Health Goals and Recipes to Get You There

We're a month into 2017 so it's time for a check in on goals! If you made a health and wellness resolution and stuck to it, you're well on your way to setting up lasting lifestyle changes.

I'm big on goal setting. Although some people prefer to stick with a few big ones, I've made a long list of resolutions every year for the better part of a decade. SMART goals-  Specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, timely. I'm pretty rough on myself when it comes to evaluating whether or not I'm on the right track. I usually revisit the goals and "grade" myself a few times a year just to be sure I'm making progress. In an upcoming post, I'll share the new tools I've found to help me get there this year.

Holiday Highlights and Sweet P at 15 Months

Hi friends! We have some catching up to do--First some holiday highlights and then P's 15 month update which is really more like 15 1/2 months!

Forecasts predict that we're going to get 3-6 inches of snow today, so it will provide the perfect backdrop to decorate our tree. We picked it out at the local nursery last weekend but didn't get the chance to put on the ornaments yet. While theme trees are all the rage, we go for a more traditional tree- colored lights and sentimental ornaments collected throughout the years.

Next year, we'll probably go cut one down, but I'll miss the tradition of visiting the local nursery where we see the family that does our landscaping. After picking out the tree, it's always a treat to go inside the store, have cider and Christmas cookies and see the owner's cats sleeping near the potbelly stove. It's a classic cozy Christmas scene!

Terrain Woven Basket- I opted to switch out the tree skirt for a woven basket from one of my favorite home stores this year. No more straightening it constantly only so that Lola can run underneath and knock it askew. No more vacuuming up needles daily. No more adjusting it to water the tree. It's such a simple change and so much more convenient!

Real Life RD- has some great advice for kicking dieting to the curb during the holidays. Eat with intention and enjoy it because it satisfies! And remember just because it is on the table doesn't mean that you have to eat it.

"...if we begin to just focus on taking care of ourselves, resting, loving on our friends and family, and serving others, then we obsess less, or better yet stop obsessing — and the food becomes a way we celebrate and share this season with others instead of something we exhaust ourselves over." 

Gingerbread Larabars- YUM! These are such a delicious treat that you wouldn't even know that they're healthy! Little did I know that this flavor has been around for a few years- Boy, have I been missing out!

I've always been curious about making my own Larabars, and there are plenty of recipes to try. Anyone ever make them? I've found a few different copycat recipes but can't decide which one to use.

So I Married A Chef
Nutritious Eats
Chocolate Covered Katie

Jeanne Oliver Designs Holiday Home Tour- Even though I say that I'm not a huge fan of contemporary style homes, Jeanne Oliver's house makes me think twice about it. With layered textiles, rustic touches and greenery, her "modern" farmhouse is so inviting and cozy. And look at that light!!!

        

Making Memories: Here's a fun tradition to look forward to each year! 

Sweet P

Pippa had her 15 month check up at the end of last month. She weighed in at 21.2 lbs. and is in the 75th percentile for height-- hard to believe that the little one was only in the fifth percentile for height and weight when she was born!

She is quite the snuggler and loves giving hugs and kisses, and we LOVE getting them! She still has only a handful of words (Mommom, Dada, cat, car, cookie, socks, up, down, uh-oh) but understands so much more than she can communicate. And it seems that every day she is trying out new sounds and words.

Pip is a ball of energy, running around, pulling everything out of its proper place and leaving a trail of toys, clothes, magazines, you-name-it behind her. She still loves peek-a-boo and never tires of being chased-- and Pip has proven her stability and speed when chasing Lola.

Pip still loves KidzLodge and is thriving there! We're so thankful to have found a place where she is so well cared for and loves going every day. At eighteen months, she will move from the infant classroom where she is now to the toddler classroom, and Mom is already dreading it! P's positive experience is all due to her amazing teachers in the "Bunny Classroom," and we credit them with her joyful nature. They report that she's the class clown, which is easy to believe. Whether wearing silly hats, making faces, dancing or jumping/somersaulting on the couch, she's constantly giggling and trying to make others laugh too.

As active as she is, Sweet P's favorite activity is probably sitting quietly and flipping through her books. It depends on the day, but some times she will even sit still for us and let us read to her, especially if it's Pout-Pout Fish-- her favorite book.

Thanks for sticking around to read this very long post! I'm off to work on Christmas cards and decorating! 

Three things 'round here: Eat, Be, Go

Three things I am super excited about these days...

Mini Kind Bars- Thanks to Courtney from Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life for blogging about these! I have become such a huge fan of Kind bars, especially since I found out about their Kind movement. Every month Kind supports a project with $10,000 to turn an idea to make the world a kinder place into reality. From rebuilding a firefighters home to mentoring youth to making fresh, healthy food available to inner city neighborhoods, the Kind movement is all about making the world a better place. Collective awwww! Vote for your favorite project here. Totally inspiring!

The Almond Coconut are deeevine! They're almost like an Almond Joy...minus the chocolate but even more delicious (how does that work???)

In the Bag: Field Goods

The Sailor and I generally eat pretty healthy meals. At least Monday through Friday. Lean and green are the guidelines when it comes to weeknight cooking.

Free printable