Meatballs

Meatballs seem to be one of those dishes like meatloaf.  It either is great or a flop, too dry, lacks seasoning.  I don't know if these are the perfect meatball but they are a runner up for the perfect meatball.  This is an easy recipe to knock out quick.

 I know because I just did it the other day.  I was teaching all day so that means I usually have 3 hours in the day (between classes) to get things done.  I knew I was making meatballs so my boys could have dinner that night while I taught and then lunch the next day, or even dinner again!  I pulled meat out of the freezer to have it ready to go.  After I taught morning classes I had to make a few quick stops, which turned into a lot longer than I though so when I got home to make meatballs I literally only had 45 min.  I got this.

Toss it all in a bowl, mix well!  Can you see what it's there?

I cook mine in a large skillet with some olive oil in a pan on medium (to very slightly high) heat.  I mean it...... don't you go to far on the high side, it won't be good.

Turn over!  I use tongs for this, it seems to be the best way to not break or disturb the meatball too much.  What....... you didn't know you can disturb meatballs?!  Uh....... you sure can, so if you are disturbing them, this could be why your's don't turn out.  I no yoking!  haha....... ok, maybe just a little.  By the way, this is a small batch for me.  The pan is usually FULL.  I was in a hurry!

I was pretty sure I captured the steam in this picture but maybe not.  Yep, these are right out of the pan, maybe a few minutes to cool down.  Put them right in an air tight container and in the frdige for my boys for dinner later.  I did not over cook these!  In fact I under cooked them just a bit, that way when they warm them up they are not dry.

Meatball sandwich!  This is what my boys will eat for lunch and dinner.  I don't always eat my meatball sandwiches on bread ......but when I do...... it is a big fat hoagie roll!

Recipe:

1 1/2 lbs ground meat  (I used half turkey/ half hamburger)

1/2 c almond flour

1/2c parmesan cheese

1 1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

3 garlic cloves crushed

1 small white onion chopped and sautéed

2 Tbsp fresh parsley (yes you need fresh, it changes the flavor if you use dry)

1/4c ground flax

2 Tbsp ketchup

1 egg

1. Sautée onion first in some olive oil.  Cook on med to low heat w/ a pinch of salt and pepper while you get the rest of the items ready.

2. Put all items in a bowl and then add onion and mix well.

3. Make into inch size (or just a bit bigger but not much).

4. Heat skillet to medium (to very slightly high) heat.  Drizzle with olive oil

5. Place all meatballs in pan.  Let cook on one side for about 8ish min.  Then use tongs to turn over.  If you feel your meatballs are cooking to fast, turn heat down.

6. serve or store in fridge.  You can even store in freezer!

7. To store in freezer first place meatballs on a cookie sheet and place in freezer for about 30 to an hour.  Then you can take them out and place them all in a ziplok bag without them sticking to each other!  

Spaghetti Sauce  I will say this though.  If you don't make your own..... I do recommend the brand Rao's.  It is AMAZING!  No joke.  It's expensive, about $9 a jar but if I am not making it myself it better be better than (or just as good as) mine!  See what I'm saying?  (you get me)

Serve on a roll, or however you'd like.  I like to eat mine over broccoli or even cauliflower, over course pasta works, zucchini noodles (that will have to be another post).  Get creative, change up the flavor if you'd like, this is just a simple base.   Enjoy, now go get cooking...... 

PALEO

GLUTEN FREE

DIARY FREE: use dairy free friendly cheese

VEGETARIAN: No!  But I am working on it.  Don't buy those vegetarian meatballs either, they are nasty.  I'll think of a version and share it.  =]

Mid Day Burner Juice

Here is another favorite juice recipe of mine.  Hope you enjoy.....

Recipe:

Mid day Burner juice:

1 beet

1/2 cucumber

3 celery stalks

4 carrots

1 orange (peeled)

1 cutie (skin on)

add your 1/2c pureed kale, recipe

2 tsp lemon juice

Ok...... I can't resist.  One more JUICE:

Green Juice:

3 collard green leaves (large)

1/2 romain heart head of lettuce 

2 oranges (peeled, leave one small strip of peel)

1/2 cucumber

3 large carrots

add 1/2c or more of pureed Kale

2 tsp lemon juice

Enjoy, go get juicing.........

