (I made probably my best healthy dinner out of scratch tonight, you can find the recipe)

I'm already being a hypocrite at this point because it is 11pm and I am blogging so I will jump off of here and curl up with my pillow now! Here's looking at more energy, more time in the day, and more happiness!

November Dedication

I have been spending a very long time adding to and ignoring the stress in my life and something needs to change. From now on I will be doing a monthly dedication to the things I need to be focusing on to create a happier and stress-free life for myself and my family. I will look at this month like a trial run considering we are already more than half way done with it- but any place is a good place to start right?


November Dedication: Indulgence
For the next couple weeks, I plan to indulge in things I haven't given myself time for.

1. Yoga every day to release some of the tension I'm definitely holding in my body.
2. Be a girly girl- mani/pedi/facials, I have everything I need to give myself some pampering here and I need to start taking advantage of that.
3. Mother-daughter time! I spend so much time around my daughter and not enough time with her. I need to set aside some time away from the distractions to focus on bonding with my little girl.
4. Date nights- this one, Blade and I have already addressed and fixed, but I will continue to set aside a night a week to enjoy the wonderful man that I get to share my life with.
5. Read something that isn't a textbook. I have a stack of books on my shelf that are just waiting to be opened.


I think these five things are a good start to creating the best days of my life: I don't need to wait until the new year to make changes, I just need to motivate. (And I have already crossed #1 and #3 off my list before noon today!) Wish me luck!

I crack myself up.

Before I make a post, I always make sure to go back and read the previous one to be sure to keep my updates timely and repetitive, and they always include the same thing "I'll make sure to post more often!". To the mamas that have time to deal with the day to day and keep up with their blogs, I tip my hat to you ladies! I just don't know how you guys do it! Life with a now toddler who turns 11 months in a couple weeks, a new job (yes, another new job), and school, is just intense! But I love every second of it. I'm starting to find a good pace to keep up with all the craziness and I'm sure it only gets smoother from here right? ;) The main update, of course, is about the new new job- I stayed as long as possible at Barrel 31, but with the owner and management the way they were, I just couldn't stand it anymore. With those issues and the scheduling issues, it just didn't seem like a good fit for my family and I anymore, so I put in my two weeks. I now work at Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen on 15th and Oak and I am very happy with the transition. I am serving, which I never thought I would go back to, but I am making twice as much as my salary was in almost half the hours. I get to spend majority of my days and week nights with Atti, make great money on the weekends, and have made some new friends along the way. I am really hoping that this will be the last job I take while going through school, I would really like to stay put for once! Blade and I have never been better- we have worked through some of the issues that were eating at our relationship a couple months ago. Mostly communication issues, we realized that we were dealing with really small things that were turning into really big problems and it has been about two months since we have really had any issues since smoothing things out. It is incredible what can be accomplished if you just sit down and talk for a few minutes a day! Atticus is mobile and loving every second of it! She popped up and took a couple of steps one day and was in a full out sprint the next. I am still amazed by how quickly she grows and changes- I fully understand why they say "they grow up so fast"; I am already missing things from a few months ago (although I did get some snuggles during a nap yesterday, which melted my heart). Lastly, this semester is coming to an end soon and I am pretty proud of myself for trucking through this first year back at school. Once my physics class started last month, it got a little hectic trying to juggle my current schoolwork plus that condensed class, but I have finally gotten into a rhythm. I need to take my math placement class and get enrolled in that for next semester and I will officially have a two-year degree! I think I may try to take a sommolier course (although I'm not sure where to find one) to help excel at Tannin. Can't hurt to learn while I'm learning right? Holidays are in full effect and I can't wait to share some firsts with Atti! Pictures and updates will come sometime before February, I promise ;)

Camera Roll: Ten Months

This year is going by so fast, I can't keep up with it- or our daughter! We have a WALKER!!!! Atti Roux is no longer my stationary little thing, but is up and walking- even running at this point. I can't believe she started so soon (it happened about a month ago). She is a happy, healthy, and spunky little girl and I love the character she is becoming. Here are some pictures since the last post!

