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I say life lately – but this is more of a brain dump!  (I started writing this post on Monday and it’s now Friday and I am finally getting around to hit the publish button)

Weekend Recap
We actually had a nice weekend.  Friday we were at a first birthday/Lohri party for a dear friend of mine’s daughter.  The party was at an Indian Banquet hall and I have to say it was so well done.  A play area for the kids, candy bar, amazing decor, well planned table games, even the entertainment was something new.  Although now I am more convinced to do a small intimate celebration for our Ellie.  I do feel kind of guilty for not doing the same things with both kids but I do have keep my sanity!

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Starting Meal-Prep
I did meal prep on the weekend in an effort to practice for the real deal in a few months.  Here is what I made:  Breakfast options included 2 days of oven baked omelettes, 2 days of green smoothies (to be paired with pb on toast), 1 day of oatmeal.  For mains I made slow cooker eggplant parmesan, buffalo cauliflower and we made a huge batch of brown rice.  Also I had a coconut chickpea stew in the freezer that I pulled out for dinner and lunch!  I’ve been eyeing these meal prep containers for over a year – I should just get them!

So what have I learned from meal prepping / using my slow cooker is that:

• Meal prep 2.5 mains for use during the week as lunches or dinners
• Prep veggies/legumes as the 0.5 for 1) above.  So things like the roasted cauliflower, roasted chickpeas, cooked black beans or steamed broccoli or peas (which I am doing next week).  These can be added to anything to make a meal more full (or to pasta or rice for kiddo meals).
• Make a big batch of grains for use during the week.  I like to add some to a big salad and it can obviously be used as a base.
• Prep some healthy snacks like energy bites or protein cookies (I didn’t do it this time but I will try next time)
• Have tons of sauces, spreads, toppings and garnishes on hand.  I made a ranch dressing out of mayo, milk, onion powder and dill – it was so good and I was quite impressed.  I hate buying store bought dressing to only use it once or twice and then have it be a complete waste.   Other things we have used this week: cilantro, hot sauce, roasted sesame seeds, almond butter, cacao nibs etc
• Plan your grocery run and make sure you have a list
• Do the groceries before the weekend (if you can).  I find it very tiring and impossible to do the groceries on the weekend with the kids in tow and then to some how find the time to prep the food.  I haven’t figured out when to make the food (right now it’s a little at night and little in the morning and lots in between) so having the food in the house gives me some leeway.

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Watching
I am heavy into some royal history on Netflix.  Reason being two fold – I find the modern royals fascinating and I get a history lesson along the way.

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Fitness
The mister and I are trying to find out new norm for working out.  Gone are the days where we could spend upwards of an hour at the gym.  Having kids changes everything.  Do cardio, resistance training, some abs and of course stretch all in one session.   We’ve realized the best we can do is 15 minute intervals.  So we are starting again, starting small and slow.

Reading
I just finished reading The Rushing Woman’s Syndrome.  It was actually a really great read for the point in my life where I am now.  I’d love to a review and share my favourite parts of the book in a later post (a girl can dream).  But after reading this book, I feel even more empowered to care for what I eat and how I treat myself #Selfcare.  I started reading Overdressed, and it’s already grabbed my attention.  And I still have to go back and finish reading Ishmael.

PS: All images are from Tumblr (credited as found)