Baby Hacks

 We all need things that will make life a little easier especially when we have a baby on our hip. Therefore, I am going to make a list of things that will help out everyone who has a baby or will soon have a baby on their hip.

1. Storing Pacifiers- There are a few ways you can do this. First there is always storing them in a ziplock bag. Second, store them in a small container. 

2.  Sock Storage- Use a mesh bag to store all you babies socks. This is an easy way to keep the babies socks in a safe place without having to organize them in a drawer.

3. Handy Baby Items- Store baby essentials in a wire basket that is easily moved for a faster and cleaner cleanup

4. Keep Tiny Hands Clean- Use the babies onesie or sleeper to keep their tiny hands out of the mess while you change them

5.  Mom’s Clean Hands- Use a soft makeup brush to spread diaper rash medicine on babies butt and keep your hands clean

6. No Mold- To protect your baby for mold that will set up in their bath toys, fill the holes with hot glue.

7. Keep Baby Bottles Smelling Fresh- Use toothpaste and water to deodorize baby bottles.

8. Keep Up With Medicine Doses- Write the date, time, and how much on the side if the bottle with a sharpie to keep an accurate check on doses.

9. Portable Changing Station- Use a wipe box to store you wipes, extra clothes, and diapers for on the go.

10. Trade Out- Trade out Puffs snacks for Cheerios 

DIY Baby Proofing

If you don’t have a lot of money these are some simple ways you can do to insure that your kids are safe.

1. Keep the fridge closed with command hooks and hair ties.
2. Prevent toilet paper unraveling with a hair tie.
3. Cover outlets with Band-Aids.
4. Use socks to prevent doors from being opened.
5. Baby proof table/door edges with pipe insulator or pool noodles.
6. Tie loose curtain strings up high with command hooks.
7. Use a round screw-lid Tupperware container to stop them getting into off-bounds areas.
8. DIY fabric baby gate
9. Set up a portable fence
10. DIY indoor fence
11. Tennis balls to cover sharp edges
12. Cushy throw pillows for a soft landing
13. Puff craft paint/hot glue socks to prevent falls
14. Fabric and Velcro to hide electronic and dvd
15. DIY fabric cords for book cases

Baby Proofing

When you are a new parent you automatically worry about if your baby or toddler is gonna be safe. There are many different ways you can baby proof your house. In this post I will make a list of ways to baby proof with items from a store.

1. Smoke/Carbon monoxide detector
Lowes: Universal Security Instruments Battery-Operated Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

2. Fire Extinguisher
Amazon: Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher 1A10BC, 1 Pack

3. First Aid Kit
Amazon: First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit (FAO-442)

4. Non- slip pads for rugs
Walmart: Mainstays Rug Saver Non-Skid Non-Slip Cream Rug Pad Fits up to 5' x 8'

5. Baby Safety Kit
Walmart: Safety 1st Safety Essentials Childproofing Kit (46 pcs), White

6. Refrigerator Locks
Walmart: Safety 1st Multi-Purpose Appliance Lock (2pk), White

7. Stove knob cover
Walmart: KIDCO S323 STOVE KNOB COVERS 5PK

8. Toilet seat lock
Amazon: Toilet Lock Child Safety - Ideal Baby Proof Toilet Seat Lock with 3M Adhesive | Easy Installation, No Tools Needed | Fits Most Toilet Seats - White (1 Pack)

9. Baby Gate
Walmart: Regalo Easy Open 47-Inch Super Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate, Bonus Kit, Includes 4-Inch and 12-Inch Extension Kit, 4 Pack Pressure Mount Kit and 4 Wall Cups and Mounting Kit

10. Tv and furniture straps
Amazon: Safety 1st TV & Furniture Safety Straps, Black, Multi, 2 Straps

The Benefits Of Meditation

Meditation is a great way to help yourself with ease and inexpensively. A lot of people around the world use meditation to better themselves.

1. Meditation lowers Cortisol levels. Research shows that mindfulness meditation lowers the hormone that causes stress. Reducing Cortisol can decrease general stress, anxiety, and depression.

