Great Love: June Date Night In Box

If I could go back to any point in history I think it would be the roaring 20s. Something about the glam of flappers, the danger of the gangsters, and the mystery of the speakeasies makes it my first choice if they ever come through with a time travel invention. This Date Night In Box allowed us to experience the fun and the mystery of the 20s without leaving the house. It did NOT disappoint. It has been our favorite box yet!

We started the night by making our cocktails and cooking the recipes from the recipe card. They were all Gatsby themed, which I was pumped about (The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite novels!). We decided on one appetizer, the entree, and the dessert and they were all delicious. We even made an extra batch of brownies to share with family and friends and they all RAVED about them. The Marina Makes recipes have not disappointed! The cocktail was a mint julep. I'm not a huge bourbon fan, but this is one way I can definitely enjoy it! We had dinner outside and had a lot of fun doing the table talk portion of the date.

We then moved inside and queued up the 1980s movie Clue (totally terrible and awesome at the same time), and started playing the games. The first game was a murder mystery game inspired by, you guessed it, Clue! But it also had a go-fish aspect. It was a ton of fun, and I kicked Nate's butt! Then we played the dominoes game Mexican Train. I've never played this before so we took our time reading the directions before diving in. I also won this game.... TWICE! You bet I rubbed it in ;)

We ended the night by enjoying our dessert and creating a time capsule. We filled it with items to remind us of now. Pictures of our family, items from our disney trip along with other trinkets and treasures. We hid it away in Nate's closet to be opened in 10 years or so. We can't wait to see how life and our family changes in those 10 years.

The only part of the box that we didn't enjoy on this night...but enjoyed later was the moonshine & co fudge! It was delicious but because we had those AMAZING brownies, we saved the fudge for a later day.

Overall--we had a blast and give this Date Night In Box and A+. Stay tuned for July......

Grilled Peach Salad

I feel like there are two types of people. Those who love fruit on their salad, and those who don't. I'm definitely someone who LOVES to add fruit. The little bit of sweetness it brings to a salad is so good that I wind up craving salad all summer long. What better season to do it than summer?! When the fruit is fresh and when you can grill it to get a bit caramelized..... YUM!

This bed of spring mix and arugula is topped with grilled chicken, grilled peaches, goat cheese, blueberries, candied pecans, and a simple vinaigrette. It is refreshing and delicious and you need to try it!

Grilled Peach Salad, Serves 2 

Ingredients (Candied Pecans) 

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans 
• 1 Tbsp honey 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 Tbsp water

Ingredients (Honey Vinaigrette)

• 1 Tbsp honey 
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 
• a pinch of salt

Ingredients (Grilled Peach Salad)

• 2 ripe, firm peaches
• 1/2 tsp olive oil 
• 4 cups spring mix
• 2 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 4 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese

I know! It seems like there are a lot of ingredients, but I PROMISE this salad is easy to throw together, and once you do it once, it'll be even easier the second time!

Instructions (Pecans)

• Place all ingredients into a small skillet on medium/high heat. 
• Allow honey mixture to boil and reduce until pan becomes dry 
• Add a touch of butter to let the pecans separate 
• Remove from the skillet and onto wax paper, spread to cool 

Instructions (Honey Vinaigrette) 

• Add all ingredients to a small dish or small mason jar, shake well to combine

Instructions (Grilled Peach Salad)

• Preheat Grill to high heat
• Cut peaches, and remove the pit, cut each peach into 4 wedges 
• Place the peaches in a bowl and toss with olive oil 
• Grill the peaches for 2 minute per side, remove gently
• Place the arugula and spring mix in the bowl with the candied pecans, blueberries, grilled peaches, and goat cheese
• Divide evenly among two serving dishes 
• Top with 2 Tbsp of honey vinaigrette
• Serve immediately

I hope you enjoy this salad. I love the combination of flavors. If you try it, it is sure to become a summer favorite! 

