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For the love of Mac N Cheese

As I’ve gotten older, I noticed that carbs make me tired and sluggish. So I really try to limit the amount I eat. But I love macaroni and cheese! It’s my ultimate comfort food! So when a good friend sent me a link to Jack Daniels Bacon Mac N Cheese, I knew I was going to have to make it {especially if I couldn’t find it at any restaurant near by}.

There are lots of recipes for bacon mac and cheese, but the recipe by The Slow Roasted Italian is what stopped my scroll!

If this mac n cheese clip doesn’t make your mouth water, I’m not sure we can be friends!

So, truth? I’m not a foodie or an amazing cook. But I can hold my own, and once in a while I actually like to make the millions of recipes that I see on Facebook or that I pin to my Pinterest Boards. On a whim, I decided I was going to try making this. At the time, I couldn’t pull up the actual recipe fast enough, so I got the ingredients based on the video, without knowing how much I actually needed. Also, the Trader Joe’s I was at didn’t have the exact ingredients, so I bought similar substitutions. In my head I figured you really can’t go wrong with this one. It’s cheese, bacon, and Jack Daniels. I could eat that in a bowl as is!

These are the cheeses I ended up with…

bacon mac n cheese

And the Hubs brought this Jack Daniel’s home, which was a Honey whiskey. I figured it would give it the same taste as having maple or candied bacon. I was not disappointed.

jack daniels

 

The recipe says you can prep your spices & shred your cheese while the bacon cooks. I would suggest doing it before you start. For me, once my pan got hot, even on low heat, the bacon cooked fast and I had to watch it to make sure it wouldn’t burn. The other problem I had while cooking the bacon was trying not to sneak a few pieces to munch on.

If you succeed in getting ALL the bacon on a plate without snacking, the only conclusion I can come up with is that you’re either a vegetarian or not human.

bacon

I think this picture is missing about a quarter cup of bacon bits.

 

The rest of the recipe came together pretty well. To feed a bigger group you can double the recipe, which is what I did. But I kept the same ratio for the chili paste because I didn’t want as big of a kick. I might even leave it out next time. It’s just not a flavor I needed in my mac n cheese.

bacon mac n cheesebacon mac n cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bacon mac n cheese

 

For me the final result was a total win! The members in my family who love mac n cheese loved it too! This is one of those dishes that I would sneak to the refrigerator at midnight to eat–even cold!

If you’ve tried this dish or have a favorite mac n cheese recipe, please comment below! I am always looking for yummy macaroni & cheese dishes (and friends who share in the love❤️)

bacon mac n cheese

Jack Daniels Bacon Mac N Cheese

Enjoy this recipe from The Slow Roased Italian, over and over! If you are looking for the perfect comfort food for all your senses, this Jack Daniel Bacon Mac & Cheese is it!
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins

Ingredients
  

  • ½ tsp kosher salt + more for pasta water
  • 12 oz Hickory smoked peppered bacon uncooked
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ cup Jack Daniel's Whiskey
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon New Mexico chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili pepper paste
  • ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 ounces extra sharp cheddar white, shredded
  • 2 ounces smoked provolone cheese shredded
  • 2 ounces Asiago cheese shredded
  • 8 oz dry elbow pasta
  • croutons garnish

Instructions
 

  • Bring an 8 quart covered pot filled with water to a boil over high heat. Once it boils, add a handful of salt and pasta. Reduce heat to medium high and cook uncovered to al dente (has a bite to it). Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile warm a large 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Using clean kitchen shears cut bacon into bite size pieces over the skillet and let them to fall into the pan. Stir occasionally as needed. Cook until crisp.
  • While the bacon is cooking, shred cheeses and prepare remaining ingredients.
  • Once bacon is cooked through, remove bacon to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings and discard the rest. Wipe the side of the skillet to avoid flame ups.
  • Pour reserved bacon drippings back into the skillet over medium heat and add butter. Once melted add flour and whisk to combine. Add spices, chili paste, Worcestershire, whiskey and chicken broth. Whisk to combine. Allow to come to a bubble for 3 minutes, whisking occasionally to help pick up the bits on the bottom of the pan. Add milk. Whisk to combine. Bring back to a bubble and add cheeses. Stir until cheese is melted and smooth.
  • Add pasta to sauce and stir to combine. Add bacon. Cook pasta in sauce for 5 minutes over medium heat until sauce thickens and the pasta has a chance to absorb some of the sauce.
  • Sprinkle with croutons, if desired.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Jack Daniel's substitions: You can use beer, bourbon, or chicken broth for best results

 

bacon mac n cheese

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The lessons I learned in direct sales

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Working in Direct Sales is great for someone who wants to create their own work schedule but not have all the responsibility of dealing with wholesalers or the overhead of a brick and mortar store. {Getting the products you love at a discount is a bonus too!} If you’re serious about making your business a success, you can learn a lot about running a business with a fraction of investment costs as most entrepreneurs by getting into direct sales. I am amazed at all the skills I learned from the year and a half I poured myself into my business, but I definitely didn’t start out that way.

