tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79646600147182727442024-03-19T03:47:47.877-05:00recipe for crazy bloglesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.comBlogger714125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-78399385102978652482020-05-18T11:57:00.006-05:002020-05-18T13:04:15.062-05:00I Get To Love You / Addison Lea's Birth Story and Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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May 1, 2020 our newest girl was born, a week past her due date and this is her
story. Men or women that don't want to hear about things related to birth,
pass on by.
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First, here's little backstory for those that aren't familiar with our other
births. We have three other kids and all three were medicated, hospital
births. The first was a bit traumatic, an experience I wouldn't wish on any
first time mom but that was 10 years ago and we learned a lot from it. After
the first birth, we changed both doctors and hospitals and had really great
experiences with our next two and can't speak highly enough of the staff and
doctor.
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Then, fast forward 4 years and here we were pregnant again. Only this time I
had several friends who had done these crazy "home births" and delivered at
birth centers. I was intrigued.
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<div>
After a lot of prayer and talking to everyone I knew that had a non-hospital
birth, I decided to read up on it a bit more. I knew I didn't want a home
birth as the place we are living is not our home and I just wasn't fully
comfortable with that idea. A birth center, however, was something I wanted to
know more about. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first book I read was, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316515612/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316515612&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=8dd88169f0344e8a00a60292a946b9e8" target="_blank">Birth Without Fear: The Judgment-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0316515612" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />" I highly
recommend it as it covers all different kinds of births and how to have the
best experience wherever you choose to deliver, hospital, home, birth center. </div>
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN2ot0fl7seTrkjjBEhyGDSZvJKixajkUsH96whXAFEsy3hv0U4fZEJIyjRJLXDzdsiDfroX_hDvDVjgbp1c3pO-zq1d3RPGlgMeRHq9_dSm7Q_K74KGA7_plqCqWxVr5sqffrGg-pWM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN2ot0fl7seTrkjjBEhyGDSZvJKixajkUsH96whXAFEsy3hv0U4fZEJIyjRJLXDzdsiDfroX_hDvDVjgbp1c3pO-zq1d3RPGlgMeRHq9_dSm7Q_K74KGA7_plqCqWxVr5sqffrGg-pWM/w628-h640/Screen+Shot+2020-05-15+at+6.27.45+PM.png" width="628" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next book I read was, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553381156/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553381156&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=e9a03ba6cf71019bd67da5c9cf21b6a6" target="_blank">Ina May's Guide to Childbirth "Updated With New Material"</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0553381156" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />" Definitely a great
read if you're thinking about natural childbirth. This left me thinking, wow,
I could do this - maybe. But the fear of pain and lack of confidence in myself
was something I was struggling with. I prayed for clarity. Deep down I wanted
to do this naturally but I needed a push.
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<div>
That push came at a normal checkup with my doctor. I was probably about 24
weeks along at this point and planning on a hospital birth with the doctor
that delivered my last 2. Then he told me his practice was changing and that
we'd be delivering at a different hospital. The same one I had my first at.
The same place who's staff was less than desirable. The same place that I did
NOT want to go back to.
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I talked to Eric about it. Finally voiced the idea of a birth center, thinking
he may think I was crazy and talk sense into me. Instead he was all for it and
ready to take a tour. We scheduled a meeting with an amazing midwife that has
literally birthed every single one of my friends non-hospital babies, Ruth
Cobb. She was amazing and we left knowing she'd be with us when baby #4 was
born.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWg4001ySYbY5riDua_KKqSovlzMDPxHMSixy9zEK6gjSq16oaVsu2J3y2dOo7lHZuWFyqE8tmfqlFucCdB45Prq31vj-LbEvm3IjA5axhxQciqtPEfJsH1eSyFofEUlGdFDeX2Gy4M00/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWg4001ySYbY5riDua_KKqSovlzMDPxHMSixy9zEK6gjSq16oaVsu2J3y2dOo7lHZuWFyqE8tmfqlFucCdB45Prq31vj-LbEvm3IjA5axhxQciqtPEfJsH1eSyFofEUlGdFDeX2Gy4M00/w630-h640/Screen+Shot+2020-05-15+at+6.30.12+PM.png" width="630" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
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I was 30 weeks due and a few weeks before anyone would hear the whisper of
coronavirus when we made the switch. It's funny because at the time, I got all
the normal questions as to why we'd want to switch. Most people it was
curiosity because who would want to go through the pain if they didn't have
to? There was also the concerned questions and comments about what a midwife
does, how close we were to an actual hospital if we needed to transfer, and
all the other concerns people have that aren't familiar with non-hospital
births. I'd done my research. I made my choice. I took it in stride.
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But then, here came the coronavirus and hospitals were taking all kinds of
precautions. Everyone was afraid of Covid-19 and didn't know much about it.
Stories were coming out about limiting support people to one or in the worst
cases, none. Women all over the U.S. were delivering babies alone. It broke my
heart. I was so thankful we would be at the birth center. The previous
questions about our choice to switch changed to support and encouragement that
we wouldn't have to deliver in a hospital durning this time.
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There were definitely changes with the birth center and I watched each week to
see what was going on. No visitors would be allowed to wait in the waiting
room to keep numbers down and the risk down. This bummed me out since my
entire family is always present at every birth. Coming and going in the
hospital room as allowed. This time it would just be me, Eric and another
person. Our middle had wanted to be in the room with us, but for now, that
wouldn't look possible. I was still allowed to have my husband and sister
present so I was thankful for that.
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The weeks went on, state mandates were made and I tried not to worry about
birthing alone. I didn't want to do it alone. I couldn't do it alone. I prayed
and prayed and prayed.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E-HKlE1viHkKtUzNBrWUN05PaUhVSK96iRfM57m1NW52tpTq_AaLmsPdFs7_AvgtYjPQ6tLtdhRNQHQSwpjUqBY974C9AXSehLgbBdUYTGhUm86v9hYayMnjODXZUmFwCCEwhkh7rZM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1196" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E-HKlE1viHkKtUzNBrWUN05PaUhVSK96iRfM57m1NW52tpTq_AaLmsPdFs7_AvgtYjPQ6tLtdhRNQHQSwpjUqBY974C9AXSehLgbBdUYTGhUm86v9hYayMnjODXZUmFwCCEwhkh7rZM/w640-h638/Screen+Shot+2020-05-15+at+6.32.09+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
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The week before she was due, I had an appointment with Ruth, and
found out I was dilated to a 3. This meant nothing to me as this was my
fourth kid and I had been dilated at a 3 for a couple weeks without anything
happening in prior pregnancies so I didn't get my hopes up. </div><div><br /></div><div>A week passed,
nothing new. I had felt a few small contractions but nothing worth talking
about. Each day past my due date dragged on. We had been quarantined for
nearly 2 months at this point so I was already over being home and over
being pregnant. The anticipation was getting to me and I was past the fear
of pain with having my first natural birth experience and just wanted this
baby here. I even googled "what does a contraction feel like," because what
else do you do when your fourth kid is past due?
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Another week passed and I went back to the birth center for what we had
scheduled for my first postpartum checkup but the baby was still in there.
Ruth checked me again and to my, and her surprise, I was dilated to a 6. She
could not believe I hadn't started active labor yet and was a little
concerned about how fast the baby could come once it did start. She sent me
home and told me to go on a walk and make sure I had the emergency number
ready to call because it could happen at any point. If not, we were
scheduled to come back the next day to check me again. I thought for sure
we'd be going back to the birth center that night.
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We left to go home and started calling people to prepare them. My mom would
be watching the kids since they couldn't be there due to Covid-19 and all
the precautions being made everywhere. We decided they'd spend the night
with her, just in case I went into labor in the middle of the night. Next I
called my sister because she was still allowed to be in the room with us,
Praise Jesus. She was going to spend the night, just in case.
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We got home, ate dinner, went on a long walk and nothing. We finally gave up
and went to bed after 11 and then I had a small contraction. A few minutes
later, another one. Nothing big but it did get me excited. Eric turned on
the light and started reading and told me to rest. If I could sleep through
them then they weren't big enough to go anywhere. Midnight rolled around and
after a few, very spaced out contractions, I fell asleep. I woke up the next
morning slightly defeated and wondering if my body remembered how to go into
labor.
</div>
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That morning Eric made some eggs and toast for us and insisted we all eat
because we'd need our energy for the day. I probably rolled my eyes,
convinced I wouldn't need energy because the baby was staying in there
forever. We ate, showered and made our way back to the birth center around
11am.
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<br />Ruth checked me again and I was now at a 7. Still no active labor but
my body was getting ready anyways! Apparently weeks of little contractions
were actually doing something. Again, here we were trying to figure out what
to do. We could go home and wait it out or she could break my water and
hopefully get things going. Nothing was guaranteed and if we broke my water
but labor didn't start for 24 hours, I'd have to go to the hospital.
Something I really did not want to do, especially now. I also didn't want to
leave and chance a fast labor with Eric delivering the baby in the car so we
decided to break my water and go for a walk around the building across the
street and see what happened. I prayed that the walk would get things going
and reminded God that I really didn't want to transfer to a hospital and to
please help my body start labor.
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<div>It was 11:35.</div>
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As Eric and I walked, we decided it was a good time to narrow our names
down. And no, we had still not agreed on the name yet. It's hard when you
don't know if you're naming a boy or a girl.
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We talked about names on our list and a couple new ones then I had a
contraction. Praise Jesus! Start the timer! 9 minutes went by and nothing. I
felt defeated and worried that it had stopped again and that I may never
actually go into labor. 10 minutes and another contraction. Okay, this gave
me hope. Not a lot. I didn't want to get too excited.
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We walked another lap around the building and I had another
contraction. 30 minutes had passed. Contractions were sporadic,
10 minutes, then 12, then 9. We both needed to go to the
bathroom so we walked back to the birth center having decided on
2 names, one for a boy and another for a girl.
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We got inside and grabbed some ice and water and started settling our things
in. I turned on some music and got the diffuser going with surrender and,
another contraction. They were getting a bit stronger. This was going to
happen. Maybe. Please, Lord, let it be happening.
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<div>
Marlita, a doula and midwife assistant was there and checked the baby's
heart rate. Healthy and strong. Thank you, Lord. Another contraction.
</div>
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<div>
According to the timer, they were about 5 minutes apart or so. The
contractions were definitely getting more intense and I was so hot. Eric
grabbed a little fan and would turn it to my face during the peaks. I tried
moving on the birthing ball but the pressure was too much so I just leaned
over the side of the bed and found that to give me the most relief. As they
grew in intensity I just kept reminding myself that I had to relax my body.
Maybe all those hours of reading natural birthing books, meditating on bible verses, and affirmation cards were coming in
handy.
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Sidenote, one book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525537996/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0525537996&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=bca4d0d8fccb3ce3734bc52d75555b87" target="_blank">Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0525537996" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />", talked about your
uterus just being a bag of muscles. In order for that muscle group to work
it's best, you needed to let it do its job and focus on relaxing every
single part of your body.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JXZlq9eNWMwnaptRnJ8Pa55T6tYD9Ge_XLDQ4QxLjvQ4aIzOfDXgXl_JVG427E0e3wqOwqOEN80WPFhPS4gEc2aUYxk3vSjxQk-9yeFdx7ZRZ9PrgW-IqQMYQpk8PKLqLth6f3mYCFE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JXZlq9eNWMwnaptRnJ8Pa55T6tYD9Ge_XLDQ4QxLjvQ4aIzOfDXgXl_JVG427E0e3wqOwqOEN80WPFhPS4gEc2aUYxk3vSjxQk-9yeFdx7ZRZ9PrgW-IqQMYQpk8PKLqLth6f3mYCFE/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
When I felt a contraction coming on, I made it my goal to relax as best as I
could. I'd start with my face, no tense jaw, just open my mouth and breathe.
Then I'd tell myself to relax. Breathe. And then I'd move to my neck, relax.
My arms, relax. And then the contraction would be letting up and I'd totally
relax and lean into the release of no pain. I remembered from my reading, to
focus on the in between parts of contractions, not the rush itself. So I did
that as best as I could. Not so bad, I thought. I can do this.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDJMMiqXJroLP7j9Jlk3OEE4gD9gNsnAm1s3hoN0iXkjyrBXSO3xN9chNJqVlB8NPOotsLwy6lNg_bz4ojvZBJvX7fD1h2hNUr2UTlAr0Tb7OTlL1wXccr2wulJvTNp1xIsqxUaiktXE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDJMMiqXJroLP7j9Jlk3OEE4gD9gNsnAm1s3hoN0iXkjyrBXSO3xN9chNJqVlB8NPOotsLwy6lNg_bz4ojvZBJvX7fD1h2hNUr2UTlAr0Tb7OTlL1wXccr2wulJvTNp1xIsqxUaiktXE/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Everyone in the room kept telling me I was doing great. While I was thankful
for their encouragement, I didn't feel like I was doing anything great. I
was just focusing on not tensing my entire body up.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvD9dWX42N-FZVQwEimw-d4-CGZ5O37SvgI6qi5fUGtYzGnDZRX_nsi12nuGq9ymzEZtXqJh-tW5ZCmjyzxMF4BX1iNYCULrgRo3vt0dFhTYffvBsh26TqeS8M_Q6f2Aprui0ofOXY7w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvD9dWX42N-FZVQwEimw-d4-CGZ5O37SvgI6qi5fUGtYzGnDZRX_nsi12nuGq9ymzEZtXqJh-tW5ZCmjyzxMF4BX1iNYCULrgRo3vt0dFhTYffvBsh26TqeS8M_Q6f2Aprui0ofOXY7w/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwXdwPiUyaJFLuKbxWkEuuGuOnpgpZxDbjHgtZEBg9YML3Dr7HzMayfDqjvPR6dHn6ZS7O8hBgE4nWDIA_Fn5FltP-yDmraHBDzz-gj_-5hyphenhyphen_TyA7OzK84QKMox68Cb2mQAWYSwN_Rw0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwXdwPiUyaJFLuKbxWkEuuGuOnpgpZxDbjHgtZEBg9YML3Dr7HzMayfDqjvPR6dHn6ZS7O8hBgE4nWDIA_Fn5FltP-yDmraHBDzz-gj_-5hyphenhyphen_TyA7OzK84QKMox68Cb2mQAWYSwN_Rw0/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
This went on for about 2 hours but seemed much shorter. Each contraction was
getting closer and gaining intensity. I wanted to try getting into the water
for a little more relief. I heard it feels amazing and is a nice
distraction. Ruth let me know I may not like it since I was already so hot.
The warm water may make me feel worse. We decided I could try it and if I
didn't like it I could hop right back out.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
It was almost 2pm and it turned out, water was just what I needed and I felt
instant relief. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzHnNrwnEj_WwEjrmbI9Khn9BEz2V6ipb6WotAIDwjxsnzPbywuWdqiEVgXhT59tiC2Z6315PYwGAjmNTA8z1_Dt6a1ootBB0-gfyrLrmcFC8O07bxLc78S2FX1nna2eyP06JEtimxjQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzHnNrwnEj_WwEjrmbI9Khn9BEz2V6ipb6WotAIDwjxsnzPbywuWdqiEVgXhT59tiC2Z6315PYwGAjmNTA8z1_Dt6a1ootBB0-gfyrLrmcFC8O07bxLc78S2FX1nna2eyP06JEtimxjQ/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRUnEpoYjHPN1LQh4sueUhvvilONYQMWr3USzbOUJtrK88qSiwca_fG3BQ7bHQIyuzz4XnEo3UHvYQ_5e8xG4RuscmLMcotFw1DQY8-nkihRdbpOoE43PU8YF-ehTG60f3hMh-mytgeM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRUnEpoYjHPN1LQh4sueUhvvilONYQMWr3USzbOUJtrK88qSiwca_fG3BQ7bHQIyuzz4XnEo3UHvYQ_5e8xG4RuscmLMcotFw1DQY8-nkihRdbpOoE43PU8YF-ehTG60f3hMh-mytgeM/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Eric kept my head and face cool with iced wash cloths and
the fan while I labored in the water for a bit. I switched the playlist from
more upbeat music to one I made for the birth center. Ruth told me if I felt
the urge to poop to let her know. Apparently that meant the baby was close.
Good to know.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E9kIE1Jatj_0YBgKjEL1RTNFIu4YHT-hs2G8bKH6d2hNrfz1VZo_PsJzItRJaIhbcb33L8XWYcEbsczITTOpAqrEjKlZ_aEnXEtH68AV-BZGaGh9nBU5K7-K77Js6R9ZToy3KZ8Or4E/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E9kIE1Jatj_0YBgKjEL1RTNFIu4YHT-hs2G8bKH6d2hNrfz1VZo_PsJzItRJaIhbcb33L8XWYcEbsczITTOpAqrEjKlZ_aEnXEtH68AV-BZGaGh9nBU5K7-K77Js6R9ZToy3KZ8Or4E/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnolnkCQqJcv1qt1FK8kktIFQqbzcyHAnjDYHDr8imAhx5njrpwlwoYxCCt2RtLMOrWb-MrzbbsBIZJr4WQXBlNQwyUaY-EzRfKo43cLbJi9eIg1ZIt7QCsEM36077wYMhPis2QMc6szM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnolnkCQqJcv1qt1FK8kktIFQqbzcyHAnjDYHDr8imAhx5njrpwlwoYxCCt2RtLMOrWb-MrzbbsBIZJr4WQXBlNQwyUaY-EzRfKo43cLbJi9eIg1ZIt7QCsEM36077wYMhPis2QMc6szM/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
There wasn't a lot of talking going on, or at least much that I recall. I
was just focused on relaxing until Eric started switching up the music. It
was annoyingly distracting so I asked him to stop and just let the song
play. I didn't care what it was, just let it play. He turned to my sister
and told her he remembered being told that during the birth class, oops. It
made me want to laugh and I was thankful for a little humor in the midst of
everything.
</div>
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT3wbdYdtsxTKeFaZ1yH3h0nmSKsXxtK5CfW_vURrdZNE4z_dTqRDqiWuJMrgfiDZ3j4NvXyNPtRJxMLSZ6RYIBgbI6PKSwd8JgZlFTjAOsJT08YuZY_Iku_J4tZaPp4Olm3PEjhz498/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT3wbdYdtsxTKeFaZ1yH3h0nmSKsXxtK5CfW_vURrdZNE4z_dTqRDqiWuJMrgfiDZ3j4NvXyNPtRJxMLSZ6RYIBgbI6PKSwd8JgZlFTjAOsJT08YuZY_Iku_J4tZaPp4Olm3PEjhz498/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div>
The contractions were getting powerful so I moved my body around, trying to
ease the pain and just kept talking to myself, sometimes out loud, RELAX,
just relax. Another one over. I asked God for strength. I couldn't do this
on my own. Somewhere during all this I looked at Eric and said, "This is not
fun. Do you want to do this?" We laughed and I knew no one could do this. It
had to be me.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyUcnea4RSXz4K66Vm2zWWAQ_4xD09CNCb-wu1EbLSFc2OEk1M-BhFu4DPUEw_ZVLFxOnrrtrFnqS-croJdf4FeWk8qaovj7w6UL3-ecFO82lItnGfJWpZiO5Z_hd5K8QSWvOOvK94do/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyUcnea4RSXz4K66Vm2zWWAQ_4xD09CNCb-wu1EbLSFc2OEk1M-BhFu4DPUEw_ZVLFxOnrrtrFnqS-croJdf4FeWk8qaovj7w6UL3-ecFO82lItnGfJWpZiO5Z_hd5K8QSWvOOvK94do/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div>Then things started getting real. Like, contractions were almost on top of
each other. That window of relief I'd been focusing on was getting almost
gone and it was next to impossible to stay relaxed. The pain was almost
unbearable but not the kind that brought tears, just overwhelmingly intense.
