I have a bunch of random things to share with y’all tonight!
First off, we had a nice weekend. Kev and I (and the baby!) were able to sneak away to a movie on Friday night. We went to see Interstellar, starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway.
I can pretty much sum up this movie in about two words….
Holy. Crap.
It was very well done, very interesting, very deep and VERY thought provoking, BUT I’ve decided they need to offer a “dumbed down” version for me. 😉
I was a little confused and lost throughout a lot of it and my head hurt as I tried to comprehend everything. I would still highly recommend seeing it though because it was absolutely fascinating. I loved all the actors in it as well.
I must also mention that it was almost three hours long! Thankfully, baby slept through most of it. 😉
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On Saturday, I gave three very shaggy boys haircuts…
I much prefer to take them to Great Clips, but with so many boys kickin’ around our house it saves us a bunch of $$$ if I just do it myself.
I’m not a pro, but it works and they look a whole lot less shaggy!
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I’m still trudging along with my healthy diet endeavor, but I slacked a little bit last week.
I told you guys I felt like I was coming down with a cold, right? Well, it pretty much sucked up all of my ambition and drive right along with it! Dang.
I still ate very well, but I fell apart a little bit in the evening. I only exercised twice too. BUT, I recommitted this week and so far it’s going well!
I went to Costco and loaded up on a lot of healthy goodness…
A rotisserie chicken, Coconut Milk, squash/zucchinis, Coconut Oil, Cauliflower, plain Greek yogurt, pistachios, avocados, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers and lean ground turkey.
YUM!
I made this for dinner the other night…
It’s just Ling Ling Pot Stickers (from Costco) and a bunch of stir-fry veggies with feta cheese and a little S&P.
Yes, Pot Stickers aren’t the epitome of health, but these aren’t too bad. The ingredient list is “real,” they’re quick and easy to make and all my kids love them!
I also made a TON of veggies! The feta cheese made these veggies divine! I just stir-fried them in a little bit of coconut oil, sprinkled a little salt, pepper and basil on them and then topped them with a little Feta cheese.
They are SO GOOD and I enjoyed the leftovers several times…
I made myself some scrambled eggs topped with a little cheese and had the leftover veggies on the side. I probably ate this meal (lunch or dinner!) 3-4 different times.
Yes, it got old, but sometimes healthy eating becomes more about what’s easy, quick, filling and healthy and less about what sounds good at the moment.
I think I’ll make some more of these veggies tomorrow!
I’ve also been enjoying this as a treat lately…
It’s just half of a Honeycrisp apple topped with cottage cheese and cinnamon. This is so yummy and reminds me of apple pie!
I’ve also been having smoothies and protein shakes a lot. I’ve been trying to make one a day. I’ve been loving my Immune Boosting Smoothie, but I’ve also been enjoying my Spinach Peanut Butter Shake and my Mint Chocolate Chip Shake (without the chocolate chips!)
I love protein shakes/smoothies because they are so quick and easy to make and always taste refreshing and yummy!
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I’ve been trying to exercise at least 4 times a week. Some weeks I do well….some weeks I don’t. I have to say I really, really, really DON’T LIKE working out from home! Blah. I also don’t love running on the treadmill.
It’s really tough for me to find the motivation to workout when I’m at home. There’s also a million distractions that make it even harder! BUT, I just get dressed in my workout clothes, put myself on “automatic pilot” and get ‘er done. I’ve also found that it’s much easier if I get my workout in earlier in the day. The later it gets, the less motivated I become.
I really want to go back to the gym again, but I DO NOT want to take the baby to the day care there and it’s tough to leave him at home for too long. I’m hoping to be able to make it back to a class 1-2 times a week soon!
I’m sure my classes at the gym would absolutely kill me right now though!!! It’s exactly what I need. Ha ha.
I did create a great workout the other day that I loved. I did a killer shoulder workout and ran about 2.5 miles on the treadmill. When I run on the treadmill, I love to break it up into smaller segments. It really helps to make it less monotonous and painstakingly boring!
