Tag Archive | My life

Snow day Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jan16

So it’s really cold and snowy here the last few days! Which is not typical for our location but it does happen maybe once or twice a year! We usually cancel any plans and appointments and just hunker down at home until it passes! Yesterday We made cinnamon rolls & bacon and enjoyed a family weekend brunch on a Wednesday! Snow days aren’t so bad!

Early this morning Jacob and I took to the kitchen to fulfill hubby’s request for chocolate chip cookies! Now anyone who knows me knows for the past 15 years I’ve stuck to (and been famous for) these Chocolate chip cookies. Now last summer Kevin bought me Joanna Gaines cookbook Magnolia Table and I’ve been obsessed with her chocolate chip cookies!

I pretty much follow her recipe exactly except I use a full tablespoon of real vanilla and sprinkle the tops with chunky sea salt when they come out of the oven! I also add chunks of good quality melting chocolate to each cookie prior to baking! Trust me you can’t go wrong with pools of melted chocolate! For the chocolate chips themselves I use a mix of regular size and mini chips! I find it gives the cookie these amazing caverns of chocolate!!

If you want to try these yourselves but don’t have the cook book you can find the recipe Here.

If you do try these please let me know what you think! Or any changes you’ve made! The recipe itself minus the chocolate chips makes an amazing cookie base for your creations! At Christmas time I used this recipe with white chocolate chips, cranberries, and a pinch of cinnamon! So delicious!

Thankful Thursday – Week 2/52

Jan9

Happy Thursday friends!! How’s everyone holding up through the first full week of 2020? We’re doing ok! It’s a bit of a hurry up and wait week for us as we edge our way towards Friday and a very important meeting! More about that in a week or so.

We are slowly falling back into a schedule now that Christmas is over. We’ve started back to the gym and Jacob’s next set of swimming lessons has started. It’s nice to have a bit of routine back. I mean we still lack serious routine because I’m not back to work but still more then we had in December.

So another Thursday which means Thankful Thursday! This week I’m grateful for the little moments I get to share with Jacob.

This child is 55 pounds of cuddle monster! He incredibly sensitive and instinctively seems to know when someone needs a bit of love.

Yesterday he and I had a little lunch date at the mall before his swimming lessons and he was so happy to just chat and chat! He always makes me laugh. We also checked out the new City LEGO at Toys R Us and of course he picked out his favourites.

He is my why. He is my little king. He makes me a better person and because of him I hold it all together even when I think I can’t. ❤️

Thankful Thursday Week 1/52

Jan2

The first thankful Thursday of 2020! I’ve been thinking all day what I wanted to share tonight as my Thankful Thursday topic.

Practicing gratitude is definitely something I try to do daily and especially when I’m feeling off. Spoiler alert, I’m feeling very off today!

So today I’m thankful for quiet, rainy afternoon runs to Starbucks! I know that may sound frivolous and spoiled but sometimes it’s nice to take a few minutes out of the day to reset and quiet my brain!

What are you thankful for today?

Consoled a cup of coffee but it didn’t want to talk…

Jan2

2020 …. How did that happen? Wasn’t it just 2010? Didn’t I just start nursing? Get married? Become a mother? How did 10? 20? Years go by so fast?

I’ve got very little advice to offer at this point other then to be weary of people in the darkness who hold flashlights. Not everyone drawing you towards them wants to help you.

Easy Like Sunday Morning…

Sep9

Easy my ass! I’ve been laying here awake since 5:30 am (it’s now 7:18am) and I’m yet to get up because I don’t want to wake up Jacob! We can’t have another early morning for him because early mornings lead to ridiculously cranky afternoon and meltdown evenings! So for now I lay here and be thankful for my phone and the internet! The past few days have been tough because Jacob and I have both had a cold. It never fails that I get afflicted with sickness in early September. I took Friday off work and spent the day in my pj’s. It was a much needed day of rest. Saturday was much the same but we did venture to get groceries and got some fresh air out on our patio briefly. I feel like this time of year is my planning time. Planning the rest of the year! Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, etc. I love Fall. The colours, the crisp leaves, the leggings, hoodies, boots! The pumpkins, the food! Speaking of food! Jacob and I baked this lovely banana bread yesterday morning. The recipe can be found HERE. He absolutely loves baking! He asks every weekend if we can bake! He loves to share his (our) creations. Yesterday he took half the banana bread to Grandma and Grandpa and shared the rest with his cousins. He pretty much melts my heart daily. Well my friends I’m going to be brave and attempt to sneak out of bed (only because I really have to pee). Stick around this week as I’m planning on sharing/reviewing some new Epicure products as well hopefully sharing a post on the CSA box we’ve been getting all summer!

