HAVING A MOM MOMENT

I LOVE BEING A MOM

I sit here as a mother who has  just watched her oldest son get married and I am in awe of where I am in life…not in an unhealthy way, but just in a WOW way.   I see the cycle of life being repeated in my children, every single one of them, and sometimes I am filled with disbelief of how fast the time has gone, the ages of my children, and the lives they now live, and finally… where I am…WOW!  I can still remember when my parents were my age and going through what I just experienced…can you relate? 

In a couple of years I will be 50 years young and wiser for the journey, but holy moly, I blinked my eyes and time traveled to “now” in an instant…so it seems.  I try to explain this phenomenon to my kids and they are not getting it just yet…but they soon will as their lives are becoming filled with the responsibility of adult life…marriage, work, college, financial obligations, etc.  This is a time of reflection for me as my very emotional “Mom Moment” took place watching my son get married…I hung on every word that was said, visually photographed their faces, every look, laugh, tear in that moment and sat there so full of being overwhelmed with gut wrenching feelings…happiness, sadness, joy, pride…everything all wrapped into one emotional package that required lots of tissue to the rescue. 

 

 

Each moment seems like it will last forever, but I am here to tell you…NOT…and I am sure many of you share in this feeling and knowledge.  I am now in a different stage of “Mom” and although I absolutely love where I am…it can feel weird.  I can still remember when my kids were small as if it were yesterday, and when they walk through the door now, I am looking at beautiful people capable of self sufficiency, intellectual conversation, and I am thankful that much of taking care of myself through fitness and nutrition  has rubbed off on them…and I think…WOW…that fabulous person came out of me…not to be gross or anything by saying that…but I am blown away by the adult who is also my child…I hope that makes sense.  The time I spend with them is much different, still full of love and hugs, but very much “adult” in our sharing.  

WOW... My Adult Kids

  

In my journey of Momhood I have transitioned through many phases, learned so much, loved so dearly, and pained through moments of difficult times.  I would have to say that being a mother has been one of the biggest successes of my life and probably one of the most important roles I have played and still play.  Marrying my best friend and husband, Don…I have gained 2 more adult children and with both our sons now married, I have 2 beautiful daughter-in-laws, in addition to our first grandchild last year.  Needless to say, I am one proud MAMA and Nana.

OUR FAMILY

 

What does my “Mom Moment” have to do with maintaining healthy ME…I say it speaks volumes of who I am as a healthy person, a woman who places value and priority where it should be, and always does her best to live as a healthy example to all of my children…even if I get called “Dr. Phil” or something funny like that when I put on the therapist hat.  Balance is important to living a healthy life, and taking care of myself through living a healthy life along my Mom journey has made a difference in the lives of my children who now implement healthy lifestyles for themselves.  It has been such an honor and privilege to watch my children grow into beautiful adults and my Momhood journey still continues as I now add the phase of grandmother…and you know…I feel pretty blessed to be able to feel like a kid, play like a kid, and enjoy every moment in this life looking forward to the next great event that will send me needing a box of tissue… I AM READY!

I dedicate this Blog to my Beautiful son, Eli and new bride Hayley.  I look forward to being a part of your lives as husband and wife, and continuing my journey as Mom to you both.  Here is to YOU, your marriage and may God bless you as you begin your journey together.  Love you~

 

Photo Credit : JenStewart Photography

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

Don't Forget to Check Out the In My Kitchen Page for New Recipes

 Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

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Me and My Fabulous Mom

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list.  If you are inspired, LIKE my entry, leave a comment and I look forward to responding! 

Have a Fabulous Week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla;)

 

Half way mark Week 5 FYM Transformation Challenge

Hello my lovelies, just wanting to touch base and do a real  r.e.a.l.l.y  quick post!!! More pics, less typing ;-)

Busy! B.u.s.y! B.U.S.Y DAY!!!! Is all I can say. Isn't everyone though???

Workout was scheduled today and I COULD have made an EXCUSE but I didn't, so I did my 15 minutes resistance FYM trisets workout from the Transformation Kit which I am following over the challenge. 5 more weeks to go!!! Half way mark officially is here! Whooooosh!!!

A lot of people following me at Instagram are amazed at some of the pics I post there and ask what my fitness secret is? Click on the url on this post page or simply have a read on my fitness tab and try it for free for 30 days. I'd love for you to join me at Clubfym.

