Author: Ang

Wife to an AMAZING husband. SAH Mommy to the most INCREDIBLE little boy. Self proclaimed foodie and cook. Living my best life and inspiring others to do the same! AZ is my home but WI has my heart.
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Parenting Is Never Easy But Always Worth It

Being a parent is one of the greatest joys in life, but man it’s NOT always easy. One of the most painful things we can hear as parents is our child(ren) saying “you don’t love me” or “you hate me”. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching! Even after going through the entire rollercoaster of emotions yourself in simply trying to process those words sometimes you come out the other side wondering if that’s truly how you make your kiddo(s) feel! It’s #momguilt at its finest.

I don’t always have the answers. I’m most certainly not always right. And Lord knows I am far from perfect. But I do try my very best. Here are a few tips that have helped guide myself and even Hunter through some of the tough times:

1️⃣ Take a deep breath and do your best to remain calm: Hearing these words can be incredibly emotional, but it’s important to stay calm and not react impulsively. Take as many deep breaths as you need to and give yourself a moment to process your emotions.

2️⃣ Validate their feelings: It’s important to let your child know that you understand how they’re feeling, even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying or doing. Let them know that you hear them and that you’re willing to work together to find a solution.

3️⃣ Reassure them of your love: Make sure your child knows that you love them unconditionally, even when you may not agree with their behavior and especially when they make mistakes. Reassure them that you’re there for them and that you will always be there to support them. Do NOT assume they know that you love them. SAY it! SHOW it!

Remember, parenting is a journey and there will be bumps in the road along the way. Hearing hurtful words from our children can be incredibly painful, but with patience, understanding, and love, we can overcome these challenges and strengthen our bond with our children. Drop a 🫶🏼 in the comments if any of this spoke to you. P.S. you’re doing a great job Momma don’t you forget that.

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Recipe Time – Denver Style Breakfast Sandwiches

Continuing on my Easter leftovers series, today’s recipe uses leftover ham, veggies, cheese and brioche buns for protein packed Denver Style Breakfast Sandwiches.

Breakfast Sandwiches happen to be one of my specialties. And making different variations depending on my taste or flavor for the day is so much fun! Don’t have brioche buns? Try this recipe out with your favorite bread, bagel or even a tortilla!

INGREDIENTS:

1 TBS Salted Butter

1/4 cup minced Red Onion

1/4 cup chopped Green Onion

1/2 cup minced Sweet Peppers

1 cup minced Ham

10 Eggs

1/2 cup Cottage Cheese

10 Brioche Buns

10 slices of your favorite Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Goat Cheese or Cream Cheese (optional)

In a large sauté pan on medium low heat gently sauté the butter, onions, and sweet peppers just until soft. Add the ham and warm through. While the ham is heating whisk the eggs and cottage cheese in a medium bowl. Increase the heat on your stove to medium and gently stir in the egg and cottage cheese mixture. Cook the eggs to your liking (I recommend you keep the egg slightly wet if meal prepping as this will keep the egg more moist during reheating) and cut the heat and set aside. While the egg mixture cools enough to handle prep your buns with a layer of goat cheese or cream cheese on the bottom (optional) and a slice of cheese on the top. Add 1/2 cup of the cooked egg mixture to each sandwich, combine both halves of the bun and enjoy!

You can eat them right away or store in the fridge in an airtight container for a quick breakfast all week long. This recipe is also great for all my #mealprep fans and makes 10 sandwiches total. Sometimes I’ll even make a couple batches at once wrap in parchment paper then tinfoil and seal in a gallon sized ziploc bag and throw them in the freezer. They’re super yummy and easy to reheat in an air fryer or microwave.

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Recipe Time – Mock Birria Tacos

My Easter leftovers series continues with everyone’s favorite Taco Tuesday!!!

For this recipe I used leftover Chuck Roast and re-purposed it into scrumptious Mock-Birria Tacos.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups leftover Chuck Roast

1/2 cup chopped Red Onion

1/2 cup chopped Sweet Peppers

1 chopped Jalapeño

1/2 TBS Chili Powder

1/2 TBS Cumin

1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

1/4 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 cup Refried Beans

Mix the above ingredients less the spices and refried beans in a large sauté pan on medium heat until warmed through. Once warmed through add all the spices listed above and mix well. Once mixed add the refried beans and again warm through. Serve with your favorite tortillas or chips and top with all of your favorite taco fixings!

