Honestly, there weren’t a ton of shenanigans this weekend. Anyone terrified of catching the flu??? Zoe got her flu shot back in the fall, but since it seems to be worthless with the strands going around…we kept our happy healthy asses at home much of this weekend.The little bit we did venture out to get grocery shopping done looked like this…
It was balls cold all weekend anyways. We did get a lot done around the house! And by we, I really mean Chris. He had fun on some trees with his new chain saw and cleaned up some stuff in the man cave. I organized more of the pantry but am still piddling in there. I did help him carry the branches down to the curb sooooo there is that. It is hard to get things done with a very mobile one year old!
I am now half way through my month of Whole 30. I was starting to think that my clothes weren’t really fitting any better, but when I was cleaning out some stuff in our closet the other day….I decided to put on a pair of jeans I haven’t reached for since the very beginning of 2016. I thought, let’s just see how much more work I have to do to get these things buttoned. And you guys…..they slid right up, zipped and buttoned. I did a huge happy dance, promptly ran downstairs to show Chris and then text a picture to my ahole bros group. While I still have a ways to go toning up….that was all the motivation I needed to sore through the rest of this month!
Here is a look at my eats the last few days…
Chris and I caught up on a few of our shows that have come back from break and I got a little reading time in. And just like that, our weekend was over! Zoe’s daycare is closed today but my office is not. Work from home it is! I already have Mexican Chicken Soup cooking in the crockpot, got in a short workout and have started work for the day and its only going on 6am. Winning!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Linking up with Biana.
1. I had to cancel on Laura last week for Birthday Lunch when Zoe came down with a fever. We finally got to do it yesterday! We went to Avondale Common House and I stayed Whole30 strong and ordered a salad with no cheese and grilled chicken. It was so delicious!!! Plus, girls lunch is good for the soul.
2. I haven’t had proper chance to say ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, Monday night was a roller coaster of emotions! First we were down, then we were really down, then we started to come back and then it was a tie and OMG we are going in to overtime. My heart couldn’t take anymore! A hell of a game, and I can’t think of two better matched teams to face off in the National Championship game! While I am a Georgia fan and super happy to see them make it all the way, my heart belongs to Bama and they are my number one and who I pulled for.
There are a lot of haters saying that it isn’t fair that two SEC teams made it to the championship. But bottom line is the best of the best made it. SEC FOREVER!
3. I received some money at Christmas and wanted to treat myself to something I have been coveting for a long time. I went over to Saks and finally picked up a pair of these magical leggings!!! I am hoping that my month of Whole30 will give me the confidence to rock them. Looking in the mirror in the fitting room, I looked a good two sizes smaller in them. Did unicorns make these??
Also, it was my first time really shopping in Saks. I have been in there before to browse, but I walked up to the register to ask where the leggings were located in the store because I was on lunch and in a hurry. The person who helped me was amazing! She walked me over to them, helped me find my size, took me over to the fitting rooms, was waiting for me outside to see if I liked them, asked me if I wanted to look at anything else, and then walked with me over to the register. She was so friendly and conversation with her was easy, like I was shopping with my best friend. I might have to pop over there more often. I know they carry higher end things, but I am all about quality over quantity these days and still remember my experience there. More than I can say for most shopping experiences these days.
4.My hair has been awful the last few weeks. Looking dry and gross, laying really flat. I have used up nearly all of my products and want to try something new. Leave me some of your favorites in comments. Keep in mind that my hair is very fine and naturally straight.
5. I found this recipe for sweet potato waffles and I can’t wait to try them!!! They are paleo/whole 30 approved.
I didn’t even know how to get dressed this morning. It was in the 60’s when I was leaving my house and will be in the 30’s when I return. Layers is the only solution I came up with. Bipolar weather! I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. Linking up with Amanda.
Marian Caldwell is living her dream in NYC until Kirby Rose shows up with a reminder of the secrets from her past. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves.
I really enjoyed this book! From the very beginning I was hooked and wanted to find out what was going to happen. I went back and forth as to whether I really liked Marian or not, I felt at times that her character was a little shallow and disconnected. It didn’t take away from the story at all. Kirby and Conrad were my favorite characters.