PWOS
180 Nutrition coconut protein shake

Breakfast
Pear porridge with mandarin, walnuts and yogurt

We then headed out for our day trip to Melbourne.....I was so glad to get my toes out in the beautiful sunshine and a quick play in front of our house before muscle Mama :-) packed all the kids in the KIA and off we went!!!!

Here is my gorgeous friend Barb who is also a fellow blogger and one very talented fashion designer!!! Check her page HERE

This was us today having a chuckle, as we always do and I have ordered my Spring Racing carnival fascinator so WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!

How tired do I look???? Very puffy eyes and had the al natural look happening today, no make-up! Bring on summer as well for a bit of colour!!! I can't wait!!!!


Morning tea and lunch
Fruit platters and ham, lettuce and egg lettuce salad sandwiches
Americano coffee

I had about 6 of these sandwiches....and plenty of this beautiful fresh fruit. It was a hot day and it was so lovely to have these cool us down.

Here are our kids, Noah is 2 days older than Ava and they were each others first friends (we now refer to each other as "close family friends") when Barb and I met at our Melbourne Mothers Group 7 years ago. Our darling friend Deb was unable to come today (who inspired our daughters name Mietta) however look forward to seeing her very very soon, along with all our other lovely ladies.

On our way home we detoured via my old Williams-town before my husband whisked me away to the country......

Williamstown Pier, Victoria

Hey!!!!! I look in the rear view mirror and think? Sheesh!!! Where did all these 4 babies come from??? It sometimes freaks me out!!! All these guys in the last 7 years???? Unreal.

KIA Carnival. Best car in the world

Dinner

Meatballs with steamed veggies and wholemeal spiral pasta

Meatballs with vegetable pasta

All I can say is thank goodness for meal planning and having these meatballs already cooked from the other night. All I did was boil the pasta for the kids and I had the vegetables raw with a few pasta swirls, reheated the meatballs and whalla!!! 

Over and out from me. We have some super back to back stuff happening here these next few days. Can't wait to share.....until then.

Xx Dani

Did you say run? Yes I can run now...

So I started blogging a few months ago, I think that was around the same time when I started running. As you may be aware, I'm not a huge fan but I have it as one of my goals before I turn 40 to complete a fun run. So I have registered for the Run Ballarat 6km fun run which is only a few weeks away. I have managed to do the 12km course already, however still battling this mild stitch and would much prefer to defeat this and work out the cause than run in pain. 

So this is my track.....the road I turn onto to go running from my home. 

Run Ballarat has inspired me to do my first fun run!

PWOS (post work out shake after my 6km aka 3.75mi run)
180 Nutrition coconut protein drink with water not milk

I must admit my legs were extremely heavy between the 4-6kms mark as I did a deadly Fit Yummy Mummy workout out the day before, with the Transformation Kit. Bring on Summer and get these legs out, I say!!! Can't wait for the warmer weather to get here!!!


Breakfast
Cinnamon pear porridge

Pear porridge

Morning snack
Apple and carrot muffins

Carrot and apple oat muffins

Ingredients
Oats
Wholemeal flour
Chia seeds
Eggs
Vanilla essence
Grated carrots
Apple puree
honey
raisins
yogurt
sprinkle of nutmeg & cinnamon
walnuts and apple slices added on top for decorative purposes

Method
Mix wet ingredients with dry and leave the mix overnight in a cool room (or the fridge) and then you have your muffins ready in the morning to bake! Ran out of muffin cup holders, so I used baking (parchment) paper and cut them into squares and laid them in and poured the mixture!

Please forgive me for not providing you with my exact measurements. I do these at night so I am seriously just thinking about my bed and not the measurements. However please check out my favourite healthy chef Teresa's muesli muffins as these are as close to my recipe as I can recall. She truly does inspire me!


Lunch
Sandwich platter with various toppings, tuna, avocado, feta, tomato, spinach, cucumbers

We were out and about all afternoon and luckily packed snacks however were really fortunate to have these....

Afternoon snack
Date scones

Date scones

My girlfriend made these and she gave me her Mums ingredients, quantity and method. These were to die for!!! Simply divine. I am determined to make these clean and will let you know how I go and post the recipe for sure!!!!


