Christmas Gift Guide 2016: The Ladies

Almost every single year I have NO idea what I want for Christmas and get so flustered when people ask me. This year I took note of things I needed/wanted as the year went on and as Christmas has gotten closer I've been looking for the best deals and snatching them up, so guess what? I've already gotten all my Christmas presents! It won't be very exciting for me Christmas morning, but I'm loooving my new jeans and baseball cap :) I put together a list of somewhat affordable gift ideas for new mommas, sisters, friends, and ladies in general (some of which I asked for this year). Enjoy!

Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette - $36

This palette has GREAT reviews and, if you ask me, has the best grouping of colors. They are all very usable for everyday or a special occasion! I love all the neutrals combined with some deep purples to make in interesting. Treat yourself and ask for this yummy-smelling (smells like chocolate!) and compact little eye shadow palette for Christmas this year. Stop wasting your time with cruddy drugstore palettes, you won't regret it! 

LA Angels Hat - $27.99

If you're a momma or a woman in general, you know what a pain it is to wash, dry, and style your hair everyday. This hat is the answer! I'm not saying you shouldn't wash your hair for a week because you can just throw this hat on.....ok maybe I am saying that. Pick your fav team or your hubby's (if you're like me and don't give a poo about Major League Baseball). Here and here are some really cute Mariner's hats and here is a Texas Longhorn's one.

      Samsung S7 Gold Phone Case - $7.99

iPhone 7 option - $11.99

I drop my phone about 80 times a day. Poor thing. I got a brand new, $25 case in July, and it's totally busted. Since I like slim and minimal phone cases, I've decided to start getting cheap ones, sincye they don't last long anyway! The more glitter, the better. Am I right?

Gel Nail Polish UV Light - $19.99

Perfect manicures that last forever at home without the cost of a nail salon? Yes, please!

The Magnolia Story (Kindle) - $12.99 

Hardcover option

THIS BOOK. If you love Chip and Jo, you must read this. And if you don't know who am I talking about, turn on HGTV and enjoy Season 4. I laughed my booty off, I cried, I remembered what it was like to fall in love :) I love this couple and all they stand for. It is so refreshing to see a family with wholesome values become so popular. Such a fun read.

Jessica Simpson Fancy Love Perfume - $14.99

All-time fav perfume. Ever. Smell yummy and elegant all at the same time. And the scent lasts forever. Like days. But I wouldn't know because I shower daily and never re-wear clothes....Also the roller ball is perfect for throwing in your purse/diaper bag and is a great size for flying.

 Levi's 711 Skinny Jeans - $31.49

These jeans have changed my life! No more cheapo Forever 21 or Target jeans. These things are sturdy, suck you in in all the right places, and don't break the bank! They come in tons of shades, but Mountain Sound is probably my favorite. They can be dressed up with boots and a long cardi or dressed down with a tee and your cute new baseball cap. Meanwhile, your bum is lookin' cute and they are not getting stretched out and falling down all day. Also carried at Macy's and usually on sale for $39.99.

My Story by Elizabeth Smart - ONLY $11.99

This is SUCH a good deal for an amazing book. I cried and cried and CRIED through this story. The strength and faith this woman has impressed me and changed me. And she was so young and was so hurt, but was able to turn her huge misfortune into a beautiful opportunity to help others. Download it for your Kindle (or the Kindle app) here for $7.99.

Thanks for reading!

Seven Places to Find Unique Christmas Gifts

Sure, you can go to Target or Old Navy to find gifts for the ones you love....OR you can check out small businesses and find something truly unique and handmade! I put together a list of my favorite small businesses to give y'all some fun ideas for Christmas presents. Also, I apologize in advance that most of these are gifts for children/babies, but that's what I'm all about right now! There are also some gift ideas for women and for the home :)

Something you should know about these business owners....Some I've known since I was like 7 and some I've only met in the past two years, but every single one is a hardworking, talented mother who has been an example to me of what a disciple of Christ is. Give their products a look, you will NOT be disappointed!

