With that being said, this month I shared my monthly goal which was to “Prioritize health.”
Each week I focused on different fitness or nutrition challenges. They have been challenges, and I have not been perfect, but setting goals for health really makes such a difference on your entire body, your entire soul benefits from your physical health and I could feel that.
So I encourage you to join me this week, the challenge is to walk or run for 25 minutes or more each day. Here in Utah we are able to walk and run outside and that is what I will be doing! However a treadmill or anything works great.
I promise you that if you prioritize “yourself” by taking 25 minutes out of your day to work on your physical health…you will be happy!
This Clinique perfume “happy” has always been a favorite of mine. The scent isn’t strong but oh my goodness it smells wonderful! Even better, is the price!
This popular perfume is only $32.99 (free shipping) for a 1.7 ounce bottle.
If you look on Clinique’s website they sell it for $53.00 so you are saving $20.01 by purchasing through Jane!
This is the type of wallet I use now and I will never go back! You know us ladies, we have A LOT of items in a purse, and this double wallet keeps all the cards and such organized better than ever.
I love the variety of color choices you get too!
This cute wallet only costs $14.99 (free shipping)
With all that is going on in the world around us….I wanted to write and focus on how to deal with “times of trouble.”
First of all, I will acknowledge, that we ALL have times of trouble that we are constantly working through.
Ironically enough— we are all going through this troubling time of COVID-19 together. It’s not easy, it’s a very unsteady time, a hard break of routine, but one thing I’ve learned through multiple trials in life, is that when you look UP you can find the light.
What do I mean by looking up?
It can be a bit different for everyone, depending on your values and beliefs.
Physically, I do mean, look up…look around your room and your home and recognize what you have…the blessings that surround you everyday.
(Above:one of my blessings, a kind husband sleeping next to my beautiful baby girl)
Spiritually, look up to God. Pray to him, actually talk to Him. Feel His comfort and realize what HELPS you to feel his comforting embrace more.
And for some, spirituality may be more of meditation, or taking time to be quiet, getting lost in your thoughts, and thinking about the beauty and joy that is in your world.
Shut out the dark and gloom and focus your thoughts towards peace.
Mentally, look up by “waking up” everyday. Make your bed, get ready for the day. When you are down and upset, keeping your mind in a good mental state is not easy. It takes effort to push yourself mentally but it’s key.
Look around and take inventory of your blessings and write it down. Mentally stay positive, even just for the little things. Be glad you have clean, running water, or air conditioning, those little things that bring yourself joy.
Emotionally, look up by finding influential guidance in your life. For some- talking to a positive and uplifting friend or loved one is key. For others it may be listening to a positive or inspirational podcast.
Maybe it’s going on a walk to get fresh air and clear your mind of all the unnecessary clutter. Find what helps lift you UP emotionally and cling to that.
At the end of the day we all need to find what helps us to “look up” in times of trouble and focus on those positive, uplifting things in our lives.
Something we can all learn from this Covid-19 experience is that we are still in charge of whether we “look up” or “look down.”
Yes we have some hard times right now and they are real and unpredictable. However, obsessing and stressing about all the issues will only make life harder and enduring.
Perhaps our lifelong lesson from this worldwide pandemic is that we,ourselves, can learn to turn to the good. We can come together and fight through all the pessimism and heartache that of course is there…. but we can be strong and remember the good in the world.
(Above- we have had a lot of family time during this pandemic and that has been wonderful and memorable.)
At some point this pandemic will pass and hopefully we can look back and think yes, that was hard at times, but I got through it positively and fought a good fight with my ability to””look up” physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
So I ask you… how will you “look up” in times of trouble. What can you change so you aren’t sucked into a downward spiral?
Find those positive and uplifting things and hold on to them with all your might.
We will get through this, and guess what? I know we will come out better in the end!
If you prefer to view the video on this watch this youtube video below:
When it comes to gluten-free pizza I have had my fair share of pretty bad pizza. I am alway looking and trying different gluten-free pizzas and wanted to share my six favorites with you. I focus not just on the flavor of the pizza, but the texture of the crust. If the crust is to chewy or breaks easily I won’t consider it. Let’s just say, I am quite picky when it comes to good gluten-free pizza!
