Blackberry Cinnamon Rolls- from Scratch

Doesn't the adding from scratch part just make you puff your chest with pride just a little bit? Makes you feel a little more Julia Child or Paula Deen...I know I do. I make plenty of things from scratch, and it always makes me feel a little superior saying it was made from scratch as opposed to those store bought mixes. Don't get me wrong I still pick those up from time to time when I'm in a tight situation, but there is nothing quite like successfully executing a new recipe to praises from your family and friends.

Anyway I cannot take credit for this recipe in the least, I found it on this blog I follow called "Peas and Thank You." Great writing, adorable family, and great recipes so far too.

So here is link to the recipe. I made them on Sunday night, popped them in the oven Monday morning, and my husband and I will be sharing them for breakfast for the rest of the week. I made him promise to eat breakfast with me this week since I'm working from home now and he will be working late all week. Plus I am not sure how well these cinnamon rolls will travel.

Here are some tips that I have if you try to make them:

• Warm milk does not mean room temperature. I would recommend following the directions on the yeast packet (which I did not) in regards to adding the yeast to warm milk.
• I did not do the vegan ingredients. Instead I opted for milk, butter, and cream cheese. (I might try the vegan way in the future...)
  
• I cut the butter into small slices. I found that it was easier to mix with the cinnamon and brown sugar.
  
• Make sure you have an area large enough to roll out the dough. (My kitchen is pretty tiny, so rolling out dough requires me to rearrange it or risk making a HUGE mess- both of which I did!)
  
• When you are rolling your dough into a log, make sure to roll it TIGHT. Mine was not quite tight enough and some of the rolls came apart a bit overnight and while they were cooking. (Didn't look great but still tasted scrumptious!)
• I did not add the salt to my icing, only added about half of the powdered sugar, and added some more vanilla (because more vanilla extract makes everything taste better!). Icing turned out great- got compliments from my taste tester.
  

I was going to add a picture of mine, but it would not do her recipe justice, so if you are interested just check out the link above :)

Even if this isn't your thing, I still recommend checking out her blog. She has lots of other recipes to pick from, and I believe she has a cookbook coming out next year, so if you like her recipes be on the look out for that.

September Finds

How many of the purchases that we make or the websites that we visit or activities we participate in are because someone recommended them to us? It is said that people only talk about negative experiences and good ones just tend to be forgotten- because that is what we expect right? We expect that the things we invest our time and energy (read: money) into are good- worth the expenditure. Well I have decided to put some positive feedback out there for the investments that I feel have been worthwhile. I'll try to make this a monthly thing because hey who doesn't like a good recommendation especially when some of them will help you save some of that time and energy- oh and money too!

Websites:

Zulily: This is another great shopping recommendation from my best friend (She is going to know all the deals and steals when she is a mommy!). Zulily offers daily discounts (much like Guilt Groupe) on gear, clothing, and toys for children and bonus- they have stuff for moms too! Again like Guilt Groupe, beware of the shipping and handling fee (about $8 regardless of what you buy), so make sure you are purchasing enough to make it worth it. I have not bought anything yet, but have come incredibly close (well as close as you can without pushing the submit order button) but ultimately my ordered didn't seem justified with the shipping costs, and I'm holding out on buying Baby Smith any more clothes until he arrives and I have a better gauge of his needs and not so much my wants. (Yes, baby Ralph Lauren is tres cute, but does he really need it. Ugh! The word need gets me every time- well just about.)

Amazon Universal Wish List: This is PERFECT since gift giving season is just around the corner. Amazon has this little application that you can download and it shows up on your web browser and you can add ANYTHING from ANY SITE (Nordstroms, Sephora, Anthropologie, you name it- you can add it!) to your wish list. Could making your Birthday/Christmas list for your husband get any easier?! I did an Amazon Wish List last year that worked out well but I was limited to what Amazon offered on their website. This year, everything is fair game! I think this will also come in handy to make Baby Smith's wish list.

Things:

Shimera Intimates: I picked up one of their bras and boyshorts at Nordstroms for our maternity photo session and was pleasantly surprised at just how comfortable and reasonably priced they are. Their line is completely seamless which is amazing! I feel more comfortable in their stuff than I do in my own skin. They have come in handy especially as the pregnancy hormones have messed up my body's temperature. (The house must be at 66 degrees at night and I sleep in my Shimera with a sheet- pretty much the only way I'm comfortable!) I definitely recommend checking them out.