2. You can better deal with stress. Meditation gives a sense of calm to the mind and body that can reduce stress.

3. It eases anxiety. Meditation is the perfect, portable anti-anxiety treatment. Taking just a few minutes to close your eyes and do breathing exercises can turn off the mechanisms in your brain that cause anxiety.

4. It reduces depression symptoms. Depression is a mental health condition often triggered by stress and anxiety. People who meditate also show increased gray matter in the brain’s hippocampus, responsible for memory.

5. You’ll get a mood boost. Meditation helps you deal with stress, anxiety, and other difficult situations, which makes you happier and feel better. 

6. It’s good for your heart. Meditation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Meditation positively impacts blood pressure, heart muscle effectiveness, and cardiovascular mortality.

7. It lowers blood pressure. Meditation may improve blood pressure naturally, without medication.

8. It enhances Serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical produced in nerve cells that works as a natural mood stabilizer. When you meditate, you’ll increase serotonin levels, which acts like a natural anti-depressant.

9. You’ll break bad habits. Whether it’s smoking or shopping too much, meditation brings awareness to your actions at that moment and helps you break the cycle of a bad habit.

How To Create A Meditation Space

 Let me ask, what is a meditation space? A meditation space gives you a place in your home; dedicated to silence and stillness. So how do we create our own meditation space? Well, I’m about to give you some tips on how to do just that!

1. Determine the purpose of your space:
Is it to have a private place to meditate; or have a space with others? Is it to create a serene feeling in your home? Or for you to seek inner calm and clarity? The purpose of your place will help you determine where it should be and what you will need.

2. Find a space:
You don’t need an entire room for meditation – a corner of a room will do. You could also use an empty, spacious closet. Based on the purpose of your space, you could make it the main area of your house. Or simply in an empty corner. You could even make one in your backyard or garden.

3. Decorate your space:
Next, consider what images or objects will fit the purpose of your space. I recommend minimal decor in your meditation place to avoid distractions. Choose something meaningful to you yet sets this area of your home apart.

4. Supply your space:
You don’t need anything to meditate other than your body and breath. But you can use soft blankets and pillows, calming candles, soothing music, etc.

5. Make your space sacred:
 Associate this place in your home with stillness, time for yourself or your family, but to meditate also. We only use this space for rest, yoga, meditation, or quiet time. The place in the house everyone can come to when they need some quiet time alone.

How To Meditate

  How do we meditate? Well, I have got some tips for everyone interested in meditation!

How to Meditate:

Meditation is simple (but harder) than most people think. Read these steps, make sure you’re somewhere where you can relax into this process, set a timer, and give it a shot:

1. Take a seat

• Find a place to sit that feels calm and quiet to you.

2. Set a time limit

• To begin your journey it can help to choose a short time, such as five or 10 minutes.

3. Notice your body

• You can sit in a chair with your feet on the floor, sit loosely cross-legged, and kneel all are fine. Make sure you choose a stable position that will allow you to be there for a while.

4. Feel your breath

• Follow the sensation of your breath as it goes in and out.

5. Notice when your mind has wandered

• Inevitably, your attention will leave and wander to other places. When you notice that your mind has wandered, in a few seconds, a minute, or five minutes, return your attention to the breath.

6. Be kind to your wandering mind

• Don’t judge yourself or obsess over the content of the thoughts you find yourself lost to. Just come back.

7. Close with kindness

• When you’re ready, gently lift your gaze (if your eyes are closed, open them). Take a moment and notice any sounds in the environment, and how your body feels your thoughts and emotions.

How To Clean Up Makeup Brushes

 Lets talk about our makeup brushes shall we! So do you keep your makeup brushes and reuse them over and over again? If so here are a few tips for you to help keep your brushes good longer.

Quick-cleaning with a spray:

1. Spray your brush a few times, with the heads pointing down to prevent any moisture from seeping into the glue.
2. Swirl your brush against a clean cloth or paper towel to loosen up the pigments.
3. Air-dry your brushes on a flat surface.

Quick-cleaning with a liquid cleaner:

1. Fill a small bowl with a thin layer of the solution (for super-concentrated options like Cinema Secrets, less is more).
2. Dip the tip of your brush into the solution.
3. Gently run your brush back and forth on a clean paper towel or a microfiber towel until all the product buildup is loosened up and your brush feels clean.
4. Air-dry your brushes on a flat surface.