I knew we had to be getting close or at least, I prayed we were.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oS0jfH7CxJB1vcsIJUF1Qp86Xn4WqGhXO-FqdcciEdRc-XuZ17eND2XoBPZTORifwVI-r5dyqBvEXyL68Tojtk1Awou-lstH4fZ5aWk1E-F9xfwkaC8SzLf1f83WSy7xhAe-Iw0DC7U/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oS0jfH7CxJB1vcsIJUF1Qp86Xn4WqGhXO-FqdcciEdRc-XuZ17eND2XoBPZTORifwVI-r5dyqBvEXyL68Tojtk1Awou-lstH4fZ5aWk1E-F9xfwkaC8SzLf1f83WSy7xhAe-Iw0DC7U/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Ruth came over and asked if I wanted to birth the baby in the tub. I didn't
know. I couldn't think that part through. I didn't know what I wanted or
didn't want. They needed an answer answer because they'd have to raise the
water temp if I stayed in the tub. I couldn't imagine getting out and having
a contraction in the middle of it and told Eric I didn't think I could get
out. He immediately grabbed the drain to let some of the cooler water out and
they cranked up the hot water. The rush of hot water flooded over me and it
felt amazing. Until the next contraction started building and all of a
sudden, I knew I was going to poop.</div><div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlJeoPIqCLM306NWFBjZ3hyphenhyphenw023LzxBuuf95VW7_tv5zTqcdzpcp5e8RTCJdEd_szxm5SMQrvusJxVD8h_eWluONGYupEQ2FIk2bQm0nAf_I7ECqrsismQWAfv_-Zo9v79gO5VF4s0Lg/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-058.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div>The most intense pain mixed with pressure overcame me and I yelled at Ruth
that I was going to poop. She got ready and gently said, no, that's your
baby. I argued again, unable to breathe or do anything really. She reassured
me that the baby was coming and told me to breathe. I literally could not
breath. She said I was breathing. Eric said I was breathing. Ashley said I
was breathing. I didn't feel like I was breathing.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I looked Ruth in the eyes and asked her what I needed to do. She told me to
bring air into my chest and push. I did.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOntuir4M-g2Ge7pl76KzM-JoveARYoVEkmzdMhAT18u4i6sWkBZlGZJefujEUaNehTr5PsMnZ5iC56Vydf9Hb-ALdJPH7Y1WLQQtKAEH_f1XhgGnV2rguD6pJ_g1waY07sbqvfS0LnQ0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOntuir4M-g2Ge7pl76KzM-JoveARYoVEkmzdMhAT18u4i6sWkBZlGZJefujEUaNehTr5PsMnZ5iC56Vydf9Hb-ALdJPH7Y1WLQQtKAEH_f1XhgGnV2rguD6pJ_g1waY07sbqvfS0LnQ0/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>What was that? Oh my gosh. Baby's head was out. </div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I didn't know it at the time, Eric did, but the cord was wrapped twice
around her neck. Ruth told me to push again. I did.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Baby was out, Ruth did some ninja master flip with the baby under water to
untangle the cord and boom, there it was in my arms breathing the first
breaths and I could breathe again.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVOS_MagPc_q9gAHTWv-9okm86Q4VcrI4Eke003Syhk79S6JgTeq055wgvbn7GMqstOEg1CaJvpAswVgQpEO0zZ6-8TY_qiktzA0p1UlBovWVCLyVQyJpAN4t9YGtebo88ObhI2d7EtU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVOS_MagPc_q9gAHTWv-9okm86Q4VcrI4Eke003Syhk79S6JgTeq055wgvbn7GMqstOEg1CaJvpAswVgQpEO0zZ6-8TY_qiktzA0p1UlBovWVCLyVQyJpAN4t9YGtebo88ObhI2d7EtU/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7E9ladQc0KHf3ysk5zpHUCAaqaPwEEtnY6WfHE7lrc8VubBjRrAcOyTHFaNgqbLwjXY-26XiqR8wwOELGMu4slpxvyGK1mNh8SvPjfihY236JxRb3wnNdrXjfrn5flEfj1WlhHPYlDc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7E9ladQc0KHf3ysk5zpHUCAaqaPwEEtnY6WfHE7lrc8VubBjRrAcOyTHFaNgqbLwjXY-26XiqR8wwOELGMu4slpxvyGK1mNh8SvPjfihY236JxRb3wnNdrXjfrn5flEfj1WlhHPYlDc/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>What in the world just happened? I couldn't believe it. The pain was
completely gone and I was holding my baby. Total shock.</div><div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru93-eed-Ebl9n0ZO-F7dwNiNTwIT6BJax_Ouad9RVYALSGQRFsfYR-lFETl7u_ZuUsraM_H6MTaWunwJ0ns5Ij0U7jK4Hdce8di5z6fm0tLOVf-ZlgJPLviMawRH7uh3XETLjQQ4vbg/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-067.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div><br /></div><div>At 2:39 our baby was home.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Ruth asked us if we checked to see what the baby was. No. How did we miss
that? We looked down and we had a girl! I looked at Eric and he said,
"Hello, Addison Lea." Then I melted. A complete rush of emotions came over
me and I was just in awe of the whole experience. I had just done that. I
couldn't believe it. I closed my eyes and could hear, "So will I" playing and I thanked God for everything that had just happened.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd295bXRcreOZhNxYubmXmoCAk1VBabGmIZ-f20i8PBPPtk9nK9DSj9y0mb7jj5yYCMfFe87erTniVfPeKwovfQt5QhJgdrzyLbjE0DSBFyE3z4jY9wbLz4fDE4h0QTP-b4YFE6E2A8I/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd295bXRcreOZhNxYubmXmoCAk1VBabGmIZ-f20i8PBPPtk9nK9DSj9y0mb7jj5yYCMfFe87erTniVfPeKwovfQt5QhJgdrzyLbjE0DSBFyE3z4jY9wbLz4fDE4h0QTP-b4YFE6E2A8I/w426-h640/5.1.20AddisonLea-074.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Eric cut the cord and they gave Addison to him so I could get out of the tub
and made my way to the bed. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3W4ldIxQccn9sc7X8aitXB3QA4mSiou2Q7nXv_6N5n3qrAEkeOfmf9BJL3RjYdtl6XBlSho1eGktO897JRBp8qNI0rSBT0iQZQ1DPHbRAt_QVTHtmhHjvlyPe_WbJocz5n24GNjMZSE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3W4ldIxQccn9sc7X8aitXB3QA4mSiou2Q7nXv_6N5n3qrAEkeOfmf9BJL3RjYdtl6XBlSho1eGktO897JRBp8qNI0rSBT0iQZQ1DPHbRAt_QVTHtmhHjvlyPe_WbJocz5n24GNjMZSE/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-078.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZqpV7So3ExGMSe6LBSHoecs_RfVrTh9xiP-IlJWZyZIzrYi0of1da6HhdDLoTtWYAnaf5EF-Ex3281URUO5ZuEoT2XLyxSE2ioXIJvPUb05V7khAKCH75nA5evAyi5y-FL1S6tYQ5bw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZqpV7So3ExGMSe6LBSHoecs_RfVrTh9xiP-IlJWZyZIzrYi0of1da6HhdDLoTtWYAnaf5EF-Ex3281URUO5ZuEoT2XLyxSE2ioXIJvPUb05V7khAKCH75nA5evAyi5y-FL1S6tYQ5bw/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-081.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4icSMXuxxyT4VRRnpX5kUwL4K6XX32ow5ZaQzgBeJ3HgSSLkJsgQN8i2pHijfJJuiQPN_c3jB7G0WNaOn5nOjP3aoqyo7fjLoa4CP4_wo6v5V6Pw0zZ6z_s9I40qPZtbzCP86jTfV1ns/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4icSMXuxxyT4VRRnpX5kUwL4K6XX32ow5ZaQzgBeJ3HgSSLkJsgQN8i2pHijfJJuiQPN_c3jB7G0WNaOn5nOjP3aoqyo7fjLoa4CP4_wo6v5V6Pw0zZ6z_s9I40qPZtbzCP86jTfV1ns/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUhyphenhyphenyoP_bcL3A_qSV8VvSJuhsbdc70UziNL_naBIQ5Bk-mEmfAp_fuotLUVHE4ccghuf8jt2-3cZoqLOqb2gnQK-SRivVhyUHpb2P4RnJx5T9ywRK7lwixPW4PCdM1JRokFIOZfQN4VI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUhyphenhyphenyoP_bcL3A_qSV8VvSJuhsbdc70UziNL_naBIQ5Bk-mEmfAp_fuotLUVHE4ccghuf8jt2-3cZoqLOqb2gnQK-SRivVhyUHpb2P4RnJx5T9ywRK7lwixPW4PCdM1JRokFIOZfQN4VI/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-084.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I delivered the placenta and then Eric brought
me our girl and she immediately started nursing. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H8rszsw1RxlMKNVJVzFeQnPtZV8t5HqGkomEoUY0gTg-mPzRGkIwB86Tegp6HNTd9D4bNROQ9ugQdLqGEtaGkV5Ako6E2fImSHItbaUjg9RkxD4nVUl4dSCocXi8PzVxWHR6LCw46Yo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H8rszsw1RxlMKNVJVzFeQnPtZV8t5HqGkomEoUY0gTg-mPzRGkIwB86Tegp6HNTd9D4bNROQ9ugQdLqGEtaGkV5Ako6E2fImSHItbaUjg9RkxD4nVUl4dSCocXi8PzVxWHR6LCw46Yo/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After about an hour had
gone by, I needed some mending from a little tearing so Eric and Ashley took
off with our girl. I was still bleeding and forgot about the dreaded stomach
massage after birth. We needed my uterus to shrink
down <span>quickly</span> and those massages were maybe worse than
labor itself. Not really but whew, they were not fun.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUev0PQbp5aIKo9OE71aY1MtTQPzSpijtYFyJSsXnIAs1lx9pJ0of2gwQeLfJim6_5cbhcQ8UG3hSpe_QQaTaXkVgQ8KW_OBP8o9uKVj6OC8b-2Xayv2NLuPBH8gWUj1HTtnzzXOQW-w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUev0PQbp5aIKo9OE71aY1MtTQPzSpijtYFyJSsXnIAs1lx9pJ0of2gwQeLfJim6_5cbhcQ8UG3hSpe_QQaTaXkVgQ8KW_OBP8o9uKVj6OC8b-2Xayv2NLuPBH8gWUj1HTtnzzXOQW-w/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ENjZTjOVDW-D-tU4LGEZwL17y6BWMsv1UFnvIjtPjskqLCjvILzBWOwhWzycRwC3r2nmzxyX9oWREG3AqPKiFN22jg0oM7v0kCDwvX2lipM7UCo5dm6wt7rrhUvWLmkuebnw7xcH9kE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ENjZTjOVDW-D-tU4LGEZwL17y6BWMsv1UFnvIjtPjskqLCjvILzBWOwhWzycRwC3r2nmzxyX9oWREG3AqPKiFN22jg0oM7v0kCDwvX2lipM7UCo5dm6wt7rrhUvWLmkuebnw7xcH9kE/w426-h640/5.1.20AddisonLea-105.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>Addison was weighed, measured and all those newborn things and then we hung around to make sure everyone was healthy, strong and ready to go home.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmNrHj7tR_1NYI7KdbIWM_To_dJcJU0GLrElElLA6e2UMHwk3KFhDhZsLDSbkOW9LRwjInPwAxKNU3S0i_aj8OFIm1gWqhAbl_XTn12zqbAzL-QTlH8l3iEKDcAvbgQO6MVxQZbatJkc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmNrHj7tR_1NYI7KdbIWM_To_dJcJU0GLrElElLA6e2UMHwk3KFhDhZsLDSbkOW9LRwjInPwAxKNU3S0i_aj8OFIm1gWqhAbl_XTn12zqbAzL-QTlH8l3iEKDcAvbgQO6MVxQZbatJkc/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVxauoP77EX9ixsaZ645_xZ7QIUq7V6O0lgQzApjNH4FqAX3tAsXSZ9cXTaw2ERs282G0824g5dou-8wTbFPuSe6HoX2-9QvDeNtCUQs4_2NHyHAvgp7B1bbcAcc2N0SW-VSQA3C390o/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVxauoP77EX9ixsaZ645_xZ7QIUq7V6O0lgQzApjNH4FqAX3tAsXSZ9cXTaw2ERs282G0824g5dou-8wTbFPuSe6HoX2-9QvDeNtCUQs4_2NHyHAvgp7B1bbcAcc2N0SW-VSQA3C390o/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpNvUekm7iYpoo4mKMDzfmpybCbhV5YQmZazZjyVo_aiwkun2CmfQo8kNzihMbwIIhMnlRHHdL4tlfZ3X-RM9EPycM6z_o5uSixuRgI_1miRL_oj7k98TfQblaOtbHaOa0pOKmlQtEQM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpNvUekm7iYpoo4mKMDzfmpybCbhV5YQmZazZjyVo_aiwkun2CmfQo8kNzihMbwIIhMnlRHHdL4tlfZ3X-RM9EPycM6z_o5uSixuRgI_1miRL_oj7k98TfQblaOtbHaOa0pOKmlQtEQM/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTwUTCXCiPvYnxvRxfuohaaIX2ou0oKHvXVSQfU_rSWtuUKuOfi3ZLJUznAoTB1Y_odj6d8sTzd5QPW-wNKWWraE10wE6P_4R9elTxUcH99Z0xiLZvX_rFk5q3GaM34CVVn2cCNN-5Pg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTwUTCXCiPvYnxvRxfuohaaIX2ou0oKHvXVSQfU_rSWtuUKuOfi3ZLJUznAoTB1Y_odj6d8sTzd5QPW-wNKWWraE10wE6P_4R9elTxUcH99Z0xiLZvX_rFk5q3GaM34CVVn2cCNN-5Pg/w640-h640/5.1.20AddisonLea-120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After we got Addison's temperature up and my bleeding stopped, we ate a
little Mexican food. Praise. And then headed home to introduce our girl to
her brother and sisters.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a2vLEHuzBHKiIDAcywVpNW0c_RUoCpe3KrhqYUz2r-uGoxZf5MLufOfJbCG7XTWbBE_f-2D0_cmSOTH-NAG3IMnIT8tYIJfAvDViXRrP0_pmuwh8qXtbQa_-IxvzQbBtgIjR_b5__Z8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a2vLEHuzBHKiIDAcywVpNW0c_RUoCpe3KrhqYUz2r-uGoxZf5MLufOfJbCG7XTWbBE_f-2D0_cmSOTH-NAG3IMnIT8tYIJfAvDViXRrP0_pmuwh8qXtbQa_-IxvzQbBtgIjR_b5__Z8/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0otQqQcGksdDP-bf17OFham0mZn8ice7EiVf12Ms9_YO9rCOzEZrUH_Ljy9d4vlFpcGjVSsVCok85iW6clRP1txOhRDVDdZc-XKhJ94FC8ZMYHqwQaDpEaExM4M4jzVPGB8fqtFCLRHg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0otQqQcGksdDP-bf17OFham0mZn8ice7EiVf12Ms9_YO9rCOzEZrUH_Ljy9d4vlFpcGjVSsVCok85iW6clRP1txOhRDVDdZc-XKhJ94FC8ZMYHqwQaDpEaExM4M4jzVPGB8fqtFCLRHg/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZe7_zM8tQ1JzNBQA6eSi7iaam5GhfL_z4vIWcTrFNx3QLkKNtRtYSw5aexFMjec7-W-HDVp_yPVbE_-YfDsyKwPMzfUqWZmLpCsSrJYBZJyhs7onJ4jUZAyMf2ckSH_GLtO5q3wfy1M/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZe7_zM8tQ1JzNBQA6eSi7iaam5GhfL_z4vIWcTrFNx3QLkKNtRtYSw5aexFMjec7-W-HDVp_yPVbE_-YfDsyKwPMzfUqWZmLpCsSrJYBZJyhs7onJ4jUZAyMf2ckSH_GLtO5q3wfy1M/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b6kLd9xou_H15JMYCVPW20S7bdzG__9oAdUpldHrfQModdkvkv7-E-qiM08hXmVZSHoMxm-mS2yS913TLRNZj_TnfqFFAk9Wdk3NmCXLc_BaI92G9rAvyRel-JEvsAViD0ouZCSIoc0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b6kLd9xou_H15JMYCVPW20S7bdzG__9oAdUpldHrfQModdkvkv7-E-qiM08hXmVZSHoMxm-mS2yS913TLRNZj_TnfqFFAk9Wdk3NmCXLc_BaI92G9rAvyRel-JEvsAViD0ouZCSIoc0/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLPEGohxgiM0N1lZ29vON-fV94hlPhnCIWgnG1O-FSIsJf-JqttNYbEkGa5VjmsQOY5PWjZNQTeWBZvhVpQIKk9lUQ-M20_rp72SEoGYA0-iE5miNevWGmpDOjeZRstJLh-bD16TgOjs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLPEGohxgiM0N1lZ29vON-fV94hlPhnCIWgnG1O-FSIsJf-JqttNYbEkGa5VjmsQOY5PWjZNQTeWBZvhVpQIKk9lUQ-M20_rp72SEoGYA0-iE5miNevWGmpDOjeZRstJLh-bD16TgOjs/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4kEHplLRYyfn3SQTJngLnDmOCjCxc6PeLa-pxhd48RgxUd7G0l64cfS-VpJ-cL_2Cb5yw1MIsF0xLO79a4EyRqn-CIXhZK9rMVbn8vpwG-wZUWc608WprqQcfd5gTqkJPxIcLvky3sk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4kEHplLRYyfn3SQTJngLnDmOCjCxc6PeLa-pxhd48RgxUd7G0l64cfS-VpJ-cL_2Cb5yw1MIsF0xLO79a4EyRqn-CIXhZK9rMVbn8vpwG-wZUWc608WprqQcfd5gTqkJPxIcLvky3sk/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-163.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2Wv7NewREe96whYQi6a-bpJ84YtH08HH6fvigLZT1CsH5BhYIy5jrIGqHRgbHjAG0ypkc_q1R1j_8KUwPQPNwR6_W488zrtth5Hy6S6ytwTZ4n78XrTjh1TyHBaxKXKqJAtGB5b2r0o/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2Wv7NewREe96whYQi6a-bpJ84YtH08HH6fvigLZT1CsH5BhYIy5jrIGqHRgbHjAG0ypkc_q1R1j_8KUwPQPNwR6_W488zrtth5Hy6S6ytwTZ4n78XrTjh1TyHBaxKXKqJAtGB5b2r0o/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-170.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
We got home at 9pm and were surrounded by family loving on our girl. The
excitement my kids had over meeting their sister was one of the sweetest
things I've seen. Two weeks have passed and they're still completely
obsessed with her. She is the sweetest, most beautiful thing I've ever seen
and we are so thankful for her and the entire birth experience.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxhJODjxHNZCvQiMjvb7-LUdZEqUS1nc0FeQd50xGZjMylZTy2hcv1EEKkRIPotX_JcXxLM9oL78jyXRxm171bLSMAmuoaQ6ZlCDpzWK0N3hvLND7mESlqJBLUMMm5p1V32cf0circwA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxhJODjxHNZCvQiMjvb7-LUdZEqUS1nc0FeQd50xGZjMylZTy2hcv1EEKkRIPotX_JcXxLM9oL78jyXRxm171bLSMAmuoaQ6ZlCDpzWK0N3hvLND7mESlqJBLUMMm5p1V32cf0circwA/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH282nBB9FK_iWHPU5SiqqiVcP3zUIUi5VpPF3f6Sk6RlCgPHVBZXbQNNoARXEMHIoiMbk6O5WZxu8nuuVHgvw43yVL1BqQ1RhgtN0PBkW1MkhiVjBvhA7verOtGTmjih68WNq1GqT_hM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH282nBB9FK_iWHPU5SiqqiVcP3zUIUi5VpPF3f6Sk6RlCgPHVBZXbQNNoARXEMHIoiMbk6O5WZxu8nuuVHgvw43yVL1BqQ1RhgtN0PBkW1MkhiVjBvhA7verOtGTmjih68WNq1GqT_hM/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-sliJA4aBzjSOMEhGDpdRQLEh5ZXib7Q64mJyklOVHqI4NG0g8wNLhsb8cC0mpCoufcoKEiqjmovRagGJmhsZAdNh9T_I6cP_D-QdSHyqLhbVHaJNsz5Jzq584-tRUa2gsNwDBfr_OA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-sliJA4aBzjSOMEhGDpdRQLEh5ZXib7Q64mJyklOVHqI4NG0g8wNLhsb8cC0mpCoufcoKEiqjmovRagGJmhsZAdNh9T_I6cP_D-QdSHyqLhbVHaJNsz5Jzq584-tRUa2gsNwDBfr_OA/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSaqJF2jGDCReR4nETsOrBsYAflM1neBZVmTuGeT-PVbJetqHDj_1lLkAvCDtnL5FhTckeHuB1pWzDKu1l1KPgQLpr6qeDHBYtjs3xKsxlmXspKk7lsGLl6b3NhyphenhyphenrZqDHu8ZGmGuaGCA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSaqJF2jGDCReR4nETsOrBsYAflM1neBZVmTuGeT-PVbJetqHDj_1lLkAvCDtnL5FhTckeHuB1pWzDKu1l1KPgQLpr6qeDHBYtjs3xKsxlmXspKk7lsGLl6b3NhyphenhyphenrZqDHu8ZGmGuaGCA/w640-h640/5.1.20AddisonLea-192.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtNvzsrEOhqqcHTQvWCCVmKDttaQnLLHFnVaiQgDC_7mUP4Z5z3e0kXmz8w9fpr3DyzcRPcQrHSdtwELo-83YroAgGiRa2jnINyj9utQPPHcsGi6bXOxe5kRyYTswYxQ9LufuceDibGE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtNvzsrEOhqqcHTQvWCCVmKDttaQnLLHFnVaiQgDC_7mUP4Z5z3e0kXmz8w9fpr3DyzcRPcQrHSdtwELo-83YroAgGiRa2jnINyj9utQPPHcsGi6bXOxe5kRyYTswYxQ9LufuceDibGE/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-196.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4geR85BHByKgVRAv2x_OvRN3i4wAPGkWLw6XCuvCIQi7mnmZxDGZ9zdWx1k9bmyMH7wpG3JBh6RaroHcyEgO0o0pLFA_XKz6HjEn8CXmv_5Nj9J4muBLFj3196yRP_9tX_iExJCVnpw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4geR85BHByKgVRAv2x_OvRN3i4wAPGkWLw6XCuvCIQi7mnmZxDGZ9zdWx1k9bmyMH7wpG3JBh6RaroHcyEgO0o0pLFA_XKz6HjEn8CXmv_5Nj9J4muBLFj3196yRP_9tX_iExJCVnpw/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvpeab-sY3hoQZL1shP7ktWYOI82v3lhu7zSpcCT0yMMvs889krQX3EHgW9BXoGw2i6mm0jAvxlaHz-POSbUICl9APgCdY_ZkgroDajZcT10Yh8_9LfXhy19xI2KxK8YCscXahX91Bg4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvpeab-sY3hoQZL1shP7ktWYOI82v3lhu7zSpcCT0yMMvs889krQX3EHgW9BXoGw2i6mm0jAvxlaHz-POSbUICl9APgCdY_ZkgroDajZcT10Yh8_9LfXhy19xI2KxK8YCscXahX91Bg4/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLX2CALq8fY4oXeDdGdVl1_8FvS3X8mtbhioXSf1WzABQbnFjUqqKFwCcnx-QeFBCsxxOix7m90LAGxdE5444GyeYdgEj9M1JZEosGMwyB9RBCRG7ZMCPXMkjtklHPsPA1ebnRfsTn2g/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLX2CALq8fY4oXeDdGdVl1_8FvS3X8mtbhioXSf1WzABQbnFjUqqKFwCcnx-QeFBCsxxOix7m90LAGxdE5444GyeYdgEj9M1JZEosGMwyB9RBCRG7ZMCPXMkjtklHPsPA1ebnRfsTn2g/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRcwgfgVOwXgB1blIPYQTnMA9bSMEdwkpf7YhN8JcdOGcq1dBfk8j5P4kynmA0-fmJo_KNXeFYYVBqoQ-eTKvmEigkL5iSAU5glkx-sTo2zr5ZaywpOg3FgwUMOPFN6j-5VtnlcDyUk4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRcwgfgVOwXgB1blIPYQTnMA9bSMEdwkpf7YhN8JcdOGcq1dBfk8j5P4kynmA0-fmJo_KNXeFYYVBqoQ-eTKvmEigkL5iSAU5glkx-sTo2zr5ZaywpOg3FgwUMOPFN6j-5VtnlcDyUk4/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-217.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
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<div>
Several people have asked about delivering at the birth center versus the
hospital and if we would do it again. Yes.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfQ8bZoAyEOmiHHlOmQwttCt_CHskQQlP6IIL6XMlZvKRpBGvxcw3hkNghMo1SvItRdk8lbTkoKC2rmrnQnPk2syS_sy0fyGnSfVrKV1xEvW1vaYoCsOmPZPgrvVGcBj4JmKAj7nGAvA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfQ8bZoAyEOmiHHlOmQwttCt_CHskQQlP6IIL6XMlZvKRpBGvxcw3hkNghMo1SvItRdk8lbTkoKC2rmrnQnPk2syS_sy0fyGnSfVrKV1xEvW1vaYoCsOmPZPgrvVGcBj4JmKAj7nGAvA/w640-h426/5.9.20AddisonLea-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
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<div>
Was it painful? Oh my gosh, yes! Would I trade the pain to deliver at a
hospital? No. Not one bit. The entire experience, even during a pandemic,
was incredible. We weren't bothered by a constant flow of nurses coming in
and out, checking this and that, a doctor showing up just when it was time
to push then leave, ALL the monitors and sounds, the sterile hospital
feeling, the rushing around and everything else that comes with a hospital
birth.
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<div>
Instead, we had our own space to move about. The freedom to walk around or
get in a tub. An incredible midwife and doula that were there through it
all. A calm, quiet only interrupted by encouraging words and streaming music
I'd spent hours picking out. My sister there to not only offer support and
love but also capture the entire day behind her lens. <b>An experience where I
was treated like a powerful woman, believed in and fully capable to do one
of the hardest, most rewarding things in life and to share that with my
husband. </b>Yes, he was present for every other birth but it was this one that
he felt needed and valued, because he was. I couldn't do it without him and
for the first time, he felt that. For him, this was the best experience and
we're both so thankful we chose it.
