Princess Shoe Cubby DIY

My daughter is all girl. That meaning, she has just about everything princess dress up outfit there is and likely the shoes to go with it. After having no wear to store these shoes any place other then this box the original few came in (see below), I did what I usually do and brainstormed down to solve my problem while putting out the least money possible (and using other things to make something new).

This was NOT going to last us forever, or even remotely close to long enough and it was lacking enough cubbies. 

A long while back I had made a children's shoe cubby out of repurposed particle board, spindles from an old crib and mailer tubes. I think it was time for an upgrade. 

I save paints and spray paints and all kinds of things that i don't finish using on previous projects to use in the future, and I'm glad I do. That is how THIS came to be. I may need to add a few mailer tubes to increase overall shoe storage space, but until then. I'd say she LOVES it! 

Now what to do with all of those tiaras? Oh wait, you know I'm already all over that! ;) 

My Favorite Tea, It Just Speaks To Me

No long blog post right now. Though I have a lot on the brain to blurb all over this page, I don't have the time to write it out.  Oddly enough my craving for the yummy blueberry-ness that is my favorite tea called my name. Yogi Blueberry Slim Life Green Tea put it perfectly in just five little words.

I'm working on it Yogi. Thanks for the little reminder.
You can get your own Yogi Blueberry Slim Life Green Tea and this link HERE.
Right now (9/25/14) it's priced at $17.94 for a pack of 6 boxes with 16 bags in each. That's $2.94 per box, best price I've seen around!

Apple Crisp Dairy Soy Gluten Free and 21 Day Fix Approved

Apple Crisp

Super easy, few ingredients and very versatile. Can't beat that. You can slice, chop or even use an apple corer peeler to get the apples the way you want them. Leave the skins on? Sure if you want. Take them off? Ok, that will work too. The recipes calls for maple syrup, but I substituted that with raw agave syrup. I will ,90% of the time, opt for agave instead of syrup or honey (or sugar) as its effects on blood sugar are much less abrasive. If you aren't worried about blood sugar, then have at the maple syrup! This recipe is great either way. It's also 21 Day Fix Approved. You can find that breakdown HERE! Don't forget to find these recipes and follow my boards on Pinterest as well! 

Dairy Gluten and Soy Free Recipes 

21 Day Fix Recipes

Total Time:  38 min. 

Prep Time: 10 min.

Cooking Time: 28 min. (you may need less or more depending on how you like it)

Servings: 4 

Ingredients: 

4 cups apples, sliced (peeled or not, you decide)

3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup, divided use (this is where I used raw agave syrup, like the one here)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided use 

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (I use the gluten free oats from Trader Joe's)

1/4 cup finely chopped raw walnuts

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine apples, 2 Tbsp. maple syrup (or agave), and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon in a medium baking dish; mix well.  

3. In a seperate bowl combine oats, remaining 1 Tbsp. maple syrup, and the remaining 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.  

4. Top apple mixture with oat mixture.  Bake for 25 -30 mins or until apples are soft. 

This would be a great recipe to bring to a fall party or pot luck. Increase the amounts to double or triple. 

Enjoy. We did…we a little dab of coconut milk ice cream! 

Did you ever wonder what you should be when you grow up? Oh wait, I am grown up.

Have you ever thought good and hard about "What you WANT to be when you grow up?"  I have had a hard time recognizing what it was I was meant to do with myself. Until recently, when I chose Health and Fitness Coaching.  My job is not conventional, but then again, neither am I.  Never have been and likely, never will be.  Until having a long(isn) discussion about what I'm doing with myself with a close family member,  I felt like I knew I was doing the right thing for me, but when you have the most important people in your life questioning what you're doing, doubt it almost inevitable.  Is this "really" a career, is it the right "fit" for me? Doubt is only natural. I took this test and answered from my heart.  I can say I'm not surprised by what I have learned.   Below is a screen shot of my results.