You can click on the image below to enlarge it…
I also want to share a couple cute pictures with you all.
The kids have been loving having a baby in our home so much! My sweet 6 year old has been putting a little snow hat on the baby lately and he looks so darn cute…
I realized the other day that baby #6 has a COMPLETELY different babyhood than my first child had!
When I had my first baby, I was his main form of entertainment and companionship. The house was very quiet and our lives were very structured, organized and full of enriching, educational activities (i.e. finger painting, Playdough, play dates, Story Time at the library, crafts, etc.)
NOW, baby #6’s life is full of a LOT of siblings, kisses, snuggles, neverending smothering and constant chaos! Our house is definitely not quiet (ever!), isn’t nearly as organized as it used to be and his “enriching activities” will be/are a lot more simple and a lot less messy! Ha.
It’s very interesting how the life of a mother changes as more children are added to the equation. He definitely KNOWS how much he is loved though! He’s my little buddy and I am LOVING every single second with him.
Well, I’m a tired lady and need to hit the hay, so I will end this! I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful night!
Love the workout!!!
FLOURISHINGFIT.COM
You’re doing such a great job! Keep it up Melanie!
I’ve been looking for new workouts now that I’m not training for a race. Pinning yours to try 🙂
Thanks so much Jill! I hope you enjoy the workout.
My kids were never happy with the child care center at the gym, and even later when they were old enough to go to the older kid room, it was a chore to get them out of the house. I actually took up running because I could do a 5k around our neighborhood before my husband left for work.
Now they’re old enough to hang out at home by themselves, but they actually are interested in coming to the gym with me. Well, at least the older one is. I’m going to call that a parenting ‘win’ (I take ’em when I can get ’em).
Glad you’re listening to your body and taking it easy on the workouts when you’re sick. Hope you feel better soon.
I know, my kids never love the child care center at the gym either! I used to take them anyway because it was my best option. However, I hate to take a little baby there. I love that your kids go to the gym with you to workout now! Awesome!
What a big beautiful smile that little peanut has!! All the kids have beautiful smiles, but I love that little toothless grin. 🙂 There’s nothing like it!
Oh, that little toothless grin gets me every time! I love it when they have two little teeth on the bottom too. SO CUTE!
I love honeycrisp apples! They are so sweet and delicious. That little hat is beyond adorable. I just went a little nuts at Carter’s and bought the baby a ton of holiday themed outfits. Haha. I’m sure a lot will change between baby no. 1 and other babies!
Honeycrisp apples are my fav! That’s so fun you loaded up on holiday outfits! SO FUN!!! Babies are so much fun and grow up so darn fast.
Such adorable pictures Melanie…the kids are beautiful! I’ve been hearing coconut oil is so good for you. Do you cook everything with it?
Thanks so much! Coconut oil is a fabulous oil and wonderful to cook with! I use it and olive oil all the time. Coconut oil is better than olive oil for cooking at high heat though. Once in a while I’ll cook with a little butter too. It just depends on what I’m cooking!
Your shoulder workout mixed with running looks awesome. Shoulders have always been my weakest area. I hope you can get back to the gym soon – I know it is your preference!!!
Glad you and Kevin are able to spend some time together every little bit!!!
Thanks so much Kim! I love to work shoulders and can’t wait until I can see some sort of shape or a glimpse of muscle tone in them again. Gah.
Great job with the food! Looks amazing!! You should check out The Vegan 8–she has some awesome super simple recipes that could be fun to try!
We are sooo pumped to see interstellar!!
Thanks Kirtley! I love The Vegan 8 and all of her amazing recipes! I hope you enjoy (and understand!) Interstellar. 😉
I love having eggs with a sprinkle of cheese for breakfast too. I find it keeps me so full and satisfied.
Try turning to youtube for various workouts to keep your home workouts different and challenging. At least you’re fitting in workouts in your busy day.
