Little Southern Life

Healthy Food Ideas (what I like to eat right now)

Leave a Comment

Hands down, healthy meal and snack ideas, are one of the most asked about topics from my followers. I can see why because it’s something that I am constantly changing in our diets. Before I transitioned to a healthier lifestyle, I was the queen of cheap and fast food items! The dollar menu was my jam and I could have carried less about the nutritional value. Now that I’m older and wiser (ha) I get to share the many things that I’ve learned along the way and what my go-to meal and snacks are right now.

A few years ago, when I started my blog, one of the first things that I did was a Healthy Living Series (to find this series, go to my ‘search’ tab and type in “health series.”) This series was made to break down how I transitioned over to a healthier lifestyle. I know that many of you were able to use the structure that I did to transition over as well. I’ve honestly moved away from writing blogs like that because they do take up so much of my time but I know that it’s something many of ya’ll are interested in and it’s IMPORTANT for everyone to know.

Living in the country definitely has it’s perks but meal choices outside of my home are not one of them. I know that not having a Panera Bread or Fresh Market down the road makes it a lot easier to stay strict about eating at home. Many of you aren’t limited to quick and easy meals to pick up so it’s a lot easier to steer off course. Even I find myself eating out A LOT if I allow myself too. It’s just something that draws us like a moth to a flame. So, I have to set boundaries with myself and say that once or twice a week I’ll have a vacation meal at my favorite restaurant or drive through. Sometimes that’s Kindbelly and randomly it’s Starbucks (yes, I do have one every now and then!) but I always give myself a LIMIT of 1 or 2 per week so I can stay on track with my food choices.

I shop once a month at Costco and every weekend at Walmart. Yes, you did hear me correctly, I said Walmart. I don’t have the luxury of living near a Kroger, Fresh Market or Aldi so Walmart has become my go-to and their variety of healthier and organic choices will surprise you. I’ve also found that the store manager is more apt to ordering different things outside of the normal for me if I make it a point to ask for them a few times a month. Walmart doesn’t have EVERYTHING I would like to get (like organic creamer — I end up using coconut milk and it works just the same) so I just skip it until I randomly make it to the beach and pick it up. So, for the most part, I am at home with all three kids so you can find me making healthy meals that are EASY AND QUICK to make. Healthy, easy and quick meals are the key words I use to find new recipes on Pinterest, haha! Here’s a few things that are on rotation in our house right now.

BREAKFAST

scrambled or fried eggs, fresh fruit and jelly toast
oatmeal with honey or maple syrup, nuts and fruit
granola cereal with coconut milk
greek yogurt with honey or maple syrup, nuts and fruit
blueberry zucchini muffins (from Costco)
Kodiak Pancake Mix pancakes with blueberries or bananas with maple syrup

LUNCH

salad with beets, turkey slices, cucumbers and guacamole
boiled eggs and avocado toast
chicken salad with half mayo and greek yogurt or avocado
fried eggs and vegetables
quinoa salad with fresh vegetables

DINNER

maple balsamic glazed chicken with baked sweet potato cubes
honey baked salmon with ZOODLES and corn
tacos with lettuce wraps and cilantro black bean quinoa
turkey and spinach meatballs with red sauce and ZOODLES
“chicken bog” with shredded chicken, chicken sausage and freekah
turkey burgers with cauliflower rice and stir fry veggies

SNACKS

pistachios
a protein smoothie
CLIFF Z Bars
Square Organics Bars
Fresh fruit
veggies and hummus
cucumbers and tomatoes with salt and pepper
sweet potato with honey and vanilla bean ghee

My Makeup Routine with Three Little’s

Leave a Comment


undefined
undefined
undefined
undefined
undefined
undefined
undefined

dress | shoes | makeup

As a mom, I tend to put myself last. Everything that I try to do for myself always falls to the back burner and I end up tapped out and raising my white flag. I rarely get out of yoga pants and a comfy vneck tshirt but when I do decide to leave the house, I am thankful for a quick makeup routine that helps me look a little less like a mombie. When Derrek and I actually had a date (these don’t happen enough and I want to make sure we do this more often) last weekend, I was able to dress up and go out with my man. My makeup and outfit was on point – to the point that he couldn’t quit telling me how beautiful I looked. #winning

Let me tell you about an amazing company that I aligned myself with. This company is called Beautycounter. Beautycounter launched four years ago in the US. Our goal was to create a business that got products into the marketplace that are high-performing and significantly safer for your health. We believe that we are the leader in safe personal care, beauty and now baby products as well. The assumption is always that because it’s safer, it doesn’t perform. I think we are a true testament that you can have beautiful, luxurious products. We set out feeling that women were always being asked to compromise on either efficacy or safety, and we’re saying it doesn’t need to be that way.