</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjrFfiAssZ1fLzdRYoPR4IjeJG0UvQDmBRijl1wSlKZsxzsPRvY-CVEcWA89D8PDqEw3xAbaT5axTfgg-aZuGpBWuOhTyTs_4zgJRjsmzF8RyuXFiVtgI5kzh-UVId5iaVZ80NtUbUxc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjrFfiAssZ1fLzdRYoPR4IjeJG0UvQDmBRijl1wSlKZsxzsPRvY-CVEcWA89D8PDqEw3xAbaT5axTfgg-aZuGpBWuOhTyTs_4zgJRjsmzF8RyuXFiVtgI5kzh-UVId5iaVZ80NtUbUxc/w640-h426/5.1.20AddisonLea-138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
So that's her story. Thanks for sticking around!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq50vovrTxMqzo8AeZUeAKl2ZvXFHv2VvtAPFStXHQNWwqWhMR3euqL_h5L_RGj5bWYjgG0MGrCrbaMvzS6ePctz8ncl_ID2Z6SXpVDMbxkTFqeV0e-Ifm7fypXzGj2EDJLPHk9w5lKA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq50vovrTxMqzo8AeZUeAKl2ZvXFHv2VvtAPFStXHQNWwqWhMR3euqL_h5L_RGj5bWYjgG0MGrCrbaMvzS6ePctz8ncl_ID2Z6SXpVDMbxkTFqeV0e-Ifm7fypXzGj2EDJLPHk9w5lKA/w640-h360/5.9.20AddisonLea-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLBFJv_pvFtz5lzrRS1WnfSEriQMbG4J2B0xl0JN3afQyXQNvp6HmokoIenK29aVnuVzRRMg48IGWqHlYUMzzF3oHNq3_PqjzmAolq20vOWDn2AyKyPzqCDt_SZ6U-624grsycY2qIBU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLBFJv_pvFtz5lzrRS1WnfSEriQMbG4J2B0xl0JN3afQyXQNvp6HmokoIenK29aVnuVzRRMg48IGWqHlYUMzzF3oHNq3_PqjzmAolq20vOWDn2AyKyPzqCDt_SZ6U-624grsycY2qIBU/w640-h426/5.9.20AddisonLea-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's her birth video. Thank you forever and ever, Ashley, for capturing our day. I am forever grateful.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xLas-l2Ipc4" width="560"></iframe></div></div><div>.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Special thanks to Ruth and Marlita. If you're considering home birth
or a birth center in Tulsa, I cannot speak highly enough of <a href="http://www.birthcentertulsa.com/" target="_blank">Special Delivery Birth Center</a>.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>All pictures and video by <b><a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/" target="_blank">Ashley Campbell</a></b>.</div>
<div><br /></div>
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</div>
lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-54987168578557873472018-10-01T13:45:00.000-05:002018-10-01T13:50:25.416-05:00One Door Closed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSl6tIUxDhUUCytmZDRK7dQ9C8sTybd5ZnmyzelFZ0DAapJJj4Q6cpBdP298y-0Q25lSyFuQ2O9wqBZNbC1Jt32WUHi93QYhtdA-9tI799nABP4lA8Vqj-0t6RDzYdbGlU_NfhqH-MqU/s1600/Screen-Shot-2018-10-01-at-11.42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSl6tIUxDhUUCytmZDRK7dQ9C8sTybd5ZnmyzelFZ0DAapJJj4Q6cpBdP298y-0Q25lSyFuQ2O9wqBZNbC1Jt32WUHi93QYhtdA-9tI799nABP4lA8Vqj-0t6RDzYdbGlU_NfhqH-MqU/s1600/Screen-Shot-2018-10-01-at-11.42.png" /></a></div>
Most of you have been around these parts for a long time and know I started sharing here around the time I was pregnant with my first born. That was nearly 9 years ago. You've been with me through pregnancies, shop sales, gardening, recipes, design randomness, hardships and dreaming big.<br />
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And now here you are for another milestone. I recently closed my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/recipeforcrazy"><b>Etsy shop</b></a>.<br />
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If you feel like you missed the closing announcement, you didn't. It's been a long time coming and something I fought myself and God about and finally said, yes, I trust you and will do this. On one hand it was easy. Now that we're in year 2 of homeschooling and 3 kids under 9, I just don't have the time to run my shop, create new designs, package orders, ship, etc. It is hard and bittersweet. I never intended on starting my own business, I just wanted a way to express myself creatively as I stepped away from my career. Little did I know how much you guys would support my art, my shop and my family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_hWyLItwy9MClAsh-mTB_e0kuCM9ZCnTK55lYXJqYvyIIG_wiLOpCMGOekhbuUnbjoGDaK8d_pbi37r_uZZXYMJ3mtXCrQG9knvSrd3JSdxw59VJ7lRdHwkCm7GotMqRSBEBI2Gjq8E/s1600/coffeejesus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_hWyLItwy9MClAsh-mTB_e0kuCM9ZCnTK55lYXJqYvyIIG_wiLOpCMGOekhbuUnbjoGDaK8d_pbi37r_uZZXYMJ3mtXCrQG9knvSrd3JSdxw59VJ7lRdHwkCm7GotMqRSBEBI2Gjq8E/s1600/coffeejesus.png" /></a></div>
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I made your Christmas cards. Kid's birthday party invitations. Adoption announcements. Prints, cards postcards and buttons. It was a good run. I am so thankful, so blessed that you trusted me with your life events. Thank you for buying prints for your home, your friends and family. You helped my family financially and brought us through some hard times one print order at a time and I am forever grateful for each and every purchase you made. For the friendships made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4PlRu6CBzTi-j4GhYexgO8jTdwmhUA8qxx7YTRTR_NGupLGgvUlxWYORGLOPQ6jeSmFb5uzUDLWbJyam8d6fFZb79FZvC0qI_RWpEPkz5DS_3kR10VoyY-DCbMze3BQo3y0Vn4Fn-vY/s1600/oklahomacoloringpostcard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4PlRu6CBzTi-j4GhYexgO8jTdwmhUA8qxx7YTRTR_NGupLGgvUlxWYORGLOPQ6jeSmFb5uzUDLWbJyam8d6fFZb79FZvC0qI_RWpEPkz5DS_3kR10VoyY-DCbMze3BQo3y0Vn4Fn-vY/s1600/oklahomacoloringpostcard.png" /></a></div>
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Some of you asked why I didn't have a close-out sale or inventory clean out sale. I thought about it but you guys are such rock stars and buy so much I end up drowning in fulfilling orders and I just couldn't muster the strength for one last sale. I hope you understand.<br />
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Closing shop was not only hard because I was letting go of a one-time dream but also because my shop has always been financial support for our family of five. I'm a stay at home mom that is homeschooling. My husband is our sole bread-winner and I didn't want to create more stress or pressure to provide but also, I like contributing. I like feeling like what I do matters and makes a difference. Obviously, I know raising kids is super important but you know what I mean?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dbdXpbrpWgnN9Y3YJ5Mya8H_TrKkUVdW2FLIWvZ2VOBasjyd2bhVy0Hvv_-1noWBkcnc2HSpewR-jy0Qu5xeN9XiOTpNtxM-H7c6KV45oSi2AnBbebZuAhVbGDS28VwxbPzuP9vjCiA/s1600/kittens.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dbdXpbrpWgnN9Y3YJ5Mya8H_TrKkUVdW2FLIWvZ2VOBasjyd2bhVy0Hvv_-1noWBkcnc2HSpewR-jy0Qu5xeN9XiOTpNtxM-H7c6KV45oSi2AnBbebZuAhVbGDS28VwxbPzuP9vjCiA/s1600/kittens.png" /></a></div>
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In the end I just felt God asking me if I trusted him. Do I trust him to meet our needs? And it sounds silly. He always has. And he promises he will. It's not always easy. It's often not easy. It's hard saying no to something that means so much. Like our <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2018/09/update-on-lands.html"><b>land</b></a>. That was hard. But I knew it was what we were supposed to do. And what did he do? Took my little step of obedience and blessed us more than I could imagine. So I closed my shop.<br />
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You guys, I can't even begin to tell you the amount of crazy that has happened since closing my shop but it's been such a blessing. A big exciting opportunity was placed in my lap and all I can think is God's looking out, nodding his head and saying, I've got you. Trust me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMR6SzFt1VoVNNWKvto6dyKcEkyJFkOOOs558svcBRtulahZxTG9CuTXOTz-LPnI1rhb5nf1YZf-ill1CuY5CqqI3sXiZcCXAEinzkMwEvgng1fE6bXzDkaivoQCpOQJUKJdonyXHRhI/s1600/quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMR6SzFt1VoVNNWKvto6dyKcEkyJFkOOOs558svcBRtulahZxTG9CuTXOTz-LPnI1rhb5nf1YZf-ill1CuY5CqqI3sXiZcCXAEinzkMwEvgng1fE6bXzDkaivoQCpOQJUKJdonyXHRhI/s1600/quote.png" /></a></div>
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See, the other day, I went to order some essential oils we were out of, we took a year + off "extra" expenses as we had zero income for several months so ordering oils was not in the budget and my account deactivated. Anyway, we're more financially stable now so I told my friend, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/madison.vining"><b>Madison</b></a>, I needed to reactivate my account and get my oils back. Y'all, I was so excited to get my new kit. My diffuser broke a while back and I've been missing my Thieves something fierce so I was just so thrilled to get back to making sure my family was surrounded by goodness.<br />
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Then my friend asked me if I'd be interested in the biz side of oils. Maybe, I said. Somewhat familiar with the business but no clue what she really meant. I mean, if I'd maybe be able to pay for my oils, I'm in! And considering I closed my etsy shop, that maybe little bit of extra income would be amazing. There is SO much more to this story but the timing was all God. She has taken me under her wing and blessed me with a <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=2168906&enrollerid=2168906&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member"><b>business</b></a> that has nearly doubled what I was making monthly with my etsy shop in the first month! It's been a crazy ride and I'm so excited to see where it will go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDZqRcVtqFlgEW_r-6sY7DrUm5dRq_YTdevTIyHmz32Ap4FG2-VZVyBoi1Cv0dFH4SA-dgNLg1zqKIQSzIXIr9Nk7jkLrmyk1R74gYRsdZ4_qEX2Q0Z8eWBrIiA4uSJqlDO48mhrJg8s/s1600/oils.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDZqRcVtqFlgEW_r-6sY7DrUm5dRq_YTdevTIyHmz32Ap4FG2-VZVyBoi1Cv0dFH4SA-dgNLg1zqKIQSzIXIr9Nk7jkLrmyk1R74gYRsdZ4_qEX2Q0Z8eWBrIiA4uSJqlDO48mhrJg8s/s1600/oils.png" /></a></div>
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Not only that, I get to do it with my mom and <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/"><b>sister</b></a> and my closest friends right beside me! I never imagined I'd be on a team of women I admire and respect so much and just feel like pinching myself all the time. I pray this new venture will be an avenue to not only provide for my family but bless the socks off of other people. I have some big goals and big dreams and I'm just so excited! If you would like to know more behind the story, leave me a comment or shoot me an <b><a href="mailto:lesley@recipeforcrazy.com">email</a></b>. I'd love to chat.<br />
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<b>Also, it's my birthday week! </b><br />
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I gifted myself a <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=2168906&enrollerid=2168906&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member"><b>Premium Starter Kit</b></a> for my birthday because I want to keep us healthy as sick season approaches and would love to bless others that are interested in joining the journey to wellness for their family or maybe even joining my team of rock stars and dipping their toes into the oily biz so I'm offering <span id="goog_1070907622"></span><b>$25 off <span id="goog_1070907623"></span></b>any <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=2168906&enrollerid=2168906&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member"><b>Premium Kit</b></a> PLUS I'll send you our member exclusive Handbook for all things Young Living and wellness when you order this week! Click the link to sign up then email me your confirmation and I'll send you a $25 paypal gift card! The kit is usually $160 (<i>$300 value</i>) and you'll get it for $135 plus the handbook for free!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuuxP60OdgSSsWKFb5zDpG4a_fllKF48mJ4i-Q1WWAWq9eOPhHuV3kD1gBvCrYfLLxsDvyXJrvcGdNYJBaRrcVaWSlBbcERun-Q1CYHAyMdMsdGzQ-gAh3oPp3heBU88oNUlKaPNBALo/s1600/DSC_0661.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuuxP60OdgSSsWKFb5zDpG4a_fllKF48mJ4i-Q1WWAWq9eOPhHuV3kD1gBvCrYfLLxsDvyXJrvcGdNYJBaRrcVaWSlBbcERun-Q1CYHAyMdMsdGzQ-gAh3oPp3heBU88oNUlKaPNBALo/s1600/DSC_0661.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>PSK includes: 11 oils, a diffuser, Thieves cleaner and Ningxia Red samples</i></td></tr>
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You guys. I don't know why God works the way he does because goodness knows I do not deserve the blessings he's been heaping on me lately and I'm just so thankful. For some time now, like 5 years or so, I've been praying some of the same prayers - not getting a yes, not getting a no. Just nothing. It has been SO frustrating. At times I've given up. But then I'll see something, hear something and remember I should probably keep praying. Anyway, all that to say SO many of those prayers are being answered and I'm just so thankful and feeling beyond blessed.<br />
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So if you're out there, feeling alone, unseen and unheard - I've been there. Keep praying. Keep trusting. You never know what's around the corner.<br />
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I'll leave with a quote I read today. It's a quote I've read many times before but it is SO FITTING for this season in my and my husband's lives.<br />
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<b>"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." - Hellen Keller</b><br />
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<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-90389756209305015182018-09-24T08:37:00.001-05:002018-09-24T12:52:45.818-05:00Update on the Land(s)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xtzRNIHSkv1qvusfXeVCR6L3XJGQ93HFtTdvzhIYkehqzoruz_xtBewfwm6o-T_SJMaEIiKCk2PN0aVHHpksJSXN97TERg4ZOJXCtbuLhBlSLnIeX66R_aEm2KOyknOPbS9SO7mWFZU/s1600/12CowetaLand.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xtzRNIHSkv1qvusfXeVCR6L3XJGQ93HFtTdvzhIYkehqzoruz_xtBewfwm6o-T_SJMaEIiKCk2PN0aVHHpksJSXN97TERg4ZOJXCtbuLhBlSLnIeX66R_aEm2KOyknOPbS9SO7mWFZU/s1600/12CowetaLand.png" /></a></div>
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Well, I am hoping to clear up some confusion about recent posts on instagram regarding our current land situation and catch up on the last year since writing <a href="https://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/06/whats-going-on-with-your-land.html"><b>this post</b></a> about putting the house building on hold and pursing a different dream.<br />
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I posted something on my stories a while back when we were out walking around some land and mentioned that it would be our future driveway. Then the messages started pouring in asking what was going on and realized I hadn't shared about anything that's happened in over a year. Oops. Sorry, didn't mean to leave you guys hanging, there's just been a lot happen since then and it's hard to share those snippets on instagram - too much to tell. So here we go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time driving around the new land.</td></tr>
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I'm going to try to condense everything to make it quick.<br />
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<b>First, update on Eric's job as a Land Agent.</b><br />
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He loves it and it's the perfect fit. His office is the outdoors and I couldn't be happier for him. Don't get me wrong, the first 4 months were super had as we all had to adjust to a whole new way of life. Our routines were tossed out the door and the financial burden of starting a new business, ugh - it was all so much and so fast. I cried. A lot. But it didn't kill us and any dream worth chasing is worth walking, crawling and fighting through the hard times. It's now been over a year since we took that leap of faith and God has been so, so good to us. Good beyond anything I could have imagined!<br />
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We recently decided to walk through another open door where he left the agency he was with to start his own Land real estate company, "<a href="https://www.zellerslandandhome.com/"><b>Zellers Land & Home</b></a>"! Pretty sure he's a 3 on the enneagram because he is so brave, confident and just goes after things! I'm so proud of him and excited for this new opportunity and I'm learning to just throw my hands up and enjoy the wild ride of it all.<br />
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<b>Next, the land.</b><br />
Well, first things first, we are not building on "Our Land" after all. We still have it and love it but will not be moving there. And I'm actually pretty okay with it.<br />
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Why?<br />
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Because next up, we bought new land.<br />
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Crazy, right. I won't go into a whole lot of details but it was a total answer to prayer. Eric's high school buddy mentioned he saw some land for sale, Eric looked at, his crazy engineering brain started whizzing and before I knew it, we were the proud owners. It was originally 80 but he split some of it up and we'll actually build on 20 of it and sell the other tracts. I mean, it's just crazy even typing that. Our Pond Land, is just under 12. You guys. Go back to my <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2013/02/the-dream.html"><b>2013 post</b></a> when we first bought the land.<br />
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It is CRAZY to look back over the last 5 years. 5 years of dreaming big, saying yes, WAITING, walking through doors, taking new risks, saying yes, WAITING, putting dreams on hold while dreaming new dreams, WAITING, saying yes and you guys, maybe this time we'll actually build on some land. haha. We're actually going out next week to lay out where the house will go! This new land, you guys, it's so beautiful. I'll share more as we move forward but wanted to let you know what's going on.<br />
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So far we have cleared all tracts, cleared the area for the road, had rocks brought in for the road and asphalt millings put down. The waterline is happening now and next up clear the home site. A lot can happen in a year. haha<br />
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And a lot can happen when you choose one little word for your year. Read where it all began <a href="https://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2013/01/dream-little-er-big-dream.html"><b>here</b></a>. <br />
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As for our Pond Land, we'll likely sell it as we get closer to building. It will be bittersweet, I'm sure but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.<br />
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Next up, I'll update you why I closed my Etsy shop and didn't tell anyone. lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-76611699191510142722018-04-25T11:52:00.000-05:002018-04-25T11:52:31.482-05:00Instant Pot Quinoa Bowls 6 WaysHappy Wednesday, friends!<br />
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I've been making these tasty quinoa bowls the last couple of weeks and shared some on instagram (<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lesleyzellers/instant-pot-recipes/"><b>@lesleyzellers</b></a>) and recieved several requests to share the recipes, so here goes.<br />
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First off, I make quinoa in my <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MFEBQH1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01MFEBQH1&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=9e7918e24a7120134458f8c8902ad0c4" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01MFEBQH1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Most of you know my love for my IP but for those new to this blog, an Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MFEBQH1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01MFEBQH1&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=1ee28a904bd1373e0bdf17b8384a4d72" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01MFEBQH1&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=recipeforcr04-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01MFEBQH1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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What does that mean? I'm not sure but for me it's like a speedy crock pot or sorts. It can cook just about anything, oatmeal, meat, pasta meals and the easiest peeling hard boiled eggs ever - but fast. I use it weekly, if not daily.<br />
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So when I found <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8373949291979077/"><b>this recipe</b></a> for "1 minute quinoa" in the Instant Pot I had to try it. I will never make quinoa any other way. I like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AOOV6SC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AOOV6SC&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=92012469ec6f20a001f3dc77c66aab33" target="_blank">Trader Joe's Organic Tricolor Quinoa</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00AOOV6SC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Granted, the "1-minute quinoa" takes more like 12-15 from start to finish because you let it depressurize for 10 minutes but it only cooks for 1 minute it's SO easy and the quinoa comes out perfect every time.<br />
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I use bone broth to make my quinoa - yet another thing I make in the <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MFEBQH1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01MFEBQH1&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=9e7918e24a7120134458f8c8902ad0c4" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01MFEBQH1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b> ;) Seriously, as I type this, I have a batch of bone broth cooking away. I also like to add fresh herbs from the garden to pack in a few more nutrients and flavor. The recipe I use calls for 2 cups of quinoa, but after making it once and having 8 cups of quinoa to eat for a week, I now half the recipe.<br />
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So what do you do with 8 cups of cooked quinoa? Make all the quinoa bowls you can think of before it goes bad. These are quick bowls I made with ingredients I had in the fridge.<br />
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Now the recipes, which aren't really recipes, just the quinoa topped with different meats, veggies and cheeses. I found by making little changes meals because totally different and I was able to prep several for quick lunches for the week. Just assemble, put in microwave safe containers and microwave when ready to eat. <br />
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First is a breakfast quinoa bowl but also works great for lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-y0FEoZh6c1qG3mTtXnUibsLTLRO7KJ38NcE81wy6TGzh-tMarSUCXUZjIWpcHvZUel_kV3ktkXVrsOPN9vH4GlswuCoA8VfWKAd_Aorvsc7TnjlocEJxupcXyd2qV4omX3t1UdrZ8o/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-y0FEoZh6c1qG3mTtXnUibsLTLRO7KJ38NcE81wy6TGzh-tMarSUCXUZjIWpcHvZUel_kV3ktkXVrsOPN9vH4GlswuCoA8VfWKAd_Aorvsc7TnjlocEJxupcXyd2qV4omX3t1UdrZ8o/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-breakfast.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>BREAKFAST AND VEGGIE QUINOA BOWL</b></div>
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1/2 Cup cooked quinoa</div>
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1/2 Cup sauteed broccoli and spinach</div>
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2 Tbls reduced fat feta</div>
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fried egg over easy</div>
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salt, pepper and red pepper flakes for a kick</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPlsabBcqgE7amCgI0HigBZtAE6fOfZC5bnwT9k3zQY1iuSttPlrBJTGSW_ibE_kvWBD-BxjLnG3aavL2DL-Bf8wUmsHD8GKCqD4UJzijocg26gA9JCKBvOYT98IG0ZcjIaF-IlHxVX0/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-meal-prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPlsabBcqgE7amCgI0HigBZtAE6fOfZC5bnwT9k3zQY1iuSttPlrBJTGSW_ibE_kvWBD-BxjLnG3aavL2DL-Bf8wUmsHD8GKCqD4UJzijocg26gA9JCKBvOYT98IG0ZcjIaF-IlHxVX0/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-meal-prep.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b> CARNITAS AND ZUCCHINI QUINOA BOWL</b></div>
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1/2 Cup cooked quinoa</div>
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1/2 Cup sauteed zucchini, onion and spinach</div>
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2 Tbls reduced fat feta</div>
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1/4 cup shredded carnitas</div>
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salt, pepper and red pepper flakes for a kick</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-KBt3RSQCwZHDg6Rm9bwWZ6RIgZ-weHkt6d7f8Q1utBTp1vUntlSJrCp9fWOisEtMCFT0vsooKVnW47eSUPGM5wRTDBFWa_X4Vz6C_cD27OK8O7q9NorGR2Q4abef90ksk7OCprgOeo/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-mexican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-KBt3RSQCwZHDg6Rm9bwWZ6RIgZ-weHkt6d7f8Q1utBTp1vUntlSJrCp9fWOisEtMCFT0vsooKVnW47eSUPGM5wRTDBFWa_X4Vz6C_cD27OK8O7q9NorGR2Q4abef90ksk7OCprgOeo/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-mexican.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>CARNITAS AND ZUCCHINI QUINOA BOWL</b></div>
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1/2 Cup cooked quinoa</div>
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1/2 Cup sauteed spinach</div>
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1/2 chopped avocado </div>
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1/4 cup shredded carnitas</div>
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2 Tbls homemade queso</div>
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salt, pepper and fresh salsa</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcZx3HRJNd6lfXCpuf3doapnaP-u1nweQgvEaywtHBoGSnWwEeYdcxs4wK12GZzsSWueL2-kL1mNAtHhHBRivmMwIvhcVRUTcsYX_j_NqaSvP0QtfvE9Ve7U5puk7BA7xC9RaL1-jv4Q/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-beets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcZx3HRJNd6lfXCpuf3doapnaP-u1nweQgvEaywtHBoGSnWwEeYdcxs4wK12GZzsSWueL2-kL1mNAtHhHBRivmMwIvhcVRUTcsYX_j_NqaSvP0QtfvE9Ve7U5puk7BA7xC9RaL1-jv4Q/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-beets.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>CARNITAS AND BEETS QUINOA BOWL</b></div>
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1/2 Cup cooked quinoa</div>
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1/2 Cup sauteed spinach</div>
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1/2 Cup roasted beet slices </div>
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1/4 cup shredded carnitas</div>
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2 Tbls reduced fat feta</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AxDjkF0HJ2bp-kpcSY3fWsWoA9ztFUipO4aBbopcPWi8OXlQLAUPTLapWQIie6Omcwishh4iSx16zWF-9Sj72rRp1My_BfHOsVV6s8ZfcNxG8wDkiQU7ifCx-niPayBS__JhMTHv7cQ/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AxDjkF0HJ2bp-kpcSY3fWsWoA9ztFUipO4aBbopcPWi8OXlQLAUPTLapWQIie6Omcwishh4iSx16zWF-9Sj72rRp1My_BfHOsVV6s8ZfcNxG8wDkiQU7ifCx-niPayBS__JhMTHv7cQ/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-greek.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>GREEK GYRO QUINOA BOWL</b></div>
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1/2 Cup cooked quinoa</div>
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1/2 Cup sauteed spinach</div>
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1/4 Cup chopped tomatoes </div>
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sliced globe onion</div>
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2 Tbls tzaziki sauce (I used Trader Joe's prepared sauce)</div>
