This blog has moved!

Hi everyone! I moved my blog to a new and improved domain! It will take me some time to transfer over the posts from blogspot (I have to do it manually, one by one!)...but we will get there eventually! Also, I cannot transfer over my subscribers from here so please go to my new page and subscribe! As always, thank you so much for your support. :)

Here's the link:
www.thebeautyandthebalance.com

Best Teryaki Chicken Ever

I came across this recipe a few weeks ago, loved it, and wanted to share it with you! It's very easy and simple but taste delicious. You also don't have to marinate it that long for it to taste amazing. :) Enjoy

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 3 tablespoons sherry
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon barbeque sauce
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced --I love garlic so I used about 4 cloves
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger root --careful with the ginger. I used too much one time aaand thankfully we all had colds because it definitely cleared our sinuses ;)
• 1 1/2 lbs flanked steak --I've also used chicken thighs and wings
• Skewers --optional

Directions

• In a small bowl, mix together hoisin sauce, sherry, soy sauce, barbeque sauce, green onions, garlic, and ginger.
• Cut flank steak across grain on a diagonal into 1/4 inch slices. Place slices in a 1 gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour hoisin sauce mixture over slices, and mix well. Refrigerate 2 hours, or overnight. I cut slits in the chicken thighs so the marinade can soak in.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Discard marinade, and thread steak on skewers.
• Oil the grill grate. Grill skewers 3 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.  I definitely did NOT discard the marinade! Lol...it's winter here, so instead I cooked the meat in a shallow frying pan over low-medium heat, covered, for about 30 minutes or until the juices ran clear. The steak cooked much faster since it was thin, so no cover was needed. But I poured the extra marinade all over that bad boy ;) 

 Tada! All done. The kids The judges loved it.

 

Easiest Dinner I've Ever Made: Pizza Bagels!

One of my kids' favorite dishes is inspired by one of my childhood favorites--Bagel Bites! I could've eaten those everyday as a child! But now that I'm older and (somewhat) wiser, I tend to stay away from the frozen prepared foods and try to make them on my own instead. This dish is quick and easy and taste better than that big red box...of frozen goodness...

Pizza Bagels

Ingredients

• 1 Bag mini bagels
• 2 Cups (1 bag) Mozzerella Cheese
• 1 Jar of Pizza Sauce (I use either Nature's Promise Organic Pizza Sauce or Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce...or you can make your own, but either of these are soo good. Not a fan of Ragu's pizza sauce, by the way.)
• Extra Virgin Olive oil
• Garlic Salt
• Oregano
• Your choice of toppings

Directions

1. Set your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the bagel halves face up on the foil.
3. Baste about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil on each bagel.
4. Sprinkle about a 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of oregano on each bagel.
5. Spread about 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each bagel half.
6. Add your toppings (if any).
7. Top each bagel with mozzerella cheese. How much you put is up to you but I'm pretty generous with my cheese. :p
8. Sprinkle each bagel with a little more oregano.
9. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until all cheese is melted.

The best part about making pizza for my kids--I can hide as many veggies as I want in that pizza sauce!! (Insert evil laugh here.)

When you're done, your house will smell amazing, your food will look like this:

 and everyone will be looking at your food in anticipation like this:

:D

Bon Appetite,

My Favorite Places for Party Supplies

One of my favorite hobbies is party planning--be it birthdays, baby showers, dinner parties, events small and large--I love the creativity, personalization, uniqueness, and excitement of party planning! With that being said, I do not have all the money in the world and unfortunately cannot buy anything and everything that I want. So I have to turn to the alternatives--bargain buys and DIY!

Today I thought I'd share some of my favorite go-to websites that I use to purchase really cute (and affordable!) items for any kind of party. I also buy products to use in different ways--for instance, a plastic tablecloth doesn't always have to be used as a tablecloth. It could also be used as a backdrop or decor for the floor, ceiling, and more! You'd be surprised with how many ways you could use things. (That's when Pinterest becomes your best friend!)

Okay, here we go...

Save-on-crafts.com
I swear you could find everything on this site! It's like an online Michael's or Hobby Lobby. They have so so many items on there for decent prices...I could spend a good few hours on that site just trying to look through it all! I like that they are very specific with their categories (i.e. "crystal chandeliers" and "apothecary jars"). It makes things easier to look for. I typically go on there to look for "party dishes" like cake stands, jars, and platters, as I feel like that have a good selection of unique pieces that you can't find just anywhere. They have such a big variety that it's hard to not find something that you like/need!

