Healthy Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

This girl needs sweets in her life. Sometimes even for breakfast.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

3 mashed bananas 
2 cups oats 
1 egg 
1/3 cup peanut butter 
1/4 cup almond milk 
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 
1/4 cup walnuts 
1 tsp vanilla 
1 tsp cinnamon 

Mash bananas. Mix everything together. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes 

Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

It's coming you guys! The biggest food holiday of the year followed by lots of parties and gatherings as we prepare for Christmas and the New Year! A huge part of these holidays is the table. I love the table. I love gathering, I love hearing the stories and laughter, the clanking of dishes as we sit across from one another. Food is the means to which we gather. It helps us celebrate. It helps us remember. Food gives a pathway to connection and communication. Our holidays are wrapped around food and I so love it but while you are trying to implement healthy habits, this can prove difficult. So, I wanted to share some practical tips!

My Goal: 

-I want you to enjoy your food thoroughly 

-I want you to not feel guilty 

-I want you to still get results 

Lofty goals but I totally believe it is possible! 

1. Get moving every day

Whether you push play, hit the gym, walk the dog, or have football game with your family, get that blood pumping! 

2. Eat a healthy breakfast.

Make sure you're eating a balanced breakfast at the start of your day.  This will keep you satisfied as you move into more temptations later on! It starts your day off on the right foot!

3. Eat lots of fruits & veggies.

Eating lots of fiber will keep your body energized and your immune system healthy! It will also keep you feeling full longer.  Eat lots of fresh fruits, veggies and even nuts to keep you full!

4. Listen to your body

Eat until you're about 80% full.  If you're still hungry go back for seconds and if you're not just stop.  Enjoy your food but also be aware of when you're body is telling you its full.  Slow down while you're eating so you can be more aware. This is my biggest struggle and something I have to continuously keep in check. 

5. Volunteer to bring a dish to a gathering

This will give you a chance to fill your plate with something you know is healthy but also delicious. Fix up a traditional recipe using cleaner ingredients or make something out of your regular that you are just as excited to try! 

6. Scope out the food

Check out all the food at the dinner party so you can decide what you actually want to enjoy and eat!  When you put a little bit of everything on your plate you're often left with a few dishes that really aren't you favorite but you feel obligated to eat them just cause its there.  Scope out what you want before hand so you can just pick your favorites!  If you're still hungry go back for your second choices later.

7. Don't label anything as "off limits"

Enjoy a dessert and some fun foods during the Holidays. When we label certain dishes as off limits it leaves us feeling deprived and often causes the restrict-binge cycle.  Enjoy your favorite foods and desserts and don't feel guilty - permission has been granted!

8. Drink a lot of water!

Drinking a lot of water is going to keep you hydrated and full.  It keeps you from eating those empty calories. Especially if you're consuming alcohol make sure to drink a glass after each drink! 

9. 3 Bite Rule

When you really want something but don’t want to indulge in all those unnecessary calories take 3 bites. The 3-bite rule breaks down like this: take one bite to say “hello,” one bite to savor the flavor, and one bite to say “goodbye.” With each bite, slowly chew the food so you can really taste it.

10. Get Rid of the Leftovers

Enjoy your special treat meal but don’t keep that food lingering around your home. You will be more likely to keep on indulging and your body will start craving more food like that.

May you have a blessed, happy and healthy holiday season!

Pork Carnitas

I could eat Mexican food for every meal! I guess that is what I get for living in SoCal and Arizona my whole life! But healthy and Mexican food don’t really seem to jive together all that much. So when you find a delicious and healthy Pork Carnitas you do your due diligence and share the love! One of my favorite things to do as a Health Coach is to take people’s favorite recipes and Fix them up into versions they can still be proud to serve to their family and friends! This recipe is me Fixing up my favorite food! 

Pork Carnitas 

-3 lbs of Pork Loin

-2 Bay Leaves

-1.5 cups of water

To Make the Rub Combine:

-2 tbsp of chili powder

-2 tsp cumin

-1/2 tsp cloves

-1 tsp onion powder

-2 tsp garlic powder

-1 tsp sea salt

-1 tsp oregano

Directions:

Mix all spices together except bay leaf in a bowl. Rub down entire porkloin with spices and place in your slow cooker. Add the bay leaf and water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred. Stir the meat to coat with juices. 

Cilantro Lime Chipotle Topping (Do not omit this, it totally adds to it!)

