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Heather's Dish

Heather's Dish

State of Motherhood Address

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State of Motherhood Address: 16 Months Post-Partum

The State of Motherhood – Food

This month I’ve really been focusing on cutting back on the amount of sugar I eat, which you guys?  SO HARD.  I guess I didn’t realize how much I was actually eating until I took an inventory of it for a few days and read Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar e-book.  I really liked her approach of going off sugar as an experiment – to reduce the amount that we eat and really pay attention to how the body reacts.  I’ll be darned if what she said wasn’t true and that I was more alert and happier with fewer stomachaches and crashes in the afternoon.  I’m not perfect and am not eliminating sugar completely from my diet; extreme measures like that have never gone over well for me.  But reducing the amount little by little and only having it as a small treat is working pretty well so far!

 

The only other change I’ve been making in my life food-wise is trying to drink more smoothies.  It initially started off as a way for me to clear out my freezer with a million half-used bags of frozen fruit and spinach, but has turned into a great way to get a good snack in or as a good breakfast option.  I try to pack mine with tons of fresh spinach to get in some veggie goodness!  Otherwise I’ve been really working hard on cranking out recipes for both the blog and my ChefMom projects – staying ahead has been a major lifesaver, even if it was a hard couple of weeks to get there!

 

The State of Motherhood – Exercise

Y’all, I so look forward every day to when I take about 30-40 minutes of me-time and get a good sweat going.  I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot in my State of Motherhood posts, but I am really working on doing more yoga.  I feel so much better and my other workouts are much better when I take 2 days a week to really stretch out my body and work on breathing and being mindful of how I’m moving.  At first it was hard trying to get over the whole lower-heartrate workout thing, but the mental benefits are SO HUGE!  I’ve been alternating my 2 yoga days with Bob Harper’s DVD and a yoga for weight-loss DVD (I can’t find the cover – sorry!), and it’s been great!

 

One of the hardest parts of working out these days is the fact that Weston’s naps are getting more and more inconsistent time-wise.  I use his naptimes to work and workout, and I’m discovering more and more that about 50% of the time I only have time to work and then get in about half a workout.  I was exercising probably about an hour a day, but have cut back to 30-40 minutes a day instead.  I know I can exercise while he’s awake and playing, but it’s a nice change of pace and challenge to crank it for a shorter period of time and then give him my full attention when he wakes up!

 

Otherwise I’m hoping to sign up for a walk or short run sometime this summer/fall – any recommendations for those in the Little Rock area?  I’m all ears!

 

The State of Motherhood – Fashion

Remember a while back when I said I was going to start waking up early to work out and then shower and get ready for the day?  Yeah.

 

Oops.

 

You see, there’s just no way that’s going to be happening anytime soon.  It’s not that I can’t get up early, it’s that I don’t want to.  And I figure it’s so dang hot and humid that it won’t really matter anyway, so what’s the point in losing precious sleep?  I will say this though:  I’ve been trying to make a point to get more dressed up than workout clothes when we go out in public.  I’m not batting a thousand or anything, but trying is trying and I’m getting more and more used to doing it.  I know I teased y’all last month with some big news in the fashion front, and I’m still working on it.  Hopefully I’ll have something to report in August!

 

Otherwise I’ll be traveling a bit this week and having to wear big girl clothes, so I’ll try and get some pictures of some of the super cute StitchFix stuff I’ve been getting lately!  It’s so fun to never know what you’re going to get, and I’m being pushed out of my comfort zone fashion-wise in a really good way.  Love!

 

The State of Motherhood – Work

I mentioned it up in the Food portion, but I’ve been working like crazy the past couple of weeks to get really far ahead in my freelance work (specifically) as well as creating recipes for the blog.  We have a really busy late summer/fall and I could already start to feel super stressed and crazy about it.  So in the spirit of fighting my normally procrastinator self, I buckled down and got about a month ahead in both areas.  Now I’m pushing to get 2 months ahead with the freelance projects so that if anything crazy comes up I can devote whatever I need to that.

 

I also have some really fun and exciting things coming up in work stuff that I can’t quite share just yet, but I literally have to pinch myself every day for having a job that I truly truly love.  It’s not always easy and the income isn’t always consistent, but I love it and it allows me to do my absolute FAVORITE job in the world, which is being Nate’s wife and Weston’s mom.

 

The State of Motherhood – Marriage

I absolutely love being married.  It’s not always easy and it’s a day-to-day thing, but being Nate’s wife has just made me so incredibly happy.  He’s an amazing man, and I could not be more proud of him.  I’d say that while having a baby/toddler has certainly put some strains on our relationship, in the end it’s only made us stronger and more in love.  Watching Nate play with Wes and make him laugh makes my heart completely melt, and I could not imagine a better father.  I am just so thankful for both of my boys who have both helped (along with a lot of prayer and pushing from the Holy Spirit) make me more and more into the woman I want to be!

