Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Healthy Frozen Yogurt Bark


This past week was Winter break which means I got to spend the whole week off with my little love bug! And winter definitely decided to make an appearance! So we had to find some ways to occupy ourselves indoors! 

The day of the snow storm we decided to close the blinds and pretend we were at the beach instead! (I guess you can say we are OVER winter!)

Lili laid out beach towels in the living room, we did mani-pedi's in bright summer colors, and we of course needed a nice summery snack and this is what we came up with!!

It was fun for us to make together, it's delicious (so good that she kept sneaking bites while she was making it) AND it's healthy! We will definitely be making it again!


Here's what you need:
*Wax Paper
* A non-stick baking pan (or anything that is safe to go in the freezer!)
* Fruit (frozen, fresh, or dried)
* Greek yogurt (we used vanilla)
* Chia seeds (you could use nuts, chocolate chips, or just leave this out)

Note - The amounts of each ingredient will vary depending on what size pan you use! We used about 2 cups of yogurt, 1 cup of fruit, and 2 TBS of chia seeds.


Steps:

1)
Line your pan with wax paper

2) Spread yogurt in pan (how much yogurt depends on your size pan, we made it about 1/4 inch thick)



3) Add fruit (again how much is up to you!)

4) Sprinkle Chia Seeds on top!
(Chia seeds have of tons health benefits! If you're not familiar with them, I plan on writing a  post about it very soon!!)







5) Sample some fruit along the way....you know, just to make sure it's not poison or anything ;) (Optional!)






6) Cover and freeze for about 4 hours

7) Break into pieces and ENJOY!





*If you tried this recipe and liked it, or came up with some other delicious ingredients to add to it, let me know in the comments below!!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

My Greatest Adventure!




Becoming a parent is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs I have ever been given!

This little girl makes me a better person!! She challenges me to grow DAILY! 

She is my daily reminder to be more kind, more patient, work harder, be positive, and slow down! 

She is my daily reminder that my actions don't just effect and influence me, they influence her!

She is ALWAYS watching and always LEARNING from me!

She relies on me to lead her not by my words, but by my actions!

And not only am I teaching her, but I am learning so much from her!!

She is my daughter,
my greatest gift, my greatest lesson, my greatest ADVENTURE!! 
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Saturday, February 6, 2016

Be Persistent!!



<<This is something I wrote last Summer - but I love the reminder it gives me to keep GOING after what I want! SO I thought I would share it in case someone else can relate!!>>

   
   
 August 2, 2015 - 
    
 Tonight while I was watching Liliana swim I couldn't help but notice how far she has come this summer!

I remember watching her at the beginning of summer walking around the shallow end of the pool on her tippy-toes afraid of her head going under water.

Then after a few days of that she FINALLY worked up the courage to put her face under water, a few days later and she took off swimming UNDER wate
r - and since then she has spent HOURS in the pool just practicing and practicing!

Watching her made me realize how much her determination and persistence has paid off!

There were days when she would get SO frustrated because she couldn't swim.  She would try to swim on her back and just sink, she would try to swim forward and just not get anywhere BUT she NEVER GAVE UP!

She could have taken the easy way out and just said "forget it, I can't swim, I don't want to keep going to the pool" but she DIDN'T!

I honestly don't think giving up ever crossed her mind as an option!!

She kept going day after day until she got it! And I admire that quality in her so much!

I guess my point is that so often as adults we look at something that may be CHALLENGING and just not bother trying because it's "too hard" or will take "too long", or we "try" but not really give it our all- I know I have been SOOO guilty of this!!!

We talk ourselves out of things before we even start - why?? Maybe because we are afraid of failing or just don't have the confidence in ourselves that we can actually achieve whatever it is we want - and then quit when it doesn't come easy - but we shouldn't!

Some things in life, the things worth having, take hard work- like reaching goals and pursuing dreams but they ARE NOT impossible!!

Be persistent, go after what you want!!" <3