What I love about this pizza is that it’s take and bake! My husband has put this on our smoker and it bakes so wonderfully on the smoker. I score this pizza a 7 out of 10. If I have to be critical at all I feel like it’s a bit on the salty side…but still delicious!
*Also- try to get the coupon discount for the gluten-free pizza too. Save a few dollars🙂
Schwan’s is a home delivery truck and they deliver across the United States. They have a gluten-free line that we love. Schwan’s gluten-free pizza is very tasty and I score it an 8/10.
Even though it’s only local to Utah, I have to inform you about this gluten-free pizza because it’s one of my top favorites! Not only does the Pie pizza taste delicious, but they are completely gluten-free friendly because they prep and bake in a completely different space than the regular pizzas. This pizza can be purchased for just under $20. I give the Pie Pizza the score of 9/10
If I have to choose a favorite of this entire list…it would be this place, Mod Pizza! I love Mod Pizza’s crust and flavoring, it’s so tasty! The price is under $20 depending on toppings, and I give it a score of 9.5 which means it tastes incredibly good! You can find this pizza line anywhere in the US. Go check it out.
Now the question for you….what is your favorite gluten-free pizza line? What have I missed, and what do I still need to try?
I hope to keep finding more delicious gluten-free pizza in the future so stay tuned…I am sure this post will be updated.
I hope you come back next Friday for another “Gluten-Free Friday Flavors!”
Disclosure: this blog contains affiliate links. This means that I get commission from any link you click on…but of course it’s at no cost to you!
I picked up this book “The Complete Book of Home Organization” over a year ago at Sam’s Club. I love this book and am SOOO glad I bought my own copy so that I can refer back to it, mark it up, and continue learning from this great book on organizing your house.
The author, Toni Hammersley has some great ideas as to how to not only organize your home, but how to KEEP it organized.
Hammersley breaks down how to organize each room in your house and is very specific with ideas that can be a big “game-changer” when it comes to not having clutter everywhere.
Currently I looked and found this book on Amazon for $11.98 which is a great price.
If you are up for organizing during this time of quarantine, click here to purchase the book.
And as always, I would love to hear some of your favorite organizing books!
Here’s what I have in my gluten-free cold storage.
As a family we always try to be prepared with food on hand “just in case” there is a food crisis.
For those that are gluten- free or have a food allergy, I highly suggest making sure you have enough food on hand just in case something happened and there was no place to buy gluten-free food.
I also suggest swapping out food items every 6-12 months to keep your food up to date.
Below you will see the youtube link for this video. Also below, you will see the written list of gluten-free items I keep in my gluten-free food storage. I hope this can be helpful to you or someone you know that has to eat gluten free!
Here is what I have in my Gluten-Free Cold Storage :
G-Free Chicken Stock
Fruit Snacks
Popcorn
Rice
Peanut Butter
Applesauce
Progresso Soups (G-free labeled)
Potatoes
Canned Fruit
Black Beans
Variety Pack of Nuts
Hard Candy or Hi-Chews
Sugar
Corn Chips
Pudding Packs
Freeze dried fruit or veggies
Honey
G-free Protein Bars
Tuna Fish
Canned Corn
Salsa
Craisins
Potato Chips
As always, I would love your insight! What other items should I put in my food storage? Are you prepared yet? Right now is a great time to get prepared with food storage!
Who knew you would be homeschooling kids this long right?! Thank goodness for modern day technology so that school can be completed online. And yet, there of course is still time for kids to get in that much needed “play and creativity” time.
Here are five fun items I found on Amazon that can be helpful for your kids to get through the day.
All items are $30 or less and should add a lot of joy and fun to your household while in quarantine.
