Keegan’s Dog Treats

Posted in Fido Friday, Uncategorized by katrina2182

I love my dog , Keegan and I want him to live forever and so I am making him healthy Keegan treats. As a side note, did you hear about the dog in Australia that lived to 30? That is awesome!

Keegan’s Dog Treats

1 1/2 cup of flour (I use wheat flour)

1/4 cup of pumpkin puree (I made pumpkin puree from a pumpkin from my garden)

1/2 cup of peanut butter (I use an all natural crunchy kind)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon turmeric

1 tablespoon fish oil

1 tablespoon flex oil

2 tablespoons chia seeds

Mix all the ingredients together, add water if needed.

Roll dough and use cookie cutter or make in to small round cookies and place on baking sheet. I cover my baking sheet with olive oil and turmeric.

Back at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool and give to your puppy.

I keep mine in the refrigerator to prevent mold if under baked.

27Apr2016

Co-Sleeping with Baby

Posted in A Healthy Mommy by katrina2182

I need wisdom……..It’s funny all the things you think about before you have a baby, even while pregnant and then you have the little guy and your plans go right out the window.

I never thought I was going to be one of those moms that slept with their baby or would want to cuddle as much as I do. Don’t get me wrong sometimes I need my space and I love it when he takes a nap in his crib all by him self and for a couple of hours.

I didn’t read many parenting books and as my son grows I’m realizing I may have created a monster. He’s not taking many naps on his own, he hates going to bed and it seems if we are not close he does not do well. Now maybe it’s because the first 30 days he was in the NICU with lots of noise, light and extra love. Or maybe it is because my husband and I spoiled him because we did not get to cuddle and love him as much as we wanted in the NICU. Whatever the case may be, I am having trouble letting him grow up and sleep on his own.

Again I never thought I would co-sleep and now here it is six months in and we still sleep together. My husband has asked that I star weaning myself so that he can learn independence and I totally agree, but I love my nightly cuddles and love. I fall a sleep listening to him breath.

Tonight he passed out in his crib and I’m leaving him in there. Most nights I pick him up when I go to bed and put him in bed with me. He’s with in arms reach of my bed but still this is hard. I just want to grab him and love on him but baby steps. My husband is right and I need to eventually move back into the master bedroom with him.

What is it that makes us so attached to our children? I crave my child. I try to leave and get a way but I just think about him the entire time and want to come back to him. Even when he is screaming I get frustrated and pissed off but it is not long before I don’t care he is screaming and I just want to hold him.

I hate being away from him and now I have to wean myself from sleeping with him. 😦

What advice do you have for me on letting my son grow independence and not co sleep?

Motivation Monday

Mondays. For some they can be difficult because it is the start to a brand new work week. For others, they relaxed so much over the weekend it is hard to get up on Monday morning. For me it is a fresh new start. A brand new checklist. A brand new week. For me Monday’s motivate me to get a ton done over the next seven days.

My lists are always way more than what one can accomplish in a week, but I always hope and try hard to get it all done.

Lately, I have been working on breastfeeding, a nap schedule and cloth diapers with my son. Throughout the week it gets tougher and tougher, but today, Monday, I feel I can do anything and so far so good. We have used three cloth diapers, he is currently taking his first nap for the day with not too much fussy and we breastfed just a little before his nap. I finished a little of my work work and wrote out my to do list for the week. I am feeling good.

Here are my tips to get motivated on Monday.

Create your list on Sunday: This will help you sleep and be ready to go on Monday morning.

Wake up with a positive attitude: A positive attitude can make any experience easier and more joyful.

You have the entire week: Seven days is a long time, do a little bit everyday.

Time block: This has helped me a ton. I might not get every task done, but I have done a little of the task.

Prioritize: I number my list so I know the things I have to get done this week.

Stay strict: It can be hard but remember the task at hand.

Reward yourself: If you gt all or a majority of the stuff done, take Sunday off, or if you worked really hard one morning, take a nap with your little one.

Those are my tips and tricks to get things done and stay motivated on Mondays.

It feels great to get stuff done. If you do not get everything done this week. There is always next week or the week after that. You did your best and that is all that matters.