Image from Simple Sawyer

1. Breezy & Co. 

Brielle's graphic design skills are beautiful, quirky, and I want them covering every wall of my whole house. She makes different prints, but you can also request her custom design skills. She even designs business logos, blog templates, and invitations. I have my eye on her $5 'Love is spoken here' print. So cute! Check out her website! By the way, she has a few free printables on her site! Use discount code TISTHESEASON for 15% off and follow her on Instagram @breezyandco.

2. Chelsey Made

Chelsey started out making unique dresses for her daughter. The kind of stuff you would NEVER find in a department store, but always wished you could. She also makes women's skirts, zipper pouches, and bags. Her fabric choices are adorable. Think rainbows and pandas. My future daughter (fingers crossed) will definitely own one of her designs. Hopefully the zebra dress, which is my favorite. You can shop her stuff on Etsy and follow her on Instagram @chelseymade.

3. Emory & Ivory

Ashley recently moved to TX, so I'm super jealous of her. Anyway, her simple and sweet baby/toddler clothes and bows are perfect for Texas babies or really any babies! She also makes minky and ruffley baby blankets that are ADORABLE. Her prices are extremely reasonable, so join her Facebook page and follow her on instagram @emoryivory to see what she's all about!

4. Hazel Lane

Jessica has an online boutique selling the cutest women's clothes. I've already gotten two shirts and a dress and I was SO impressed with the quality. The material isn't thin at all and has a nice weight to it so it hangs nicely and doesn't cling in unwanted areas. They shipped them to me so fast and they are always posting sales, great deals, and free shipping on their Instagram. Speaking of, use code ANNA15 for 15% off now through Thursday at midnight! Definitely like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram @hazel_lane_clothing for updates on cute clothes that you will not see anywhere else.

5. Loïe Beauty Lounge

Hannah is a Master Esthetician, make up artist, and lash/brow goddess in my own words (specializing in make up, lash extensions, and microblading for brows). Her clients always look flawless and glowy after she works her magic and her work with brows is AMAZING. None of this fake, sharp, too dark, monster brow thing that some artists do. Her brows look so natural, yet striking. Give someone (or yourself) the gift of beauty this year! Check out her instagram accounts to see her work and get her contact info! @loie_beauty @hannahrae_mua @brow.lashboss__

6. Momma's Little Munchkin

Lisa makes baby joggers, bows, dresses, bibs, and the list goes on! These adorable leggings come in tons of different patterns. She even has some super cute Christmas patterns! She also makes crib shoes and hats that are perfect for tiny babes. She is always adding new products to her shop. Check out her Etsy shop and like her page on Facebook to keep up with her latest creations. Follow her on Instagram @mommaslittlemunchkin for a bunch of Black Friday deals that are already going on!

7. Simple Sawyer

Amy makes high quality baby apparel that is durable and super stylish, if I do say so myself. And guess what? She makes tons of boy clothes! She is a boy mom, like me, and I can't get enough of her sweatshirts, sweatpants, hoodies, and shorts. I can't tell you enough about the quality of her products. And check out these cute sweatpants! She offers deals and sales on her Instagram account @simple_sawyer, so follow her there and shop her styles at her Etsy shop. Crew necks and shorts are 50% off today while supplies last! Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

A Twist On...Thanksgiving Recipes

Is it just me, or are y'all sick of the same old green bean casserole and pumpkin pie? I've never been a fan of the cream of mushroom soup/french fried onion version. Blegh. No offense if you love that. And pumpkin pie is aight, but this girl needs something sweeter. SO. Here are two recipes that are on repeat every Turkey Day with my family.

The first recipe is a twist on green bean casserole. We call it Aunt Sue's Green Beans. I don't know the whole story, but I'm assuming my Aunt Sue (who we lovingly call Aunt Sewage) came up with it and it. is. GOOOOD. It includes bacon and brown sugar (yum) and has a little kick of horseradish to make in interesting.