Deep-cleaning with soap and water:

1. Holding your brushes with the bristles facing down, gently run lukewarm water in the sink and wet the tips of the bristles. 
2. Add a drop of your soap of choice to a textured cleansing pad (or even something like your palm), and swirl the brush into the soap until it’s fully lathered up and any pigment or dirt is removed. Or, if you’re using a bar soap, gently rub your makeup brush or sponge into the soap, creating a lather.
3. Gently squeeze your makeup brush or sponge to remove any excess cleanser or water.
4. Rinse again with clean water, with the bristles facing downward. 
5. Gently squeeze out any excess water, and mold your bristles back into place so they will dry correctly.
6. Lay your brushes flat to dry on a towel or paper towel. 
7. Want to speed up the drying? You can direct the breeze from a fan at your makeup brushes. Just make sure that you’re avoiding heat from devices like hair dryers, which can dry out the bristles.

Weight Loss In The New Year- Exercises

 Well Ladies we are at the last post on my weight loss series. In this last post we will be looking at exercises to help with the high protein foods and drinks. Lets see what we can come up with.

1. Walking

Walking is one of the best exercises for weight loss — and for good reason.
It’s convenient and an easy way for beginners to start exercising without feeling overwhelmed or needing to purchase equipment. Also, it’s a lower-impact exercise, meaning it doesn’t stress your joints.To get started, aim to walk for 30 minutes 3–4 times a week. You can gradually increase the duration or frequency of your walks as you become more fit.

2. Jogging Or Running

Jogging and running are great exercises to help you lose weight.
Both jogging and running are great exercises that can be done anywhere and are easy to incorporate into your weekly routine. To get started, aim to jog for 20–30 minutes 3–4 times per week.
If you find jogging or running outdoors to be hard on your joints, try running on softer surfaces like grass. Also, many treadmills have built-in cushioning, which may be easier on your joints.

3. Cycling

Cycling is a popular exercise that improves your fitness and can help you lose weight. Although cycling is traditionally done outdoors, many gyms and fitness centers have stationary bikes that allow you to cycle while staying indoors.Cycling is great for people of all fitness levels, from beginners to athletes. Plus, it’s a non-weight-bearing and low-impact exercise, so it won’t place much stress on your joints.

4. Swimming 

Swimming is a fun way to lose weight and get in shape.Another advantage of swimming is its low-impact nature, meaning that it’s easier on your joints. This makes it a great option for people who have injuries or joint pain.

5. Yoga

Yoga is a popular way to exercise and relieve stress.
While it’s not commonly thought of as a weight loss exercise, it burns a fair amount of calories and offers many additional health benefits that can promote weight loss.Most gyms offer yoga classes, but you can practice yoga anywhere. This includes from the comfort of your own home, as there are plenty of guided tutorials online.

There are many other ways to exercise but these are best if your just starting out. If you would like a more exciting workout routine you can do Zumba or something to that nature but don’t overdo it. That ladies is the end of my series. I hope you enjoyed!

Weight Loss In The New Year- Recipes

 Ladies, I know you are starting to get excited about this series now but give me a second would ya? LOL! Ok ladies, so today high protein recipes you can work into your weight loss routine. Enjoy!
1. Breakfast
Yogurt French Toast


Ingredients:

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk

• 2 containers (6 oz each) of Yoplait® Light strawberries n bananas yogurt

• 8 slices (1 inch thick) of French bread

• Strawberry slices 

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, beat eggs, milk, and 1 container of yogurt until well blended. Spray griddle or skillet with cooking spray; heat the Griddle to 375°F or skillet over medium heat.

• Dip bread slices in milk mixture, coating both sides. Place on Griddle. Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with additional yogurt and strawberries.

Breakfast Cereal Smoothie Bowl


Ingredients:
For the smoothie bowl:

• 1 to 2 cups assorted frozen berries (like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries) 

• 1 frozen banana

• 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks

• 1 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt

• 1 1/2 cups almond milk + more if needed

• 1 to 2 tablespoons almond butter

• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground flaxseed meal, optional

For toppings:

• Fresh berries, sliced

• Hemp seeds, optional

• Honey Nut Cheerios™

• Sliced almonds

Steps:

• Place frozen fruit into your blender, and top with the yogurt, almond milk, almond butter, and flaxseed meal. Place lid on the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into bowls and top with suggested toppings.

