Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

I mentioned on twitter the other day that I finally found a way to drink the almighty apple cider vinegar...without dying.  If you've ever tried it, you know that is no easy task.  Years ago I started trying to take a shot of it in the mornings, right as it was on the cusp of exploding into this "miracle liquid" many praise today.  I stood in my kitchen maybe on third day, tried to shoot it down my throat without tasting it and I inhaled and exhaled all the same time and it went down the wrong tube!  Now, we've all had this happen with water...can you imagine how it felt with VINEGAR?!  I actually thought, "This is it, this is how I die."  I could not breathe or catch my breath and I had a raspy voice the rest of the day.  

I tell you this tale as a precautionary tale....DO NOT take shots of straight ACV, you MUST dilute it!

Now that I've scared you sufficiently, let's stay with what type of ACV you should use.  Although it's easy to just buy the cheap store brand version, if you're going through the effort of drinking vinegar, at least make it worth it and grab the BRAGG's Organic kind.  Give it a shake before use.

To make your ACV drink:

1 Tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup

1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 Cup Pure Apple Cider

3/4 Cup Water

 Mix all ingredients well & if you're feeling crazy, sprinkle a tiny amount of cinnamon. 

Don't try to guzzle it all, I like to take 1 or 2 big gulps at a time to keep it from burning too much.

I love to drink this first thing in the morning.  You can look up all the amazing benefits, but for me personally, it helps with skin, metabolism, and stomach health.  I've tried a few different ways to drink ACV, and this is by far the most enjoyable yet still efficient way to get it in your system.

End of the Year Orange Treats

When I saw Eighteen25's "orange you glad it's summer" pun, I couldn't get it out of my head and knew I had to create my own version for some fun end-of-the-year treats.  Last year's treats were equally simple, but still delicious.  

 This time around, I took orange slices and dipped some in melted chocolate and sprinkled with just that tiniest amount of sea salt.  They taste JUST like those chocolate oranges you get around Christmastime.  Addicting as well.  I spray painted the tops green to mimic the orange on the tag stick on a simple tag to tie in the pun and boom!  Little effort, and big impact. 

Be sure you don't forget those bus drivers & aides, they deserve to be rewarding for dealing with your children all year, too!

The Garlands of Summer

In case you ever wondered what Summer would look like in garland form...this is it.  Watermelons, pineapples and rainbow bunting- that's what summer dreams are made of. 

Make 'em, stack 'em and enjoy your summer goodness.

The watermelons are made from 2 different sized circles, cut in half with seeds drawn right on.

The pineapples are cut using shape printed off from google and sized down to wallet-size.

The only thing that's missing is the smell of a bonfire at the beach....

Park Workout

This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser, EAS Sports Nutrition.  
#easbrand #PowerinProtein #collectivebias //   Photography by Trisha Shelley Photography

Today I'm sharing some quick exercises to help you get a workout in, even when you're not at home. It's almost like a multi-tasking workout, because I can workout while my son plays on the playground! While I was out running errands before the park, I stopped by Walmart to re-stock my favorite protein powder, EAS® 100% Whey Protein Powder.

 This has been my go-to protein for a few reasons, because it has the right amount of protein for me to get lean muscle (without looking like a body builder), and because there is no filler ingredients or added sugar to their whey protein. If you're an Ibotta user, EAS® 100% Whey Protein & EAS® AdvantEdge Carb Control.
Head to the park and start by stretching.  All of these moves can be done either by time (like a HIIT workout) or by reps.  If you do it by time, I recommed by starting some where between 45 seconds-1 minute, depending on what kind of fitness activity you're accostomed to.  If you do reps, try between 10-15.  It may not seem like much but when you do these workouts in 3-5 sets, you'll feel the burn!  You want the last set to feel harder than the first, so be sure to make those muscles work!

How To: Instead of doing regular push-ups, find a step and put your hands on it and pushup. 

How To: Don't move from that step yet! Get some cardio in by hopping up and touching one foot at a time to the step. (Do for a set amount of time or certain number of reps.)

How To: My park happens to have a sidewalk all the way around the playground, so it makes it easy to do some leg work while still keeping an eye on my son.  

