All about Food: Easy Fall Recipes

It's no secret I love to cook and bake, but when the temps start to dip, I feel like it really inspires me to break out of our summer routine and cook up a storm!! I have tried some new recipes and some oldies but goodies, and I figured I'd share them with you.  Since Brooke and I are home all day and we eat 5-6 small meals a day, I'm constantly looking for healthy ways to provide.

I know the importance of protein for all of us, but especially while I'm pregnant I'm being super aware of how much I'm getting and the more I eat, the better I feel. Not surprising!!  I just make sure my protein is the best quality I can possibly get.


Pumpkin Protein Shake:
2 scoops Vanilla Muscle Gain Protein 
1/4 cup pumpkin pureé
1 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
1/2 of a frozen banana
a few dashes of Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice (or even just cinnamon if that's all you have!)

The frozen banana gives it that frosty/frothy feel and perfect for warm Fall days!

Sweet Potato & Apple Soup

I saw an insta-friend post this one, so I looked into the cookbook--good stuff!

Recipe HERE

I did do up some organic nitrate free bacon to top--and I did make some paninis to go along with it {because my hubby believes soup is not a meal}

Bacon, Apple, Cheese Toastie:

2 slices of bread
1 apple peeled/thinly sliced
1-2 pieces of bacon
1-2 slices of Cooper cheese (any sharp cheese would work)

Used a grill pan or panini maker!  It was sooooo good! The sweetness from the apple and the smokey-bacon flavor OMG. Delish and I will be making it again!

Acorn Squash:

It's Fall so I make TONS of squash!! Easy recipe HERE   You can play around with the flavors.  Add or don't add butter, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, honey or a drizzle of maple syrup.  So good!

Roasting veggies:
Broccoli, carrots, turnips….EVOO and some spices (garlic, onion, sea salt/pepper)

Roast at 375 for about 40 minutes, turning over a few times.

Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker- (You can 'use this recipe' but it's so simple, just throw it all in a crock pot on low for 8 hours and it will fall apart.)
1 onion
5 or so garlic cloves (leave whole)
3 lemons cut up
Poultry seasoning

I fill the cavity and under the chicken.

I even took it a step further and used the bones to make a broth, which I then froze and have on hand for soups/risotto.  Bone Broth Recipe

Applesauce in a Slow Cooker
I just peeled and sliced up a ton of apples and added cinnamon and a little water and let it go on low.  I peel them because my husband doesn't do well with skins of veggies/fruits...

(OR you can follow this recipe)

This book is really very inspiring, simple to follow and great for those who don't even know how to start eating "real food."  I have been eating mostly 'real food' for awhile now, so a lot of it is second nature, but I can see where people are intimidated by the kitchen and don't always know where to begin.  Start here! It's really not as hard as you think it is. You and your family will feel, look, and be so much healthier with just a few adjustments.  I cannot tell you the last time we stopped at a fast food joint for dinner.

Sunday I made Sauce.  Again, simple ingredients but it tastes SO much better than store bought marinara.

You could do this recipe  but I just used canned whole tomatoes and pureé them instead.

Another snack I've recently made are these quick and easy protein packed bars!

No Cook Protein Bars
4 Scoops Vanilla Muscle Gain Protein
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

Stir, lay on parchment paper, freeze 30 mins and slice/refrigerate or freeze.

I will probably add some cinnamon or pie spice…maybe even some pumpkin for a little extra flavor next time, but these are SO handy for me to grab and go, especially when I run out of my Drew Brees Bars! (and patiently await the Gingerbread bars to come back!!)

Brooke 20 months!

Crazy to think that Brooke is 20 months…and that in just 4 short months, she'll be 2 and a big sister. Ah! I haven't shared any photos of her lately and it's just killing me haha. So, here are some of my faves from the last few weeks.  We've been busy!

One of my favorites: cuddling with Daddy, as I said it was "bedtime" and she clearly was not ready to say goodnight.

Our first gymnastics class--Coach Bri aka Aunt Brianna!

I was so bummed this was blurry, but she finally went into the foam pit and enjoyed it for a small fraction of time.

She loves the bars and is so strong!

Getting ready for Thursday night swim class with Daddy.

Weather permitting, we still play outside with our "water table" haha. I never did splurge on one of those things…we made it through with bowls of water and bubble machines just fine.

Lots of lazy cuddles--between the episode with Sadie and all, momma has been a little tired.

Pre gymnastics face!

Waiting for the rain to subside so we could grab our CSA bag.

Soccer Tots--she got her t-shirt Saturday! Buddy Blake goes too. So fun!