-3/4 to 1 Cup Greek Yogurt

-1/4 cup Fresh Lime Juice

-1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro

-1-2 Tbsp of Chipotle in Adobo (amount depends on how spicy you want it)

-1 lime cut into wedges for garnish

Creamy Cashew Coffee

I love to start my mornings with a good cup of coffee. But black, just can’t do it. Creamer was my bestie in coffee but I realized my coffee needed some cleaning up. While my go to is a All Natural Almond Milk Creamer this Creamy Cashew Coffee is my weekend treat! Sounds strange, I know! But it is delicious! And there is no draining or straining or nut milk bag fussing with this! And if you are worried there are going to be cashew pieces floating in your coffee, don’t be. I don’t know how it works, but thankfully my job isn’t to know, my job is just to share this foamy smooth amazingness.

Creamy Cashew Coffee

-1 serving of strongly brewed coffee (about 1.5 cups)

-1/4 cup cashews (roasted and salted is my fave)

-1 tablespoon of honey (more or less to taste)

-Dash of cinnamon

-A sprinkle of sea salt if your cashews have no salt

Blend all ingredients together. 30 seconds on a low speed then 15-30 seconds on the highest speed to ensure creamy smooth texture. Pour into mug and enjoy. 

Library Baby Shower for Baby L-P

Dear Baby Lyons-Pardue,

We are patiently waiting your arrival. We are so excited to meet you and love on you! But as we wait, we celebrate you and your beautiful momma!

Ladies from the church and from your family came to help mommy (and daddy) prepare for your arrival by showering your family with gifts and books from our build-a-library shower. Instead of cards, your friends brought you books with beautiful inscriptions. I'm sure you will love sitting with mommy and daddy and reading all these great books! We played a game of guessing what classic book pictures hanging on a banner came from. These book illustrations led to lots of fun discussions about what books were our personal favorites as kids and as mommies. We also played a guess the ingredients in the baby food, which your mom loved because it reminded her of one of her favorite "guess the ingredients" game on a cooking show (baby, you are lucky for numerous reasons but one is because your mommy is a fabulous cook!). We had so much fun celebrating your impending arrival, know baby L-P that you are very loved already!

The table decorated in tan and white with roses from my rose bush. 

The place settings were drawn on the brown butcher paper with white colored pencil. The "name cards" were all the different roles of mom (ie. chauffer, counselor, photographer, historian, etc.)

The banner made from pictures photocopied from classic books and mounted on tan paper hung from twine and clothespins.

 

Baby food game. (I didn't make any of your friends taste the gross ones, just the good ones)

Your mommy reading one of her book cards with your 4-yr-old buddy.

Some of the ladies from the church who came to celebrate you and your family!

Any day now baby L-P! Can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Amy

Hudson is 1!

To my Hudson,

I look at you and my heart swells. Your smile can light up a room. Your laugh is contagious. Your excitement excites those around you. Your warmth makes people feel loved. You are sweet and brave and passionate and funny. You have captured us baby boy! It has been so much fun and such an honor being your mommy this past year watching you grow, loving on you, and seeing this amazing personality develop. Oh little man, we love you!

At one year old here are some things about you...
You are almost 22 pounds and 30 inches and are in the 53rd percentile in height and weight.
You love music. Anything. Everything. You bounce and sway and wave your hands to the music.
You eat most things but fruit is by far your favorite. Grapes, cuties, strawberries, bananas are amongst your favorites.
The faster, the higher, the more dangerous the better to you. Slides, scooters, bikes you just love to go fast!
You always take one shoe off in the stroller or car seat. Usually the right one.
You started walking at 11 months and by your first birthday were basically trying to run.
You say mama, dada, dog (daw dawg), that (dat), Andy said you said Andy (Annie) when he was watching you, and at your 1st birthday party you said yaya.
You sleep with a monkey that sings and every time I lie you down in the crib you look over at Charlie monkey waiting for mommy to turn him on.
You still love to nurse at 4:30 in the morning and to calm you down after your afternoon nap when you wake up so crankerpie.
You love to be clapped for.
You think your brother is the funniest person alive and love playing chase with him. You love being chased!
You oh ew oh aw oh all the way through Sea World and the zoo.
You sign more and we are trying to get you to sign all done because you like to aggressively throw your food on the ground.

You love to be outside. You are happiest outside. 

