Eden Pier Giveaway

Eden Pier Swimsuit Giveaway

:: Eden Pier Giveaway ::

Did any of you get a little taste of summer during your spring break? We did, and we also have a sneaking suspicion that summer and all of its fun in the sun is just around the corner! It’s time for bathing suit season, whether we like it or not.  Why not adorn a cute vintage suit that is both elegant and stylish?!  Perfect for those days by the pool, or better yet, those days when the kids need you to be in the pool {wink}.  We are happy to welcome bathing suit season with a fun Eden Pier Giveaway!

Eden Pier Swimsuit [Read more…]

Easy Green Chile Chicken

Easy Green Chile Chicken. 3 ingredient crock pot green chile chicken recipe.

:: Easy Green Chile Chicken ::

I don’t know about you….but life has a way getting us stuck in a cooking rut.  Everyone is so busy these days that it truly gets harder day-by-day to create a simple and easy weeknight meal.  That being said I decided I needed to pull out all of my easy stops and go back to the basics.  Tacos yes tacos!  They are usually are easy and you can fill them with what ever you want.  Generally speaking the taco filling is usually the star of the show, so why not make this star a cinch by cooking it up in the Crock Pot.  All it takes is 3 main ingredients for this Easy Green Chile Chicken, add in the tortillas, avocado, and sour cream and we will tip the scales at 6.  Come on you can do this! [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies

Scripture Quote {image via Of Hearth and Home}

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

It’s Easter weekend, so we are going to keep this short and sweet! Nicole and I sincerely hope that you all have a beautiful Easter celebration with your loved ones! Thanks for stopping by our blog… we appreciate you all deeply! Here are a few of our recent favorite things, in addition to some last minute Easter ideas! Enjoy! {xo}

  1. The perfect Easter treat… Eggs in a Chocolate Nest!
  2. How cute are these bunny tails? Yum!
  3. Clean candy alternatives for kids to eat this Easter…
  4. Last minute brunch ideas!
  5. There’s still time to run to a craft store! Let’s paint wooden eggs!
  6. Outtakes from the book, “The Glow”… love this whimsical kids’ space!
  7. Pretty spring garland…
  8. This lovely bedroom makeover + a giveaway!
  9. A  “rad” pop-up card!
  10. Pairing polishes and sandals this Spring! This babe knows a thing or two!

[Read more…]

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

 :: Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk ::

Mmmm! Creamy cold, almond milk! Do you drink it at your house? If not… it’s definitely worth a taste! Even better, try making it from scratch! The task always seemed daunting, in my opinion… which is why I never made it in the past. However, we go through cartons and cartons of almond milk each week… so I thought it was worth a try to make a batch of it homemade. Everything is better fresh, right?!!

About five years ago… maybe even longer, we stopped buying traditional dairy milk in our house. We started using almond milk in its place {since everyone is lactose intolerant in our family}. When my youngest little guy, Finn, stopped nursing at 14 months old, I started giving him almond milk, as well. Did you know that one serving of almond milk has 50% more calcium than regular milk? Amazing! Well, my little guy is now three… and still LOVES his daily cups of almond milk!

The key to making this smooth, creamy milk is soaking the raw almonds in water! Simply place the almonds in a bowl, and cover with about an inch of water. {They will plump as they absorb water.} Let stand overnight, or up to 2 days. 

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

Once your almonds have been adequately soaked, make sure you rinse them with fresh water, and drain, so they are ready to use. Put your almonds into a blender with 3.5 cups of water {less water, will equal a stronger flavor, overall}. 

[Read more…]

Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf

Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf

 :: Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf ::

{gluten-free}

Let’s talk about this Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf… Nicole and I have already posted several of our favorite banana muffin and bread recipes; however, this one is PERFECT for those of you on a wheat- or gluten-free diet!

As some of you may already know, I have been experimenting with a wheat-free lifestyle since the beginning of January. I have really noticed a difference in my body and my overall headaches, which is a great breakthrough for me. I have spent the last three months eating primarily wheat-free and then… our trip to Maui happened. I purposely let my eating plan go out the window; embracing the warm sunshine, salty sea air, and banana macadamia nut pancakes topped with fresh whipped cream {Haha}! It was wonderful… but upon coming home, I knew my body needed a little detox from my vacation eating! I chose to start the Whole30 the day after we came home from our trip. Smart? Umm… perhaps not! My poor body was forced to deal with the time difference, high altitude {we live a mile above sea level}, and elimination of carbs AND my beloved morning coffee! Sugar, dairy, grains, lentils/beans, and anything processed was removed abruptly! {Yikes!}

Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf

Well… as of today, I am 1/3 of the way through my 3o days. I had horrendous headaches day 2 and 3, but have been feeling fairly good and energetic since. I really haven’t had any cravings for sugar or coffee since then, but I will say… it has taken quite a bit of self-control when we are out. Yesterday we went to a minor league baseball game with the kids. I was surrounded by all of that deliciously junky baseball field food! I stuck with a Larabar and water! {Victory!} [Read more…]

The Big Number 5

My baby is turning the big number 5

:: The Big Number 5 ::

I don’t know whether to cry or smile at the fact that my baby is turning The Big Number 5 today! Haven’t we figured out how to freeze time yet? I really wish we could, as I would keep her at this age! She is in love with so many things right now.  She is our sweet heart and makes friends with everyone she meets. She definitely has stolen our hearts.  