White Bean and Basil Hummus

I could live off of snacks and so could Gabe. We love crunchy things, and we love to dip said crunchy things (plantain chips, carrots, cucumbers, veggies straws) into hummus. Our go-to hummus is the plain hummus from Trader Joe's; it's smooth and has a yummy, nutty flavor to it. However, I got a bunch of fresh herbs for Mother's Day and my birthday this year so I've been wanting to use them for fun new recipes! All of these things inspired this White Bean and Basil Hummus. Let's get started. 

Ingredients

• 15 ounce can low sodium white kidney beans
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves 
• 1/4 cup tahini 
• 3 Tbsp 100% lemon juice (or the juice of one fresh lemon) 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1 clove garlic, minced 
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

Instructions

• Add all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil to a large blender or food processor
• Pulse ingredients a few times to start mixing the ingredients together 
• Add 1 Tbsp olive oil slowly and blend on high allowing the mixture to become smooth 
• Add in last Tbsp of olive oil and blend until the hummus reaches desired consistency 
• Place in a bowl and serve. 

That's it! This one is SUPER simple and it's a great side dish or snack dish to bring with vegetables to a party this summer. If you find that the consistency still isn't at its desired smoothness after 2 tbsp of olive oil, you can add up to 1 more Tbsp, 1/2 at a time. We found just two was perfect for us! You can definitely also play with different flavors. Chickpeas instead of white beans and different herbs instead of basil! Have fun!

Sensing More: May Date Night In

We were excited when our May Date Night In Box appeared on our doorstep. Unboxing is one of my favorite things to do, because it's always a surprise! 

Checking out our tasting card and our score card for the caramel taste-test. Baby Monitor included.

I was a bit surprised when I found that there wasn't a physical Date Guide like there was last month. However, this month's theme was all about using our five senses, and this is where our sense of sound came in. I'm a visual learner though, so I was excited to see they had an electronic copy of the Date Guide available online. I took a peek before we started. We listened as we prepared our meal (SUPER YUMMY) as well as when we did table talk while enjoying our Mediterranean-inspired small plates outside. Table talk made us think about our relationship through the use of our five-senses. It was unique and definitely made us think back to the past and laugh a little. We talked about things we remember each other wearing all the time, the first time we spotted each other (Ahh....youth camp love), the first meal we cooked for each other, and more! After we were done with table talk we moved inside to enjoy the rest of our night.

Next was the massage portion of the date. This was my favorite part. Nate's too--I never EVER give him a massage and I always ask for them, because I'm the worst. Date Night In gave us several different massage techniques to try. We had to read them and our partners had to guess which type of massage was being given. It was fun to guess. They played spa music in the background and it was truly like being at a massage parlor. I was a big fan.

We decided to break this date up into separate portions so we could enjoy them throughout the weekend. The next night we completed a puzzle together, which was filled with items that could enhance a date night in. After we completed the puzzle we had to recall what we saw while the puzzle was hidden. It's amazing what you miss when it's right before your eyes! It was fun to help each other out though.

Skip ahead to Monday nap time, because--why not? And we did the last part of the date. The caramel tasting. This reminded me a lot of wine tasting. There were several different caramel flavors and we had a tasting mat and a score card. We used our sense of smell first then our sense of taste. We scored them at the end. My favorite was basil cayenne. After our tasting we finished up with guided questions about our relationship. Sometimes these questions are my favorite part because they're not things that we would talk about normally.

All in all we had a wonderful experience again and cannot wait to see what June has in store for us! Want to check it out for yourselves? Click Here to go to Date Night In Boxes online.

Small Plate with Flat Bread from Trader Joe's. All recipes were included in oru Dat

Holidays and Balance: Burpees, Bubbly, & Buttercream Frosting

With May comes a lot of exciting things at our house. Mother's day, my birthday, and Nate's birthday all fall in the month of May and we love to celebrate! In the past this month of celebration would have been just cause in my mind to take a break on all things dealing with health and wellness.

