A Weekend of Firsts

We partied all weekend long.  Seriously.  All. Weekend. Long.  Three birthday parties and one baby shower all crammed into one weekend.  It was busy, but it was fun.  

Friday night Little Man had his very first sleepover party with friends.  We're those weirdo kind of parents who will only allow our children to sleep over at select homes.  It was a big deal to allow Little Man to stay the night with someone other than family.  Thankfully, his first sleep over invitation came from his former baby sitter.  She kept him for me while I was still working.  We developed a great friendship and our boys have grown up together.  Another little guy is Little Man's BFF.  They have been friends since birth.  Literally, Little Man was born and three weeks later we were back at the hospital visiting our friends who delivered their boy.  I was so thankful, Melinda sent us pics throughout the night.  

I missed that guy.  Little Man's sister, however, was pumped to sleep up in his bed.  She couldn't brush her teeth fast enough so she could climb up in the big 'ol loft bed.  She's a hoot.

Speaking of Little Miss, she attended her very first princess party designed just for girls.  This is the first party she was invited to that was solely for her.  Slowly, she is forming her own friendships.  Steven got to take her while I was at my precious neighbor's baby shower.  The pictures I got to see made my heart smile. Little Miss was in her element with some special little ladies.  I am so thankful for opportunities such as this.

Even though the weekend was crazy busy, it was so fun to watch the kids get to experience their firsts.

Regular and Detox Menu Monday

This week we are reintroducing foods back into our diet. I am excited to not be as strict with my eating, but I am also excited to have the knowledge of what allows my body to work better than it has before. I have specific fitness goals that are going to be tested next month and for June. Knowing what I know now about how my body responded to eliminating foods and adding the best absorbable vitamins and protein, I will be ready physically for those challenges. Pretty exciting.

Here is what my menu looks like coming off the detox:

Monday- Key West Grilled Chicken, Brown Rice, and Grilled Veggies

Tuesday- Chicken Tacos, Chips and Salsa, and Salad

Wednesday-Hawaiian Ham Sammie's, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Green Beans

Thursday-Taco Salad served over Spicy Roasted Chick Peas

Friday-Dominos Pizza Family Pack (don't judge...I WON it!)

Saturday- DATE NIGHT...finally celebrating our 10 year anniversary!

Sunday- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Salad, and Oven Baked Pickles

Have a Great week!

My 3 Loves...Getting Healthy, Saving Money, Helping Others

Day 25 of my detox is HERE!  If you follow along with my news feeds on Facebook, then you've had the day by day playbook of my progress and failures.  It's definitely brought a lot of change to me, my family, and friends.  Lots of weight lost, but more importantly, people are changing their eating habits and reaping the benefits.  I love hearing the progress and successes.

I also love saving money.  I'm going to be honest.  When Steven and I looked into supplements for our family, we didn't know how we were going to add it to our budget.  After a little research, we knew the Arbonne Fit Essentials line was the best choice for us, especially the protein.  It's vegan based with protein coming from pea, cranberry, and brown rice.  Pea protein in the most absorbable form of protein.  We also wanted to steer clear of whey (leftover milk and cheese by products that is difficult to digest), and soy (we do NOT need any more soy in our diets...ever).  Plus it is sweetened with stevia.  Not artificial sweeteners we were finding in other protein shakes.

I digress.

We decided on Arbonne.  The price was a bit much for what we could afford.  I began looking at options to save and decided to turn this into a business.  It has been super fruitful to me.  I've met some amazing ladies (and a few men).  Doing the business side allows me to save 35% off everything whether it's the supplements, make-up, baby products, or skin care.  35% off everything!  However, I realize not everyone is interested in the business side.  I get that.

That's where I've done some research to get people the MOST for their money.  Erica and I discovered a way for customers to save 47% on their order.  Lately, I have been bombarded with emails about the detox and what is needed from Arbonne for success.  It is easier for me to line it all out for you here.  Are you ready???

Arbonne offers an option of becoming a Preferred Client.  Basically, you pay $20 for the year and get 20% off anything, anytime for the year.  It's kind of like a Sam's Card.  That's not the big savings though.  If you opt to become a Preferred Client, Erica and I uncovered an even better deal.  You can get $325 worth of Arbonne products for only $200 plus taxes/shipping/preferred client fee.

