Low Carb Mulled Apple Cider

So I probably should have posted this a while ago. Say.....like 2-3 months ago during the Fall when EVERYTHING is either apple or pumpkin flavored.  But I didn't....but the beauty of this is it doesn't require an actual apples.  Who cares if it's apple season??

All you need is some sugar free apple flavored drink of sorts...ya know...Crystal light or the wannabe Crystal Lights.  I use the Wally World stuff

Mix it up according to the directions in a pot

I like when cider has hints of orange so I sprinkled in some orange flavoring too...not too much

For a little more depth of flavor a gave a few squirts of this sugar free honey substitute too

Throw in a few cinnamon sticks and cloves or whatever mulling spices you like and let it all simmer together.  

You can keep all your Scentsy melters turned off that day....cuz when you make this deliciousness the wonderful smell will fill your entire house.  You got yourself  a tasty drink and an air freshener here.  I love a good 2 for 1.

It makes a big batch so I bottled up the leftovers and just microwaved it in a mug whenever I wanted it

All the same tasty goodness without the mounds of sugar

 

MoMo Monday- 21st Century Digital Cat

It's no secret that we as a society are hopelessly plugged in.

Between checking Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  To watching hours of Youtube videos, making your way through every TV series on Netflix, and falling asleep with your Iphone in hand because instead of reading before bed you lulled yourself to sleep pinning on Pinterest.

These days six year olds own Ipods that are just a step away from being actual phones.  They know how to text, search the web, and facetime.  When I was their age I was playing Load Runner on the computer and got excited over my bubble gum beeper.....times are a changin.

I think this book that parodies both the book "Good Night Moon" and our ridiculously tech filled lives is hilarious.  Even funnier to me is that it says the author is "Ann Droyd."   Get it?  Android?  Bahahahaha!  I love it

I'm totally guilty of this too though with my own child.  Even if she is a furry.  She loves to play games on the Ipad.  I downloaded an App made by Friskies that is a game where fish swim in and out of the water for them to paw at

MoMo loves it!

What can I say....she's a 21st Century Digital Cat

Wardrobe Wednesday- Pullover Sweatshirt and Jeans

I'm back!  Didn't seem much point in posting on Christmas for Wardrobe Wednesday but I'm back at it again today.  This weeks outfit is again nothing special and another comfy one....been a lot of those lately.  

I wore this outfit on the Saturday before Christmas when I needed to brave the crowds for a few last presents and stocking stuffers.  I needed to be comfortable and in something I could move in in case I needed to take someone out in case there were some crazy ass shoppers.  I ended up not needing to use an physical force but I did see my 2nd grade teacher....twice!  Two different stores and miles apart from each other....weird right?  She looked exactly the same.  I hope I look different. lol  I totally dipped though....I HATE running into people with a passion.  Doesn't matter who you are

Anyway...on to the outfit

Sweater: Anberlin sweater bought at a show but here's a link to their merch store.  There's so much new stuff I think I must have!!  http://www.shopbenchmark.com/anberlin

Shoes: Walmart girls section


Anberlin is one of my favorite bands EVER and we saw them 3 times this year. I got this sweater at the last show we went to in October.  I like that it was old school pullover instead of the usually hoodies you see now days in band merch.  I'm debated cutting off the neck a little to make it looser but I can't decided if I should risk it or not.  I feel like you only do that to cheap or old stuff and this is neither....I think it would make me anxious lol


And one last picture

No I'm not throwing up gang signs...this is their little symbol they use and I felt I just had to rep it with my sweater.  Just had to be done  They used it as their backdrop at the last 2 shows I went to.  I can't quite get my fingers to look that cool though

 I love them and I love this sweatshirt!

MoMo Monday- Merry Late Christmas and Happy New Year

MoMo had a wonderful Christmas.  She must have been a very good girl because Santa Paws was very generous this year.  She spent all of Christmas morning playing with her new loot and got herself all tuckered out.  She had to take a rest in the middle of her toys

Later on she even got a cool crinkle tent from her auntie, uncle, and cousin.  This is her first official house that isn't just a cardboard box of some kind

Now moving onto New Years.  MoMo has set a few resolutions

1.  Throw up less.  And if I do have to throw up at least aim for a wipeable surface.  Mommy hates that

2. Take more naps.  I really should be getting more rest

3. Try to cost mom and dad less than $1,600 in vet bills in 2014

4. Keep at least half my litter in the box when I go potty.  Mommy hates that too

 Ok, so maybe I gave her a few suggestions for that list.  But why can't her resolutions help everyone out...right?