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2 slices cooked gyro meat (again, Trader Joe's to the rescue)</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDs_RLISC8hZIUgZsCYUJHM6nZBqUXyp4fEGkoCSzSWdCttQGPlkTn6hqlagAwuCgdDPq4jp5VheyPZc-2tzhrkRGmLLWyDNQzFUQjn0R02mMbv2zRre5qQ_yO2nFgRWWCrpFVkd6R3U/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-buffalo-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDs_RLISC8hZIUgZsCYUJHM6nZBqUXyp4fEGkoCSzSWdCttQGPlkTn6hqlagAwuCgdDPq4jp5VheyPZc-2tzhrkRGmLLWyDNQzFUQjn0R02mMbv2zRre5qQ_yO2nFgRWWCrpFVkd6R3U/s1600/instant-pot-quinoa-bowl-buffalo-chicken.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>BUFFALO CHICKEN QUINOA BOWL</b></div>
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1/2 Cup cooked quinoa</div>
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1/2 sliced avocado</div>
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sliced green onion, white and green parts</div>
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1/2 cup buffalo chicken (I pan simmered cooked chicken in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AWYXY60/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01AWYXY60&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=46e1af110e4a05b7250e250b70f0fe5e" target="_blank">Frank's Red Hot Sauce</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01AWYXY60" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for about 5 minutes)</div>
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2 Tbls "dump ranch" (recipe here)</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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There are SO many more ways to change up the quinoa and I'd love to hear from you on what your favorites are. Or even your favorite ways to eat quinoa? For more instant post inspiration check out my pinterest board: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lesleyzellers/instant-pot-recipes/"><b>Instant Pot Recipes</b></a>.</div>
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lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-73616361424821600032018-03-26T13:51:00.003-05:002018-03-26T13:51:37.131-05:00Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJEgKmdpfEkT65ChLCMsCBy7IlL15Pm3ic8eBo4h62GjedOuImCnHe6mV4jCWff9HG5HYFyieiqthKLNrM6iBwLh_Ecx6M6hJUAMLglqcBs3j1yEQwIOYwxvwPPFtvw8FfsItCRi62fI/s1600/balsamic-vinaigrette-recipe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJEgKmdpfEkT65ChLCMsCBy7IlL15Pm3ic8eBo4h62GjedOuImCnHe6mV4jCWff9HG5HYFyieiqthKLNrM6iBwLh_Ecx6M6hJUAMLglqcBs3j1yEQwIOYwxvwPPFtvw8FfsItCRi62fI/s1600/balsamic-vinaigrette-recipe1.jpg" /></a></div>
About this time of year I get a lot of questions about what my favorite salad dressings are so I'll be sharing some I like over the next couple of weeks.<br />
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Today I'm sharing my favorite <b>balsamic vinaigrette recipe</b>. It's quick, easy and my go-to for nearly any salad.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Ingredients:</i></b><br />
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar<br />
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil<br />
3 tablespoons canola oil, or avocado oil<br />
1 tablespoon spicy mustard (I like Jack Daniel's no.7)<br />
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, I like basil, oregano and chives (if using dry, use about 1-2 teaspoons)<br />
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, minced<br />
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste </blockquote>
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Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and shake to mix. Drizzle of you favorite salad or pizza. Trust me, it's really good on pizza. Refrigerate any leftovers.lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-70048750130378342952018-01-01T13:12:00.001-06:002018-01-01T13:12:30.749-06:001 second everyday 2017<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OIIJaqrhYaQ" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />
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Or at least almost everyday.<br /><br />
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2017 I liked you, a lot.lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-46706500591537178172017-11-22T10:59:00.001-06:002017-11-22T12:01:13.515-06:00easy creamy deviled eggs***UPDATED POST FROM PREVIOUS POST ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 2011***
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/5654933248/" title="deggs5 by lesley zellers, on Flickr"><img alt="deggs5" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5654933248_61b6a16b75_o.jpg" height="400" width="600" /></a> <br />
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Every time I share that I'm making deviled eggs in <strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyzellers/">Instagram</a></strong>, I always get requests for the recipe so here it is again. I originally posted this several years back but wanted to make a few changes since I've tweaked it a little over the years. You can still see the original post <strong><span id="goog_780411349"></span><a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2011/04/creamy-deviled-eggs.html">here<span id="goog_780411350"></span></a></strong>.<br />
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One thing that hasn't changed it the fact that it's still my favorite deviled egg recipe and it's the only one I use. I originally used Martha Stewart's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/317419/creamy-deviled-eggs">recipe</a> but have adapted it to make it fitting to my personal tastes.<br />
<blockquote>
<b>What you'll need:</b><br />
12 eggs<br />
1/2 cup mayo<br />
1 tablespoon Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Dijon mustard (it really makes all the difference)<br />
1 teaspoon vinegar<br />
2 green onions - minced, green and white parts used<br />
1/2 Claussen Kosher dill pickle spear - seeds removed then minced (again, this makes all the difference)<br />
1/4 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce (I prefer it to Tabasco)<br />
fine sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste<br />
paprika</blockquote>
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Here's where I break into song about how much I love my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=ba421b711e31744a562a3153f391c60a" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00FLYWNYQ" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0px;" width="1" />. Perfectly easy to peel hard boiled eggs in 15 minutes? Yes, Please! Maybe I won't break into song but I do love my IP.<br />
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If you don't have an Instant Pot, refer to original recipe. If you do, and have never made hard boiled eggs, it's super easy. Put a steamer basket in the bottom, add 1 cup of water, place eggs on top, cover with lit (make sure the vent is sealed), set manual to 5 minutes. It takes about 5 minutes to come to pressure, 5 minutes to cook, and then I let it come down from pressure for about 5 minutes before quick-releasing the valve.<br />
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Then I take the eggs out of the Instant Pot and drop into a bowl filled with ice and water and let cool for about 5 minutes.<br />
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While the eggs are cooling, I make the filling. Combine everything else except the paprika into a mixing bowl fitted with the beater attachment for a stand mixer: mayo, mustard, vinegar, onions, pickle, hot sauce and salt and pepper.<br />
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After your eggs have cooled, take off all the shells (should be effortless thanks to the Instant Pot), slice lengthwise and put the yolks in the mixture.<br />
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Turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat until creamy.<br />
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Once the mixture is nice and creamy, I spoon it into a ziploc freezer bag to seal and stick it in the refrigerator to sit overnight. I like making the filling the day before because I think the flavors really come out but you could always do it the day of. No shame.<br />
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I also place the sliced eggs in the refrigerator on a covered plate. I've put the filling right in the eggs and then refrigerated it but it always seems to gather condensation and nobody likes wet eggs! So, I take the egg whites out, wipe them down with a tea towel and fill the eggs right before serving.<br />
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Here's my no-frill method to fill the whites. Take out your ziploc bag and make a small cut in one of the corners. Gently squeeze the bag and fill each egg. Simple!<br />
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I should note that I've tried regular Ziploc bags, not freezer, and have had them bust open before. So, invest in the heavy duty bag for mess-free filling.<br />
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Lastly, I like to sprinkle a little paprika over the eggs. I think it's more out of habit than flavor but it also makes them look even prettier. Not pictured here because I ran out of paprika. <br />
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And that's that! I'd love to hear your Thanksgiving dish staples! What is a must have at holiday dinners?lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-4735868628007817622017-09-13T13:13:00.003-05:002017-09-13T13:13:45.287-05:00recipeforcrazy.com print closeout sale!That's right. After several years of offering a variety of prints in my etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/recipeforcrazy"><b>recipe for crazy</b></a>, I am making a little change.<br />
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When I opened my shop I had three prints that I designed and offered as reproductions. I had just left my career as a graphic designer to stay home and raise my newborn baby girl. I had a lot of free time on my hands and wanted to continue pursing my love of design so I opened an etsy shop.<br />
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My shop grew. I created and offered more designs. Sales grew. My customers grew. And, my family grew!<br />
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I loved creating. I loved fulfilling orders and meeting new friends through those sales. I also liked the feeling of helping financially contribute to my family, especially since we were down to one income.<br />
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Now that I am a mom to three and just recently jumped full in on homeschooling them (I don't think I've shared that here, just on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyzellers/"><b>instagram</b></a>, so yes, we are homeschooling this year), I feel like it's time for a change. I'll share more about other changes coming to the shop soon, but for now, I have decided to clear out my inventory for all prints. This was not an easy decision for me and one I've been wrestling with for a while. That said, I've decided to go ahead do it because I think it will be best for my family and hopefully open up some time I would have otherwise spent packing and shipping orders.<br />
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This does not mean I'm closing my shop. I will still offer <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/recipeforcrazy?section_id=13264004"><b>postcards</b></a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/recipeforcrazy?section_id=18173447"><b>greeting cards</b></a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/recipeforcrazy?section_id=20257000"><b>buttons</b></a> and maintain all wholesale clients and orders, but the days of being able to order a 5x7 or 8x10 print and have it delivered to your mailbox, well, those days will soon be gone.<br />
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A closeout sale wouldn't be complete without a massive discount on remaining inventory so <b>I have marked every print down to 5 dollars!</b><br />
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That's right, every single print. 8x10 "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/256245732/all-i-need-is-coffee-and-jesus-print?ref=shop_home_active_20"><b>Coffee and Jesus</b></a>", $5. 5x7 "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175659133/how-big-is-your-brave-hand-lettered?ref=shop_home_feat_1"><b>How Big is Your Brave?</b></a>" 8x10 "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/256249836/linger-just-a-little-bit-longer?ref=shop_home_active_19"><b>Linger Longer</b></a>" - that's right, $5.<br />
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ALL prints are only $5 (while supplies last).<br />
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I can't do this without saying thank you to every single one of you that has supported me by purchasing prints over the years. You have made this Okie girl feel so blessed. You made some of my wildest dreams come true and I cannot say thank you enough. Really, Thank you.<br />
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Alright friends, hop on over to the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/recipeforcrazy"><b>shop</b></a> and grab some of these deeply discounted prints before they're gone!<br />
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<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-74810920754542812732017-06-27T16:07:00.001-05:002017-06-27T16:22:38.146-05:00What's going on with your Land?What's going on with your Land? I thought you were building a house. Didn't you decide on your floor plans? What's the big news with your family?<br />
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Just a few questions I've been asked lately and this is the post where I try to answer all those. Grab a coffee, this may take a while.<br />
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Before I answer those questions I want to do a quick recap for those new to this blog, my instagram and our journey to "dreamin a big dream."<br />
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February 2013 - found 12 acres of rough land and bought it (read more about it <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2013/02/the-dream.html"><b>here</b></a>)<br />
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For the next year we worked at clearing some trees, building a fence and cleaning up the land. We moved into my husband's grandma's vacant house for the time being and that's where we still are. Thankfully his family has let us stay a bit longer than anticipated!<br />
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August 2014 - we started work to build a pond. The land had 2 small ponds on it but my husband (civil engineer) wanted a 2-3 acre pond so he drew up the plans and constructed a pond. He even got to put his surveying skills to work!<br />
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The pond filled up and the next couple of years that followed were spent looking at floor plans, dreaming and scheming where and what house to build and working out the finances.<br />
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August - finalized house location on land and had to do a little more ground work for the pad site, which also meant dropping the pond to pull dirt for the site, thus making the pond deeper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohGHDxD-HvvHL8WZLdgmbMFu6XHpk-W86dIWoiA5FDofIoIRMczS7wt7b1_b0d2cgmPr6CL0YeswOCgoSJ84f6GJqJiNj_z1eWzU5u4qFpJvYCiLBV6ZcqShhYHmSmZxD-v6ZoDSLuuA/s1600/land4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohGHDxD-HvvHL8WZLdgmbMFu6XHpk-W86dIWoiA5FDofIoIRMczS7wt7b1_b0d2cgmPr6CL0YeswOCgoSJ84f6GJqJiNj_z1eWzU5u4qFpJvYCiLBV6ZcqShhYHmSmZxD-v6ZoDSLuuA/s1600/land4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
September 2016 - finalized the floor plans and sent them off for various bids!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVeRiBeHhlylxivlMRSwNHBBoA7MbxFvCfs13B1C0kOTYSfwZzn2ab0mafG2CYblULFDiXEGY2CWhEf9QZVQDXEU2tEIEN8yQoVAD1ScR8qEgm2tBZmmAlWXqRHFZoW2rbHGjGOXwf68/s1600/land6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVeRiBeHhlylxivlMRSwNHBBoA7MbxFvCfs13B1C0kOTYSfwZzn2ab0mafG2CYblULFDiXEGY2CWhEf9QZVQDXEU2tEIEN8yQoVAD1ScR8qEgm2tBZmmAlWXqRHFZoW2rbHGjGOXwf68/s1600/land6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
That was nearly a year ago and we still haven't started building.<br />
<br />
So what's going on?<br />
<br />
Well, for one, the wood company (my husband read this & told me it should be <i>lumber</i> company not wood company >eye roll emoji< teasing ) kept missing deadlines, forgot about our project, the holidays hit and then it was January and still no finished wood schedule. It was really frustrating but it ended up being for the best because it opened the door for our family to walk through and even bigger dream!<br />
<br />
Here's the thing, when we bought the land we had this idea that it would be more than a place to live. We wanted chickens, goats, maybe some mini cows, basically a hobby farm. We wanted to plant a garden and small orchard. We wanted to live off the land and live a more self-sustaining life.<br />
<br />
Since the land didn't come with a house on it or barns or anything farm related, we would have to start from scratch and that kind of requires a little more money than we expected. We got the estimates back and were left with a couple options.<br />
<br />
1. We build but hold off several years on the hobby farming. We live happily ever after.<br />
2. We build smaller, start a small hobby farm, live happily ever after.<br />
3. We sell. We find something else maybe with a house on it, maybe not. We figure it out and live happily ever after.<br />
<br />
There was a problem with options 1 & 2. To be able to afford those, it basically meant my husband working at his job until retirement. We could make it happen but it would require his steady stream of income, working 50+ hours a week which didn't leave much time to work a hobby farm.<br />
<br />
So now what. Well, I had a mini freak out moment. I texted my sister to pray for a miracle. Little did I know that the miracle I had in my head was much smaller that the miracle God was able to do.<br />
<br />
I was praying for God to show us what to do with the land with Eric's job.<br />
<br />
I loved my land. I wanted my land. I had my floor plan. I had the perfect hammock spot picked out. I knew what the kitchen would look like. I had the tile planned, sink picked out, I had already had a hundred cups of coffee in my kitchen in my head. I wanted to build on my land.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdd0Bj1cd7GLphyx8Pr_-Lmj8foiBlEUnpVMrL2YPyUJs5P-SikwgQ10aCqAqCFGhfpo4ubaMVuOtPL0z_5hy8z4jhv7eIW1sZSuau9dMj2e6moxQAgXAM2EniMZlhiKb-BUXQCaCkCU/s1600/land7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdd0Bj1cd7GLphyx8Pr_-Lmj8foiBlEUnpVMrL2YPyUJs5P-SikwgQ10aCqAqCFGhfpo4ubaMVuOtPL0z_5hy8z4jhv7eIW1sZSuau9dMj2e6moxQAgXAM2EniMZlhiKb-BUXQCaCkCU/s1600/land7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
But just like that, God changed my heart and allowed me to release my tight little fists and let go of the possibility of building and living there. When I opened my hands, he poured out His grace.<br />
<br />
For the next part of this story to make sense, you have to know my husband. His name is Eric & most of you know we've known each other since middle school. Anyone that knows him knows he loves to fish, loves the outdoors and is a major people person and he always has been. But he's also super smart. He got a degree in Civil Engineering and is really good at what he does. The problem though is his current office job and passions just don't mix. He spends the majority of his life inside an office building behind a desk and while I'm thankful for the provision of his career, I've always wanted more for him. I believe God gave him those passions for the outdoors for a reason and I wasn't at peace signing those papers to build a house knowing it would mean he would be in that office for the better part of the remainder of his life.<br />
<br />
So, I did what any normal person would do and pretty much vomited all of my thoughts, feelings and fears up at his feet. We talked. Prayed and decided to press pause on the house building and wait on God.<br />
<br />
Well, He did not take long. The next couple of months door after door after door opened to new possibilities and opportunities neither of us could have dreamed up on our own. We didn't know where we were going but we decided as long as He kept opening the doors we were going to walk through them, trusting God. <br />
<br />
So now here we are. Where's that? I'll just copy/paste what <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eric.zellers.33"><b>Eric</b></a> shared on facebook:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Hi everyone. I wanted to take a quick minute to introduce myself
& update my friends on some recent life changes. I know a lot of you
are surprised to see my name pop up on social media but here I am! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As most of you know, my name is Eric, I'm married to my high school sweetheart <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1373927146&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/lesleyzellers?fref=mentions">Lesley Zellers</a>
and together we have 3 kids. I went to OSU where I got a degree in
Civil Engineering and then worked at a great company here in Tulsa,
<a href="http://www.meshekengr.com/"><b>Meshek & Associates</b></a> for 10 years. I went on to ge<span class="text_exposed_show">t my license as a Professional Engineer and pursued surveying as well.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Those that know me best know my passion is spending time with my family
and being outdoors. While I was thankful for a job that provided for my
family and enabled my wife to stay home to raise our kids, I struggled
with wanting to do more and be more. <br />
I recently had the
opportunity to pursue a dream that has been years in the making. Every
step I've taken brought me to a point where I (and my family) had to
decide to take a leap of faith & go after ours dreams or stay in the
security of our current situation. We decided to take the leap, knowing
and trusting that no matter what, God is there and that's all we need. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_show">
I am now working with some amazing people at <a href="http://midwestlandgroup.com/"><b>Midwest Land Group</b></a> as a
<a href="http://midwestlandgroup.com/author/ezellers/"><b>Land Agent</b></a>. In short, my office is no longer a cubicle in the middle of a
city, instead it's dirt roads and wide open spaces. I get to find
recreational land, farm land, ranches, hobby farms, etc...for people and
help them pursue their dreams and I get to spend more time with my
family. It really is a dream come true and I am so thankful and blessed
for this opportunity. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_show">
And since I'll have a little more free time
on my hand I thought it was the perfect time to get on social media
& connect with old friends, make new friends and share a little bit
of my journey on this new adventure. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Thank you to everyone that
has played a part in making this dream possible, the support of my
family & friends, the Meshek's and all my engineering colleagues and
the guys at Midwest Land Group.</div>
</blockquote>
So that's where we are. My husband left his engineering job and is now working at a job where he basically helps people find the land of their dreams! How crazy is this life?! <br />
<br />
Will we sell our land? I don't know. Maybe we'll end up building out there after all and chasing those others dreams of a simpler life living off the land. But right now everything is on hold while we adjust to his new job and our new way of living.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6kfzyGIy-h__Nb8b1n550qgfx6HTUxwThYw5fHE-lkP1PyM7Qp9W64hq4_ZieNDL85FFerazFVTUj4LIZLRDg5Dl5FBnXs21-CcxIGpgINcORdM3ayKhVBgBtFXraq3B8hTA8EyeMo8/s1600/ez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6kfzyGIy-h__Nb8b1n550qgfx6HTUxwThYw5fHE-lkP1PyM7Qp9W64hq4_ZieNDL85FFerazFVTUj4LIZLRDg5Dl5FBnXs21-CcxIGpgINcORdM3ayKhVBgBtFXraq3B8hTA8EyeMo8/s320/ez.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
But you guys, house or no house, land or no land, God answered a prayer I've been seeking for over three years and that was for my outdoorsy loving husband to have an opportunity to live out his passions and now he is! He is outside every day, talking to people, sharing his skills and vision with land owners and those looking for land and nearly every day he tells me he can't believe this is his job. Also, how cute is he?!<br />
<br />
And not to toot our horns or anything, but I will say it took a giant leap of faith to do this. Eric is responsible for 99% of our family's income and had a very steady job that he was really good at. We could have stayed in that life, knowing what our future would look like and remain pretty secure financially or we had the opportunity to take a leap of faith, jumping into a much riskier situation for our family but trusting that God that He would catch us even if this new adventure fails.<br />
<br />
So sink or soar, we took the leap and I'm pretty excited to see where this path takes us!<br />
<br />
I am going to end this with a video my sister sent me shortly after I asked her to pray for a miracle.<br />
<br />
Everyone should watch this video!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1zMYt-2bldk" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. If you are looking for land to build your dreams on, hunting, fishing, farming, etc. contact <b><a href="mailto:ezellers@midwestlandgroup.com">Eric</a></b>! Some of the <a href="http://midwestlandgroup.com/author/ezellers/listings/"><b>listings</b></a> currently available are up on his <a href="http://midwestlandgroup.com/author/ezellers/"><b>agent page</b></a> but he is one of the first to see properties before they are available to the public so he has "dibs" on your future property! (not so shameless plug) lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-81154794347806299652017-06-07T16:12:00.002-05:002017-06-07T16:12:42.589-05:00The Great Swimsuit Saga of 2017Before I begin, I have to say thank you to my gal, Jessie of <a href="http://jessieleighphoto.com/"><b>Jessie Leigh Photography</b></a>! You are a wonder woman with your camera & your MIL is the best for letting us have a swim party at her house. So no, friends, this amazing pool is not mine, although you may see me trying to crash it all summer!<br />
<br />
Also, this is me saying, "there's nothing awkward about standing by a donut in a swimsuit while someone takes your picture." haha.Totally natural, my friends.<br />
<br />
Totally natural.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOF1JwFQZYT0215IIkElt61NaCakrj9bq1BC37FovfcpqlKHkmRICgXGCvyawfMFqDKlI-rhE7C7r-xGNIvTlN2jnenbta4vBUzIUcyNm59L60HC14iVpURjWz_SbzB_A8XF95BLPFIY/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOF1JwFQZYT0215IIkElt61NaCakrj9bq1BC37FovfcpqlKHkmRICgXGCvyawfMFqDKlI-rhE7C7r-xGNIvTlN2jnenbta4vBUzIUcyNm59L60HC14iVpURjWz_SbzB_A8XF95BLPFIY/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-19.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Anyway, back to the post and how about that for a non-dramatic ;) but if you have been following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyzellers/"><b>instagram</b></a>, in particularly my stories regarding finding the right swimsuit this year, you know I was having a hard time.<br />
<br />
I first started looking for a new swimsuit several months ago & posted this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDeujSEQxwFeA3tlu30yTDxK9r5ypWqUoj76fR3SqTdOeVhGZsgCuSo5yUsv89YFDMaE4rJgCMa7FIZ-YLkB2SHUZbVRXqKKuEVceQLm3eo7N9k-p7UhIPENJYg8Yortui8R99svnQgo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-07+at+3.59.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDeujSEQxwFeA3tlu30yTDxK9r5ypWqUoj76fR3SqTdOeVhGZsgCuSo5yUsv89YFDMaE4rJgCMa7FIZ-YLkB2SHUZbVRXqKKuEVceQLm3eo7N9k-p7UhIPENJYg8Yortui8R99svnQgo/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-06-07+at+3.59.58+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a class="_4zhc5 notranslate _ebg8h" href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyzellers/" title="lesleyzellers">"lesleyzellers</a><span><span>Matchy-matchy.
