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Time-saving Tips for Smoothies

Days of Wine and Wellness

Dr. Oz Weight Loss Berry Breakfast Smoothie
Dr. Oz Weight Loss Berry Breakfast Smoothie

I’m always looking for time-saving tips, especially if they are related to healthy eating.  So when saw a Pinterest Pin titled “Easy Preps Tips for Green Smoothies,” (posted by TidyMom.net) I knew I just had to try it!

Step 1:  Put all freezable ingredients in freezer bags. (I found the portion control baggies worked really well for measuring out frozen fruit.)

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Step 2:  Label the baggie with the Smoothie name and recipe.

Step3:  Store in freezer until ready to make.

I added a Step 4, in which you put any powdered ingredients into a container, so it’s measured and ready for blending as well.

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I prepped my 2 tablespoons of flax seed and protein powder in a small container.

I tried this with my new favorite Dr. Oz Weight Loss Berry Breakfast Smoothie and it was super helpful.  I was actually able to get my smoothie made during the chaotic busy morning rush. Mmmmm #MorningMomWin

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Blogging for Decades-the Next Great American Novel

Biz & Blogging, Pop! tini

NaBloPoMo March 2014

I’m participating in the Blogher NaBloPoMo for March and today’s prompt is:

Do you think you’ll still be blogging 10 years from now? 

Yes!  It’s hard to believe that I started this blog 8 years ago already.  It’s amazing how the digital landscape and in turn our communications behavior has changed since 2006.  When I started blogging, social media was still in its infancy.  There was no Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Instagram, or Pinterest, just to name a few.  If someone had something to say, they sent emails  or snail mail or (a company) would send out a press release and   communicate through TV, print, or online banner ads.  But things have changed and as consumers of media and products, we’ve evolved and changed our behavior as well.

My blog has certainly evolved.  It started out as an analysis of how the advancements of technology affect our culture and communications, which is a bit of a mouthful to try and blog about daily.  I still discuss that to some extent but as I’ve grown and changed, my blog has grown and changed with me.  I’ve become a wife, a mother, and a breast cancer survivor.  My blog reflects the ongoing search for balance, fun, and strength/meaning, among all three constants…while still consuming copious amounts of pop culture and technology…and of course the obligatory cocktail or two.

Lou Reed. Schinitzer Concert Hall Portland, OR January 4, 2004, Photo by Danny Norton http://flickr.com/photos/dannynorton/186795352/

The late, great, legendary rocker; Lou Reed; once described his body of work as the “great American novel.”  As he looked back on his career of almost 50 years in music, he said each album could be seen as a chapter in his novel.  I’d like to think that if I keep at this for another 40 years, my blog will become that too–the Great American Novel.  My daughters and future grandchildren will read this and look back at the good ole days, when life was simple and people communicated through Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook and moms spent hours posting silly inspirational ways to organize their house or DIY crafts on this thing called Pinterest.   We’ll all look back and smile and laugh about how much the world has changed, but we’ll all be able to agree that our values and ideals are still the same.

Cheers to: family, love, martinis, and blogging for helping us toast it all.

These days getting my kids to school on time is as big a #win as reaching the summit of a mountain!

Biz & Blogging, Family

NaBloPoMo March 2014

I’m participating in the Blogher NaBloPoMo for March and one of this week’s prompts is:

When or where do you feel most like yourself?

I feel most like myself when:

    • When I’m hanging out with my girls-talking, laughing, playing, being imaginative, and having fun.  I can see the world through their innocent eyes and am reminded of all the good in the little things of life.

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    • When I accomplish something big like reaching the summit of a mountain.  However, these days my big #wins are: going to the gym, getting a blog post done, and getting my girls to school in time for carpool line–bonus points for-shoes still on/lunch in hand/breakfast in tummy/and clean faces.
    • I used to feel bad about my inability to get out the door in a timely manner, until I saw this Michael McIntyre video:

Where do I feel most like myself?

On top of a mountain, breathing in the fresh air.  After reaching a summit, ones’ problems feel as small as the houses or trees below.

Shana at the summit of Mt. Sineatas
Shana at the summit of Mt. Sanitas

 

My Dog (I mean, my 2 year old) Ate My Photo Album

#ParentFailKidsWin, Family

cinderellacastle_watermark For my birthday this year, we did a weekend getaway to Walt Disney World.  At the end of our trip, I decided to splurge and get an overpriced souvenir photo album.  I figured it would be an incentive for me to get our vacation photos organized in a timely manner.  I knew the girls would love seeing their favorite characters on the cover and be excited that  this was the album housing those special Disney photos.

My photo album splurge.
My photo album splurge.

What I didn’t think about was my unpredictable two year old’s mischievous side…Like most 2 year olds, her Gremlin side comes out if she misses her nap but instead of tantrums, she turns to eradic, super messy behavior.

One day last week, I was trying to get dinner ready.  When little Zoe turned to the Disney album, at first I was a little nervous.  But then I noticed she was sweetly naming all the characters on the cover and making up little stories about each one.  “Good job, Shana,” I thought and patted myself on the back.  “The album was a good decision.”

Then all of sudden, I heard a strange ripping sound accompanied by little giggles.  I quickly looked over into the living room.  Horror-struck, I stood there watching my daughter rip each page out and then crumple them for good measure. Thankfully, I hadn’t yet put any pictures in, but all the pages were still being ripped out and destroyed.

“Nooooooooo,” I said as I ran over and tried to save my poor album.  But it was too late. The damage was done.  Half the album lay crinkled on the floor.  I should’ve known better to leave my overtired two-year old with something so easily destructible, but she was having so much fun and playing so nicely I thought it just might be ok.

I tried to explain to her that we don’t rip and destroy our nice things, especially books or albums.  At first she just kept smiling, very proud of herself for her new paper art all over the floor.  But then as I kept calmly explaining why ripping nice things is bad along with very sad, frown faces; she started to get it.  “Sah-ee  Mommy,” and gave me a big kiss and I forgot about my poor, sad little album.

#ParentFailKidsWin

Below is a picture with the remnants of the destruction. I threw out the unsalvagable ones before I thought to take a picture.

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Hello March-the Muppets are Coming, the Muppets are Coming!

Pop! tini

March_muppets_medIt’s March.  Spring is in the air. (Well, at least in the deep south of Hotlanta, that is.) Girl Scout cookies are here…and so are Girl Scout themed martinis.  🙂  St. Paddy’s Day is right around the corner as is Purim!  And last but not least–the Muppets are back in an all new feature film premiering March 21!  So, keep checking back all month long for uplifting posts, refreshing cocktail recipes, and Muppet clips galore!

To start us off, here is a great clip of a drum battle between Harry Belafonte and Animal.  Enjoy!

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