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I’M BACK!!!

It’s been a hot minute. These past few months have been literal HELL ON EARTH and I wouldn’t wish any of it upon my worst enemy even if I had one. If you’re new here and scratching your head just scroll back through my posts these pasts few months to get up to speed.

Now that you’re all caught up…WHEW! It’s been a journey! One that was and still is TOUGH AS SHIT and that’s putting it lightly. Thank you to every single one of you who have reached out, messaged, called, texted, interacted with my content, etc. these past few months. It means the absolute world to me AND to my family. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!

My heart is still healing, my mind is a mess but I’ve come far enough in my wellness journey to know that the self-sabotage and destructive behavior NEEDS to end. And it ends here and now.

I will have bad days; days where my grief will sneak up on me unexpectedly and take my breath away, but that’s ok and it’s a part of life! It’s my job and responsibility to navigate those situations in a healthy manor. Those unexpected surprises of heart wrenching, soul ripping, down on your knees hysterical moments are bound to happen. And the worst part…they’re gonna come at a time when I least expect them to. But I need to keep moving forward. I need to keep pressing on. I need to keep putting in the work even on the days that are hardest. I DESERVE IT! My family deserves it. I CAN DO THIS! I WILL SUCCEED! I AM STRONG! I’VE GOT THIS!

So with all that being said…let’s press play on day one of the programs I’ve started now three times over but haven’t made past the second week…645 here I come!!! Be sure to follow along for all the details of my journey.

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Don’t Fake It Till You Make It

For a VERY long time I believed in the saying, “fake it till you make it.” But belief in that adage almost killed me. Truth is, you can only take the fake so far before cracks start to form in your lies.

The smile I shared, fake. The food I ate, fake. The emotions I showed, fake. I used makeup, clothes and material things to fake that smile. I used food to cover the truth that I was a binge eater who was also bulimic. The emotions I showed were strictly driven by too much alcohol. I was lost and drowning.

I promised myself when I started sharing my journey of health with the world that I would not be a part of the fake. I now put all faith in God first. What is meant to be will be and I refuse to fake a single thing along the way. I choose to live and share my life flaws and all. I am FAR from perfect and will never again claim to be. So while I do believe the glass is half full not half empty and what you speak of you attract, I also recognize that our journey is never easy and it’s not meant to be so.

Right now I am in a tough season and while I don’t want to attract more sadness and sorrow this is my journey and I’m meant to walk through it. I feel it would be a great disservice to all that I represent and live for not to share the full truth with y’all. I believe that by sharing my strength through all the hardship others will find the motivation and inspiration they need to do the same.

So while some of you who have been with me since the beginning may feel my posts and stories as of late are a huge shift from the normal content I hope this post gives a little explanation behind the reason for that shift. Far too much fake is shared online and I don’t want to be a part of it. I’m not here to share the highlight reel. I’m here to share the REAL! I want to be remembered as someone who was real, raw and transparent in much needed times of equal hardship. Remember it’s the same me, just different content as I settle into my new normal.

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Ultimate Reset Day 1/21 Completed!!!

Day 1/21 of the Ultimate Reset is in the books! This next 20 days is going to be much more of a mental challenge for me than I think I was prepared for. I thought it would be simple, follow the meal plan as it’s laid out and move my body when I can and as much as I am up for. But I realize now that it’s not going to be that easy and I have a lot more work to do as it pertains to my relationship with food. ALL damn day I was completely fixated on the clock. Checking the time CONSTANTLY waiting for the next meal. Yet when it came time for me to actually eat that next meal I had little desire to actually eat it!

Day 1 Breakfast

One thing is for sure, I am NOT gonna go hungry on this plan at all! I wasn’t able to finish the lunch or the dinner entirely. I will probably try and skip the optional snack for today and see if that helps. My relationship with food is far worse than I thought. I have to really dig deep and work on viewing food as the fuel my body needs and not a treat, cheat or even a punishment. I’m still just as excited to heal my body but there is definitely an underline nervousness that wasn’t there when first going into this.

Day 1 Lunch

Couple of additional thoughts I had after my first day…

1️⃣ It was super easy to get an entire gallon of water in when the gallon was sitting out on the counter right there in plain sight throughout the day.

2️⃣ I was terrified I’d have a caffeine withdrawal headache but knock on wood as I type this I haven’t had that; probably due to the water intake.

3️⃣ The cravings for ALL the BBQ leftovers in the fridge from the 4th of July party were INTENSE! I hate throwing food away but I think it’s what I need to do especially this early on in the program.

4️⃣ I just don’t see how on earth weight loss in this program is possible with all the food but I’m going to trust the process.

5️⃣ I am tired on a level I haven’t experienced since a being first time Mommy to a brand new baby. I could fall asleep standing if you gave me a minute.

