How I Lost Baby Weight with The Bar Method Fresno

I had my third baby in October and I took the new year to start working on self care.  I really wanted to lose the baby weight and tone up but I also wanted to have something for myself that was an outlet.  My motivation at the beginning was all about my outward appearance but what I learned was something far more important than how I looked.  I had no idea that I could enjoy working out; I never have in my entire life.  I've always been on a fitness roller coaster.  I give it my all for awhile and then I do nothing for months on end.  This is the first time that I wake up and look forward to working out and am doing my best to find a time each day for some exercise.

How to Spring Clean for Lent- Donating & Giving Back

A girlfriend of mine gave me this idea that I tweaked and just had to share with you.  The Lenten season began last week but didn't we just celebrate Christmas and New Year's?!?!  I'm not sure how time flies faster and faster every year.  In case you are not familiar with Lent it is the season between Ash Wednesday and Easter.  Lent is a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  This idea focuses on almsgiving which is donating your time, talent or treasure.  You remove one item from your household every day of Lent to donate at Easter (donating your "treasure").  My plan is to donate from my closet, dresser and items around the house but also to involve my girls.  I will be asking them to select items from their toys or clothes at least once a week.  At the end of Lent you will have nearly 50 items to donate to your favorite charity of choice.  Keep your "treasure donation box" somewhere out of the way but in a place where everyone in your house can see it and so as to be reminded to add to it every day.

This kills a few birds with one stone; spring cleaning, almsgiving and teaching your children about the importance of giving back.  I'm going to use this to spark me to purge and organize all the closets in my house.  I suggest finding one item every day but then at Easter taking it to another level and doing a deep clean/purge.  By Easter you will have decluttered and organized your closets and drawers.  I don't know about you but purging our house gives me a refreshed and clean feeling.

Sharing Our Sweet & Fun Valentine's Day Traditions

If you know me you know I live for traditions and all holidays.  I will seize any excuse to decorate, buy cute matching outfits and celebrate.  I'm sharing our traditions for the season of love however time is flying so I'm not sure how it's almost the end of February.  I feel like Valentine's Day was just yesterday. 

How to Make a Delicious & Fun Strawberry Freakshake

This post is sponsored by Horizon but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 C. Horizon Organic Grassfed Milk
• 6 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 C. Fresh Strawberries
• Whipping Cream
• White Melting Chocolate
• Sprinkles
• Powdered Donuts
• Rock Candy Lollipops

Directions:

Mix Milk, Ice Cream, Vanilla Extract and Strawberries in a blender until well blended.  Melt Chocolate in small bowl then dip jar/glass into chocolate.  Tap on the counter for chocolate to run down the glass.  Before it hardens dip into sprinkles.  Pour milkshake into jar and top with whipping cream.  Garnish with lollipop and donut skewer.  Finish off with a straw and serve.

Sweet & Simple Valentine Painting Projects for Kids

Since I was a little girl my mom and I have celebrated Valentine's with 14 Days of Love.  We would exchange small gifts in little mailboxes leading up to Valentine's Day.  We've continued that tradition with the girls and it makes my heart oh so happy.  I do buy a few gifts but I also try to make something personal from the girls to my mom to make it extra special.  Since we've been doing this for years and years it can be hard to come up with new ideas that I haven't used before.  I wanted to share these ideas with you because they are sweet and very simple to do.  I had all the supplies at home minus the plate so hopefully you do as well.

Yummy Chili Cheese Fries- Easy Game Day Appetizer

This post is sponsored by McCain Potatoes but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Chili Cheese Fries

Ingredients:

• McCain Seasoned Curly Fries
• Chili (Canned or Homemade)
• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 2 Cans Pinto Beans
• 1 Can Kidney Beans
• 1- 20 oz. Can Rotel
• 1 Onion
• 1 tsp. Chili Powder
• 2 tsp. Crushed Garlic
• 1 Can Tomato Sauce
• Shredded Mexican Cheese
• Sour Cream

Directions:

Dump all Chili ingredients into the crockpot including raw ground beef.  I broke it up with a spatula and then set to low for 8 hours.  About 25 minutes before serving bake McCain Seasoned Curly Fries as per label directions.  Once they are done top with chili and shredded cheese and put back in the oven for just a few minutes.  Top with sour cream and serve.  If you are taking this to someone's house for a party appetizer assemble once you arrive and bake for just a few minutes in their oven.

As a working mother of three I'm always looking for EASY new recipes.  I don't have time to slave away in the kitchen but I still want affordable options, fresh ideas and flavorful food.  In your frozen food aisle at Walmart you can easily find McCain Fries in a variety of options like Craft Beer Fries, Extra Crispy Curly Fries and Waffle Fries.  They make the perfect base for a variety of recipes and appetizers.  I choose to use them for Chili Cheese Fries which could be used for a game day appetizer or even a hassle free dinner at home.

Family Fun Getaway at Tenaya Lodge

We just returned from the BEST family weekend at Tenaya Lodge, which is the perfect family Winter getaway with a little flavor of everything to keep everyone entertained.  From Fresno it is a very easy drive, just over 1 hour from door to door.  We arrived Friday evening and were greeted with such a warm welcome.  It was such a special treat to have a bottle of wine awaiting us in our room along with a s'more kit.  After settling in we headed to dinner at Jackalope's Grill.  There are 4 restaurants on the property along with a deli for snacks and grab and go food.  Tenaya Lodge is a 4 Diamond resort but what stands out is the staff which is kind, friendly, warm and accommodating.  Our meal was delicious and the service was exceptional.  After dinner we headed down to the grand fire pit to roast marshmallows and chow down on s'mores.  It's quite the magical experience to roast mallows amongst the snow and under the stars.  Following our fun treat we changed to head to the indoor hot tub, which is one of the best amenities at Tenaya Lodge.  There is an outdoor pool and hot tub as well but they are closed for the Winter season.  There are not too many places where you can go swimming when it's snowing outside but Tenaya has that option for you.  We visited every day we were there and it was a highlight for the kids.  Right off of the indoor pool is a spectacular game room with video games, huge televisions, air hockey, pool tables and games.  We had every intention of coming to play at least a game of air hockey but there was so much to do we only peaked in to check it out.