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Recipe Time – Easter Leftovers

Raise your hand if you have a fridge full of Easter leftovers and you don’t have a clue what to do with them. 🙋🏻‍♀️

Don’t worry boo I got you! Be sure to follow along all week long as I re-purpose our Easter leftovers into quick and easy family friendly meals.

Let’s kick things off with this one dish MICROWAVABLE dinner made almost completely from leftover ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup cubed Ham

1/4 cup chopped Onion

1 cup chopped Broccoli

2 cups Instant Rice

2 cups Beef Broth

1/2 stick of salted Butter

Salt and Pepper (season with your heart)

1/4 cup Cheese of choice

Combine all the above ingredients less the cheese in a microwave safe dish and cook on high for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Once done top with cheese and pop it back in the microwave for a minute or two or until the cheese is all melts and gooey.

Do you have a favorite recipe using Easter leftovers? Drop it in the comments below.

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How-To Create a Solid Morning Routine

Rise and shine sunshine!!! 🌅 Did you know that a solid morning routine can not only boost your productivity and energy, but it can also positively impact your overall wellbeing??? 🤯 But you’re NOT a morning person so where do you start??? Keep reading for the how-to from the perspective of a professional night 🦉.

1️⃣ Get rid of that whole “pick a wake-up time that works for you and gradually adjust it earlier” blah blah blah B.S. you’re not a morning person and that’s ok! Get up when you get up and THEN start your routine. I used to stress so darn much about the time on the clock it took energy away from the things I should’ve been focusing on, like HAVING A SOLID MORNING ROUTINE.

2️⃣ HYDRATE with water as soon as you wake up to boost your energy and wake up your body. I like to leave a 16 -24 oz glass on my bedside table overnight and drink that as I make my morning rounds. I then follow that up with a glass of my coveted Fire Water.

3️⃣ Make your bed as soon as you get up – this simple task can give you a sense of accomplishment and set a positive tone for the day and more importantly…it keeps you from crawling back in it!

4️⃣ Soak up some sunlight on your face to help regulate your circadian rhythm and improve your mood. I try my best to do this within the first 10-15 minutes of waking up but life happens and Mom-ing comes first so that isn’t always the case. But this one is a MUST so I do get it in as soon as I am able. DO NOT skip it. It’s THAT good!

5️⃣ Spend time in devotion or personal development to set a positive tone for the day ahead. Whether it’s reading a book, listening to a Podcast, meditating, or practicing gratitude, MAKE TIME for activities that nourish your mind and soul.

Start small with your morning routine – even just a few minutes of stretching, meditation, or journaling to help you feel more centered and focused. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a morning routine. Find what works for you and stick with it. With a little consistency and patience, you’ll be rocking a solid morning routine in no time!

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Feeling Stuck? Let’s Do Something About It

I’ve felt SUPER stuck lately. It’s been extra frustrating because I feel like I’ve been here before…a million times before. Talk about disheartening! 🫠 And when you’re in a state of stuck it’s soooo hard to just get going again. But it’s incredibly important to remember that being stuck is NOT a permanent state. With the right mindset and some strategy, it’s possible to break free and start moving forward again. I promise.

Here are some tips to help you get unstuck and start making progress towards your goals:

1. Take a step back and reflect: Sometimes, being stuck can be a sign that we need to take a break and reflect on what we really want. Use this time to think about your goals, values, and what’s important to you. This can help you gain clarity and perspective, and identify the steps you need to take to move forward. As a busy Mom and Wife this one is a hard pill to swallow for sure but sometimes rest truly is the best medicine.

2. Set small, achievable goals: When we’re feeling stuck, it can be overwhelming to think about the big picture. Instead, break your goals down into smaller, more achievable steps. This can help you build momentum and make progress, even if it’s just one small step at a time. For me this is as simple as my daily non-negotiables (be sure to follow along on stories to see how I achieve this in real time).

3. Try something new: Sometimes, being stuck can be a sign that we’re stuck in a rut. Trying something new can help us break out of our comfort zone and gain new experiences and perspectives. This can be as simple as trying a new hobby or activity, or as big as making a major life change. I recognize that pushing myself outside my comfort zone is necessary for growth and trying new things can be a fun way to do this.