Pottery Barn Classic Bed Sheets: Now these sheets are a little pricey, but worth it. If you only buy one pair of sheets for the rest of your life, choose these ones. We got them as a wedding gift and I busted them out a few weeks ago (I know only about two and a half years later!) and now I can't imagine my bed without them. They are so soft and hold up really well through washes. I'm enjoying them so much, I'm already plotting how to get a second pair because I can't bare the thought of being without them.

Blogs

Run Like a Mother: In researching postpartum running, I came across this blog with their aim being to "encourage and entertain running mothers." They feature posts from running moms across the country discussing a wide range of topics- races, gear, nutrition, and all the additional complexities that a running mother has to deal with. Some of the posts are fantastic and others not so interesting, but I think it is a great resource for moms who are runners or who want to run. Their blog hosts a lot of good information and can also steer you in the direction of other mommy blogs that may interest you. Oh and if you really enjoy the blog, they have a book too- already added to my Amazon Wish List :)

Real Mom Nutrition: I found this blog through Run Like a Mother. It is a great resources for families and for mom's with older children. It will definitely be useful when I start packing meals for Baby Smith. (Tear! Can't he stay my baby forever?! He's not even here yet, and I already dislike the idea of him growing up so fast!) Any way it offers "news, opinions, stories & strategies to help busy moms make healthier choices for their families and themselves—without going broke or losing their sanity." The author is a registered dietitian and has contributed to magazines such as Parents, Prevention, Family Circle, Fitness, and Shape.

Here's to hoping my recommendations will save you some of your precious time, energy, and in some cases money!

Prepping for Postpartum Running

So I am getting very anxious to start running after Baby Smith arrives. I have high hopes for what I am going to accomplish. I have been planning to start marathon training after he arrives as soon as my midwife gives me the green light. I even used one of my race shoes as my focal object during our childbirth class. The instructor did have to ask why I brought a shoe to focus on, and it made me excited just to talk about running out loud!

However, after talking to my cousin (a seasoned marathoner and mother) and doing a little research, I have learned that running is not going to be quite the carefree activity it used to be. Instead it is going to be a whole new experience! One of the major changes being a shift in my outlook on running from "I want to run" to "I need to run." Every new mom's (according to what I have read) experience is going to be different, and it even differs from baby to baby, but there are certain aspects of being a new mom that every runner has to work around.

In trying to conduct some online research about postpartum running, I have found that there is very little out there. I do commend all the mommy bloggers out there who write about their experience getting back in the running game after giving birth. There are actually two women professional runners- Paula Radcliffe and Kara Goucher- who were both pregnant this year and wrote about their experiences (Shout out to my cousin Laura for sending me these articles!!). Hopefully they will continue to discuss their experience and tell me how they are getting back in the game. If it weren't for this small group of blogging mommy runners, there would be hardly anything out there for me.

Here are some of the challenges that new moms returning to running will most likely encounter:

Challenge #1: Sleep (or should I say lack there of!)

Sleep deprivation- I cannot fully comprehend it now, although I think have been given a small dose of what it will be like since I have been struggling with sleep for months and seem to have developed new sleeping patterns. However, it probably won't hold a candle to sleeping with a new baby. A lot of the running moms out there that I have read about site lack of sleep as one of the big challenges to getting back into the running game. It is hard to find the motivation to go run ten miles when you have had three hours of sleep.

Challenge #2: Nursing

This seems to be the BIGGEST challenge. If you are a breastfeeding momma, which I plan to be, there are a lot of other things you need to work around. First, I'm going to have to figure out when to feed the little guy. Everything I've read says to feed the baby as close to your run as possible that way he is happy and you can at least begin your run on empty. If the baby is not hungry, then pump. But as moms out there know and I will learn, babies don't always work on your schedule so this is where flexibility comes in. I am going to have to be okay with readjusting my schedule from time to time. Some of the blogs I have read say that it seems like the best time to get runs in is either EARLY in the morning (5 AM) or LATE at night (10 PM). Side Note: If I had a larger house, I would invest in a treadmill. I think it would be worth its weight in gold!