Here's where it's helped about 10 of my customers who wanted to do the detox.  The detox 'kit' is retail $289 plus a $50 7 Day Body Cleanse.  Here's the items in the Detox 'Kit':

• two bags of vegan protein
• one bag of soluble flavorless/odorless fiber
• two boxes of Fizz Sticks (Mommy Crack)
• two bags of Fit Chews
• two boxes of Detox Tea

By the time you add the $289 for the Detox Kit, plus $50 for the 7 Day Cleanse, plus shipping and tax you end up spending $384.10.  YIKES!!!  Some customers are okay with that, but this money saving gal is not.  I would rather you get the whole detox kit for $260 (that includes shipping/tax/preferred client fee) shipped to your door.  Not to mention you will also get a free gift!  That's my kind of savings.  Saving a little over $120 PLUS a free gift.

Let's say the detox is not for you.  There are so many products I have fallen IN LOVE with.  The baby line for example has been the saving grace for two of my friends whose children suffer from ezcema.  The make-up primer and RE9 line had me at 'Hello'.

If you have been wondering about pricing and how this will fit for you, maybe this is your answer.  I promise to never look at you as a dollar sign or try to 'sell' you.  I honestly want to help you get started on better options for health and save money.  Some major loves of mine.  But guess what?  If you still want to drive thru McDonalds, I'll still love you!  I won't turn into the crazy Arbonne lady.  At least not yet ;)

Two Wheelin'

Little Miss has always been my little daredevil.  Last weekend she began to show interest in removing her training wheels.  I was heading out the door to meet my friend, Erica for a run.  As we were coming up my street, I see a little tiny thing on a little tiny bike without training wheels.  Her daddy running behind her.

Within the five minutes it took me to meet up with Erica, stretch, and begin the run up the street, Steven had popped off those training wheels and had her riding her bike.  I was such a proud mama.  She is so my Annie Oakley.

Any thing you can do I can do better.

I can do anything better than you.

Not only was I was proud of Little Miss' bravery getting on that bike, but I was proud of the man I married. He taught Little Man how to ride his bike, and he took the same interest in teaching Little Miss to ride hers.  The only exception was the delicacy he demonstrated to her while he was instructing.  Gosh, I love that man.  He knows how to push her, but also knows when to stop.  He gives her the right amount of encouragement in a way that is so special to her. He calls her his little Honey Bear.  Just as Erica and I were about to round the corner off my street, and I heard him say, "Good job, Honey Bear!"  Not one bit ashamed of such a mushy gushy name.  He is such a great father to a little girl.  

If you are thinking, "Isn't she a bit big for that bike?"  You are right!  The bike is too small for her.  We've kept that bike so she can touch the ground with ease.  Here in the next few weeks, we will be on the hunt for a 'new to her' bike.  Keep your eyes peeled for a 16 inch Hello Kitty or other cutie pie girlie bike.  We'll need one!

It's Like Mommy Crack

Picture this...

It's 5:28am.  I am in a hoodie smeared with snot on my left shoulder (only I don't realize it's on there until I get home...classic Amanda Torres), my hair is haphazardly thrown into a ponytail, and loose hairs are pulled back with a a head band.  I am a hot mess running down my street trying to make 5:30am F.I.T. Boot Camp at Erica's.  

I make it just in time, and I have a bit of time to talk to friends while we're warming up.  One girl that I absolutely love says, "You know those Fizz Sticks?  They are like Mommy Crack!"  I died laughing.  I had never thought of my Fizz Sticks as Mommy Crack, but she was right.  IT IS!!!  

 

I've never been a person to struggle with consuming the recommended amount of daily water intake (half your body weight).  I honestly thought about not ordering fizz sticks, I'd just stick with my normal water routine, when beginning the detox, but it was recommended.  I thought, "If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right."  And holy hairballs!  I'm glad I got those suckers.  I look forward to mine everyday at 2:30, a time in my day when I hit a wall.  