Update: Seven months

Miss Atti Roux is in her prime! I can't even begin to tell you the love I have for this little girl, she is growing so fast and has become such a personality. She got to go on her first road trip with daddy to Nebraska and was a peach the whole time. She's getting interested in books and songs, and is so curious about the world around her. I can't believe how much she has changed in the past few months.

Sweet girl playing in Nebraska.

She is a huge fan of Panera, just like mommy.

Baby Update!

How old: 7 1/2 months

Weight & Length: 15lbs 4oz, 27.5 in long

Feeding:  Let the fun begin! Miss Bean is officially eating some solid foods now. My supply dropped so she is on formula only, but now we give her bits and pieces of what we are eating and she loves it. It's become an awesome bonding experience and very entertaining to say the least!

Sleep: While I was on the float trip, Blade managed to "ferberize" her and now her sleeping patterns are fantastic. She stays up for longer periods, with a nap every 2-4 hours throughout the day, and goes to bed around 9. She will stay asleep until about 4-5:30 to wake for a bottle, and then back to sleep for another couple hours (sometimes she even sleeps in until 9). It's been a blessing now that she doesn't fight sleep so much, putting her down is a sweet experience instead of a cage match.

Favorites right now: She LOVES broccoli cheddar soup, eggs, Gerber puffs, and tater tots. Weird combination, I know. I love watching her explore new foods, and the face she makes when she tries something for the first time is hilarious.

Milestones: Not only is this little monster off-belly crawling, but she is pulling herself to standing and can even kind of let go and wobble a bit on her own. Baby proofing the house has been a challenge, and keeping up with her takes so much energy, but it is amazing watching the drastic changes happy day to day. We will probably have a toddler before we know it.

Avocado-toast anyone?

<3

Life needs a refresh button.

Things have been CRAZY the past three months. I don't think I've posted anything since May, and life has definitely changed quite a bit so I will run through some important details:

1.  I am officially the General Manager at Sol and Barrel, my first ever salary job.
2. I am only 4 classes away from finishing my Associates degree. I am taking two classes now plus another one during the 2nd 8 weeks, as well as one last class in spring (so I can get all the grant money possible.
3. I have had my first trip away from the baby: a float trip to NRO with Sierra, Jessica, and Jen. It was a blast, minus typical intoxicated drama. Girls will be girls.
4. I FINALLY HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT WITH MONEY IN IT!
5. Atticus is almost 8 months old and getting into everything.
6. Uncle Jeff was diagnosed with esophageal cancer; it has spread to his lymph nodes and spine. He is in amazing spirits, however, and is currently on a month long visit to Europe.

Life in this household has changed quite a bit this year, and man has it been an adventure. I'm still getting a hold of being a mommy but I feel like I'm finally finding a comfort in it, instead of being so anxious. Having a baby has put a bit of strain on Blade and my's relationship, but he is the most incredible father to Atti and it melts my heart watching them interact. She adores him, just lights up when he is around. 

The kitties are now indoor/outdoor cats and are happier than I could've imagined- not to mention the house has a ton less fur in it. They are still hesitant with the baby, but are warming up to her- Puff ALMOST lets her touch him now.

As for me, I've been a basket case lately. I haven't been to the gym in an embarrassingly long time and I eat at work mostly, which means homestyle cooking or tacos, so you can imagine I'm not in as good of shape as I planned to be seven months postpartum. Mentally, I'm exhausted as well, especially with the new job and school. Emotionally, however, I'm feeling back to my old self. I stopped taking my PPD pills last month and haven't seen a negative impact from it! I miss focusing on myself and my family and plan to make that a priority over anything else, and I'm starting now with getting back to the blogging world! Wish me luck!

Camera Roll: Five-Six Months

First trip away from home, destination: Montezuma!

The newlyweds! Richard and Makenna Smith!

FIRST FOODS! Apples, cheerios, and crackers

Pulling herself to standing!

<3

He is gorgeous <3<3<3

I can't even with this picture.