Dinner
Honey soy chicken with potato salad and roasted chip carrots

Ingredients
Chicken tenderloins (x2 packs)
honey and soy sauce
boiled eggs
potatoes
carrots cut into sticks

Method
Mix honey soy ingredients in casserole dish and watch these babies glaze up. Ensure you don't over cook these as they will dry out! I also bake the potatoes and carrots while the oven is on as well. Another quick and lazy night for me to cook and just rely on the oven while I play with the kids.

Honey soy chicken

Oh yes the last pic is the dressing I poured on the potato salad. Simply mix yogurt, vinegar with some olive oil and add S&P and there you have a beautiful white dressing without the guilt AKA mayonnaise.

Hey!!! BTW I have a confession to make!!! This past week I have been loading myself up with that Cadbury Creations jelly popping chocolate and seriously wonder why my progress has plateaued??? "Keep eating that chocolate Dani, go on!!! Keep it up and you'll get to your goal!!!"

NOT!!!!!!

Goodnight all. From a chocolate junkie!

Xx Dani

School holiday fun and clean eating treats!

So today was chill out day as far as no workout required or rather my 15 minute Fit Yummy Mummy resistance training. Which reminds me.....the chin up bar is on hold until I get my Docs okay. So please anyone else wanting to do this October challenge with me, check with your doc and get an okay before trying anything new. 


Still getting a huge workout though with the 4 kids over the school holidays!!! Sheesh!! They are keeping me  v.e.r.y  busy!!!!!



Breakfast
Wholegrain flakes with banana, blueberries, strawberry and walnuts

During the school holidays we have been doing a little bit of everything from play dates, running in the park, crafts and painting!!!! Oscar was very inspired when he went to his Baba's AKA Grandmother's place the other day and made comment:

"Baba, is this a Jackson Pole-ack painting?"

I nearly fell off my chair, firstly because I thought he said something so hilarious until I saw my Mums jaw drop and she said:

"Yes Oscar, that's a Jackson Pollock inspired painting I did".

Here is Oscar all smiles at my Mums place in front of her paintings and the other 3 frames are Oz creating his own Jackson Pollock masterpiece.

Jackson Pollock inspired art

Method
Dob or splash a little paint on some paper that is lined inside a tray. Place a golf or ping pong ball and roll away!!!! You learn something new everyday!!! Oscar showed me how he does art at his Kinda!!

Morning snack
Banana bites

\

We have loads of bananas at our place!!! $2.99 per kilo so I got a few....anyways, these were real quick, easy and simple to make with the kids as a sweet treat! I sliced the bananas, while they spooned the peanut butter, sprinkled the cacao and coconut. They love eating this kinda stuff and say;

"It's amazing how sweet this is Mum, it doesn't even need sugar!"

Bless their little hearts!

Lunch
Salmon salad

I love having left overs especially salmon, throw in any veggies or salad (I had spinach, mushrooms and capsicums) and made a real quick seeded mustard dressing by simply adding more vinegar and yogurt to the seeded mustard!

We caught up with friends this afternoon and went to the park to enjoy the beautiful sunshine, so we had fruit at the part but my kids were still hungry when we got home....

Afternoon snack
Fruit salad, crackers and dip with tuna tomato and cream cheese

Dinner
Mini meatloaf with greek garden salad

When I am pushed for time (or slack really to fry or bbq) I simply bake! Pop things in the oven and leave them to their own device. Sorry these guys don't look the best, however I (WE) can assure you they are super tasty!!! Same concept as my other meatloaf recipe when I do both meals at once. So I did the mini meatloaf as well as cooked Thursday nights dinner, meatballs.

Ingredients
500g beef mince and 500g pork mince
2 eggs
1 onion diced
2 carrots grated
1 fresh beetroot grated
handful of fresh parsley and mint
*seasoning, curry powder, cumin, coriander, oregano S&P

NB: I seriously go a little silly sometimes and throw in all these spices cos I love them all!!!!


Toppings
I just mixed some seeded mustard with tomato paste and sprinkled cheese and placed a mushroom in each mini meatloaf. You can experiment with whatever ingredients you have in your fridge.


Method
Combine all ingredients and spray muffin tin with olive oil and place meat inside muffin tray. Place toppings of your choice. Left over mix, roll up into meatballs and also cook at the same time as mini meatloaves in a lightly greased casserole dish! Once the meatballs are cooking, I also pour a passata type tomato cooking sauce and add fresh basil or whatever herbs I have handy so the flavours all cook at the same time in the oven.

