October Favorites

Happy Halloween! I am so excited to dress up as a family tonight! We are going to have so much fun.  Looking back, I definitely think we made the most out of our October.  We didn't carve a pumpkin, but we may try to squeeze it in later today.  It's tough when she's only 9 months old, and our crazy schedules. 

I decided to share some of my favorite items from this fabulous fall month. .

Also, I found a UK blogger who is doing a "BEDN" Blog Every Day in November. I put the button at the top right corner of my blog. Join in on the fun! I think I'll mix it up and do blogs/videos. I've got this!!

[seriously though, what is with the thumbnail image it picks? sheesh!!]

What are some of your must haves from this past month?

Comment below!

Roasted Apple & Squash Soup

I love everything about Fall, and as much as I love Summer, I do adore the seasons changing.  It's pretty chilly where we are, although it's supposed to warm up again, and so in my opinion? Let the soups begin!  Soups are an excellent way to warm up and easily get your veggies in.  They're really not that complicated at all either, and to top it off they make your house smell amazing!  Oh, and there's usually enough to share with a friend or stock up in the freezer for those lazy and cold winter nights, no one wants to cook!

So today? I roasted up some fall veggies.  This is what I came up with!

Recipe:
1 winter squash {I used buttercup--sweet!}--sliced in half, removed seeds
2 organic sweet potatoes- peeled & quartered
3 organic Gala apples - peeled & cored
2 cloves of garlic (peeled)
2 onions --peeled & cored
Sea salt & Chili powder to taste
1 carton of chicken broth {could use veggie}

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees & roast veggies in evoo for 40 minutes, turning them over at 20 minutes.

I let everything cool {because Brooke woke up!} and then added the broth to a large pot--used an immersion blender and pureed everything.  Brought it to a boil.

Serve warm.

You could add a bit of cilantro and/or greek yogurt to garnish.

Enjoy!

Brooke & Joe LOVED it!! Simple yet tasty fall flavor.

**I had some photos, but my computer is acting all crazy again, and I can't seem to upload or add any.  {Check out my Instagram or Facebook pages to see!}  Looks like I know where all my hard earned AdvoCare income will be going!! Sheesh. I am thinking I need to take the plunge into the Mac world....

But I can add some on my phone-

Start Doing

I have a BIG to-do list today and I don't even know where to start!! I really want to do a "Blog every day" in November or a "Video every day"...do any of you know of someone hosting that? 

I am also starting my 24 day challenge this Friday, so I'm super pumped to just add more to my plate...no really, I just want to push myself and organize my life better. I have a billion ideas all jumbled up and nothing is being executed.  Time to prioritize, put down the phone, and start doing. 

Now that I have enjoyed my Spark, it's time to knock this to do list out of the park. 

I am sending October out with a bang, and I am so ready to welcome November with a grateful heart. 

{Wow, and I even rhymed for ya there.}

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Five on Friday

It's Friday!! I hope you're all enjoying your day.  I decided that since all the cool kids are doing it, I'll link up and share some of my "5 on Friday" with you!

#1

First up? This breakfast.  You could make it for a snack or for dinner, either way, I have been switching it up a bit in the kitchen for breakfast, and this is now in the rotation!! 

1 egg for me, 2 for Joe "over easy" but cooked a tad more...
1/2 of an avocado
1/2 of a large tomato
dash of sea salt & pepper

I don't even miss the toast!! I always have a banana, strawberries, & blueberries too.  It's filling yet pumped full of goodness for us!  OBSESSED

Next:

#2

 I do believe as little miss continues to grow, she is starting to look more like her mama! As a newborn, she was sooooo Joe. Which is cool and all, but come on. Who doesn't like seeing a little resemblance in their baby of themselves? I think she has Joe's eye color, but my eye shape.  Now that I've got my new phone, I can't stop taking pictures of us all day everrry day. 

 PS.  What is with crazy baby hairs that grow all wacky after losing hair postpartum? Gahhh.

#3

On Tuesday I was SO excited to go get a massage.  Our friend Jill is amazing and her prices are outstanding.  I loved how tranquil her room was at the Spa.  I didn't want to even drive home, I was so relaxed!! Talk about a Zen mommy moment.  Definitely need to do another one again soon!

I think it inspired me to add a few changes to our master bedroom. I just love our room; it's so peaceful and I believe that it's important to spruce things up a bit once in awhile. I stopped at Marshall's and got a few throw pillows and a throw to bring out that warm wintery vibe.

#4

Neutral tones for our muted yellow walls.  White down comforter.  Blue curtains w/ brown accents.

And to round out my 5 on Friday? 

#5

Zumba.  Oh. Em. Gee.  Have I been LOVING it!  I went last week and I got to go again this past Wednesday because my mother in law is amazing and came over to watch Brooke.  I cannot tell you how great it feels to really shake shake shake it!  I will also admit that just going a few times, makes me want to workout more.  I know it's important to move, but sometimes I just dread the thought of working out...which is silly because I never regret it once I do it.  I just need to start doing it every day, consistently.  I think that is Jillian Micahel's calling my name...

Catalyst has definitely been helping me shed the fat and keep my lean muscle mass.  I can see definition starting to form in my arms and legs.  It's amazing!!

I just started getting into the Performance Elite line too, and WOW.  The muscle gain is a great low carb, high protein mix to fuel with after a workout.  I have also begun using Nighttime Recovery and I am not as sore as I was, now that I'm taking it at bedtime!

So there you have it!! What are your top 5 on Friday? 

My First Blate

I had SO much fun in Jersey!! It was a bit of a whirlwind, and the total of 12 hours driving was a little tiring, but incredibly worth every minute. Thank you so much Nikki for letting me crash your party!! And Danielle, you are just incredible for coming all the way up from Georgia. Thanks for such an unforgettable "Blate!" [blogging date]

I made awesome time: 6 hours, not stopping and I even got a little mixed up at the Jersey turnpike. You NJ drivers are craaaaazy!! What the heck is this little confusing ticket all about?  So many choices! ha

I also got yelled at by a little old man, telling me it is ILLEGAL to pump your own gas in NJ. Say whaaa?  So strange.  Only in Jersey!

I plastered notes all over my house so that my husband and mother in law could keep our "routine" as close to normal as possible.   I left a little after 7am on Friday and so Joe and Brooke had a whole Daddy/Daughter day.  They went to lunch, to the mall (for hunting goods!) and over to our friends' house. They had a ball! Saturday he had to work, so my MIL came over and not only watched Brooke, but made us homemade Chicken French (MY FAVORITE!) and banana bread.  I came home to a delicious dinner and my happy little family.  It was heavenly!!
 
I stayed with Nikki and her fiance and was so excited to meet my team!  Yes, those sweatshirts are as comfy and cozy as they look!  LOVE it!

You can read more about our "Blate" on Danielle's blog here and Nikki's blog here.

We had a team dinner, a mixer and some business training.  I am pumped and ready to start having mixers on my own!!

Our goodbyes came too quickly, but this picture captured our emotions well: thankful for blogging, making new friends, and joining together on such an awesome team.

While it was hard to get the courage to leave my baby & husband, drive a lot of hours for a short trip, it definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. That, my friends is a great thing.  We get all to comfortable doing the same old, same old, once in awhile we need to get outside of our safe zones and fly a little.  

What's in store this weekend?  Lots of catching up with my husband.  4 years ago he proposed to me, and the month of October has absolutely flown by.  We need some time to relax, unwind, and re-connect.  Balance can be tricky, but you must keep your priorities straight.

Happy Thursday!