Update: Four+ Months

Oh the difference a couple of months makes! Atticus is growing into a beautiful and lively little girl and I can't believe how big her personality is. Everything is starting to get a little smoother, with a few hiccups now and then, but it is definitely much easier than the first few months. And now let me bombard you with cutie pictures!!

We finished off Breaking Bad! She loves it as much as I do.

All drool and Cupie Doll hair right now.

Baby Update!

How old: 21 weeks

Weight & Length: 12 pounds, 8 ounces and 24 inches long

Feeding: We started supplementing with formula so I don't have to be on the pump all the time and it has really helped me feel a little more free. She seems to care less what she's getting as long as she gets fed. My supply has leveled out and it's taking a little more effort for let down but that just means no more leaky boobs! 

Sleep: It is back and forth with her and the crib. She naps in the crib or with us if we are wanting some Zzz's too, but night time is still a fight. She really doesn't like sleeping long periods on her own and has trouble getting herself back to sleep so she usually starts in the crib and ends up with me. I'm working on it.

Dirty stuff: ALL DROOL ALL THE TIME! We have officially started teething so she is a drooling mess. Other than that, the dirty diapers are down to once a day (still a million wet ones), so we don't have to deal with the explosions anymore.

Milestones: Miss Atti Roux can officially roll all over, front to back and back to front. She also has found her feet, which is the cutest thing I've ever seen. She is grabbing things and actually holding on, and she's looking around for us now. She is getting really alert and sociable, I've gotten a few full out laughs this past week. She is following all of the developmental steps to the T!

I can't wait to see what the next few months brings for her! (And here are more pictures, of course)

Ugh, I'm melting inside!

16 weeks postpartum

((Sorry, this post is a little delayed. Life definitely gets in the way sometimes.))

So these pictures were at my four months PP and I'm pretty happy with how I look! I'm just about down to my pre pregnancy size, and I can FINALLY fit into my regular jeans again, even if they are a little more snug than last time. I have been slacking so hard and I haven't been to the gym in a month, which changes tomorrow. I am starting a sober month today and am going to use that time to focus intently on my health- I've been eating pretty bad and haven't been as active as I want to be. So hopefully, the next pictures I post will end up having some pretty drastic results! Wish me luck!!

Turkey Wrap

So I never end up making a healthy wrap that has enough flavor without adding a ton of sugar and calories... until today. Easy and right at 200 calories, this wrap has a ton of flavor and fills you up!

2 slices oven roasted turkey, sliced
1 slice tomato, diced
1.5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

2 tbsp Trader Joe's Feta cheese spread

1 Trader Joe's spinach tortilla

Calories: 203

Protein: 12g

Fat: 5g

Carbs: 26g

Dates Out and Nights In

Every new mom will probably agree with me on one big thing: as much as you love your drooly little monster, sometimes you just need a break! As Atti gets bigger and more independent, Mama has been able to spread her wings a little bit and get rid of some of the cabin fever that has been accumulating since the baby was born. I love my little bug more than life itself, but I have to remember that I am more than just a mom, I am a woman who needs some time with her friends and loved ones. So that is exactly what I've been doing!

Thanks to a handful of some very awesome women, I have been able to enjoy some wine on the patio (and the couch...and the kitchen...) and have some much need conversation and laughs. It is a breath of fresh air to have friends who know that I have a baby and help work around my needs and theirs to make sure that we can still have some girl time. The baby enjoys the fresh faces and my arms enjoy a break from carrying and bouncing her around.

Also, since the baby has been doing so well with company and traveling, Blade took the two of us out to a romantic date last night to the new Cleaver & Cork in PNL! We both got to get a little fancy and she was an absolute angel the entire time. She stayed awake long enough to get loved on by Andrew Olsen and friends that work there, and then fell asleep by the time our entrees showed up and stayed that way until we left. It was really nice to have a night out with my loves without any fussing or having to worry about feeding her every five minutes. This parenting thing may be starting to get a little easier!

These two make my heart melt. I am a very happy lady. <3