NOT ANYMORE!

Burpees and Bubbly Tank from Fit & Flirty Use code glocke15 for 15% off your order!

I fully believe in living a lifestyle that is as balanced as can be. As a mom, wife, full-time special education teacher, and an online health and wellness coach I am BUSY! I focus my nutrition on eating by the 80/20 rule. 80% healthy, 20% treats--or even cleaner on most weeks. This lifestyle has completely changed my life. It helped me lose 30 pounds when I first decided to make a change and then 40 pounds after having Gabe. I'm not about to look back.

Eating healthy and doing at-home fitness programs has allowed me to find the balance I need in my life. I stay on track as much as possible, and allow myself to have a treat without feeling the guilt I have felt in the past. I also absolutely LOVE baking and being in the kitchen. It is a huge passion and hobby of mine. Cupcakes are my favorite thing. I also like to take things and try to make a fun, and (healthier) spin on them. Check out the recipes section of the blog to find some inspiration for your meal planning!

For all of the celebrations this month I partnered with Fit and Flirty a lifestyle brand whose mission is to "encourage every single lady to recognize that no matter where she is on her fitness journey, she is beautiful, powerful, and should be celebrated." When I found Anna, the owner of this company, on Instagram, I was so excited! She is one of the kindest most motivated women I have ever met, and we have the same goal of sharing a balanced, healthy & active lifestyle.

We brainstormed together to bring you the recipe for these Vanilla Cupcakes with Champagne Buttercream Frosting. Inspired by our mutual love for bubbly & health and wellness as well as my love for buttercream frosting. The cupcake is a health(ier) take on a normal cupcake. The frosting is definitely a treat--so make sure to enjoy every bite!

Without further ado--let's get baking!



Cupcake Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour 
• 1/2 cup coconut flour 
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt 
• 1/2 cup unsalted grass-fed butter (you may also use earth balance vegan sticks!) 
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar 
• 4 large eggs 
• 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) 
• 3 cups powdered sugar 
• 2 tbsp champagne (of choice!) 

Cupcake Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Place cupcake liners into your baking pan, set aside. 
• Combine almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well. Set aside. 
• Cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter and coconut sugar in a mixing bowl; beat on medium speed for approximately 1 minute. 
• Add eggs one at a time; beat until well blended. 
• Add 1/4 cup almond milk and extract; beat until blended. (The mixture will look watery--do NOT worry!) 
• Add almond flour mixture to butter mixture slowly; beat until creamy; scraping the sides of the mixing bowl as needed 
• Spoon batter into prepared cupcake pan; filling liners about 3/4 full. 
• The batter will be a bit sticky. Spoon it into the cupcake liners and gently smooth the tops as best as you can. (don't worry too much about the tops because--well, CHAMPAGNE FROSTING!) 
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
• After 5 minutes transfer to cool on a baking rack.

Frosting Instructions

• Cream butter in mixture until very smooth 
• Add 2 cups of powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, blending each cup until smooth. 
• Add in 2 tbsp of champagne, mix thoroughly 
• Add in final cup of powdered sugar, blend until smooth 
• (optional) add in a fun natural food coloring to make it your favorite color! 

These are the perfect treat for birthdays, mother's day, and any celebration. ESPECIALLY if you love champagne and cupcakes! Enjoy!

Burpees and Bubbly Tank from Fit & Flirty Use code glocke15 for 15% off your order

Baked Oatmeal with Craisins and Walnuts

This baked oatmeal is the perfect on-the-go healthy breakfast. They're super easy to grab on your way out the door. They're the perfect mix of sweet and savory. The walnuts add a little crunch for the perfect finish.

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
• 2 large, ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk 
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 
• 1/4 cup craisins

Instructions

• Preheat Oven to 350°F 
• Prepare 12 muffin cups, coat lightly with cooking spray, set aside 
• Combine lightly beaten eggs, mashed bananas, honey, and extract in a large bowl; mix well, set aside 
• Combine oats, cinnamon, and baking powder in a medium bowl, mix well 
• Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix well 
• Add almond milk and mix again 
• Divide mixture evenly between prepared muffin cups 
• Top with walnuts and craisins 
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

That's it! You have 12 servings of baked oatmeal!

Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat them if you'd like to eat it warm. They also freeze very well. If you'd like it for breakfast the next morning, just pull it out of the freezer the night before and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator.

As always, enjoy!

Southwestern Lentil Bowls

These lentil bowls are as flavorful as they are beautiful. Plus they're a good option for my vegetarian friends! Lentils pack a good protein punch, so this is a great meal if you're looking for a meatless option. Topping them with avocado salsa and fresh salsa gives them a southwestern feel and a bit of a spicy kick.

Southwestern Lentil Bowls (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups spring mix 
• 1 cup avocado salsa
• 1 cup fresh tomato salsa
• 2 cups cooked lentils 
• 1 cup chopped green pepper 
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in quarters
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

• Cook lentils according to package 
• Evenly divide spring mix between the four serving bowls 
• Evenly layer remaining ingredients in stripes (to make it pretty) ;) 

This meal is filling without weighing you down. It's a light and healthy meal that still gets you the protein you need. Enjoy!

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal with Greek Yogurt "Frosting"

Carrot cake is my absolute FAVORITE dessert. I ask for it on my birthday, and I love having it as a treat on Easter. Sometimes, when I'm craving it, I make carrot cake cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting. YUM. The flavors and the texture are to die for. This baked oatmeal brings those same flavors and textures to life. Since we, sadly, cannot eat carrot cake every day.



Ingredients (Oatmeal)

• 3 cups old fashioned, rolled oats 
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsps baking powder 
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 3 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk 
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup raisins 
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
  

Ingredients (Greek Yogurt Frosting)

• 1 cup 0% plain greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey 
• 1 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk 

Instructions (Oatmeal)

• Preheat oven to 375°F, and lightly spray 9.5 x 13" rectangular pan with cooking spray
• In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients (rolled oats, cinnamon, sea salt, ground ginger, and baking powder) 
• In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (shredded carrots, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract) 
• Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until combined
• Pour combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, smooth out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Press down gently to make sure the oats sink into the mixture. 

• Sprinkle walnuts and raisins on top, press down gently with spatula again 

• Bake for 35 minutes, until edges are golden brown 
• Let stand for 10 minutes 
• Prepare the greek yogurt frosting: Combine all three ingredients with a whisk
• Slice into squares, drizzle greek yogurt frosting over the top, and serve

Leftovers may be kept in a fridge for 3 days. We enjoy this for breakfast or even lunch during the week. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

Southwest Spaghetti Squash Bowl

I will be the first to admit that I'm not a huge spaghetti squash fan. I think it's a texture and flavor combination thing for me. I know it's super healthy, so I kept adding it to our rotation and trying different flavor combinations. Nothing stuck except for this recipe. So now, I can happily put those feelings aside for this spaghetti squash bowl with a southwestern twist. It's flavorful, healthy and super filling! Even with everything added, this meal is 95% veggies. 

 Ingredients Spaghetti Squash:

• Parchment paper
• 1 medium spaghetti squash 
• Olive Oil (to drizzle) 1 tsp for sauteing vegetables 
• 1 tsp cumin 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chppped 
• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed 
• 2 Tbsp diced green chilies 
• 1 tsp chili powder 
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium is best)
• 20 chopped grape tomatoes, chopped
• 8 tbsp 0% plain greek yogurt (evenly distributed, 2 tbsp per bowl) 
• 8 tbsp fresh salsa (evenly distributed, 2 tbsp per bowl)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 

Ingredients Guacamole:

• 2 Avocados, Chopped 
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 tsp Sea Salt

Instructions Guacamole:

