#MealPlanningMonday # 1

Hey y'all!

It's here! #MealPlanningMonday! I had great plans last week. I had all 5 meals planned out and grocery shopped for and ready to go. Then? Life happened. I still feel pretty good about how we did and I carried over 2 meals from last week to this week. For my first week back in the kitchen, I will still call it a win. So what was the plan?

Monday was great! I came home, made dinner, took awesome photos with the big girl camera, it was yummy and all was well. I even made some garlic cheese biscuits and chocolate chip cookies from scratch a box.

Tuesday was good too. Veal Boursin is one of Matthew's specialties so I left this one up to him and I just got to sit back and enjoy.

Wednesday I threw the pork in the slow cooker and went about my work day. I came home, opened the lid and everything looked perfect. I shredded the pork up and it didn't taste a bit like lime. Not even a hint. So I called an audible and stuffed it into the tortillas with shredded cheddar and bbq sauce and we had pulled pork quesadillas. Not bad.

Thursday the stomach bug hit and I stayed home on the couch all. day. long. No cooking took place.

Friday rolled around and instead of carrying over Thursdays menu or making the chicken teriyaki, I voted for Outback. Much less cleanup involved for sure...

All in all, I call it a win and this week, I hope to hit at least 4 of my 5 planned meals. See y'all tomorrow for my super simply but delicious Brown Sugar Crusted Salmon and THE VERY BEST roasted potatoes ever.

I did it.

I moved across the country. I left my family and all of my friends. I left my business and all of my social ties. I packed it all into a truck, and here I am.

I just finished up my third week of my new job. It's been a process but I am slowly getting the hang of things. I had a few break through moments last week that were the push I think I needed. Hopefully the appointments I set last week will pay off this week and I can keep that momentum going.

I have almost all of the important things unpacked. There isn't enough room in the kitchen for both of our stuff so I need to consolidate and put some things in storage. I'm also still working out where I'm going to keep all of my/our clothes. 1 of our upstairs bedrooms doesn't have a closet so I currently have all of my clothes in the large walk in closet in the basement. I don't think that is going to work long term so I'm hoping to figure out a solution for that in the coming weeks.

I started decorating the house. The bachelor pad look has to go. I replaced the drapes and throw pillows in the living room. I also decorated the built in (partially) for fall. I'm not in love with it so it will likely change. My next big purchase is a dining room table. I'm in LOVE with The Benchwright Extending Dining Table from Pottery Barn. Unfortunately, my bank account doesn't love it as much as I do. Just the table is $1699. Plus chairs. Now, I know it's solid wood and I would be able to pass this thing down to my grandchildrens children but currently, it's too much to swallow.

Don't you love it though? Rustic. Modern. Extending. Perfection. I have a small space to work with so I need an extending table so I can extend it for family holidays. I need really want it. So I started googling. And I found this. The Tahoe by Liberty Furniture. Wood veneer instead of solid wood but less than 1/3 of the price. Similar size. Similar style. I think it will be a fine knockoff. I'm hoping to get it ordered this week! 

When the table arrives, I'll have to have the electrician out to install the light fixture. There is currently no lighting above where I want the table. I'm thinking something with Edison style light bulbs? I can't wait to share the before/after!

I'm finally getting back into the swing of cooking and meal planning. I'm cooking and photographing up a storm this week and next week, I'll bring you my first installment of Meal Planning Monday. I'm hoping that blogging what we eat will keep me out of the rut of making the same things over and over.

I think that about wraps it up y'all! Have a good week and Happy Monday! ;)

:Mic Check:

Well. It's been a while is a bit of an understatement. In the last year, my life has taken some drastic changes and it is about to take a few more.

That little picture? Just a cross country move from North Alabam to Southeast Michiagn. No big deal. New job. New CLIMATE. I mean, it shows there. A lot. In Alabama, when we get snow the town shuts down and we have a wine snow party. In Michigan, you get up and drive to work. In the snow. Hold me.

I will be beginning a new adventure as a Team Leader for a Keller Williams office. Actually, I'm off to Austin, Texas on Sunday for my very first KW training and I am SO excited! My official start date is September 1 but in the meantime I have been reading EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. Namely, The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The One Thing. Both are by Gary Keller and both are great reads!

I'm also tasked with making all new friends, finding a new gym and redecorating the bachelor pad house. I have this idea that is 100% Pottery Barn inspired in my head and I can't wait to see it all come together!

So stick around. I plan to document my move. New job. House projects. Cooking. And whatever else comes my way... See y'all soon!

Breathe Baby, Breathe!

Let's talk about my favorite oil!  A few times a year, I get a small cold/allergy type deal where I have a runny nose and congestion.  It doesn't warranty missing work or going to the doctor but I would usually pop some cold/allergy medicine and it would be annoying for a week or so.  I'd have a raw, red nose from blowing and I'd sound odd from the congestion.  It wasn't fun.  This happened to me last week.  Instead of reaching for the medicine cabinet for something filled with unnatural ingredients and chemicals, I grabbed my oils.  A few drops in my hands, a few deep breaths and then I rubbed it on my chest and under my nose.  In 2 days I was 80% better and by day 3, I didn't need anymore Breathe.  This was BY FAR the fastest I have ever knocked a cold out and with NO DRUGS!

My friend recently started her journey with oils and her husband is a snorer.  He has been using Breathe at night and his snoring has dramatically decreased.  So much so that when he skipped a night, she slept in the guest room (personally I would have sent HIM to the guestroom...)!  I love hearing stories about how oils are helping those closest to me better their lives, naturally.

