035: Thoughts Thursday: Try it.

I am a child of the nineties. My fond memories of school lunch included Dunkaroo's and Mondos. Capri Suns still bring back a flood of happiness. Don't get me started on Lunchables. And then they started making pizza ones too? A can of Dr. Pepper on a hot summer day after running around at the park with my siblings. Sweet tea and Ritz crackers with cheese. Ok. Getting too excited. 

We could say, "You ate that and you're fine."

Who wants to be "fine." Really. Think about it.

Maybe it's just me, but I want excellent. Spectacular. Fantastic.

I also want delicious. Scrumptious. Yummy in my tummy.

I battle allergies, soreness, and exhaustion. I can blame my 7 month old for some of the deprived sleep, but I've always felt tired. I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of thinking feeling "just fine" is fine. For me, it isn't. Not anymore.

I've been thinking about what I eat. I've heard "food is fuel." I've heard "you are what you eat." I've heard "I deserve this." I've heard myself say each of those a few times. Last night my husband told me he wanted to change what we eat too. I think I could have jumped to the moon I was so happy. So, as a family, for our son, for our future as a couple, for our health...

I'm learning. I'm reading. I'm listening.

So, here's the thought I'd share today:

My mom and I are participating in a CSA at Real Food Farms in Brentwood, TN.

This is a shot from when we picked up our half-share yesterday.

There's my food in the distance, growing.

I love that.

blessings, sgym

034: Mama Monday, you too?

They aren't lying when they tell you that you are never the same after having a baby.

You get (little to) no sleep.
Your body is unrecognizable.
You waver between missing it and discovering the new one.
You lose friends who you thought would never leave you.
You gain new friends who know your struggles intimately.
You now think of activities in terms of how they fit your child.
You want to try things just to see how your child reacts.
Your free time is spent breathing.
Your free time is spent hurrying.
Your free time is short lived.
Your free time feels weird.
Your free time feels precious.
You know you will never really have "free" time again.
You think your child is the cutest. Ever.
You know you're biased.
You don't really care.
You want to give them everything.
You want to show your child things don't matter.
You want your child to love you.
You want to do what's best.
You want to be different than your parents.
You want to be as wonderful as your parents.
You're constantly comparing yourself to your parents.
You never knew you could love someone t h i s m u c h.
You know you'll never love anything or anyone t h i s m u c h. Ever. Again.

You know, maybe that's just me. 


blessings, sgym

033: Headband Sunday, The First!

Hello hello! How was your Headband Sunday? Epic? Sweet. I'm grateful for it as it was intensely windy here! Helped keep my crazy hair out of my face.

We had the annual Christmas party at my husband's job. Santa came riding in on a fire truck. One poor little red-headed fella found the siren too loud for him. Broke my heart! The wind was whipping up a storm and I stayed relatively sane since I had my hair mostly confined by the headband.

Are you celebrating too? 

Send a pic in of your Headband Sunday glory 

and I'll put in the next HS post!

E-mail it to casamosblog AT gmail DOT com !

purchased this one at ULTA.

(Jack Sparrow inspired? Maybe...)

If you need ideas, I've got a Pinterest board HERE for some inspiration.

It is bedtime for this lil' mama. Tomorrow is a day full of little man time and helping out at Gigi's house.

blessings, sgym

032: Fat Friday, You Won't Believe it.

I made it the whole month without consciously eating sweets that involved High Fructose Corn Syrup or refined sugar. WOW. Can't believe it.

I usually participate in "No ---- November" with my own insertion, because Lord knows you won't catch me dead doing "No Shave November!" In past years it has been "No Soda November," but considering I haven't downed a Cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper in MONTHS (maybe a year?), that wasn't going to fly this year. I tried to get hubs to do "No Fried November" with me, but he wasn't having it. Didn't want to commit. I knew I had to up my game.

"All right," I said. I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I'll do 'No Sugar November' if you will do 'No Fried November.'"

"You won't do that."

... There are few things that can get a strong willed, slightly stubborn, Southern girl riled up. Being told she can't accomplish something is one of them.

So. I did it. Yeahhhhhh.

Didn't realize until later that I had doomed myself into a dessert-less Thanksgiving. Or so I thought.