• In a small bowl mash together avocado, lime juice, and salt using a fork

Instructions Spaghetti Squash Bowl:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. 
• Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Cut squash lengthwise in half, discard seeds. Place squash, cut side up, on parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Drizzle each half with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 tsp cumin and salt. 
• Flip the spaghetti squash over so it's cut-side down on the parchment paper. 
• Bake 60 minutes, or until squash is tender (check by poking with a fork). 
• Allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes and scrape the spaghetti squash with a fork into stringy noodles. Set aside.  
• Add onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently until onion is translucent. 
• Add garlic and cook for another minute. 
• Add beans, chilies, 1/2 tsp cumin, chili powder, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Set aside. 
• Chop tomatoes and Prepare Guacamole 
• Divide squash evenly between four serving bowls. Top evenly with bean mixture, guacamole, salsa and greek yogurt

I always add extra cumin and some garlic powder to the top of my bowl as well. I like the flavor combo! This makes four large servings. We like to make them and either eat the leftovers or pack them in our lunches (the lives of teachers and brown bagging it every day). 

Transform 20: Transform Your Life

Shaun T's Newest Program is coming in 2019

"Conquer your mind so you can transform your life."

You guys, Shaun T is my absolute FAVORITE super trainer. So when I found out about this program, I seriously geeked out. He is so motivational and such an inspiration he will make you want to keep working out (even when you're out of breath and don't think you can do anymore). If you are just like me, and can't get enough of this man and his programs, then I have some awesome news for you! VIP Access to Shaun T's newest program, Transform: 20, is available for purchase starting December 4th, 2018 with Early Access kicking off on January 14, 2019. Transform 20 will officially launch to Beachbody On Demand April 1, 2019.

What is Transform: 20 All About?!

Shaun T is coming your way with TWENTY MINUTE workouts! Everyone has 20 minutes to devote to their health and fitness... 20 minutes is less time than it takes to cook a meal or watch your favorite tv show. You'll be working every single part of your body (and your mind) with this six-week long program.

Rather than repeating exercise videos, Shaun T will be dropping new workouts every single day, six days a week for the duration of the program. That means you'll scorch fat, flatten your stomach, and get lean and toned without getting bored! Plus, Shaun T will be releasing new mindset videos on rest days to help you transform your mind as well. The mindfulness portion is AWESOME. Health and Fitness is truly a journey in both mind and body, and he is the best at helping you achieve your best results for both!

Transform 20 is clearly awesome for anyone out there who loves Shaun T as much as me. However, it's also great for anyone who wants quick workouts with minimal equipment and the built-in motivation that comes with having Shaun T as your super trainer. As always, there is a modifier for the program, so you can make the workout fit for your fitness level and ability. 

Who is Transform 20 For?

Everyone!! Shaun T created this new program knowing that there are a lot of people out there who don't have time to work out. As a new father himself, he finds less and less time to get workouts in. As a parent, I definitely know how this goes! This is exactly what motivated him to create a program for EVERYONE. If you think that 20 minutes isn't enough, just wait until your first Transform: 20 workout! I speak from experience, it's MORE THAN enough! 

When Can I Start Transforming?

You can join my virtual accountability group for January 2019 with VIP early access. However, you can start transforming now. Click here to send me an email and join our accountability groups  now as we wait for the launch of Transform: 20. I run new accountability groups each month, and I'd love to have you join us!

What Equipment Do I Need? 

The Beachbody Step

Get ready to transform your body in just 20 minutes a day with Shaun T and a Step. This step program is nothing like old-school step aerobics. Less dance, more functional. You'll burn fat while sculpting and toning all parts of your body. Shaun T also created weekly behind-the-scenes videos where he and the cast discuss their challenges and triumphs. It helps to keep everyone motivated to stay committed and finish strong. 

Let's recap!

• 20 Minute Workouts
• 6 Days per Week 
• 6 Week Program 
• Modifier in Every Workout 
• Each workout is in REAL TIME... you will never see the same workout twice! 
• A super simple nutrition plan to help you achieve and sustain your goals! 