More Pancakes

I am just trying to let you know that most recipes are versatile.  Here are is the same pancake recipe I posted before and made a different way.

Come on, you know you want these!

All I did was add vanilla bean, lemon, and blueberries!  Topped with raspberry syrup same as the strawberry syrup, recipe here just switch out strawberries for raspberries.  It's just that simple!  Make a pancake buffet with different items to go in and on top.  Fun for the kids.  Enjoy, go get flippin'.....

Coconut Popcorn

My husband LOVES popcorn and when I say love I mean LOVE!  We also love using coconut oil.  Super simple recipe.  Find your favorite kernels, get some coconut oil, a little butter and a little salt.

This is the best.  So light and de-ricious!  =]  It only takes about 5 min to make, by the time you get everything out, make it and clean up.  That's pretty good and much better than microwave crap that will kill you.  Enjoy.....

1. heat pan on med high heat
2. add 2-3 tbsp coconut oil
3. add 1/3c popcorn
4. put lid on, shake a little (just cause it's fun)
5. as it pops, shake it, as it slows the pop take off heat.
6. melt 2-3 tbsp butter, drizzle, add a little salt, I mean a little!

Enjoy on your next movie night!  =]

Kitchen Must have

Most people have one of these .... BUT... if for some reason you don't.... go get one!  You need this for so many reasons!

You can do so many cool things with this.

Make cookies!  haha

Make cakes... haha

shred chicken!  Yes, try it.  You will never shred chicken w/ 2 forks again!

Sweet Potato Chili

Like I've said before I am not strict anything when it comes to eating, except for good clean fuel (and every know and then I break that rule to!)  My husband and I do a paleo challenge every now and then, whether it is at our gym with our members or just us.  Well, when paleo you must get creative with what you eat to make it good and different otherwise you find yourself eating the same thing over and over agin (which is why I believe a lot of people struggle with a paleo diet).  We don't have any food allergies but we really enjoy eating paleo at our home and we have come up with some great paleo recipes (when I say we, I mean ..... I).  =]

I created this recipe years ago because we love chili (who doesn't).  This is really a simple recipe.  It all starts with..........

Then you need to roast the peppers........

'Yep, I put them right on an open flame and rotate as it blackens.  You want blackened.  It takes about 7ish min.

I'm super picky and like all my pieces that get chopped up to be about the same size.  You laugh but this ensures that all pieces cook at the same time.  Ever wonder why a few pieces of potatoes are still hard?  Hmmmmmmm..... bigger than the others.  Cut them the same size!  It's not Chopped or a WOD, you don't have to cut for time.  =]

Get your Dutch oven out our crock pot, either works.

Do you know how hard it is to take a pic, while pouring olive oil and get a clear pic?  Hard people!  Hope you love this photo!  =]  I went dutch oven this night.

That's a mix of turkey and hamburger meat.  I try to go extra lean with my meats just because of my extra high cholesterol.  I have to be careful which is why I use a lot of ground turkey, chicken or fish.  BUT...... I don't do turkey bacon or fake bacon.  It's alwasy the REAL deal with this girl!  Moderation right?  Everything in moderation.  =]  See...... balance.  It makes us happy.

Yep, canned tomatoes.  So, to make a loooooooooong story short (I can expand on this later), I grew up in a home where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was homemade.  From jellies and jams, to fruit leather, beef jerky (yep, we set up an old school dehydrator outside (they didn't make these machines back then) and got the sulfur out!  I can still remember the smell.) and also made our own cereals, breads, and canned and canned and canned!  So, I pretty much swore of any kind of canny as I got older, then I wised up and started!  So, I can my own tomatoes and they are amazing and useful in many food items I make.  =]

Sweet potato chili!  There ya have it.  Now just let it sit and cook for 5-6 to 8 hours.  The longer the better.  It's even better the next day.  =]

Recipe:

1- 1 1/2 lbs ground meat (use any kind you like)

3 red peppers (roasted, set aside to cool a little)

1 med onion diced

3 garlic cloves crushed

1- 24 oz can stewed tomatoes (or 2 -15 oz cans)