Another challenge with breast feeding that some running moms have encountered is having their milk dry up. It seems like if you are running too much (or maybe it is pushing your body too much), your body does not have the extra materials necessary to produce milk. Also some times the lactic acid that your body produces while running can cause your milk to taste funny and the baby may turn his nose up at it.

The other challenge that I read about that relates to breastfeeding and running is that you must find a SUPER-HUMAN, BULLETPROOF sports bra. As someone who was never really well endowed (just average), this will be something new to me. I have had some recommendations for Title Nice Sports Bras, so I'll have to give those a try.

Challenge #3: Bladder

I have not had too much experience with this while being pregnant probably because my workouts have been 45 minutes or less and I have been doing lower impact exercise (walking and the elliptical). A lot of moms have cited that your bladder, similar to the rest of your body does not magically go back to normal after the baby is born (Shocker, I know!), so plan to have your runs interrupted by bathroom breaks.

I am sure that there are more challenges out there but these seem to be the most common.

I will admit that reading about these things and others' experiences does have me a little discouraged. I don't want these challenges to stop me from trying to get back in the running game or even offer me an easy excuse when things get rough (because unless I just get plain lucky, running is definitely going to be hard work!). I just hope learning about them before Baby Smith is born will help me prepare to better face them and have back-up plans for when something isn't working.

I know not many of my readers are mommy runners, but maybe this entry will come up on some pregnant or new mom's Google search and will help them as other articles and blogs have helped me prepare for postpartum running. It seems the big key to being successful as a new mom getting back into the running game or any other type of physical activity is listening to your body.

My Day as a Princess

What woman does not want to feel like a princess for a day? Especially when she hasn't been feeling particularly beautiful. As most women when they are reaching the end of their pregnancy, I have been feeling large and envying the figures of not just celebrities but women who can see their feet - not to mention the feelings that come over me as I eye my fall favorites hanging in my closet. So in general I'm feeling pretty ready to have this baby!

I had not planned on doing maternity photos, but a friend of mine from work had them done in July and they looked so beautiful and natural - not like some of the ones that I have seen that look super artsy and posed. The photographer was also a good friend of hers, so I decided to give it a try. I did want to capture how I looked pregnant because of course I have had good days when the maternal glow has made me feel pretty, and I also wanted to capture the relationship between Hunter and I which not to be too cheesy, but I feel like we've been growing closer and enjoying our time as a couple more.

So I booked a session with Lisa Sinclair (from Lisa Sinclair Photography in Leesburg).

I will admit that I went back and forth wondering if I had made a good decision. Was I going to be too big to be attractive? Would the third trimester hormones make me break out like a teenager? Would I see the pictures and think what the heck was I thinking? In the end, I just decided to go with the flow. It is what it is, right? It also didn't hurt that my husband was very encouraging and always telling me how good I look- he's pretty great!

The day of our photo shoot arrived and I was feeling great and not looking too bad either (thanks to a halfway decent night of sleep). I felt like a princess because during the shoot, I was the center of attention and I got to wear new clothes (and I LOVE that feeling the first time you wear something you are really excited about). The whole experience made me feel beautiful, despite the bags under my eyes and the stretched scar tissue near my belly button. Below are some of my favorites:


I will admit that this outfit above made me slightly nervous, but I really wanted to get some fitness shots that I could use on my blog. As your pregnancy progresses, I guess you just get used to how you look that you hardly give it a second thought until you put your belly out there for everyone to see!!

She captured Hunter and I beautifully. I will treasure these last photos of just the two of us (well 2.5!). That is one thing I love about photographs- you can look at them years later and they have this magical power to transport you back to that time and place.

We did the photo shoot at our house which I think helped us come across more relaxed. I did have to dust and find places to shove the books, magazines, papers, candles, and other junk that typically lives on our nightstands.

Lisa did an awesome job of making us feel relaxed. It was really like we were having a two-hour, casual "getting to know you" conversation, and she would snap pictures here and there. I hardly had an opportunity to feel self-conscious.