Shop Sweet Lulu
I love this site for "cute" stuff...if that makes sense. :) They sell things like mini wooden spoons and milk bottles--perfect for baby showers or first birthday parties. I also use this site when I'm trying to achieve a vintage look for my event. Their items are very cute and simple. I particularly like their packaging goods! They offer such cute ways to package food, you could even there just to get inspired. (I'm also dying to find a way to use those adorable tiny milk jugs!) :)

Shop Meri Meri
This is another boutique party supply store that sells unique handmade goods--everything from baking products to jewelry and accessories. Their items are also very cute and simple, but a nice way to spruce up any event. Since they make all of their items, you're sure not to find them anywhere else, which makes it all the more unique.

The Party Cupboard
Why I like them? Two words: Paper straws. They have a really good, if not the best, collection of paper straws! Lol...I know I sound crazy (forgive me for my party planner nerdy-ness), but paper straws have become a big trend and this place is the place to go for them! I also like them because they have a large selection of character themed party supplies (for kid parties), but they offer non-themed supplies in those categories as well. For instance, if you click on "Disney Frozen," a few pieces with the characters on them will pop up, but along with that, there will also be purple paper plates, a snowflake tablecloth, and other non-Frozen-themed items that they suggest you buy with it. I like that because that way, it doesn't look like Frozen just threw up in your dining room. ;)

Smash Cake & Co.
Another boutique party supply shop that also sells coordinating paper and gift wrap! You'd be a m a z e d at how much you could create with just paper and gift wrap!

Etsy
Etsy is great for everything, especially party supplies. I turn to Etsy especially when I want customized digital party decorations that I can print and cut out myself. Why? Because they're cheap (I'm talking no more than about $30 for a full party package), personalized (which we all know costs an arm and a leg in itself), and you receive digital copies so you can print as much as you want of them! I like downloading paper patterns off of Etsy too. They're normally about $2-$3 for about 10 different patterns! You can use the patterns in digital items that you create yourself, or simply print out full pages of them and use them in your decorations.

Ikea
You can find sooooo many things at Ikea, I don't even know where to start! They are already known to have really good prices, and most of their items are decent. I encourage you to go there with an open mind and just look at all their stuff. You'll likely walk out with a few things. Lol. I think they just started a party supply line as well? At least it's new in my Ikea! Great place to get lots of good, cheap, items that you can use again and again.

Amazon
Because honestly, what can you not get from Amazon? And it's usually much cheaper than regular party stores too! I look to Amazon for tablecloths and paper goods (plates, cups, etc.) for my events, especially if I'm looking for a certain print/theme. I remember I needed cow print paper plates one time and found A TON of other items by simply searching "cow print." If you're a Prime member, quick shipping is always a plus. Also the customer reviews make it a better buying experience in my opinion. Amazon always gets a two thumbs up from me. :)

Wal-Mart.com
Wal-Mart's website has so much more than the store. And just like Amazon...what can you not find at Wal-Mart?? Lol...and you're pretty much guaranteed a good price.

Oriental Trading
I've used this website plenty of times before, and I like them alot, although I do feel that some of their products are low quality. But they are VERY inexpensive, so you get what you pay for. I do like some of their tote bags and drawstring backpacks. You can buy them in bulk at a very low price, and can use them as an alternative to your typical goody/favor/loot bag. I like giving guests something they can actually use for favors, so things like that always catch my attention.

Dollar Tree
Party supply galore! I get a lot of party supplies from Dollar Tree and I don't just mean their supplies in their "party section." This includes plates, platters, baskets, fake flowers, kid favors--and not the cheap party favors; more like spider-man water bottles and bouncy balls. I usually go here to get prizes for games at my kids birthday parties. But you can get so many things from Dollar Tree that you can manipulate or use differently. It's a great way to get creative with cheap items!