I was so excited to start my journey as an independent representative for Agnes & Dora. Honestly my “why,” for joining, was purely for me. By the time my youngest was heading off to school full-time, I had been a stay-at-home mom for 15 years. The experience was both a blessing and a curse. Being available for my family when they needed me was great. But I was also the go-to person for everything related to the kids, school, cooking, cleaning, all their activities. I was ready to do something for myself! 

While I learned many lessons as a full-time mom of 4, surprisingly organization and time-management were not my strong points. And once I started my small business, I got my butt kicked!

Even though I was working for my self, and could essentially set my hours, I had a hard time balancing this new adventure and still trying to do everything I was doing as a mom. It was so challenging for me, not only to adjust my schedule, but learning to run a business for the first time. I tried to learn all the new apps and software for graphics. I joined many Facebook groups for business help and inspiration. Learning a new product and trying to promote yourself was very time-consuming. I was spending more time on my phone and less with my family. Many times I was completely discouraged and ready to give up.

Yet, eventually, I actually learned “the ropes” of the business.

I got the hang of all the apps and programs I downloaded so that making graphics and scheduling posts weren’t as difficult as they used to be. My group was small and manageable, and I was getting shoppers. My social strategies were starting to click, thanks largely in part to Brenda Ster of the Socialite Suite. In fact, I still follow her paid premium group even though I no longer work my Agnes & Dora business because the group and the friendships I’ve established are worth it to me. 

 

lessons in direct sales

So what would I tell someone who is completely new to direct sales and wanting to get off the ground running? Lots really!

 

But here are 7 things I wish I would have known when getting into a direct sales business:

 

1. Your product does NOT sell itself.

Hopefully you were not told this by your upline or your company. The product you sell may be amazing, and you may have watched other representatives sell so successfully that you were inspired to join the company too. Even if your products are part of some craze that everyone wants to be a part of, and you are lucky to be in at the right time, you should know that at some point the hype will die down. If you are looking to kill it in your industry, prepare to put in the work–market yourself, be creative with obstacles, and put in time to build relationships with customers (without being spammy).

2. Have a physical support.

Whether it’s your spouse, significant other, parent, child, sibling, or bestie, having someone close to you who understands what your goals are for this business and is truly supportive is a blessing. Being self-employed is hard. Unless you have a business partner, you are the CEO, the personal relations manager, the financial operator, the tech support—you are everything. Having someone to turn to is extremely  helpful. You also may need someone for child care, a sounding board for ideas, business advice, or even as a temporary employee. It is not impossible to be a business owner on your own, but if you have someone in your corner physically willing to help you, your success is so much more achievable.

3. If you don’t have experience in business, you might benefit from coaching. 

There are so many business groups and coaches out there for all areas of direct sales. Prices range from free to thousands of dollars for coaching. Start with your company and your team trainings. It’s in their best interest to see you succeed, and these trainings will also help you learn the products if you are not familiar with them. Look for local business groups that cater to owners in your city. This is great if you want to physically meet up and talk. You can find many coaches and groups on Facebook as well. Again, I highly recommend Brenda Ster’s Socialite Suite, a free group specializing in attraction marketing and social media strategies. Or join The Elite Suite, which is a paid subscription and covers in-depth coaching topics with Brenda, tips, ideas, suggestions for your business, and an active community of entrepreneurs to help each other. Don’t feel like you have to pay for training unless you find worth in it. But definitely try out a few groups and see which ones resonate with you.

4. Have a business plan and budget. 

Because my boutique started as a hobby and not for the income, I didn’t see this as a necessity. However looking back, writing down some initial goals, financially and professionally, would have given me something more tangible to work for than “to just make some money,” and I would have been more successful. If you need this job as income, then you absolutely have to have a plan. You need to know how much money you need to make every month and then have a plan for how to achieve that goal. How much do you need to sell? What is your overhead costs? What supplies will you need? You can find printables all over the internet to help you figure this out. Write down your intentions and necessities so you have, at least, a baseline to strive for.