1 can paste

1 large white sweet potato (2 small)

salt and pepper

1 chili seasoning packet (if desired)

other seasonings:

chili seasoning

garlic salt

cayenne pepper

crushed red pepper

onion powder

garlic powder

paprika

1. dice onion and put in dutch oven w/ olive oil, season w/ salt and pepper

2. then dice potato and add, let cook for several minutes then add garlic

3. Add meat, season w/ more salt and pepper.  Season every time you add something.  

4. Then add tomatoes and paste (puree tomatoes if you need too).

5. add all seasoning.  I am not good at measuring so always start w/ about 2 tsp of the more mild seasonings like paprika, chili seasoning, then go with 1/4 tsp of the others.  Season to taste, or add 1 chili seasoning packet and add a few extra other seasonings for taste.  

6. Bring dish to a low boil, then turn to lowest simmer setting and simmer all day long til ready to eat.  Stir every now and then.  =]

-OR-

Throw all ingredients in crock pot and let cook on low 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

PALEO - no chili seasoning packet

GLUTEN FREE- no chili seasoning packet

VEGETARIAN - use morning star ground beef substitute (it's really good, I've done it before)

DAIRY FREE

VEGAN - no meat, add other vegetables and maybe firm tofu. You could actually do a tofu, mushroom (use a portobella), sun dried tomato mix as your meat.  That would be great.  Then season with chili flavors.  

Enjoy, go get cooking.....

Onion Jam

Super easy and so versatile.

I have made this and used it on pizza, burgers, salads, hot dogs, chicken, possibilities are endless.

I don't always add peppers but I hat them so I did.  Amazing.  (get creative)

JAM CONSISTENCY.........

I added my onion jam to my deconstructed chili dog.  It was so good.  Yes, I ate the whole thing!  Why wouldn't I.  What is this?  Sweet potato fries, topped with a chicken bacon pineapple sausage, spread that with my berry jam (post coming soon), some cole slay, fresh tomato,  drizzle of chili (or a big ol' pile if you desire (recipe coming soon) and onion jam!

Recipe:

2-3 large white sweet onions

2 peppers (any color)

1/4c. balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. water

2 dates chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

(ALSO, try without peppers.  Very good)

1. Slice onions and peppers into longer strips

2. Put onion in pan w/ a drizzle of olive oil on med high heat.  Let cook for 5 min, then add peppers, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 min.

3. Turn heat to low.  Add water, balsamic and dates.  Put lid on pan and cook for about 20-25 more min.  Check on it every 5 min or so and stir.  You want this sticky caramel color.  Because of the balsamic this will keep for several weeks or more in the fridge.  

4. Add to any favorite dish.  

GLUTEN FREE

VEGETARIAN: use meat substitute mix in your chili and no chicken sausage!  You can get vegetarian sausages too.  

DIARY FREE: I used a yogurt sauce in my cole slaw so you want to not add that!  Use just a lemon juice on your cole slaw.

PALEO: same as dairy free.

GLUTEN FREE

Apricot Muffins

Here is a super simple easy recipe for some muffins.  I got these from my cousins blog but I had to change it up just a bit.  I really try hard to keep and do a recipe as is but then I change it!  I can't help it.

Here is what you want to start with......

Then to the food processor (a kitchen must have BTW.......)

Add to a sprayed muffin pan (these were my moms, so they are really really old aluminum pans. I love them!)

And about 18 min later, BAM........ you have some delicious muffins.  Share if you so desire, or eat all by yourself.  haha (I have totally done that!) =]

Recipe:

1 c. almond butter (recipe here)

1 c. dried apricots

1/2 c. unsweetened apple sauce (you can also use 1/2c. grated apple. I have it works great)

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla (I use homemade)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp coconut flour

1.  Add all items to the food processor and puree till you like the consistency of your apricots.  I like pieces in mine so I don't puree long.

2. Fill muffin pans.  Don't forget to spray.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-18 min.  Each oven is different so set timer for less time first.  Check muffins if you smell them.  Don't over cook these babies, they will dry out.  

