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Friday, October 31, 2014

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Our Newborn Must Haves...

Those cheeks lol
 
Bringing home a baby is seriously hard work lol.

I'm not sure if we were fully prepared but who really ever is? It's definitely lots of work to figure out what baby needs and what her cries are....you are in pure survival mode for at least the first month and a half or so.

Anyways....here are a few items we could not live without.
 

As a newborn...
The Rock N Play - the only thing she would sleep in. She hated lying flat on her back...I believe because of the reflux. She didn't really care for the bassinett we got until now at 3 months.

 

Swing - she was usually in this during the day time.

 

Lots of bibs and burp cloths - you will go they so many...especially since Rea has reflux...sometimes two or three a feeding 😁
 
 
Swaddle blankets - not the SwaddleMe Velcro kind - I originally bought a TON of these instead of the regular Swaddle blankets BUT she had to have her arms out AND she was a hot box. I say if you try them...just buy one package and then more if you need and baby likes them


 

Fav Bottles are Playtex - they are super easy! No cleaning the inside of a bottle...just the nipple and screw on lids! we tried Dr. Brown but I hated them and Rea seemed to like the Playtex better too.
 
 
Soothing Sound Machine - she can't sleep without it!

 

 


At around 2 months...
Bouncer - she loves watching cartoons in this and keeps her occupied for just a little bit...especially since her naps are getting shorter and shorter. I got mine at Ross for $20.



Obviously every baby is different but these were our most used items.
What items were a necessity to your family?

Have a great day!
manda
http://forloveofacupcake.blogspot.com/p/meal-plans.html
 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Fitness 101 - Meal Prepping

 
 
I think the first thing to conquer when trying to eat healthy is
learn how to meal prep.

Here are a few tips to help you:

- Pick a day...I usually choose Sunday for the big prep and Wednesday to cook more veggies and carbs. This will take at least an hour or two depending on how much you need to prep.

- Make a list of what you want to cook and ingredients needed.

 





- Buy a food scale and use measuring cups. If you eyeball your portions...you're probably eating too much.

- Cook in Bulk. I cook tons of meat once a week and freeze in baggies. I usually grill about 9 pounds of chicken and lean beef (maybe more?) and freeze for use throughout the week. I package individual servings into baggies. Servings are about 4oz for me and 6-8oz for dudes. I use this meat for quesadillas, tacos, sweet potato nachos, stir frys or whatever else your creative mind can think of.




- Roast your veggies and cook your healthy carbs a couple times a week. Good veggies to use are asparagus, bell pepper (red,green,yellow), Brussels sprouts, carrots, zuchinni, squash. Good carbs to use are sweet potatoes, make sweet potato fries, red potatoes, rice cakes, rice




- Prep your Tupperware and snacks for 3 days worth. If you have it there and ready...it's easy to grab and eat. Choose a protein, a carb and veggie plus a healthy fat

- Have healthy snacks on hand. Some of my favs are hummus with pretzels or veggies, Quest Bars ( vanilla, cookies n cream and raspberry white Choco are really good), string cheese, red jello, rice cakes topped with almond butter, greek yogurt sweetened with fruit

- Buy a good protein powder to make shakes or smoothies. I like Beverly International Casien in Vanilla.

- Keep it simple. The more you try to prep...the more overwhelming it will feel. If you don't want your prepped meals for dinner....try making quesadillas with your prepped chicken or steak...and make an extra to have a leftover.


 

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Once you try meal prepping a few times...you get the hang of it and it becomes easier and easier. It can be a little overwhelming at first but hopefully these tips can help you get started. 
 

Feel free to ask me any questions about meal prepping
and I will be happy to answer! Eating healthy is an important part of any weight loss journey.


Hope this gets you started in the right direction.
Have a great day!
Manda
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http://forloveofacupcake.blogspot.com/p/meal-plans.html

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Halloween Costume - Easy DIY

I decided to make Rea a costume this year...something low budget.

I was scouring thru pinterest and came across a few prospects until I decided on Pocahontas!



Most of these items are from Hobby Lobby or Esty.

 
I actually used two rolls of tulle.
 
to start the tutu...
cut a ribbon long enough to go around baby's waist.
cut the tulle into sections of about 14 inches long
 
take each piece of tulle ( I used 3 at a time for a fuller tutu) and fold in half. place it under the ribbon and loop it thru to make a knot around ribbon
 


and that's it!

 
I can't wait to see what Rea looks like on Halloween!
 
have a great day!
manda
 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Fitness 101 - Intro

 
I am no expert when it comes to fitness but my hubby and I...we do have a lot of practice under our belts!


I figured I would try at least once a week or at least every two weeks (depending on how much blogging I can do) try to give you tips on exercising and eating healthy. Would you be interested? 

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Well lately...I've been struggling with making it to the gym and eating healthy...I'll be doing good for a few days and then the next day I'm scarfing down a jar of icing or 3 big bagels in one sitting. Yeah. I know. The horror. It's ok...haven't we all been there at some point? No? Ok then.

Before I became pregnant...I was probably in some of the best shape ever...I had somewhat of a six pack, I was lean, and I felt great!


 


During my pregnancy...I ate whatever I wanted and now I'm paying for it. I gained 40 pounds. I lost 20 right off the bat....then 10 and now I have 8 pounds to go...3 months after giving birth. 

The below was week 34 and 39 of my pregnancy.


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Some topics I will discuss are meal prepping, exercises for certain muscle groups and healthy recipes.


Right now....I am offering customized meal plans...
CLICK HERE for more info.
80% diet and 20% gym!

What are some things you would like to see in these posts?
my next post will be about meal prepping.
 
Have a great day!
Manda


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Oh POOP...


If someone would have told me that when I have a child...I would be obsessed with their poop....I would've said "oh gross, you're kidding me right....what the heck". 

Well....when you have a kid....you WILL be obsessed with their poop...probably covered in poop and definitely smelling poop.

Has she pooped today?
How many times?
What time was it?
Was it a big poopy diaper?
What color?
Was it runny or thick?
Oh man...she hasn't pooped in a day.
Here...let me massage your little tummy so you can hopefully poop.


POOP POOP POOP
it's no joke...

Happy Monday yall!
Manda

Hello Blog World

Hello here!


It has been quite a while since I've blogged obviously and it was a much needed break!

Blogging at become like a job...i'd sacrifice family time just to make sure I had that blog post ready.

I don't plan on writing every day that's for sure but since I'm home....if I happen to have some free time....I may write a post here and there.

Why am I home...you ask!?!?
Well...if you follow me on instagram....you already know!


Eric and I have a new addition to our family...a little girl named Reaghan Elizabeth. And we couldn't be happier!


She is already 3 months old and growing so fast and She looks just like her dad (from the nose up anyway)!




Parenthood is definitely rewarding and a lot of work at the same time but she is worth it, for sure!

I'll be back soon...just wanted to introduce our new addition and step my foot back into the blogging world!

Xoxo
Manda