9Apr2016

My at Home Spa Day

Posted in A Healthy Self, Self/Spa Saturday by katrina2182

I can not stress enough that you have to take care of your self before you can ever take care of anyone else. Yes, that means you can be selfish. Have someone come over to take care of the kids or put them to bed early, lock your self in the bathroom and you an at home spa day! Below is what I try to do every other week or once a month.

SETTING THE MOOD

Lock yourself in the bathroom.
Get rid of all distractions.
Put on your favorite music.
Have a glass of wine or hot cup of tea to sip on.
Light candles, dim the lights and/or have an oil burner going.

MY PERSONAL SPA STEPS

Start a hot bath and add Epson salt, essential oil (I love peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender), carrier oil and prepare your towel or robe. (I suggest heating it in the dryer)
Put on face mask. (See below recipe)
Put on hair mask. (See below recipe)
Prepare foot mask and wrap. (See below recipe)
Put all items you will need near the tub. (I like nail clippers, nail file, dental floss, wash cloth, body scrub and anything else.
Get in tub and relax. Breath in all the essential oils and just be at peace.
Rub muscles and us body scrub to exfoliate body.
Put on foot mask and foot wrap.
Floss teeth.
Push finger nail cuticles and file nails. Rinse and rub feet and push cuticles and file toes.
Shave your legs.
Drain and relax.
Turn on hot shower and rinse.
Shampoo and deep condition hair.
Enjoy the steam by breathing in and out. I envision white light doing in and black bad going out.
Wrap up in your warm towel.
Message and put on a thick lotion or personal oil. (See below recipe)
Paint your finger and toe nails.
While they dry sit, meditate and breath more.
Put on comfortable clothes.
Open the door and rejoin reality.

Happy SPA Time!

MY FAVORITE RECIPES

Oatmeal Face Mask

If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up that will leave you feeling and looking better, give yourself an oatmeal facial. Combine 1/2 cup hot—not boiling—water and 1/3 cup oatmeal. After the water and oatmeal have settled for two or three minutes, mix in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 small egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. (Be sure to place a metal or plastic strainer in your sink to avoid clogging the drain with the granules.)

Source: http://www.rd.com/health/beauty/homemade-facial-masks-recipes/

Detoxifying, De-Puffing Mocha Mask

The caffeine from coffee grounds in this cocoa-licious mask helps to reduce swelling and puffiness, while the antioxidants in the cocoa help to reduce aging, and the yogurt replenishes lost moisture.

2 tablespoons freshly ground coffee
2 tablespoons pure cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons yogurt or sour cream

Blend all of the ingredients together, spread evenly over skin, and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. When you rinse it off, massage your face gently to exfoliate as well. If there’s any mask left over after you wash your face with it, add a bit of water to it and use it as a scrub for the backs of your arms and any other body part that could do with some smoothing.

Source: http://inhabitat.com/7-diy-face-masks-for-a-gorgeous-spring-and-summer-skin/

Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Hair Mask

If you have a dry and flaky scalp, this is the mask for you! All you have to do is mix 2 tbsp fresh of lemon juice with 2 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp water. Once this is done massage the mask into your scalp with damp hair. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes and then wash your hair regularly. This treatment can be applied to your hair every other week.

Source: http://allwomenstalk.com/7-best-home-made-hair-masks

Banana Foot Mask

Half a banana

1 tsp of honey

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put banana and honey in a bowl and stir well.

2. Add the mask mixture to both feet before wrapping feet in plastic wrap.

3. Leave mask on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off.

4. Use pumice stone on soles of feet before applying moisturizer.

Source: http://www.youthfulhabits.com/body/beauty/best-homemade-foot-soak-foot-mask-recipes#sthash.Ip1heQZ1.dpuf

I hope you can enjoy a personal spa day with no interruptions very soon.

What are your best at home spa treatments?

