Christmas is...Ummmm-- One week away!Though I had a lot of ideas about giveaways and advent thoughts, and filling this blog with beautiful things this season, I ended up instead with a lot of guests, and busy days, and exciting things (and then that nasty cold.) S0 I made some choices to let a few of my plans go.This has turned out to be good for me after all, and I've spent some time thinking about this season and how I want to spend it. I plan to come back in a day or two to talk
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Baked Gingerbread Oatmeal, Two ways. {Gluten-free}
I'm trying to figure out if it is normal develop brand new tastes or cravings in the middle of your life. (?) I've never really thought about it before, but I guess I assumed that by now my taste buds have probably made up their mind about most things. But I must be wrong, because out of nowhere I have recently developed a brand new obsession: GINGER! It all started a few weeks ago with the first head cold I've had in a long time...and a stop at our local Coffee Gallery. Now normally I'm a
Meeting a Special Needs Family: What do you say?
Since my extended family visit a few weeks ago, I've been pondering the topic of this post. Since my nephew Micah has Muscular Dystrophy, our entire family is very used to doing things a little differently. Talking to my sister-in-law about having a special needs child, I confessed some of my own challenges when I meet a family with a special needs child for the first time...How many times I've been there: At the park, or some social event, and I meet someone new. She might have a kid,
Life Hacks of the Lean and Fit Part VI: Talking to Yourself
You know, we all do it. We talk to ourselves all day long.We do it so much, we hardly notice we're doing it. We mentally narrate our days, grumble under our breathe, and silently speak all kinds of words to ourselves--positive, and negative.Do you ever listen to your own words?Your words are powerful! Being intentional with your words can literally shift the direction you are going in your thought life. And your thoughts trigger feelings, which guide your actions.So when it
Healthy Butternut Squash Mexican Casserole
It's Thanksgiving week. And here I am posting a Mexican casserole. What IS wrong with me? I'm really not trying to throw the Universe out of order, but I figure that there's a few more days left before Thanksgiving. And you might just want this for a warm, sweet and savory weeknight meal. And if nothing else, you can always just Pin it for later! The truth is, I've been wanting to share this recipe for two weeks, and it keeps getting pushed aside. And after my last post, which was a little
Kids and Porn: The Slippery Slope
Post-publish note (3/15): I have made some changes to my original post to narrow in on the most important information here. The topic of pornography and the potential for kids to stumble upon porn is on my mind more than ever now that I have two teenage boys in the house. (and two more coming up behind them.) I hope to write more in a future post about this issue as my passion for the subject has only grown since I originally published this post last fall. I wrote this post specifically to
Life Hacks of the Fit and Lean Part V: Eating Mindfully When You’re On-The-Go
So, I'm pretty sure that we have officially entered the busy season.And here's the thing: I know that many of you have been working hard...trying to develop new lifestyle habits in the areas of both diet and exercise...you're changing mindsets, and living each day to become the healthiest, happiest version of you possible. I'm so proud of you!But then this crazy-busy season hits: Suddenly you find yourself running from this sporting event to that meeting...From your kids musical to
Home and Country: A Season of Celebrations
We've been busy getting things ready around here!We are headed into a big season of celebrations.And there is nothing I love more!I mean, this is the very best time of the year, wherever you are. Right?Ok...maybe a few of you are die-hard summer fans, or maybe you prefer spring...But really? Fall!?...Thanksgiving!?...And then of course the magic of the Christmas--just waiting around the corner...You cannot NOT love it.Here in Hawaii, the nights are finally