Receiving the DVD with all of our photos on it was like Christmas Day. I looked through the pictures numerous times trying to pick my favorites and determine which ones would look best in the frames I bought just for them! I think if our house was on fire and I could only grab one thing I would grab as many pictures as I could. My family has no idea all the photo shoots that they are in for :)

For all of my expectant readers or even those that are planning on being pregnant in the future, please take the plunge and have maternity photos taken! I cannot recommend it enough. It is a great way to capture one of life's most precious miracles.

Grab Your Umbrella- It's Shower Time

So baby showers- thinking about them months ago sent me into tears of anxiety. (I haven't been a sentimental crier during my pregnancy but have surely let the water works fly when I'm too anxious/stressed/tired or all of the above!) Every mom-to-be looks forward to her baby shower, right? Not me! I have never been one to enjoy the limelight, and always fret over whether or not I show the proper amount of excitement for each gift.

For my husband and I, it is very difficult to plan events like this because the majority of those who are near and dear to us are spread out not only across the state, but across the country as well, so any friends and family event usually involves hours of travel for others and often overnight accommodations too. So, after a few teary-eyed conversations, we decided not to have a baby shower. We did not see a point in having one if our close friends and family would not all be able to attend. This is an exciting time for us and I wanted to share it with those who truly cared about us and Baby Smith. I did not want to have a shower where I felt like I was asking people I rarely see for presents.

All of that rambling is to bring me to this- I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful, generous, caring people- some who I have known for years and others I just met in the past few weeks. Recently, Hunter and I have found ourselves as the guests of honor at not one or two but THREE surprise showers!

The first one was hosted by our next door neighbor (a retired school teacher) under the guise of inviting us over for a neighborhood brunch. SURPRISE! It was actually a baby shower for us. Some neighbors we knew, and others we were meeting for the first time, but all came bearing gifts for Baby Smith. Even better than the gifts though was the neighbors' palpable excitement for our little guy and their eagerness to volunteer to take him for walks and watch him if we need to run to the store, or go to the gym (JACKPOT!), or even if Hunter and I just need a date night. They gave us a contact list with the stipulation that we use it and not hesitate to reach out day or night. (How awesome are they?!) Also, did I mention that this same neighbor hand wrote notes to our parents inviting them to stay at her house any time they want to come visit?! That was great because we are living in a two bedroom, one bathroom house that is already bursting at the seams with the 2.5, soon to be 3 of us. Hunter and I used to joke that we live in Pleasantville, but I'm thinking it might just be true!

So the following weekend, we headed to Smith Mountain Lake for a Labor Day family get together with my husband's parents and his sister and her family. We found out shortly before we left for the lake that on Sunday there will be a family BBQ with more of the Smith side of the family - at least those who lived within an hour or so drive. And of course on Sunday after everyone arrived- SURPRISE - another baby shower, beautifully orchestrated by my sister-in-law Lauren! We were very touched by her thoughtfulness to plan this event and the time everyone took out of their holiday weekend to be with us. It was wonderful to celebrate Baby Smith with a gathering of our family all in one place.

Hunter & I with our presenter helpers at Smith Mountain Lake

Later the following week, my co-workers sent me an Outlook invitation for an "On-site Team Meeting." Little did I know - but I am sure you have guessed by now ;) - it was a Baby Shower. I can't even begin to explain how great it feels to have co-workers who truly care about you and your family and who go out of their way to show you that! I feel lucky to be surrounded by such good-hearted people. Now, if I can just remember this next time I get frustrated at work...

All of these events, not to mention the sweet cards and packages we receive from friends and family across the country, really reminded me that I am surrounded by people who care about my family and me. Even if I don't see all of them every day or even once a year, I know that they are there for me, supporting me from afar. What more can you ask for in life?

Family, friends, and community celebrate life's joys with you, and support you in your times of need. I feel like the older I get, the more I realize how heavily I rely on the people in my life. When I was a little girl, my grandpa always used to tell me "You're loved, you know." And boy do I know. And our little boy is bound to know it too.

An Apple a Day

One of my favorite fall traditions is apple picking! I would have to say that I am a born again apple picker. It is something my family always used to do when my siblings and I were little but kind of fell by the wayside as we got older and soccer games, dance practices, and outings with friends made scheduling a trip to the orchard nearly impossible. But for the past couple years, I have made apple picking a must do on my fall list.