5. Schedule Schedule Schedule!

Schedule work hours for yourself! If you don’t set boundaries you will find yourself answering customer’s questions at family events or making graphics at 2am. Eventually you will burn out, or tensions start building in your family or you start resenting the business. You wouldn’t expect a small brick and mortar boutique to stay open 24 hours. Don’t expect yourself to do it all 24 hours a day.

And along with setting hours, following a daily or weekly schedule is an excellent idea too. Planning your day or week ahead of time helps keep you focused on the tasks you absolutely need to get done. Having a planner, paper or digital, is great for organizing schedules and for accountability.

6. Learn Social Media Shortcuts

There are many apps and programs designed to make your life easier. There are graphic programs like PicMonkey or Canva that once you take the time to learn them, creating templates of posts will be quick and easy. Get the mobile versions so that you can do a little work away from your desk too. Then use programs like Cinchshare & Tailwind to schedule your posts ahead of time. Even Facebook has a scheduling tool. You can be present on your social media platforms without having to think about it simply by doing it ahead of time!  This is such a game changer especially if you are great at batching out as much work as possible, like social media posts or YouTube videos, all at once. Then you can get them scheduled and not have to worry about it for a while. This helps you feel a bit more accomplished and you aren’t trying to always come up with content for your social channels at the last-minute!

7. Mindset inspiration.

I wish I had taken this advice more seriously. In the beginning, you’re pumped up and ready to start your new business. But chances are at some point you will feel frustrated or down. There will be a lull in momentum or an obstacle you weren’t expecting. It is easy to fall into comparison traps and negative thoughts when things aren’t going as planned. Listening to podcasts or by having inspirational quotes and images around you helps build your confidence during those times you feel like giving up. Creating a vision board that depicts what you want and need from your business is an awesome way to stay motivated too.

direct sales inspiration

In the end, you will learn what works the best for you and your business. For a newbie, direct sales can be overwhelming especially if you’re trying to juggle it with a full-time job or little children running under your feet. The beginning is just a season of learning. Eventually it will pass and you’ll enter a new season as a pro ready to help another beginner down the line!

Lessons in Direct Sales

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One-Pot Seafood Paella

Some recipe blogs begin with something like, “I remember my mom making paella every Sunday night!” *sigh* If only I could have had that memory. While I had similar Filipino dishes growing up, sadly, I never actually had the spanish paella (pronounced pah-EH-yah). As an adult I had the pleasure of trying it, and every now and again since, the craving for it hits me hard!

There is something about the paella smell of onion and broth, the seafood, the sausage and the saffron color that is pure magic to the senses.

The one-pot thing is something that every mom will be down with too. It’s like an instant pot meal but prettier. And if you’re looking to impress company or for bragging rights at a pot luck party, this is your dish. It’s definitely a show stopper! If you’ve never had paella, imagine beautifully seasoned yellow rice with a meat, usually yummy chorizo sausage, some seafood, chicken, even rabbit sometimes (pick what you want) arranged around the top. The colors of yellow, red, and maybe some green garnish in the form of peas or parsley make this dish enticing to the eyes as well as the stomach!

There are so many wonderful recipes out there. In fact I have a few pinned on pinterest if you want to give some others a try, including a vegan, gluten-free quinoa paella option. My brother-in-law (Chef Jonathon) will tell you that paella is really a major holiday dish that can take longer to prepare if you do it the right way–homemade broth, fire roasted spanish peppers, outdoors on an open flame. Admittedly saffron is an expensive spice and bomba rice is not easily found in most grocery stores as well. Conversely, paella can also be made simpler with any white rice, chicken, and kielbasa sausage. But if you’re tummy is rumbling for a fairly traditional spanish rice and seafood paella, follow the recipe below!

