JUNE GOALS

I feel like we need to hit pause on this year, but regardless... hey June! This month I have a lot of goals, simply because I'm feeling more capable of accomplishing them. Here are a few for starters:

Go through all cabinets, closets, toys and purge. We're hoping to get a good collection going to have a garage sale so that we can buy a new crib. We borrowed a crib for Matilda, which was wonderful but we need a space saver this time.

Be able to wear my wedding rings all month. Silly, yes, but I really want to try to avoid swelling as much as possible. I made Sam read me these tips while I was falling asleep last night.

Kick my exercise routine into high gear. I'll be talking more about that on wednesday.

Try some new recipes. This month's Everyday Food is chock full of awesome ones and look... they're now on Pinterest. (You can check out my pins here)

Finish this book, which I'm really enjoying. I especially loved the chapter on the importance of setting goals. Clearly, I'm a fan.

Have a super weekend! Download June's goal calendar here.

image found here.

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THE LAKE

We had the most relaxing/amazing time at our family's lake house this past weekend. It was Matilda's first time there and letmetellyou she was in love! We could not drag her little fanny out of the water. She could have stayed out there all day. It was the cutest. I had missed the feeling of being in the blue ridge mountains and feeling the cooler air in the morning. I love sitting on the dock and sticking my toes in the water and long boat rides that whip your hair in a million different directions. It's magical.

I've had an overwhelming week, so I've been channeling this feeling ever since we got home. Nothing major to report, just lots to do, a super messy house that won't clean itself, forgetting everything. Pregnancy brain is in full effect. I did manage to make this for dinner and to get quite a bit done, I'm just beat. Hello 16 weeks!

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HEALTHY PREGNANCY/ 04

One of my favorite ways to get in real food is to make crazy salads. This Sunshine Salad is one of my favorites to make. It's so easy and the egg gives you great protein. Makes a lovely brunch meal on the weekends.

Sunshine Salad

Mixed Greens

Naval oranges

Pine Nuts

Braggberry Dressing (I'm obsessed)

Fried Egg

Grated Robusto cheese


Place ingredients in a bowl as listed and enjoy!

I think it's so fun to experiment with salads. They tell pregnant ladies to stay away from raw, soft cheese to avoid contracting Listeria. Most cheese in the United States is pasteurized but there is plenty of raw cheese available (which I normally prefer) so make sure to check the label.

Here are some really amazing salad combinations:

Strawberries, goat cheese, almonds, Braggberry dressing

Apples, blue cheese, walnuts, vinegarette

Pears, parmesan or robusto, walnuts, olive oil, s + p

Fried egg, naval orange, robusto cheese, Braggberry dressing

Dried cranberries, almonds, naval oranges, gorgonzola cheese, rasberry vinegarette

Fried egg, walnuts, golden raisins, goat cheese, balsamic vinegarette


What are your salad topping go tos? I would love to add some more to the rotation!

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15 WEEKS/ LAKE MATERNITY STYLE

top: similar here/ shorts: similar here/ shoes: here

Hope you had a great long weekend. My family and I got back late last night from one of our favorite places on earth - the lake! I have a lot more pictures I'll be posting later in the week, but I didn't want to miss documenting my 15th week of pregnancy. Right now I'm actually almost 16 weeks which is hard to believe. I've been feeling these tiny flutters for a couple of weeks and I'm so thrilled to be feeling signs of life. You can't help but worry (natural born worrier here), so I always find the little kicks so comforting. I can't believe in just a few short weeks we'll know if it's a boy or a girl. With Matilda I was so sure she was a girl, and this time I have NO idea and I really don't care. We will be so excited either way.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with work this week as I'm doing a bit of catch up after the weekend. Fun always comes with a price doesn't it? ;) I just seem to struggle to get things done at night because I get so tired and that's really the best time to be productive. Matilda has been waking up SO early. It started out of nowhere and I kept thinking it was just a phase but now I'm not sure. I've tried keeping her up later and it makes no difference. 6:30 am BING, she's ready to roll. HMR (Help me Rhonda - which Matilda actually said the other day. Ha!).

Did you do something fun this weekend? I want to hear about it. Also, I wanted to share with you guys Matilda's reaction to becoming a big sister. We finally uploaded and it warms my heart to the core. This weekend when she was tubing she told Sam, "The baby will never believe this." Melt.



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LIME BASIL/ 2 WAYS

First of all I wanted to say that I know there was a little bit of resistance to the blood type diet post that I posted yesterday. Let me just say that this was information that I thought was interesting and worth taking a look at, not necessarily a diet that I personally endorse or know to be 100% effective. I don't think it could hurt to try cutting some foods out to see how you feel, but it's also important to listen to your body and do your research. Now that that's out of the way, I'm super excited to share with you these little babies.