The traditional department store brands that we’ve all known and loved are highly effective, chic, sexy, on-trend—and they are filled with all these chemicals that are banned elsewhere. When I say “elsewhere,” I mean the EU, for example, has banned 1,400 ingredients from all personal care products. The United States has only banned 30. And Canada has banned somewhere between 600 and 700. While you’re much further ahead than the US, you’re still behind where the EU is.

I joined this revolutionary movement after transitioning to a non toxic lifestyle and being lied too about all the “organic” and “non toxic” products I invested in. Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home. There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today. Many don’t have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skin care and beauty industry.

I have fallen in love with the FIVE MINUTE FACE routine by Beautycounter. I didn’t realize before this promo launched that this was my routine anyway, but having an actual name for it, helps me share it with my friends and family. I swear by this easy and QUICK makeup routine that breathes life into my tired #momface. The 5-Minute Face set includes six safer, high-performing products: Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation, Touchup Skin Concealer Pen, Color Define Brow Pencil, Lengthening or Volumizing Mascara, Powder Blush Duo, and Lip Gloss. This is available for $148 and is a $194 value. Ya’ll, this is HUGE! Especially because with every order of $150 or more, from now until August 31st, 2017, you will receive a FREE Matte Bronzer No. 1 and a Blush Brush. If you have any questions about what products would work best for you, please email me and let me help you! Here is a link to a video that explains how to apply these products by skin tone. Watch more how-to videos by skin tone.

Life With Three Kids

Leave a Comment

Being a mom isn’t all butterflies and rainbows. It’s hard. Especially when you don’t have a family that helps and gives you a break every now and then. When I was a year old, my parents got a divorce so, I’ve never known what a solid family dynamic was. As I type this, I have tears in my eyes because it overwhelms me with emotions. Something that is very important to me, is that my kids don’t grow up the way that I did.

For many reasons, we live an attachment parenting lifestyle. This is a parenting philosophy that proposes methods which aim to promote the attachment of mother and infant not only by maximal maternal empathy and responsiveness but also by continuous bodily closeness and touch. I love my three little kids so much and I know that this lifestyle best suits our families needs but does that mean that sometimes I wish I had my own space? Yes. Raising children isn’t a black and white issue, everything about it has so many different steps and sides to think about before making any major decisions and for some reason other people like to come out of the woodwork and tell you what they think you should do with your kids.

I get asked questions by other mothers all the time about how we field those questions and negative statements and honestly sometimes they do hurt. Sometimes they make me so mad I feel like a cartoon character with steam coming out of my ears and my head is bright red. Then I realize that I am my children’s mother and whatever I think is appropriate for them is the final say. Not what “aunt Wanda” says or the lady that stops me in the store to tell me how full my hands must be. Unless someone is actively helping you raise your kids, you have no one to answer to but yourself and your spouse.

As a I look back on my motherhood journey, I see so many things that I’ve changed from being a mom of my first baby to now having three. I’m a little more laid back, confident and appreciative than I used to be. I have finally found a wonderful lady named Mrs. Winnie that comes and plays with the kids while I work from home three days a week for a few hours. But other than that it’s me and the kids 24/7. Sometimes I long for a little “me time” and there is nothing wrong with that. It makes me excited for the future and moving to a bigger city where I could run out to go do yoga or grab lunch with girlfriends.

Regardless where you’re at in your motherhood journey, allow yourself and your kids grace. Focusing on being present and having more patience will help you so much and your kids will only flourish from the positive attention.

We LOVE this IVVI Nuna stroller. I use it daily when I go on a walk and when I am out and about running errands with the kids. If you’re in the market for one, this is an investment but well worth it!

Healthy Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Leave a Comment

This is a partnered post with Blendtec and Rootz Nutrition. All opinions are my own. Please read my disclaimer page for more information.