I am hosting a Transform: 20 VIP Information Group for anyone who wants more insider information about the program.

If you're ready to jump in with Transform: 20 fill out this form and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

In the meantime, check out this video!

Transformation Journey: Insanity Max: 30

This transformation is near and dear to my heart. It's a HUGE deal for me. This was after having Gabe. Prior to pregnancy I was the healthiest and fittest I had ever been. A short 4 months after I had gotten my results from T25 I got pregnant with Gabe. While I made a conscious effort to stay active with prenatal workouts and walks around the neighborhood, I gained quite a bit of weight. My weight had reached 170 when I had Gabe.

I will be honest. I wasn't worried about trying a million things to fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. I had something that I knew would work because it had worked for me a year before: an at-home fitness program under the guidance of a superstar trainer with a simple-to-follow nutrition plan paired with an online accountability group full of supportive people reaching for the same goals.

The program is by one of my favorite super-trainers, Shaun T. This time it was Insanity Max: 30. 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week with NO equipment needed. You use your body weight to get insane results.

These were my results:

Insanity Max: 30 can help you get ridiculous results in just 60 days thanks to Shaun T's MAX OUT training. You work as hard as you can during each workout for as long as you can until you "Max Out" (when you just can't do anymore or begin to lose form). You get to log your Max Out time, and when you come to the workout again try to crush your previous week's time.

These are total body workouts that feature some killer cardio with tabata-style strength workouts. They help you lose weight and sculpt and tone your body.

Believe me when I say this program wasn't the easiest thing I've jumped into. There was a lot of sweat and (some) tears involved.  BUT! I made it through and lost 45 pounds in 60 days. If I can do this, you can too. There is a modifier for every single work out, so everyone can push to their max.

If I can do this, you definitely can too.

If you think this program might be the right fit for you, you can grab the challenge pack here. The challenge pack comes with an insane value. With it you get one year of access to ALL of the programs Beachbody has created, plus anything released within the year of your subscription. So when you're done with Max: 30, you can jump into another program. You also get a month of our superfood shake (I have it every day for breakfast--vanilla is my favorite!), as well as all of the materials you need to get your nutrition started off on the right foot. If you decide to join, you will also get access to all of my support and accountability groups for free for the year. I'd love to be your biggest cheerleader! It's a wonderful community.

If you're interested in joining an accountability group and starting or continuing your own health and fitness journey, but don't think Max: 30 is the right program to start, fill out this form. I'll be in touch to chat with you so we can find the best program to fit your needs and start you on your own transformation journey.

Clean House = Clear Mind

Sometimes anxiety gets the best of me. This happens especially when there's a change to our routine. Even if it's something that is expected. Soon Nate and I will be heading back to school (we are both teachers). Once we get back into the swing of things, I'm fine. I like the routine of the school year minus the fact that I don't get to spend as much time with my little man. (Good thing he loves his preschool!)

When I get anxious I feel like everything is magnified. ESPECIALLY  a messy house. Even though we had many other things to do today, I needed the house clean in order to get anything else accomplished. It may sound silly, but as soon as Nate and I divided the house and started to clean, I could feel the stress melting away. Cleaning is semi-therapeutic for me. There's just something about having a clean house that allows me to feel at peace and have a clear mind. Who can relate? 

After the house was clean I was able to focus on my business, meal planning, and all of the other things that needed my attention for the day. Most importantly, I was able to have more patience with Nate and Gabe. 

All of my stress got me thinking about making a simple cleaning schedule for us to use this school year. I want to try to avoid this stress in the future. I also would love to have more time to spend and be present with Nate and Gabe on the weekends, instead of worrying about the house being clean. The one I created is based on the rooms in our house, but I thought I would share in case anyone feels like they're in the same boat as me.

Here it is!

I hope you all find this as helpful as we do! I'd love to hear if you feel the same way I do, or if you find yourself in need of a cleaning schedule like this one. Happy Sunday!