The park is your happy place with the beach coming in a close second. 

You are the best at waking brother, daddy, or me up with your tender hugs and excited giggles.

You love to turn the lights on and off. And blow them on and off. 

You love mommy's keys and to pretend your driving. 

You are so freaking cute!

Huddy, we love you sweet smoosh! Happy 1st Birthday! 

Love, Mom 

                            
                                 
                                             

Love Wins

To us,

In the midst of chaos. In the darkness of evil. In the heartache of tragedy. I am reminded that 2000+ years ago a man stood in the midst of chaos, evil, and tragedy and didn’t just skirt around it but went right through it, and won. Love won.  

In the ugliness of this world. In the loud craziness of this world. People are running in to help. Literally running towards explosions to scoop people into their arms. People are generously sharing their resources. People are praying. Meals are being shared. Couches are being slept on. People are listening deeply to one another. People are good. Love is still winning. 

I believe on days like today where the evil and injustice has taken center stage we can either question God’s power or we can (be discouraged and disgusted but) trust love will win. And because I believe that... I am going to be a force of love. I will be good. I will encourage. I will comfort. I will soothe. I will be patient. I will be kind. I will be gentle in my words and actions. I will have self control. I will be light. I will be love. 

Love won. Love is still winning. And love will win.

Love, Amy

Escalator

To the pre-teen boy in the Chargers jersey,

You have no reason to be ashamed. You have no reason to be embarrassed. Fear is a powerful emotion induced by a perceived threat that can be rational or irrational. Did you know there are actual phobias like fearing clothing, or beards, or the color yellow, and even fearing peanut butter getting stuck to the roof of their mouth. No joke! Sometimes fear leads us to act bigger or stronger or quicker than our normal and sometimes it can just be paralyzing. I want you to know it's ok. I saw you. I felt your fear. I could see you were trying to do something that though may be second nature to a lot of people was hard for you. And you did it. I am proud of you! Good job!

Love,
The lady behind you on the escalator

ps. I hope someday you can face another fear and confront your dad about his reaction.

One of those days

Attitudes are flaring this week. Sleep has not been suffice. Patience is running thin. Throwing things at mom and biting has been tried out (what the heck?!). Nerves are on edge. Time outs have been given out like candy.  I felt defeated at points and overwhelmingly frustrated at points. And I know this is just a part of mommyhood. Sometimes being a mom is effortless and fun and sometimes its biting your tongue, breathing deeply, taking every ounce to control yourself hard. On one of those days...

Take an extra 10 minutes to sing in the shower.
Paint your nails.
Make a coffee date even if its just with yourself.
Go for a run.
Sit and watch a tv show instead of doing another load of laundry.
Make a simple dinner.
Have a cup of tea in the middle of the day.
Do your hair a little differently.
Clean something well that you have been putting off.
Read some ecards.
Call a friend.
Do a craft.
Find a new blog to follow.
Put on a outfit that makes you feel pretty.

Do something, anything for you.

Love,
Amy

The two precious boys who have given me a run for my money this week =)

Mirror

To my boys,

I admire your sense of confidence, your lack of shame, your ease with your goofy free self. I pray you never lose this. Mommy, will do her best to let you be you and encourage your quirkiness and your appreciation for yourself. Be silly. Laugh at yourself. Be proud of who God made you. To quote the Veggie Tales book Hudson pushes the singing button a thousand times a day "when you look in the mirror you'll see His touch, because God made you special and He loves you very much!".

So does mommy.

Love,
Mommy

Smooshy

To my Hudson,

You are freaking adorable! You make me melt!

Love,
Mommy

Lawyer

To Lawyers & Future Lawyers,

Consider this your warning. He is not even in kindergarten and he can convince, persuade, lead, and debate with the best of them. He won't take no for an answer without a solid reason. He has a gift of coming at problems from different angles. He is adamant you see things his way. He seeks creative solutions. He loves people and can rally those around him to trust the direction he is going. He is perseverant.

His weakness though is cookies. Offer him a cookie and you have a chance.

Love,
His biggest fan and the first prosecutor in his life

Four

To my Corbyn,

Four whole years old! You are imaginative, creative, kind, and compassionate. You are an entertainer, a leader, a thoughtful friend, and a caring brother. You are hilarious, observant, courageous, and audacious. You are a deep thinker, a persistent asker of questions, and a connection maker! You are a lover! You make us so happy! We are proud of the little man you have become and look forward to God growing you exponentially this year.