Aunt Sue's Green Beans

Ingredients:

2+ cans of french style green beans
1 lb. bacon
1/2 cup butter
1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup horseradish sauce
1/4 cup mustard

Sauce:

Whisk together 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup horseradish sauce, 1/4 cup mustard (adjust any of these to your personal taste)

Instructions:

1. Cook the bacon (I like to microwave it in layers separated by paper towels) and let it cool.

2. Slice the butter into pads and put half of them on the bottom of a baking dish.

3. Drain green beans (use 4 cans if you if you have a lot of people to feed or want yummy leftovers).

4. Put the rest of the sliced butter on top of the green beans.

5. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Crumble bacon and put half on top. Drizzle sauce over green beans. Top with remaining bacon.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. The sauce should barely begin to brown when it's done.

I found the next recipe on Pinterest years ago, but never pinned it! I recently found a similar recipe and kind of adjusted it to what I wanted, so here it is!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:

1 14 oz. can pumpkin
1 tub Cool Whip
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1 pkg cream cheese
1 graham cracker crust (if you buy a pre-made crust, get the 10 in. size or make your own and it's usually yummier!)

Instructions:

1. Combine pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, sugar, and cream cheese with a mixer. Gently stir in 2 1/2 cups of the Cool Whip.

2. Pour the mixture into the pie shell and refrigerate for around 3 hours to set.

3. Top with remaining Cool Whip and enjoy!

I wish I had beautiful pictures for you. Maybe I'll update this post after we make these dishes next week! Let me know if you decide to try these out or if you have your own fabulous non-traditional recipe that I need to know about.

Thanks for reading!

Probiotics: Why I Believe in Them

I have been taking probiotics for a month now, along with my little one as recommended by my doctor to help his tummy issues. I have seen that I am less bloated and that I can eat a milkshake without being sick to my stomach the whole night. That alone is enough for me to want to tell everyone about their benefits. In addition, I've seen Cohen's health improve! He no longer has old man farts in the middle of a silent Sunday School class....hasn't had diarrhea at all, and is doing better with digesting yogurt and grains, which he struggled with before.

Silver Fern Brand has this whole "Elevated Plan" thing to promote how probiotics and some of their tips can help you lose weight. When I first read about it, I honestly thought it was just their marketing team's way of getting more people to buy their product. Like yeah, maybe it can help you lose like 2 lbs or something, but I didn't think it was much different from just exercising and eating right, so I didn't give it a second thought.

Well, this morning I went to the gym for the first time in weeks and decided to weigh myself. Last I checked, I had 7 lbs to go before I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I've been trying to go on a few walks a week and I even jogged for 10-20 minutes twice last week, but that's not enough to shave off those last hard-to-lose pounds. On top of that, we ate out THREE TIMES this past weekend. Lots of carbs. Lots of root beer floats. And guess what the scale said?

I LOST 6 POUNDS!!!

I couldn't believe it. I was in total shock. I still am. I mean, my jeans have been looser, but I thought they were just stretched out. Anyway, I immediately came home, put the baby down for his nap, and got working on this post. I knew probiotics were good for me, but I didn't realize they were going to help me lose weight! The more I read and learn about them, the more I believe in them. If you're curious how they work, check out my previous post.

I know I sound like an infomercial host saying "It really works!" and "The results are amazing!" But I really do believe our digestive systems are not meant to process artificial sweeteners and chemicals put in our foods today. Once those ruin your gut bacteria, the only way to get it back to normal is by replacing it with the right probiotic supplements. Please let me know if you have any questions that I can address. I'm planning to write my next post on comparing prices and quality of different brands and talking about whether or not you have to stay on probiotics forever.

Thanks for reading!

Fourteen Ways to Enjoy Running

For me, the hardest thing about running is that I don't have the aerobic stamina to run for very long since I haven't been consistent with running for over a year. I decided to remind myself of all the ways to get motivated to run. So I asked my sisters and mom for their tips, too! My mom would take us jogging when we were kids and has always been a runner, my oldest sister ran cross country and has run several half marathons and a marathon, and my other sister and I have run a half marathon together. It is my favorite way to stay fit. I feel like it trims you down instead of bulking up your muscles, which is what I'm looking for! Here are our thoughts:

1. Intervals. Try jogging for two blocks, walking for one, and repeat. Especially if you're just getting back into running, deciding on some intervals to run can make it more interesting and will help your lungs get a workout, so you can build your endurance.

