One week of green smoothies in minutes!

I don't know about you all but I do not get enough fruits and green veggies in my diet. Truth be told because I'm lazy. All the extra chopping and cooking. Not to mention when I buy in bulk it usually spoils before I have a chance to eat it. I can't stand throwing food away! All I see is dollar signs in the trash.

Also, I am not a breakfast eater. 

In addition to being lazy and not a breakfast eater I'm not a morning person. Man, I feel like I'm in confession!  Anyway...this usually causes me to force down a cereal bar or something else that has very little nutritional value. I needed to find a quick and easy way to get my fruits and greens with no effort in the morning. No mess, no spoiling food, no prep. 

Then I Pinned this: Henry Happened

GENIUS!!!!

But, I took it a step further. Because I'm lazy....remember?

So here's what I did.

I hit up Costco. If you aren't a Costco member try other bulk retailers like Sams Club or Savemart.

I bought all the above plus a package of clementines. I did not use the entire bag of anything. More for later!

I chose frozen fruit opposed to fresh because not only is it washed, pealed, and chopped its a great value!

This can certainly work well with fresh fruit as shown in the link above.

Next I divided my fruit into freezer bags. If you read my blog you know I don't measure. But I made enough in each bag for two servings. One for me and one for the hubs. Because a healthy hubs is a happy hubs!

Here is my estimated and educated guess (being that I am known as the smoothie queen in my house).

One banana (pealed and halved)

1/2 c. mixed berries

one large handful each strawberries and pineapple

1 c. mixed greens

two clementines

I changed up a few bags and made different combos. So we don't get stuck with the same thing every day.

Make sure you press out all the air and lay flat in the freezer. Unless you want a large clump of fruit to chip apart later.

To avoid freezer burn make sure to use up in a couple weeks. 

Here is the fun part.

Healthy add ins!

My personal favorites to mix and match.

Liquids: coconut water or milk, juice, almond milk, green tea, or plain ol' water.

Sweeteners: honey or stevia

Protein: protein powder, oatmeal, greek yogurt, peanut butter, or an egg if you're brave!

Oils: coconut, hemp, or flax

More great things: chia, kefir, or ground flax

Just make sure your add ins are only added when you blend.

I did the math and each serving ended up being around $0.50!

(After blending my estimated recipe above I found out this makes more like 3-4 large servings NOT 2! I here by renounce my crown! as smoothie queen!)

Boo Yah! Take that Jamba Juice!

Happy blending!

Blessings, Nicole

My Christmas Decor

Hello loves! It's been a while....

I've missed blogging so much! Real life has been my priority lately. You know a few little things like husband, kids, pets, house, etc. 

Speaking of real life. I have been enjoying it so much more since my surgery. I feel awesome! I simply can't thank everyone enough for praying and sending thoughts my way. Seriously, thank you!! It's been such a long hard road. Oh, my goodness so l-o-n-g. But I am SO good. God is SO good!

On that note, let's talk about CHRISTmas! 

My cousin and I made these adorb stockings.

 At first I wasn't sure we were capable, (okay I was pretty sure) but we finished them like sewing rock stars! I embellished them with buttons from my collection. The letter ornaments I found at Target.

My mother in law made this beautiful mesh wreath for me. 

Love it! Matches my tree perfectly.

We cut some paper snowflakes and simply hung them in the corner. 

Always fun to make these!

Thriftstore treasures I found in the early fall.

 Only $1 each!

And the tree! 

Yes, it's been up since mid November. I have no shame in pre-holiday decorating. 

Every ornament and trinket was either on uber clearance, thrifted, or homemade.

My mantle. 

The stars were thrifted and the branches were a last minute idea that came to me after pruning our large tree. I LOVE how simple and cute it turned out.

Blessings, Nicole

What I Wore...cozy fall outfit

Top Maurices, sweater thrifted, leggings thrifted, boots Frye Zappos.

This is my ideal cozy fall outfit.

 Leggings, boots, long top and sweater. 

It's kinda been my uniform lately, hence the lack of outfit posts.

Hope you all have a good week!

Blessings, Nicole

Bringing out the fall decor

I love bringing out my fall decor. This season makes me happy. 