Target
And last but not least, my favorite store--Target! They have a great selection of party supplies. I particularly like their "Spritz" line. And don't get me started on their $3 and under section. I can find all kinds of stuff there. It's dangerous. But we already knew that. ;)

I also like to shop at the discount department stores such as Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Ross. Really really good serveware finds at these stores! If you're like me and you want to buy things you can reuse again and again, go to these stores and get the actual glassware (like the glass drink dispensers) instead of the plastic ones. I have bought so many different kinds of serveware, cake stands, and platters here, you would think I have a problem. And maybe I do......but I spend next to nothing on them and they look and hold up so much better, so to me, it's worth it.

Finally, don't forget about your craft stores and their awesome coupons from their websites!
Michael's Arts & Crafts // JoAnn Fabrics // Hobby Lobby

Happy event planning!

(Even More) Tips to Get Motivated to Workout

The struggle. Is. REAL!!!! I cannot for the life of me get myself up to workout these days. I guess along with sweater weather comes sweater WEIGHT!! ;p But it makes sense to lose motivation right? I mean, it's cold out and the crave for coziness is in...there will be no warm weather for a while and therefore no showing of skin. Loose, oversized sweaters and ginormous scarves are everywhere, and the couch has turned into your most favorite place on earth because, Hello?! Fall TV!! Now someone please hand me my fuzzy socks and pumpkin spice latte while I continue to validate my laziness...

(Just kidding. For the record, I never had a PSL.)

But truthfully speaking, this is a difficult time for me to stay motivated. Therefore, I thought I'd write this post to help me and anyone else out there that's finding it hard to hit the gym these days!

I came across this article and pulled out a few of the tips that I like and know work for me, and also created some of my own. Enjoy!

1. Hold yourself to other commitments in your life. I find that whenever I find myself slacking, it helps to take a break from that one thing I'm trying to achieve and turn my attention to another part of my life that needs it, such as organizing a part of my house, paying off debt, checking something else off my to-do list...doing this reminds me that I'm capable of keeping a promise/commitment and therefore motivates me to continue pursuing other things I've committed to.
2. DONUT...oops, I mean do not...bring those donuts home. They say out of sight, out of mind, right? Leave those fatty snacks at the grocery store and only bring home what's going to help you in your weight loss journey. Or, if you must, limit how much you buy (for instance buy 5 individually wrapped snacks to last you through the work week.) This way, going out for a Gotta Have It cup of Coldstone ice cream will feel more like a treat. I find that this works best in the winter, because at times when I'm really craving something that I don't have in the house, I end up telling myself it's too cold to go out to get it. :p
3. Compete. I've participated and took lead on coordinating the Biggest Loser competition at my work for two years now. I'm not one to get ridiculously motivated by competition, but because I spearheaded the whole thing and because I was simply participating, I felt the need to show up!! I knew that I wasn't going to be first (others had more weight to lose and therefore had a greater advantage), but I sure as hell didn't want to be last! So I did what I had to do and in the meantime, reached some of my personal fitness goals.
4. Dress up. I know this may sound weird...but this is one thing that really works for me! I first noticed it works when I was packing for my trip to Hawaii about a month before my actual trip. Lol! What can I say? I was excited... But I'm glad I did it because it got me to try on everything I wanted to wear and I saw how it looked on me before I had to go out in public in it. When I didn't like how it fit, I was left with two options--ditch the outfit or make my body fit in it better. It also allowed me to recall how certain clothes used to fit. I'm packing for a cruise right now, and I can tell you...there are some items from my Hawaii trip that do not fit like they did just a few months ago!! And unfortunately, since it's winter, I can't just go out and buy new shorts/tanks/t-shirts, because the stores aren't selling them! Which brings me to my only option: Get your ass in shape, Jessica.
5. If you did it once, you can do it again. I learned to tell myself this early in my childhood. My father is an artist and I used to try to draw as well as he did--for some reason I was convinced that he passed down that trait and I had to learn it in some way. Well let's just say there were many mistakes and "abstract" pieces, and there were some masterpieces that came about while I "practiced." I hated that I would finally get it right after a million tries, but it was on my practice paper and not my actual "canvas." Lol...so I started telling myself, if I did it once, I can do it again. And nowadays, I apply that mindset to other aspects of my life, including fitness. I once was at my ideal size/shape/health...and I can get there again.
6. Set fitness goals, not just number goals. "Losing weight" is associated with fitness, but it doesn't encompass all that "fitness" is. Instead of only focusing on what the scale is saying after two weeks, two months, 1 year, etc...set goals for your entire fitness journey, such as: Running a longer distance, eating a fruit everyday, packing a healthy lunch everyday for a month, increasing your water intake each day, increasing your speed, running (without stopping) for a certain amount of time. These little accomplishments all tie in to your overall goal, and celebrating each of them will ultimately keep you motivated and keep you moving in the long run.