On Saturday before we did the CCFA Crohn's walk, we stopped at a mall so Joe could get some work shirts.  She started throwing a HUGE fit in Banana Republic and yelling "eat eat eat"… I had given her a yogurt before we left, but when a toddler is hungry, a toddler is hungry--plus she's like her mama and may or may not get "hangry".

Of course I go to the food court and the options to eat there are just fabulous…so we opted for Subway. She doesn't eat her bun, but she did have a few slices of turkey, cheese, tomato and a little juice.  Which is a splurge for her, because we don't really do juice.

Thank goodness I fed her something because she was an angel during the walk!

Yeah…a two mile walk was a bit more than I realized.  Crazy how much our bodies change when we are pregnant. I can't wait to run again!

Monday we woke up with our first cold of the season.  She was pretty rough when she first got up, and wouldn't eat a lot, but once I got some fluids and food in her, she started doing a little better.

I also busted out my Young Living Essential Oils-- I tested out a spot on her arm and we were good to go.  I mixed a little coconut oil and Thieves and put it on her feet w/ socks.

I also diffused Thieves and we snuggled.  It smells wonderful and I swear she was up and moving around more so after each time I diffuse.  Can't hurt, right? Even Holly loved on her, which never happens!

You can check out the oils HERE

So we are staying home from gymnastics today, just to be sure we are all better.  Well, she seems to be better but MY throat is KILLING me.  Plus pregnancy is making it hard to fall asleep and I wake up early.  We'll be reading lots of books and playing quietly today.  

Fall Fashion/Hair {prego style}

So, it's Fall [yay!] and I am embracing the wonky hot/cold temperatures and my bump!  I am fairly certain this will be the last time I carry a child, and so I am just enjoying the ride!! While sometimes I wish I was one of "those" pregos, you know, who don't even really look pregnant….my belly loves to grow and I just go with it. I exercise, eat right, and enjoy life.

So here are some of my "fashion" moments lately:

Date night a few weeks ago--

Kimono- TJ Max
Maternity Tank- Gap
Maternity Jean Capris- Motherhood Maternity
Shoes- Kohls

On Saturdays Brooke does "Soccer" so I try to dress comfy. {23 weeks}

Gray Maternity Tank-Gap
Workout Capris- Motherhood Maternity {Jessica Simpson brand}

I needed a "pick-me-up" day and a cute Fall top helped! I love the laid back look of the plaid, and yet the subtle girlie accent with the lace in the back.

Shirt- Motherhood Maternity
Skinny Jeans- Motherhood Maternity [Heidi Klum, 2 years ago]
Boots- Amazon

Errands/getting my hair did OOTD

Jacket- Old Navy Maternity [2 years ago]

Striped shirt- Motherhood Maternity 

Leggings- Gap

Leopard Flats- Target

Red leather purse- Italy

Speaking of hair…I was ready for a little more of a change. Obvs I chopped it a few months back, but I was kind of over the super blonde--all the same color--and used these pics for some inspiration.  I wasn't ready for "bronde" nor do I think I could pull off ombré, but a few darker shades of blonde and some really blonde pieces still, seemed to be perfect! 

Mid-foil selfie…it was really a tough week---I can see it in my face! Oy.

The end result: [and I was finally picking up Sadie Lady!]

Oh, and the best outfit of all? COMFY PJS!

I invested in these super cozy XL (non maternity) from Kohls two years ago.  I won't be able to button them up in the front much longer, but they're great for staying warm and perfect for nursing after giving birth.  

I tried to not 'break the bank' with maternity clothes, and I really did use a lot from when I was pregnant with Brooke…but I just love fashion and clothes.  And I haven't been able to really buy much "non" maternity because my body is really pregnant.  Like, I don't just wear regular pants and a bella band whatever.  Props to those who can, but mine doesn't work like that.  So, I thoughtfully bought items I knew I would get good use out of for the next few prego months and even after!  

All of the tank tops I bought when I was pregnant with Brooke are really just for around the house or undershirts, as I got GOOD use out of them for months.  I cook a lot, like all day long it seems, and my belly just gets right in the way of the ingredients haha! I wear an apron but I still spill…so I try to be mindful of what I'm wearing in the kitchen so I don't destroy my new clothes.

What's your favorite way to dress for Fall?  Prego or not…I'm all ears! 

A Little [big] Life Tip

Oh hello, Monday. I was hoping for a smooth week to catch up and rest a bit…buuuuuut Brookie has her first cold of the season so things are not quite back to "normal" around these parts.  It's ok, and we're all hanging in there after the seizure dog drama, but man…I look forward to a healthy happy family some day soon please!!

