On Thursday, November 26 at 3:33pm, our family welcomed Madelyn Joy Hunt! We are filled with excitement and awe at the sweetness of our little girl and the goodness of God. Big sister McKaela is so tender and loving and taking on her role...
Faith, Life
Keep Reading
Confidence or Community- Are You Seeking the Right One?
Dull, drab, unfashionable, that’s exactly how I felt only a couple of years ago. After having a baby, moving to a new city and leaving a career, I felt a little lost. The identity I thought I knew was no longer and I found myself self-conscious and uncertain. It is during these seasons that it is so easy for the comparison trap to hook us…
Recipes
Keep Reading
Creamy Butternut Carrot Ginger Soup
This sweet and savory soup has undertones of ginger and coconut that create a symphony on your taste buds. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a cool fall evening or rainy day…
Health
Keep Reading
What’s Inflaming You? Should You Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan?
Inflammation is a known risk factor for many types of chronic disease. While not trendy or in vogue, inflammation deserves, if not needs to be discussed. According to the CDC, inflammation induced chronic diseases account for about 70% of deaths in the United States each year! Poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, environmental toxins and stress are just a few of the contributing factors of inflammation. Research in the The Journal of Clinical & Cellular Immunology states that nutrition may be the most ‘influential’ of all the modifiable factors…
Fitness
Keep Reading
7 Ways Your Body Will Thank You For Exercising
“To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise.” — Gene Tunney
Exercise is beneficial- no one will dispute that. But the fact is that only 33% of adult Americans are making it happen. So what is hampering the other 66% of individuals? What is getting in the way of a consistent exercise program that includes 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of aerobic exercise each week? There is no doubt all of us could throw out several reasons why we skipped a trip to the gym or passed on the walk…
Health
Keep Reading
6 Effective Strategies to Lower Blood Sugar Without Medication
Over 30 million Americans have diabetes. More than 84 million Americans have prediabetes. Take a moment…just let that sink in… OVER 100 Million Americans are dealing with blood glucose issues Sadly, 25% of diabetics and 90% of prediabetics don’t even know they have it! They are living life with symptoms and a reduced quality of life.
Recipes
Keep Reading
Tex-Mex Slow Cooker Chicken & Black Beans
Life without Mexican food is like no life at all. –Unknown
Agree?! To date, I haven’t met an individual that doesn’t like tex-mex! But you don’t have to go to the local Mexican restaurant to get your fix! This easy slow cooker recipe is so simple and delicious! By utilizing some pantry ingredients and your spice cabinet, you can throw this together in a matter of minutes!
Health, Recipes
Keep Reading
Power Up Your Bowl of Oatmeal with Protein
Did you know that some research suggests that individuals should consume as much as 20-30 grams of protein at each meal?! Even breakfast!? Protein is an important macronutrient that often gets over-consumed at dinner and under-consumed at breakfast…
Health
Keep Reading
Pregnancy Weight Gain- The Realities, Recommendations & Research
It’s been said that you remember feelings more than words. How true. At about 36 weeks pregnant with my first daughter, I was at a routine midwife exam and made a joking yet serious comment to my midwife that I was “done gaining weight!” She breathed out a laugh and replied, “Sorry. This is when the baby does the most growing.” My heart sank…
Health
Keep Reading
5 Ways to Make Healthy Eating Easier
Home improvement shows are notorious for showing off glamorous and organized kitchens that practically beg you to come and cook a gourmet meal. The counters are clean, the pantry is tidy and everything about it feels refreshing, light and airy. But, most of our kitchens are not that neat and orderly. Do you have food on the counters? Is your pantry bulging? Does your fridge need some reorganization and a wipe down? Compelling research shows that the way we organize our kitchen, the dinnerware we use each night, and even the kitchen environment play a significant role in our food and dietary behaviors…