Last Sunday, Hunter and I met up with my family (sans brother) at Butler's Orchard in Maryland to do some apple picking. We had one strict guideline though- no picking our body weight in apples like we did at Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville a few years ago. Seriously between my family and Hunter and I we each went home with at least 25 pounds of apples!

Once we arrived at the orchard, we realized that picking too many apples was not going to be a problem. The orchard was tiny and many of the apples were either on the ground already or rotten. They did not have a large variety of apples either- actually they only had Golden Delicious and Jonathan. It was not terrible, but I don't think I would recommend apple picking there. However, we were all able to pick enough so that we came back with a small, manageable bag for each household.

(On a side note, Butler's Orchard did have a decent flower garden where you could pick flowers for $.50/stem or fill a quart for $8. We at least enjoyed that part- well the girls did.)



Next comes my favorite part, now that I have all these apples what do I do with them?

Well last night I pulled out a recipe from the Demmitt side of my family. This recipe is a family favorite, so I thought I'd share since it is delicious and simple- not super healthy but hey it has apples, so that counts for something right?! Plus another benefit is that it makes your house smell wonderful!

Grandma Pollard's Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

8-10 apples
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

* I throw in a little extra cinnamon because I have a husband who is a cinnamon fanatic.

Crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, sliced into small pieces
1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:

Pare the apples, slice thin. Mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place in a shallow pan. Mix crust ingredients and sprinkle over apples. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream/frozen yogurt on top!

No More Cake Until 2011

Ever have one of those days when you know from the moment you get out of bed that you are going to have a "bad eating" day? Mostly they are born from celebrations (aka Baby Showers) or travel plan/vacations or sometimes just the need to fall off the wagon. (Because lets face it, everyone has days that you want a burger and fries for dinner with ice cream for dessert!)


Well yesterday was one of those days for me. It started with a craving for a pumpkin spice latte which I prefer to only purchase from our local coffee shop because they are far superior to Starbucks but unfortunately it is not on my way to work. So during my commute I tried to talk myself out of the need to stop for a morning treat, but alas my craving won out over my self-control. I stopped in at Starbucks for a hot chocolate- just a tall one. Typically they ask whether or not your want whip cream but today they did not and as the barista grabbed the whip cream canister and added it to my cup- I knew my day was done! Of course she also did not neglect to add some chocolate syrup on top of that as well and I neglected to speak up because really once you have a hot chocolate with whip cream on top, a little chocolate syrup isn't going to kill you!

Then my very thoughtfull co-workers threw me a baby shower luncheon with fried chicken, mac & cheese, coleslaw, cream corn, and all the other southern picnic fixins. Not exactly my cup of tea, but again it was incredibly thoughtful and to show my appreciation, I filled up a plate and bon appetit! And lunch was followed by- you guessed it- cake! Sugary delicious white cake... and as the guest of honor again I could not refuse especially when others insist that you are eating for two (No, not really- babies only require you to eat about 300 more calories a day) and the baby really needs it (Again no, I can already feel the effects of sugar rushes on my baby in utero!) So stuffed with greasy food and fluffy cake and feeling twenty pounds heavy then when I went to lunch. I managed to walk a few laps around the parking lot in the hopes of relieving some of my fullness.

After lunch I was convinced that I would be able to have fruit and yogurt for dinner and hopefully regain some of my nutritional balance. Wrong again! My husband and I ended up going out with some friends for dinner. While I was able to revive my body somewhat with a DELICIOUS salad (arugula, strawberries, toasted almonds, and a white balsamic vinaigrette), I also had a piece of pizza which I think sent my grease threshold over the limit!

I awoke this morning feeling terrible. Whether or not the food yesterday is totally to blame, I don't know. But I do know that a day off track is not worth it! I am thinking indulgences are better in small doses.


After yesterday, I have vowed no more cake until 2011! Between the cake yesterday and the cake from our shower last weekend (which nearly half of ended up going home with us) and another shower cake last week- I have had enough cake!! Now I'll have to think of a birthday cake alternative...

