Guest Post: Healthy Christmas Snack

It's old news that I am definitely one to take advantage of any chance I get to play with my food. ;) I've seen fruit and vegetable Christmas trees before, served at holiday parties, and they're always a big hit. But I thought, why not make a simple version that my little boy could take part in making? We did it, and as I had hoped, it was a hit--even for our little party of 2! I shared the details over on my lovely friend Lindsay's blog, here! Deer Lindsay is such a charming spot in blogland...take a look and try not to smile at the gorgeous photos of her sweet family, and her beautiful and honest words that accompany them. xo

Brooks was pretty proud. :)

My Favorite Summer/Fall Salad

Above is one of my very favorite summer/fall salads. Hearty greens, fresh peaches, rich avocado, and creamy havarti cheese...the savory and sweet mix is SO GOOD, SO SIMPLE, healthy and delish.  :)  I like mine drizzled with a little balsamic vinegar, and Adam loves his with poppyseed dressing. 

What's in your favorite salad??

And I'm sharing this over at the ever-lovely blog Whipperberry.
Go see what else people are making/creating!

summer pasta

I love me a good pasta dish :) Especially one that's hearty and full of vegetables. Last night I whipped up a dinner I hadn't made in quite a while...it's easy, made with fresh ingredients, and incredibly satisfying. The nice thing is that it can be made with all sorts of vegetables (not just the ones I use), and it doesn't need to have chicken. When I think of summer, I think of fresh produce...and this meal has just that :)

slice zucchini & yellow summer squash...wash mushrooms (mine were pre-sliced:)

grill chicken...chop onions

i love whole grain pasta...pick a good spaghetti sauce

drizzle olive oil in pan...toss vegetables and saute, saute, saute

add sauce & chicken to vegetables...cook pasta while sauce simmers

If you're like us you'll enjoy it Lady and the Tramp style...one plate and two forks.

How romantic ;)

This dish has been Brooks-approved! :)

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Spiritual health:

Personal Progress - Integrity Value #3

Daniel 3 and 6; Acts 26; Doctrine and Covenants 124:15; and Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25

Physical health:

Cardio/Strength workout (twice) ...it burns so good! :)

good health

I don't know about you, but when I'm around my family (which never seems often enough) I feel inspired to be better. I absolutely LOVE seeing my parents be Grandma & Grandpa to Brooks and his cousins...and I got to see a lot of it at our family reunion we just got back from. They work hard to stay healthy & fit so that they can get down and really play with all of their grandkids...and my parents never miss an opportunity to apply gospel principles when interacting with the kids. They're wonderful examples of what I want to be when Adam and I "grow up" ;)

{ My Mom & Dad, and Grandma Smith, with all the grandkids }

On the drive home yesterday...in between my naps while Adam drove...I thought about how I can improve my health. Both my physical and spiritual health. I love the scriptures and I enjoy a good workout...but I don't think I'm as dedicated to either one of those as I should be. I know that if I start my day with reading the scriptures I'll get the boost I need to be a loving mother for Brooks and a thoughtful wife for Adam. I know that scriptures have power and I know that they are a guiding light in my life. Then, getting a solid workout in will help me keep my energy up to play with my Little B...and hopefully help me keep my hott-smokin'-wife-bod for Adam (kidding!...inside joke from college). So, as a little something to keep me on track and hold me accountable...I've decided that at the end of every post, I'll record what I did that day to strengthen my spiritual health and my physical health.

*Cheers* to good health, self-improvement,

and working hard to be the best at what you love (for me, being a wife and mother)!

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Spiritual health:

Personal Progress - Virtue Value #2

John 14:26–27; 15:26; 2 Nephi 32:1–5; and Doctrine and Covenants 45:57–59; 88:3–4; 121:45–46

Physical health:

the 100 workout (twice)