5. Shrinky Dinks: TUPARKA 60 Pcs Heat Shrink Plastic Sheet Kit,Heat Shrinky Sheets Creative Pack,Including 10Pcs Blank Shrink Film Paper and 5 Pcs Shrinky Art Paper with Pattern,Hole Punch,Keychains,Pencils for Kids
Oh how I loved playing with shrinky dinks when I was a kid. This can be a fun way for your kids to utilize their artistic skills and abilties. Perhaps they can make gifts for people in the family, or just enjoy them for themsleves.
This product is easy and simple to use, and fun for kids of all ages!
The peanut butter combined with the chocolate and drizzled over with a powdered sugar/peanut butter mixture is amazing!
Of course it is gluten-free, BUT if you want to make it regular, just switch to regular flour, take out the xanthum gum, and do 2 cups of quick oats instead.
If you need a yummy gluten-free treat I think you will enjoy this.
If you want to watch this step-by-step my Youtube video link of this is below.
Please share and I hope you have fun baking!
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 cup white sugar
1cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour –gluten free (I use cup4cup)
1/2 teaspoon xanthum gum
1 cup quick oats (gluten free)
**milk chocolate chips (At least a cup, to your liking), don’t pour into the mixture wait and pour them over the warm cookie mixture
Ingredients for drizzled topping:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons peanut butter
milk (to desired texture)
Instructions:
Mix ingredients in order listed above, mixing each time.
Pour cookie mixture into one cookie sheet and flatten out until even.
Bake in oven at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
While baking combine the drizzled topping ingredients, stir altogether. Texture should pour onto cookies easily (however too runny doesn’t work very well).
As soon as you take the hot cookie bar out of the oven, dump chocolate chips across the cookie sheet.
Chocolate chips should begin melting, start to spread the chocolate across the entire peanut butter layer with a butter knife.
Once chocolate layer is spread out, drizzle the powdered sugar topping over the top.
Allow to set for a few minutes.
Enjoy!!
I hope you LOVE this recipe as much as we do. And as always, comment below with any other gluten-free baked goods I should try out.
Those natural ENDORPHINS you receive when working out are real, and can truly add that extra bit of joy and happiness to your daily life.
Is it hard to work out and eat right? You bet.
Is it worth pushing yourself physically? You bet.
My baby girl is 5 months old now, the weight hasn’t melted off like my first baby.
(Picture of my daughter just a week old, she came home on oxygen and a heart monitor)
Is the weight still there because I am older than my first pregnancy? Maybe. Is it because I had a c-section with this baby versus a vaginal birth? Possibly? Is it because this baby had a heart condition and I needed an emergency c-section…and it was quite the stressful situation…Possibly.
All I know, is that there are so many excuses and reasons to keep that baby weight on.
Chasing three little ones is busy and hard and it’s so easy to think “I don’t have time and energy to add a work-out or healthy meals!”
And yet, you don’t have time to NOT make PHYSICAL HEALTH a PRIORITY.
The reason being, physical health is key to living a quality and happy life.
Will it guarantee you a life of freedom from health problems? Nope.
HOWEVER—it will greatly lessen your chances of many of the health problems that come from being overweightsuch as TYPE 2 DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, BACK PAIN…just to name a few.
Please note I am not JUDGEMENTAL in anyway to those that struggle with being overweight. I get it, it’s hard to lose weight! I know there are those out there with thyroid issues and other problems that make losing weight next to impossible. BUT– I also know that despite the struggles with losing weight, pushing yourself, setting goals and accomplishing those goals physically is so rewarding and key to boosting that self esteem.
I believe in you, and I am telling myself that I can do it too. More than losing weight, I want to tone and gain muscle so that I can run and keep up with my children.
Come join me on my journey to healthy and fitness…not just for this month but for life! I know health and fitness is a lifestyle change and I truly hope to be able to keep the mindset of staying healthy through workouts and healthy eating.
(Picture of our engagement photos in 2014, Size 6 and working out all the time. More importantly, I felt happy and healthy)
I created a calendar, and here is the CRAZY part…Each week I add a new challenge to the next…so by the end you you will be working on 5 healthy and fitness challenges at a time!
Nothing is too intense or unreachable…You can do this at home, or by running around the neighborhood. No gym needed (are gyms even open with coronavirus??)