After Christmas Tips

The gifts have all been given and your house is a disaster  (at least mine is) I'm left with the task of trying to figure out where the hell I'm going to put all this new stuff??  It's time to get things in order and I'm here to help...at least a little.  Here's a few tips for getting through the post Christmas chaos

1. Don't get your lights in a bunch

Much like your panties it's not fun when your Christmas lights get all in a twist.  Last year when I was taking down my lights I wrapped them around cardboard that I cut notches into.  Insert the plugs into the notches to hold it all in place

It made it super easy to decorate this year.  I just plugged them in and unraveled them around the tree.  No long strands to try to hold onto, just walk around the tree with your cardboard

2.  Label and date your gifts

Name and date! Name and date! Do I sound like your 3rd grade teacher? I'm not saying to go writing in the label of that sweater grandma gave you....but if you want to go knock yourself out.  I like to label all my keepsake type gifts with who I got it from and what year.  Especially for things like ornaments and seasonal decor that get packed away and not seen for months at a time.  It can be harder to remember.  And even if I do remember who gave it to me it's nice to see exactly what year it was

3. Save those bags and boxes!

This seemed like an obvious one to me until I realized that not everyone does this.  Why spend the money twice when you can just save what you already have on hand.  And if it's because you think it's borderline hoarding just pack it away with the rest of your Christmas stuff. Out of sight out of mind until next year.  You don't have to save everything....just the boxes that are still in nice shape and uncrinkled bags.  Plus, if you save all the ones you received gifts in it's like getting brand new ones without spending extra money. By doing this I only spend a few bucks a year buying boxes and gift bags

4.  Use up those candy canes

There always seems to be an excess of candy canes after Christmas that somehow sit around for months on end.  Here's a delicious recipe that my family always makes that will solve that problem 

Peppermint Frappe

5. Put away those seasonal mugs and cups

I pack away all my Christmas mugs, plates, cups, hand towels, etc with all the other decorations.  Not only will it save tons of space in your cabinet all year long but it will keep them novel, especially if you have kids.  The novelty of these items sort of wear off when you're drinking out of a Rudolph cup in June.  Packing it away will make it exciting when you get to use them again

6.  Organize NOW for next year

Nothing puts a damper on your Christmas decorating then being part way through decorating the tree and realizing you need another string of lights.  Or having everything thrown into boxes with no rhyme or reason to slow you down.  Replace those lights now or at least make notes of what you need so you'll be able to take care of it as soon as you get started next year.  Keep your boxes of decorations as organized as possible.  All the outside decorations in one box, lights in one, ornaments, inside decorations, or even broken down by room to room if you decorate the same way every year.  I know it's tempting to just throw everything in a box when you just want it done and back to normal but you will be glad next year when you bring it all back out

7. Stock up!

Everyone knows after Christmas sales can be great.  It's the perfect time to get new plastic storage bins, ornament hooks, lights, a new tree, or ornaments at a great discount.  The selection may not be as great but you'll be ready to go


There ya have it!  Just a few things to keep you organized and get you through the after Christmas chaos and transition you into the new year

New Year Resolutions and Goals

I totally get why some people are annoyed with resolutions. With it comes the onslaught of this kind of stuff.....

People who preach, preach, preach about it for a month....and then fall off whatever wagon they are on. I personally believe it's because people put way too many high expectations on them.  They make them too drastic....too unobtainable, too much,too fast.  (that's alot of "toos")

I think the idea of a New Year with a fresh start is over all a great thing but it would work a lot better if people would just be more realistic when setting them.  Instead of them being "resolutions" which too me automatically puts more pressure on the situation I prefer to just set goals.  Goals that I KNOW are obtainable

Like this.....this I can do

But really.  Don't go into it saying that by the end of the year you will go from a size 14 to a size 2.  Holy pressure Batman!  Instead set a smaller goal.  And then when you reach that you set a new one.  This is the same basic stuff we learned in freshman P.E. class.  (anybody else remember learning about goals in high school?)

I myself was never one for resolutions or goals until the last few years. In 2013 I set 2 of them

1. Gain less weight during the holidays.

Notice how I didn't say don't gain ANY weight...I just said less?  I knew saying none was too unrealistic (for me at least) and I would just end up driving myself crazy and put myself into a tizzy of guilt with each bite of bread pudding I ate Christmas day.  Last year I gained an INSANE amount of weight because I went hog wild from our anniversary vacation in early November all the way until New Years.  This year I knew I needed to reign it in and enjoy the holidays but be better in the time between....and I did.

Each year I get a little bit better and I think that is  healthier mind set than an all or nothing state of mind.  It's about knowing your strengths, your weaknesses, and finding that balance between pushing yourself to do better without becoming a basket case.

2. To learn to do my make up better and overall put more effort into my appearance

This may seem like a silly goal to some people but I don't think every goal needs to be this huge life altering thing.  I set this because I wanted to make myself feel better.  I have lacked confidence for many years and never thought I could dress the way I wanted to or wear makeup without looking like  Effie Trinket

Cute clothes in my head was only for skinny girls and make up always made me feel like I was trying too hard.  Yet I longed for feeling good about my appearance so that was why I set this goal.  To break out of that "it looks good on them but not me" mind set and gain some confidence.  Through this my Wardrobe Wednesday was born and I have had so much fun with it.  I still can't put make up on very well...at all lol But I'm taking chances and learning.  I'm finally seeing myself as more than just the fat girl I used to be and learning to accept myself more.  Cheesy as hell? Absolutely!  But it's true

So those were my goals in 2013 and I feel like I have met them.  Check and check!!

