My new favorite thing....

Coconut oil. It is amazing stuff. Good for you, both inside & out. While I enjoy it in my breakfast green smoothie.... I am most excited about what it does for my skin & hair!
How do I use it??? Don't get me started.
-make up remover. Gently takes off make up while moisturizing.
-facial moisturizer.... Feels light and amazing.
-shaving balm!!!! My favorite..... I apply to my legs before shower. It does not wash off and is the perfect shaving "cream" for my legs. Leaves them soft and moisturized!
-hair mask! Massage it into hair and let sit for awhile. Wash out. Hair is left extra soft and shiny!
-cuticle cream....
-lip balm....
-massage oil.......

TRY IT! It smells good too!

Spring forward...

While Daniel had fun at a friend's walnut farm, Naomi enjoyed hiking the "world's smallest mountain range" know as the Sutter Buttes. It was a GREAT day to be outside!

Looking forward to the clocks moving forward tonight & the extra play time it will bring!

Quinoa Greek Salad

This salad is so delicious! I had extra quinoa in the fridge that I needed to use up so I found a yummy looking recipe at Green Plate Rule for a quinoa greek salad. I added kalamata olives to mine. I also always cook my quinoa in vegetable broth for a little extra flavor. This was a simple and healthy week night dinner that even my even my picky Daniel loved!

I mixed the cooked quinoa with this dressing...

Greek dressing

• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp sugar, agave or honey (I used honey)
• dash fresh cracked pepper
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Then added the olives, banana peppers, red onion, tomatoes, cucumber and a little feta. I served it over a bed of spinach. The kids liked it without the spinach. G & I ate it with some grilled shrimp.

Fast food...in a jar.

I have a strange love of mason jars and ways to use them. When I saw a way to use them in my refrigerator I was all over it. Eating healthy requires preparation. Thinking ahead and a little time spent up-front makes weekday lunches so much easier and fast. Not to mention it makes a super organized refrigerator! This week my jars are filled with cucumber, green apple, celery, cabbage, red onion, carrot, salad greens and a little bit of chopped walnuts.

Add a yummy, oil-free, homemade avocado/cilantro dressing and maybe a little chicken breast and you get... MMMMmmm... A healthy, fast and beautiful lunch! Makes me happy!

Avocado/cilantro Dressing

1 avocado

juice of 1/2 a lemon or  juice of whole lime

2 garlic cloves

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp dijon mustard

3 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar

1/8 cup water

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp raw honey

salt & pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor

This recipe is from Green Plate Rule. 

My love bug

Always so happy.....

Determined.

Going to the gym anyway...... Yay me!

I love Tahoe....

This place brings me peace. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it here............

He will eat anything.

I stepped out of the room for just a minute....

....and when I came back I caught JoJo eating the dust bunnies out of the broom. Yuck.

PROUD MOMMY!!!!!!!

For the last few weeks I have watched Naomi memorize scripture and practice a speech for school. She studied the scripture she chose and thought about what it means to her. As I watched her practice, I never let her know how scary speeches are for me and how I was actually a little nervous for her. Inwardly, I wondered how my painfully shy girl would do in front of a class of kids.
Last night we picked out a good "speech dress" and ironed it up. (Yes... I ironed) This morning we did her hair "pretty" and practiced once more before she was off to school. She was not a bit nervous, and in fact seemed excited and confident!

If you know Naomi, you will know that at times she is so shy she will not talk to you. You will know that she will avoid situations where she is the center of attention. You will know that she has been in speech therapy every week since she was 2 years old and still struggles with articulation due to her cleft palate. You will KNOW how big of a deal this speech was for her today!!!!!!

And guess what!!???!! My baby girl is a SEMI-FINALIST and is going to the semi-finals in March! Whoop whoop!!!!!!!  My heart is just melting.... I am one proud Mama!

Click HERE to watch her speech!

The scripture she chose to recite:

Proverbs 3:1-6

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Counting days...

313 days until January 1, 2014. Or 7,512 hours. Or 450,720 minutes.....you get the idea. I am just a little excited to spend the 1st ten days of 2014 on the beaches of Kauai with lots of family! Trip is officially booked. Woohoo! Lot's of nights ahead of me to dream of the fun & relaxation to be had!