It Could Have Been Me…

Jun16

It could have been you. Anyone of us Mothers could be feeling the absolute heartbreak Melissa Graves is feeling right now.  The numbness, the regret, the blame, the devistation. 

None of us are immune to tragedy. None of us can see the future.  None of us know if the last hug or frustrated sigh over uneaten dinner will be the last. None of us know when our number is up. 

None of us are perfect parents. Not a single one of us can claim we have never taken our eyes off our child for a split second. Not a single parent alive can pretend that in a brief second, one horrible life changing second couldn’t destroy our lives and take our baby away forever. Because deep down we know it could it. Things happen. Horrible, unthinkable things…accidents happen. 

Accidents happen. Think about that for a second. Then remember why we don’t spend every second of our lives worrying about these unthinkable tragedies. We don’t because we can’t. We spend our lives trying our best to make happy, fun memories with our littles. Because we want them to live and enjoy life, even if those lives are short. We want to see their smiles and hear their giggles.

That is exactly what the Graves family was doing on a magical family trip before it all got taken away in one of those horrible life changing seconds. Please remember that before you cast doubt, point a finger of blame or claim this would never happen to your child!  Please be kind to parents who are facing horrible things, be kind to the family at the restaurant with the toddler melting down, be understanding to the Mom who can’t get her children to leave the playground without them screaming wildly. Just be kind.

Parenting is hard, it’s exhausting, it’s frustrating. Parenting is a full time job, it doesn’t stop because you’re on vacation and if it does stop you’d give your own life to bring it back. 


No Apologies…

Apr25

Happy Monday!  I would love to tell you I’m well rested and excited for the week but I’m not!  I covered a 12 hour night shift at work on the weekend, had an Epicure party, got our taxes done, had a ton of things to do and generally didn’t take any time to recharge! 

I’m hoping next weekend will be a bit different.  Friday night I have an Epicure party, Saturday is Epicure’s Big Buisness conference and also my Birthday!! But Sunday I’m keeping open for some quiet time!! 

So you’re probably wondering how my week went in terms of healthy living!  Well this morning I weighed myself and I’m down 2 pounds! I’m happy with that because I know slow and steady truly does get things done! 

My successes last week were definitely meal preping for my at work meals, increasing my water intake, and better portioning. 

I was challenged with eating on the weekend because I didn’t prep. As much as I’d like to wing the weekends I don’t think that’s an option for me.  I do best when I’ve thought things through and planned for my day.  I’m going to try preping lunches and breakfasts for the weekend Thursday night this week. 

I allowed myself a cheat snack on Friday and a cheat meal yesterday morning of pancakes and sausage. It was yummy. I’ve also been having 10 chocolate chips once a day to keep the cravings under control! So far so good!  I refuse to fully deny myself of the things I love because I know that will lead to a full on binge.  

I was happy to get in some good walks this past week and a few mini at home workouts. My goal is to get to the gym 3 times this week! I find getting to the gym since having Jacob is extremely tough for me but I acknowledge I need to make it a priority! 

I wore my Fitbit a few days last week and I truly hate how it rubs my wrist! I need to get a different band if I want to wear it frequently. 

I’ve included a few photos of my food choices and pictures from my walks! I’m trying to decide if I want to update daily or weekly!  So many choices! 

  
  

2015 The Year That Changed Everything! 

Jan1

I’m not really sure where the year went. They say as you age time goes by faster. I must be 102 for how fast 2015 passed me bye! 

2015 changed my life forever! It was the year I was blessed with having my amazing son. He is the light of my life, my whole world, my everything.  

2015 taught me that I have to stand up for myself, love myself, and be prepared to walk away from those willing to hurt me. 

2015 reminded me family isn’t defined by bloodlines or marriage.

2015 proved to me that even the darkest cloud has a silver lining.

2015 provided me the opportunity to take risks and to be brave enough to say “why not”. 