I was looking at the prompts I've missed and this one jumped out to me...


One piece of advice I could give to a large group of people…


I have a lot to say, clearly, I nearly document my thoughts on a daily basis.  While I don't claim to know it all, I certainly have learned a thing or two over the past 33 years.  I think the best advice is to never stop learning/working on yourself.

I'll say it again, never stop learning or working on yourself. And with that, don't ever try to be "perfect" just always focus on progress.

Sounds easy enough, but I mean in every and all aspects of life.  Don't ever think for a second you can't change; everything about you can be re-created, re-directed, lifted, shifted, massaged, and the amount of growth one can have spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically is just mind-blowing.

What do I exactly mean about never stop learning? Well, there's the obvious. Take up a new class you've never tried before.  I suggest maybe finding one of your less than stellar aspects and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Maybe it's a workout class you're nervous to try. Perhaps you're "not a good cook," which I feel is an excuse for, you just haven't done it very much so you're not too great at it.  I wasn't nearly as good of a cook as I am today.  Through many okay dishes, delicious dinners and even some "the dog won't even eat it meals," I have worked up quite the recipe repertoire.

If you're unhappy about something in life, go back to you.  Look inside yourself. The easiest thing to do is go to the library, grab some Audio-books (CD) or if you don't mind spending the $$ grab some mp3s on iTunes or Audible.  I suggest getting your own copies because just one listen won't do it. Just like you can't go on one run and expect to stay in shape.  You can't eat one healthy meal and all of a sudden, "be healthy." It's a work in progress.   Just work on you.

Notice I didn't say grab an actual book.  You totally can, but I know that requires a little more commitment.  That requires an extra action step for you to sit down and carve out 10-15 minutes of your day, and I get that it's hard.  So for a no excuse method, grab an audio. Or Youtube--FREE! While you're folding laundry or putting on your makeup, putting away the dishes or even cooking dinner.  Start listening to some good leadership or self-help books, whatever you want to call them.

You will be amazed after a few listens, you will start to think, feel and act differently.

Some favorites:

The Slight Edge: by Jeff Olson

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself

Happy For No Reason

Change Your Thoughts Change your Life

Easier Than You Think


I would tell people to not care what others thought about them, but I know for a fact that only comes when you work on yourself.  We are brought up to appease others and not ruffle feathers.  Once you've broken the chain on that, you have freed yourself, life becomes limitless.  I'm not saying be rude or go out of your way to upset people, but once you find yourself and learn to live life on your terms, it all starts getting better.   Note that I didn't say easier.  Life is never easy.  It's just how you go about and deal with your day to day, that makes all the difference in the world.

Bottom line, just know that you are never too old to grow and learn.  We are always able to change, it's just taking those small action steps to lead us there.

And for heaven's sake, everyone else is so wrapped up in his or her own life, don't worry about what other people think!  Chances are, they're too worried about what others think of them too. Just put an end to that and focus on YOU.

Here's to a happy Monday!

Dream Board: Baby Boy's Nursery

TGIF!! It has been a very long, stressful, exhausting and expensive week, but our doggie is home and seems to be doing well!! I was running around all day and finally had some time to decompress tonight.  I saw that I missed a really cool prompt the other day for #blogtember and goodness knows, I need all the inspiration I can get right now for baby boy's nursery!!

We have the walls painted with "Manitou Blue" and when I google that color, this image popped up and inspired me:

It's a bit eclectic, but I really loved the contrast of the bright orange and blue.

We have a few crib options we really liked at Buy Buy Baby, but nothing has been purchased!! I am not very "theme" oriented when it comes to a room---I like it to express feelings/moods: happiness, love, peace, fun, lively…

So I think something similar to this "dream board" would be perfect for our little man!!

Baby Boy Nursery by jennifer-delle-fave featuring a round lamp

Daddy is an avid hunter, so I wanted to incorporate wild life of some sort--a deer picture or pillow.  He also loves football, so I would love to find something that fits in.

I love the bright pop of orange to accent with; certainly wouldn't do too much, but I think maybe a sheet, a throw pillow, and a stuffed animal would work! 

I think I'll keep the curtain neutral.

We'll need a standing lamp, as there is no overhead light.  I also love baskets to organize with; they really help reign in all the baby stuff you need!  

Swaddle blankets are a must as well; the muslin ones are perfect for so many things.  

The Rock and Play sleeper is on my 'wish list' and I really think he'll get a ton of use from it.

I want to find him a special little stuffed animal too, before he is born. I bought Brooke an adorable ballerina bear, and my heart just melts when she plays with it.

Anything I should add?