In The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy mines her past for stories about her teenage years, her family, relationships, and sex and shares the experiences that have shaped who she is – a woman with the courage to bare her soul to stand up for what she believes in, all while making us laugh.
Some of Amy’s stand up cracks me up and I have caught a few episodes of her show, so I thought I would check this out. I consumed this via audiobook since Amy herself reads it.
Bottom Line: If you are a fan of Amy’s, you will probably enjoy this.
In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.
Even though I predicted what was going to happen from the very beginning, I really enjoyed this story. You get to know both Tess and Valerie really well. I felt like I could relate to both characters circumstances, and I like to think I know what I would if I were on each side.
Bottom Line: This was a good read. It sort of plays to both sides of the story with the alternating points of view and allows you to “chose a side.”
When Kate’s abusive husband dies in a house fire, she only feels relief. Eighteen months later, she’s ready to move on and seeks the help of a matchmaking company. Only, they match her with someone that knows too much about her past.
This was a super quick and cute read. I really enjoyed it. I read this in one evening, so that should tell you it definitely held my attention. If you are wanting a romance book without any of the dirty talk, then this would be a good one for you.
I don’t know if it is because I read a few other books in the last few months about social media and the curated life vs real life or whatever…and I kept comparing those two books to Sociable, but I think I decided that Sociable was just not for me. I found the characters to be unlikable, they were superficial and ridiculous. I think it had a relevant and interesting concept, but it wasn’t executed well. It was a quick, easy read and there were a few humorous moments I enjoyed…but there was nothing really memorable about the book and I didn’t really care for the writing style.
Bottom Line: I cant really recommend this book. I gave it two stars, but very meh for me. I would recommend reading Hello, Sunshine or My Not So Perfect Life over this.
**I received a copy of Sociable from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
A matchmaking moose is determined to bring together an unlikely pair. Holly Noelle Snow loves Christmas so much she could be one of Santa’s elves, and Reese Sutton might as well be Scrooge.
This was such a cute Christmas read! I read this in a span of about two days and it gave me all the warm and fuzzy feels.
Bottom Line: It is a little cheesy and predictable, but the perfect Christmas romance!
Single mother Sabrina Gervais has built a happy life with her daughter Charlotte. Jake Killen’s career in professional hockey has brought him many rewards on and off the ice, but returning to New York brings back a flood of memories. When he sees Sabrina again, he discovers that he didn’t just away from her ten years ago, but also from their unborn child.
I do love a good second chance romance. This was another quick read that I really enjoyed. Again, nothing mind blowing…but one of those feel good Christmas romance stories. I do like that it makes you think about what you would have done in Sabrina or Jake’s situation.
Bottom Line: Cute Christmas romance if you are in to those sorts of things.
Dumped by her boyfriend, stressed out by her job, Kate Hamilton needs to regroup and get back some self-esteem. Rob’s been more than burned by love and when Kate tries to seduce him in a bar, he completely rejects her. Little do they know they will meet again in a small town!
This was a slow burn romance that really grew on me. You really get to know the main characters and see how first impressions might not always tell the whole story. I felt like the ending was a little anticlimactic, and sometimes I got a little frustrated with the misunderstands and miscommunication between Kate and Rob. I suppose that is what makes it a fun story though!
Bottom Line: Overall, a cute read and perfect since Valentine’s Day is coming up!
This weekend we didn’t really do a whole lot. Zoe came home with a fever Thursday night. It only took the kids in her new class three days to take her down with their grossness. I worked from home and took her to the doctor Friday. The only time her and I left the house this weekend was yesterday to go grocery shopping and meet up with her grandparents for lunch.
I have been staying strong with Whole30. The hardest thing for me is no creamer in the coffee in the mornings. I really enjoy my coffee time and it has sucked this past week and not been special at all. I just chug it down for the caffeine. I know I will at least add the creamer back on February 1st because life is too short to not enjoy your coffee!
Truth is, I cheated midweek. You aren’t supposed to weigh yourself during the 30 days, but I just wanted to see that I made some progress to give myself some motivation to keep going strong. I hopped on that scale and realized I was down 4 pounds in just a few days. Ummm ok!!! I will keep going! No problem!
I love linking up with Andrea and the ladies from TBB Asks each month to answer some fun questions. These posts are some of my favorite to read as well, I feel like I always learn something new about you!