4. Best to let cool for 1 min in pan then remove and cool on cooling rack.  Try to wait to eat after they cooled, good luck!  =]  

5. questions:  feel free to email me or post question in comments on blog.  =]

VEGETARIAN

PALEO

GLUTEN FREE

DAIRY FREE

VEGAN FREE: You need to use egg substitute.  You can try flax eggs.  I have not tried it yet.  =]

Enjoy, go get baking.......

Morning Start Juice

I am a juicer!  No....... not that kind of juicing.  Take it easy.  I got a juicer forever ago and love juicing.  I do so many different kinds and I am excited to share some with you.  If you don't have a juicer, call your parents!  haha  Most parents buy juicers and then store them because they don't know what to do with them but at one point they were trendy (still trendy to me).  Ask a neighbor or check KSL.  My sister got a juicer barley used on KSL or just go to Bed Bath and Beyond and use your coupons!  You can also check Amazon.

Sometimes I don't want to eat in the morning but you need something especially for a busy day hits you.  I teach at my CrossFit gym everyday so I need something in my system and when I am not eating a banana or oatmeal I am having a juice.  I start my day with my Morning juice.

With a juicer you can get this......

Shut up!  Look at all that goodness.  Yum!  It's like drinking a refreshing salad.  (not the best pic kinda blurry but you get the idea.)

This is one of my favorite juices.  I will drink 1 juice a day for sure, sometimes 2!  One of the best things is that you can add 2 scoops of vanilla protein to this baby.  Yep, double whammy.   (Wait, that is Press Your Luck!)  haha  Who remembers that?

Recipe:

2 apples

6 large celery stalks (rinsed)

1/2 cucumber

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

- should make about 2 c of juice or just shy.  If your veggies and fruit are smaller juice another 1/4 cucumber,  1 more celery stalk and/or 1/2 apple.  You want pretty close to 2 c.  

In a blender I blend 4-5 cups Kale w/ 3/4c orange juice, naked juice or water.  I don't usually juice leafy greens because you don't get much out of it.  So I puree it and add it to all my juices.

You basically want to fill your blender add the liquid and push it down before you blend.  Blend for about 3-4 min till smooth.  After each juice that I make I add 1/2c of kale puree to each juice. (sometimes a little more). 

VEGAN

PALEO

VEGETARIAN

DAIRY FREE

GLUTEN FREE

Enjoy, go get juicing......

Pancakes...Perfect..... Pancakes

I don't just make banana pancakes (which I love) I also make regular ol' pancakes.  My husband LOVES pancakes and so do all my kids so they love nothing more than when I make a big pile of fluffy pancakes.  I have the best pancake recipe around.  There are a lot out there so try mine and then compare to the others.

Here is the dry mix and I add protein to all my dry baking mixes.  It is a great way to add protein to your meals.  (That is if you are having pancakes as your meals!)  haha

That is homemade vanilla going into that mix!  It is the best and makes a difference in the flavor of the pancakes (or waffles if you so desire to make them into that, which you can!)

Those are what we call PERFECT PANCAKES!  yep, super fluffy cooked perfectly.

I ate my one pancake with my egg muffins.  Yum!  You don't need to eat the whole plate to enjoy pancakes.  I do have a specific spatula I use but unfortunately my son broke it while I was out of town and I haven't got a new one yet.   I will take a picture and post it when I get it!  =]  It's a kitchen must have.

Recipe:

Dry mix-

6c flour 

2 tsp baking soda

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp kosher salt

3 Tbsp sugar

Use 2 c. dry mix

add:

2 eggs

2 scoops vanilla protein

2c. whole milk

4 Tbsp melted butter

1 - 2 tsp vanilla (I use homemade)

optional:

2-3 pinches of cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

Directions:

1. You can make up this dry mix and store for up to 6 months in air tight container (Mix dry mix well).  Mine never lasts that long.  =]

2. When you make the mix you want to use a whisk and to blend well (clumps are A-Ok) and let mix sit for about 5 min before you use it. You want the baking powder to activate and start the fluff!

3. Heat a pan or griddle (I use a griddle) and put heat on med to high heat.  The trick to the best pancakes is a high heat for the pan.  You'll know if your heat is to HIGH when your pancake burns (then turn heat down just a touch)!  Nobody wants burnt pancakes.  =]

4. You can use any oil to grease pan.  But grease the pan (I use a spray)

5. Then pour about 3 inch size pancakes on your pan.  Let cook for a few min on each side.  If you turn your pancake over and it's to pale, then you ... a) need to turn your heat up b) need to let it cook a little longer

6. As your pancake cooks you can literally watch it fluff up!  It will not always be bubbly when it needs to flip over.  Check for golden brown.  Sometimes the bubbly look is an over cooked pancake.

