A Unique Perspective on What it Really Takes to be a Wife and Mom in Today’s World
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.
No matter what life throws at me there is one non-negotiable and that’s this superfood right here! It’s my go-to EVERY SINGLE DAY without fail. And being the creative cook that I am I love to experiment with different recipes and ways to eat this bad boy superfood powerhouse. This is the current family fav…
Top Row: Carob Chips, Middle Row: Mini Marshmallows, Bottom Row: Annie’s Chocolate Bunnies Cereal
CHOCOLATE TREAT CUPS
x2 TBS Melted Coconut Oil
x2 Scoops Collagen
x2 Scoops Vegan Chocolate Shakeology
x2 Scoops PB Fit
A touch of water if necessary
Topping of your choice
Mix all the above ingredients together until you have a dry brownie batter type consistency. Divide into four silicone molds and top with your favorite cereal and pop in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Some of our favorite toppings include carob chips, mini marshmallows and Annie’s Chocolate Bunnies Cereal!
Ask and you shall receive. You want more skin care!!! I am a very frugal gal and am always looking for ways to “undo” the damage I’ve done by going YEARS without proper skin care and sunscreen, while also preventing further damage. Until the day comes that I can afford botox I will continue to do what I can at home.
Now I am NOT a Dr., Aestetician, Dermatologist or an expert. These are just a few of the products that I have found work best for me over time. My skin is very dry and extremely sensitive and I am quite picky when it comes to the products I use. Ladies and gentlemen I introduce to you my morning routine. And the best part…all these products can be purchased off @amazon!!!
@burtsbees Sensitive Facial Cleanser @renskincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic The Ordinary Argireline Solution (not pictured) @naturium PHA Topical Acid @naturium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus Timeless Coenzyme Q10 Serum @neutrogena Hydroboost Multivitamin Hydro Booster @nuetrogena Hydroboost Gel Eye Cream @naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream
You bet your butt I follow up with ample sunscreen. Don’t you worry your pretty little heads. Stay tuned for a sunscreen dedicated post real soon. What’s your favorite skin care product or step in your morning routine?
Hunter George Stommel – For you, I prayed and prayed hard. I remember every little detail of my pregnancy with you and every single detail of your birth. You are nothing short of a miracle and I thank God each and every single day for choosing me to be your Mommy. You are the absolute sweetest, most loving and considerate little boys that I know. Always a little bit sassy and smart as a whip.
This past year was a difficult year for so many of us as we faced the pandemic. It was especially difficult for Hunter who is such a social butterfly. He understands what the virus is and what it was doing across the world. But even with his level of understanding it still got the best of his emotions from time to time. Especially when it came to not being able to see his best friend Mateo all year or being able to meet new friends at the playground or simply playing with the neighbor kids.
Hunter continues to excel at homeschool. We are still working on Spanish and Sign Language. He works on his school lessons daily via www.abcmouse.com as well as workbooks and hands on projects. We also took advantage of the year round nice weather here in Arizona and took the learning outside as much as we could. This past year he completed Pre-K and will be starting Kindergarten in the fall.
He is still a little foodie and we couldn’t be happier about that. Be sure to check out his “Hunter’s Kitchen” series over on our YouTube channel! The singular food item he sometimes turns his nose up is still Tomatoes but he cannot get enough of raw onions and cucumbers. Together or separate they’re his go-to snack at the moment. He is extremely caring and kind and always willing to help others out. He is constantly helping Mommy out around the house! He also loves streaming video games with Daddy. Ever the dare devil, we still opt for “feet first”, “hands out”, “tuck and roll” methods over “Hunter proofing”. His current hobbies include parkour and riding his new dirt bike. He definitely keeps us on our toes that’s for sure!
Hunter is still just as stubborn and independent as ever. He is extremely inquisitive and asks questions constantly. His love of learning grows each and every day. He is one smart little boy and has taken his problem solving skills to a whole other level. If he can’t figure something out himself he will look it up on YouTube first before even asking us for help. He’s still obsessed with dancing and putting Mommy’s moves to shame. His current song obsession is still “Old Town Road”. He has also taken up a love for working out right alongside Mommy.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for how tough it would be as a parent to watch you grow. I constantly struggle with wanting you to be my baby forever and being over the moon excited at all you have and will accomplish. Mommy and Daddy love you to pieces and are so proud of the little man you are growing up to be. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you. Happy 5th Birthday Bug! Here’s to many many more!!!
So I thought it would be fun to do one of those fill in the blank/Q&A dealios again this year not just to share with ya’ll where Hunter’s head is currently at but to also be able to look back upon this year after year and compare his answers. The following questions were asked of Hunter. His responses were given on his own without coaxing, persuasion or coaching.
