We’re still in Phase One of our governor’s reopening plan (some businesses are open under strict guidelines and groups of 10 or less are permitted to get together outdoors while adhering to social distancing practices) so our weekend will be another one spent in relative isolation as a family. I’m sure I’ll be recapping everything on the blog on Monday and I hope to see ya back here then. I hope you all have a good weekend and stay safe and healthy!
And now here’s my weekly roundup of favs for ya…
Things I’m Loving Friday
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Jammies All Day
I fear the pregnancy-related insomnia I had when I was pregnant with Ryder may be returning this time around as well because I was wide awake just before 4 a.m. on Wenesday morning. Waking up so early has its perks though because I was very productive on the work front before the boys woke up. However, by the time they were awake, I was in no mood to get myself dressed and conquer the day so I declared Wednesday a “Jammies All Day” day and Chase absolutely lit up! Wednesday was dreary with a capital D over here so it was the perfect day to stay nice and cozy. I kept my joggers on (yes, the same ones I slept in — and yes, my dignity sunk to a new low) and the boys stayed in their pajamas (paired with sweatshirts and rain boots) for our little outing to the lake nearby where we looked for shells for Chase’s outside journal and threw rocks to make Ryder the happiest toddler on the planet. (Side note: I must sing the praises of the rain boots the Easter bunny found for Chase on Amazon because they’ve been such a good find at a great price!) Our whole day on Wednesday just had the coziest vibe and I loved it!
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40 On / 20 Off Shoulder Workout
My workout motivation has been L-O-W over here lately but opting for short, strength-based workouts has been key for me when it comes to motivating myself to actually do something. If I’m not feeling a workout at all that day, I rest (happening a good bit over here) but one workout that always gets me motivated to pick up some dumbbells is a quality shoulder session! I absolutely love a good shoulder workout and Thursday morning’s garage session delivered. I went through four rounds of seven different exercises and completed each exercise for 40 seconds, followed by a 20 second rest. The pace of the workout kept me engaged and my shoulders had that nice post-workout buzzed feeling for several hours after this one!
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Jess Glynne Pandora Station
Thank you to Ryan for introducing me to this Pandora gem! He played it during one of our garage workout sessions a few weeks ago and I’ve been completely hooked ever since. The music is upbeat and I love Jess Glynne’s voice so much. A lot of the songs this station seems to play tend to be really positive as well which is especially nice when I’m listening to it during a morning workout and want to start my day out on a good note. Oh and if you’re looking for a song to add to your workout playlist, the Hook n Sling Remix of Matoma & Becky Hill’s False Alarm is my JAM!
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Antioxidant Juice + Sparkling Water Mocktail
Oh yes, another mocktail is coming your way! I am fully on board the mocktail train and I don’t see myself hopping off anytime soon. I almost hesitate to call some of the drinks I’ve been sharing with you guys mocktails because they’re so basic but if you’re into easy, refreshing drinks, hopefully they appeal to you, too.
This week’s winner is a combination of sparkling water and ALDI’s Simply Nature Organic Antioxidant Juice. The juice is a mix of pomegranate, red grape, tart cherry, purple carrot and cranberry and it’s so darn darn refreshing mixed with sparkling water. My favorite combination so far has been mixing the juice with blackberry cucumber sparkling water. It’s such a delightful drink to sip on while I make dinner or in the late afternoon while the boys play in the front yard.
Any other mocktail recommendations out there? I want something fun to make this weekend aside from another batch of ice cream because, let’s be real, that’s definitely happening, too. I ordered The Perfect Scoop ice cream cookbook by David Lebovitz based off your recommendations and can’t wait to dive in!
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Raising Money for Bags of Hope with YOUR Help!
Last Friday, a few of my blogging friends and I shared a fun video on our Instagram channels to help raise money for various organizations during such a challenging and unusual time. I selected Bags of Hope in Lake Norman, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supplying food to school age children facing food insecurity in the north Charlotte and Lake Norman area. With so many kids unable to depend on school for lunches and meals right now, I felt all the more pulled to donate to this fabulous organization and appreciate those of you who took the time to comment on my video since each comment helped raise money for Bags of Hope! Also, if you happen to be local and want to help this amazing organization in various ways, you may check out their website more information about how you can get involved!
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Friday Flashbacks
Avocado Deviled Eggs (I made these on a whim this week for an afternoon snack and it felt like such a treat!)
Butterscotch Bars (A deliciously chewy bar with a melt-in-your-mouth butterscotch topping!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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I just took a live streamed pure barre class and the stretch song at the end was one by Jess Glynne and literally 2 min ago I was thinking about how underrated she is! Definitely going to have to check out that station. Have a great weekend!
you will love it!!! her music is so good and the other songs pandora plays on her station are all so upbeat and awesome, too!
Julie, I think your tone, content, and abiding by shelter in place laws have been exemplary during the pandemic. Kudos for setting a great example and for your sensitivity.
” I kept my joggers on (yes, the same ones I slept in — and yes, my dignity sunk to a new low) ”
Ummm I do this every day…hahahaha ;0
okay, okay definitely not the first time this has happened over here, either 🙂 haha!
Happy Friday!
What brand side by side double stroller do you have for your boys?
we have the double bob! it’s fabulous and i highly recommend it — so easy to push even with two heavy kids!
Ok
Is that brand similar to Joovy at all?
Does it fit through doorways?
Loving the mocktails right now too (28 weeks pregnant), and I always put them in a wine or champagne glass to feel extra special (I know, it’s the little thing, right? lol). While it’s not exactly a mocktail, I’ve been loving Trader Joe’s sparkling coconut water with yuzu juice. It is the perfect summer treat. Otherwise, I’ll mix passionfruit sparkling water with muddled/blended pineapple (frozen ones work) and coconut water and it’s so refreshing.
Also, not sure if you’ve tried this, and obviously I’d check with your ob/gyn, but I’ve been taking the Calm magnesium supplement at night (cherry flavor – also great mixed with sparkling water or coconut water) and I swear it has turned around my pregnancy insomnia. Happy Friyay and thanks for the positive posts! 😀
um, avocado deviled eggs? yes, please! those look amazing!
our trails are finally starting to dry out [we’re 10k into the mountains + still have a LOT of snow!] so trail running, without long stretches of pavement, will be an option very soon!
I remember hearing 123 by Jess Glynne last year and falling in love with that song, but I didn’t know any of her other stuff. I’m listening to the Pandora station now and her voice is so beautiful!
One thing that made me smile is one of the Instagram pages I follow, @princeschwartzandthegrannies. It is just a bunch of dog videos and I love them all.
We were able to go to the beach today and it was GORGEOUS! The weather was perfect and it was just the break we needed!
Saving that shoulder workout for this week! I’ve been all about lifting lately
Thanks for the pandora recommendation! Loving this channel.
You have to check out this healthy mocktail book!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Drinking-Two-Nutritious-Mom-Be/dp/1944515828
They drinks are delicious and there’s a nutrition rational behind the ingredients.
The link to the joggers doesn’t seem
To be working ?
This shoulder workout is awesome!! I always find it hard to get a good shoulder workout and this one killed it! I could barely lift my arms afterwards! My husband also loved it!