Mama tip!!!!!

  Good morning, friends.  I hope your Friday morning is going well.  We are doing good here and I don't want to jinx it.  But, I think I can say that Lola girl is on the mend.  Last night she did a lot better through the night.  No constant coughing fits.  We are getting ready for our trip and for Easter.  So, busy- busy...as usual. :)  I have a "mama tip" I would like to share with you mama's, though. So, here it is...
  
   I know that sometimes fitting in a work out when you are a busy Mom can be tough.  People often ask me how I get my long work outs in when I am busy also being the President of the entertainment committee. hehe Actually, that's what I refer to myself as.   It has been almost a year and a half, however.  So, she's gotten use to it (somewhat) and she's older- so that makes it much easier.  I'm not sure how I would do it if I had a busy toddler running wild.  lol. But, I do have days when shes being very clingy and trying to talk me out of my work outs.  I have to become creative at that point.  So, this is where the "mama tip" comes in. :)  A few different times now when she was having one of her days- I decided I would set up a little sensory play in the sink and make it BEACH themed.  She loved it and it kept her busy for awhile so that I could get my workout done. This is what I did.

-I filled up the sink with warm water (Lola is allergic to cold water, I'm pretty sure- she always has to have it warm)
-added blue food coloring to the water until the desired shade of blue.
-brought all of her beach toys out of retirement and set them all up for her.
-oh yeah, and towels. :)  If your kids are like Lola- she loves to splash water.
-I brought a kitchen chair to the sink and put a towel underneath the chair, on top of the chair and then a hand towel too.

                                                        
                                                        Here she is-playing away!


I realize- if you have a very young child, this could be tough to do.  But, for an older toddler on up- I think this is a great idea.  I usually set up my work out area so I can still keep an eye on her because sometimes, she likes to be naughty with the water. ;) I hope this helps some and makes it a little easier to get your work out in. :)  Have a wonderful Friday and I may or may not be back until Monday.  Depends on how busy I get. :) In that case, I want to wish you all a fabulous Easter weekend and I would like to leave you with this quote I found the other day.

\

Homemade Vick's Vapor Tablets

Yesterday as I was browsing Pinterest,  I saw a recipe for Vick's Vapor tablets.  As Lola was next to me coughing up a storm.  I thought to myself....I have to give these a whirl!  It's easy enough. Maybe it will help that nasty cough she has going?   I had everything on hand. So, why not?!  I have bought Vick's Vapor tablets in the past and only two come in a pack( if i remember right) and they are spendy.  So, I always challenge myself to try to recreate the same thing at home for a fraction of the price. :)  Here is the recipe for these easy peasy lil things.

What you need:
Baking soda
Water
Essential Oils- eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.
Muffin tin
Muffin liners

What you do:

1. Add baking soda to a mixing bowl.  I don't measure much.  So, "about" 2-3 cups.

2. Slowly add water until you've made a thick paste.  Add just a little water at a time. You will want the mix like a putty.

3. Add 15 drops of each essential oil into the mix.


4. Spoon into muffin tin lined with your muffin liners and let sit out for 12-18 hours.  You can also bake these.
(side note) Being the inpatient one that I am- I stuck ours in the freezer for about 10 minutes so they would set up.  Lola and I were going to take a shower shortly after I made them- so I wanted them done. asap.) :)

5. When they are set.  Pop them out of the paper liner and plop them in the shower.  Let the essential oils steam away your stuffy nose and cough.  You can put them anywhere on the floor of your shower.  We put ours right down where the hot water will hit it..

Have fun making these!  They are so simple and will save you lots of money the next time you are sick. :)  Happy Thursday, friends. 

Reese's PB cup cupcakes- with no oil or eggs. :)

So, since today is my Birthday.  I decided I would post one of my favorite cupcake recipe's.  It has NO oil or eggs in it.  But, seltzer water and greek yogurt, instead. :)  People look at werid when I tell them that. :) It cuts the fat and calories down.  Not that cupcakes are healthy...but it helps cut the bad stuff down a bit.  Oh, and did I mention they are one of the moist cupcakes i've ever had?!  I've done the water/yogurt trick for many different combo's of cupcakes.  Here is the recipe for PB ones:

What you need:
Reeses's cups ( mini) and frozen
Devil's food cake- chococlate mix
3/4 can of sparkling seltzer water
1/4 of plain lowfat greek yogurt.  (I use non fat and it works just as good) I also add a little stevia into it so it gets rid of the "tang" a bit.
1 8oz tub of cool whip.  (I used low fat)
3 tablespoons of peanut butter
3 teaspoons of brown sugar


What you do:
Mix cake with 3/4 (ish) can of the seltzer water. Add 1/4 cup of greek yogurt

Spoon into cupcake tins.  Unwrap Reese's and drop into batter. (Dont push them down too much- they are going to sink much deeper than they start out.)

Bake in oven according to cake box (24 ish minutes) give or take.

                                                        They look like this out of the oven:

For Icing:
Mix cool whip and brown sugar. Add peanut butter and beat on high until well blended, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go.

                                                                  After they are iced:

annnnddddd....when you cut them open they look like this:

These are to die for.  Seriously. So good. You have to make them!  Enjoy! :)

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, friends!  I've been contemplating a blog for many months now.  Almost 18 months ago I made a decision to change my life.  Since then I've lost over 100 pounds. People ask me all the time how I did it and they want tips and tricks.  Truth is, there is no tips or tricks.  There is no easy fix.  It takes working at it all day-- everyday.  I'm now in "maintenance mode" I've lost the weight and now I have to maintain it.  Which, has been an even bigger challenge.  I'm a foodie.  I love food and I love trying new types of food and restaurants.  So, right now....I'm learning about balance.  Still working hard, but not going overboard and still enjoying life and food.  Also, I'm a devoted full time mama and wife.  I take pride in taking care of my family and doing it well.  So, sometimes my days are packed full with taking care of them, working out and cooking healthy meals.  So, this is my life.  It's a balancing act. :)  This blog will be a combo of things.  I will talk about continuing on this journey of living a healthy life, I will share recipes, I will share fun things I do with my daughter.  Oh and probably lots of pictures in between.  So,  welcome and I hope you all jump on board with me! :)