The other day I was shopping at Whole Foods and came across someone demoing the Vitamix and I always like to see what they make. This gem of a man made me really happy. He was making Lime Basil smoothies and as soon as I got home I made my own version. Something that I've been craving in a big way is a margarita, so this lime concoction really gets me where I want to go. We had leftovers so I poured them into our rocket pops and Matilda said it was"delicious." They are not overly sweet and are incredibly refreshing.

Basil Lime Smoothie/ Popsicles

Handful of green grapes

2 handfuls of spinach or a bunch of lucinato kale

1 naval orange

1/2 a frozen banana

1/2 of a fuji apple

4 pitted dates

1/4" slice of lime

3-4 basil leaves

a cup of ice


Method:

Add ingredients into blender in order listed. Blend until smooth. Garnish with zest from lime or freeze to make popsicles. Will make enough for a smoothie for 2 plus 6 pops! Enjoy!

Hope you all have a very fun Memorial day. See you next week!

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HEALTHY PREGNANCY/ 03

image found here.

Most likely at some point in your pregnancy you will be told your blood type. If not then you can take a test at home to determine "your type." After reading this post on GOOP and hearing a lot about The Blood Type diet I thought it would be interesting to investigate and share my findings. Sometimes really small changes in our diets can make a huge difference in how we feel. The theory, developed by Peter D'Adamo, is that we all have a different genetic makeup and through personalized nutrition based on blood type we can naturally fight disease and feel as great as possible! The blood type diet is also supposed to boost fertility and help you have an even healthier pregnancy. For lots more info you can check out Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type here.


For Type A, a vegetarian diet is recommended.

Diet mainly consists of vegetables, fruits, soy proteins, beans, seafood, grains.

Foods to avoid are: red meat, dairy, wheat, kidney beans, lima beans.

Beneficial Foods: vegetables, vegetables oils, pineapple.

Exercise: Type A's thrive on exercise that reduces stress, even gardening can be a great outlet. Yoga, martial arts, activities that require focus.

For Type AB, enjoy a mixed diet in moderation.

Diet mainly consists of meat, seafood, dairy, beans, legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables.

Foods to avoid are: red meat, kidney beans, lima beans, seeds, corn, buckwheat.

Beneficial Foods: tofu, seafood, dairy, greens, kelp, pineapple.

Exercise: Type AB is the rarest blood type and just like their diet, a mixed exercise routine works well. Cardio and strength training one day, yoga the next, etc.

For Type B, a balanced omnivore diet is best.

Diet mainly consists of meat (no chicken), dairy, grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, fruits.

Foods to avoid are: corn, lentils, peanuts, sesame, seeds, buckwheat, wheat.

Beneficial Foods: greens, eggs, venison, liver, tea.

Exercise: Type B's enjoy long bike rides, activities that keep them centered but that are also fun!

For Type O, a high protein, meat eater diet is preferred.

Diet mainly consists of meat, vegetables, fruit, fish, in moderation some grains, beans, and legumes.

Foods to avoid are: wheat, corn, kidney beans, navy beans, lentils, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, mustard greens.

Beneficial Foods: kelp, seafood, salt, liver, red meat, kale, spinach, broccoli.

Exercise: Type O's need to burn a lot of energy, so high impact aerobics, circuit training, activities that get their heart rate going with quick bursts of energy are really effective.

Does any of this ring true for you? Do you recognize certain foods that don't sit well with you on the "avoid" list? I think it's really interesting. I'm Type O and it makes sense that I thrive on a low carb, high vegetable/protein diet. I think that wheat should be avoided for most diets and that dairy should be eaten in moderation, but I think it would be a neat experiment to change things up a little bit to get in line with your blood type and see how you feel!

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THE HELP

I've been noticing more and more how much Matilda wants to "help." She helps me make my coffee in the morning (I've gone to the dark side - decaf) and she helps me make smoothies, make up the bed, get the trash can off the curb, get the mail. There is no task too small. This weekend Sam was washing (and waxing!!) my car and Matilda was overjoyed to help him. She put on her little swimsuit and her new (don't judge) crocs (best shoes for kids ever!) and hit the pavement. She helped him the entire time. Do you see the joy on this kid's face?!

Such a reminder for me to empower her and give her responsibilities because she craves it. She also craves routine and structure which I'm working on helping her to be a little more flexible. I don't want her world to get rocked all at once when the babe comes. They are going to be sharing a room (should I be scared?) and I would love any advice from you pros who have been there done that with a 3+ year old and an infant.

I watched this really beautiful sermon on parenting that really made me think about God's grace for me, how I accept it, and how I pass that down to my children. I can be really hard on myself and beat myself up and I realize how important it is for me not to pass that lovely trait down. I want to let my little ones know that they don't have to live in guilt and shame. If you have a few minutes (parent or not) this is worth a watch...

Did you have a great weekend? I sure hope so.

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