Sometimes it's okay to look back...

I'm a firm believer in looking forward to your future and not focusing on the past, but every once it a while I think it's okay to look back and see how far I've come.

Three years ago I wrote this entry as a prayer that flowed from my heart.  And I'm so grateful I did.  So grateful to be able to read these words today and be affirmed of just how much I've grown.  While the goal of peace is still a daily struggle, I look back and smile thinking of the journey that has shaped me into the independent, confident, and successful woman that I am today :)

My Week In Review...

School has started and my life is yet again consumed with 

keeping the kiddos healthy : )

Getting Organized.

Made With Love : )

This happens EVERY morning!  Love my Bubba Keg of Coffee!

Perfect end to a LONG week.  Pizza + Wine + Sex & The City + Good Company = One tired but happy girl.

Decided on this one after reading to the point of "What makes you happy."  
How could I not, it knew me so well : )

Better Late Than Never...

I've been so busy lately that I didn't realize it's been almost a week since my last post!  So sorry!  Life has been crazy trying to get ready for the first day of school.  I'd really like to offer some life changing revelation or advice, but after a 12 hour day, you're getting randomness.  Enjoy : )


*  I treated myself to one of my favorite desserts after dinner.  One Minute Banana Pudding!!!  And guess what?  It's 100% guiltless!

1 banana

1 tbsp plain greek yogurt

Splash of milk:  I normally use coconut or almond milk

Sprinkle of stevia:  You like my measurements don't you ; )

Sprinkle of cereal:  I like Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds

Directions:  Break the banana into pieces and place in a small bowl.  Microwave for one minute, stirring after 30 seconds.  It should end up caramelized.  You may have to add additional seconds, but check it often or it will overcook.  Add all other ingredients, stir, and enjoy!  Yum : )  Almost as good as Grandma's.  

Eat it and bring your sexy back.

Running Backwards...

I thought I'd try a more personal post, taken directly from my journal... Sorry if it's a little hard to read!

The Little Things...

Life is all about the little things. I'm convinced of this. It's the little things in life that allow us to experience joy, peace, love, happiness. Even in times of complete chaos, if you take just a second to look around I'm certain you'll find at least one small thing to make you smile. In February of this year I read a book, One Thousand Gifts, that taught me to look for the small things, and appreciate all of life's little blessings.  It's a christian based book describing one woman's journey to grow her sense of gratitude in life.

While it took me a while to really get into the book, it turned out to be one of my favorites because of what it taught me.  Inspired by the author I started my own gratitude journal (confession:  I'm the world's worst at starting something and not finishing, but I did manage to write down my gifts for about a month.  Now I just store them away in my memory).  

(Obviously I AM NOT an artist lol)

Today I woke to an early morning thunderstorm and have been enjoying it's peacefulness while cuddled up on my couch, sipping on a cup of hazelnut coffee, no responsibilities requiring my attention elsewhere.  My favorite!  I couldn't have asked for a better way to start the day : ) and have been inspired to share with you some of the other small things that have filled my gratitude tank.

• My mama coming to visit
• The perfect song during a run.  Yesterday I was especially loving "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers and "As Long As You Love Me" by Justin Bieber.  And no, I'm not too proud to admit that I listen to Bieber : )
• Cook Out Milkshakes!
• Chai lattes AKA "Christmas in your mouth!"
• Surprises in the mail and life long friends  

Taken 10 years and 1 day apart : )

• Randomness and random acts of kindness:  I passed this during my run yesterday morning, and it definitely made me smile : ) 

Thank you, whoever you are, for being cool enough to think to do this!

• Encouraging words from a friend validating who I am and what I'm doing in life; reminding me that no matter what time or distance is between us, our friendship will never fade. @ Angie Sneed : )
• Daily devotionals:  Charles Stanley and Joel Osteen are two of my fav podcasts to listen to while getting ready in the morning.
• Kiddos:  their innocence and fullness of life make my heart smile.
• The Bose system in my car.  Thanks to spending a week in a rental while my car was being repaired, I've learned that my morning drives just aren't the same without my Bose blaring to wake me up!
• Quotes (click here for some favs)
• The Beach AKA My Happy Place.

And the list goes on...  Seriously, I could keep this up for days!  No time now though, I've got to get my butt up off this couch and get dressed.  My best friend is coming today for a quick post-birthday celebration!

Happy Sunday : )

Birthday Shout Out : )

One of these days I'm going to make time to sit and write about the millions of things that have been on my mind lately. But for now, I'll just take a few minutes to wish my BFF in the whole wide world a HAPPY BIRTHDAY : )

 Friendship is something I truly value, and without a doubt can say that you have been the very best friend a girl could ever have. I can't thank you enough for always, always, always being there for me, for giving me advice, for holding your tongue, for encouraging me, listening to me rant, saving my life (because you have many times), having faith in me, being my partner in crime, putting up with my silliness, making mistakes with me, loving me, and most of all... for just being FABULOUS YOU : )

 You are such a wonderful person and deserve the best life has to offer!

p.s.  we need some updated pics!

Taking it back to my roots of food blogging today! I had some YUMMY food this weekend and thought I'd share...
After a great long run Saturday morning, I came home craving one of my favorite easy meals... Toasted turkey with goat cheese, spicy mustard, and apple slices.  Only I realized I didn't have apples and substituted peaches instead. Not bad : )

Dinner Saturday night turned out not bad either. In fact, it was DELICIOUS!!! I went over to help my friend Joey prepare to host her husband's football team cookout, but a last minute team meeting lead to the whole thing being called off. Instead of hosting, we left the five pounds of burgers and dogs in the fridge and headed out for an impromptu girls night : ) Within 30 minutes we were seated at the bar of Soul Gastrolounge enthralled in the amazing menu trying to decide what to order first! P.S. Never believe the hostess when she says there's a two hour wait. Slip her some cash or do what we did... pounce on the first bar stools that come available! Sitting at the bar is way more fun anyways.

Pork belly tacos with watermelon salsa...most AMAZING food ever! (This pic came from Yelp... I was too busy stuffing my face to take pretty pics)We also had the taramasalata and a replay roll. 

And last but definitely not least, on Sunday I finally decided to try out a new sweet potato recipe. It was very easy to make, and I loved it! Can you tell I have a thing for brussels sprouts too?

Spicy garlic black beans, Baked sweet potato filled with spicy black beans and topped with a warm goat cheese honey spread, And of course brussels sprouts with spicy mustard.

Oh, I almost forgot...  I was craving something sweet Sunday night and decided to try ad-libbing a recipe for black bean brownies.  Can you say EPIC FAIL!?!  More like disgusting bean flavored eggy pudding.  Disgusting!  Made their way to the trash can faster than anything containing chocolate ever should.  Maybe next time I'll actually follow a recipe.  I'll give them one more shot.