8Apr2016

Coping with Those Crazy Days

Posted in A Healthy Self by katrina2182

inspirational-parenting-poem I have found that our feelings and our sense of self get lost in a mile high pile of laundry and list of things to do. Being a mom is hard. Being a new mom is even harder. I know for me it has been difficult going from productive, appreciated career woman to being at the beck and call of a screaming baby who does not show love but instead pukes all over you.

A lot of times our feeling get over looked or pushed a side so that we can push on, do more or make everyone else feel better. Sometimes I do not think it is fair, sometimes I wish I could just run away, but even if I did, I would miss my son, my crazy life and all my daily activities. So where does that leave me? It leaves me a little frustrated and drained.

What do I do to cope on those really crazy days?

This too shall pass. My son will grow and as he does he will be come more and more independent and some day I will miss the days that he needed me so much.

Take care of yourself before anyone else. You are no good if you are not feeling good, so always do things for you.

Eat healthy. Not only does this keep your energy levels up but it will also make you feel better.

Just Breath. I have found breathing helps to calm my nerves and helps me through the really tough times.

Ask for Help. There will be days you just can not do it. In those rare cases, ask a friend to come over and help you with the little one.

Keep a social life. It helps to get out there and hang with other moms or even just have lunch with old co workers. Not only is it nice to have an adult conversation but you get to eat with both hands.

If you can, work part time. Again this helps me to get away, even for a brief time and it gives me an extra little cash to do something nice for myself.

I know it is hard and we all want to run away at time but for me at the end of the crazy day full of diapers, feeding, pumping and a screaming little one. When my little peanut falls a sleep and is peaceful and quiet. I am so happy at where my life is and my life’s journey. I am so excited to see where it takes me.

25Mar2016

Another Day All About Keegan

Posted in Uncategorized by katrina2182

Keegan will be the subject of so many posts. He is our first son and I have spent a ton of time with him. He is the most amazing dog and I love him so much.

Today I wanted to talk about Keegan and his dog toys. Our Keegan has at least 30 and I have given a couple to Good Will. It started on his 5th Birthday, my first birthday with him. I could not help my self and bought him a bunny rabbit. Then he got a frog, a duck, a yellow dog, a red dog, a cow, an owl and so on. I can not go into the pet store without buying him a stuffed animal.

Keegan is allergic to most of the treats and over the years he has shown us how much he loves his stuffed animals. Occasionally, they loose a wing, a tail or an ear, but he never tears them apart. In fact, he babies them and takes care of them. Sometimes I may find one of them outside, but if you tell him he will go and get it.

My husband works hard to teach Keegan the new animal names, so if he says him to get a certain stuffed animal Keegan will get it. He will dig and dig in his toy box to find the right one. Yes, our doggy has a toy box, he actually has two.

Keegan and all his clean toys. #FidoFriday #KeeganDog #DogToys #HappyDog

I am pretty impressed with how he treats them and carries them around. There are many times we leave him and when we come home he has pulled out many of his “friends” and they are all over our house. It is the cutest thing. We still have not taught him to clean all of them up.

He does have favorites. I know he loves that bunny rabbit. Six years later he still has him. In fact that was the friend he carried around a lot today. His other favorite right now is an owl. My niece got him that for a birthday two years ago and for some reason he loves that one.

The best is that I wrap his toys up in a box with wrapping paper and he opens them. Sometimes I think he likes tearing open the box as much as the toys and treats inside. We have to be careful at Christmas because sometimes he can smell his treats and he tries to get into his packages early. He is great on voice command and has never gotten into a box with out permission, but it is the coolest thing to watch.

Keegan is also a big fan of the Kong, Frisbee and balls. He is great at playing fetch. He plays hide and seek and may times my husband will trick him by hiding his toys and having him go find them. Again, it is the cutest thing.

Keegan makes me smile and I love that he loves all his littler friends. I bought him a lion for Easter. I am going to wrap it up tomorrow for him. 🙂

21Mar2016

Self Discipline is the Key to a Balanced Life

Posted in Spiritual Sunday by katrina2182

Osho-Love-Quotes-e1446423206976 Today was an awesome Sunday. Our morning routine ran smoothly. We had a friend come to church with us. My husband was the greeter today so we went extra early and stayed late, which was the perfect opportunity to socialize with a couple of people.

