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!