Back to School (Well Learning & Working)

Beginning of a new month which means the beginning of new goals for me or in some cases the continuation of old goals because as my husband so often says "if its not broke, don't fix it!"

September is a great month for transition and starting something new. As kids, we all were used to September meaning the start of school. For those of us who have not been out of the academic world for too long, I think we miss that fresh start and the symbolizing of a new beginning that came with buying new pencils and notebooks.

As I said in my last post, my August workout goal was a perfect fit for me. It kept me on track and got me back in the habit of making a regular appearance at the gym. Returning to the gym has been wonderful- this is one place where I don't mind people staring at my pregnant belly. It gives me a sense of pride. "Yes, I am 33 weeks pregnant and still managing to work up a sweat on the elliptical." I own it! So for the month of September, I am going to work on maintenance which is an important aspect of any workout regime. When you find something that works for you, keeps you motivated, and keeps you sweating, don't let it go.


I would still like to make some progress in the food department. Often I find myself in a recipe rut and feel like I get too comfortable with what I make in the kitchen. I want to branch out and try some new things. I especially want to test run some recipes that can last for multiple dinners- you know the casseroles, soups, stews, baked pastas- because I think that will be key once Baby Smith arrives. So I am in search for new recipes... I have reached out to some new blogs- Dinner: A Love Story and Peas & Thank You (besides their recipes they are both GREAT reads as well!). I am also reaching out to you my readers if you have any good recipes- please send them my way! I'll test them out and post them here to share with everyone else.

Last, but certainly not least, another important aspect of my life that I want to set goals for this month is my relationship with my husband. Our world is soon going to turn upside down in the most wonderful way with the addition of Baby Smith. I want to savor our last moments as just the two of us. I want to share as many dinners together (without the multitasking), late night conversations (well as late as someone who is up at 4AM every day can), dates to restaurants or the movies, and well just general hand-holding and canoodling (yes I'm that CHEESY!). Now to be even CHEESIER- My husband is my best friend and greatest partner in life. I want to make sure that as our family grows we still take time to focus on each other and continue to develop our relationship.

So it is September- kids are back in school, the pool is closed, the hours of daylight are decreasing, and the temperatures are dipping (FINALLY!) which means the end of summer. For some this might bring a tear to the eye, but I think fall provides an opportunity to learn and start new goals. Our schedules become less hectic and more routine opening up some more time for new activities. I think we can all benefit from adapting a "back to school" mentality by exploring new challenges, meeting new friends, learning more about ourselves and our passions.

August Recap and Great Finds

It is hard to believe it is already September. Where does the time go?! I don't know about you, but after this incredibly HOT summer, I am looking forward to the cool, crisp days of fall filled with apple picking, pumpkin spice lattes, college football (Go Hokies!) and of course my favorite- BOOTS!! Not to mention, Baby Smith should be making his debut in less than two months!!

Since we are on to a new month, I wanted to provide you all with an update on my August Goals and also share with you some awesome "things" that I discovered throughout the month. I used "things" because I am going to share everything from other excellent blogs I discovered to websites I couldn't imagine living without and much more.

First, my August goals seemed to really work for me. I did a good job finding the balance between something obtainable and something challenging. I made it to the gym 3-4 times every week and was able to keep myself at a good, slightly sweaty (more than glisten) pace for at least 40 minutes each time. And let me tell you, this felt GREAT! I found that resuming a regular gym routine improved my mood, increased my energy level (which is hard to do especially in this last trimester), and gave me more confidence about how I look. Also another added perk is that my midwife also keeps reminding me that my gym habits will pay off when it is time for labor and delivery- boy do I hope so!! As for my food journal my success on that was more mediocre. I will admit that I was not very good about incorporating that into my routine, but I did think about it a lot which I think had nearly the same effect. Because I was constantly thinking about what I was putting in my body, I was able to reach for the fruit over the reduced fat Cheez-Its (another one of Baby Smith's favorites!)- at least most times. You have to indulge every now and then, right?! So all in all August was a very productive month for me and my goals :)

Now on to the fun stuff! Throughout the month I have made some awesome discoveries and I'm so tickled pink with them that I felt compelled to share them with you.