1. Resolutions or No Resolutions?
I mentioned before, but I don’t really do resolutions. I usually have something in mind that I want to work on for the year, but don’t set specific goals. It is almost always my health. Constant work in progress over here.
2. Love snow or No Snow?
Love love love love love snow!!! Unfortunately, here in Alabama we don’t get to see it often. We can go years without it. We were blessed with one beautiful snow day already this year though! I should edit to say, I love it just as long as there aren’t ice issues. That shit is scary and I think we all remember Snowpocalypse in the south from a few years ago.
3. Name a New Place you want to go this year?
I am not sure there is going to be any major traveling this year with a one year old. Chris and I do have a bucket list of a few places that we want to go to though and I hope to make it a reality over the next several years.
We are all about taking advantage of what is within driving distance to us here in Birmingham though. Atlanta and Chattanooga are just two hours away. Nashville is about three hours. The beach is four hours, Gatlinburg is five hours. And we do like to go to Huntsville, which is just an hour. So hope to add a few day/weekend trips!
4. Would you rather have a new Hair cut or Hair color?
Color. I like to keep my hair long (or as long as the fine, stringy mess will let me), but get my hair colored at least twice a year.
5. Name one special thing you want to do for yourself this year?
My health took a backseat last year while I tried to find my way as a new mom. I guess I can say I sort of let myself go. I swore before I had a baby that I wouldn’t be that person who completely loses who she is just because she is a mom. I am working on getting back Nadine this year, and still being an awesome mom in the process.
6. Least Favorite thing about January?
I get the blues that the holidays are over. And that the month is filled with full work weeks. LOL
7. Most Favorite thing about January?
The clean slate feeling that the first of the year brings, and getting my house back in order after the holidays.
8. When do you take down your Holiday decorations?
I try to have them down by January 1st. If not then, by the next weekend for sure.
9. Do you diet in January?
The last three years I have done Whole30 in January. Even before that, I can remember making a conscience effort to eat better and detox after all the holiday splurges and treats.
10. What area of your home do you want to organize the most?
The entire thing! Honestly, we hope to put our house on the market sometime this year and move. So I am working on staging and making the house look awesome for potential buyers. But also keeping in mind my goals for a new home with whatever I buy to organize and stage, because I want to invest in things we love.
11. Favorite Winter Comfort Food?
I love savory foods in the winter time. I make a pot a soup just about weekly, usually for lunches but also dinner often too. So I guess soup?
12. Favorite Guilty Pleasure
Definitely a good Netflix binge!! I also find myself reading a lot of cheesy Christmas Romances in the winter. Though, I have to be honest and tell you that I never feel guilty about anything that brings me pleasure or joy. You shouldn’t either!
How would you have answered some of these questions??
I hope all my friends in the ATL stay safe today! I know you are supposed to be getting some possible road compromising winter weather. It is pouring here, but 36 degrees and *hopefully* no ice for us! We had been below freezing for so long, I had to remind myself a few times I was in Alabama and not Pennsylvania! I hope you all stay warm and have a fabulous week! I am double dipping and linking up with Biana too for Weekending!
Listen, you don’t have to be doing Whole30 to enjoy these recipes!!! These are all tried and true recipes that I have made during my last two rounds of Whole30 and have been in regular meal planning rotation ever since. These are husband approved as well. Just sayin’.
Sweet Potato Nachos – No one said you had to give up your favorite foods while doing Whole30. These are freaking amazing! AMAZING!!!
Ketchup – Definitely a must! Chris requests this over regular ketchup when we make turkey burgers.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken – Love to stuff sweet potatoes with this chicken! Or you could make sweet potato nachos with this meat and a little green onion!
Sloppy Joe’s – LOVE this recipe! I stuff baked potatoes with this too!
Baked Carrot Fries – I made these last year with some Asian meatballs and they were to die for!!! Chris had no clue they were carrots until I told him.
See, there are a ton of delicious foods that you an make while you are on Whole30!! But, like I said, these recipes are worthy of being made anytime. Even if you aren’t “dieting.” I plan to do another recipe post at the end of the month with all the new ones I try this round. A lot of you seem interested and asked me to share some recipes, so I hope you liked this! What is your favorite go to healthy meal? Spam me with your recipes!