paella recipe

One-Pot Seafood Paella

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Cook Time 45 mins
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz Spanish dry-cured chorizo cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1 pound extra large or jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound cleaned squid cut into 1/2-inch thick rings
  • 1 pound mussels or little neck clams scrubbed and cleaned
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 red pepper bell cored, seeded and diced small
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups bomba Calasparra Rice or other white rice
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp saffron threads
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups less-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with their juice
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a large pan (preferably a paella pan), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chorizo and sauté until browned, about 4 minutes. Remove the chorizo with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the shrimp to the pan and sauté just until they begin to turn pink, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on another plate. Repeat with the squid, cooking for about 1 minute, and transfer that to the plate with the shrimp. Add the onion, pepper, and garlic, season with salt and pepper and sauté over medium heat until the onion and pepper begin to turn tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the rice, paprika, and the saffron, and cook, stirring constantly, until the grains are well-coated with the oil and vegetable mixture. Stir the chorizo back into the mixture. Pour the wine into the pan, then add the broth and tomatoes, and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover the pan, and continue to simmer gently until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 20 minutes.
  • Turn the heat up to medium, remove the lid and gently stir in the partially cooked shrimp. Add the mussels or clams and cover with the lid. Let the paella cook for another 8 minutes or so, until the shrimp and the rice are just about cooked and the mussels or clams have opened. Lift the lid and distribute the partly cooked squid on top, then sprinkle the top of the paella with the peas. Cover the pan, and let the paella cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the seafood has cooked through and the peas are cooked and bright green. Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle the paella with the parsley. Serve hot from the pan.

What I love about this dish, is that you could plop the pan right on the table and everyone could help themselves! Add an easy salad, some warm bread, and of course you can’t forget the sangria!

If you’ve tried the recipe, please let me know how it turned out!

paella

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Back to the Barre — Ballet after 40

 ballet after 40After a couple of decades away from ballet, I finally made it back into the studio—to dance for myself. 

I have 4 kids (1 boy and 3 girls–all 3 dance). My oldest is 17 and has been dancing since she was 5 years old. “At least I have this,” I would say to myself, referring to my new role as “Dance Mom.” And that was enough. Being involved in the world of dance through my daughters has been a blessing. But the desire for me to dance again was always there. Now that I was in my 40’s though, I questioned if I would be able to physically handle ballet again.

Thank goodness for the internet because I was able to find inspiration from many older dancers who did just that. There’s even a company called Dancers Over 40 just to encourage and promote older dancers! A search for adult ballet classes was all I needed to step out of my comfort zone! Besides trying to get my mom body back into a leotard and tights, there were a few other obstacles to overcome. So here are my tips for getting back to the barre as an adult in midlife.

Mindset

If you’re a complete newbie (or even a veteran coming back) to ballet, welcome! Are you feeling like you’re too old, out of shape, or not flexible enough? STOP right there. You do not have to be in amazing shape to begin! Many have started or returned with the same feelings and apprehensions. While learning the terms and steps may be a challenge, adult beginning ballet will also be fun.

The other mindset challenge, especially for former dancers, is getting over the fact that you cannot dance like you did when you were younger. Especially if you haven’t been active or worked out over the years, it will take time to see progress. But prepared to accept, that even when going to class consistently and often, as an adult you might not be able to do the splits again, or that you can’t pirouette like you used to, or that your grand jetes look more like your jumping over a puddle than flying through the air. There are limitations to our aging bodies, and it will be different for everyone. The good news is that you can still see improvements!

Shop around

If you are lucky enough to have options for studios and classes, don’t be afraid to try different places or teachers. Every studio and teacher has their methods and rules that may not suit your style of learning. Once you find the one you’re most comfortable with, going to class will be much more enjoyable. Even if you only have one studio in your area, and the only class appropriate for you is a class of 12-year-olds, don’t let that discourage you from joining in. You may even inspire other adults to follow suit! 

In any situation, if you’re new to the class introduce yourself to the teacher before or after the class. That way he or she can get a general idea of your level, find out what your intentions are and how they can help you. Let them know that you are open to corrections and feedback.

Growing Pains

Most people experience soreness after a new workout right? Well, that will probably be the same after your first class. After all, you are putting your body into positions that aren’t exactly natural. A little rest, a warm shower, and maybe an ibuprofen should help. As with all activities, your muscles will eventually adjust.

For a veteran dancer, you can also expect pains that didn’t exist in your younger years. Be prepared for cramping feet–more times than I thought! You might be discouraged to feel your back aching in arabesque though, looking in the mirror, you discover your leg is only a foot off the ground. A simple releve has you wobbling back and forth, wondering what happened to your balance. To be honest, these issues will be more of a pain to your ego than any real physical problem. Again, it’s the mindset. Let go of your childhood dancing career and accept your new status in life as an “adult dancer.”

ballet after 40

Nobody is staring at you

Well hopefully the teacher is, but don’t be so self-conscious about everyone else. The truth is, the dancers that catch your eye are usually the ones who have been taking class for a while or have/had been dancing as a career. If you’re just starting up or getting back no one is judging your body or your technique. Especially in adult classes. Adults are usually focused on learning the combination or perfecting their own technique. 