2. Book on tape. What do you call this now-a-days? Oh right, an audio book. "Listen to music or an audiobook, or a podcast. Conference talks and scriptures work, too." - Sarah
This will help pass the time and distract you from your huffin' and puffin'. I currently push a stroller while jogging, so I feel paranoid about having headphones in. You can always listen without headphones, I guess!

3. Treat yo' self. Head over to Ross and pick out a new pair of cute leggings. Or shorts (for all you ladies who aren't victims of chaffing). Or maybe a tank! I always find cute and cheap workout clothes at Ross or TJ Maxx, but my favorites are from  Old Navy. I know they aren't fun, but they are super comfy and don't fall off with every step I take like some of the low riders do. "Choose fun clothes or shoes you ONLY wear when you run." - Sarah

4. Get fitted for shoes. "Have good running shoes that are comfy." - Cory
In Texas we would go to Run-Tex (which I've heard is out of business, anyone know?) with our mom to get fitted for running shoes. There was no extra charge and I always LOVED the shoes I got there. Usually Asics. In Utah I've gone to 26.2 Running Store and loved the shoes I got there. Everyone's feet are so different and we all have different strides, gaits, etc., so it just makes sense to find the best shoe for your comfort, not just the cutest or cheapest.

5. Calculate calories burned. Use a Fitbit or the MyFitnessPal app to see how many calories you burned. It's awesome! Whether you burned 50 or 250, it's so gratifying to know that you were workin' your butt off!

6. Keep with it! "Running is fun once you can run long distances without dying." - Cory
So true! I remember the first time I ran 10 miles. By miles six I forgot I was running and my body just kept going.

7. Pick a destination. "Run to bridal veil falls, run to a farmers market, run to your friend's house, run to get a sno cone." - Cory

8. Keep it interesting. "Try new routes where you get to see neat stuff alonf the way. Run to the Riverwoods, run to a pretty view, run to the park, etc.!" - Cory
"Run a route where you can look at something pretty. Pretty houses, a park, etc." - Sarah

9. Write. "Write down how you feel immediately after as motivation for next time." - Sarah

10. Keep track. "Time yourself and have times/distances you want to beat." - Cory
"Track your progress. Write it down or get an app." - Sarah

11. Running buddy. Find someone who has a similar pace as you so neither one of you gets bored or feels like you can't keep up. "I found running with my dogs was very motivating and fun for me." - Paula
If you knew our dogs, here is a story about Finley, who only had three legs, but could run faster than any of the other dogs if you left the gate open too long. "By the end of the run Finley would dragging quite a bit. One time he was dragging so much the collar came off over his head and he just laid down in the street and watched me run off." - Paula
HAHAHAH I love him and miss him!

12. Take it easy. The worst thing you can do is push too hard and burn yourself out. "What motivated me is to pick a distance and not worry about how fast or how much I walk or run when getting back into it. I give myself a lot of permission to take it easy just knowing it is good to get my body to go a certain distance." - Paula

13. Show love. "Dedicate a mile (or a block, or a minute) or running to someone you love. Think positively about them, pray for them." - Sarah

14. Have a clear mind. "I am most motivated when I have certain basic necessities in life in order: prayer, scripture reading, hydrating, eating right, thinking of people as God's children, and striving to have a forgiving and humble heart. For some reason, having these things at the forefront of my actions and mind help me be organized and motivated to run." - Paula

I love these last two! They are both things I've never thought of.

What motivates you to run, exercise, or just stay healthy? If you give some of these a try, let me know how it goes.

Thanks for reading!

Moms Are Heroes: Today at the Park

Today at the park I was pushing Cohen in a baby swing when a tall, friendly woman strolled up with her little girl and hollered, "Can we join you?" I replied, "Of course!" I am not the type to strike up conversation with strangers, but I am so glad she came over to play and chat. I didn't catch her name, but her daughter's name was from the movie Fiddler on the Roof and we bonded over the fact that both of our children have Hebrew names.

She asked how old my boy was and when I responded with 10 months she said, "That was around the age I actually started liking my daughter."

I giggled politely as she went on, but I immediately knew I would agree with her. I had just never had the guts to say it out loud! She expressed anger toward all women before her who made it look so easy. She talked about how she was grateful for her baby, but didn't really feel she had done the right thing by getting pregnant up until recently. Yowza! She was bold and unfiltered and I wish more of us were!