Morning Mocha Protein Shake


Ingredients:

• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (6 tablespoons)

• 1/4 cup almond milk 

• 1/2 cup ice cubes

• 1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee powder or granules ( steeped in 1/4 cup hot water)

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal

Steps:

• In a blender, place all ingredients. Cover; blend on high speed until smooth.

• Pour into glass. Serve immediately.

French Silk Protein Shake


Ingredients:
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
1 cup chocolate-flavored almond milk
1/2 cup ice cubes
1 tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon frozen (thawed) fat-free whipped topping
1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon grated bittersweet chocolate

Steps:

• In a blender, place the first 6 ingredients. Cover; blend on high speed until smooth.

• Pour into a large glass; top with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.

2. Lunch/Snack
Chocolate Banana Soft Serve Parfait


Ingredients:

• 2 medium bananas, peeled, sliced, and frozen

• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter SAVE $

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 container (5.3 oz) of Greek vanilla yogurt

• 1/2 cup Nature Valley™ oats n dark chocolate protein granola 

Steps:

• In a food processor, place frozen banana slices, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and milk. Cover; process 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture is smooth and looks like soft serve ice cream, scraping down sides as necessary.

Use an ice cream scoop to scoop the mixture into 2 parfait glasses. Top with yogurt and granola. Serve immediately.

No-Bake Peanut Butter-Cereal Bars



Ingredients:

• 4 cups Cheerios™ Protein Cinnamon Almond cereal 

• 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts

• 1 cup peanut butter chips

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/2 cup honey

• 2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with foil or parchment paper. Spray foil with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix cereal, peanuts, and peanut butter chips; set aside.

• In a large microwavable bowl, microwave peanut butter, honey, and butter uncovered on High for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the mixture is boiling and slightly thickened.

• Pour over cereal mixture in bowl; stir until evenly coated. Butter the back of a spoon, and press the mixture very firmly in the pan. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until firm enough to cut.

• For bars, cut into 4 by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Hard-Cooked (Hard-Boiled) Eggs

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs

Steps:

• In a 2-quart saucepan, place the eggs in a single layer. Add enough cold water until it is at least 1 inch above the eggs. Heat uncovered to boiling over high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover with lid; let stand for 15 minutes.

• Immediately pour off the hot water from the eggs, then run cool water over them in the saucepan until cool.

Tap each egg lightly on the kitchen counter to crackle the shell. Roll the egg between your hands to loosen, then peel starting at the large end. 
3. Supper

One-Skillet Chicken and Broccoli Dinner


Ingredients:
Chicken and Broccoli Dinner

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 12 to 18 ounces of boneless and skinless chicken breasts chopped into large bite-sized pieces

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 2 garlic cloves minced

• 1/2 cup yellow onion chopped

• 1/2 cup celery sliced

• 1/4 cup chicken broth or water

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos optional tamari or lite soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons vegetable Sriracha

High Protein Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner 


Ingredients:

• 2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 3 medium zucchini, spiralized

• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter or ghee, melted

• 6 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.

• In a small bowl, whisk butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.

• Place the shrimp and zucchini noodles onto a large baking sheet.

• Drizzle with garlic butter mixture and toss to combine.

• Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the shrimp is done.

• Divide the zucchini noodles evenly between serving plates and top with shrimps.

• Serve immediately.

Lean Beef Cheesesteak Skillet














Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ½ yellow onion, diced

• ½ green bell pepper, diced

• 1 pound lean ground beef [93% lean or leaner]

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• ½ cup beef broth

• 1 ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or large fry pan. Add onions and green bell pepper. Saute until tender, about 7-10 minutes.

• Add ground beef and cook until browned. Once the beef is cooked, add Worcestershire sauce, broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil.

• Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and serve immediately with whole wheat rolls or flatbread.

And there you go ladies some simple high-protein recipes to start with! I hope you enjoy it!