 

I can’t believe we’re already 16 months in with this whole parenting thing, and I know that it won’t be long til we’re shaking our heads at being 16 years in.  I am always working to enjoy every day, every moment, and allow to all wash in, over and through my heart.  I am so blessed 🙂

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Comments

  1. Becky says

    July 10, 2013 at 11:19 am

    loved the update Heather!! Being parents definitely pushed your marriage to new levels (and we’ve only been parents for 2 months!!)

    Reply
    • Heather says

      July 10, 2013 at 9:52 pm

      It’s so crazy how much it all changes, right?!?!

      Reply
  2. Kelly says

    July 9, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    I love these posts!! I’m so so so excited about Baby Trey coming into mine and Keith’s life but I am also nervous about my relationship with Keith. It had just been the two if us for 7 years of marriage and 9 years as a couple. He is everything to me. Like seriously I would die in a heartbeat for him and never think twice about it. We are so unbelievably close and have a very good marriage. I know having a baby will change things it just scares me to not be Kelly and Keith anymore. I love “us” and I don’t want to lose the amazing bond we have. I know Baby Trey is going to fill our lives with so much joy I can not even wait but I also know we will have to actually plan “us” time and that will be an adjustment. Thanks for letting me ramble. 🙂

    Reply
    • Heather says

      July 9, 2013 at 10:47 pm

      Girl you know you can ramble to me anytime 🙂 Nate and I felt the same way and you just have to take steps to not lose the “y’all” part! Don’t be afraid to take date nights and always talk to one another. It’s an adjustment but I have a feeling you guys will take in stride!

      Reply
  3. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    July 9, 2013 at 9:25 am

    Wes is just the cutest! I can’t believe how big he’s getting!
    I love this post! You hit on all the major points of being a mother, and like you said, the best way to do it is to do what works best for you 🙂
    I remember when Marin was born and struggling for those few precious moments to myself, or just find that balance in life in general. It took time, but I found that happy balance… then had to re-find it when Lilah was born. Now that they’re 4 & 2 (wow has time past!) I have my happy balance again.
    You are doing an amazing job 🙂

    Reply
    • Heather says

      July 9, 2013 at 10:49 pm

      GAH HOW ARE THEY 2 AND 4?!?!?! I can’t believe how much they’ve grown!

      Reply
  4. Robyn Stone | Add a Pnch says

    July 9, 2013 at 8:53 am

    Precious picture of that sweet little thing!!! Swoon.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      July 9, 2013 at 10:49 pm

      I know, he’s totally swoon-worthy 😉 Of course I’m a little partial!

      Reply

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Just a couple quick reminders: ⭐️ healthy doe Just a couple quick reminders:

⭐️ healthy doesn’t have to be hard
⭐️ you’re allowed to “mess up”
⭐️ you’re allowed to be multidimensional
⭐️ don’t overcomplicate it 
⭐️ YOU ARE CAPABLE 

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head these days, and half the time I don’t know which way is up. But I do know this: focusing on simplicity is the name of the game this year for me. It starts with the things I can control: my food intake, moving my body, my thoughts, my actions. The rest will stem from there!

Does anyone even do a word of the year anymore after 2020? If you do I’d love to see you share it below!
“I’m angry with God.” With those 4 words my “I’m angry with God.”

With those 4 words my Daddy forever changed the way I saw God. A pillar of fire didn’t come from the sky, the ground didn’t open up and swallow him whole, we didn’t get in a car wreck on the way home from piano lessons. And my Daddy never turned his heart from God; a short 20 minutes later we sat down at the dinner table and he praised him through prayer before we ate dinner. 

He taught me that when we are sad or frustrated or anxious or angry or feel that surely the weight of life will kill us - God is big enough to handle those feelings. Not just handle them, but walk closer than our breath through them. He cares, he’s there, and he even wants us to tell him. The more I think about it the more I see that my dad sharing his anger with God was the most honest display of faith I had seen up to that point.

The other day I uttered those same words in front of my boys, “I’m angry with God.” Just like me, they looked around to see where my smiting would come from, likely shocked (as I was) when it didn’t come. And just like me, they will see their parent praise God even in the midst of a firestorm of emotion. 