What is your favorite color? Orange
What is your favorite toy? Bubble gun, Legos
What is your favorite food? Sweet potatoes
What is your favorite tv show? Spider-Man
What is your favorite outfit? Superman shirt
What is your favorite game? Pop Goes Froggio
What is your favorite snack? Apple because I get my eye vision
What is your favorite animal? Lions
What is your favorite song? The pop song! (Starts singing) A Moment Forever by Volbeat (Spotify it!)
What is your favorite book? Ira Sleeps Over or Any Bernstein Bears
Who is your best friend? Marley & Riggs (they can come to my house 4-eva)
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump on the trampoline, ride scooter
What is your favorite drink? lemonade
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? Go to bed and lay. Play hide and seek.
What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Read books. Have a tea party.
What is your favorite thing to do with Hudson? Fight crime. Play chase around the coffee table.

Love you my bubby!

Love, Mom

Giver

To Parents and Future Parents,

We give. We give. We give some more. We have nothing left to give and we give.
It's "can you wipe my toosh."
"I'm hungry."
"I can't find my batman, can you?"
"Whah." Change diaper.
"Mom, Hudson is trying to get into the toilet."
"Can I watch tv?" No.
"Can we go for a walk then."
"I want to ride my scooter." Get scooter.
"Mom, I want to ride my bike." Get bike.
"Hudson is riding in the wagon? I want to ride in the wagon."
"My sheets have sand in them can you change them."
"Mamamamamama." Feed baby.
"Mooom, can you please put on my Captain America suit."
"I accidentally peed on the floor, can you clean it up?"
"Can you turn my suit inside out?"
"Can you button me up again?" Put on.
"Actually I want to be Ironman, can you put that on."
"Whah." Sit on floor with baby.
"Mom, I'm thirsty."
"Mom, this is just water I want ice also."
"Whah." Back to floor.
"Mommy, I opened my cup to make sure there was ice and I spilled it."
"Mom, can you read this book to me."
"Moooom, can you please put Hudson somewhere else he keeps grabbing the pages."
"Hudson spit up."
"Whah." Give baby toy to play with.
"Mom, these shoes are pinching."
"Whah."
"Mamamamamamamamama."
"Mom."
"Mommy."
"Mama."
"Mom."
"Wonder woman."
"Mom."
"Mamamamamama."

We give and give. It is the absolute best thing and hardest thing to be mom (or dad)! But then there are moments, sweet glimpses of your babies learning to give back when they offer a very aggressive kiss or a "Mom! I love you!" "You are the best!" and your heart wants to explode with love. I have never given so much of myself to anything. I have never loved so hard. So emotionally. So passionately. So intimately. So unconditionally. Then the way I love my kids.

It kind of reminds me of a love I have received! Maybe being a parent is a glimpse into how God loves us. His tank just never depletes like ours do and he never whines about it.

Thank you God for loving me. Thank you for my amazing boys and for teaching me how to love them.  I love you! You are the best!

Parents (future parents), we can do it, we have a beautiful giver to imitate!

Love, Amy

Superhero Party

To those looking to throw a kids party on a budget (and to future Corbyn),

My boy is obsessed with superheroes! We have had to have multiple talks about how God is greater than superheroes but that they possess characteristics that would make God smile. We have had numerous talks about how his name is Corbyn and not Superman or Spider-Man or Batman, not even Steve Rogers or Clark Kent, but please, please introduce yourself as Corbyn. So naturally he wanted a superhero party. 

I scoured pinterest and found some superhero parties that I could take some ideas from, one party that when I looked closer realized it was a party of one of my friends from high school kiddo. Small cyber world! Her sons party can be found at Domestic Charm. The photo backdrop and striped jello squares were ideas from there, thanks Katelyn for sharing!    

Here are some photos from Corbyn's Superhero party!

Our garage transformed into city skyline. Black sheet hung, clouds and moon cut from poster board, buildings made from boxes with gray and yellow poster board. 

My super boys! 

Capes for all the kiddos as their take home gift. Made from felt and foam stars. We just traced Corbyn's cape and shield on the cape from a cape he already had and cut them out with fabric scissors. I used spray glue to attach the shield to the cape. Then used hot glue to attach the foam stars from Michaels to the shield. I then used heat activated velcro to fasten around the neck area. 