Also, question: where can I find a swimsuit? I need a new suit this
year & have spent too much time searching the interests for one that
suits me 🥁 ching! 😆. Here's the thing, I like getting in the pool
with my kids, racing, jumping off the diving board & horsing around,
thus, a two-piece or strapless one piece is out of the question. I
don't want to worry about a wardrobe malfunction 👙🙅🏼. However. I want
a cute one piece that doesn't scream mom of three! I am exhausted from
all the searching so, I ask you, my instafriends, any ideas? Please only
share if you have actually purchased from the company or store &
have been pleased with the quality."</span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
Little did I know just how many swimsuit companies were out there! 168 comments from y'all! Sheesh! So thank you for all the insight you guys. I looked up each company mentioned in the comments and started narrowing it down to my top ten, then top five and finally top 2.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNmOBleKgtgIVkXu57TxtRCr6aYoGiO30s169C5yXl1Lkl6i8-qkwb4HquxNzNN8Sb8Z6cAYFsXj9VKP-Z2WdYYKKd7OkQOTSH8m8viY_HZhBi6RXh6iEDBTzUmNJBe4LEMTk8YoiOGE/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNmOBleKgtgIVkXu57TxtRCr6aYoGiO30s169C5yXl1Lkl6i8-qkwb4HquxNzNN8Sb8Z6cAYFsXj9VKP-Z2WdYYKKd7OkQOTSH8m8viY_HZhBi6RXh6iEDBTzUmNJBe4LEMTk8YoiOGE/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PFfe0DaIjFwKFrLgem2VBTiNgA0TbZUqWQC4KlGBCj09j3GWcE_zXEnXbWZrfBNgs3nlODJxGznoYDmKbSJq9ssIH5vJA10RK3tGzUEsRshCPB0IqvFmrQ1Y5LJKkAUnfilbvF69wRU/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PFfe0DaIjFwKFrLgem2VBTiNgA0TbZUqWQC4KlGBCj09j3GWcE_zXEnXbWZrfBNgs3nlODJxGznoYDmKbSJq9ssIH5vJA10RK3tGzUEsRshCPB0IqvFmrQ1Y5LJKkAUnfilbvF69wRU/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My decision to go with <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/"><b>Kortnie Jeane</b></a> swimmers ultimately came down to these things:<br />
<ul>
<li>style (loved that I could mix and match and the colors/patterns were so fun)</li>
<li>coverage (loved that they were modest but still didn't scream, "hi, I'm a mom of three")</li>
<li>matchy with my girlies (they have a matching line for little ones & since my girls LOVE matching me, these were perfect!)</li>
</ul>
<br />
A LOT of you have asked me how I like my swimmers and I figured I'd just answer all the questions here with some fun pictures from my girl, <a href="http://jessieleighphoto.com/"><b>Jessie Leigh Photography</b></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXostemEnxEj2gnzMY_ZzTDP7N4RbFOXN1Nn3N8gkT0Rm1pNiFZyeUuOoAY-kiNYBjHYdRhBAmS-_2TzXq_FONgpsNdlJDxwBDQJXNj34Em7SwhDiuGb5IggjgJtha_MOrnHyjag0q_qI/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXostemEnxEj2gnzMY_ZzTDP7N4RbFOXN1Nn3N8gkT0Rm1pNiFZyeUuOoAY-kiNYBjHYdRhBAmS-_2TzXq_FONgpsNdlJDxwBDQJXNj34Em7SwhDiuGb5IggjgJtha_MOrnHyjag0q_qI/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
First of all, I LOVE my swimmers!<br />
<br />
I initially ordered a different top and bottoms than are pictured here but they just didn't quite fit the way I hoped. The top was a little lower than I wanted so I asked if I could exchange them. Thankfully, <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/"><b>Kortnie Jeane</b></a> also has great customer service and let me! I really got the feel that they really want their customers to be happy and confident in their product so that was really cool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDQ7x0Mp55YJel0RwJUEeLmEyY6Mi4BY-GlFmQQ8iPsZ0lFFJzbJPDuhbACCsoJcq7An1wPgr0gossez1gj_sOPwBvOG56PTo0E1_Gwcf1IzHuHTmhQ03GKhzTWlGW5oVYssxiOExULE/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDQ7x0Mp55YJel0RwJUEeLmEyY6Mi4BY-GlFmQQ8iPsZ0lFFJzbJPDuhbACCsoJcq7An1wPgr0gossez1gj_sOPwBvOG56PTo0E1_Gwcf1IzHuHTmhQ03GKhzTWlGW5oVYssxiOExULE/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-41.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I ended up trying out 3 tops and 3 bottoms and was surprised that I ended up liking the <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/collections/high-waisted-swimsuits/products/all-ruffled-up-bottoms"><b>ruffle bottoms</b></a> the most because I wouldn't classify myself as a ruffle gal but they just fit so good! I also liked a couple of other bottoms as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4UCSQOaQQQFyd1Hjxythgu-zwoQfSy9L-E5njMcbT-5JMrtP9Opff7lr7NSrWW9EVl7B-AmGpVqeVaZXb07G0qm3XATtGrOSFIr77gl1ZBTiJXT4Xi3L8B8XlxPLsYdYtK0ZgTSv1Aw/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4UCSQOaQQQFyd1Hjxythgu-zwoQfSy9L-E5njMcbT-5JMrtP9Opff7lr7NSrWW9EVl7B-AmGpVqeVaZXb07G0qm3XATtGrOSFIr77gl1ZBTiJXT4Xi3L8B8XlxPLsYdYtK0ZgTSv1Aw/s1600/JessieLeighPhotography-LZellersSwimwearShoot-27.jpg" /></a></div>
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As for the top, I ended up getting 2. The one pictured here goes great with any bottoms but I also got the <b><a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/collections/crop-top-swimsuits/products/racer-back-top">racer back</a></b> and love it too.<br />
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I love that they have great coverage but are also a little spunky. I don't feel weird chasing kids around, worry about anything flying places it shouldn't when jumping, flipping, diving, and honestly, and I love the ruffle on the top because I still feel fine walking around in a swimsuit after eating a burger. Hahaha.<br />
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My girls <b>LOVE</b> their suits. They have been wanting 2 pieces but it's really hard to find cute, modest ones until I found <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/"><b>KJ</b></a>. You guys, I didn't realize how awesome 2 pieces are for girls until now. Hello easy bathroom brakes!!! Plus, we got coordinating prints because they love matching me but each combo is uniquely them as well. So fun.<br />
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So there's my review of our swimmers. We love them. I am addicted now. I want combos in every color and pattern. And since <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/"><b>KJ</b></a> puts out a new collection every 4 months or so, there are plenty of styles to choose from!<br />
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P.S. I was not paid to review these, although <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/"><b>KJ</b></a> generously supplied us swimmers to try out, and I honestly love them and know I have a lot of friends that were interested so I'm happy to share. <br />
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P.S.S. Thank you again, <a href="http://jessieleighphoto.com/"><b>Jessie</b></a>, for getting some fun pictures of me & my girls!<br />
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Oh, and FYI, KJ just released their newest line and it's SO cute! I think I need the hibiscus pink in a top. How cute would that be with the cheetah bottoms?! Click <a href="https://www.kortnijeane.com/"><b>here</b></a> to shop their new colloection.lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-18671367663523241282017-05-09T13:38:00.001-05:002017-05-09T13:38:57.549-05:00Why I Did Whole30 and Would I Do It Again?Good morning, friends! I really meant to have this post finished a lot sooner but I'm actually pretty glad it took some time. I learned a bit more over the months after completing the Whole30 Challenge than I realized I would and had I made this post earlier, it would not be the same as it is today. That said, a lot of you have had questions for me and I promised I'd try to answer as many as possible so let's get started.<br />
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You can read each week's recap on my previous posts: <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-1-meals.html"><b>WEEK 1</b></a>, <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-2-meals.html"><b>WEEK 2</b></a>, <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-3.html"><b>WEEK 3</b></a> & <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/02/whole30-week-4-meals.html"><b>WEEK 4. </b></a><br />
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<h4>
Number 1 question I got asked was, "Why are you doing Whole30?"</h4>
I posted about it <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-1-meals.html"><b>here</b></a> but in short:<br />
<ul>
<li>we were eating out too much as a family </li>
<li>it was a personal challenge - I wanted to prove to myself I could do it</li>
<li>I wanted to get better at eating breakfast & I thought it would probably force me to</li>
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<h4>
That looks so hard, how could you give up dairy?</h4>
Honestly, I thought this would be the hardest part of the 30 days. No cheese, no yogurt, no milk - I mean, I ate cheese with every meal so I knew this would be the worst. But it wasn't. I did miss it though, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't as hard as I made it out to be in my mind. So that was a nice surprise.<br />
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<h4>
Then what was the hardest part of doing Whole30?</h4>
That depends. Hardest food wise? As in what was the thing I missed or craved the most?<br />
Sugar.<br />
And that was a shocker to me. I've always considered myself a salty over sweets person. I prefer biscuits and gravy to pancakes or waffles. I'd rather have a chips and salsa than a bowl of ice cream. And we just don't have a lot of sweets around so I didn't even consider sugar being hard.<br />
I'm not sure if it was the fact that I couldn't have it that made me want it so badly (hi, I'm 5 or something) or the realization of how much sugar is in things and how it was added without me even knowing so I was actually eating more than I thought, thus making the lack of it what I craved. You guys, there is sugar in everything! Food I'd never expect! Like bacon, deli meat, some seasonings like garlic salt (what?!) and salsa. So that was an eye opener for sure.<br />
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<h4>
But the hardest part of Whole30 in general?</h4>
All. The. Cooking.<br />
Chopping.<br />
Prepping.<br />
Cleaning.<br />
Y'all, I felt like I lived in the kitchen. Apparently it's easier if you spend a day prepping food for the week but I didn't do that. We did make use of leftovers, A LOT, but I just cooked how I normally would during the week, meal by meal.<br />
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Once all the prepping and cooking was complete, then it was time to wash all the dishes used. And then it was like I could go to the bathroom and then go right back to the kitchen for the next meal. haha. Maybe not that bad but I did miss the ease of ordering a pizza and using paper plates.<br />
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<h4>
Did your cravings pass?</h4>
Yes and no. Initially I didn't crave much, other than sugar as mentioned earlier. Having all the fruit for breakfast was nice and since I never really ate breakfast regularly, I didn't crave much at breakfast.<br />
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Lunch wasn't too bad either. I definitely missed cheese on my salads or a bun with my hotdog but I wouldn't say I craved it. I just didn't think of it as an option so I kind of pushed it out of my head.<br />
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Dinner, however, I craved eating out. I missed someone cooking for me and the family. Eating whatever we chose from the menu, thus making everyone happy. And then not cleaning afterwards. I craved that the most. Especially by Friday.<br />
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My cravings came and went with the week. I would be super on track and have a great attitude Monday-Thursday. By Friday I wanted to give up and eat some pizza or a cheese enchilada. But willpower.<br />
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<h4>
How many times did you think of food you couldn't eat?</h4>
Hmm, how many seconds are there in a day? Partially kidding on this one, I did sleep ;) But man, I thought about it a lot. My kids love oatmeal and since we bought the Instant Pot, I make it a lot more. Every time I would make them oats, or toast or pull out the cheese so they could put it on their salad or ketchup for their fries, putting jelly on their pj&j, watching the Taco Bueno commercial or any food commercial for that matter, driving down the street and passing all the restaurants, all the time. Food is everywhere! So yeah, I thought about it a lot but honestly tried not to.<br />
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Oh, and there may have been a few times I sniffed the bag of doritos just to get the essence of it. Shame.<br />
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<h4>
Did you ever feel full?</h4>
No. Haha. Seriously though, no.<br />
There would be times we'd finish a meal and I'd turn to my husband and say, "I'm still hungry, you?" It's amazing what some croutons can do to a salad or a slice of toast with eggs.<br />
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On that note, I think that's also a reason we started getting tired halfway through. I just don't think we were getting enough to sustain our energy, especially with working out every day. And y'all, I ate all the time so it's not like I felt like I should be eating more but I do think there are health benefits to wheat bread and grains or yogurt if you have no allergy or adverse side effects..<br />
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<h4>
How much weight did you lose?</h4>
This is a funny one for me to answer because I didn't do the challenge to lose weight. Sure, I thought it would be nice to lose a couple pounds after all those holiday treats but that wasn't the goal so it weirds me out when people assume that's the only reason someone would do the challenge. Not only that, but I also worked out during the challenge. I try to stay active and in goodish shape but I joined a friend in this 12 week fitness challenge and it is intense! It puts my Jillian videos to shame! Anyway, all that to say, I lost 5 pounds in those 30 days.<br />
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<h4>
How much weight did you gain back?</h4>
It's been a few months since doing Whole30 and I haven't gained any back. <br />
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<h4>
What were the best/cheapest places to shop?</h4>
There were four stores I hit up each week during Whole30: Aldi, Trader Joe's, Sprouts and Reasors.<br />
<ul>
<li>Aldi: good prices on produce, guacamole, nuts, oils and nut butters.</li>
<li>Trader Joe's: they have a some random little treats that really added ease or flavor to ordinary meals like, riced cauliflower, saurkraut, seasoning blends, plantain chips and shrimp stir-fry.</li>
<li>Sprouts: not the best for normal grocery shopping but I'd check their weekly ad for sales and their produce prices were tough to beat and the quality is super.</li>
<li>Reasors: our local grocery store, they have their own farms so I like buying our meats here.</li>
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<h4>
You mentioned you felt a lot better, are there any other benefits you noticed?</h4>
Yes!<br />
<ul>
<li>Definitely sleep. I've never slept so soundly.</li>
<li>I also noticed a more sustained energy level throughout the day.</li>
<li>I honestly feel happier too. Working out everyday, eating healthier, it just feels better.</li>
<li>I am now a "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" believer! It only took me 35 years to learn that one but Food is Fuel y'all.</li>
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<h4>
What's the first thing you'll eat when it's over?</h4>
Chips and salsa. Plantain chips are good for Whole30 but they don't stand a chance next to restaurant chips and hot salsa. I eat chips and salsa as a snack nearly every day. 30 days without my favorite snack had me ready to dive head first into a vat of salsa and swim in a sea of salty chips. I can eat an embarrassing amount of chips and salsa and that is just what I did when we ended Whole30. Apparently there's a easing back into normal life plan after Whole30 but I did not follow that. 30 days was good.<br />
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<h4>
Is there anything you'll continue now that's Whole30 is over?</h4>
<ul>
<li>Yes, breakfast every day. </li>
<li>Less sugar. Having been off sugar for 30 days and then reintroducing it, perhaps a little too aggressively, I quickly learned that sugar affects me the most. It honestly makes me feel like crap. A little bowl of ice cream, not big deal. But a little bowl of ice cream and a brownie - almost makes me feel like I'm getting the flu. No lie.</li>
<li>And with that, yep, I still drink my coffee black. I know, ew, gross bean juice, but it's not so bad. I do put a little milk or almond milk in it from time to time but no sugar. It just doesn't take good enough to make me feel sick.</li>
<li>More sweet potatoes. I never realized how much I like them! Roasted sweet potato fries, baked sweet potatoes, leftover sweet potatoes with eggs for breakfast. They're good.</li>
<li>Finding all those produce deals! I love getting my weekly ads to see what we'll be eating the next week. </li>
<li>Less eating out. It's expensive. It's funny when you finally get to go back out to eat at a restaurant and nothing tastes good. Sad. But seriously. My enchilada was bland, the pizza was disappointing, the sandwich was lacking. Simple, real food is so full of flavor. However, the bread I got at Panera was what dreams are made of. And restaurant chips and salsa, I could eat it every day so when I do go out I will be looking for healthier options on the menu.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
</ul>
<h4>
Will you do Whole30 again?</h4>
No. I am so glad I did it. In fact, I would recommend it to anyone. Spending 30 days eating real, unprocessed food will teach you so much about your body and willpower. For me, Whole30 was all about getting healthier and not about losing weight. You don't have to want to lose weight to do Whole30, just like you don't have to want to lose weight to work out so I'd encourage anyone to do it. But don't do it for 5 days and say it was easy and then quit. That's not going to teach you anything. I know because I did it before. <br />
<br />
<h4>
What won't you continue from Whole30?</h4>
No dairy, no grains, no legumes.<br />
I am not lactose intolerant and I love cheese and I like yogurt for breakfast so I will enjoy eating those. I also feel more energetic when I have some whole grains in my diet. Like granola with my yogurt and fruit for breakfast. Or an egg with my toast. Theses foods don't impact me in a negative way so I'm fine keeping them in the rotation.<br />
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WHEW!<br />
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So that's that. More info than you probably cared to know but I tried to answer all the questions. And thank you to all of you that left me encouraging comments throughout the month - they meant a lot and helped me make it through, you guys rock!<br />
<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-10678368283634921032017-02-27T09:12:00.003-06:002017-02-27T09:12:37.864-06:00Whole30 Recap, Not TodayHey guys, I know I said I would have the recap up of my January Whole30 experience today but another kiddo is sick again and I didn't get around to finishing it this weekend. I'll have it up soon but until then, I'll be dreaming of days of everyone being healthy and well and frolicking outside.<br />
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And praying this little girl gets over it quickly!lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-16763167618481665172017-02-24T10:58:00.000-06:002017-02-24T10:58:11.903-06:00Whole30 - Week 4 Meals<br />
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<br />
For those that have been asking and waiting for me to finish up our <a href="http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/"><b>Whole30</b></a> experience from January, this post has been a while coming but life happens, kids get sick and blog posts get pushed to the next day's to do list (and repeat) but it's finally here!<br />
<br />
I planned on doing week 4's meals with my Whole30 experience recap (including answering a lot of your questions) in the same post but it got long so I'm posting the recap on Monday. If you are just joining, you can see what we ate during <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-1-meals.html"><b>Week 1</b></a>, <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-2-meals.html"><b>Week 2</b></a> and <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-3.html"><b>Week 3</b></a> by clicking on the links.<br />
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After surviving the <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-3.html"><b>weekend</b></a> of week 3, we woke up to week 4 with determination and a little pride that we'd made it so far and how close we were to finishing! <br />
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So here's what we ate to finish it off.<br />
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<b>DAY 22</b><br />
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Breakfast: fresh bananas, strawberries, blackberries and orange wedges with a 2 egg omelette topped with a bit of bacon, cilantro and avocado. <br />
Lunch: broccoli salad with a hard boiled egg (again, <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=9266d34434e6158a464483d09e9d419e" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00FLYWNYQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> to the rescue), apple slices and almond butter.<br />
Dinner: grilled beef patty topped with grilled jalapenos, onions and guacamole with grilled broccoli and roasted sweet potato and roasted potato fries. <br />
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<b>DAY 23</b><br />
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Breakfast: fresh pineapple, strawberries and bananas with a fried egg over TJ's cruciferous crunch mix.<br />
Lunch: all beef dog topped with onions, cayenne and <a href="http://siegis.com/store/sausages/dusseldorf-mustard/"><b>Siegi's</b></a> mustard with sliced radishes and broccoli salad. <br />
Dinner: taco potato - baked potato with taco meat, onions, guacomole, salsa and "<a href="http://www.whole-sisters.com/single-post/2016/05/26/Dump-Ranch"><b>dump ranch</b></a>".<br />
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<b>DAY 24</b><br />
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Breakfast: hard boiled egg with a chopped fruit salad of apples, bananas, blueberries and strawberries.<br />
Lunch: broccoli salad, plantain chips and salsa, sliced avocado and 2 hard boiled eggs.<br />
Dinner: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/paleolithicfoodie/"><b>@paleolithicfoodie's</b></a> chicken cauliflower coconut soup.<br />
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<b>DAY 25</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLAX0KJdh0k4IEWUesMdpDLPGuAPScmwyGuujJBrCkOnvl-DpYJAm1_FmlNxEIAPQqlup9TW_0H64HHXb5qpJMF5ow8u37-stITTZ_wHTtAddR-lJucRtiTVWliSDyg3GjMc4vexfJ-4/s1600/whole30-day25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLAX0KJdh0k4IEWUesMdpDLPGuAPScmwyGuujJBrCkOnvl-DpYJAm1_FmlNxEIAPQqlup9TW_0H64HHXb5qpJMF5ow8u37-stITTZ_wHTtAddR-lJucRtiTVWliSDyg3GjMc4vexfJ-4/s1600/whole30-day25.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: hard boiled egg with a chopped fruit salad of bananas, blueberries, strawberries and orange wedges.<br />
Lunch: spinach salad with chopped radishes, cucumber, onion and homemade chicken salad.<br />
Dinner: all beef dog with <a href="http://siegis.com/store/sausages/dusseldorf-mustard/"><b>Siegi's</b></a> mustard, chicken salad and apples slices with almond butter (there was no energy or care to make anything else :))<br />
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<b>DAY 26</b><br />
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Breakfast: orange wedges with blueberries, hard boiled eggs, cucumber and mixed nuts.<br />
Lunch: broccoli salad, hard boiled egg and a grilled chicken thigh.<br />
Dinner: pan seared steak and eggs.<br />
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<b>DAY 27</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-klJZbPZ6lZPDdyr3HJOcSvFnDQEVQco2jwtlzkW_R3Rah6AYwlMAqB6RS5sgpCxrjT4WEW1zXK1d3QaElW3j4z7sVSLNFKrOQUG6h7SA198Hb0kqDtoh1zDzUkK0elfI4_AO-GIhUdA/s1600/whole30-day27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-klJZbPZ6lZPDdyr3HJOcSvFnDQEVQco2jwtlzkW_R3Rah6AYwlMAqB6RS5sgpCxrjT4WEW1zXK1d3QaElW3j4z7sVSLNFKrOQUG6h7SA198Hb0kqDtoh1zDzUkK0elfI4_AO-GIhUdA/s1600/whole30-day27.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: spinach, blueberry, almond butter, banana smoothie with chia seeds. <br />
Lunch: taco potato.<br />
Dinner: grilled steak, grilled artichoke and cauliflower and a baked sweet potato.<br />
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<b>DAY 28</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSt4l2OI3ctnwt9o_Byll_Hodz6u7YD3C1a1ogu3HpjY8o3OJ4foxFwq6B2ovS8-k7ztsnKubesWamLfX3w_DAgZUmkT2ubvvVr4y0s_gyd3r7nKv9zKV0kLFEOd_6v43l46jE8EdypU/s1600/whole30-day28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSt4l2OI3ctnwt9o_Byll_Hodz6u7YD3C1a1ogu3HpjY8o3OJ4foxFwq6B2ovS8-k7ztsnKubesWamLfX3w_DAgZUmkT2ubvvVr4y0s_gyd3r7nKv9zKV0kLFEOd_6v43l46jE8EdypU/s1600/whole30-day28.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: bananas, blueberries and strawberries and 2 hard boiled eggs.<br />
Lunch: chopped salad with radishes, avocado, onion and grilled pork tenderloin and plantain chips.<br />
Dinner: pot roast with green beans, potatoes and carrots.<br />
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<b>DAY 29</b><br />
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Breakfast: kiwis and blueberries with a 2 egg omelette topped with leftover grilled steak.<br />
Lunch: chicken cauliflower coconut soup.<br />
Dinner: leftover grilled steak, baked sweet potato and sauteed cabbage.<br />
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<b>DAY 30</b><br />
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<br />