What is your name? Hunter
How old are you? 5
What are you? Strong, talented, loving, polite and handsome like my Dad
When is your birthday? January 20th
How old is Mommy? 1500
How old is Daddy? 56
What is your favorite color? Green
What is Mommy’s favorite color? Pink
What is Daddy’s favorite color? Green
Whats your favorite food? Fruit Loops
What is your favorite drink? Coca-Cola
What is your favorite fruit? Oranges
What is your favorite vegetable? Cucumbers
Who is your best friend? Carter
What’s your favorite animal? Giraffe
What is your favorite game? Minecraft
What is your favorite sport? Basketball
What is your favorite candy? Sour Patch Kids
What are you scared of? Darkness
What is your favorite television show? Blippi
What makes you sad? The virus
What makes you happy? Getting new video games
Where is your favorite place to go? Uptown Jungle
What do you want to be when you grow up? A gamer
What does love really mean? That my Mom and Dad love me
I’ve been getting a LOT of questions lately on some of the beauty products I use. My daily look is light and natural and all about hydration and glow. I present to you my essentials. I truly cannot live a day without these items and usually have a backup for each and every one of them in stock at all times. If ever the day comes that I run out of any one of them that would be a very very very bad day. And guess what…with the exception of the lashes which I order right here. I get the rest off @amazon! Because let’s keep it real, I never leave the house unless I have to. What’s on your essentials list?
@drunkelephant Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops @sunbum Face Stick @sunbum Sunscreen Lip Balm @laneige_us Lip Sleeping Mask @lumifydrops Eye Drops Rotho Cool Max Rye Drops @tula Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm @blinkifly Lashes in The Darling and The Natural (use code MODERNWIFE10 for 10% off your order)
Can you relate??? You bust your butt all week, eat right, workout, do all the things. But then you fall waaayyy off track come the weekend. You get a little snacky after a couple glasses of wine. You’re on the go and running all over the place and always hangry. And in only two days time you destroy all that hard work you put in the week before! 🙋🏻♀️
Moving my meal prepping to Fridays has been an absolute game changer and life saver! So no matter what the weekends have in store for us I know that when I open that fridge I’ve got options ready to go that will keep me on track and off the vicious hamster wheel of regret and weight gain.
Check out the following video to see just how simple I keep my Friday meal prep. Meal Prep Made Easy
Take a look below at one of my yummy “Kardashian” salads using @yourtaylorfarms pre-made salad kits, some extra veg and pre-prepped proteins. Drop you meal prep tips in the comments below. Was this helpful???
I FRICKIN DID IT!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I DID IT! I AM DONE! I have successfully completed the #75hard Mental Toughness Challenge!!!
10/19/20 vs. 01/01/21
For the last 75 days…I have completed 75 workouts at home, 75 workouts outdoors even in triple digit heat, high winds and even rain, I have read well over 750 pages of a good old fashioned paperback personal development book, I have drank over 9,600 ounces of water, and for 75 days I have followed a nutrition plan, no cheats and ZERO alcohol! I’m down 10.2lbs and my body fat has dropped 1.5%.
Not every day was easy. Matter of fact some days I just plain didn’t want to do it anymore. Like when Hunter had a super bad fall and we almost had to take him to the ER. Or the day that he split his head open with a rock. It was especially hard when the virus hit our household and my outdoor workouts were done in our tiny backyard. Yup that’s right, not even CV-19 could stop my from achieving this goal! The holidays were super difficult but I was determined to succeed! What possessed me to do this over the course of four major U.S. holidays I will never know but I’m so thankful for the experience.
10/19/20 vs. 01/02/21
I did not do this for fame, notoriety or bragging rights and I did not do this for weight loss either. I did this to prove to myself that I AM CAPABLE OF ACCOMPLISHING SO MUCH MORE THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE! When I said #noexcuses I meant it. Now please excuse me while I go stuff my face with Gnocchi and Marshmallow Dream Bars. Gonna get food drunk today for sure!
I would like to give the biggest thank you to my family and friends for all the love and support these last 75 days! I appreciate your words of encouragement throughout the challenge! I could not have made it without each and every one of you!
For more details on the 75 Hard Mental Toughness Challenge go to http://www.75hard.com
2020 has been such a HUGE year for me! Dare I say this has truly been my best year yet? Cue judgy eye rolls…but it’s the truth! 2020 has been my best year! As I look back on what could’ve been the most difficult year I am filled with pride and am beyond grateful for it all. For me it’s been a year of strength, grit, determination, learning and growth. But if I had to decide which word best describes my year it would be STRENGTH for sure!
