Coconut Pie Crust

When planning my Pumpkin Pie Recipe I came across many different types of crusts but this one sparked my interest. I use coconut for just about everything so I knew this one would be a winner. If you like coconut, keep reading! :)

Healthy Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie and coconut crust...It was my first time making both but I was ecstatic with how well they turned out! This recipe may be full of maple syrup and honey but it's SO much better for you than the typical pumpkin pie. So, if you like guilt-free desserts, keep reading! :)

Pumpkin Puree

It's that time of year again where everybody breaks out their canned pumpkin and bakes till New Years. Have you ever tried making that stuff yourself? You should! I absolutely love making my desserts from scratch so if that's you too, keep reading! :)

White Sandwich Bread (With Breadmaker)

It's almost been a year since we've bought a loaf of bread...yeah, homemade is just that good. I've tried a bunch of different recipes and this one is just hard to beat.

To My Sister, Victoria

Victoria,

Before you leave for college I want you to know something. You are what made my childhood. Almost every single memory I have of growing up includes you and I couldn't be more thankful. College doesn't mean you'll be gone forever but tonight, it sure feels like it. I'm going to miss you more than you know. 

An Explanation...

So I have a baby, then pretty much disappear from YouTube for 4 months. What gives?

I don't want to give it a name like "postpartum depression" because I don't think that's what it was, but I was overwhelmed. Being frazzled, yelling too much, and showing up late to Everything became the norm for a while and I didn't know how to handle it. I LOVE MY KIDS, but adjusting from one to two was harder than expected. I'm not a pro yet (nor do I think I ever will be) but I am surviving happily now, LOL.

The Zero Sugar Challenge | What Went Wrong

I really wanted to be able to say, "This challenge made me feel absolutely amazing, I am a new person, and won't ever go back to eating added sugar again!" But that just wasn't the case...

I planned on this challenge being 2 weeks long, but had to cut it short on Day 6. Here's what happened.
Don't know what this challenge is? Check out the first post HERE

The Zero Sugar Challenge | Before We Start...

Before we start this challenge, I want to show y'all how much sugar I can consume in 2 days. My goal isn't to eat the worst I can, but to represent how easily you can accidentally eat A LOT of sugar if you aren't mindful. I have recorded 2 days worth of logs that can be read below. Don't know what this challenge is? Check out the first post HERE

The Zero Sugar Challenge

I am so SICK of everyone being SICK.

*Far too often, I hear about friends and family being diagnosed with yet another illness or a family member has passed due to cancer, a heart attack, or just overall body failure...why is that?

I'm no scientist, but I have done my fair share of research on the topic so here's what I've learned.

Coconut Oil Biscuits

Here's to my first serious recipe blog! :) So I've been trying to substitute our family's favorite foods with healthier versions and I'd say this one was a definite success! 

Dear Mom, Don't Lose Yourself

Dear Mom, when the house has been turned up-side down, don't lose yourself.

...When the dishes are overflowing, don't lose yourself.

...When you cannot stand the mess, don't lose yourself.

Dear Mom, when dinner makes your family wince, don't lose yourself.

...when you forget to make everyones lunches, don't lose yourself.

...when you feel like nothing but a milk machine, don't lose yourself.

Dear Mom, when your toddler pees all over the coffee table, don't lose yourself.

...When the baby won't stop crying, don't lose yourself.

...When you feel like a failure of a mother, don't lose yourself.

Dear Mom, when it feels like God has abandoned you, don't loose yourself.

...He is always there; embracing you & loving you. 

No Matter What You're Going Through.

"“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”" Luke 10:41-42

Why We Chose Cloth Diapers

Here's a list of reasons why we chose to cloth diaper our 2nd baby and haven't looked back!

Better for You & Baby
I used disposables with my 1st baby and I remember her having rashes all the time. I kind of just accepted them as apart of life and kept Dr. Smith's cream with me wherever I went, but it doesn't (& shouldn't) have to be that way. Cloth diapers are very convenient nowadays so switching to cloth is a lot easier than you'd think!

I am a "Crunchy Mom"

I am a "crunchy mom" & proud of it.

I wasn't always this way, but after having my 1st daughter I started pilates, then found out what clean eating was & couldn't go back...And that was just the beginning. 3 years later; now we're talking knee deep in cloth diapers, unpaper towels, & basically cloth EVERYTHING. It's better for the wallet & for this God-given planet. Some find satisfaction in a good shopping trip...I find satisfaction in eliminating the shopping list LOL!

My Birth Plan & Timeline

Here's the birth plan & timeline I created in Photoshop for Weston's birth. If you would like to use this as a template for your upcoming birth, let me know :)

The plan for my midwife:

Vegan Broccoli "Cheese" Soup

INGREDIENTS

*2 Tbsp Olive Oil
*1/2 Red Onion
*3 Cloves Garlic, minced
*1 tsp Dijon Mustard
*2 1/2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
*2 1/2 cups Vegetable Broth
*5 cups Broccoli Florets
*1 cup Nutritional Yeast
*1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

DIRECTIONS 
In a large pot, cook the onions in olive oil over medium heat for 5mins. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, & dijon & cook for a few more minutes. Add the milk, broth, & broccoli. Bring to a simmer, cover, & cook for about 20mins or until broccoli is tender. Turn off heat & stir in nutritional yeast & lemon juice. Remove 1/2 of soup & puree in blender. Pour it back into the pot & serve.

ENJOY! :)

Healthy Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS

*3 Medium Yukon Gold Potatoes (cooked and peeled)
*1/2 Small Onion
*2 cups Vegetable Broth
*1/4 tsp Rosemary
*1/8 tsp Pepper
*1/2 tsp Salt
*1 Tbsp Raw Cashews
*1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
*1 1/2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk

HIGHSPEED BLENDER DIRECTIONS 
Place 2 of the potatoes along with the remaining ingredients into the blender in the order given. With the Blendtec: just push the soup button :) For other blenders: Start slow & increase to highest setting. Blend for about 4 minutes. Dice the remaining potato & add to the soup.

STOVESTOP/BLENDER DIRECTIONS
Chop the onion and sauté until soft in a medium-sized saucepan. Cut the potatoes into cubes and add 2/3 of them to the pan, along with the vegetable broth, rosemary, pepper, and salt. Simmer, covered, for about 15mins. Pour into blender along with cashews, almond milk, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth. Return to pan, add remaining potatoes, and cook, stirring often, over low heat until hot.

ENJOY! :)

Source: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2009/02/quick-and-easy-potato-soup.html