Day 1 Optional Snack
Day 1 Dinner
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Science Fun – Measuring the Temperature of Things Around the Home

Just because it’s summer break doesn’t mean the learning in our house ends. Matter of fact that’s when we UP the LEARNING and the FUN! The other day the temps hit 113 degrees Fahrenheit here in Arizona so we thought it would be neat to take our temp gun and see how hot some of the common things around our house had gotten. Boy we’re we surprised at some of the temps we measured! Check out the full video over on our YouTube channel.

If you are in the area or plan on visiting during the summer months here’s a couple of tips for y’all…

1️⃣ Don’t ever walk outdoors barefoot.

2️⃣ Always grab some hot mitts before touching anything outdoors especially something metal. And maybe even keep a pair in your car.

3️⃣ Always cover your kiddo’s car seat; especially the buckles!!!

4️⃣ Never leave home without water.

5️⃣ Always wear your sunscreen and reapply often.

What’s the hottest temperature you’ve experienced? Let us know in the comments below. Also be sure to give our video a like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss out on any of our future videos. We have a bunch of fun content coming your way all summer long!

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Recipe Time – Stommel Family Deviled Eggs

The pool is officially open for the season in our house! So that means lots of pool parties. And with pool parties comes food! I love rolling out a healthy spread for our guests.

An absolute must have every time is Deviled Eggs. The hubby and I have actually worked on this recipe together over the years and we’ve finally come up with one we really like. I present to you the Stommel Family Deviled Egg Recipe…

INGREDIENTS:

x9 Hard Boiled Eggs

x1/4 Cup Mayo

x1/4 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

x1/4 tsp Black Pepper

x1/2 tsp Spicy Brown Mustard

x1 tsp Yellow Mustard

Slice hard boiled eggs in half, lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mash together with a fork and mix until creamy. Fill each empty egg white with the yolk mixture. Serve immediately.

What’s your favorite dish to serve at summer parties?

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Our New Whip

It’s OFFICIAL! We are the proud owners of a 2021 CanAm Maverick X3 Max Turbo RR with Smart Shock!!! To say that we’re excited is an understatement. We have busted our asses for this!

Justin has been working a TON! And I’ve been hustling hard with my coaching business*** to make this happen. It’s been a team effort for sure and we frickin did it!!! This is something we have been working so hard for for so long I still can’t believe it’s real! Be sure and stay tuned for the completed custom build. We can’t wait to share the upgrades with y’all!

A HUGE shoutout and thank you to @nashpowersports. If you’re local and in the market for a sweet ride or fun toy be sure and check this place out! The service alone is like no other!!! No lie! Those that know us well know that we are STICKLERS when it comes to customer service. You’re treated like family here. And that “midwest welcome to the family” feeling we know and love is far and few between these days. For our little family it’s important and it made all the difference in the world. These guys knocked the competitors clear out of the market for us without hesitation. Thank you Sam, Nate, Rick, Trent and Brandon for making our shopping experience absolutely seamless and transparent! You guys rock!!!

*** “Beachbody does not guarantee any level of success or income from the Team Beachbody Coach Opportunity. Each Coach’s income depends on his or her own efforts, diligence and skill.”

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Life Isn’t Always Sunshine and Rainbows

Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. This is as real as it gets. Me sitting alone on the garage floor dripping in sweat, filthier than all get out, messy hair, covered it cuts and blisters and having a good cry.

You see I have been putting off cleaning and organizing our garage since moving here to AZ. Over four years and three moves we have moved shit over and over again. A ton of crap stuffed into random boxes with zero semblance of order that I have fought with Justin about more times than I care to mention.

Why? It’s just been too hard for me to open those boxes. Because like those boxes my life at the time they were packed up was an absolute disaster. I was self sabotaging left and right. I was terrified of what I might find in those boxes and scared it might be triggering.I knew this project was going to be a difficult one. But what I didn’t expect was that I would have to tackle this project while also dealing with Hunter acting out like never before. Sassy, combative, and downright mean! When the words, “I hate you,” came from his lips my Momma heart was not prepared. I sobbed uncontrollably for a solid minute before picking myself up and getting right back to the task at hand.

Two days straight of busting my ass and dealing with little man’s attitude and I got it all done! So now here I sit in the quiet of this garage, all cleaned and organized for the very first time ever. A crap ton of baggage and emotions unloaded forever! I am just taking it all in. A brief moment of pride at all I have accomplished in two days time but also fear and frustration with knowing that the second I walk back into the house I will have to face the struggles I’m sure many of you parents out there can relate to.

If you can relate to anything that I’ve shared above drop a ❤️ below. And to all of the parents out there that are struggling with the “I hate yous” too, know that your are not alone. I see you! Dear Lord please give me patience and strength during this chapter. I need it now more than ever.

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Let’s Talk Lashes

Let’s talk lashes! To say that I am absolutely OBSESSED with this product is an understatement. I get asked on the daily where I get them, what style I’m wearing and how does each style differ. Well here ya have it folks! The lashes and lash glue are from @blinkifly. They have changed the lash game forever!!! They are super affordable and so easy to apply. And this is coming from someone who can’t even put on a strip lash to save her life.