4. Seek support: It’s okay to ask for help when we’re feeling stuck. (Read that again Ang.) Whether it’s talking to a trusted friend or family member, seeking professional help, or joining a support group, having a support system in place can help us feel less alone and provide us with the resources and guidance we need to move forward. I would not be where I am at today without my people.

Remember, being stuck is not a sign of failure. It’s a natural part of the journey towards growth and success. By taking the time to reflect, setting achievable goals, trying something new, and seeking support, you can break free from feeling stuck and start making progress towards the life you want to live.

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Just Do It Scared

In our home we believe that it’s ok to be scared but sometimes we need to do things scared to know what the other side of that fear feels like. And that was absolutely the case with Hunter and his dirt bike.

When we got Hunter his first bike a few years back he took to it REAL good REAL fast. We had the training wheels put on totally as a comfort thing for Hunter. What he didn’t know is that those things barely ever touched the ground. Until they did…he yanked the handle bars hard, the training wheels dug in and he went flying. He walked away with the tiniest little scratch on his leg that of course need the biggest band aid for moral support. But the damage was done to his mindset and from that moment on the fear had set in.

We worked with him on his time and at his pace. Loading and unloading his dirt bike on every adventure day that we possibly could over the last two years with the hopes that that particular day would be the day he would get back on and ride. It started with gearing up and just sitting on the thing only the get right off and change his mind. But the next time he was geared up, on it and built up the confidence to push the thing around but off. Then we re-worked through all of the same steps but with it running. Little by little he built himself and his courage back up until FINALLY he just did it scared!

I was a little apprehensive after his first spill back on the thing but he popped right up; visibly shaking from adrenaline, so flippin proud of himself, got right back on and with a quick “I’m okay” he zipped away. By the second day he had rode the training wheels clear off the bike. In shock, awe and again with pride he just kept riding!

By the end if the trip he was even zipping around with Daddy! And you bet your butt that moment made me bawl my damn eyes out! Hunter rode his dirt bike into the ground, literally. The poor engine just couldn’t hang any longer. But instead of putting it up for sale were getting a new engine! Check out his full ride here!

Hunter,
Mommy and Daddy are so incredibly proud of you for never giving up, facing your fears, doing it scared and coming out the other side with pride! We love you so much bug!!!
XOXO

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The Best of Sand Hollow State Park

Utah has been on our bucket list for a while now and let me tell you it did NOT disappoint! There were a LOT of firsts this trip so picking our absolute top favs overall proved to be quite difficult (see below). It was not only our first out of state adventure but it was also our longest and coldest tent camping trip to date.

As always the photos and videos just NEVER do justice to taking it all in in person. And when I tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed the digital detox I MEAN it! It’s been hard to come back. But I DID do my best to capture some of the very best moments in photo form. Be sure to head on over to Facebook for the full photo dump. And in the meantime enjoy these first few here.

Per our family tradition these are our top favorites from the trip…

Justin: everything! And if you ask him yet today his answer remains the same…EVERYTHING!

Ang: waking up with the sun every single morning and having coffee and meditation by the lake alone (shoutout to the Hubs for making this one happen 😘).

Hunter: riding his dirt bike! More on that in a dedicated post COMING SOON!

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Giving Season

Feeling grateful today as I reflect back on the whirlwind that was my last couple of days. I was head down and working hard in the kitchen to cook and prep some delicious freezer meals to donate to a family in need this holiday season. It’s times like these that remind me of how fortunate I am, and how important it is to give back to those who have little when you yourself have plenty.

Cooking and preparing these meals brings me so much joy, and knowing that they will bring comfort and nourishment to a beautiful family in need this holiday season is truly heartwarming. Giving back and helping others is my passion. It’s always such a rewarding experience. And for the first time ever I was able to share in this experience with little man. We have worked so so hard to get to this point in our lives and I’m so grateful to be able to do our part.

To all of you out there who are also spreading holiday cheer and helping those in need, I salute you. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter, more compassionate world. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi.

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High Protein Dill Dip

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups Cottage Cheese

1/2 TBS Ranch Seasoning Powder

1/2 TBS Dry Dill

1/8 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

Blend all the ingredients until the curd gets a fluffy whipped texture. See the full how-to video here. Enjoy with crackers, chips or along side crudités. What are you most excited to eat this with? Drop it in the comments.