Breathe has many other uses.  It is a blend of Laurel, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon and Ravensara Oils.  The oil is antiviral and is perfect to diffuse at night to help kill germs and bacteria in the air and open your airways.  It can also be used to treaty anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, colds, the flu, congestion, coughs, emphysema, mono, pneumonia and sinusitis.  This oil can replace many OTC cold/allergy medicines at a fraction of the cost NATURALLY!

Check out my doTERRA site for this oil and many more.  Next up...  Cleaning with oils!

My Adventures with Essential Oils

For months my friend Chelsey at Essentials Everyday posted about oils.  I have known Chelsey for about 7 years now and she has always been a fabulous resource for all things natural, organic and healthy.  She and I live pretty similar lifestyles and I have always trusted her recommendations on products.  But the oils took me a bit longer.  Fast forward to my girls weekend in April when I had a headache and tried peppermint oil for the first time.  A few drops rubbed onto the back of my neck and it was gone.  Instantly.  I was AMAZED!  So here I am.  Using essential oils everyday and I LOVE them!

This is where I started.  The Family Physician Kit.  It is the perfect start for anyone wanting to learn about incorporating essential oils into their families lives.  With this kit I have been able to remedy everyday ailments and clean my home naturally.  I have replaced my laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, lysol, disinfecting wipes, toilet cleaner, window cleaner, air freshener, ibuprofen, allergy medicine and many more everyday household items!  In the past, if I have a headache I just got over it.  I don't take medicine so I would just tough it out or go to bed.  Upset tummy?  Down for the count again.  These oils have allowed me to naturally treat these things and many more.  

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to highlight my favorites and how I use them.  You can check out my doTERRA site for more info.

Next up:  My 4 Favorites and how to use them  =)

Am I hungry?

Last night, I was a hostess for my friend Ashley's event called Dine and Dash. She is the owner of Homegrown, a local event planning company that has created some of my favorite things to do in Huntsville. Dine and Dash is a once monthly event that runs from April-September in Downtown Huntsville. The tour highlights 4 restaurants with small plates and a cocktail pairing. It's always a blast and I'm so lucky to be a part of it!

In conversing with one of my guest, I mentioned being a real estate agent and his response was "Great! Do you want to list my house for 2%?" I told him no and his response was "Oh. I guess you're not hungry enough yet." Well first off, I don't discuss my paycheck with strangers. I think that's tacky. And secondly, your home is one of the largest investments you ever make. You work hard to save your down payment and then spend a large chunk of your monthly income on your mortgage payment. You work hard to build that equity and when the time comes to sell your home, you want to get as much of that back as possible. I get it! I want you to get as much of it back as possible too! But let me ask you this. If, in our first meeting, I am willing to discount my services then how quickly do you think I would negotiate away your equity? If I do not feel that my services as your agent are worth what I ask for, how quickly would I see the value of your investment in the same manner and expect you to discount it as well? 

It's not a matter or how "hungry" I am. I hope that I am always blessed with as much business as I can handle. I want to be able to give 110% to each client and I don't ever plan to discount my services.  I promise to answer when you call, even when it's late.  I promise to take time away from my life and family to help better yours.  I promise to help you find the perfect home and get the very best deal.  I promise to market your home and protect your investment.  I promise to be an invaluable resource to you throughout our time together.  If you'd prefer less service, I know it's out there and I wish you luck.

Sweet Potato Hash

One thing people always seem to ask me is "What do you eat?"  I am a retired NPC Bikini competitor and since then I have adopted CrossFit and I eat about 80% Paleo.  When I was competing, my meals were super structured and rigid.  I weighed every ounce of food.  I ate plain tilapia and asparagus for several meals a day.  I was miserable!  Since stopping competing, I have found more of a balance in life and I have found that as long as I eat REAL food, I maintain my weight right where I want to be and I don't have to measure a thing!

One thing I didn't abandon was my food prep.  I still prep food every Sunday evening for the week.  I usually cook up a bunch of chicken, a veggie side and a carb.  I also eat red meat but I have found I don't like it as much reheated so I usually cook that and eat it right away.  More weeks than not, my carb of choice is sweet potato hash.  It's super simple and reheats beautifully.  I eat it for any meal and sometimes just as a snack.  Sometimes I'll throw a couple of eggs on top for breakfast.  Sometimes I mix my chicken into it for lunch.  Sometimes I just eat it alone.  You can make this sweet or savory.  It's very versatile and that is one of the major draws for me.

This week, I just went basic.  Once you master this super simple recipe, you can change it up many different ways.  So why are we still talking about it?  Lets see it!

Ingredients:
1/2 lb uncured Bacon, diced
1 medium organic yellow onion, chopped
1 large or 2 small organic sweet potatoes, cut into small cubes
2 T. grass fed butter, I used Kerrygold
Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper to taste

Throw your diced bacon into a dutch oven and crisp it up.

While that is rendering down, dice your onion.  When the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan and saute your onions in the bacon fat.

Saute the onions until they are soft and golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Add your cubed sweet potatoes and 2 T grass fed butter and stir together with your onions.

Cover and cook for 15-20 mins or until potatoes are fork tender.  I like mine a little soft.  Season with S&P to taste.  Stir in your crispy bacon and it's ready to eat! 

Plate this up and dig in!  Sometimes I skip the bacon and add cinnamon and a diced apple to make it sweeter.  Sometimes I add additional veggies.  Most weeks, it's just this and I love it!  Let me know how you make your hash!