Frenchie Friday - How I make my coffee these days...

February 20, 2015 Happy WifeStyle

Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! "Stella" is taking a vacation day... just kidding. She's actually fighting with my laptop right now for space on my lap;)

Today I want to tell you how I take my coffee these days. No dairy and no sweet creamers doesn't have to mean you have to drink your coffee black...which is what I used to think!

I loved Bulletproof Coffee as soon as I tasted it...but these days I'm doing no dairy, so I've tweaked it a bit and it's so tasty I want to share it with you...

Depending on the size of your mug and how much coffee you're making, you can adjust these ingredients to your liking...because I make smaller cups of coffee than most;)

I started using an immersion blender or stick blender because the coconut oil can separate and cause oily droplets in your coffee... so by blending it and emulsifying it, it makes it creamy and frothy instead! Don't freak out about putting coconut oil in your coffee... it tastes amazing and adds a healthy fat that will help you feel full longer! Healthy fats do NOT make you fat. Period. Try it;)

A mason jar works perfect for blending... you just want to get the right size that's large enough so it doesn't splash out. Once you get your amounts down, it'll be quick and easy.

Put these ingredients in the mason jar:(adjust amounts to taste, I put the amount I use for an 8 oz coffee cup in parentheses.)

brewed coffee (6 oz)
coconut oil (~1 tsp)
raw honey I left this out while on the Whole30...still tasted amazing (~1 tsp)
coconut milk unsweetened, canned, full-fat (~1.5 oz or 3 tbsp)
cinnamon or Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Spice (sprinkle)

Put the immersion blender all the way to the bottom of the jar and turn on high for 20-30 seconds. Pour coffee in your favorite mug! Sprinkle with extra cinnamon and you're done!

This might sound involved to make a cup of coffee, but it's not. Once you get your routine down... it's super quick. I keep my designated mason jar with my coffee cups and the immersion blender is so easy to clean...just rinse it off! Way easier than using a blender.

I hope this enhances your "non-dairy" coffee experience! :)

Frenchie Friday the 13th!

February 13, 2015 Happy WifeStyle

"Do these shoes make my ears look big?" :)

Happy Frenchie Friday the 13th! I like to think Friday the 13th is lucky....Frenchie Fridays are always lucky! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! I'm working on a very special recipe today to get ready for it...it might have to do with CHOCOLATE!

My husband got up early this morning to go surf Santa Cruz...it's supposed to be in the 70's here today! I am making him some Chocolate Truffles...perfect to take to the Champagne winery we are members at tomorrow! Chocolate and Champagne says Valentine's Day to me! Stay tuned for the recipe...in case you want to make a sweet treat for your Valentine!

Frenchie Friday

February 6, 2015 Happy WifeStyle

Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! I wanted to share a book that I recently stumbled upon after following Dallas Clayton's work on Instagram. Melissa Hartwig, the founder of the Whole30 Program was raving about him on one of her posts and since finding out about him...I now know why.

After seeing a couple of his quotes, I was just blown away by how much some of his writing resonated with me. This is one that I really loved about growing up. I think anyone can relate to it is some way...

He writes such positive sayings that touch our hearts, but in such a simple way...

Dallas Clayton has written, illustrated and published a series of children's books...his first focusing on the idea of "dreaming big" quickly became a favorite among Hollywood celebrities. "An Awesome Book!" was such a huge success that he followed that with "An Awesome Book of Thanks!" that follows the same style as the first, delivering a message about the importance of gratitude. His third children's book is, "An Awesome Book of Love!". Along with the original book, the follow ups were loved by critics and Clayton began being referred to as "The New Dr. Seuss."

When I found out he had released a "kid's book for adults", I knew I had to have it. It's called "It's Never Too Late", a timeless story for anyone looking for the perfect reminder just how magical life is. As adults we need to remember what matters most in life. The story sets up a scenario where....if it all came crashing down today, would you be happy with your life? If not...it's never too late.

I loved it so much...I immediately ordered a few more to give away to some of my closest friends. I can't get enough of this message! :) It reminded me of my obsession with Shel Silverstein books as a kid. Sometimes we need a children's book to take us back to basics...remember what's truly important in life.

Clayton, who draws his inspiration from his son, continues to write stories and poetry and founded the non-profit "Awesome World Foundation" in 2009 with the intention of traveling the world, reading to kids and promoting childhood literacy. In my opinion we need more of these positive messages in our lives.

"It's never too late to start something new, to do all of those things you've been longing to do." -Dallas Clayton

Frenchie Friday

January 30, 2015 Happy WifeStyle

Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! It is also Day 30 of the Whole30 Challenge! Whoo Hoo! I will be posting later today about my experience and thoughts on the program, so stay tuned!

I had mentioned last week that my Frenchie Friday posts are going to be a cute picture of "Stella"...of course. ....But also my 'fly by the seat of my pants' posts....and let whatever is on my mind at that moment flow!

So lately, because of our double discipline January with today completing the Whole30 Challenge AND no TV for the past 30 days...I want to talk about commitment. I'm not talking about relationships right now, I'm talking about the commitments you make to YOU. I saw this quote that I love because many people say things in a rah-rah, excited moment...only to fall off and not finish what they said they would do. The only person you're letting down...is you.

I must admit, I felt a little like "What did I do!?" about the no TV at the same time as the Whole30 Challenge. But I'm a stickler when it comes to making commitments to ME. We have to trust ourselves and be confident we can do hard things. When we break promises to ourselves, it leaves us feeling shame and guilt...which leads to less self love.