Breakfast: oranges, blueberries and a soft boiled egg. My girls call them "gooey eggs" and love them. You guys, I bought a <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045YMQ36/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0045YMQ36&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=d352d3a910aa4a6fa23a442cb33f4c2f" target="_blank">Rosle Egg Cracker/Topper </a></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0045YMQ36" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />online a couple of years ago and LOVE it. It makes getting the tops off a cinch!<br />
Lunch: chopped salad with cucumber, blueberries, radishes, bacon and a hard boiled egg. Topped with balsamic vinegar and evoo.<br />
Dinner: Here's the thing. We started Whole30 on January 1 with breakfast and lunch and accidentally had a non-whole30-approved item so we decided to go through until the 31, making it whole31. So the evening of the 31st we started trying to figure out if we had to make another dinner or if we had met our goal of eating whole for 30 days. Since we technically ate more than 30 days of whole30 meals so we decided we had met our goal and ended the night by going out and getting some chips and salsa and margaritas. Did we fail because of that? I think not. Do I care if you think we did? Heck no. <b></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
There you have it. Everything we ate the last 9 days of Whole30. Am I glad I did it? Heck yes! More on why I loved and hated it on Monday.<br />
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Have a great weekend!<b><br /></b>lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-47277133621489262722017-01-31T10:07:00.000-06:002017-02-24T11:07:07.402-06:0040% off Skillshare Premium Membership Ends Today!<img border="0" height="0" src="//skillshare.evyy.net/i/333060/300210/4650" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" width="0" /><br />
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I have taken classes on making the perfect <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/classes/culinary/The-Perfect-Grilled-Cheese-A-Mini-Class-to-Master-the-Sandwich/1695188892/classroom/discussions?via=user-profile&enrolledRedirect=1"><b>grilled cheese sandwich</b></a>, <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/classes/photography/Lifestyle-Photography-Everyday-Storytelling-in-Photo-Print/824467200/classroom/discussions?via=user-profile&enrolledRedirect=1"><b>lifestyle photography</b></a> tips, and my kids have even enjoyed the <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/classes/crafts/Building-Kids-Confidence-Through-Drawing-12-Art-Projects-for-Children-and-Beginners/151925705/classroom/discussions?via=user-profile&enrolledRedirect=1"><b>drawing classes for kids</b></a>. So clearly this is a family love affair and I wanted to let you all know they are offering a discounted premium membership today only and it will give you total access to thousands of online classes for an entire year!<br />
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Click <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/r/lesleyzellers"><b>here</b></a> and then look for the blue bar up top. Click that link and you'll get the 40% off discount code.<br />
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And feel free to enroll in <a href="http://skl.sh/2foTeD7"><b>my class</b></a> and learn some basics of lettering ;)<br />
<br />
Happy Tuesday! Now go start something new!lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-83638847052179323282017-01-24T12:10:00.000-06:002017-01-24T12:10:09.090-06:00Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe - Whole30 Approved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjjLzKYn6jmgxvOXoMkKe4kFNfl70-1qBdQUiSblLoAIZE-40yA7pj5ZtTYFdYJ7YdreGCLH_HdlyGdA32bDo1HxGIlZEQJ65E2EkRREnRB6OdQq4NsoUp6c5UqjD0y7MkMlbXGCVyok/s1600/broccoli-bacon-salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjjLzKYn6jmgxvOXoMkKe4kFNfl70-1qBdQUiSblLoAIZE-40yA7pj5ZtTYFdYJ7YdreGCLH_HdlyGdA32bDo1HxGIlZEQJ65E2EkRREnRB6OdQq4NsoUp6c5UqjD0y7MkMlbXGCVyok/s1600/broccoli-bacon-salad.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Good monrning!<br />
<br />
Several people have asked me for the broccoli salad recipe I posted on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyzellers"><b>instagram</b></a> so I'm sharing it here today.<br />
<br />
I wrote the recipe down years ago when I wondered down a rabbit hole on instagram, looking at "insert random hashtag I was looking for at the time" then seeing a picture that led to me to this person that led me to another person and then I saw a picture of the recipe and went to the blog. The problem is I didn't write the blogger's name or website down at the time so I can't attribute this recipe to them.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry blogger person. I have tried finding you. I have searched instagram, hashtags, google searches and image searches but I have come up empty. If you're reading this, let me know and I'll give you all the credit or if you're reading this and remember me saying something about who made this recipe, let me know so I can give credit.<br />
<br />
Until then, a whole30 approved broccoli salad that's good even if you're not doing whole30!<br />
<br />
Seriously, I made this salad for potlucks or summer parties all the time.<br />
<br />
<h4>
IINGREDIENTS:</h4>
2-3 heads fresh broccoli, roughly chopped<br />
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled<br />
1/2 cup red onion, diced (I have used green onion, garden onion and they're all good)<br />
1 cup cashews, chopped (I sometimes use whatever nut mix I've made sometimes including roasted almonds, pistachios, or sunflower seeds and it's great that way too)<br />
1/2 cup golden raisins (cranberries are a nice change too)<br />
<br />
Add all these ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine. <br />
<br />
<h4>
FOR THE DRESSING:</h4>
1 cup homemade mayo (to be whole30 compliant)<br />
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar<br />
2 soaked dates<br />
<br />
Put the dressing ingredients in a small food processor or blender and blend until the dates are chopped and thoroughly combined.<br />
<br />
Pour dressing over salad and stir. Refrigerate 2 hours or more to marinate.<br />
<br />
Serve to all your party people and enjoy<b>!</b>lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-22107980033943378852017-01-23T09:46:00.001-06:002017-01-23T09:51:29.523-06:00Whole30 - Week 3 Meals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDuacoho5Ra1wHXCqRuHKWn7UbH15dGcc66_MDYil7j8Hk-ojcCClAxEz3YuMcuMnCinLFVDZS8u8zHFBV18e_9x2QWblkAD9-WkfQ-btaaIobO_OFnBPrOFt-lInYz7OjaLuRiNycyg/s1600/whole30-week3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDuacoho5Ra1wHXCqRuHKWn7UbH15dGcc66_MDYil7j8Hk-ojcCClAxEz3YuMcuMnCinLFVDZS8u8zHFBV18e_9x2QWblkAD9-WkfQ-btaaIobO_OFnBPrOFt-lInYz7OjaLuRiNycyg/s1600/whole30-week3.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Whoa. We have officially completed 3 entire weeks of <a href="http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/"><b>Whole30</b></a>! I kind of did not think it was possible but also thought I could totally do it, if that makes any sense at all. If you're new, <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-1-meals.html"><b>Week 1 meals are here</b></a> and <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-2-meals.html"><b>Week 2 are here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
I will confess, this weekend was the hardest. The beginning of the week started strong. We were continuing to have amazing sleep, lots of energy and few cravings. Meals were enjoyable although the constant dish cleaning was not so much.<br />
<br />
Then Friday happened. Here's the thing, Friday's have always been the night I don't cook which means we either go out for pizza or Mexican food. So by Friday I was pretty much over the whole30 idea. We had conquered eating at home for every meal and only went out 1 time in 17 days. And since our main goal of doing whole30 was to eat out less, I'd say we achieved that goal. Plus, I really didn't want to cook, clean dishes and just really, really wanted some chips, salsa and queso. Throw in a margarita and I wouldn't object. But, we stayed strong. Made a dinner omelette and called it a night. #lame.<br />
<br />
And then Saturday happened. It was the perfect day for prepping the garden beds for planting in the coming weeks. We were outside all day. Raking. Pulling weeds. Gathering leaves. Getting dirty. Before we knew it the sun was going down and it was time for dinner. Only, we'd been outside all day so nothing had been prepared. My husband and were half talking each other into quitting and half talking into each other to sticking with it. We were weak. But in the end we said, "hey, we've made it 20 days, what's another 10? Let's do this."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
So hot dogs for dinner it was! And now we're in the home stretch and I'm really proud of us sticking with it and staying home of taking the easy way out and giving up and going out to eat. That chips and salsa will taste so much better in 10 days! hahaha<br />
<br />
So how did we survive week 3? Quick and easy meals, a lot of eggs, fruit and salads. There were ZERO recipes this week. Meaning, we pretty much bought proteins and fruits and veggies that were on sale (hello, <a href="https://www.sprouts.com/"><b>Sprouts</b></a>, my new favorite place for produce sales!) and threw them together. Nothing fancy or glamorous but it got us through.<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 15</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDPGIzjFhSHNg08TDsoUSI1ISWI6ZRLpd1JkVIIUst6TDEXx6ve69Bow7tpq3QWXOW1vYUvq65dbzwACh-poxcIlyCU2GimFO1cZHXYTXOQmWNUO0UkLQLSsgYa9DVeYAW-50T20txlE/s1600/whole30-day15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDPGIzjFhSHNg08TDsoUSI1ISWI6ZRLpd1JkVIIUst6TDEXx6ve69Bow7tpq3QWXOW1vYUvq65dbzwACh-poxcIlyCU2GimFO1cZHXYTXOQmWNUO0UkLQLSsgYa9DVeYAW-50T20txlE/s1600/whole30-day15.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Breakfast: fresh blackberries, sliced strawberries and bananas with a 2 egg omelette with green onions (cooked in TJ's ghee)<br />
Lunch: green leaf lettuce with leftover sardine salad with TJ's plantain chips (not my best, y'all)<br />
Dinner: oven roasted chicken thighs with root veggies (carrots, beets and parsnips)<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 16</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn6WdOXsUx5JRe5plULxuzkw6s_BcnKYZ2gkm2CQ1vEtjGzr9uiA20G03qu6FGwggt6_hOeXXcpAmRYYBdmh-M9DS80_T87OcO7QUlmB8_ngMOEkXs58oOx1A8stCEql8NCyXmXsTkHM/s1600/whole30-day16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn6WdOXsUx5JRe5plULxuzkw6s_BcnKYZ2gkm2CQ1vEtjGzr9uiA20G03qu6FGwggt6_hOeXXcpAmRYYBdmh-M9DS80_T87OcO7QUlmB8_ngMOEkXs58oOx1A8stCEql8NCyXmXsTkHM/s1600/whole30-day16.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Breakfast: strawberries and blackberries, 2 fried eggs and a sausage patty<br />
Lunch: salad with TJ's cruciferous crunch mix and green leaf lettuce topped with sliced cucumber, carrots, green onion, a hard boiled egg (made in the instant pot) and sliced chicken thigh (leftover from night before) with <a href="http://www.whole-sisters.com/single-post/2016/05/26/Dump-Ranch"><b>"dump ranch"</b></a><br />
Dinner: "rostisserie chicken" made in the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=6349773e8dc1403df43764aa9f16e4f6" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00FLYWNYQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, smashed baby potatoes with green onion and bacon and peas<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>DAY 17</b><br />
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Breakfast: sliced bananas, kiwi and blackberries with 2 soft boiled eggs and leftover smashed potatoes<br />
Lunch: lettuce wrapped beef slider topped with guacamole, onion, sauteed mushrooms and Louisiana Gold red sauce with TJ's plantain chips and carrots<br />
Dinner: 1st time eating out on whole30, we went to Ruby Tuesday and had the salad bar (glorious) and the triple prime burger without the bun (glorious)<br />
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<b>DAY 18</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1ogm3za68FSaTaZErxmoyjDgvfLZEu-U-iPaHAgupjCYCnzTFHJkXAykJZpURBtku0bA0uubz9wUFpCRYGT3GRhe7VVYMz4eYV8J-wdFKmLPf-9qBeRITEaP4b63j9kB8auit_twRmw/s1600/whole30-day18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1ogm3za68FSaTaZErxmoyjDgvfLZEu-U-iPaHAgupjCYCnzTFHJkXAykJZpURBtku0bA0uubz9wUFpCRYGT3GRhe7VVYMz4eYV8J-wdFKmLPf-9qBeRITEaP4b63j9kB8auit_twRmw/s1600/whole30-day18.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: oranges and some sauteed TJ's cruciferous greens mix topped with 2 fried eggs and a slice of prosciutto <br />
Lunch: mixed greens topped with sliced apple, green onion, shaved chicken breast, a medium boiled egg and chopped pecans with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil <br />
Dinner: grilled steak and chicken kabobs with green bell pepper, onion and mushrooms, mashed potatoes (used the instant pot) and oranges and pineapple<br />
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<b>DAY 19</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FZ4Mi-VWVBOmJRlfeaz4Hcd0H0q0CqXkPuQ5JCp9724FrbeE-PKYIcuVDyvBspuh_2mfgN5RLn5vprbWZ3j_7K5YWvaVaSophXDWVoiSXUxqi3Bgmxf58fz8YCvIK9iGhHZRJ82SkOc/s1600/whole30-day19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FZ4Mi-VWVBOmJRlfeaz4Hcd0H0q0CqXkPuQ5JCp9724FrbeE-PKYIcuVDyvBspuh_2mfgN5RLn5vprbWZ3j_7K5YWvaVaSophXDWVoiSXUxqi3Bgmxf58fz8YCvIK9iGhHZRJ82SkOc/s1600/whole30-day19.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: oranges, pineapple and blackberries with a 2 egg omelette with green onion<br />
Lunch: mixed green salad topped with sliced cucumber, carrots, green onion, prosciutto, shaved chicken bresat and a medium boiled egg topped with "dump ranch"<br />
Dinner: omelette filled with leftover kabob meat and veggies and topped with TJ's salsa verde with grapes, pineapple and bananas with a little chia seed sprinkled on top<br />
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<b>DAY 20</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOUFDQ_Inhi5sG1ijegRKwBhXovz1Xz958ZLN-WeT1y60LRsd9CM4LeRnY00EErIRcEngvsK6ydE2DfeBwD9kw_h39Cg_5gTH6LDQzPOPtH2A7wP-WDFsLcliHte264WhAelgt1_-0Fc/s1600/whole30-day20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOUFDQ_Inhi5sG1ijegRKwBhXovz1Xz958ZLN-WeT1y60LRsd9CM4LeRnY00EErIRcEngvsK6ydE2DfeBwD9kw_h39Cg_5gTH6LDQzPOPtH2A7wP-WDFsLcliHte264WhAelgt1_-0Fc/s1600/whole30-day20.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Breakfast: strawberries, bananas and kiwi with chia seed and potato pancakes topped with TJ's unsweetened applesauce<br />
Lunch: mixed green salad topped with sliced apple, cucumber, green onion,
prosciutto, chopped pecans and a medium boiled egg topped with
"dump ranch"<br />
Dinner: all beef franks topped with TJ's sauerkraut, onions, <a href="http://siegis.com/store/sausages/dusseldorf-mustard/"><b>Siegi's</b></a> mustard and Louisiana Gold red sauce and homemade dried jalapeno flakes from the garden with a sliced avocado<br />
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<b>DAY 21</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_4zB2JuKyTYZq-JOWt6EHmp5JYf8pSD6YDztejgXMhKTO-6U3Tmv6OcGDd37I4gfscJqoZ392W0u60rN90T3xxyYF8nMlC5XBQ-YWUgDpO1symdK3qPnVRmBrZHp-0Q5BE0_IANeyLw/s1600/whole30-day21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_4zB2JuKyTYZq-JOWt6EHmp5JYf8pSD6YDztejgXMhKTO-6U3Tmv6OcGDd37I4gfscJqoZ392W0u60rN90T3xxyYF8nMlC5XBQ-YWUgDpO1symdK3qPnVRmBrZHp-0Q5BE0_IANeyLw/s1600/whole30-day21.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: fruit salad with kiwi, oranges, strawberry and apples with chia seeds and cinnamon, a pan cooked pork chop and scrambled eggs<br />
Lunch: leftover grilled chicken thigh, hard boiled egg (yay Instant Pot) and my favorite broccoli salad<br />
Dinner: grilled hamburger patty with grilled jalapenos, onions and guacamole with grilled broccoli and oven roasted potato and sweet potato fries<br />
<br />
<br />
In keeping with weeks 1 and 2, here are some thoughts on the whole Whole30 thing:<br />
<ul>
<li>my husband and I are weird. That whole timeline thing is opposite for us. This past week we were supposed to have crazy energy but instead we both had random headaches and were tired even though I have been getting the best sleep I've had in 6 years. Weird.</li>
<li>we also decided there is nothing wrong with cheese or sugar. They are good. They make us happy. I think our marriage needs them.</li>
<li>also, let's add chips to things our marriage benefits from</li>
<li>while whole30 meals are undoubtedly healthy, there are only so many ways you can cook a "compliant" egg without it tasting like, well, an egg</li>
<li>these may sound like complaints and I'm sorry, I try my best to stay positive during the week but this is where I get honest and do you know how hard it is to make homemade chocolate chip banana bread and not eat ANY of it?! Let me tell you. It's hard.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<ul>
</ul>
But it's not all bad. There's a lot of good too. Which is why I guess a lot of people do this #whole30 thing<ul>
<li>for example, I've mentioned sleeping better. I used to average like 20+ restless moments during sleep and now it's more like 10 or less (thank you <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B25PKB0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01B25PKB0&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=131c58c2831419b8bdbb537b36632d7b" target="_blank">Fitbit</a></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01B25PKB0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for that info)</li>
<li>I have more sustained energy throughout the day instead of waves of sugar induced energy so that's probably good too</li>
<li>we have only eaten out 1 time in 21 days so that's HUGE</li>
<li>I'm a lot better at finding produce deals and making sure we have plenty of fresh fruit and veggies on hand</li>
<li>I feel better. Seriously. I feel great when I wake up. Great throughout the day and great when I go to bed. </li>
<li>my clothes are fitting a bit looser so that's not bad either</li>
<li>oh, and Trader Joe's and Sprouts are still places of beauty </li>
</ul>
So we're taking the good with the bad and have 9 days left. <br />
<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-50116526782207979792017-01-16T09:36:00.001-06:002017-01-16T09:39:00.985-06:00Whole30 - Week 2 Meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Monday!<br />
<br />
Well, we survived week 2 of <a href="http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/"><b>Whole30</b></a>. For me, this week was much more difficult than <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2017/01/whole30-week-1-meals.html"><b>WEEK 1</b></a>. I think maybe the lack of daily vanilla latte (all that sugar) may have taken a toll this week. I had a couple of killer headaches and a couple of moments of bad attitudes where I just really wanted a chunk of bread and a piece of chocolate. Which is weird for me because I've always been more of a salty person that sweets person. I'm blaming my lack of lattes again.<br />
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Anyway, that said, the end of the week was much better. My energy was up, my attitude was much better and no more headaches. Oh, and my sleep has drastically improved! All good things.<br />
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So on to the food. This week was full of leftovers and trying to find tasty ways to use them.<br />
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<b>DAY 8</b><br />
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Breakfast: fruit salad with pineapple, grapes, apple and a little sprinkle of pumpkin spice and chia seeds and a breakfast scramble with eggs, sausage, <a href="http://nomnompaleo.com/post/111934821818/pressure-cooker-kalua-pig"><b>kalua pork</b></a> (leftover from last week), cilantro and green onion and my trusty side kick, Louisiana gold red sauce<br />
Lunch: baked sweet potato with ground beef taco meat, salsa, cilantro, onion and "<a href="http://www.whole-sisters.com/"><b>dump ranch</b></a>"<br />
Dinner: leftover lunch because it was huge but I fried an egg on top to change it up<br />
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<b>DAY 9</b><br />
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Breakfast: 1/2 banana and handful of blueberries with a two-egg omelette topped with pan seared filet from last week's dinner & a little green onion<br />
Lunch: shredded salad with greens, onion, carrots, radishes, 1/2 a sliced avocado and a sliced grilled chicken thigh with a lime squeeze and balsamic vinegar for dressing<br />
Dinner: pecan crusted mahi mahi topped with pineapple salsa (fresh pineapple, cilantro, jalapeno and onion) over cauliflower rice and steamed broccoli<br />
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<b>DAY 10</b><br />
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Breakfast: 2 soft boiled eggs, blueberries and a sliced of leftover brisket<br />
Lunch: packed my lunch for a trip to the zoo, plantain chips, blueberries and carrots, an avocado hard boiled eggs in my favorite lunchbox from <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006IVM9VS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B006IVM9VS&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=36a577525955c61b89291dda64a675b1" target="_blank">PlanetBox</a></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B006IVM9VS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Dinner: over baked hashbrowns topped with sausage and kalua pork and eggs with a little salsa, fresh broccoli and celery with almond butter (worst meal to date and my mood was in the dumps because I wanted Mexican food)<br />
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<b>DAY 11</b><br />
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Breakfast: hard boiled egg (<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=91771e07811fe09ca9279af4e1e03231" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a></b>) with bananas, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries<br />
Lunch: green leaf lettuce salad topped with strawberries, cucumber, onion, hard boiled egg and sliced natural deli chicken breast<br />
Dinner: bunless burger wraps with green leaf lettuce, 2 sliders, tomato, onion, radishes and a fried egg with oven roasted potato fries<br />
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<b>DAY 12</b><br />
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Breakfast: bananas, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries with pan fried leftover roasted potatoes topped with a fried egg with green onion and sprinkle of dried jalapeno powder and salt & pepper<br />
Lunch: oven roasted potato fries, Classen pickle spear and an <a href="http://applegate.com/products/the-great-organic-turkey-hot-dog"><b>Applegate</b></a> turkey dog topped with TJ's sauerkraut, onions and <a href="http://siegis.com/store/sausages/dusseldorf-mustard/"><b>Siegi's</b></a> mustard (love this lunch)<br />
Dinner: chopped green leaf salad topped with strawberries, carrots, onions, deli chicken breast, blueberries and a hard boiled egg with "dump ranch"<br />
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<b>DAY 13</b><br />
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Breakfast: bananas, strawberries, blackberries and tangelo wedges, sugar-free bacon and waffled TJ's hashbrowns topped with 2 poached eggs<br />
Lunch: shredded lettuce topped with sardine salad (eww, I know but it's supposed to be super healthy and I figured it couldn't be worse than kipper snacks), carrots and TJ's plantain chips<br />
Dinner: oven roasted spiralized sweet potatoes mixed with potato fries, topped with kalua pork (seriously, it made so much and we still have more in the freezer), guacamole, leftover pineapple salsa (from Tuesday's dinner) and a little salsa<br />
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<b>DAY 14</b><br />
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Breakfast: leftover roasted sweet potato and potato fries topped wtih 2 fried eggs and green onion<br />
Lunch: at my parent's, my dad made pot roast with carrots, potatoes and green beans and a side of fruit salad! All things I could eat. My dad rocks.<br />
Dinner: small salad with carrots, cucumbers, onion, 1/2 a hard boiled egg and a little deli chicken breast with 1/2 baked sweet potato topped with kalua pork, onion and guacamole<br />
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So there's that. Whew.<br />
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<ul>
<li>In keeping with week 1, here are some things I learned from week 2</li>
<li>leftovers are time and sanity savers and even better when you can change them up</li>
<li>I wish I had our chickens still because eggs, eggs and more eggs</li>
<li>not being able to have something makes me want it even more - hi, I'm 5 or something</li>
<li>green onions are good with just about anything</li>
<li>so is cilantro</li>
<li>and quite possibly dump ranch</li>
<li>black coffee is working on me and I can really taste the difference between bad coffee and good coffee, my favorite coffee right now is Jamaican Blue from Sprouts. So smooth.</li>
<li>watching the local grocery ads means I can find the best deal on fruits and veggies and stock up for the week making meals so much easier and affordable (hence all the strawberries, blackberries and blueberries - yay sales!)</li>
<li>since I can't really snack anymore, I've noticed my coffee consumption going up, I might need to work on that in week 3 and work more water in!</li>
<li>I am sleeping like a ROCK. Every night. My sleep has never been so good.</li>
<li>the halfway mark feels REALLY good.</li>
<li>attitude is still everything. I had a pity party about not being able to go out anymore. And not that we can't, I'm sure there are things we could order, but the main reason to do Whole30 was to keep us home more so we're killing it there - zero restaurants in 2 weeks. Whoop. But man, it sure would be nice to sit and eat chips and salsa and queso, drink a margarita and let someone else take care of the cooking and dishes! haha Trying not to focus on that.</li>