Now moving onto 2014.  I am setting 3 goals

1. Get more seriously into yoga

Yoga is the only form of exercise I don't dread.  It is what got me in shape for my wedding and the only form of exercise I do when I am feeling motivated.  I like the way it sculpts my body and leans me out where as other things make me bulky and my stumpy frame doesn't need any added bulk lol  The problem I have with it though it that I tend to stick with it in the winter/spring...and then don't do it at all during the summer.  

I want to do it more than I have the past years but don't want to tell myself "Hey....you have to do it 5 days a week every week this year" because like I said before...too much pressure that sets me up for failure.  Instead my way of measuring this goal will be to set mini goals within it.  Like being able to successfully hold certain poses I have never been able to hold before.  To get to that point it will take alot more practice than I previously have before which in turn will ensure I'm more diligent in my yoga practice.  Then, I can hopefully be a yoga badass.  Crow and headstand here I come!!!

2. Get beach ready

I know this is sort of a cliche one.  Every year I tell myself (not as a resolution per say but just in general) that I want to look good in a swimsuit for summer....and I never quite get to where I want to be.  I honestly think part of the problem is that I have never had anything really big motivating me to do it.  Let's face it...telling myself that if I do it I can strut my stuff feeling good at the local waterpark isn't enough to make me follow through.  I'll just skip the damn waterpark  

This year I finally have that motivating factor that I think will do it.  My sister is getting married in San Diego this June.  For the wedding itself I only need to get my arms in shape....our dresses will cover the rest....but this trip will be a wedding/mini vacation which I'm sure will include plenty of beach time.  I haven't been to the beach in years and have never gone feeling like I can walk the sand without feeling overly self conscious.  I just want to not have to suck in the whole time and jog a little without too much jiggling. Notice I'm not saying I want to be "bikini ready" because who knows....my body may never look good in a bikini lol  But I'm sure I could find a swim suit of some kind that I feel good in....it doesn't have to be a bikin.  Just something I feel comfortable in without looking like Harry Houdini

And last but not least.....

3. Step up my blogging game

February 2014 will mark the 2 year anniversary of starting my blog and I feel it's time to start getting this blog baby of mine closer to what I always imagined it to be.  I'm not going to sit here and say "I need a million views by this date" or "I need this many followers by the end of the year"  Nope.  Instead I will start taking the small steps I need to just push me in the right direction.  I need a blog design, better networking, and more structure.  Those are all things I can work on that I know will help push me in the direction I want to take.  Even if it takes a while.  If any of you bloggers out there have any advice to offer I would love to hear it!

So there you have it.  My rambling thoughts on goals and setting yourself up for success.  I hope this was a little bit useful to somebody out there even if what I said was in no way ground breaking. 

What are your goals this year? Leave me a comment...I would love to hear them!

Christmas 2013 Recap

I'm not sure many people are all that interested in hearing about my Christmas....but this is my blog and I do what I want damn it!  ;)

First off....here's a peek at our Christmas card picture this year.  For this first time I didn't get the actual  card emailed to me as an image and I couldn't save it onto my computer so here's the picture but not the card....booo!

The caption said....

"Mo! Mo! Mo! Merry Christmas"

Get it?.....get it? Cuz our cat is named MoMo.   I thought it was funny =)

Anywho.....we started off our day by opening gifts here at home.  Then, we ventured over to my in-laws house for lunch.  My favorite gift from them was Mickey's Christmas Carol on DVD.  I looked for it in years past but never could find it.  Come to find out this was the first year it was ever out on anything besides VHS...so that explains it!

Then we ended our night over at my sisters house with my side of the family for dinner. The Boy made a delicious and very festive pork loin stuffed with spinach, cheese, and red peppers

We also had little baby steaks which were the cutest things ever! Along with asparagus, rolls, and a baked potato bar

We don't mess around!

And some donut bread pudding

Then it was gift time of course!  The little girls loved their American Girl doll accessories I made them.  Here's a sneak peek of just some of the stuff I made....posts to come soon!

 It seems like every year I have that one person that I have a million gifts for.  Whether I mean to or not I just keep finding stuff for them and either can't help but keeping buying them stuff or forget what I already have and get more.  Well this year that person was my niece Katie.  She is a HUGE Batman fanatic and here is one of the many Batman gifts I gave her

Overall it was a great Christmas.  I was so happy to have the day off from work this year which was all I really wanted!  Hope yours was great too!

I'm such a Christmas freak I have a really hard time letting go.  As I type this I have a Muppet Christmas Carol playing in the background and I'm wearing Christmas jammies...I'm just not ready!

I'll be posting a lot of New Year/ health/ fitness posts within the next week or so.  Can't wait to share with you all