TIPS:

1. you can add anything to your pancake as they cook.  We add chocolate chips and blueberries to them.  Pour mix on the pan, add the ingredient and then hit it with a quick spray of cooking spray!  Then when you turn your pancake over it won't stick.  Then you don't have to make a whole batch of blueberry if everyone doesn't like them.  =]

2. If you don't want to add the white sugar you can add honey to the wet mix when you make it.  You will want to add 1 Tbsp of honey per 2c. dry mix.  

3. You can also use several different flour mixes if you'd like.  Unbleached white, whole wheat, oat flour, gluten free flour, ect.  Any flour will work here.  I have not tried almond flour though.  =]

VEGETARIAN: use egg substitute if you don't eat eggs (flax egg) 

GLUTEN FREE: use gluten free flour, you may need to add a little more baking powder.

VEGAN: take out eggs and milk.  Use water instead, use vegan friendly protein for more protein in the mix.  You can also use a flax egg in place of the eggs (1 Tbsp ground flax + 2 1/2 tsp water)  Mix well and add to pancake mix.  

PALEO: Use my banana pancake mix!  

Chocolate Crinkles!

This is the recipe that I have been pestered about all day today!  haha Ok, not really pestered but asked about repeatedly (I think that totally counts as being pestered!)  Like I have nothing better to do then to come home and post on my new blog.  No, not this lady, I had a doctor appointment today right after I left the gym (but made a quick stop to play with my big pup), then my son calls and says he is sick, so my trip to the doctor takes a quick turn to grab him.  I go to my doctor appointment, then I take him, but there was no spot for him so we scheduled an appointment, had an hour to kill so we came home so I could do some work on the computer for the gym (while he laid down to rest).  Really?

We get to the doctor to wait an hour (an hour I can't get back BTW!) to find out he just has really bad allergies.  Really?  We knew that.  ugh.

Trust me the day goes on........ but I won't bore you with that.  I will tell you I made more recipes today!  Yes please.  =]

Back to the cookies.  These I love!  Do you remember these?  Maybe you remember them as something different but in my house growing up we knew them as chocolate crinkles.  I did a paleo challenge about 6 years ago and have been creating paleo recipes ever since.  I am not 100% paleo but I do enjoy a lot of paleo foods and I enjoy making paleo recipes.  I also try to take all refined sugars out of my cooking and baking.  These cookies are so good I will eat them all by myself and I feel really good about it too.  =]

What to start with:
You need to puree some dates so get that food processor out again.

Here are your dates.  They usually come pitted, some do not so just make sure you check that before you put them in the food processor..... the pits do not puree!  Mine have pits, so I just pinch them and pop them out.

Here is what it will look like.  It really takes about 30 seconds.  When it forms a ball stop the machine to add the rest of your items.

I didn't do a great job here taking enough pics but you will get the idea.  =]

After you add all the ingredients ( see below) this is what your consistency will look like.  You want it to form a ball.  But if it is too sticky and all over the machine, then you need to add more almond flour.  Just add 1 tsp at a time and pulse.

Ahhhhhhhh, the final result, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside.  Yes please!  Enjoy and go get baking.........

(hold please while I go make another batch) =]

Recipe:

2/3c thick almond butter (recipe here)

1/3c almond flour

(you can use 1 c almond butter if you want)

1/2c. date puree (7 dates)

1/2c. coconut sugar

3/4 tsp baking soada

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2c coco powder

2 scoops chocolate protein powder

1. make date puree

2. add all other ingredients and run machine until turns to a ball.

    a) if too sticky, add 1 tsp almond flour at a time

    b) if too firm and dry looking, add 1 tsp almond or coconut milk at a time

3. make into 1 inch balls and place on sprayed pan

4. you can roll in powder sugar for your kids if you want =] (they will never know these are healthy and full of protein!)

