Loves as of Late- January Edition

Did you just find your kid playing in the toilet for the third time today (yes, I did) and could use some uplift?  Are you looking for some ways to change it up with your daily schedule or system? Welcome to the first edition of my Loves as of Late series.

These specific posts are a random collaboration of items, ideas, activities, or foods (like I would ever leave that out) that add value to my marriage, family, home, or me personally. In other words I am sharing some of the things we can’t get through this life without.  I am always so interested to know what works in other homes and love getting new ideas from the wives and mothers I associate with.  We are all bettered when we have an opportunity to learn and grow from each other right? Maybe you and your family will be inspired and uplifted by what we love around here lately.

Recipe Organizer

This was the best birthday present I got this year.  My husband knows me all to well and my gifts all had a home organization type theme.  I am also obsessed with my new paper cutter and label maker…it’s the little things am I right?  I have seen a huge amount of pins dedicated to making your own recipe organizer, which is what I was planning on doing before my heart fell in love with this one at Hobby Lobby.  This was exactly what I had imagined when deciding I would be making my own. It has a conversion chart and basic tabs (breads, desserts, entrees) and I might add a few extra.  It comes with full recipe pages as well as the smaller index size.  The larger pages are convenient for the essay long recipes that I personally tend to avoid since that is too much effort.  I’m sure I will find a use for them.

It was a few weeks before my birthday so I took a picture of the one in the store and constructed, via text to my husband, a rock solid argument of how this would benefit our household.  Just kidding, I just begged and pleaded and he loves me.   The one pictured above is what I have.  I couldn’t find it online but there are a few other irresistible themes and styles in the store.

photo credit – ebay.com

This mug cake makes my life

Are you looking for a dessert that is fast, easy, healthy, and a quick clean up?  Enter, coconut flour chocolate mug cake.  This is one of the only GF mug cakes I have found that DOESN’T turn out to be a texture I could scrub my dishes with. It is so satisfying yet, I do not have to feel guilty because I haven’t ruined the work out I did that morning.   It is made with coconut flour and coconut oil but the recipe is very flexible.  I typically add more chocolate than it suggests because I like mine darker and often use butter instead of coconut oil. You can throw in a couple of chocolate chips, or not.   It just depends on how healthy I feel like being.  Also I  substitute agave or stevia for the honey.

BONUS, this link also has two other mug cakes that I have not tried but my friend said the peanut butter cake was delicious.  This mug cake is ideal for curling up on the couch after the kids go to bed to reward yourself for not losing it when you couldn’t keep one out of the toilet.  Yes, I am still bitter.  You can even share a couple bites with your honey if you feel like being nice.

photo credit – nortorious.blogspot.com

Life Saving Tips for the Mother of a Big Family

GUYS,  If you do nothing else for yourself this entire week READ THIS ARTICLE.  I do not mean to be bossy but, just do it.  I cannot express how much this will bless your life.  One of my very best friends sent this to me months ago and I refer to it quite often.  My “Self congratulation is key to mental health” new year’s resolution is a direct product of how greatly these words impacted me. It changed the way I approach running a home and raising a family.

It’s a  beautiful numbered list (love my lists) and she covers everything from, “I am not a buffet” to “I don’t minister to laundry.” You like it already don’t you;) Disregard the big family part, this is vital for any size family in any phase of life.  Take some time tonight and read this while you gobble down your mug cake.

photo credit – The Dating Divas

Set all the goals with these printables

I prefer goals rather than resolutions.  Have you put thought into what you’d like to improve this coming year?  It isn’t too late!  Multiple studies have shown that if you write down your goals, you are more likely to achieve them.  I can get on board with that.  There is something so motivating about putting your ambitions onto paper.  I believe it also creates another method of accountability because it will be staring me down from its place on the wall as I walk to my closet.

Not only is this printable free, but it is b-e-a-utiful.  I couldn’t wait to get my goals down on there.  I am motivated just looking at it.  There are two designs to choose from as well as  mini sized pages to keep in your purse or planner.  We chose the larger page to put down our 2017 family goals and framed it, it’s that gorgeous you guys.  You can grab this freebie here on The Dating Divas blog.  I can promise you this will not be the last time I will mention these ladies.  I am obsessed with their site and the resources they have for creating a happy and healthy marriage.  You can also find this printable saved on my Printable Freebies Pinterest board.

Tiger Tail

Me and this guy have a love hate relationship.  The stick, not the man. That man and I have a very happy and healthy marriage.  The stick is called a tiger tail and it is the best Christmas present I didn’t even know I wanted.  My husband and I began an Insanity work out class a few months ago and you guessed it, it’s insane.  We spend a lot of time being sore these days.  It has done wonders for our endurance but my poor muscles.

Trevor found an online article written by Kyle Collinsworth, an NBA player, discussing some of his favorite recovery tools and methods.  At the time I thought he was showing me the products as a Christmas gift hint.  So I went ahead and ordered the muscle stimulator.  Well the real story was that he planned to buy ME some of the products and was getting a feel for my reaction.  Naturally, since I thought he wanted these items, my responses were enthusiastic and positive.  Fast forward to Christmas morning.  Trevor opens his muscle simulator and smiles.  He then hands me a present to open and says, “This might be where we needed to communicate.”  Would you look at that I got a muscle stimulator too.  What can I say, we’re in love.  Fast forward to now.  We use this all the time.  heck, you don’t even have to have sore muscles.  It makes a terrific back massager and no one’s hands have to get tired.  You can buy one here.  And if you are wondering, we love the muscle stimulator as well.

What are you loving right now?  Comment and share below!

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