Now, I'm going to tell you about this recipe I found. You won't believe me that it's the best thing you have ever put in your mouth until ... well ... you make some for yourself and put them in your mouth.

The Detoxinista's Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies.

Yes. NO flour. NO refined sugar. And this will blow you off your feet. I made them for Thanksgiving this year (since I decided like a crazy person to make this "No Refined Sugar/HFCS November") and they were the first dessert gone. Gone before the pumpkin pies. Before the cookies. Before the Scotch-o-rinos. GONE. I, miraculously, snagged the last two little bites.

I will admit, I overbaked them the first time. (Overbaked is totally a word.) I went with the lower end of the recommended time and they came out looking burned. Tasted great, but very dark in color. This time, I got smart and cut off 5 minutes. They're a little underdone, but ooooooohhhh man. If you're a fan of gooey chewy baked goods, then cut some of the baking time off. WHEW. So good.

All right. Little man is awake now and we've got some serious play time on the schedule for the rest of the day. Maybe even a walk with Daddy, if he gets home early.

Haha. Right. Like we have a schedule.

blessings, sgym

031: Thoughts Thursday: Follow Through.

Follow through.

Hang up your coat instead of throwing it over your chair.
Follow through.
When you say no, stick to it.
Follow through.
If you say yes, then do it.
Follow through.
When making a shopping list, shop what's on it. Only what's on it.
Follow through.
If you get an idea for a post, then post it.
Follow through.
When you start a project, finish it.
Follow through.
When a lightbulb burns out, change it.
Follow through.
Don't leave your plate there, you know where it goes.
Follow through.

This is as much for you as it is for me.
Follow through.

blessings, sgym

030: let's be jolly '12, The 5 Gift Rule

Have you heard of the "Five Gift Rule" for Christmas? I recently stumbled across it in my many Pinterest wanderings and thought it was BRILLIANT. I want to make family, friends, and the time spent together the focus. I really do want Jesus to be The Reason For the Season in my household! This makes SO MUCH SENSE to me! Are you ready? It's awesome.

Something you want, 

Something you need,

Something to wear,

Something to read,

And something homemade.

Right? Isn't that awesome? Well. It simplified my Christmas so beautifully this year. It's little man's first Christmas and, quite frankly, I don't have the budget to spend a ton of money on him. And, really, will he remember it? No. I will though. I want to remember the fun traditions we are starting as a family (more on that in future posts!) and the awesome winter and holiday activities that happen in December! I have no more stressing about Christmas shopping for my boy, it's all done!

So, what did I get him? Well, I'm glad you asked! (ha.)

SOMETHING YOU WANT: A Melissa and Doug wooden rainbow stacker toy. Right? Perfect. Bright, works on motor skills, and doesn't require batteries. LOVE.

SOMETHING YOU NEED: A toothbrush. Can't deny it. My baby will need this soon. (Now?)

SOMETHING TO WEAR: Found this adorable one-toothed dino hat at Gymboree. It's a size 2T for my 7 month old. Big heads run in the family (both sides).

SOMETHING TO READ: The storytime lady at Barnes and Noble highly recommended this book to a friend and I for our little ones. I found it in the sale/clearance section at TJ Maxx. Jackpot.

But wait, where is the something homemade? It's coming. Naturally, hubs and I are still working on it. Everything is bought for it, but not assembled. Hey, homemade takes time! 

What are your gift traditions? Do you blow your budget every year? Are you just ready for it all to be over?

blessings, sgym

029: Let's Do Something Fun.

December. Fun things already happen in that month, Christmas. Hanukkah. New Years Eve. Parties. Presents. People.
Then why do I feel like I need to add to it? Meh. Who knows.

Every Sunday in December will be.... (drum roll) ...

Headband Sunday!

Yes. I'm dedicating that fun day to an accessory. I'm a girl. What else do you expect? This means my "Black Friday" shopping will consist of searching for headbands that will fit my abnormally large head.
(No, really. I have a huge head for a girl.)

Five Sundays. Five headbands. Let's do this.

(Why? Why not? Accessories are fun.)

If you need ideas, I've got a Pinterest board HERE for some inspiration.



Well. Are you in?

blessings, sgym