I love the slight chill in the air and changing leaves. I love warm comfort food and anything pumpkin.

I found some great (cheap!) items to add to my fall collection.

My house feels so cozy and warm!

The Dollar Tree had some cute ceramic pumpkins so I picked up a few in different colors.

 I simply glued this one on a wooden candle stick. It looks great on my mantle! And only one dollar!

Another Dollar Tree find! These sweet felt leaves. 

I simply strung them up on some gold string for a garland.

Over the summer I found this owl at a local flea market. It was maybe around $5.

 I knew it would be perfect for my mantle!

The Boys made our front porch look creepy with webs, spiders, bugs, and skulls.

They were very excited to bring out Charlotte. Didn't they do a great job!

I found these glitter skulls at Dollar Tree also. 

Happy Fall!

Blessings, Nicole

Recovery Update #2

I had my first post op appointment today. Things are healing well. 

My incisions are looking great. Speaking of incisions, if I get another laparoscopic surgery involving my belly button, I might need a belly button lift. Kidding....but seriously, do they have those? 

Since they had to give me stitches in my rectum....that is even gross to type!  How about we will just call them my butt stitches. There is at least a little humor in that. Since they knicked my butt and had to give me butt stitches, my doctor needs to keep a close eye on me. I have to see her every week for the next few weeks. I seriously don't even feel the butt stitches at all, but I guess if they come out there is a big problem. So, I will be seeing her a lot over the next month or so.

And that's all I have to say about my butt stitches.

 I'm actually feeling really good over all, considering I've been out of the hospital merely a week. I'm able to taper off on my pain meds a little at this point. I'm getting around pretty well. I look a little hunch back esque when walking, but I'm getting there.

I have to take it easy for a while. Short walks are approved but, lifting anything over 12 pounds is a big no, no. If you really think about how many things are 12 pounds it really limits me. Carrying laundry baskets, vacuuming, grocery shopping, basically all my "mom duties". Poor me right? But I have 3 boys! So, I will be delegating the lifting to them and do what I can.

I tend to get bored and frustrated just sitting around, silly I know. So, I have been reading, drawing and watching Once Upon A Time on Netflix. Great show by the way!

You know you are bored when you are making cartoons of your animals complete with thought bubbles and captions.

Have a good week!

Blessings, Nicole

Recovery Up-date

A card from Caleb.
I love that Mr. Tumor has a mustache and resembles a taco.

Hey people! I'm alive!

My surgery last week had some complications however, I've been home since Wednesday. The phrase, "no place like home" is my mantra right now. Being home is not just being in your house but being with your family. 

My surgery ended up taking 6 hours instead of the estimated 2-3, because one of the doctors knicked my rectum in two places. That just sounds gross, does't it? Says, the girl that posted a picture of a tampon in her nose. 

Of course I had no clue, till I woke up. But it should heal just fine on it's own. 

They were able to do my hysterectomy laparoscopically. Which was fantastic! 

I only have three small incisions on my belly.

Mr.Tumor was not the size of a grapefruit but a cantelope! I can't believe he was that big! Know wonder I was so uncomfortable I was carring a melon in my tummy. Crazy!

My pain is well controlled with medication and oh, my goodness! There is tons of medication! My mom has been an awesome nurse. She sets my alarm and lables my pills. I'm going to be lost without her! 

Kevin has been awesome and helps me with everything.

I'm so grateful for all you who prayed for me! 

Im grateful for the hosptial visits, cards, balloons, flowers, meals......everything!

Thanks!

Top 10 uses for my lady things

If you know me or read my blog you know about my upcoming surgery (a partial hysterectomy) to remove Mr. Tumor this Monday. EEKk so soon!

Today, I came up with a fun idea. Well, you could call it a deliberate distraction really. 

Since I'm nervous as heck!

I have quite the surplus of "lady things" as my boys say. And since I will no longer need them (hooray!)  the husband, kiddos and I came up with some useful applications for them. 

1. Nerf darts

 2. Ear plugs

3. Nose bleeds. Obviously!

4. Cat toys

5. Straw/bubble maker

6. Tongue depressor 

7. Fire starters

8. Belly button cleaner

9. Spitball gun

10. Dental floss

Who knew Tampons could be so useful! 

Blessings, Nicole