I'm not saying we should be telling everyone we know how HORRIBLE being a mother is. It is NOT horrible. For me, at least. Is it freaking hard, exhausting, overwhelming, and often miserable? Maybe. That's why every mother forgets how hard it is by month 18, so we can't really blame them for lying to us. That's also why every mother needs a mother friend. Someone to relate to. Someone who understands that you're sleep deprived, nursing away all your nutrients and sanity, and can't make it up a set of stairs without wheezing.

If your only mom friend has a perfect baby who seems to sleep 12 hours straight every night and never cry, you need to find more mom friends. Go to story time, get to know the ladies in your neighborhood. Chances are, they need you, too! Actually, chances are, the perfect baby mom reeeallly needs you, too.

So what's my point? Mom's are incredible. We work and pray and hope for a precious little babe and when they finally come we work and pray and hope for their happiness. Our guts flip every time they cry and our hormones are all wacko for months. Moms literally forget about themselves. I believe I am learning humility and sacrifice. I am grateful for a God who trusts me with this sweet little soul. I thank my Heavenly Father for a baby that is full of life and has so much love to give. May we all give ourselves more credit, moms or not. Like I've said before, no one knows the crap you put up with better than you do! So be a little easier on yourself. And be a little easier on everyone around you!

Thanks for reading!

And if you ever need someone to relate to, check out these ladies. They crack me up and I love their #momtruth videos every Friday.

Probiotics: How They Work

I am not an expert, but I've done some research. There are two things that are very important when looking into buying probiotics.

1. Is it DNA Verified? Silver Fern is! This means it has been tested and proven that it is, in fact, a probiotic, not just powdery stuff shoved into a pill....Just kidding. Some claim to be probiotics, but if they are not DNA verified, it is likely it won't be able to thrive by the time it gets to your stomach.

2. What strains of probiotics does it contain? Different probiotics have different amounts of CFU (colony forming units). From what I've read, it's not important how many CFU it contains. It really matters what strains it has.

Bacillous strains will help with food digestion, bloating, metabolism, and stomach acidity. 8 Billion CFU wouldn't matter if it's the wrong strain of probiotic, but that is how many Silver Fern has, and yes! Silver Fern contains three different bacillous strains. These strains can also be called Lactobacillous, in case you see that on a label and aren't sure. As you might have noticed, the prefix Lacto has to do with aiding to digest lactose. If you struggle with this (like Cohen and I do), this could change your life!! It's not claiming to cure lactose intolerance, by any means, but I believe it helps.

For Weight Loss: Another great thing about these probiotics is they can assist in permanent weight loss. I kinda hate the term weight loss because I feel like sooo many people feel inadequate because of their weight. I prefer thinking about how well I'm taking care of my body. Which is why probiotics are so great. They really help you take better care of your body! Silver Fern has a free guide to increasing your ability to lose weight healthily and it starts with the health of your digestive system. It honestly just makes so much sense to me. I'm not in it to lose weight, but I do know I need to kick my sugar addiction, which can definitely be aided by probiotics. If you are looking for a healthier and longer lasting weight loss system, check out their Elevated Plan. Like I said, the information is free and very helpful. Check it out.

I recommend doing some of your own research if you're really curious. Or save some time and just believe me because it's definitely solved our tummy issues over here! Just kidding. There are TONS of opinions, blog posts, articles, etc. about probiotics. Especially when it comes to giving them to your baby. For us, it has been a huge blessing! I will definitely stay on them, especially when pregnant and nursing.

These websites are where I found a lot of my information in case you want to check them out!

Blog post written by Charity Lighten for KSL News

http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/probiotic-strains/

http://mamaandbabylove.com/how-to-give-your-baby-probiotics/

My next post will be discussing why I believe so strongly in taking these supplements and the other products I've tried from Silver Fern.

Is there anything else you would like to know? Any questions I can ask the company for you? If you're interested, you can click here to purchase probiotics from Silver Fern, or browse their website for some of their other fun and interesting products.

Thanks for reading!