New Magazines
Whole Living: This is a Martha Stewart magazine (love her!) that I found at the gym when I had already read the celebrity gossip options they had on the stand. I enjoyed this magazine for many reasons. First like all other Martha Stewart magazines, I found the layout and design to be crisp and clean which is visually attractive to me. More importantly though, I enjoyed the content and liked how it covered the whole gamut from wellness to fitness to living green. It was almost like three magazines wrapped into one! I have added a subscription to this to my birthday/Christmas list!!

Kiwi: Their tag line is "growing families the natural and organic way." It covers from pregnancy through childhood. I found this magazine in my doctor's office shortly after we found out we were expecting and Hunter surprise me with a gift subscription. It has healthy food recommendations, recipes, and ideas to creatively incorporate health and wellness in to your family's daily routine. It is published every two months, so only six issues a year, but their website offers it at $12 for a year and that's not too bad if you ask me.

New Website

Dinner: A Love Story: This is a fabulous new blog that I love to read. It is devoted (mostly) to helping parents figure out how to get family dinner on the table. She really believes in the importance of making dinner a family affair which is something that is a MUST for me. It is also relatable- which I find to be an important quality in a blog- because they are a working family that feels the crunch for time in the evenings. Plus there is a wealth of new recipes! I don't know about you but I am constantly finding myself in a dinner rut and need something to rejuvenate my love for cooking. Check it out here.

Coupons and Deals
Baby Steals: This is a deal of the day website. All of their deals are geared towards babies/toddlers and moms. I have gotten some baby toys and sleep sacks off of here at great prices. They offer brands such as Halo, Bumble Bags, Hooter Hider, HABA toys, Aden + Anais, and much more. For moms and moms-to-be, I recommend signing up for their daily email. Just make sure you don't try to talk yourself into every deal just because it is a deal :)

Borders Rewards: I am usually anti-rewards cards unless it is some place that I frequent often (grocery store) or some place that when I do go the rewards really pay off (Sephora and Ulta). My best friend kept talking up her Borders Rewards card so one day when I was in there buying books for Baby Smith and the cashier gave her usually spiel about the card, I decided to go for it. And it is every bit as AWESOME as my friend talked it up to be. I get a coupon each week for at least 33% off any book. I have been able to get some great books on baby stuff and order Christmas presents (Yes, I have started shopping already but only when something jumps out at me!). So if you are a book fanatic or if you think you'll find yourself buying books in the near future, I highly recommend it! Plus one other perk, you can use it online and have it shipped to the nearest store for free- talk about savings!!

Gilt Group: Another recommendation from my best friend (This girl knows what she's talking about!!) that is great for those with finer taste and smaller pocketbooks. It offers designer and high end fashion for women, men, and children, home decor, and even travel packages for a reduced rate. I believe it is a sample sale sort of thing because they have limited quantities and again like Baby Steals, they have daily emails with their new offerings. I snagged a home run Christmas gift for my niece on here and a gift for Hunter and Baby Smith as well as a workout DVD that is aimed at post-pregnancy recovery. Just be careful of the shipping and handling fee. Often I find a great deal for under $20 and the shipping is about half as much so I'll pass on the deal because to me that is just not with it.

Cool Things
Wellness Journal by Moleskine: I thought Moleskine only had journals and address books, but I read an article recently that talked about their Wellness Journal and naturally I had to check it out. This would be perfect for a food journal and it also helps you record your vitamins and supplements, doctor's visits, track your workouts, and much more. Also added to my Christmas list :)

Maternity Yoga Pants: I honestly don't know how I survived the majority of pregnancy without these. Prior to getting a pair I would just slip on my old pants because they still fit but were a little awkward when they had to interact with my baby bump. They would rollover or would sag so I was always having to adjust them. Well now that I have discovered maternity yoga pants, I am in heaven. They fit wonderfully and I am not constantly tugging on them. They have been perfect for the gym and Saturday mornings. If they were work appropriate, I think you would have a hard time getting me out of them!! You can find them for a decent price at Old Navy or Gap. Also while I am mentioning Gap Maternity- their maternity t-shirts are the BEST another staple that I don't think I could go without!

When you get a chance, check out some of these recommendations. If you need more information, don't hesitate to send me a message. Hopefully you'll find something that tickles your fancy!