Y’all I have taken these lashes through the ringer! I really wanted to test them out in all different scenarios before recommending them to others. These bad boys hold up to extreme heat, we’re talking triple digits during the peak of AZ summer. High winds? Yep, I’ve gotten stuck in a dust storm with them on. Rain? Yep, lasted through a sprint home when a monsoon hit. Sweat? Y’all know your girl sweats her ass off working out. Showers obvi because duh! They even hold up to Sunday Fundays in the pool! Oh and did I mention I’m a side sleeper? Yep, they stay on then too. And they last 5-7 days for me no problem.

Pictured above I am wearing “The Natural” (top left), “The Darling” (top right), “The Classic” (bottom left), “The Queen” (bottom right). I have hard time picking a favorite I truly love them all but I do find myself going for “The Natural” and “The Darling” most often. “The Classic” is the hubby’s fav and Hunter always picks “The Queen”. Give them a try for yourself and be sure to use code MODERNWIFE10 to save at checkout.

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Recipe Time – Hunter’s Broccoli Crunch Casserole

This recipe was inspired by Hunter and all of his favorite foods…Broccoli, Cheese, Bacon, Spice and Ritz Crackers (also known in our family as “snowflake crackers”). When thinking of a way to combine all of his favorite foods my mind immediately went to casserole.

Pretty sure I nailed it with this one folks. With Hunter’s very first bite he proudly proclaimed, “you’re the best chef in the world Mommy.” This super cheesy dish is a surprisingly much lighter dish than one would think. It’s the perfect side dish with just enough zip to keep the taste buds excited and the tummy satisfied but not too full. This dish is so good it can definitely hold its own as a main course as well.

INGREDIENTS:

x3 Crowns Fresh Broccoli, cooked and drained

x1 cup Ricotta Cheese

x1 can Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup

x4 TBS Melted Grass Fed Butter

1/4 cup Diced White Onion

x1 TBS Minced Garlic

x1 tsp Red Pepper Flake

12oz package of Bacon, cooked to extra crispy and crumbled

x2 Eggs

x1 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

1 1/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

x1 sleeve Hint of Salt Ritz crackers, crushed

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grab a 9×13 baking dish. Grease baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. Break down your broccoli crowns into bite sized pieces and steam in the microwave with a 1/4 cup of water for 7-10 minutes or until soft. Be sure and keep the stems! Slice them up real thin and pop them in the freezer to use at a later date.

3. Spread already cooked broccoli into the bottom of your baking dish.

4. In a mixing bowl, pour melted butter, ricotta cheese, cream of chicken soup, diced white onion, garlic, red pepper flake and mix well.

5. Stir in both eggs, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, bacon, salt, pepper and mix well.

6. Spread mixture over broccoli in baking dish and mix well to evenly coat.

7. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheddar and parmesan cheeses on top of the broccoli casserole then cover with a top layer of crushed Ritz crackers.

8. Bake casserole uncovered for 45 minutes or until heated through.

You can absolutely use frozen broccoli to cut down on prep time. And switch things up by using different shredded cheese varieties. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! Be sure and stay tuned for an upcoming recipe using those broccoli stems.

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Recipe Time – Zippy Shrimp

It’s griddle and grilling season! And I am so excited! We got @juststoms2000 a https://blackstoneproducts.com/ Griddle last year for Father’s Day and since that day I got demoted from Executive Chef to Sous Chef when it comes to cooking anything on it.

One of our favorite things to whip up on the Blackstone is Shrimp! We could eat it alongside some fresh Asparagus daily! And Shrimp is so crazy quick to cook it is perfect for those busy nights that get away from you. I’ve been playing around with new marinades and sauces to freshen flavors up and came up with this delicious Zippy Shrimp recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

x1 TBS Olive Oil

x2 tsp Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

x2 tsp Lemon Juice

x1 tsp Ginger Paste

x1 TBS Minced Garlic

x1 tsp Sriracha

x1 tsp Fresh Minced Basil

x1/2 tsp Paprika

x1/2 tsp Penzeys Italian Herb Mix

x1 lb Uncooked Shrimp (26-30 per pound), Peeled and Deveined

In a bowl or shallow dish, combine the first 8 ingredients. Add shrimp to a large ziploc bag; pour in the marinade, toss to coat evenly. Refrigerate and marinate for a minimum of 2 hours up to overnight. I like to lay my ziploc bag flat in a baking dish to keep the shrimp evenly coated throughout the marinating process. Before cooking drain the shrimp, discarding the marinade. Cook on the Blackstone for 3-4 minutes on each side.

This dish can just as easily be cooked up on the grill, stovetop or even the air fryer or oven! Give it a try and let me know what you think! Be sure and tag me in your creations.