Baby does indeed look happy. What a cute kid!
I know YouTube is such a valuable resource, but I always forget to use it! I will check it out for some workouts. Great idea!
Just finished another Immune Building Smoothie! w/extra lemon! ;D You know, I typically read your blog while I’m cooling off (like a cool down walk) at the gym. Just wanted to share – what a trainer at the club suggested to me, and that is… on the treadmill – increase the incline more during my runs. As much as we hate them, she suggested, do more HILLS, HILLS, HILLS! I used to make an incline of “1” be my flat. Now, it’s “2.” My run inclines are between 3 and 5 for 1-3 miles without returning to a 2 incline for my “flat”. Then, when I do move the incline back to 2 – it seems like I’m running down hill. I can run shorter distances (less time), yet get in a super workout. I’m training for a trail (very hilly) half marathon in March – so the more hill training the better for me. Sort of reminds me of your sister….as she recommends weight lifting, and heavy! — so, in this case, treadmill, but ramp up the incline – a lot! — maybe then, you can exercise in less time, or before the baby wakes up! or you get too bored on the treadmill. Love your blog. Keep up the good work. 🙂
I totally LOVE what you said about training on an incline! I love that you use “2” as your flat too. What a great idea! I’ve heard that running hills and running on an incline on the treadmill is wonderful to increase stamina and speed. I usually try to change up the incline, but since running in general is pretty tough for me these days, I’ve been keeping it pretty flat. Ha ha.
I saved your workout routine above for later… love those push-ups! Thanks for sharing.
Oh, I hope you love it Jeanne! I’m a huge pushup fan!
Love the great idea of apples, cinnamon and cottage cheese! I’ll have to try that.
Usually I agree with most everything you write, but this time I feel differently. If I had to go to a gym, I would never exercise! I love jumping on my fitness trampoline at home. When I get off work, I just want to settle in and get into my jammies, not go anywhere.
How weird would it be to be a picture of someone else’s kids on my fridge? I’m tempted to print out your little boys with the baby and snow hat. What cute faces and smiles!
I do enjoy the simplicity of working out from home, but usually when I’m home I just want to relax and go to bed! Ha.
I saw INTERSTELLAR with my man friend 😉 who has a Doctorate in ASTROPHYSICS so um… THAT HELPED A TON!!!!!! He explained EVERYTHING to me. Definitely helped A LOT! But he even had to see it 2 times in order to truly understand it.
Oh, that helps to make me not feel so “challenged!” LOL! I need to find me a “doctorate in astrophysics” friend, dang it.
You may not want to…. This one has really Fed with me. LOL………?
Good article thank you for sharing.
Sounds like you enjoyed your weekend. lovely workouts.
Baby is damn cute!!
Thanks so much!
Oh my gosh that huge baby smile. Have I mentioned I have baby fever???? You are killing me… so cute.
Oh, I love it! I wish I could have a permanent baby to keep forever!
Awww what a wonderful post and your baby is so darling. That is so amazing how you said how much life has changed since your first baby! I can only imagine, but you are right, he is so loved and looks to be such a happy baby! You are a wonderful mommy!!
Thanks so much Brandi! It really is so crazy how much life changes with each child. I’m trying to just enjoy each stage because I know one day, they’ll all leave me! Sniff sniff.
You are the FOURTH person to have a “WTF” response to that movie!! Not in a bad way, but just that it was confusing!! I think I will wait and rent it haha. I now want to go to Costco, it’s been like a week and a half I am having withdrawals.
Ha ha! It really was a “deep thinking, mind blowing, crazy” movie!
Love how you give your boys haircuts. It is a great money saver. My hubby cuts our little boys hair and I love it. It is so true what you say about having more kids, with my first daughter everything was simple enough, the house was quiet, she would sleep early and wake up late. Now with twins added to the equation is chaos to the fullest, but blessed chaos.
I love how you called it “blessed chaos!” It describes things perfectly!