Fizz Sticks are little packets (kinda like Crystal Light) you add to your water, and guess what?  It fizzes as it goes in.  What I love about the Fizz Sticks is of course the au natural qualities.  They contain B vitamins which are often depleted in times of stress (let's be real...I'm a mom...I have many stressful moments!), and they help support my metabolism, healthy skin, hair, and nervous system.  Even though my skin is looking more vibrant, that's not why it's Mommy Crack.  Those little boogers give me alertness and enhance my cognitive performance.  I seriously need alertness.  I have a 14 month old who thinks he can do the same tasks as his 4 year old sister and 6 year old brother.  Just today he was trying to climb in my neighbors water feature.  Yeah, those Fizz Sticks will always be my Mommy Crack as long as Chubby Cheekers is around.

So Fizz Sticks, this pic is for you.  Life is so much easier with you guys.  I love you.

                               

Signed,

Fizz Sticks Make Me Smile

 

Detox Menu Monday

It's officially the last full week of our detox.  I've been asked numerous times if we'll continue the clean eating beyond our 30 days.  It's super hard to answer that one.  The detox is very specific about eliminating all dairy, soy, wheat, caffeine, alcohol, vinegar, and meats with antibiotics and hormones.  So if you're asking am I going to stick to strict limitations, the answer is no.

There are so many changes this detox did bring to my attention.  For example, meats.  I honestly believed I could not fit grain fed, free range chickens in my budget.  I can.  It's not hard, and not that much more expensive.  I can swing it in my budget.  I also realized how much wheat and dairy we consumed.  A lot of my budget went to cheese.  Not anymore.  I will add cheese to casseroles and dishes, but not by the handfuls.  Just little sprinkles.  Almond milk will not completely replace the milk in our house, but we will buy one 1/2 gallon of almond and 1/2 gallon of regular milk. And lastly, I will continue to use the protein shakes every morning for breakfast during the week.

I hope that answers your questions about life after the detox.  I am very happy about losing the pudge off the front of my stomach, and if it comes back I know exactly what I need to do to get rid of it.  Knowledge is power!  Here's the menu...

Monday-Chipotle Sweet Potato Skins, Berry Salad, Green Beans
Tuesday-Hummus Crusted Chicken with Yellow Squash, and Roasted Asparagus
Wednesday-Shredded Chicken Fajitas with Quinoa in Lettuce Wraps, Mexican Rice
Thursday-Taco Salad on Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, and Raw Veggie Strips
Friday-Dinner with Friends
Saturday-Grilled Chicken, Roasted Butternut Squash, Green Beans
Sunday-French Lentil Soup and Salad

More Than I Love You

On rare occasions do I get one on one time with the kids.  A couple of days ago Little Miss and I were headed to meet her brother and Daddy.  Chubby Cheekers was at home with his favorite aunt.  As we were driving she was super quiet.  I usually bask in the light of silence in the car.  So much of my life is consumed with kids who know no volume control when speaking, especially in the car.  I so wanted to not break the silence, but we only had a short time together.  Just us.  It was my chance.

So I asked, "Mama, whatcha thinking about back there?"

"I'm thinking about you Mommy."

I was a bit surprised, "Me?  What about me?"

"That I love you."

My heart was melting.  My only precious little girl was just sitting as far back in the car as one can sit, just thinking about her love for me.  What a precious love.

It was my time to tell her more than "I love you" back to her.

I looked in my rear view mirror and said, "Mama, I love you.  I love how you dance and perform in the room when you think no one is watching.  I love when you get so tickled you have a big belly laugh.  I love how you love meeting new friends and talking with them.  I love that you want to cuddle.  I love when you make sure a belly button is on every person you draw because your belly button is so important to you.  I love you."

When I was finished, I looked back in the mirror and she had the biggest smile.  Then she said, "Mommy, that makes me so happy."

That hit me hard.  How many times have I let moments pass by without recognizing how special she is to me?  In a world full of boys, she is my sunshine and sparkle.  I will be more conscience with all my kids to tell them what makes them special and what I love about them.  It just so happens my little princess taught me the lesson.  I love her to pieces.