As always, good luck on your own individual journeys! Please wish me luck on mine. I'm thinking this all-inclusive-cruise idea is not going to agree with my fitness regimen. Should I really be complaining though? Lol! Until next time,

Romper Love

Another one of my favorite things to wear in the Fall are rompers!

 

For some reason, I like wearing them more in the Fall than I do in any other season. Maybe because I like layering and layering and layering, and I like the long seamless look that rompers provide to break up all the many layers I put on top of it.

 

I also like how rompers are thigh length--I have short legs so I like to wear shorter length shorts/skirts, as I feel like it makes my legs look longer. However, I also do not want to look like I'm just walking out of the house wearing just a t-shirt...lol. So I like that rompers appropriately allow for this kind of look. And since they're shorts (as opposed to a skirt or dress), it keeps it casual in a dressy kind of way. It also allows me to run around and play with/pick up my kids without having to worry if my stuff is gonna hang out if I bend over!! LOL ;p

 

 

I found this romper earlier this season (around Sept or early Oct maybe?) at Forever 21. I had to get a Medium--the small wouldn't fit my hips. I like the fit around my waist, but not loving it at the top. It's loose and doesn't fit my arms or bust area so it makes it look waaay to big for me! But thanks to my favorite sweater (H&M from like 5 years ago--maternity gift from my bestie, thnx bee!), I was able to pull it all together and "hide" the looseness that's happening at the top. But don't get me wrong! The romper is really cute on its own! It's also 3/4 sleeve so very appropriate for this time of year (especially with the 60 degree weather we've been getting here on the east coast!). I would just try it before you buy it.

 

 

Can we talk about how good my photographer was doing on this day?! She was on top of her game. Lol! --thnx Kimbo :p

 

I need to shout out these boots really quick--because they haven't been getting enough attention from me. Lol! They were only $10 at DSW! Very cute and very comfy, but honestly, I do not wear them enough!
 



 

Side note--I've been living in this hat for the past few weeks now! I never thought I'd fall into the wide-brim fedora trend, but look at me now. Lol :p Never say never!

Hope Fall is treating you all well. :)

 

Until next time,

6 Ways to Avoid Burnout

 

Sometime last week, the thought of writing this blog post came to me--probably in the midst of running my kids back and forth between school and daycares, going to work, and running around Baltimore for work events. It's certainly very very challenging to be a full time mother, housekeeper, worker, and friend all at once. I constantly struggle with the balance of my time--between work, my social life, my love life, my career, (this blog!), and being there for my kids. With "so much to do and so little time," it can be easy to get burnt out. And since this blog is partly about balance, I was inspired to write this post for you!

B A L A N C E . . . it's something I have committed to working on every. single. day. It's taken a lot of time and a lot of effort to try to achieve a "well balanced life," and while I am still on my journey to finding it, here are some things I've learned:

1.  Time management is everything! I've learned to value my time more. At home, there are a million things I could be doing, and choosing wisely is key!! Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! Trust me, I hate coming home to "more work" as much as the next kid, but the truth is--the dishes have to be done and the clothes have to get washed. And unless you can afford to have it done for you, you have to do them yourself, Superwoman. But during the week when I come home, I don't want to spend the only 2-3 hours I have each night with the kids doing housework. So I started looking at my time, rather than looking at the tasks. Instead of going down my list of chores, I give myself a time limit to do them. My week-night schedule is now limited to 45 minutes of chores TOPS when I get home. I've acknowledged that not everything will get done in one day, and I've learned to be okay with that. Whatever I can get done in that time will get done, and what is not done can wait until the next day. This has forced me to prioritize my chore list better, and do them a hell of a lot faster too! But the biggest benefit is that it ensures time with my family and for myself every night. This may not work for everyone (some people can't go to sleep with a messy kitchen--I get it!), but it works for me! I used to not be able to sleep until the job was done. I got over that quickly once I realized how much time I was missing with my family. That was more important to me...which brings me to my next point...
2. Think about what you really want and need. Is what you're doing really worth your time? Are the people you make time for really worth your time and energy? Or are there more important things you'd rather be doing? This speaks to your career aspirations as well. If you get that job you've been dreaming of, will you have to make any large trade offs for it? And will those trade offs affect anyone else that's important to you? My time is very valuable to me. And as I make my decisions day by day, this is one that I put a lot of thought into. I am your number one people-pleaser, and what I needed to learn was that if you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one. I had to figure out what was most important to me and determine if my trade offs were worth it or not.
3. EAT. Seriously. Eat. Have you ever had something big that you were working on and you spent so much time working on it and focused on it, you go a whole day without eating anything? It's like the moment you get busy, adrenaline rushes in and you forget all feelings of tiredness, pain, and hunger! Make time to eat...and eat well! I just recently switched my diet to being...well lets say 80% of my diet...all organic foods. (Hey, all about the balance, right?!!) Not only have I lost 5lbs in two weeks, I find myself more focused, more efficient, and constantly eating!! That is...constantly eating throughout the day to keep my metabolism going. Workout too. Even if you walk at least 30 minutes a day, every little bit helps. Taking care of yourself physically will definitely help you mentally as well. Keeping a well balanced diet and exercise routine, I stay energized and it forces me to do the next thing:
4. Take a break! Walk awaaaayyy--just walk awayyyyy! :p But really. Walk away from your desk if you need to. Has anyone ever told you to "take a chill pill"? It's because you really need one. 1) No one wants to be around a grouch, and 2) You won't be able to do anything to its full potential if you don't take a break! Are you a stay at home? Call someone and have an adult conversation at some point during your day while you're at home with the kids. Nap. Read. Watch a show or a movie. It's important for your mind to rest. I was told once before--we are not superheroes (as cool as it would be to my kids if I was one, I am not.), and we need to learn how to take the cape off.
5. Prepare. Staying prepared saves you from so much stress! I learned the hard way. HELLO. I am your number one procrastinator!! I used to have a magnet on my fridge that said, "I'll procrastinate later." :p Yup, that was me. Until I had kids. And until I was put into a role at work where I couldn't be! Life was teaching me a good life lesson. What takes you 5 minutes to do the night before will save you 10 minutes in the morning! Getting things ready while your mind is active is much more efficient that trying to get things ready while you're just waking up and probably rushing.
6. Last but not least, turn it off. I attended a woman's conference this past week and one of the speakers talked about how we now live in a 24/7 society. She mentioned in the past how TV stations used to turn off at a certain time at night so that people could sleep. Nowadays, you not only have the option of watching TV all night, but you can get on social media, play games, text/chat with people...all from the palm of your hands, and at anytime, 24/7. While it's good to stay connected, it's also good to disconnect. After Thanksgiving, I plan on "fasting" and getting off of social media until Christmas. As much as I'm nervously anticipating it, I'm also looking forward to it! See ya'll lataahhzzz ;) (jk...I will most likely still post on here.)

All in all, these are just some things to keep in mind while we try so tirelessly to save the world. I think it's important for everyone to find their own ways--as I said before, what works for me may not work for the next person. But the key is to make the time to not lose your mind! Do what makes you happy, fulfill your purpose, and do it with passion, and you will always feel blessed. :)

Until next time,

Holiday Green

One of my favorite colors this season has been dark green. I have never been a green kinda girl, but something about that color makes me feel classy and elegant. (Which is a hard feeling for me to come by nowadays as a mommy of two! So let me live.) I also love to wear this color over the holidays as a non-red holiday option. Not that I have anything against red...red is just your typical "holiday" color, aaaannd let's just say I like to go the non-traditional route sometimes. ;) #rebel (Not.)

Anyway, I had time this weekend (shocking!) and I thought I'd play around with this dark green top I bought from Express earlier this year. I guess you can say I did a form of the day-to-night concept with a dressy/day/work look, then a keep-it-casual look. Really I just couldn't make up my mind on how I wanted to style it, so I did all three! :p (Imagine how my mornings are like!) So here it is three different ways!