<li>lastly, my workouts are better. I feel more energy to do them, better endurance and stamina. Oh, and I got a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YLZPXCK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00YLZPXCK&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=05dbbe8613f55d91581a0411c05e6309" target="_blank">Foam Roller</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00YLZPXCK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and it's everything. Thank you, <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/"><b>sister</b></a>, for talking me into that purchase!</li>
</ul>
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<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-62736824672009891872017-01-09T11:57:00.001-06:002017-01-09T11:57:25.850-06:00Whole30 - Week 1 Meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP4zDP4F9QCU4fAtoqHGWZXerY4smO2nnXZZUfEB2ujIBnlCh4kBAjPT7keSX91AGp83D8Sx1NQVXDyD_UwmKK20CnlXpQkDYlDSnSdbHxwhA89VUU3xwD7TCBEBKUyhNb-aLZKSDWaU/s1600/whole30-week1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP4zDP4F9QCU4fAtoqHGWZXerY4smO2nnXZZUfEB2ujIBnlCh4kBAjPT7keSX91AGp83D8Sx1NQVXDyD_UwmKK20CnlXpQkDYlDSnSdbHxwhA89VUU3xwD7TCBEBKUyhNb-aLZKSDWaU/s1600/whole30-week1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Good morning! For those that follow me on instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyzellers/"><b>@lesleyzeller</b></a>s, you probably have realized I started Whole 30 this past week. If you're not familiar with the challenge, you can learn about it <a href="http://whole30.com/"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
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So why did I do it? Good question.<br />
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There are a few reasons actually. The main one was to get myself back in the kitchen. With deadlines, holidays and just the normal pace of a life with 3 kids, we started eating out way too much. That is neither good for the finances or our health. Some nights it's easier to just go out and get some food with zero meal planning, we know there will be something everyone will like and hello, no dishes to clean up. But we are getting ready to build a house and my husband and I decided this was the kick in the booty we needed to get better at meal planning, eating healthier and getting back to eating at home for every meal and what better time to start than a new year?!<br />
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I mean, we eat pretty healthy food already so I didn't think it would be SO hard. My husband and I don't drink a lot of pop, we don't eat much fried food, we don't eat a lot of sugary things but we do eat out too much, ejoy a semi-weekly donut, a glass (or 2) of wine with dinner from time to time and I LOVE me some chips, salsa and queso and ALL the cheese. And bread isn't too shabby either.<br />
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Anyway, a lot of you have asked questions regarding my experience, like are your kids doing it too, where do you find your recipes, what's that Instant Pot thing, what's in that salad?! and a whole bunch of others so I'm going to try to address them here. <br />
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For starters, my husband and I committed to doing the Whole30 challenge and wanted our kids to do it with us as much as possible without a ton of complaining. So we feed them what we eat but I also make them a side that isn't approved or give them a cookie after dinner. So basically I was not about to make 1 meal for us and a second meal for them - that's just crazy talk.<br />
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So what would a meal look like for us versus them? One night I made spaghetti squash with meat sauce and a salad with homemade red wine vinegar dressing. I made the kids actual spaghetti because none of them love squash in any variety and they got to choose their favorite dressing for their own salads. They were happy, we were happy, we all won. If we do burgers, they get buns but eat the same sides as us. Breakfast, they get oatmeal or toast with their eggs but they still get the fruit salad. Oh, and they get treats like the occasional cookie or chocolate piece and they drink milk every morning. <br />
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As for where I find my recipes, here and there. Haha. I tried doing Whole30 once before and was so consumed with finding recipes and making meals interesting that it became a burden and complete time zapper. This go around I wanted to keep it simple. Grab the veggies that were on sale at the grocery store and pick up some meats to go with it. A lot of roasted or steamed veggies because those are easy and a lot of salads because I'm a salad junkie. Oh, and the eggs. A LOT of eggs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNR3mIzzdxMBbh5BZnlRmrT-BIwrggouxi-r7-s9jP29SONc1_gssmJ487qesWEV617GAcN5k48Z7ry9ecg_uXGg4LQjkVPd3VJiAb5t-4b4iaiBaqlXYHIA5Fp2FRcgWmXKhKATc-Ls/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNR3mIzzdxMBbh5BZnlRmrT-BIwrggouxi-r7-s9jP29SONc1_gssmJ487qesWEV617GAcN5k48Z7ry9ecg_uXGg4LQjkVPd3VJiAb5t-4b4iaiBaqlXYHIA5Fp2FRcgWmXKhKATc-Ls/s1600/eggs.jpg" /></a></div>
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That said, I did find some easy recipes on pinterest and saved some to my "healthy food" and Instant Pot recipes" boards to reference this month. You can find the boards <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lesleyzellers/"><b>here</b></a>. I do love <a href="http://nomnompaleo.com/"><b>NomNomPaleo</b></a> and <a href="http://www.whole-sisters.com/"><b>WholeSisters</b></a>. Oh, and there is a Whole30 cookbook (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544854411/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0544854411&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=f80252c9437a0fb5ceb8fcf5cc89566c" target="_blank">The Whole30 Cookbook: 150 Delicious and Totally Compliant Recipes to Help You Succeed with the Whole30 and Beyond</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0544854411" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />) and a Paleo Instant Pot cookbook (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1624143547/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1624143547&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=1d27b9ab2e7747ab1823c1cd941de311" target="_blank">Paleo Cooking With Your Instant Pot: 80 Incredible Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes Made Twice as Delicious in Half the Time</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1624143547" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />) that I hear have fantastic recipes but I don't have either. If we keep it up another month (yes, we've talked about it) I really want to get the Paleo Instant Pot book. <br />
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Which brings me to the Instant Pot. This is where I share my new found obsession with a kitchen appliance.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=3353138c03cb9a3593a335798160b7fb" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=recipeforcr04-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00FLYWNYQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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What is an Instant Pot? It's an amazing little tool I can not live without now.<br />
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It's technically an electric pressure cooker but don't let that intimidate you. I have never used a pressure cooker but love my instant pot. For me it's like a super fast crock pot but better. The model I have has a sautee function so you can brown your meat in the same pot you cook it in and it takes like 1/3 or less of the time as a crock pot. And hard boiled eggs! Well, peeling shells has never been easier! We have made beef pho (not whole30 with the noodles), clam chowder (not whole30 but the best chowder I've ever eaten), eggs, oatmeal (again, not whole30 but goodness, it's so easy and the kids LOVE it), bone broth, stew, kalua pig and I'm sure there's more I can't think of right now - and I've only had it for a couple weeks!<br />
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It really has been a game changer in our kitchen and although it isn't black Friday, you can still find the model I got on Amazon by clicking on the following link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=recipeforcr04-20&linkId=91771e07811fe09ca9279af4e1e03231" target="_blank">Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, 6Qt/1000W</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=recipeforcr04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00FLYWNYQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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So what's in my salad? Instead of sharing each meal on Instagram (that's a whole lot of food pics, y'all) I am going to post them all here with the details.<br />
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<b>DAY 1</b><br />
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I didn't take pictures but we had bacon, eggs and fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch and grilled cod filets with grilled romaine wedges for dinner.<br />
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<b>DAY 2</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSz8lr9eBxtOvZL4E4wUafzUrFNTgq4aG118koprZhEEu7Vy4wrEcHAayH_Q9sHrxNSl1NPDm9xMbRze2aZvsNkvjBF5jWWxbjJB1BRlwY00tjZamflBIUWjvKRguXDDC7-HyPHU7nFc/s1600/whole30-day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSz8lr9eBxtOvZL4E4wUafzUrFNTgq4aG118koprZhEEu7Vy4wrEcHAayH_Q9sHrxNSl1NPDm9xMbRze2aZvsNkvjBF5jWWxbjJB1BRlwY00tjZamflBIUWjvKRguXDDC7-HyPHU7nFc/s1600/whole30-day2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit salad with black coffee<br />
Lunch: Salad: chopped romaine, sliced cucumber, carrots, radishes, avocado, onion, hard boiled eggs (using the instant pot) and crumbled bacon with oil and vinegar for dressing<br />
Dinner: Trader Joes's shrimp stir-fry with riced cauliflower and sauteed bok choy<br />
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<b>DAY 3</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfng7my7p0np7nytca20GykFe2v7uN75VNxNJsc43z7Y_wkAJtDe-a3D3yI9O9uMMd3taO0eoXoPtqKt9D5zrVfcxe8RYA__d0e57GhgUpbkiwSsATl2076RmLVK00N7W7dej3SBbdAg/s1600/whole30-day3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfng7my7p0np7nytca20GykFe2v7uN75VNxNJsc43z7Y_wkAJtDe-a3D3yI9O9uMMd3taO0eoXoPtqKt9D5zrVfcxe8RYA__d0e57GhgUpbkiwSsATl2076RmLVK00N7W7dej3SBbdAg/s1600/whole30-day3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: hard boiled egg, 1/2 avocado and fruit with black coffee<br />
Lunch: leftover grilled romaine, all natural beef frank with Trader Joes's sauerkraut, grilled onions, mustard and Louisiana Gold red sauce and dried jalapeno flakes from the garden<br />
Dinner: chopped romaine salad with red onion and tomato and homemade red wine vinaigrette, spaghetti squash with meat and Trader Joe's roasted garlic sauce<br />
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<b>DAY 4</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoa9rUdPK0-dheOO1mvRWFmv9h-_c-K4mDq3d4fV85Kfv5XEjel5REIO_P1U5q6p0YffIhSquTkJo5WYpRC_qbbU93lycbGFAHMccNFvSPndVwi_Ku1Hwy-_V_D76qP7IMYjo-8xQLzw/s1600/whole30-day4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoa9rUdPK0-dheOO1mvRWFmv9h-_c-K4mDq3d4fV85Kfv5XEjel5REIO_P1U5q6p0YffIhSquTkJo5WYpRC_qbbU93lycbGFAHMccNFvSPndVwi_Ku1Hwy-_V_D76qP7IMYjo-8xQLzw/s1600/whole30-day4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: two fried eggs and fruit salad (banana, orange, blueberries and strawberries with toasted pecans with a little pumpkin spice sprinkled on top and chia seeds) and black coffee<br />
Lunch: chopped salad with mixed greens (including TJ's cruciferous crunch mix), radishes, onions, cucumber, natural rostisserie chicken slices and WholeSisters "<a href="http://www.whole-sisters.com/single-post/2016/05/26/Dump-Ranch"><b>dump ranch</b></a>" (make that ranch, it's AMAZING)<br />
Dinner: leftover spaghetti squash and salad<br />
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<b>DAY 5</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB53rGmlG2ov7SESp6rRVvwZ9y9-TIrww-MByOpjiGjqUku8cG3vBD5cLkgtmWtwPo4sVEYaUyoWhfmmg1HNf9B00WfFSex6OAKfyNBpu5Gtkw87LALULqWjAiZDZPd3-CgaeeOCHR_pg/s1600/whole30-day5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB53rGmlG2ov7SESp6rRVvwZ9y9-TIrww-MByOpjiGjqUku8cG3vBD5cLkgtmWtwPo4sVEYaUyoWhfmmg1HNf9B00WfFSex6OAKfyNBpu5Gtkw87LALULqWjAiZDZPd3-CgaeeOCHR_pg/s1600/whole30-day5.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: sauteed greens (TJ's cruciferous crunch mix again) with leftover sweet potato and onion toped with 2 fried eggs and fruit salad (same as day 4) with black coffee<br />
Lunch: taco salad - mixed chopped greens, radishes, onions, ground beef with homemade taco seasoning, homemade guacomole and sugar free salsa, with a drizzle of "dump ranch"<br />
Dinner: grilled steak, steamed broccoli with lemon juice and baked sweet potato (in the instant pot) with crumbled bacon and green onion<br />
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<b>DAY 6</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWGYeeoFyFxq4L4cDKu-RdwHJfvDrwSN4udw76wdbYyv2dMCs8788Qi_nme3Zphw2Y_yyVfDUAKwpwkbF6x4BFeBJZ38vV9N-mcNATZlM7erdD7zitApDz0BM37PkRyCSsM848sMbRZ4/s1600/whole30-day6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWGYeeoFyFxq4L4cDKu-RdwHJfvDrwSN4udw76wdbYyv2dMCs8788Qi_nme3Zphw2Y_yyVfDUAKwpwkbF6x4BFeBJZ38vV9N-mcNATZlM7erdD7zitApDz0BM37PkRyCSsM848sMbRZ4/s1600/whole30-day6.jpg" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: egg in hash brown nest (frozen hash browns from TJ's), slice of bacon and fruit salad with black coffee<br />
Lunch: grilled chicken salad over mixed greens with radishes, onion, chopped apple, homemade guacamole, a hard boiled egg and some "dump ranch"<br />
Dinner: Kahlua pig and cabbage (<a href="http://nomnompaleo.com/post/111934821818/pressure-cooker-kalua-pig"><b>Nom Nom Paleo recipe</b></a> made in the instant pot), roasted smashed potatoes with bacon and green onion<br />
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<b>DAY 7</b><br />
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Breakfast: "leftover scramble" - pretty much all leftover veggies from the week sauteed in a pan, pour beaten eggs in, cook, top with cilantro and Louisiana Gold red sauce and a fruit salad<br />
Lunch: smoothie (I am aware Whole30ers don't encourage smoothies because you're supposed to chew your food or something but it was after church and getting late and I don't really care, we like smoothies, all whole30 ingredients went in it and we didn't eat out so shame me if you must)<br />
Dinner: grilled burgers on lettuce topped with homemade guacamole, tomato, onion and a fried egg with zucchini noodles and a baked sweet potato with green onion<br />
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Whew. That's a lot of food.<br />
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I should also mention that I was really bad about skipping breakfast before the challenge. I'd make a latte or even worse, pick one up at Starbucks, and that would be my breakfast. I did a little investigating this week out of curiosity. Did you know there are 35 grams of sugar in a grande vanilla latte? What?! CRAZY!<br />
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<b>So here's what I've learned in the first week:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>preparing whole30 meals doesn't have to be difficult just meat, veggies and fruit</li>
<li>that said, I feel like I'm in the kitchen all day - either prepping, chopping, cooking or cleaning</li>
<li>attitude is EVERYTHING - if I focus on the cheese I can't have on my salad I get grumpy, if I focus on all the fruit and delicious food I CAN have, I enjoy it more</li>
<li>dairy isn't life</li>
<li>nor are donuts</li>
<li>but I'd like to have some cheese from time to time or a simple glazed donut with my coffee but honestly, it hasn't been as hard to not eat them as I thought it would be</li>
<li>that "whole30 timeline" isn't for everyone - we never experienced the "hangover" phase, or the "want to kill all the things" phase and honestly, both my husband and I have just felt really good</li>
<li>black coffee isn't SO bad. It sure beats water for breakfast</li>
<li>sugar is in EVERYTHING! Who knew? Why is it in deli meat, bacon and sausage? Crazy </li>
<li>Trader Joe's is my friend. Saurkraut, frozen meals, veggie mix - I'm a fan</li>
<li>Louisiana Gold red sauce is my BFF. It's not the original sauce. It comes in a little bottle and I've only found it at one store but it's amazing. Great on eggs, salad, burgers and more.</li>
<li>and lastly, the Instant Pot is everything. </li>
</ul>
There you go. A freakishly long post about food.<br />
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If you're doing Whole30 I would LOVE to hear your favorite recipes, sauces or tips to beat the occasional sugar craving. <br />
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<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-34837830087782439512017-01-03T10:51:00.001-06:002017-01-03T10:53:12.918-06:00Recipe for Crazy is Oklahoma Brand this Week!Yesterday I shared a little peek into an interview I did with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/willdupreenews"><b>Will Dupree</b></a> of Channel 2 news (<a href="http://www.kjrh.com/"><b>KJRH</b></a>) for his Oklahoma Brand series. Many of you asked to see the whole interview so here's a link to see me in all my awkward glory: <a href="http://www.kjrh.com/news/oklahoma-brands/tulsa-mother-of-three-shares-recipe-for-crazy-through-business-selling-hand-drawn-products"><b>click here</b></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kjrh.com/news/oklahoma-brands/tulsa-mother-of-three-shares-recipe-for-crazy-through-business-selling-hand-drawn-products" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXf3cK5M4P97uIX5xWu_NFXrCT7dIebgfrcT4QcmZuZdW1vYwtK5-fU-W1bTuJOrC6VmQ0iAo8MrwMeGpYT2HSXLo8PNEXcLL48Nwv9LAqOa8K-JpFlxPh5HOo6pF67K0bBbK8xUW2C4/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-01-03+at+10.42.17+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really is such an honor to be able to share my story and I'm so thankful they thought of me! Being interviewed by the local news about my art?! So weird. And so cool.lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-60307252780791817472016-12-21T18:37:00.004-06:002016-12-22T07:22:31.912-06:00And the Winner is...Congratulations, Bailey and Ksenia! You each have won a Skillshare Premium Membership subscription for a year! You each completed the class project in my Skillshare class, <a href="http://skl.sh/2foTeD7"><b>"Drawing Creative Letters: And Introduction to Lettering for Beginners."</b></a> and uploaded your project to share with the rest of the class. Great job!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HBQIbO10Cnc4r2LzHNgh_sIC-kr_q0mMuJE6UKPoyZdmUeAbJGEkAYnC8ap9rmhokhG2Gur3Zdgz3YKnBlQLWRsnrrqilIQfIFIemsE_EAvL1PmDg9-_r6sQG7pK66OGZsbV4M6_NG0/s1600/letter-winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HBQIbO10Cnc4r2LzHNgh_sIC-kr_q0mMuJE6UKPoyZdmUeAbJGEkAYnC8ap9rmhokhG2Gur3Zdgz3YKnBlQLWRsnrrqilIQfIFIemsE_EAvL1PmDg9-_r6sQG7pK66OGZsbV4M6_NG0/s1600/letter-winners.jpg" /></a></div>
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I wish <b>we</b> could've picked more to win because there were so many great projects out there. But since we only had 2 memberships to give away, we had to narrow it down. The reason <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/"><b>Ashley</b></a> and I chose these were because not only did you upload the final image, you also shared photos of your
creative process from warm up to thumbnails to final. And ultimately your letters were creative,
representational of the word you chose and you both did a great job
executing your idea. Way to go! You should be really proud of your work.<br />
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I also want to share a few other projects from the class because you guys are doing awesome!<br />
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I am blown away by the creativity in these! Check out the other class projects <b><a href="http://skl.sh/2foTeD7">here</a></b>. <br />
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The number one thing I'm most excited about regarding this class is the fact that a lot of you have said you didn't think you could draw before taking the class but after doing each lesson you actually amazed yourselves and created some pretty cool drawings! I love that. High five for trying something new!<br />
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So thank you all for taking a chance on my class and on me. You have been so encouraging and supportive and I'm so thankful for you all.<br />
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If you're interested in taking the class, you can still signup for a 3 month trial for only 99 cents! Use <a href="http://skl.sh/2foTeD7"><b>this link to enroll</b></a> and let me know what you think.<br />
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Merry Christmas everyone!lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-53238390254855294322016-11-29T22:18:00.000-06:002016-11-30T06:07:45.936-06:00Drawing Creative Letters: An Introduction to Lettering for Beginners & a GIVEAWAY!Are you ready for my big announcement?!<br />
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I am an official Skillshare Teacher!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gt-bJ2AIeGE" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Let's not focus on that freeze frame though.<br />
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After a lot of bossing, or I mean, constant encouraging, from my sister, I started working on this class over the last few weeks, and today my newest class for Skillshare is officially live!<br />
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Most of you know I'm a huge fan of Skillshare and have heard me mention it a few times, but if you’re not familiar, Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on everything from business to graphic design to fashion – it’s the Netflix of learning. Classes are bite-sized and have a fun project so you can practice your newly learned skills.<br />
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My class, Drawing Creative Letters: An Introduction to Lettering for Beginners, is on drawing letters, where you’ll learn the basics of lettering, join me in my creative process and learn some tips along the way. I’m proud of what I’ve created and I’d really appreciate if you’d check out my class! <br />
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By using this special link: <b><a href="http://skl.sh/2foTeD7">http://skl.sh/2foTeD7</a></b>, you’ll get access to my class, plus all other classes on Skillshare for just $0.99. For three months, you can learn how to knit, take better iphone pictures or even how to make a killer grilled cheese sandwich, all for less than a dollar.<br />
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I'd love to hear what you think so I have teamed up with Skillshare and my sister, Ashley, to host a giveaway. <b>2 winners will receive a 1 year Premium Subscription to Skillshare</b>.<br />
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To be eligible, enroll in my class <b><a href="http://skl.sh/2foTeD7">here</a></b>, take the class and post a photo of your class project by December 19. That's it. I will choose a winner and Ashley will choose a winner.<br />
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Good luck and happy drawing!<br />
<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-66011613005558981062016-06-13T09:49:00.002-05:002016-06-13T09:49:33.960-05:00Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane, Washington<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27353350400/in/photostream/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7661/27353350400_ef7bdaf557_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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It's already been a week since I got to travel to Washington with <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/"><b>my sister</b></a> to help our friends, <a href="http://becraftyworkshop.com/"><b>Amanda</b></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saraparsons/"><b>Sara</b></a>, host a Be Crafty workshop at the famous Farm Chicks show! I already miss those girls and thankfully have so many funny memories that will stay with me for a very long time.<br />
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The night before the workshop we went to a pre-party at Anthropologie. My sister pretty much summed up my thoughts on her recap <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2016/06/08/the-farm-chicks-kickoff-party-anthroevents/"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWyiEs-2d8Mry73WsG0V49zVA9wWM_c-l0Ki1CVWVlIdL7gjKa0y0YdlpQDOY2swcTTP3m_-hQN9DO_Y3Ii9YAjUrukPQvi-VCiBAh6UafzDWIjPg13tTX2B3_knpCPZ7L0avOL-IsCo/s1600/anthro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWyiEs-2d8Mry73WsG0V49zVA9wWM_c-l0Ki1CVWVlIdL7gjKa0y0YdlpQDOY2swcTTP3m_-hQN9DO_Y3Ii9YAjUrukPQvi-VCiBAh6UafzDWIjPg13tTX2B3_knpCPZ7L0avOL-IsCo/s1600/anthro-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">I stole this from Ashl<span style="color: #0000ee;">ey's post.</span><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I mean, our four awkward girls at a meet and greet - so out of character for us. And then the fact that I assumed we needed to check in at the door and no one knew what to say when our names weren't found on the guest list. Thank you Amanda for a new favorite memory, "our names are on the graphic." I still laugh when I think of that.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27647245585/in/dateposted/" title="farm chicks show 2016 preparty"><img alt="farm chicks show 2016 preparty" height="600" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7552/27647245585_6201fdf81b_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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Thankfully the workshop went a little more smoothly!
