around the clock: 22 month old schedule

okay i'm a few months behind on these.

LO has been a super busy boy. he doesn't stop...EVER! i love how he finds fun and excitement in everything. rocks, sticks, dirt, bugs...it's all things outdoors for him. it's a good thing this kid likes to read, because it's the only chance i get to sit down!

he still has a good appetite, but he definitely has a sweet tooth. without fail, he always asks for chocolate before every meal. if he's lucky, he gets a few dark chocolate chips! he really likes his eggs over medium. popping the yolk and then slurping it up makes breakfast fun and delicious.

naptime is still on schedule, especially on preschool days. i can count on him sleeping a good 3 hours...that's when i can get some painting done in the kitchen (i'm not sure this remodel will ever be complete).

now that LO's getting a little older, going out to events or dinner is a little easier. we've got a solid 30 minutes before he wants to bolt. that's just enough time to inhale food and gulp a drink (a margarita if i'm lucky)!

discipline is now something we're all working on. LO's learning about rules and we're learning how to enforce them. we have a meltdown here and there, but they don't last long. distracting and redirecting usually works. but, sometimes i find myself bickering with him like he's my little brother.

what can i say, we're all growing up!

7:00a: wake up, brush teeth, sit on potty, play a bit (wants to play more in the morning)

7:30a: breakfast (5 oz of whole milk, 1/2 banana, 1 egg, and bacon or sausage patty)

8:00a: if preschool day, get dressed for preschool and head out the door

8:30a: preschool/playgroup/outing/park

10:00a: if home, get ready for the day (get dressed and pack a snack)

12:00p: preschool pickup and head home for lunch (4 ounces of protein [1 egg, beef, turkey, or chicken], 4 ounces of veggies)

12:30p: play with cars, trains, and trucks, and more cars

1:00p: sit on potty, read books, then take a nap

4:00p: have a snack...peanut butter, fruit, and cheese

4:30p: swim lessons

5:30p: play in kitchen while i clean up a bit and get dinner ready (coloring book, scooter, or bang bowls)

6:00p: bike ride with mama and daddy

6:30p: dinner (4 ounces of poultry, fish or beef, 4 ounces of veggies, and fruit for dessert)

7:00p: sit on potty, then bath time

7:30p: get dressed for bed, brush teeth, cuddle up, and read books

8:00p: bedtime

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paleo/low carb/gluten-free thanksgiving recipe roundup!

can you believe it's already thanksgiving? if you're anything like me, you've got an idea of what to make for thanksgiving day meal. key word..."idea". i said nothing about a plan. and, keeping it clean and low-carb can seem impossible.

have not fear! you're not the only one that hasn't made to the grocery store. these drool-worthy recipes from paleo/low-carb/gluten-free superstars are all the [blogger] rave, and will totally to the trick! need breakfast ideas? i've got them! need menu ideas? i've got them! need dessert ideas? i've got them! want to know how to make that a low carb/paleo gravy? yep...i've got that too! oh, and i've got a list of recipes so you can use up all your leftovers too!

breakfast

are you looking for a list of tasty recipes to get your turkey day started? Against All Grain has done all the hard work for us. pumpkin spice granola, eggs benedict, and pumpkin spiced pancakes just to name a few! check out this roundup, here!

Source: againstallgrain.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

there's nothing like a warm bowl of goodness on a crisp thanksgiving morning, and Jenni from the Urban Poser has the perfect breakfast poridge!

Source: urbanposer.blogspot.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

the whole shabang

check out Mark's Daily Apple for your meal from start to finish.

Source: marksdailyapple.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

the Paleo Diet Lifestyle has a an awesome turkey recipe along with the fixings!

Source: paleodietlifestyle.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

Nom Nom Paleo has an awesome roundup you should check out!

Source: nomnompaleo.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

Paleo Parents have sweet, savory, and vegan options!

Source: paleoparents.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

Primal Palate has every recipe you need to make the quintessential thanksgiving day meal!

Source: primal-palate.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

sides

Realistic Nutritionist has a delicious acorn squash recipe that looks equally as beautiful!

Source: nutritionfor.us via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

The Clothes Make the Girl shows you how easy it is to sub those traditional dishes with ones that will make your heart and your belly happy!

Source: theclothesmakethegirl.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

there's no need for stuffing or muffins when you have Fast Paleo's recipe for "stuffin' muffins". these are genius!

Source: fastpaleo.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

condiments

Elana's Pantry has every sauce you'll need!

Source: elanaspantry.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

sweets

Ditch the Wheat has the perfect thing for your candy bowl...pumpkin meringue candy!

Source: ditchthewheat.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

Mark's Daily Apple has a pumpkin pie with a primal pie crust!

Source: marksdailyapple.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

one pie is never enough. Elana's Pantry paleo apple tart is perfect for your turkey day spread!

Source: elanaspantry.com via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

recipes for leftovers

Realistic Nutritionist has an incredible list of delectable dishes for all of those leftovers you're bound to have or get sent home with! try Claire's very own turkey shepherds pie, too!