Why? Because God is good no matter what. My life feels like it’s crumbling before my eyes and I have no way of stopping it...but He is still on his throne. I will praise him no matter the circumstances because he has been good to me. I will write his word on my windows as a constant reminder that this life of mine is dedicated to his glory.
For someone who loves words so much, I really don' For someone who loves words so much, I really don't have many of them right now. 
.
On December 26, 2020 - after over a decade of fighting Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare progressive neurological disorder - my incredible, near-perfect Daddy left this world and has made his home with Jesus. Ever since then I've been struggling to find the words to pay homage to the most amazing man in the world. How do you sum up the life of someone who has impacted so many for good? How do I ever share how the little day-to-day expressions, smiles, words, wit, strength, grit, grace, humility, hard work and love have been woven into my very being? One of the last things I told him before he left was that there truly are no words yet for the kind of love he shared with me, my sister, and our beautiful mother. He was truly one-of-a-kind in every way, and we are so blessed because of the way he poured himself out for us. 
.
Daddy, I love you so much. The only thing that's softening the pain of your absence is knowing that those very last words I said to you - "I'll see you soon" - will come true because I know you'll be waiting for me in Heaven. My very own Daddy - you are always with me. I love you beyond words.
Just two gals who crushed a 50 minute run today! Just two gals who crushed a 50 minute run today! 

As we move into goal setting for the new year, may I suggest starting with your physical health? Not to fit the bikini body mold that society normalizes, but to actually BE as healthy as possible. When everything hit the fan for me this year I dug into two things that have been integral to creating positive growth and a healthier mindset: 

1️⃣ my relationship with God
2️⃣ my physical health

What that’s looked like for me on the health front: holding fast to my commitment to whole food nutrition, grace for the days when I choose otherwise, pushing myself to lift heavier in workouts, and taking up running again. 

What’s happened as a result? When I push myself physically, when I choose to practice discipline to do what I know is best for my body, it makes it infinitely easier to choose that same healthy discipline in every other area of life. You want to dominate your goals? Start with your health!
Remember when I blogged about food? 😂 Gosh the Remember when I blogged about  food? 😂 Gosh the past few months have been nuts. I’m still over here figuring out how to eat well without sacrificing my life in the kitchen, and this is a bowl I couldn’t NOT share with y’all. The best thing is that everything is almost always on hand in my fridge, it’s packed with nutrition, and tastes AMAZING!

In the bowl:
-rice mixed with Trader Joe’s Zhoug sauce
-broiled shredded Brussels sprouts
-chickpeas
-baby  arugula
-grilled chicken breast
-Romesco sauce (from Trader  Joe’s but I usually make my own)
-a little  tzaziki sauce

This meal has been on repeat all week, only changing the rice for riced cauliflower and omitting the chickpeas on low carb days. YUM! I find that if I have a variety of roasted veggies, grilled chicken, and a few different sauces on hand I can almost always come up with a great bowl for almost any meal!
It’s a beautiful day for Small Business Saturday It’s a beautiful day for Small Business Saturday y’all! Almost 4 years ago I took a leap of faith and said yes to this job in an effort to create another stream of revenue. I had NO CLUE that it would change my life for the better in almost every way, that it would reignite my passion for health and community, that it would provide in so many beautiful ways. But it has, and I am so thankful to all of you who have trusted me and supported me along the way. 

When you shop with a small business you are literally a hero in their eyes, validating and supporting and protecting them. You guys are my heroes, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ 

#smallbusinesssaturday #happydance
Affirmations for YOU today. Even when you don’t Affirmations for YOU today. Even when you don’t feel it, these are truths that I’m holding for you. ❤️
3 things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your day: 3 things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your day:

1️⃣ SMILE! Even if you don’t feel like it, smiling (even forcing it to the point of feeling weird) has actually been scientifically proven to improve mood, lower stress, and boost your immune system. I actually recommend doing it awkwardly around other people because it’ll make them smile too 😉

2️⃣ GRATITUDE! Right now, before you talk yourself out of it, say or write 3 things you’re thankful for. Big, small, or in between. In this moment I’m going to say sticky notes, my Le Creuset Dutch Oven, and the Hamilton soundtrack. BOOM!

3️⃣MOVE! Get up off your tush, right now, and move your body. Walk around your house, do some jumping jacks, lock yourself in the bathroom and do a little dance, whatever. This isn’t about looking cool, it’s about giving yourself a better day. 

Things are hard, ambiguity and uncertainty isn’t fun, but we can control ONE THING: ourselves. Praying that you choose to gift yourself a little bit of happiness today! 

Now, tell me below, what’s one thing you’re thankful for RIGHT NOW?
HASHTAG MOOD. Y’all, I’m so jealous of my dog HASHTAG MOOD. Y’all, I’m so jealous of my dog 😂 Who else feels me here? 🙋🏼‍♀️ #dogdays #2020mood
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