Strength is something I’ve never had and it’s definitely not something that comes easy to me. I had to work extremely hard to find it and continue to work just as hard to maintain it. This past year I’ve found the strength to commit to my physical health. I found the strength to open up about my mental health, my past mistakes and share openly just how far I’ve truly come. I found strength in sharing my spirituality and love for Jesus. I found the strength to work on me, all of me for the first time ever.
I found strength in sharing my journey with others. I found strength in the most amazing community of like-minded men and women whom have all become my second family. I found strength in letting go of my past and moving forward with a confidence unlike any I’ve ever experienced before. I found strength in my marriage and strength in my confidence as a mother. I found strength in letting God take the lead.
Thank you Lord for giving me the strength to make what could’ve been such a debilitating year my best year yet! There is not a single day that goes by that I do not feel immense gratitude for all you given me. You give me strength each and every day. The strength to show up for myself, for my family and for others. My strength comes from You.
I used to be so fixated on everything I ate. And I mean EVERYTHING! “Treats” were “cheats” and if I over indulged I’d be so riddled with guilt and disgust I’d simply throw the food back up. But on this night while decorating Christmas cookies with Hunter I simply popped that cookie in my mouth and felt immense joy in the memories I was creating with my son! It was on the very last bite I realized there was no overthinking that darn cookie. There was no making up excuses with Hunter as to why I couldn’t eat the cookie. There was absolutely NO fixation or thought about that cookie beyond the experience and the memories being made. There was absolutely ZERO guilt. And not even a twinge of need to throw it up.
Mental strength is just as, if not more important than our physical strength. When I think of how far I’ve come I am hands down most proud of the mental strength I’ve gained and the healthier relationship I have with food. Do you need help? Are you struggling to enjoy life’s blessings? Do you want to be able to enjoy that damn cookie without guilt? Let me share with you the Shred Plan and program that changed my life! This lifestyle does not suck! Drop a 🍪 below for more details or DM me your goals today.
You know what the hardest part of posting my transformations online is? It’s the fact that my transformation is reduced to mere looks alone. It says absolutely nothing about all of the work I’ve put in to get where I am at and says zero about the obstacles I have overcome.
Take this transformation for example. I posted this about a month ago and asked y’all to decided based on looks alone which version of me was healthier. I then provided facts about my lifestyle at each point in my life and asked again. Virtually no one thought that the woman on the right was in fact the healthier woman. So either based on looks alone they assumed that the woman on the left was healthier or they didn’t read the full story.
Either way, neither photo tells the entire story. You don’t SEE the starvation, the binging, the purging, the attempts at drinking myself to death. You don’t SEE the tears, the pain, the hurt I caused others and the horrible way I treated myself and my body. You don’t SEE all of the work I put in to get to where I am at. The lessons I’ve learned and the obstacles I’ve overcome are what make me who I am today.
I am a strong ass woman! I’m more confident than ever before and I’m ready to take on the world. I run with a fire in my soul and am determined to help others and lead them to a healthier and happier future. Often times it’s what we don’t see that is truly the most important. Don’t EVER judge a book by its cover. If you or someone you know is struggling with their worth and self image my inbox is always open.
Time to let the cat out of the bag. I’ve been hiding something from y’all and you will never guess what it is! 29 days ago I woke up and decided right then and there that I was going to do the #75hard Mental Toughness Challenge by Andy Frisella. Yup, that’s right! In a year of absolute chaos and poor health I decided to take on the toughest challenge out there to see if I could really make 2020 my healthiest year yet!
For the last 28 days…I have completed 28 workouts at home, 28 walks outdoors even in triple digit heat (now y’all understand my plea for fall weather), I have read over 280 pages of a good old fashioned paperback personal development book, I have drank over 3,584 ounces of water, and for 28 days I have followed a nutrition plan, no cheat meals and ZERO alcohol!
Not every day has been easy. Matter of fact some days I just plain don’t want to do it anymore. I know I have a ways to go. I know the holidays will be difficult. But I am determined to succeed! I kept this between my family and closest friends up to this point because I’m not doing this for all of you. I’m not doing this for fame, notoriety or bragging rights. I’m doing this for me, myself and I!
Y’all, I’ve had the few friends I’ve told, tell me right out the gate that I will fail. There have been days when I myself, have felt like I might fail. But here I am on day 29 still going. Only 47 more days to go and I’m frickin proud as hell of how far I’ve come. I’m excited beyond words for the challenges I’ll face this next month and a half. When I say #noexcuses I mean it!!!
I would like to give the biggest thank you to my family for all the love and support these last 28 days! I appreciate your words of encouragement on the toughest days I’ve faced so far immensely! I could not have made it this far without each and every one of you!
For more details on the #75 Hard Mental Toughness Challenge go to http://www.75hard.com