Enjoy dancing as an adult

There are benefits to dancing as an adult. 

  • Choosing to take class as an adult means you have a desire to dance, and you aren’t simply there because your mom made you. If you have a love of dance, you will enjoy working hard to make progress. 
  • Adults are more focused. So picking up new steps or corrections is easier. Because of this, it’s not unusual even for a complete newbie to advance through the levels quicker than a younger student who has been dancing for a couple of years.
  • You have more self-confidence and awareness. While you may doubt whether you can do a certain step, that doesn’t stop you from trying and practicing until you get it. Younger dancers are quick to become discouraged or scared. 
  • You can fully enjoy the art without trying to compete with other dancers now. In the world of dance there can be some cut-throat drama depending on what you’re dancing for– a part in a performance or company, first place in a competition, even just for the attention of the teacher. Most new or returning adult dancers won’t have to (or want to) deal with that. If you’re a veteran dancer, you will love just dancing to dance.

ballet after 40

A funny thing happens as we get older. We learn to appreciate dreams that we always wanted to fulfill and for those things that once gave us joy.

Age reminds us how fast time flies by. It inspires us to act. It’s those feelings that can actually drive you to be a better dancer than if you were younger. It’s also what makes dancing so much more exciting. So don’t let age stop you from trying your first class or going back for your 100th! Personally, I hope to be doing pirouettes to my grave! 

If you’re a dancer who has gone back to the studio after a hiatus, I’d love to hear about your experiences! What advice would you add to the list?

 

ballet after 40

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5 Tips for Packing School Lunches

It is hard enough getting kids to eat well at home.  Sending them to school with a meal that may or not get eaten is another stress.  Compound that mess if you are packing multiple lunches with multiple palates.  Chances are, if you’re like me, you’ve got a board on Pinterest specifically for school lunch ideas.  {Feel free to browse my board.  I have a few pins for adult lunches too!}

Besides picking the right food, organization and planning is also vital for preventing chaos on school mornings.  Often if I haven’t prepared properly, more than once a week I am scrambling around just to find something somewhat healthy that they’ll actually eat.  I am always so thankful when I take the time to prepare.

 

Lunch doesn’t have to be stressful.  Here are 5 tips to make packing lunches they’ll eat easier.

 

  • Pack something you know they will eat. Better yet, if they’re old enough, ask them to help you.  Obviously, they can’t choose a package of donuts but if they get to choose between a PBJ, Cheese & Crackers, or a Turkey roll, they will probably eat what they chose.  Plus, they are learning to pack their own lunches.  BONUS!

 

  • Simple is better. Sure, those cute sandwiches cut into shapes of bunnies with edible google eyes, and seaweed for grass is super impressive, but honestly the food is getting tossed around in the lunch box anyway.  Think along the lines of Lunchables.

 

  • Don’t forget about leftovers. Extra pizza from the night before has been a savior for me.  Sure, it’s not going to be hot, but I know my kids will eat pizza.  And I didn’t have to make it.  But I will reheat leftovers in the morning just so they’re not so cold.  Then a stainless steel thermos or foil helps to keep it as warm as possible.  I still hear complaints that it’s not warm enough. *eyeroll*  Whatever, I tried.

 

  • Keep all the lunchboxes, containers, and accessories together. This seriously makes things so much easier.  I have this section on my counter that I call my “Lunch Packing Station.”  Literally everything from one spot is within hands reach.  Ok, I have to take 2 extra steps to get to the fridge and pantry.

 

  • Organize your week. Confession:  I fall off the wagon in this step often.  That weekend just never is long enough!  When I plan ahead of time, however, mornings really do run smoothly.  Simply stocking the fridge with fruits and buying other snacks so they are ready or even looking at what the week looks like is enough.  Maybe there is a hot lunch your child loves that you can plan for that day instead.  Have the lunch money ready or order ahead if that’s required making sure you give time to do that.  Taking a little time to organize on Sunday eases the morning mayhem for the rest of the week.

tips for packing lunches

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10 Ways to Be a Happy Mom

Mommying ain’t easy. Who knew that so much mental and physical strength went into keeping kids alive and raising them not to be jerks? I would bet many moms are running on fumes or coffee or liquor. We want to be a happy mom, but we find ourselves screaming (mostly to ourselves because no one is ever listening), “Who’s going to take care of me!” The truth is, we’re the ones putting ourselves last. I’m not an expert; trust me half the time I have no idea what I’m doing. But when I find myself spiraling towards a breakdown there are a few tips that help me.

