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Showing posts from September 6, 2018

What I’m Loving Lately 120

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Hi, guys! Boy, did this week fly by with the Monday holiday and heading off to Des Moines this morning. I’m taking a quick trip for the Niman Ranch Farmers’ Appreciation Dinner. I actually attended this same event 8 (!!) years ago – back when I was interested in where my food came from, but now I’m REALLY interested in where my food comes from. I’m excited to experience the trip with a whole new perspective. If you’re on Instagram, I’ll be sharing my adventures on Stories, so be sure to tune in! And, of course, I’ll share on the blog next week! 🙂 Since it’s Friday and all, I wanted to share what I am loving this week. It’s quite the mix of newfound foodie favs + the usual mix of random finds that I am especially digging lately. Enjoy! The North Face Campshire Fleece Pullover – Once the temps drop in southern Massachusetts, I practically live in a cozy fleece jacket. Whether it’s heading to the gym, taking Murphy for a walk, or hitting the grocery store, this versatile jacket is

Clean Eating Garlic Broccolini Pasta Recipe

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This clean eating garlic broccolini pasta recipe is an easy dinner to make on a busy weeknight. My mom made this dish for me recently and I all but died and went to heaven. Even my son couldn’t stop… Read more → from The Gracious Pantry https://ift.tt/2MW832p

Our Decision to Have One Child

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Hi, friends! Ok, so it’s real talk time. I want to address something that’s been quite the hot topic on CNC lately: Whether or not Mal and I will have another child . It’s funny how when your making one of the most important decisions of your life, everyone else seems to have an opinion – and I mean everyone . From our own parents to the waitress, who served us at dinner last week, people feel the need to tell us why they think having one child is either a fantastic decision or an absolutely horrible one. Rather than be evasive or beat around the bush, I’m just going to say it right here – we probably will not have another child. While I’ll “never say never,” Mal and I have had countless conversations about this and have gone back and forth, and every time we ultimately agree that we’re happy with our little family as is. And that’s ok. I think there tends to be more shame and judgement over the decision to have one child than there is to make the choice to have multiple child

10 Delicious DIY Salad Dressings

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(This post is an update to an earlier post version.) A Big-Ass Salad , as you know, is a perfect main meal of the day. However, with a little creativity there’s no limit to how (or when) you can enjoy your favorite combination of vegetables, greens and more. While Primal Kitchen® now offers a literal rainbow of 11 ready-made dressings and marinades that are all natural, whole-food, and fully Primal choices (including vegan and Whole30®-approved options), there’s always room for DIY creativity to fit your favorite salad varieties. Check out these 10 Primal-worthy ideas—and share your own in the comment section. Enjoy! 1. Raspberry Vinaigrette This salad dressing is a summer classic. It’s tasty and refreshing—especially when paired with a salad of mixed baby greens, feta cheese and toasted walnuts. Ingredients: 1 cup of fresh or frozen (defrosted) raspberries 1/3 cup of Primal Kitchen® Extra Virgin Avocado Oil 2 Tbsp white wine 1/2 packet of stevia or monkfruit (or equivalen

Clean Up Your Beauty Routine: How To Find Safe Makeup & Cosmetics

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Years ago I took a hard look at all the beauty products I was using daily… everything from my shampoo, to my lotion, to my lipstick. I found that not only were most of them filled with controversial chemicals, but I was using way too many products that were not even necessary. That was a big wake up call. That’s when I decided to majorly clean up my beauty product routine. I started getting rid of risky products and slowly replaced them with the safest (and simplest) products I could find. I’m happy to say that now my daily routine is super simple and I feel so much better knowing I’m not slathering potentially cancerous chemicals on my skin day after day. Next time you’re walking down the makeup aisle at the drug store, pick up any cosmetic off the shelf – and you’ll likely find at least one ingredient that is linked to cancer.  Some cosmetics contain ingredients that damage the skin and end up making you look older. Pretty ironic for “beauty” products, right? That’s because

Baby Update: 30-33 Weeks

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Black hides it so well I getting SO excited that the end is near(ish). (Near = still likely 2 months away!) Now that I’ve gone on my last trip and September is here, I feel like we are in the home stretch. I have that “if he comes any time soon I am ready” feeling. I’m not sure I’m “pack-the-hospital-bag” ready, but maybe I should do that soon, just because. I know HE is not quite ready yet, and even though I get excited thinking about him coming sooner rather than later, I truthfully do want him to stay in there until my due date exactly because that would be best for his health.  Two new changes: 1) I suddenly feel huge. Like as huge as I was the day I delivered Mazen. (Is my memory just tricking me or am I bigger this time? I don’t know.) 2) Because his movements have been CRAZY lately! Very “baby like” and full of limbs and body parts! Early on the movements were more like little pokes and pops that weren’t all that human-like but now – mostly as of 32-ish weeks – I feel li