I spent a lot of time talking to the head social media guy about our sites and getting the Word out. We are moving into a new space and I feel I can use my passion for social media to help. Plus, the more I dig in the more accepting I am of my spiritual life.

Church was wonderful and I felt so good after. The message spoke to me and I need to sit down and write my notes and meditate over the scripture I heard. After church we went to lunch, then home so I could do my normal routine of feed, pump and get the little one down for a nap. In relaxing him, I too fell a sleep. We slept for three hours. It was amazing. The rest of the day we relaxed, ate and hung outside.

My Saturday was pretty amazing as well. I started the day at Bible Study: Shaping a Christian Woman our topic was Disciplined Life. I was stoked about this study because I feel very disciplined. Way more before my son, but even with him, I feel pretty balanced and disciplined in life. Boy was I wrong. 🙂

There are so may areas to be disciplined, not just in my daily routine but in my mind, body, soul and spirit. I have some work to do. In hearing the study I was feeling good and pumped and ready to start focusing on my mind, body, soul and spirit.

The Pastor’s wife gave us some amazing guidelines:

Start Slow: Take baby steps you do not want to bit off more than you can chew or worse burn out.
Focus and be Consistent: When you build a habit it makes it easier in the long run. It takes three weeks or 21 days to change or create a habit.
Keep Going: Do not quit! Some days will be harder than others, but in the end it will pay off.
Do Not be Afraid of Change: Change is good, it means we are growing. It’s gonna be tough but it is good for us.
Do Not Hold on to The Past: It is not good for anyone to dwell on past sins. Forgive yourself. God has.
Do Not Fight Yourself: God has a plan for us. Trust in Him and all will be good.
When You Fail Start Again: We all fall down, that does not mean stop, you must get back on the horse and try try again.

I love it. I am putting it to work.

To get started my personal action plan is as follows.

Spiritual: Three days a week add Scripture to my nightly or morning routine and continue to pray daily.
Mind: Once a week Meditate.
Body: Once a week do Yoga.
Soul: Once a week Declutter.

What is your personal action plan? Let me know and keep me posted on how well it is going.

20Mar2016

Acupuncture for the Soul

Posted in Self/Spa Saturday by katrina2182

#acupunture #HealthyMillennialMom Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine involving thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points. Acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief, though it is also used for a wide range of other conditions. Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture

For me acupuncture is the best. I’ve been to a couple of acupuncturists over the years but in May of 2014 I found an amazing fertility acupuncturist. I do credit her for helping conceive my son. Even though my goal and purpose was to have a child, I still go to her for relaxation and maintenance. In fact, I just saw her yesterday.

Yesterday, we worked on milk production, liver cleanse, hormone levels, energy and my back has been a little sore because I carry my son everywhere. I told her today, I forgot how much I appreciate quiet and an hour to myself where no one needs anything.

As I laid there face down, listening to Nora Jones I realized how good acupuncture is for the soul and it inspired me to blog about my experience and encourage other woman to try it. It’s not for everyone. If you are interested get someone who is experienced but also someone you can emotionally connect with. Sometimes my sessions are like therapy. She listens to my issues and problems and then sticks a needle in my head and all my thoughts clear.

At first it was so hard for me to lie there for an hour with needles in me and because my body was not healthy a lot of them stung for a minute, the stings calm and then you are completely relaxed. For some, like my dad and best friend acupuncture energies them, for me it Zens me out and I’m like a wet noodle after.

Again my main purpose in the beginning was for fertility. She cleaned me out, regulated my hormones, relaxed my mind and helped over all health. I started in May 2014 and was pregnant by March 2015. Less than a year. Now please know I was also doing yoga, walking a ton more, eating healthy and sleeping well.

If you are curious and have never tried, start with a Groupon, friend recommendation, school or coupon. Acupuncture can be expensive and most insurances do not cover. I prepay for my sessions and split with my dad making it cheaper.

Speaking of my father, he has also gone to acupuncture and loves it. He was on like 20 medications and felt awful, now I think he us on three and he has been going to her for less than a year. My best friend in a different state uses acupuncture for pain management of a sport injury. Again for her and my dad acupuncture energies them. It works different for everyone.