Source: nutritionfor.us via Melissa @ delicious on Pinterest

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gym stylin'...i'm an animal!

just cause i workout in a garage 

doesn't mean i have to look like i work in one!

gym stylin' by deliciouswife featuring ray ban optical

Hoodies shirt
$100 - emp.de

Top
$83 - witchery.com.au

Patagonia
patagonia.com

Dorothy Perkins leopard print pants
dorothyperkins.com

Merrell athletic running shoes
nordstrom.com

Ray Ban ray ban optical
bloomingdales.com



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spicy beef fajita stew....so delish!

no matter the weather, i love a steaming bowl of spicy...well, anything! but, this bowl of spicy beef fajita stew is bound to melt the icicles as well as your heart. it's that delicious. 

this is usually a last-minute throw together meal when we have one of those "fly by the seat of our pants" kind of days and the kiddo has already gone to bed (fed, of course). 

for the spice, i like to use hatch green chiles. they come in hot and mild. i think the frozen chiles taste better, but the canned ones work great too! if you can't find any hatch chiles, anaheim (mild) or poblano (hot) peppers are great substitutes. just roast them on the stove top flame until soft and charred, let them cool, rub the skin off, remove seeds, and cut into thin strips. 

when i actually plan dinner, i'll skip the chiles, so the entire family can enjoy this stew. since i like super spicy, i chop up serrano peppers to sprinkle on top.

not only is this stew super yummy, it's super easy too! you don't need any fussy ingredients. however, it does need some simmer time on the stove...that's how it goes from soup to stew! you can cut the simmer time in half, but the fajita won't be as tender. oh, and you'll want to cut the fajita across the grain. for a how-to, click here.

and, the toppings...limitless options! i mentioned the serrano peppers but cheddar cheese and avocado are amazing. my fave is sour cream!

ingredients:

2 pounds of beef fajita (trimmed and cut into thin strips)

2 large tomatoes (chopped)

10 oz green chiles (frozen or canned)

1 large onion (halved and sliced)

4 cloves of garlic (minced)

3 cups of beef broth

1/2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder

salt (to taste)

toppings:

diced avocado
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream

heat a large saucepan over medium high heat and caramelize the onions. once the onions are translucent, add the garlic and stir until fragrant. add the beef fajita strips and brown. drain the excess oil.

add the chopped tomatoes (juice and all), green chiles (juice and all), broth, cumin, and chili powder. stir until well mixed. add salt to taste.

bring the stew to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. simmer for an hour. serve it up with bowls and top with whatever your heart desires!

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complete guide to barbell exercises!

barbells are the gym equipment you probably look at and never really try. for newbies, they totally look intimidating. and, there's a good chance you associate them with grunting meatheads. what you don't know is that girls across America are lifting barbells and getting deliciously fit!

what's a barbell?

a barbell is long metal bar that comes in varying weights of 15, 25, 35, and 45 pounds. additional weight is added by sliding disks or plates of varying weights onto the end. barbells are also known as free weights because of the near limitless movement and resistance.

Source: sportsposterwarehouse.com via Debi on Pinterest

what are the advantages of barbells?

the advantage of barbells is their versatility. barbells workout several muscle groups at a time also called compound exercises. forget those weight machines that only let you work one isolated muscle group at a time with a limited movement. compound exercises work more muscles at once, and that means burning more calories in less time! because most barbell exercises require you to stand, you also get an awesome ab workout too! all you need is one barbell and a couple sets of weight plates and you can workout the entire body and get amazing results in fat loss and muscle tone! the best part is that it saves you money, space, and time!

barbells are awesome for strength training. they allow you to gradually increase the weight you can lift. over time, you'll get stronger and toner.

oh, and if you're goal is to get smokin' legs and tight tush, the barbell is the only way to go. squats and deadlifts will whip you into shape faster than you can say "hot"!

what exercises can i do with a barbell?

so now that you know what a barbell is, don't you want to know what to do with it. there are over 50 exercises that can be done with a barbell.

my favorite resource is Barbell-Exercises! there you can browse workouts, read more on the benefits, learn more about the equipment and techniques, and also how to take precaution.

go check it out, here.

my testimony

i've seen amazing results from working out with a barbell. my arms and legs are tone, and my booty is rounder and smoother! and the weight just came off. i feel leaner and stronger.

you can see what kind of workouts i do with a barbell on my youtube channel, here!

if you're excuse is that you don't want to bulk up and look like a bodybuilder, you're kidding yourself. those women workout hours every day and eat copious amounts of protein and supplements. they work crazy hard to look like that. the chances of you getting bulky are slim!

the most important thing is that you start off slow and light. a broomstick is the perfect barbell for a beginner, and youtube is great place to find some training videos. don't get shy if you get a little sore. that means you've stimulated you're muscles. look at it as a sign that you've got them, and now you're using them! once you get the movements down and you're ready to step it up, go buy the real deal. most importantly, be careful! if you've never lifted weights before, get a trainer or better yet join you're local crossfit or weight lifting club!

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