Ohhhhhhhh ya’ll! Last weekend I made banana nut bread for the first time, FROM SCRATCH, and not only was it was easier than I thought it would be, it was so delicious! Seriously, my kids inhaled that bread so quickly, it made me wonder why I didn’t make three more! I began searching for a healthy banana nut bread recipe after getting a craving to have some. See, in the South, we don’t grow up eating “healthy” so all the banana nut bread recipes I had from my grandmother and mom were made with really unhealthy ingredients. After looking around on Pinterest, I found one that I was confident I wouldn’t mess up and decided to give it a try. It’s SO good, I have been making them and giving them as gifts to friends, family and teachers. I posted about this on my instastories last weekend and ya’ll asked me many questions about my recipe so here it is. I added all of the ingredients to my Blendtec blender to make it super easy. The entire process takes me less than 5 minutes to prep. Harper is in LOVE with our blender and asks me to “help” all of the time so she actually pressed the button and did all of the work, haha. If you decide to try my recipe, please let me know how you like it!

Ingredients:
-3 mashed bananas (I like to use really ripe bananas)
-1 teaspoon of baking soda
-1 teaspoon of vanilla
-1 teaspoon of cinnamon
-3 eggs
-1/2 cup of oats
-1/4 cup honey
*optional: 1 scoop of Rootz Nutrition Paleo Protein Superfood Chocolate Banana Nut Powder, 1 handful of walnuts, 1 handful of blueberries*

Recipe:
-preheat oven to 350 degrees
-combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth
-pour into greased oven safe baking dish
-cook for 45 minutes
-cool and enjoy!

Blendtec is excited to announce their VIP Sale starting today, 5/17, and running through 6/18! Save up to $180 OFF on select NEW Blendtec Models with our VIP pricing! In addition, FREE Shipping in US and CA.  With Summer just around the corner, a new Blendtec will be perfect for all those great Summer Smoothie Recipes!

Be still my heart!

Leave a Comment



Valentine’s Day is almost here y’all! Who else is getting pumped about all the hearts and candy? Nolan loves any excuse to celebrate, and ever since we walked into Target a few weeks ago and he saw the décor everywhere, the questions have come back-to-back! I love hearing the excitement he builds up about celebrating, and once I explained that he can give out Valentine’s to his friends, he’s been all about this holiday. When I was a kid I used to LOVE the chalky candy hearts with messages written on them, but I have since learned those little candies and others are packed with processed sugars and other yucky ingredients. Like Halloween, Easter, and Christmas, a sugar overload can be a problem on Love Day. Since this holiday is promoted with sweets, it’s hard to keep the toxic candy away from the little ones. For kids who react badly to sugar, chocolate, or dyes, this can mean trouble.  It  can also be tempting for those of us who have to avoid these things in our diet.  A few years ago, I was battling a pretty intense sweet tooth while trying to detox from processed foods. I found the YumEarth brand of organic lollipops during a trip to my local Homegoods, and I’ve been a lover of their candy ever since. I keep their ginger chews in my purse for when a nausea wave hits. I also keep a few sweet treats for the kids to bribe them when I have a prenatal appointment or have to go run errands.



This post is a collaboration with YumEarth for their Valentine’s Day candy. The founders of YumEarth are two dads with young children who created this line of organic candy because they wanted to make sure the treats their kids get are filled with HONEST foods versus junk. I have a soft spot for family run businesses and this company stole my heart years ago! Now they make gummies, fruit snacks, licorices, lollipops and other treats that aren’t just organic but filled with vitamins and nutrients for your littles. All of their products skip the yucky food dyes and are colored with fruits, vegetables and roots – how cool is that? I cannot say that I have found another candy company that takes their ingredients as seriously as YumEarth! YumEarth organic pops not only have 100% Daily Vitamin C per serving, but they are also certified organic, have real fruit extracts, are kosher, and have no gluten, tree-nuts, peanuts, GMO’s, dairy, soy, or artificial colors/dyes.

Nolan really wanted to help put his Valentine’s together -aka he wanted to eat as much candy as he could while I put them together, ha! I decided to let him and Harper indulge in a sucker and gummies while I took a sucker and a packet of gummies and taped them together with pink washi tape so he can pass them out to his friends. He is so excited about giving out Valentine’s this year. He keeps asking me if we can go drop them off at their houses today! As a mom, it’s really important to me to take care of my body as well as our children’s. There are so many yucky ingredients hiding in the foods that most kids ingest every day, so researching and finding better options for our family has become a HUGE part of my life. I am so happy that during my healthy food journey that I came across the YumEarth candy brand so the kids don’t miss out on sweet treats!

Nolan and Harper just got their new shirts in from Swanky Shank so it only seemed fitting for them to try them on before our Valentine’s Day mini shoot next week. I LOVE holiday décor and there’s never a better excuse to dress them up in cute clothes than the holidays! Swanky Shank has become my go-to handmade shop for cute holiday shirts, the quality of their materials are so cute and I love how unique each design is.