These can be forwards or backwards walking lunges.

How To: Another great leg workout, side step and squat into a wide stance with feet turned out.

How To: Find the money bars and hang then lift up both legs to a 90 degree angle, lower & repeat.

How To: If your playground has some of the soft ground or grass, sit down and work those abs!  I like Russian Twist because I don't have to completely lay down on the ground.  Lift legs up to a 90 degree angle and with hands together, twist side to side engaging those ab muscles.

 Once you've finished your workout, be sure to use your protein to help your body recover faster, because it's not easy chasing kids around with sore legs for days!

 Park workouts are a great way to get in your excercise while your kids are having fun as well, and EAS® Protein Powder helps me keep in line with a busy life while still trying to stay in shape.

Check out the New NBC Show S.T.R.O.N.G where EAS® products will be featured on the June 2nd episode. (9pm EST 8pm CST)  //    Photography by Trisha Shelley Photography

Boy Bedroom: Bed Details

Back in February I shared my son's updated boy bedroom with the promise of details and tutorials to come. And finally here in May I'm getting started on them for you! 

His bed prompted it all, when we finally had to move his giant tall body into a twin bed.  We got the frame and headboard from craigslist (win!), and and painted it with chalk paint and roughed it up before finishing, in a way that would make even Joanna Gaines proud.

In these pictures, he has his winter sheets on, which I got at Target this year.  They happened to fit together seamlessly with his comforter.  The navy rugby stripe comforter is also from Target online & also is available in other colors! 

I'm still on the hunt for a bed skirt that's long enough & the perfect navy to match. And of course I had to string up some felt balls from the wonderful Hello Maypole and a marquee letter from Heidi Swapp at Michaels for his nightlight. 

The red stripe pillow is made by me and the easy tutorial is right here so you can make your own. 

And that's the breakdown of his bed!  I can't wait to share everything else with you like his gallery wall, decals & his fun curtain pulls.  Keep an eye out for plenty more details & tutorial posts.

Summer Roadtrip Essentials

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerCarCare #CollectiveBias

With the start of summer, comes the start of roadtrips. We've already got a few planned and for me (and my sanity), it's essential to be prepared. So I've gotten a jump on it and started with the most important thing for any trip...the car! 

I stopped by Walmart to grab a few things for the inside of our car, including a new FRAM Extra Guard Air Filter. (find the right one for your car here)

Living in Arizona, we're no strangers to dust and a clean filter prevents dirt and dust from entering and damaging the engine. Damaged engine = no fun summer road trips.
Air filters are the engine's first line of defense, so it's super important to keep your filter clean to increase acceleration, horsepower, and improve overall engine performance.

Replacing it is super simple, and doesn't take more than a few minutes.  You see the difference in those filters?! Yikes....sorry car.  Pop in the new FRAM Extra Guard filter and pop the cover back on.

 Once we were done with that I stuffed a little bag full of essentials to keep in the car.  Wet wipes, tissues, a little first-aid kit (including some tylenol & tums), hand sanitizer, a flashlight, and a few grocery bags to throw any trash in.

Keeping this handy bag in the car will keep our trips running smoothly, while our clean engine runs smoothly to get us to our fun summer adventures!

Mother's Day Keychain

I'm so ready to bask in the love and relaxation of Mother's Day.  But if you still have to cross off gifts for the most wonderful day ever, I've got 2 easy ideas using the same concept- wooden beads painted by a cute little grandchild! (I also learned the importance of lighting control when using an apparently temper-mental background color??)

I happened to have these items on hand, but they can all be bought at your local craft store.

 Start by knotting one end of your leather cord tightly, this will be the bottom of the keychain.

 Slide on those wood beads, that your cute kid(s) painted with specifically selected colors.

 Loosely knot the top, and before tying tightly, slide on your keyring & tassel.

 Now pull taught and trim the excess cord. BOOM. 

So simple, easy, not tacky and way cuter than those awful puzzle piece pins we always came home from school with for my mom.  

....thanks for taking one for our self-esteem and wearing those to church, Mom.