2015 solidified that I can do anything I put my mind to, even if the task is excruciating! 

2015 was the year that really opened my eyes. I became a mother, a 1/2 marathoner!  I felt emotions I never dreamed of. I learned what it feels like to love something more than life itself. To be willing to give up everything to protect something else. I let go of my belief in keeping the peace and doing things I don’t want to just to appease others. I trusted myself more than I ever have. I trusted my ability and my strength. 

I’m ready to take on 2016 with my little man by my side!! Let’s do this!!   

Quitting… 

Dec9

We all have a thousand things to do this time of year! Lets face it, we have a thousand things to do at all times during the year.  Life can be overwhelming at times and for me yesterday was one of those times. 

Yesterday I made the decision to quit Weight Watchers. I am both saddened and relieved by this. I am saddened for a few reasons, mainly because I will miss the weekly visits with my meeting friends. I’ve made some strong friendship connections since joining in June. I know I will still see those friends, just not as frequently. I am also saddened because by quiting im losing my built in accountability of a weekly weigh in.  Back in 2011 (before my Lupus got bad) I had amazing success with Weight watchers. I lost over 50 pounds in a year with the program! Of course my life was very different then and I had amazing support from a friend, freedom/ability to workout when I wanted, much less responsibility, etc. This time around my success has been much slower. I’ve lost 15 pounds since June 1st. I realize my illness and my new Mom life are both factors in my slow loosing and I accept that. I make a point of eating healthy and doing what I can when I can, that to me in itself is a success! Not all victories are revealed by the number on the scale or the size of my pants!!

You might be wondering why I quit given I just told you all about my success!  I quit because I can’t get behind the new program released this week.  The changes are substantial and I can’t wrap my head around a program that says I can have a beer for less points than a glass of milk!  I can eat heavily processed/ chemical laden brand name potato crisps for less points than a 1/4 avocado.  In my opinion the points values of many foods no longer represents their nutrition!  I can’t force myself to follow a program that doesn’t give me enough daily points to have oatmeal with milk, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter for breakfast. A green salad with 4 oz of grilled chicken, 1/4 of an avocado, & 1 tablespoon dressing for lunch, and a high fibre wrap with 4 oz lean protein, 1 oz of cheese, veggies and salsa for dinner. Plus one serving of Greek yogurt and berries for a snack!  That’s three healthy meals and one snack and according to the new program I wouldn’t have enough points for that. 

When a program starts to cause more stress than health benifits it’s time to throw in the towel.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not throwing in the towel on healthy eating! I’m just throwing in the towel on paying $60 a month to be stressed out when making healthy choices!! 

  

A Little Life Update 

Nov23

Hi friends! I’ve missed you!  Jacob is napping so I thought I’d take a few minutes and say hello! I’ve been busy chasing my tiny terror everywhere! He’s small but he can move!! 

Last week I did something I’ve been considering for a long time, I signed up with Epicure as an independent consultant. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about this. I’ve been using and loving Epicure products for a couple years now. Any of you who follow me on Instagram know how often I share my creations featuring Epicure spices, blends, and cookware! I love that their products are low/no sodium, healthy, gluten free, and many are certified non-Gmo! I also love that it’s a local, woman run company!  I look forward to sharing my Epicure adventures with you all! 

Erica McGavin with Epicure – check out all Epicure’s awesome products here!
 
On the home front we had a koi pond emergency this past Saturday. We aren’t sure what exactly happened but the pond drained from 5 feet to 1 foot over night. Needless to say we had our hands full trying to relocate and save our fish! Between the raccoons, heron and leak it’s been a tough year for those suckers! Rest assure they are safe… They will be spending the winter in our hot tub. We had to quickly seal the jets with pond tape but it’s done and they are as happy as can be!  I bet we have the only indoor pond on the block! 

I was lucky enough to receive free passes for The Westcoast Christmas show this past weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed browsing, shopping and seeing Santa!  

  

   

 

The weekend prior we got to check out the Langley Christmas show and I picked up some great local products! 

 We’ve also been busy celebrating Kevin’s birthday and our 5th wedding anniversary! Seriously where does the time go??? Wherever it goes, we’re exhausted!

 

I hope everyone is happy and healthy!  ❤️