Today's Recipe, Feelin' Good Smoothie & some gross random chatter.

There are so many smoothie concoctions out there these days.  I have tried a few specific recipes, but I always end up winging it.  Having fresh fruit on hand and frozen bagged ones help especially when berries are out of season.  I use to strictly stick to spinach in mine but recently, this year I've broadened my palate with super healthy and nutritious kale! 

Being that I wanted to make 2014 a healthier one, I have started making smoothies a daily ritual.  About two Summers ago after Baby Gia arrived I was blending my heart out. Eating right, biking, and even jogging!  Where did that girl go?!  I guess I have just gotten lazy and comfortable in not trying to better myself.  I honestly have gained a lot of weight!  I hate looking at myself naked, so I don't.  If I think about it too much I just get depressed and eat.  Seriously I am one of those people who eat my feelings.  Happy or sad, I celebrate with food.  So now I am celebrating myself by making a few better choices on what I put in my body on a daily basis. 

Currently I am taking antibiotics for a nasty sinus infection.  Sadly, some of the side affects are running to the bathroom randomly and a girls best friend, the yeast infection.  Hopefully no males are reading this and gagging.  Luckily, I haven't gotten one but I'm trying to avoid it all costs by upping my intake of probiotics and yogurt! Phew, are you still with me?  I just wanted to share with you one of my favorite smoothie recipes.  I am going to invest in some Chia seeds, since I hear they are wonderful for the body too.

Feel good smoothie:

3/4 Cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 Tablespoon of melted Organic Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup of Honey Greek Yogurt
1/2 Cup of frozen Blueberries
1 Cup of Kale
1 Banana

Thank you for reading!  Much love, Linzi

January, Weekend at my Parents.

Is it me, or does it seem like your on a vacation when you visit your parents?  Well, not a Bahamas type vaca, but one where you feel like you can really put your feet up and relax.  That is how I feel when I visit my folks.  They are so welcoming, and warm and fuzzy.  My mom has the bedrooms set up so perfectly cozy.  Her spare bathroom has everything a girl could need.  Or if you're like me and forget things, like deodorant or toothpaste.  Not to mention she has the best Bath and Body Works candles and soaps! 

Being around them for three days really perks this mama up.  They sure light up my little mamas faces too!  The girls adore grandma and grandpa.  I cant help but have my heart burst with love when I see my dad coloring and playing with Amira and Gia.  They're like mini shadows of my mom when we go visit them in Vancouver.  On a normal basis we don't see my folks that often.  So that is why these visits are such a big deal for my family and I.

While we were there we had the chance visit with family from Portland.  Meet new babies, and eat a lot of good food!  We love are extended family in Oregon, they are super fun to be around.  Being part Cambodian means I know how to put it down!  By that I mean get my grub on.  The "Asian" way is to eat, and then eat again.  At least that's how we do it.  My mom made her famous eggrolls.  Which I'm so happy to say I got the recipe written down now and hope to make in the near future!  My dad made his amazeballs rice noodles with shrimp, Mario's favorite.  He also made homemade pho and fried rice.  These are pretty much my comfort and feel good meals.

The girls were mesmerized by grandma as they helped bake up sweet treats.  That is a win win for everyone, my mom makes the best lemon bars!  They whipped up chocolate chip cookies and ooey gooey chocolate ones too.  Ok, so seriously I am going on my healthy kick this week, haha.  Oh, and I ended up with my first sinus infection, no fun at all. 

Being with my folks for the weekend was an awesome start for the new year.  I hope that we can visit them more and more as my girls get older and can handle longer car rides.  This time we packed the truck the night before and woke the girls up at the crack of dawn.  In hopes they would sleep the majority of the ride.  Which they did, so I think we'll be doing that again.  Now its back to work for my husband, it has been dreamy having him off for a couple weeks!  Amira goes back to school, which she is elated about. Gia and I are back to the routine.  I am so grateful for my family, they are my life!

Thank you for reading my little blog, I appreciate it so much!  Much love, Linzi

Happy 2014!

It is a beautiful day to start fresh.  I never really have put much thought into making a new year resolution list.  Crazy, because I love lists.  Since I just started blogging last Fall, so weird to type that, I will share my list of goals with you.

1.) Reading. I would love to find the time to read more books, I don't care if there cook books, or the Twilight series.  I love getting into a good book! 

2.) Get healthier, probably on a lot of others lists.  For me this means walking with my girls more, riding my bike with them in the trailer.  Even dare I say, getting on the treadmill, I dislike our treadmill.  Also, try to not to indulge in so many sweets.  Food is a big down fall of mine, I love it so.

3.) Teaching my daughters.  So for Amira I mean, wiping her own bottom.  TMI, gross I know but I'm serious in this goal!  Eventually get her training wheels off her princess bike.  For my little Gia, get her off this darn Dr. Brown bottle.  It has been a nightmare, but I'm making it a goal now to get her to drink only from a sippy cup soon!  Swimming lessons again, for both of my little mamas!

4.) Home stuff.  Painting the walls and making them look fresh again.  So excited because we started painting today!  Keeping things tidy, even behind closed doors.  I seriously hate messes.  Redo our front porch.  This will be in Summer and I cant wait to get it done!

5.) Lastly, try to be a better mommy and wife.  In all aspects, I can always do better.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I love your support!  Much love, Linzi