I say give it a try and let me know about your experience. Feel free to recommend someone if you like them.

Happy Saturday to all I hope you are getting to do some self care and relax today.

Meatless Mondays

Before my son, my husband and I were about 80% meatless and were working on getting rid of dairy and becoming Vegan. And then I got pregnant!

Way back when, we had just started dating, we watched Forks Over Knives. If you have not watched it, I recommend it, just know it is harsh and you will not want to eat meat after you see all the animal cruelty.

I should re-watch it. Because during my pregnancy and now while pumping/breastfeeding, I crave meat and find it is the only thing that is helping me to produce more milk and keep my energy levels up. Which has to be in my head.

OK now that I say it out loud or in writing, I am going to re-watch Forks Over Knives and do research on meat alternatives to keep my milk production up. I have been taking a lot of supplements and eating a ton more, but I never feel full. I could eat more fish, but as explained in Forks Over Knives a muscle is a muscle.

Anyway, the reason I am posting about meatless Monday is because I think it is healthy of us to go without meat. More than once a week, but if you have to start somewhere, then start with Monday or one day out of the week.

I already posted my favorite one pot pasta dish. i actually had left overs tonight, so so good. My goal is to post quick, easy, filling and inexpensive alternative meatless meals.

Feel free to post your meatless Monday recipes.

Questioning Christianity

I remember the first time I heard the word millennial. I was in church and our pastor was explaining the new generation of Christian. Millennials were born 1980 to 2000 and are more spiritual than religious. I am a millennial and more and more of us are joining the church to help lead them. This made me feel good and was happy to hear my fellow generation was spiritually connecting and helping to make a difference with in the Christian community.

My husband and I joined a church to grown in the Christian Community, to give our son structure and fellow healthy children to grow with. We joined in September and our son was born in November. Our church is very small so after a month we knew most of them and they knew us. After our son was born, our pastor came to visit us in the hospital to pray over us, which made me feel good about the church we chose.

While the pastor was there I took the the opportunity to chat with him and let him know where I was spiritually. In short, I was raised Catholic, I was baptized and went through communion, but I never liked church. I never went to church for guidance. I never prayed. We were never really part of the Church Community, e tried but we never really hung out with other Catholic families. We did go to the Labor Day picnic every year and had a ton of fried chicken and pie. Basically, I never really got it. As I grew up, I always felt Christian, but a lot of my beliefs differed from the Catholic religion. Due to these differences I fell out of going to church. I tried to find a new church but nothing ever suck.

When I met my husband we were far from spiritual nor religious, but over time and with the loss of life, we both felt we needed a place to go for our family. My husband drove us in this direction more than me, but I was willing to go and embrace this new journey.

Honestly, I am having trouble with church. I love the people and the friends I am making, I just have trouble with the Word and Bible. I also have trouble with Christians. Not so much at our church but there are so many Christians out there that speak one thing and then do the opposite or mask behind religion.

I feel I am lost in the whole religion aspect of life. I am desperately trying to find my way. I have gone to many of the church events. I started Bible Study on How to Shape a Christian Woman. Most of the topics are hard for me. I feel rebellious to them. Not accepting and generally dismissive of the study. I feel bad about this but at this time I am still having trouble believing.

I do not take communion. I do not want to until I can completely embrace the church and teachings. I do not want to be fake or do it because that is what I am suppose to do. I do keep going, listening and I am keeping and open mind. Our pastor and his wife, who teaches the woman’s bible study are both real, funny and true Christians. I know I am in the right place to make my growth in the Christian community.

All I know is there is a God and Heavens. There is a Devil and Hell. I have a wonderful and close relationship with the God I know. I talk to Him often and I know He is there to guide me and keep me safe. I do accept Him as my Lord and Savior. I trust in Him and surrender my life to Him. I do believe He will come again. Everything else that I am working on.

My goal is to grow my life as a true Christian woman, embrace the structure of the church, to help spread God’s word and to build a Christian family for my Family.