5. Bake 350 degrees for 10 min ONLY.  Do not bake longer.  I promise.

6.  This is a very important part!  Let your cookies rest on the pan for 2 min before you remove to a cooling sheet.  Your cookies need to rest after all that baking.  =]

As you bake your cookies should crack on the top, if they don't your temperature may be off in your oven.

VEGETARIAN

PALEO: Use your favorite paleo friendly protein powder

DIARY FREE: Use dairy free protein powder

VEGAN: You need to use an egg substitute and add 1/4 tsp baking powder.

Recipe Book

See this mess?  This is what happens when cooking starts to happen.  And....... that is the tru'f.  =]  See my laptop?  See what is under the laptop?  That would be the recipe book that all these recipes you are getting, are coming from!  Can you see all the sticky notes?  haha.  I literally write my recipes on whatever I can find in the kitchen.

I had a really bad habit (still do sometimes) of creating recipes and not writing it down!  It would drive me crazy and my kids when they would ask me to repeat something.  So, my daughter would tell me ALL THE TIME to write everything down.  So, I started doing that.  It isn't pretty in that recipe book but it stores a whole bunch of yummy recipes.

Be patient with me because they are all coming.  =]

almond butter

'Let's get down to the Nitty Gritty'! (make sure you say that in a Nacho voice, if you didn't start again) =]

How do you make almond butter?  Super duper easy.  I actually have a girlfriend who came over to my house to show me how to make this.  Can you believe it?  She is de besssssssst.  (more Nacho).  She would bring some almond butter to some of my members at the gym too.......she's a giver.  =]

Anyway, It is super simple.

This starts with almonds!  Duh.  Put your almond in your food processor.  If you don't have one maybe someone will let you borrow one but you need a food processor for this.  It really is the best machine to make your butters.

Items to add:

2 c raw almonds
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp honey
1 slightly mounded Tbsp coconut oil melted
4 cracks of salt..... (what is that?)

* I use the tall Costco hand grinder and literally turn it 4 times!
haha
You can use 2 or 3 pinches.  =]











You will add the almonds and the salt.  Then turn on the machine.  Let it run for about 2ish min, then add honey.  Continue to let the machine run for about 10ish min.  This is a loud process so I like to make this when no one is home =]

Let me explain a few things here.  The almond is going to clump up and become one ball, it will also stick to the walls and not always fall back down.  You need to stop the machine sometimes and scrap the sides.  You will think that the almond butter isn't going to turn into almond butter but it will.

After the 10ish min add the coconut oil.  You will want to let the machine run for another 5-8 min.  It really depends on the almonds and how fast it wants to turn into butter.

I have two types of almond butter I make for different recipes.  Some require a more firm almond butter and some require a softer almond butter.

Type 1:  This is the firm almond butter and this is how it should look.  You want a peanut butter consistency.  Thick and will sit without running.

See that cool spatula?  Yep, that is from very cool girlfriend!  =]

Type 2:  This almond butter is the more typical creamy almond butter.

With the almond butter you can add a few optional items if you'd like:

~ vanilla bean scraped
~ cinnamon
~ nutmeg
~ coco powder

Get creative with your almond butter!  Enjoy and go get cooking.
(I use the thicker almond butter for my chocolate crinkles)

PALEO
VEGETARIAN
VEGAN
GLUTEN FREE
DIARY FREE

In my spare time.......

Part 1, of My spare time:

Why is this blog called 'In my spare time' ?  Well, let me tell you.  I have been pestered for about 4 years to start a food blog and just didn't feel like I had the time to get it started.  I am a wife, a mom of 3 teenagers, 2 dogs, 1 large sulcata tortoise (I had 2 but recently had one pass away, which was very sad), and I run a CrossFit gym.  Not to mention the 'all in between' stuff that comes up.

Family:

As a mom.....it's a given that you will be busy!  No way around that.  One thing always leads to another.  I feel like all of a sudden my kids all turned into teenagers, my daughter is in high school, dance, and school activities.  My boys are also in sports, skate parks, football and soccer.  Then my daughter is off to college, and then my middle son is in high school, football, and friends, my youngest son is a freshman, trying out for high school soccer team!  What the what, oh and got his driving permit!  Then my daughter is off on her mission........ (crying)

The family before Kylee left.......