Superhero Bounce House rented from Jump for Adan

Banner made from left over felt and foam stars. Attached to ribbon with hot glue gun. 

Coloring pages just printed off from online

Pictures of the Superhero Birthday boy over the dessert table

Striped Jello squares on dessert table.

"4" Cake and cake pops (strawberry and chocolate) also on dessert table.

Superhero labels for food. Just printed on construction paper cut funky and outlined with sharpie. Labels were enhances agility, improves laser vision, builds muscles, energy blast, boosts invisibility, and increases elasticity. We served pizza, chicken wings, carrots and celery with hummus, cuties, and grapes.

Superhero buddies!

Little heroes and birthday boy bouncing!

The rain held off and Corbyn had so much fun with all his buddies!

Corbyn, I sure had fun doing this party for you! Love you my big 4 year old!

Love, Mom/Amy

Sleep

To My Huddy,

For over nine months now we have had the middle of the night just you and me. Usually twice a night we sat in the darkness, in the quiet, as you filled your little belly and I starred at your precious face, squishy hands, and felt your little body curve perfectly into mine. Getting up in the morning proved to be quite the chore but having those peaceful prayerful moments with you, I wouldn't change.

But the time has come where it is better for both of us and for daddy and brother that you learn to sleep through the night. So the sleep training has begun. It's been five days and you have been a champ. You were ready. Mommy is still trying to sleep all night again but you have been great! Thank you for making it easy on mommy.

May you have peaceful nights sleep and beautiful dreams my sweet boy!


Love, Mommy

Superhero

To my Corbyn,

I asked your preschool teachers how you were doing in school. It took me a couple weeks to ask this and even as I did I held my breath waiting for their response.  As I stood there squeezing your brothers legs a little tighter and trying to quickly analyze their facial expression I thought about the the first time I had asked this question and got the response that you were working on keeping your hands to yourself because you were determined to be a crime fighting superhero (naturally). Since then when I have asked you how you are doing, you have told me you talk too much (which I'm sure is true) and only play by yourself (which I know isn't true because I watch as I come and go) so I asked waiting for a list of things we were going to have to discuss and work on at home. But to my surprise, which really shouldn't have been surprising, she looked at me, smiled and said "Corbyn seems to love school and is so compassionate with his friends. He makes people feel comfortable and always asks people to play especially those who are having a rough time".

This will always be better than A's on a report card. Being a friend, being hospitable, compassionate, and caring matters. At not even 4 years old you already get it. You are already making these things apart of who you are and for that my boy, I am so very proud of you.  May you continue to feel deeply for your friends, to look out for those hurting around you, and act out of love and compassion.

Little man, you really are a superhero! Just remember...keep those hands to yourself =).

Love,
Mommy

Parenting Peace

To mommy’s, 

Natural vs. Drug-induced

Breast-feeding vs. bottle feeding

On demand vs. parent directed feeding

Co sleeping vs. Crib the first night

Letting them cry it out vs. Rocking to sleep

TV vs. No TV

However, you are doing it, if you are doing it with your child’s best interests in mind than you are doing it beautifully. Every child is different. Every parent is different. There is no right or wrong, no instruction manual, no 12 steps you can follow for parenting. It’s basically praying for miracles, trial and error, and sometimes offering up a hail mary. It’s beautiful and messy and hard and rewarding and overwhelming and awesome! 

You are the perfect parent for your child. May we make decisions for our children out of love and grace.  Happy parenting!

Love, Amy

My two totally opposite littles that have taught me I know nothing and everything about parenting.

Election

Dear Fellow Followers of Christ,

The election has come and gone. The divisive negative ads have come and gone. Some people are in mourning and are packing their bags for Switzerland. Some people are over the moon excited. But what this election doesn't change, no matter if you are toasting your glass or shaking your head is that we have the same mission.

It hasn't changed. Not one intsy weentsy tiny little bit. Our call to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourself remains the same.

This is GOOD news.

Love, Amy

Kisser Bug

To my sweet smooshy,

I looked in the mirror tonight and I have little fingernail scratches all over my face. I don't mind though. They are from your over zealous kisses that mommy adores. I so adore you little boy! You grab my face or hair, squeal, and aggressively pull me close to your wide open slobbery mouth and then let go with a huge smile on your face.  Love! I hope, my little man, as you get older you stay passionate,  endearing, and so full of love that you can't help but leave your mark on people.

Love, Mommy