Meatless Monday: Pesto Pita Pizza

In our home it is safe to say that we love us some pizza. We also love pesto so I combined the two and a few other ingredients to make a tasty and satisfying meal.

It’s is very quick and easy to make. You will need pitas, pesto used store because it’s what we like. You can use what ever type to cheese you like, I am sure feta would be amazing for this. We have a ton of Muenster cheese so that’s what we will use for this recipe.

Turn your oven on to broil. While your oven is getting ready you can put the pizza together.

Drizzle the top of the pita with a little olive oil. Place it (oil side down) on a pizza tray and place it in the oven. Leave it for about 2 minutes. That will give you enough time to shred the cheese. Carefully take your pita out of the oven flip it over and add a table spoon of pesto to the top of the pizza. 

Then cover it with your cheese and pop it back in the oven for 5-7 minutes. If you want to add tomatoes or spinach to your pita pizza you totally can just keep an eye on it so for it not to burn. 

Take it out of the oven and let it cool for 2 minutes. Now your have started your week on a high note. Hope you had a great weekend!

Stopping breastfeeding: Part Dos

It’s been about a month since I completely stopped breastfeeding. It was not easy but I am glad to have sole control over my body. I can now leave my son without fear that he won’t drink or eat because I am not there to feed him. 

Added bonus I can have a few beers without having to worry if I have had too much. Now after the initial days of stopping I still had pain. It sucked. My breasts were super sore I was being a major pain in the ass. And having my kid slap his head into my chest was the least awesome part about this. He would literally climb on top of me and bang his head on it thinking it was so funny. I continued to express a bit of milk every time I felt pain. Look the milk will eventually dry out. I was in no rush or need to get it to stop. So I just would express until I didn’t feel discomfort anymore.

 After about a week of this I could go 5-6 days without needing to get any milk out what so ever. The pain was completely gone after 2 weeks. I did need to use cold compresses a few times. I tried to use frozen veggies but they were so frozen that I could not get them to mold. All our other ice packs are for lunch bags so that didn’t work. After checking out the internet I found that using cabbage leaves could relieve some of the pain. I tried it for 2 days it seemed to help me. I don’t know if it was the cabbage for sure since it was the 2^nd week without breastfeeding. But at the time of pain I could have tried anything.  I hope my experience helps someone when the time to stop breastfeeding comes. But enjoy the time you have with your sweet baby because next thing you know they are 16^th months. What how does this happen. Seriously.   

Japan right in the middle of town.

Davis and I have been trying to find local spots (food and activities) for a while now that won’t break the bank.We definitely found the first of many this weekend. We visited the Japanese Friendship Garden in downtown Phoenix.

Yup that's a waterfall amazing right?

We went on Sunday afternoon since we were having amazing Arizona weather; cloudy and no hot sun. Upon arriving we were greeted by a few sweet volunteers and the founder of the garden Masako Takiguchi. They were very kind and gave us all the information of what to do once we entered. We bought a little bag of fish food so we could do some feeding and went on our way.

The first thing we noticed was how breathtaking it all was.

I found it hard to believe that we were in Phoenix. I felt as if we had just been transported to Japan. It was just so peaceful and serene.

Seriously it was just so beautiful and tranquil. With the freeway being so close I couldn’t hear it at all. We took in the over seen and continued on our tour. There was a sword demonstration going on.

We stopped for about 15 minutes to check it out mostly because that's how long Charles can stay quite. It was interesting and it was crazy to see the age range of the people practicing.  I swear that the youngest kid was just a little older then Charles.

 

Kenjitsu and Japanese Sword by Dana Abbott

We left because my kid of course wanted to go get the sword. We/ I made an executive decision that we would check out the rest of the garden so that the rest of the crowd could actually hear what was going on. For more info check out  www.facebook.com/shihanabbott

 We then went to feed the koi fish and ducks. When we got to the bridge the fish knew what was coming they started swimming towards us. 

Davis and the baby started feeding them and they went nuts.

 They were swirling around the maniacs.  The picture does not do it justice. We got some amazing shots. This would be an awesome shot to take pictures for a wedding or just a photo session. 

The garden is a non profit organization you can check out more about the history and fees at www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/.  They opened almost 12 years and offer a traditional tea ceremony. You can call to set up a reservation.

