bring joy

10 tips for frugal fitness + cheesy sriracha cauliflower bowl

fitness fridays, slim + slender, simple cooking, exercise, weight loss

A very adult week, filled with all sorts of adult responsibilities. Joseph’s 15 hour work days, sickness (both Joseph & I had the flu), my Blendtec jar broke (what with being sick, a lousy time to not have a blender!). But we got our tax refund (all going towards debt baby!) & a huge student loan payment from the Air Force also went through (we had been patiently awaiting months & months for that one, blessed bureaucratic system).

But the weekend is nigh, & there are all sorts of good things ahead–my in-laws are coming to visit! Joseph gets two days off next week! Joseph & I are going to watch this movie this weekend (I’ve been waiting in high-anticipation for months)!

And, if you haven’t seen, there’s quite the discussion going on over on facebook about yesterday’s post. If you...

mom guilt + why I don’t homeschool anymore

home education, motherhood, parenting

When I say a lot, I mean: he’s been working 12-15 hour days, even on the weekend.

To say it has impacted our family life is an understatement.

The other day, one of my boys had a melt-down. He wouldn’t stop crying & I couldn’t figure out why he was crying. After some prodding, he choked out–“I hate how dad’s not home any more.”

It made me so sad. Dads are important. And when they’re not around, there are repercussions, whether we like it or not.

I don’t like to participate in the “mommy wars” discussions (usually, though Lizzy has some good thoughts about it), because though I think it’s important for women to have a running conversation about rights & equality, & issues of work/home balance, too often it becomes a feud of “us” vs. “them.” The working moms vs. the SAHMs. I just don’t...

cinnamon toast smoothie + blending recipes {the Vibrant Life cookbook}

dessert & bread, reviews, cleansing

Well, I’ve been in a rut. A smoothie rut.

I didn’t realize I was in a smoothie rut until my friend Leanne sent me an advanced copy of her new Vibrant Life Cleanse Cookbook (affiliate link), which is the ultimate guide to detoxing your body, showing you step-by-step how to do a cleanse.

I’m the kind of person that, though I love trying new recipes, but if I find one that I like, I do it over, & over, & over again.

Which is why in my ebook, I only share two smoothie recipes. It’s not that I don’t ever make any other kinds, it’s just, those are the tried & true smoothies that I like & make all the time. Which is fine, right?

But, as I perused Leanne’s 161 page cookbook, full of bright photos & over 55 (amazing) recipes for vibrant & colorful smoothies & juices, {all geared towards...