When we keep our commitments to ourselves, we feel happy, strong, confident...and have more self love. This is why 30 Day Disciplines are so beneficial. Be impeccable with your word and keep your commitments...especially to YOU.

Now I'm not going to judge you if you broke a commitment to yourself. I know there are times it cannot be helped. I'm talking about trying harder and not giving up...just because it gets hard. There's a difference.

Okay, that's my ramblings for this Frenchie Friday...I hope you give some thought to your next commitment to YOU. If you are stumped on what to try? I happen to have my 30 Day Squat Challenge starting February 1st!!! :) Just sayin'.

Happy Frenchie Friday!... Have an incredible weekend! It's SUPERBOWL!...Stay healthy;););)

Frenchie Friday

January 23, 2015 Happy WifeStyle

Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! I'm always taking Stella's picture, it seems. It's kind of nice to always have a cute, photogenic subject around. My favorite thing about this particular picture I caught the other day while she was gazing out the window...is that cute little eyebrow!

My husband got up bright and early this morning to go surf Santa Cruz...so Stella and I are taking it easy today as I'm a little under the weather.

In addition to Frenchie Friday, it is also Day 23 of the Whole30 Challenge! I must say, the Whole30 community I've found online has been really incredible. I have noticed there are quite a few people getting sick with colds and flu...which happens this time of year...but I'm noticing a definite shift in mindset with my Whole30-ers out there who are learning to trust their bodies again. I've seen a lot of questions going out about how to feel better naturally, and that's so amazing to see.

I've taken the opportunity to comment and congratulate people right and left for taking control of their health. I'm witnessing women from all over the world learning to love themselves again.

There was one woman who said that she used to reach for DayQuil and a chocolate milkshake when she was sick. Not anymore...she was asking for help and advice. All she knew was that wasn't the right path anymore. I love that. We are so trained from a young age that we need to take something when we don't feel right. I let her know that by not choosing to take something to relieve the symptoms, her brain can get the message that it needs to heal her body...faster. I reminded her that the body heals from the inside-out...not the outside-in.

I also have come across a couple of stories that made me actually reach out to them...they are having incredible healing experiences on the Whole30 and the Paleo diet. One story brought tears to my eyes and I wrote to her and asked her if I could share her story on my blog...as I think it could truly help people. She happily agreed and she will hopefully be my very first guest post! Very exciting news. The other woman also was honored and eager to share her results...and is allowing me to share her story to hopefully help others. Both coming soon...so stay tuned! :)

I wish you all a healthy, happy Frenchie Friday! Love your body, trust your body... & enjoy your weekend!

Never stop being your husband's girlfriend...

January 17, 2015 Happy WifeStyle

Never stop being your husband's girlfriend. What an interesting quote. When I saw this on Pinterest the other day...it really resonated with me.

As 'girlfriends', we put in some serious work toward our relationships. This should not stop when we become wives. Sadly, it often does...

My husband and I are starting out 2015 better than ever. We have been together for more than a decade...married for almost 5 years...and I love him just as much as the day I married him. With that said, all marriages ebb and flow a little, some a lot. The one thing I know that is not a strong suit, for both of us, is really voicing our minds when it comes to our wants and needs from the other person. Our life coach often tells me to "state your case and claim your space!" He's always known that it's something I need to work on. So many times, as women, we think that our body language or tone completely communicates what we want or need. We think our husband's should be able to read our minds...we should know by now that doesn't work.

Lately, I asked my husband to talk because I could feel us "coasting" a little too much in our marriage. NOT to say we weren't happy by any means...but could we do better? Yes, yes we can. We are people that don't tolerate mediocrity from ourselves...we want to be the best we can be. We both have to remember that starts at home...with us.

Marriage takes work. Sometimes we forget to put in that work and start taking the other person for granted. I never thought that would be me. I didn't get married until I was 38 years old because I was waiting for my perfect man. I'm so grateful to have him as my husband. He's such an amazing man, wonderful father, and is my very best friend. I've never stopped feeling that, but I need to remember to tell him...show him...every day.

That talk we had wasn't easy. But something has happened since that talk that has turned a light on in our marriage again that had felt a little dim. I feel like we've started out 2015 with a new beginning. I feel like the couple we want to be again. I can tell that we are both putting in the work, every day, and it's been wonderful. It's amazing how such a small shift can make such a huge difference.

This quote is something I am going to add to my goal board because it will act as a small daily reminder...to never "coast" again.

....If you're reading this right now, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I coasting in my marriage?" Think back to the early days of your relationship when you really put the work into letting that other person know how much you cared. What could you do to get back there? The great thing is, it's usually not a huge gesture that's missing. It's the love note left for them when they're not expecting it....the small gift for no reason that shows that you were thinking of them...the undivided attention you give them (get off your phone!)...the loving touch or snuggle (that doesn't always lead to sex)...the genuine compliments...the encouragement they still need to hear...it's all these small things that make them feel loved. I told my husband I needed to feel loved again. Since then, I've made sure I've made him feel loved every day,and guess what?...he's making sure I feel loved too.

Your spouse is the most important person in your life. They should be your best friend...taking on the world together as a team. Don't let life with them slip into "autopilot". Marriage is meant to be extraordinary...not blah and redundant. Don't "coast" any longer...and never stop being your husband's girlfriend.