This is an easy wear-to-work outfit (holiday season or non-holiday season).....that will likely be on repeat over the next few months for me. The shirt is one of the Portofino shirts from Express. These dress shirts are so comfortable--I could buy them in every color! I've listed a few of my favorites at the bottom of this post. I have two, this dark green one and one in burnt orange and can pair them with anything (dress pants, jeans, skirts, etc.). Love em!


















Last year I splurged a little bit and bought this faux fur vest from Francesca's and I LOVE it--but I don't wear it enough! So I feel like I need to get my money's worth and wear it as much as I can...but that just ain't happening...I just don't go to enough cool places to break out my faux fur. Lol! So anyway, I'm constantly on a hunt to find casual outfits that I can make using this vest. Yanno, working around my accessories. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Aaaand just in case the vest was "too much".... :p

By the way...this is the first time I did a photoshoot with my kids around. It wasn't easy trying to keep them busy and out of my photos! I broke a sweat!!
And I may or may not have let them eat a jar of cookies to stay still................

Alas--gotta have the gold!

Hope you enjoyed! I hope to post more non-red holiday looks for you soon, so stay tuned for that!

As promised...my fave portofino shirts out right now:

What Went Right?

As I was driving to work one morning, I was listening to the radio--Christian rock, for my positive vibes in the morning--and they mentioned a thought that really resonated with me. She said, "Everything could always be better." They went on to discuss how and when that thought comes into our minds, and it's normally when something goes wrong that we end up telling ourselves, "It could be better." But what if we told ourselves that all the time--even when things go right?

The reality is this: When something goes wrong, we accept that it happened and that we can't go back to change it. Then we analyze how it went wrong and what can be done in the future so it doesn't happen again. But when something goes right...typically, we pat ourselves on the back and don't think twice about it.

The idea they were sharing is this: When something goes right, analyze why it went right and what can be done in the future so it can happen that great again or even better.

In my world, I don't do that often enough...but it makes so much sense! I spend SO MUCH TIME focusing and analyzing what goes WRONG in my life, and spend SO MUCH ENERGY trying to fix it, and I spend so little time on what goes right. And I wonder why I'm so stressed out sometimes.

There will be many times in your life that something doesn't go your way. It may rain on your wedding day, your client meeting may not have gone as well as you planned, you may bomb a job interview, you may flunk a final test, you may not get into the top college on your list, you may lose a friend, your relationship may end, your marriage may be failing...life tests us too many times, in too many ways. And although I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, I also believe we all have a part to play in our journeys. And don't get me wrong--it is important to look back at the things that have gone wrong and look at how to better the situation going forward. The thought here isn't to stop that, it's to apply it to the good situations in our lives too. My team at work "debriefs" after large meetings to address what went wrong and what went right, and the information that comes out of it is always so helpful. I admit, it hurts when you have to accept that you can't go back and fix things (especially when it could've been so easy of a fix!), but now, that one easy fix becomes top-of-mind for next time, and your meetings after that will get closer and closer to flawlessness. (Cue Beyoncé.)

Relationships and marriages are the tough ones. You know that "new" feeling at the beginning of a relationship? That fun little honeymoon stage? That fun little temporary honeymoon stage? How great it was, right? If you took a minute today to look back at how and why you and your significant other started, what do you remember? Really focus on it. Block out the thoughts of "well it was great, we used to do this and that, and feel this way...but this led to that, then that happened, and it was because he/she was like this to begin with in the first place, and now it's all gone down the drain." Yeah don't do that. Think about how you used to show your love. What made it all work? What did you do to make it all work? Why were you such a great pair for each other in the first place? Too often, we wait until things go wrong in our relationships to start asking ourselves these questions. If we keep these thoughts at the top of our minds all throughout, and work to figure out and remember how our relationships work, we eliminate the guessing game if it breaks. You can't fix a car if you don't know how an engine works. If we never look at why something went so right, when it breaks, we don't know how to fix it because we never knew how it worked in the first place.

I just wanted to share this thought with you. It was a great piece of advice that I was fortunate to hear at the right time. Be blessed and happy Friday!!

That Moment I Lived the HI Life

A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Hawaii to visit my best friend. I took the trip alone, which seemed crazy to me, but I couldn't take the kids with me for a few reasons, and I needed some R&R anyway. And what better place to do it than the beautiful Aloha State? ;)

As most people that visit Hawaii say, it is be-a-u-tiful, and for me, it was more than I imagined it to be. I spent one week there, and it was not long enough! There was too much to see, too much to do, too much to EAT. I left really wishing that I had time to do more, but all in all it was a great trip. I mean--I can't complain too much...after all, I got to go to Hawaii!