Once we left we headed over to Pita Jungle which is in walking distance. But we drove cause that’s how we roll. 

We hung out on the patio and had a few drinks and hummus. The margaritas were definitely on point. Charles made a couple new friends by running off and trying to sit with other couples. They were all so friendly and made our outing extra special. 

We topped of the night by watching a few movies on the couch and going to bed at a descent time. Oh how our life has changed since having a baby. No more late nights out and crawling into bed by 6 am.

Did you do anything new this weekend? 

Frame worthy.

Daily Routine.

I know we are 8 days into the new year and you may have already stopped your crazy crash diet or I am giving up grains and going to the gym everyday resolution. Lets face the facts they usually never stick because the are not safe or easy to stick with you can't avoid food forever you know. I think I have tried and failed every diet out there. Until last year I don't think I had ever truly seen the light at the end of the tunnel. I stopped dieting and started eating real food and getting full I might add. Oh and drinking tons of water. I thought I would share what a topical day in my life looks like without any food related resolutions.

Get up around 4:30 am do my T25 workout with my lovely husband who got me up to do this now. So it's done and out of the way. 25 MINUTES later it's done and we have our Shakeology. Yum what a way to start my day off right. We love to have the Chocolate shakeology with a banana Justin's Almond butter and almond and coconut milk. Seriously the best chocolate shakeology recipe.  Charles always wakes up when there is 5 minutes left to the workout like clock work.

Wake up around 7:30 am by this time my husband is long gone to work. Charles usually wakes up first and then lays in bed with me until he gets tired of watching me fake sleep. We get out of bed and head straight for the bathroom wash up and let our doggy outside for a break. I turn on the computer in our office and start with breakfast.
We 9 out of 10 times have the same thing for breakfast unless Daddy is home then I try to make something more hearty for all of us. Charles has Van's gluten free pancakes and some Egg whites with spinach and Munster cheese. I have 3 egg whites & spinach and some oatmeal with sugar free syrup and a hit of cinnamon.
We watch some TV after breakfast some news and cartoons for the baby. around
9:00 am we come into the office check emails, catch up with clients, facebook and favorite blogs. He works on his artwork and by this I mean he draws on the walls because I left a pencil lying around.

 This goes on for about an hour at 10:00 am we head back to the living room to watch Wendy Williams. At first I was not a fan then one day while I was pregnant I didn't want to change the channel and I feel in love with this women. She is awesome so now we watch her mon-fri. After Wendy is over we play with toys, read books and watch some Arthur you know like from PBS! Yes we are super huge Arthur fans in this house how can you not love it and have a snack we have yogurt. He has banana yogurt I have plain organic yogurt with frozen blueberries. Then comes my favorite nap time!!! Charles is still nursing a little for naps and bedtime. He sleeps for 12:00 pm till about 1:30 or 2. He gets up we have lunch and play some more. I wish I could say I got a lot of stuff done while he naps but that would be a lie. I just watch TV or nap. Oh I know I am super awesome mom. Around two is when stuff finally starts getting done. We have lunch  and clean up the house. For lunch Charles has fish, chicken or turkey, kale and brown rice and a sweet potato. I also have ground turkey with veggies and sweet potato and a dash of bbq sauce and sriracha I could eat this everyday oh wait I do. It's that good.

Charles lunch this boy loves kale

I finish cleaning up and by this time I get thinking of what we are going to do when Davis comes home. Run errands, go visit family, take a walk or whatever we have going on that week. Davis gets home around 4 and by this time I need like 2 seconds to myself you know to keep sane and wipe all the stuff of my clothes god I hope the was ketchup or bbq sauce. Or maybe a hot shower wow that sounds amazing.
Now it's 5:30 and I start on dinner we will be having talapia with dill, kale and brown rice.
Then we run to the store or stop by my parents house say hi and then head home for the night. We catch up on our shows, South Park and Once upon a time.

Then go to bed around 9ish and have a tablespoon of almond butter.
 We have been trying to be so good about going to bed sooner since we have been working out at 4:30am and it's been going good except for the day when Davis alarm didn't go off and he got to work late. Other then that it's been smooth sailing. 

What does a "normal" day look like in your life. Maybe share some pics for us we would love to know.