First as an interest in work I'd like to do was being social. Big surprise. My Mom use to refer to me as a "social butterfly". Um, yup. Talking to people is fun for me. I like to meet new people and learn about them. Here is what www.mynextmove.org has to say about the social aspect: 

As you can imagine, the three major points of a social interest fit extremely well into what I "do" with myself now. I love teaching people healthier food options. I LOVE teaching people different things I have learned in the last 5 years of cleaning up my families diet and my health. I can not tell you the warmth I feel when someone messages me and tells me how my direction, my coaching, and my advice has helped them. 

My next strongest interest is Artistic. This was a given. See below picture:

 Creating "things" has been a passion of mine my entire life. It still is. I have just funneled that creative energy into creating a better, healthier lifestyle for my family. I love creating new documents to use for my coaching business. It's fun for me. It feels fulfilling. 

The third most influential interest for me would be Enterprising. I really don't think this trio could have been MORE perfect:

As a coach I "persuade" people all of the time. But not with my fabulous saleswoman skills, I lack those horribly. I fail all of the time at presenting my "product" and "closing the deal".  I'm not great at convincing someone I have a product they "need". What I AM good at is being there when someone is ready to learn, grow and make a positive change. Because, I was there once too. I "persuade" people to join me in choosing a healthier lifestyle by living it. By being proof that the products I choose to promote will change the way you feel, the way you look and the way you think about leading a healthier lifestyle.  Don't believe me? Check out my before and after pictures on my Facebook page, make sure to "Like" it to keep up with me, get healthy recipes and ideas. 

As if the three top interest in a career for me weren't perfect enough, check out the sixth line down on this list of careers that my interests match with. Funny…kind of looks like I'm moving in the right direction to me.

Want to take this test and get an idea of what YOUR career interests are? Find it here www.mynextmove.org  You may be surprised at what you learn about your career, and about yourself. 

PB Thai Chicken and Veggies (Gluten/Dairy/Soy Free) Clean Eating 21 Day Fixed Approved

PB Thai Chicken and Veggies*

What can I say about this recipe? Not much other then, it is GOOD! Light peanut butter flavor coats the broccoli slaw in a way that would make anyone want to eat the entire pan. So go ahead and do that, unless of course you're on The 21 Day Fix nutrition program, then use the guides in the picture to determine your categories.  Want to make this a double shot of greens? Double the broccoli slaw and you now have TWO greens per serving. Yup, so good.  

NOTE: This recipe originally had the option of using soy sauce, I took that out so this would be 21 Day Fix approved, however, if you are just making this because it's AWESOME, I recommend you use Bragg's Liquid Aminos, as a substitute. Bragg's Liquid Aminos is called an "All Purpose Seasoning" but it tastes just like Soy Sauce without all of the junk and actually has health benefits. But that information is for another post…onto the recipe!!! 

Serves: 4 

Ingredients: 

3 chicken breasts (or 12 oz.), cut into small chunks

2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/4 cup lite coconut milk, canned
2 limes, juiced
1 12oz. package of broccoli slaw (carrots and red cabbage included), pre-shred at your grocery store
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, I recommend Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
4 tsp. natural peanut butter
Chopped green onion and cilantro (I left the cilantro out because I didn't have any)

Instructions:
Heat a pan over medium-high heat (or a wok if you have one).
Add in oil and garlic, cooking for 1 minute.
Add chicken and cook until lightly browns, or about 2-3 minutes. Poor about half of the coconut milk over the chicken, set the rest aside.  Mix it to incorporate the milk in the juices from the chicken.
Add the lime juice and vinegar. Cover and cook until chicken is completely cooked through, stirring occassionally.
Add the entire package of broccoli slaw, and the rest of the coconut milk you set aside earlier. Cook through, stirring frequently.
Add in the peanut butter, stirring. Cook until slaw is soft but still firm.
Garnich with green onions and cilantro to taste and plate.

If you are not using this recipe in your 21 Day Fix arsenal, you have the option of using the Bragg's Liquid Aminos. If so, squeeze a small amount onto the serving on the plate! It is just TOO good.