 

  1. GET ENOUGH ZZZ’s – Honestly, this one is hard for me too. I get it. You put everyone else to bed, finally get what you want/need to get done, next thing you know it’s 1am! Seriously though, getting a good night sleep, ideally 7-8 hours, will do wonders for your attitude and your energy. And if you are not currently in charge of your sleep hours (say, for little people who keep waking up to eat) naps are amazing!

 

  1. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF – I love the quote from Teddy Roosevelt, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Social media can be fun & a great way to connect.  But nothing is worse than seeing people who seem to have it all together when you’re struggling to survive the day.  When you’re having a bad day or not feeling as confident, stay off social media. Remember social media is such a small glimpse of people’s lives & one that can easily be crafted to “look” perfect too! Instead look through pictures of happy moments with your own family.

 

  1. LET IT GO – Elsa was on to something. Whether it’s folding all the laundry, or finishing those emails for work, sometimes you just need to let it go. There are days everything doesn’t get done and it’s ok. This goes the same for grudges too. Learning to forgive and forget makes for lighter shoulders.

 

  1. GET OUT OF THE HOUSE – I can’t believe how much fresh air makes a difference but it does. Something about introducing your senses to a different environment can change a mood drastically. This is good for you as well as kids you might have at home that need to get out too!

 

  1. HAVE ALONE TIME – Yes! Pamper yourself! Enjoy that guilty pleasure! My favorite is getting massages. Even shopping alone is a treat—no one asking if they can have something or pestering you to go home already. Relax by meditating, journaling, knitting, enjoying a cup of coffee, movie, or a good book. So many options! I believe that nap is calling my name now…

 

  1. DRINK IN THE MOMENT – I used to have a quote on my wall that said, “Relax, Reflect, Drink in the moment.” It seems so cliché, but if the only way you remember things is by looking at old pictures and videos then you’re missing out. Taking time to purposely stop tasks or put my phone down just to watch & hear my kids laughing really makes me appreciate what I have. It’s not life altering but it does bring a sense of peace and happiness.

 

  1. PRIORITIZE – Or at least reconsider your priorities. Trying to structure your day so that you do more things you enjoy is kind of the goal. So maybe cleaning the house is not something you enjoy, but it does need to get done. Is this something you can afford to pay out? If you have any flexibility in your finances now would be the time to use it. Or maybe you just decide organized chaos is ok to live with. Same goes for the kid’s activities. If having a family dinner together at least one night a week is more important than chauffeuring everyone around and eating in the car, maybe it’s time to simplify the schedules.

 

  1. GO ON A DATE – Not every waking hour has to be about the kids. In fact, a night out with your spouse is the perfect way for both of you to unwind, reconnect, and regather your strength for battle with the little people. Go remember what it is that made you fall in love!

 

  1. HANG OUT WITH THE GIRLS – Oh yes it’s ladies night! While a night with the hubby is special, it just can’t replace your squad of women who know exactly what you’re going through. The ladies who can sympathize with your frustration over picky eaters, weigh in over the latest Bachelor cast off, and cry with you during a serious crisis. Grab your heels, besties, and some margaritas! You ladies earned it!

 

  1. LET’S GET PHYSICAL – Ok, I’m going to let you decide what this means. We all saw the Olivia Newton John’s music video but we also know the lyrics. Whether you’re exercising at the gym or in bed both activities release endorphins, which give you feelings of pleasure. Really, it’s true!  I will say that I do work out on a daily basis.  Um, just to be clear, I’m talking about weights and treadmills here. Somedays I do NOT want to move, but because health is important to me, I do it. Every time I have made it a priority I always feel better afterwards. Just my two cents.

 

Hopefully you’ve gained a few tips to bring some sunshine to your life.  Obviously, even if you did all these things, you are still going to have bad days.  Overall trying to remain positive is the key.  Happiness really is a choice and something you create.  I used to think happiness was a feeling that someone made you or something we had to wait for.  Many people search for things outside themselves to make them happy.  But really you control what you’re happy about or not.  Like, I can be mad about the fender bender that has suddenly appeared on the back of my car.  Yes, that will cost money to fix, and I don’t even know who did it.  Or I can just be lucky that this dent is not the whole side of my car or that no one was hurt.  Perspective.

 

 

10 ways to be a happy mom