The Big Number 5. My baby is turning 5 today!

Madeline was born on Easter Sunday.  She came into this world with the sweetest disposition.  I truly believe God sent her to us just the way she is. She has the patience of a saint.  Her birth came right after we had started a busy speech and ABA therapy schedule for Mason.  We were running around to various places, and she would go along for the ride content in her baby carrier or car seat.  She has always been right by my side.  She has smiled, listened, and held my hand tight along the way.  She understands and “gets” her brother and looks up to him very much.  Everything he does, she wants to do right there with him. Madeline has been our rock, our happiness, and our girl! I can’t believe she is 5.  [Read more…]

Lemon Asparagus Prosciutto Pasta

Lemon Asparagus Prosciutto Pasta

:: Lemon Asparagus Prosciutto Pasta ::

{gluten-free}

Hello, everyone! I feel like it’s been ages since I last posted! I took last week off from blogging to thoroughly enjoy my Maui vacation with my handsome man! Our trip was AMAZING! Truly… just what we needed! {I will share some photos and highlights of our trip soon!}

So… on to this delectable dish! I have been making this tasty pasta for the past few years {adapted from the fabulous Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network}. The original recipe was completely delicious… however, I added the juice of a fresh lemon, and grated parmesan to jazz things up a bit! Since I’m not currently eating wheat… I also made it gluten-free by using quinoa pasta! It was so good… and a great alternative to using rice pasta {also a gluten-free choice}. 

Lemon Asparagus Prosciutto Pasta

I love how fresh this pasta dish is! It uses only the finest, simple ingredients… asparagus, basil, prosciutto, garlic, creamy smoked mozzarella, grated parmesan, and tangy lemon. {Yum! Such a lovely Spring or Summer dish!} [Read more…]

Strawberry Orange Banana Popsicles

Strawberry Orange Banana Pospsicles. Easy homemade popsicles.

:: Strawberry Orange Banana Popsicles ::

It’s spring break for us this week, which means the snacking will begin at approximately 9 a.m.  Hence I have to work ahead and think of some healthier snack choices that are fun and exciting during our week off.  This Strawberry Orange Banana Popsicle recipe has to be the easiest recipe that I know.  My kids love these in the summer time, but we are on a stay cation at home, meaning that momma has to be a little more creative and these Strawberry Orange Banana Popsicles are just that.  Sweet yet healthy, they are sure to be a hit on warm day.

Strawberry Orange Banana Popsicles. Easy homemade popsicles.  [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies

Weekend Lovelies. A list of our favorite things. #weekendlovelies

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Rise and shine! Welcome to this edition of Weekend Lovelies.  Yes I say rise and shine, as this picture literally is the sun rising on an early spring morning.  My kids are early risers, and though I am one too, I am never quite ready to rise early on the weekends.  This particular morning I was grumpy, when Mason made his way into my room.  He said mom, “I have to show you something”, thinking it was a recent Lego build, I slowly got out of bed and made my way towards him.  To my surprise this was my morning greeting.  “Isn’t this beautiful Mom?” This made my day. So for you parents out there, I do have say there are positives to these early mornings.  Seeing the sun rise just over the trees is not always going to be noticed in our lives.  It is a special treat, and one day we will be wishing and hoping for these early morning risers.  This weeks Weekend Lovelies is full of our favorites.  A little DIY to some spring fashion.  I am looking forward to having this week off for Spring break.  Though we don’t have huge plans, my family will be celebrating a few family birthdays…..two very special ones are sandwiched together in our week off.  I am excited to be celebrating Shane’s birthday, and Madeline’s 5th birthday!  Do you have any upcoming celebrations or spring plans?  [Read more…]

Spring Garden Boxes

Spring Garden Boxes. Updated DIY Garden Boxes for Spring. Backyard gardening.

:: Spring Garden Boxes ::

It’s spring! It was high time I got to work on my Spring Garden Boxes.  Last year my husband and I made DIY Garden Boxes.  Last year, was our first time we grew our own produce and well, we learned A LOT!  Yes, some plants were a challenge and some did well.  The hardest part I would say, was preparing for the our endless summer that we experienced in 2013.  We are still begging for a little bit more rain, but either way we are moving forward with our updated Spring Garden Boxes. 

The first thing I had to do was evaluate what we planted last year.  I kept all of the garden tags from the plants we planted so that I could remember what worked and what did not.  I also kept the tags as they gave me complete instructions on the type of sun needed for growing each of the plants.  From what I experienced, some of these tags were off a bit. So I wanted to make sure to jot this information down so that we did not make the same purchasing mistake. [Read more…]