All the details were thought of, in true Amanda Rydell fashion. Hand gold-foiled swag bags, balloons, all the pretty colors, centerpieces and decorations! So much pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27557819201/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7135/27557819201_3f15389c1c_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27557819301/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7454/27557819301_ee5bb295e7_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27353350670/in/photostream/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7363/27353350670_5e91e8e4b7_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27353350780/in/photostream/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7083/27353350780_abfc91993b_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020649934/in/photostream/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7176/27020649934_5ed8e907d1_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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Major thanks to Jessie of <a href="http://shopsweetlulu.com/"><b>Shop Sweet Lulu</b></a> for the event decorations. Her shop has THE cutest party supplies and she's offering 15% off with code FARMCHICKS!<br />
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I am so thankful for the time spent setting up with these girls and for all the new, and old, friends I got to meet and see. I may not be the best at crafting but I can sit and chat with the best of them. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020649834/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7688/27020649834_6acfde7774_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020649684/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7290/27020649684_fa29fffdf0_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27557819211/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7352/27557819211_79eb2ec548_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020649504/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7342/27020649504_b30421bcc5_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27353350810/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7594/27353350810_f2da5edd7c_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27353350620/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7632/27353350620_6d8e33a9b9_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<br />
The event and swag bags would not have been possible without some amazingly generous small businesses that donated their goods for the ladies.
So amazing, right?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020649324/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7384/27020649324_c15fa0beb1_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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1. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://homeagaincreative.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNEM9u98-tdj38eCuY0NvG-eeoGO9A" href="http://homeagaincreative.com/" target="_blank">Home Again Creative</a> 2. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.happysocks.com/us/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNHJ5tv8qGasL5aCVdX3K5QDtxVuZA" href="https://www.happysocks.com/us/" target="_blank">Happy Socks</a> 3. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://becraftyworkshop.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNF8DSu9NCHQ4nnThMXC0ywELXN4CA" href="http://becraftyworkshop.com/" target="_blank">Be Crafty Workshops</a> 4. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilysteffen&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNF1qUC9AuUDD9HKLZYsHVXX0H9Oog" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilysteffen" target="_blank">Emily Steffen</a> 5. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.paintandprose.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNH7UZ2DQr_KKzN8hPzidQcFPSH_nw" href="http://www.paintandprose.com/" target="_blank">Paint and Prose</a> 6. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.etsy.com/shop/katygirldesigns&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNFXbM4cpT6c1uJtass2l8uLKReewQ" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/katygirldesigns" target="_blank">Katy Girl Designs</a> 7. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.westpinecompany.etsy.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNGp9olUhDDBkjtlDGSKiK-DwMIfqQ" href="http://www.westpinecompany.etsy.com/" target="_blank">West Pine Company</a> 8. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/homeoffice/tabs/home.aspx&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNEoAd-gJ8oPuym9oucElzJ2Jm-VNw" href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/homeoffice/tabs/home.aspx" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> 9. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://recipeforcrazy.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNGb9pXCurWIAUwjM3R4Ntax2HreBw" href="http://recipeforcrazy.com/" target="_blank">Recipe For Crazy</a> 10. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.bloomsandrufflesshop.etsy.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNHSbba3xY2k2khaGJl6l-iwB5TPUQ" href="http://www.bloomsandrufflesshop.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Parsons</a> 11. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.ihearpebble.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384694000&usg=AFQjCNHzLRrmbCT8GZDOpRIH2BIwyarm7w" href="http://www.ihearpebble.com/" target="_blank">Pebble</a> 12. <a 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target="_blank">The Doo Bob Shop</a> 16. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.deerhazel.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNFgGShaPrwyphV3wT3N-6NKq9leHg" href="http://www.deerhazel.com/" target="_blank">Dear Hazel</a> 17. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.freedoutfitters.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNEBol1wY8Yx_OssCAd9yJo-JlFtVg" href="http://www.freedoutfitters.com/" target="_blank">Freed Outfitters</a> 18. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://gingiber.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNGfpZQeMLS53cL3Nso6vzP4ejy_NA" href="https://gingiber.com/" target="_blank">Gingiber</a> 19. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.etsy.com/shop/penandpaint&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNEZvZiXCajvnCIgjMjbXamRX1xxpg" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/penandpaint" target="_blank">Pen and Paint</a> 20. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://thesimplefarm.net/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNHSqVCE7HGMnJrc-NmliET6TUULIg" href="http://thesimplefarm.net/" target="_blank">The Simple Farm</a> 21. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.ajfrench.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNGMbej_PIEJORea87qX_capXFDYkw" href="http://www.ajfrench.com/" target="_blank">For the Love of Joy</a> 22. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://themasonbarcompany.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNFpruXWPagTuVS9Gz4ayIXS61TlLA" href="http://themasonbarcompany.com/" target="_blank">The Mason Bar Co.</a> 23. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://fitchicheadbands.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNEYaEJ2RljZDLUvPBVOVrUpskKYoQ" href="http://fitchicheadbands.com/" target="_blank">Fit Chic Headbands</a> 24. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.gracelaced.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNEf2pZqsFtofBwaCk3mURmfDg1piQ" href="http://www.gracelaced.com/" target="_blank">Gracelaced</a> 25. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.thebelleandthebeau.etsy.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNFu3CbvnrdiZZl3_fntP9nkaZKHlw" href="http://www.thebelleandthebeau.etsy.com/" target="_blank">The Belle and Beau</a> 26. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.maggieholmesdesign.com/blog/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNF4_0mhZwfYceMsZXz2KPZ5CCb6kw" href="http://www.maggieholmesdesign.com/blog/" target="_blank">Maggie Holmes / American Crafts</a> 27. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.bigwhitefarmhouse.com/&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNGBlR3ULap7erMpuhvDa2eB8iscGg" href="http://www.bigwhitefarmhouse.com/" target="_blank">Big White Farmhouse</a> 28. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.etsy.com/shop/bumbelou&source=gmail&ust=1465914384695000&usg=AFQjCNFO11gnsL-Z-NiqauchNvtR7UKxFg" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bumbelou" target="_blank">Bumblelou</a></div>
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(not pictured <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FancyThatDesignHouse">Fancy That Design House</a>)</div>
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Thanks again, to all the swag sponsors! </div>
</span><br />
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We also had some great giveaways too. I really am going to need one of those buffalo heads for my boy's room!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020650004/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7379/27020650004_d72a639483_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelseydavisdesign">Kelsey Davis Design</a></div>
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<wbr></wbr></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/paisleysprouts/">paisley Sprouts </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFeltFlowerShop">The Felt flower shop</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://shopsugarblossom.com/">sugar blossom </a></div>
<br />
There were so many amazing moments during our day but getting to see my cousin and Aunt again was a major highlight.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27353350510/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7310/27353350510_79a0cf2f84_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
And speaking of highlights, we were at the <a href="http://www.thefarmchicks.com/"><b>Farm Chicks show</b></a>!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27037167953/in/photostream/" title="farm chicks show 2016"><img alt="farm chicks show 2016" height="600" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7351/27037167953_532faff7cf_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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It was really everything I imagined and hoped it would be and Serena and her team were some of the nicest, humble people I've ever met. She is really something special and I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet her.<br />
<br />
While were on the topic of amazing people, I got to travel again with my sister. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. FYI, when you're bag exceeds the weight limit (because you bought a metal stool at the Farm Chicks Show) and you have to take some things out, it would be a good idea to have a box ready because the airport guy will only give you a very large, clear plastic bag to store your extra items. In this case, I did not have a box and I did have two irons (it was a crafting event after all) to take home to make the weight acceptable.<br />
<br />
It should also be noted that said sister refused to carry my large, clear bag of irons through the airport and instead made fun of me. That bag of irons made for a LOT of looks and a lot of laughs. Sorry to the people in the airport, I'm sure we were obnoxious with the uncontrolled laughter. I blame lack of sleep, snap chat and poor packing for the giggles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlOve5ZJUUL9Sd-3WqMdk35j16bL4P3OX-FEqNM9E49nkf2War9PFQ6TOhdGFoH0SvVJwqL0PJnM0Kz0jB8aflcQpwHPlxmINPjnMvs4OgyVZKofvzSsVwfEnewlKd92Ylo4pCwMRj_8/s1600/snappychats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlOve5ZJUUL9Sd-3WqMdk35j16bL4P3OX-FEqNM9E49nkf2War9PFQ6TOhdGFoH0SvVJwqL0PJnM0Kz0jB8aflcQpwHPlxmINPjnMvs4OgyVZKofvzSsVwfEnewlKd92Ylo4pCwMRj_8/s320/snappychats.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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I could go on and on but I'll leave that to Ashley<b> </b>and<b> </b>Amanda - make sure you check out their posts!<br />
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And MAJOR thank you to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saraparsons/"><b>Sara</b></a> for taking all the incredible pictures during the workshops. <br />
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<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/27020650034/in/dateposted/" title="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane"><img alt="Be Crafty Workshop - Spokane" height="400" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7202/27020650034_9cd27f2117_o.jpg" width="600" /></a>lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-91994181251479384162016-05-23T07:44:00.003-05:002016-05-23T07:49:14.131-05:00Ride Together with Brilliant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJrXp9gQnyi0da5Rsi7MNDESTWnrw-iX1VVC1xDnNX8koW2n3eJzkPdEN1nKC-3DxEelfXdB-Tvk_bLVaILWpZKk2gX_CXUKibnu4q4vsMy3eaxqSzfRos-qRyPnAf5HMe6ShJpko9Rg/s1600/A.CampbellBrilliantBikes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJrXp9gQnyi0da5Rsi7MNDESTWnrw-iX1VVC1xDnNX8koW2n3eJzkPdEN1nKC-3DxEelfXdB-Tvk_bLVaILWpZKk2gX_CXUKibnu4q4vsMy3eaxqSzfRos-qRyPnAf5HMe6ShJpko9Rg/s1600/A.CampbellBrilliantBikes3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Don't let having a baby keep you from doing what you love. Take her along and she'll learn to enjoy the things you do."</i></blockquote>
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This was a little piece of advice my sister gave me nearly six years ago and I think about it often. There's so much truth to it and I've witnessed it first hand with my two girls. <br />
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It's no secret my husband and I love being outside and we want our kids to learn to love the outdoors as much as we do. Most nights or weekends you can find us in our backyard, hands dirty, music blasting, working in the garden. The kids are never too far off, switching from jumping on the trampoline, playing in the garden with us, chasing the chickens and going on adventures in the creek behind the house. I looked around one afternoon as my girls were digging in the dirt making mud cakes in their swimsuits and couldn't help but smile as I those words crossed my mind again. Here they were, enjoying the things we do, right alongside us.<br />
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And as they get older I want them to know we will be there to support them and learn to enjoy the things they love too, not just what interests us. So when my girls started riding bikes and getting better at longer distances, I realized I needed to get my own bicycle so I could ride alongside them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeD4O5gWLOadw4zCTHeF0KNpVlO3Wu9kHTFZGFgiHiMGdkcxXAY-9IfK-2RhT_EB9p4d-ek7nXZJijmqjQaQF18bVCktg67bolWAFm9ZNyeEoSa7fqTBiHok545X0zAJ3YJTFmyjZafc/s1600/A.CampbellBrilliantBikes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeD4O5gWLOadw4zCTHeF0KNpVlO3Wu9kHTFZGFgiHiMGdkcxXAY-9IfK-2RhT_EB9p4d-ek7nXZJijmqjQaQF18bVCktg67bolWAFm9ZNyeEoSa7fqTBiHok545X0zAJ3YJTFmyjZafc/s1600/A.CampbellBrilliantBikes2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Best decision I've made in a long time. You guys, you should have seen my girls faces when they found out <a href="http://www.brilliant.co/"><b>Brilliant </b></a>sent over a bike for me to ride with them! (Thank you, Brilliant, it's amazing!) They just kept saying, "you get to ride <b><i>with us</i></b> now!"<br />
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You would have thought the bike was for them by the little squeals they kept making as I assembled it, which was super easy by the way, thanks to the video tutorial. And when they realized Brilliant also sent over a balance bike for my youngest, man, the energy in the room went through the roof!<br />
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We hopped on the bikes for our first "girls only" ride as they kept saying. A quick ride up and down our street and I've never heard so many giggles or watched them smile so much. It was the most fun I've ever had riding a bicycle and can already tell that this is going to be a new family fun activity.<br />
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I want them to always know how much we love and support them and their unique interests and I think it makes such a big impact when we, as parents, step out of our routine and participate in what the kids enjoy. <br />
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I hope they'll keep taking me along to learn to love the things they enjoy even as they become teenagers, young women and adults because together is pretty awesome.<br />
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I am so thankful that Brilliant sent us the bikes and gave us a new way to connect as a family outside because, goodness, I forgot how much run riding a bike is!<br />
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And you guys, they're offering you, my amazing friends, a crazy discount so you can get your very own Brilliant bicycle! The prices are already great but goodness, they're giving you <b>$100 off</b> a <a href="http://www.brilliant.co/collections/bicycles/products/mayfair?variant=1257776916"><b>Mayfair,</b></a> like mine but any color you want, and <b>$50 off</b> a <a href="http://www.brilliant.co/collections/kids-bikes/products/kids-balance-bike"><b>Biddle</b></a> balance bike! Head on over and get your own! <br />
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Just remember to enter the discount codes at checkout:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>$100 off a Mayfair: LESLEYxMAYFAIR</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>$50 off a Biddle: LESLEYxBIDDLE</b></span><br />
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And if you're local, one of the best spots to go for a ride with littles is along Riverside. It's a pretty flat, easy ride and there are lanes for bikers. And since kids are around a lot, the serious bikers are alert so you don't have to be too cautious or worried. Plus it's pretty and there's a fun park at 41st if you want to make an afternoon of it.</div>
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If you have a favorite spot to ride in Tulsa or Broken Arrow, I'd love to hear about it in the comment section. Also, any advice or recommendations for either an child carrier or trailer would be much appreciated so I can get my little guy out there with us!<i><br /></i><br />
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<i>All photos by <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/"><b>Ashley Campbell</b></a>, Mayfair in Ink Black and Biddle in Frosted Mint.</i>lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-88747796711109324302016-05-09T07:41:00.000-05:002016-05-09T07:41:16.172-05:00Spring Garden Workshop RE-CAPIs it just me or is time just flying by these days? I can't believe it's already been a few weeks since our garden workshop. For those that couldn't make it, here's a little recap of the day.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499638981/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1506/26499638981_81e2de9f79_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26539627646/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden
Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1698/26539627646_2e44077719_o.jpg" width="600" /></a> <br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/25962710093/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="400" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1447/25962710093_a712186def_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
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We started the morning meeting and chatting with new gardening friends over coffee and donuts. <a href="http://shopsweetlulu.com/"><b>Sweet Shop Lulu</b></a> sent some super cute decorations and <a href="http://www.ashleyannphotography.com/blog/"><b>my sister</b></a> worked her magic all over the place!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499639041/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden
Workshop" height="400" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1476/26499639041_98b24bea3b_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499638751/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1523/26499638751_35cfbf2e53_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26680176172/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Garden Workshop" height="400" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1479/26680176172_f366bc4b86_o.jpg" width="600" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26539627436/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="391" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1458/26539627436_b6ae8c3b66_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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The weather tried to scare me with a little slight misting but thankfully that was it and it quickly cleared up and even felt crisp. Although it didn't do much for my hair, I welcomed the cool breeze.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26706740091/in/photostream/" title="Spring Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1478/26706740091_86f69bb138_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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After some introductions we jumped right into garden talk. My husband shared our gardening background, some basic tips and then we got after it with information on composting, <a href="http://blog.recipeforcrazy.com/2015/01/garden-tips-comfrey-buckwheat-and-borage.html"><b>comfrey</b></a>, natural fertilizers and more.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499638891/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1663/26499638891_3f8cf81656_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26539627726/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="400" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1690/26539627726_c52b63e578_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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I think the number one thing I've learned this year, thanks to my husband, is how important feeding your soil is. We have been very proactive in giving our soil good food, stuff like compost tea, comfrey tea, organic mulch, etc. and I really think it's paid off.<br />
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Take a look at a radish from our garden, where we've worked the soil, and one from my girls' garden where the just dug a hole in the yard and planted some seeds.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/25962709713/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1563/25962709713_aeed2f3505_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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Feed your soil, y'all. <br />
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We took a stroll through the garden and talked about plant spacing, <a href="http://recipeforcrazy.com/products/vegetable-planting-guide-cards-set-of-4"><b>companion planting</b></a> and how we try to bring in beneficial insects with various flowers and herbs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26773860575/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Garden Workshop" height="450" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1498/26773860575_847ab50f52_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26706734871/in/photostream/" title="Spring Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Garden Workshop" height="450" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1480/26706734871_8fdf2c96ee_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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Then everyone headed over to our neighbor's backyard to check out how he does his garden. I personally love seeing how different people grow things and I think it just shows you that there's no right way to garden and how you can really make it your own.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499638821/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1546/26499638821_c788f2376f_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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Once everyone returned to the backyard, it was time for lunch. The table was set with a variety of veggies for each person to build their own salad.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/25960604614/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="400" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1654/25960604614_ae9cdd313d_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499639121/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="447" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1523/26499639121_a5877a2412_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26539627116/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1665/26539627116_e6ba293558_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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We had mixed greens, sliced scallions and sliced radishes from the garden. There was also hard boiled eggs from our backyard chickens, grilled chicken, chopped bacon, different cheeses, sliced cucumbers and two of my favorite homemade salad dressings, buttermilk ranch and balsamic vinaigrette. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26539627036/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1449/26539627036_34f22343fc_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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During lunch we wrapped up with a little Q&A time for anything we didn't cover and got to spoil our guests with some goodies from some amazing businesses.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/25962709783/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1634/25962709783_0023695761_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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Major thank you to our sponsors:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stringernursery.com/"><b>Stringer Nursery</b></a> - thank you for all the seeds, fertilizer and giveaways!</li>
<li><a href="https://freckledhenfarmhouse.com/"><b>Freckled Hen Farmhouse</b></a> - everyone was excited to go home with some large harvest scissors! Thank you.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.maydesigns.com/"><b>May Designs</b></a> - Thank you for customizing notebooks for each person. They are set to get to work planning out their gardens.</li>
<li><a href="http://homeagaincreative.com/"><b>Home Again Creative</b></a> - that shop credit is calling my name!</li>
</ul>
And thank you <a href="http://www.onelaneroad.com/"><b>One Lane Road</b></a> for the tote giveaways!<br />
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After lunch we chatted a bit longer, let the chickens run a muck and then we said good bye. Earlier in the year I started several varieties of tomato plants in our greenhouse and my husband got some comfrey plants going for each person to take home.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onzmind/26499639101/in/dateposted/" title="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop"><img alt="Spring Backyard Garden Workshop" height="447" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1576/26499639101_1b2d51e7d4_o.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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I am so happy everyone got to get something in the ground and also so happy I no longer have to keep those 100+ plants alive!<br />
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Words cannot express how thankful I am to the new friends that came into our backyard to share a love and passion for gardening with us. You took a chance on a couple that just loves growing our own food and you let us talk your ears off! Thank you for being here with us.<br />
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Also, thank you, Ann, for capturing our day with your beautiful photos! Be sure to check out her <a href="http://www.annbennettphoto.com/"><b>site</b></a> for your upcoming photography needs! <br />
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And thank you, Ashley, for letting us use your tables, plates, and everything else and for making our backyard look more beautiful than ever. I wish I had an ounce of your styling skills. Until that day comes, I'll just keep growing the plants and you keep making them look good. <br />
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And to all the family and friends that supported us along the way, either in words of encouragement, texts, decorating, watching our children and so much more, Thank You. <br />
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<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964660014718272744.post-42255096421472208102016-05-04T08:40:00.000-05:002016-05-04T08:40:05.006-05:00May the 4th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://recipeforcrazy.com/collections/pun-intended-greeting-cards/products/yoda-best" title="yoda best"><img alt="yoda best" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/26731948521_e616afb667.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
In celebration of May the 4th, I'm offering a <b>BOGO sale</b> on all pun-intended greeting cards - TODAY ONLY.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://recipeforcrazy.com/collections/pun-intended-greeting-cards" title="pun-intended cards by lesley zellers"><img alt="pun-intended cards by lesley zellers" height="180" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/26195032393_75fd76e9d4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Here's how it works:<br />
<ul>
<li>Simply choose any greeting card in my <a href="http://recipeforcrazy.com/"><b>shop</b></a></li>
<li>Add each to your cart INCLUDING the FREE one. </li>
<li>So if you want to <b>BUY 1 and GET 1 FREE</b>, add each card you'd like to your cart for a total of 2 items in your cart</li>
<li>If you want to BUY 2 and GET 2 FREE, there should be 4 items in your cart</li>
<li>and so on, BUY 6 & GET 6 FREE, 12 items...</li>
<li>Once you've made your selections, proceed to checkout and enter this code: <b>BOGOPUNS</b> and you're total will be cut in half for all available discounted cards</li>
</ul>
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And if you're total is $30 or more, choose FREE SHIPPING at checkout and I'll cover shipping costs.<br />
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May the 4th be with you.<br />
<br />lesleyzellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240488081589861469noreply@blogger.com2