(No, I was not being Hollywood, I was covering my crying eyes)

This was at Christmas, but now she has been out for 1 year!
(and that is Wesley's new haircut!)

Now it is the 2 boys at home and they definitely keep me busy!  So as our kids grow time continues to get busy.  Not only am I running the house, managing the kids, I also run a CrossFit gym.  I own it, I manage it, I do all programming, I have 6 trainers that work with me, I have over 150 members, and I am currently working on a rebrand and getting ready for a Re-Grand Opening in just 2 weeks!  Lots going on........

Running my gym:

Here is my gym!  It keeps me very busy, for those of you who know about CrossFit gyms, it takes a ton of time to run, manage, program, do the scheduling and managing all my members.  I work really hard to keep the gym up which takes a ton of time (but my husband is amazing and helps a ton).  I love what I do for sure and enjoy all my peeps that I get to teach at the gym.  I am excited to show our new brand and how the gym will look.  We have a lot to do before our big event!  2 weeks (did I mention that already?).........

Food Blog:

Not only am I running the house and my gym..... now I am doing a food blog!  Why not right. (laughing crying face) I have always worked to create  healthy meals, post photos, and share recipes I create.  I consider myself a foodie (I am sure most people who love eating consider themselves that!)  haha.  But I really love food, not just food, but really good food.  Good, healthy, clean food.  Both my husband and I have heart disease that runs in the family and I already struggle with high cholesterol for over 5 years now.  I have done my best with being active with working out and I have been able to manage my eating by keeping it pretty clean.  I always have room for improvement though!  I am weak and enjoy indulging in certain food items.   

Creating healthy meals has been a lot of fun and a lot of work to create recipes.  I would have people ask me to share recipes or 'where can they find my recipes'.  'You should create a blog', they would say.  Yay, yay, yay..... sure, why not, I have nothing going on.....right?!  Well, before my daughter left she sat me down and helped me start my blog.  I let it sit for 7 months!  Lame.  Yep, I didn't do a thing with it, and then I put my foot down, and said.....'I will start my food blog no matter how busy I am'.  I am sure my husband was thrilled to hear that!  haha.  He is actually very supportive and doesn't mind sampling all the dishes I create.  I even take items to the gym to my Saturday classes for my members to try (and my 8:30, 9:30am classes!).  

So, here I am.......in my spare time........ doing a food blog.  =]

House remodel:

I think I am crazy!  Yep, I am sure of it.  Not only am I doing all the above but I am in the middle of a house remodel as well.  I am pretty good at finding something to complain about, who isn't (look if I am going to throw myself under the bus, someone is going with me)!  I love my house, I do, but I sure would like to update it (or move).  The husband says, no moving, so I say....REMODEL!  It all started with what I wanted for Christmas...... a new laundry room.  I didn't want anything but a new laundry room, with new paint, new tile, new washer dryer (brat you say..... yep!).  That isn't too much to ask for, right?  Well, we got the new washer dryer on BLACK FRIDAY and then started the demo 3 days before NEW YEARS EVE!  Yep, sure did.  Why wouldn't we do it with family in town, all the kids out of school, and taking down Christmas decorations, and having a NEW YEARS EVE party at our house.  =]

HERE IT IS!  It's still not done though.  I have a few more things to finish in there.  I had some custom cabinets made to put in (I have them they just need to be hung, still haven't found the time to do that yet) and then I have my laundry basket shelves to add, and my hanging bar!  Whew.  I am hoping to have it all done in............ya, not 100% sure when.  Maybe......... before the grass starts to turn green.  =]

So right after the laundry room, we jumped right into the whole upstairs!  Yep, the whole upstairs is in the middle of a remodel, paint, changing out door jams, tearing this out and adding that.

                    AFTER                                                                     BEFORE

Still lots to do...... but a lot has been done.  It has literally been days and hours of......1. waking up, getting kids off to school 2. teaching at the gym 3. coming home to paint, and paint, and paint 4. some days back to the gym to teach 5. picking my son up from school to get to soccer practice 6. more paint 7. make dinner 8. bed, sleep, repeat!  those have basically been my days for about 6 weeks.

That is all for now.  PART 2 coming...........