Well my lovely people, I hope you are having a sensational start to this week and I so look forward to meeting with you again soon. Much love.

Xx Dani

ROCK-tober!!!!! CHIN UP challenge! You in?

Busy! busy! busy! The last few days, WHOOSH!!!! I need to relax and breathe......aaaahhhhhh....all good and coping well, kinda, sorta. The neck is still not 100% so going to get it checked out again in the morning.

1 week down of school holidays (well 2 really as Oscar has 3 weeks!) and 1 to go! Many activities and things booked in so we are on the go! Constantly!!!!!

Anywho!!!!

WHO CAN DO CHIN UPS????

I can't do ONE so my challenge for the month of October and would love your participation, is how many chin ups can you do in ONE MONTH????? It starts today and it doesn't matter if you do one today and then 5 tomorrow, add them all up and let's telly them at the end of the month. What do you think????

Here is my new $13 investment which I purchased at Big W on the weekend and fits on any standard door!!!!

Chin up bar

My little champions, were the first ones to experiment and loved every minute of it. I didn't push myself as I still have my neck prob however I did give myself a little lift but being an amazon of nearly 6' I can simply reach my hand up on the bar and just hop up on it! So I will need to really lift or bend my legs when I start getting serious on this. I am very excited and nervous at the same time.

I am still on my mission for my dumbbells, so I will let you know how I go there as well.


Breakfast
Apple cinnamon porridge with fruit salad

Workout
Completed my FYM workout and this week my workouts change in the Transformation Kit  as we approach our 5th week in the challenge, it's a 5-8 week TRI SETS program!!! I love them!!!! They keep me really challenged especially the close grip push ups as I am hopeless at those, hoping the chin up upper body strength building will help me with my personal challenge.

Running "Run Ballarat" fun run update 

Didn't get a look in this weekend with my Mum staying, so I will make more of a conscious effort this week to build that part of my fitness regime. The run is 3 weeks away, which reminds me I HAVE 2 BIRTHDAYS to plan as well!!! What da? Yes, Mietta turns 3 on the Saturday before the fun run and Adrian turns 37 the day after the run!!!! Told you we have a ROCKING month ahead of us!!!! 

Morning snack AKA PWOS (post workout shake)
180 Nutrition coconut protein shake
1 banana
milk

This is the most filling protein drink I have ever had, you just feel the fullness after tasting all the natural ingredients in your mouth. I need to add a splash of water into my cup to rinse out all the goodness in my mouth and not just wash it down the sink!

We were out and about with the kids this morning and came back home for some lunch only to head out again.....busy.....busy.....

Lunch
Avocado egg and tomato club sandwiches

Any sandwich that has a toothpick in it, my kids love to refer them to club sandwiches. It's hilarious! They love eating what I eat so I simply make it just fun for them. My 2 sandwiches looked like this...

I added some feta cheese with mine as well and kept munching on fresh cucumbers as well.

Afternoon snack
Fresh fruit salad
Almonds

For those that ask how I plan my meals for the week. When I buy our fresh fruit and veg, I quickly wash them and cut them up so they are ready to rock and roll when we need to go somewhere. Here is an example of how this weeks fruit has been washed and prepped up:

I buy these large tubs from the Reject Shop for $2 as they lay flat and stack ontop of each other in our fridge nicely. My others are filled with washed and sliced veggie sticks and can't forget our Popeye mate Spinach. However I will make another post about meal plans and how to save you time throughout your week.

Dinner
BBQ salmon with seeded mustard and steamed vegetables



I typically buy salmon when it's on sale, hence the few packs I bought this time around. We then have it the next day for lunch in a salad.

Method

I simply wash my salmon thoroughly under cold running water, drain in a colander and then on a paper towel and pat dry after seasoning with salt and pepper. Squeeze some lemon juice and you don't need anything else when this fish is barbecued!!! It is such a tasty fish and one of my favourites! Not so much for Adrian, he's a flathead white fish fan!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend and are geared up to rocking it with me in ROCK-tober!! Especially with my chin up challenge. I have to raise the bar (get it?) since my neck slowed me down with some workouts and choices in food last week. I am hopeless over the weekend too and over indulge in certain foods.

So I need to make the change this month to get the results I want to achieve. I am the only one that can make this happen. YOU TOO need to make the change. I hope you can join me. Let's eat clean and exercise!!!!

Xx Dani

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