Being with my bestie satisfied some much needed girl time (that I didn't even realize I needed!). Ever got caught up in life so much you don't even have the time to realize that you need a break?? That was me. Not that I'm complaining, I love my life and I love to stay active and busy...but what a relief it was to slow down and take time for myself! I spent a week on an island with a new culture, knowing only ONE person on that entire island, driving along long windy roads along the coast (traffic sucked, but it is what it is), eating new food, meeting really nice people, and experiencing picture perfect views EVERYWHERE! And the cutest little island babies! The kids were just too adorable. (And now I really want to teach my kids how to surf.)

But what this trip really opened my eyes to is how to fully live in and accept every moment--each moment--one at a time. I realized that no matter how good or bad a moment is, they are all temporary. They don't last. And you can ruin a great moment by putting all your effort into trying to make it last, or putting all your thoughts towards how you're going to cope when that moment ends. Stopping that habit was the best thing I've done for myself, and it was a great life lesson. The truth of the matter is, I need to learn how to best experience things. Not think ahead or look behind, just take it for what it is and let it be just that. Here's an excerpt from an article a friend shared with me. This for me, sums it all up:

Enjoy now fully. No matter how much time you have in an experience or with someone you love, it will never feel like enough. So don’t think about it in terms of quantity—aim for quality, instead. Attach to the idea of living well moment-to-moment. That’s an attachment that can do you no harm.

Quality over quantity--why didn't I think of that before?! It makes so much sense now. I put so much effort into creating moments; rather than making them last, I need to make the most out of them. So that's what I did for the rest of my trip. Enjoy my collection of moments below. ;)

1. Amazing sunsets.

 

2. Amazing views!

3. Local food to feed the foodie in me! I have to admit--I didn't take a picture of each plate like I wanted to. I didn't wanna be "that girl"! Lol! (Regretting it now.)

4. Catamaran with new friends. Blue water. Just...really blue water.

 



5. Experiencing nature at its finest. Double rainbows, lava tubes, and exotic beaches

We walked through this...

To get to this!

Mermaid Cove

Green Sand Beach.
This was a sight to see, as there are only two in the world! The sand is a green/olive color, and it got its color from olivine crystals created from a volcano eruption many years ago.

6. Driving new cars! ;) --and off-roading. Forreal. We had some bumpy rides on the Big Island. But it made for a better experience! Let's just say, you can't make it to Green Sand Beach, or a lot of other nice places on Big Island without a 4WD.

  


7. Cliff jumping! I am afraid of heights, but I managed to do this. This was a big accomplishment for me! Although, I'm not as ballsy as the chick in the bottom pic. Props to her but I'm not on that level yet! :p

Spitting Caves

Of course there are many more pictures, but I thought I'd share the most memorable ones with you. Plus, I tried to stop myself from going too snap-crazy everywhere I went since I was trying to enjoy the moment and all. ;)

Wait...one more...this is just fitting for this post. :) Aloha!

My Fitness Journey...Just Got A Little Bit Dirty...

Who doesn't love a little mud bath?!

Recently I participated in the LoziLu Mud Run in Frederick, MD. My knees will never forgive me for it, but I had a blast! This was an obstacle course 5k, so in addition to running, we also had to climb 8-12' walls, nets, jump through hurdle loops and crawl through mud. I will say that I completely underestimated the difficulty of this 5k! The climbing, the jumping, the crawling on mud-covered ROCKS...oh and did I mention it was raining too?! And on top of all of that we still had to run 5k. And I am still not a runner. Lol but I'm proud to say I did it, and I'm proud to say we weren't last. In fact we were first-ish. :p

Anyway, I've learned that committing to something like this does help you stick with it. Especially when you commit along with people who are much faster than you, much more athletic, and much more...committed. Lol...all in all, it was a great run and especially a great workout. Oh and meanwhile my 5-year-old is wondering why I can jump and crawl through mud and he can't. Haha! Ummmm...because Mommy says so!


Here are more pictures from the run:

Oh yeahhh, baby.

Finish Line Fine. ;)