Christmas Bucket List

I am so excited for Christmas this year, last year Charles was a little tiny thing and slept the whole time. Now he's all over the place playing and walking. He gets excited about presents and opening them. I can't wait to see the look on his face once we get our Christmas tree set up and decorated. We want to start a new family tradition now that he is getting older. We have decided to stay home and have my family over for Christmas Eve dinner and my sister, brother in law and niece will be staying the night. We will do a movie night with pajamas and popcorn and drinking oh my. So I thought I would share our Winter bucket list.

His first Christmas looking so chubby and cute.

Santa's Favorite little helper. Now he goes around saying Santa!

1. Go check out Glendale Glitter.12/13/13
2. Play in snow. 12/13/13
3. Donate clothes, toys, and food to local charities.
4. Make gingerbread house. (I'm already thinking of the cleanup.)
5. Decorate the house. I may Have added a few things here and there. No tree up till after Thanksgiving!11/30/13

Charles helping decorate our his 1st Christmas Tree

6. Sip on hot cocoa by the fire.
7. Buy something red. New nail polish maybe??? I think yes.
8. Try something new. I totally had a strawberry funnel cake where have these been all my life! 12/13/13
9. Cook a new meal
10. Take the long way home.Every way is long to us we live almost and hour out of the city.
11. Play the Christmas vacation drinking game.
12. Have a Chick-Fil-A peppermint milkshake. After I finish my Challenge group of course.
13. Make a christmas craft.
14. Watch some holiday movies.11/28/13 Elf. Last Holiday and Christmas Vacation.
15. Camp in the living room.
16. Make Homemade Pizza
17. Bake GiGi's sugar cookies
18. Go to dinner with our my sister, brother-in-law and niece.

My niece & nephew, Charles & I at dinner.

19. Host a brunch
20. Have a picnic. Done 11/25/13.
21. Take a family photo.
22. Bake christmas cookies

23. Write a letter to Santa
24. Pay a visit to Santa
25. Have a day of nothing but family time.
What are your family traditions or are you making new ones?

A little about us

                   This is Davis & I on our combined bachelor and bachelorette party in the woods. 

This will be a blog about our Financial and Fitness story. My husband Davis who is in communications our son Charles Davis the V. The fifth yes you read correctly. More on the name later I promise. Our puppy Chloe and her craziness and myself a stay at home momma and new beachbody coach. The adventures that we will get into in our first home and figuring  out and navigating our life as a ever growing family our fitness and financial  freedom. It's something we are extremely passionate about and want to inspire others to change their lives and get in shape physically and financial.

 Baby Charles  was born on my 25th birthday. So amazing to share the same birthday as my little baby boy. He was 6 lbs 10 oz. and 19 3/4 inches. He might have been little but was born with a great name Charles Davis V. 

This is a current family picture minus Chloe. 

My reason why

I am a momma of a one year old little boy. Charles is my life. Words cannot express how much I love him or my husband. After the birth of my son on my 25^th birthday via emergency C-section I was in the worst shape of my life. I am 5’4 and a half.  When I got home I weighed 224 lbs. I went in weighing 212. I spent the first 2 months of his life feeding him and making sure he was taking care of. I am still breastfeeding and he is almost 13 months. I completely forgot to take care of myself. I would eat anything. Because well, with breast feeding the weight will come right off. MYTH. It does not it takes work, hard work to get it back. I didn’t start getting into shape until July of this year. Our birthday was only a few months away and I didn’t want to look bad at my one year mark. That’s when I found Kati, she is my Beachbody  coach. She is amazing super supportive and helped me get where I am today.  I started eating better and then started P90X then Shakeology. In just four months I had lost 30lbs. Then I joined a challenge group and am down 40lbs. I am not where I want to be yet but I am getting there. I want to be your coach and help you get your dream body. Here I will be blogging about our family and our lifestyle. You can expect honesty and accountability. You will be finding recipes, financial tips and how we are getting out of debt we just finished Financial Peace University the Dave Ramsey class. Fitness info galore, and fun with family and friends.  Now my reason behind my motivation is my family. I want to be here for them for a long time. I want to keep up with my son. He is already a bullet and so smart. I need the best chance to keep up with him and I intend to give this my all. 100% on my part are you ready to give your all? What is behind your drive? I would love to know.  Here are some photos  from my life and my current progress.