The Desert ..at night.

Shane and I have decided that every night, we are going to load up the girls and take a walk. We have a trail already that's pretty much a big square, and it's a sidewalk that follows edge of the neighborhood. The trail is cool because on the other side of the street is just the desert. When Shane and I went on our walk tonight, we talked about how much we love living in the desert. You know, despite the 115 degree heat in the summer. The summer is usually when I question why I live here. 
Anyway, it was beautiful out. There was a full moon so we could see all shadows of the saugauros, and it smelled all desert-y. Kinda like after it rains in the desert. It has a specific smell. Except it didn't rain. 
I love the desert. Shane plays a video game called Red Dead Redemption that is meant to be in the old south, and you can ride a horse all over the desert. The graphics are so realistic, it's like stepping outside our front door. Except it's set in the 1800's...so it's not quite like stepping outside our front door. It's even better.
I look forward to our nightly walks. We had fun just chatting along.

Avocado Banana Smoothie

Today I was reading through "Everyday Food" and realized that it was a healthy issue. I came a recipe that I am looking forward to trying. I was going to make it this morning, but Lily demanded the last "nana" so I have to wait to get more. It's an avocado banana smoothie. How delicious does that sound? Here is the recipe:

Avocado Banana Smoothie:
Combine 1 avocado and 1 banana in blender. Add 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt (or if you're like me, add honey greek yogurt), 1 1/2 cups of fresh squeezed orange juice, 1/4 a cup of honey, and three cups of ice all blended. 

Only 224 calories a serving! 

I plan on adding some mango or pineapple to it as well.

So, it's the new year, and I don't feel any different.

Happy 2012.

At the end of 2011 I ushered a new baby into this world. It has to be one of the best years of my life. But now the new year has started and I plan on welcoming 2012 in with probably very cliche New Year's resolutions. You know, the same one's you hear from everyone..healthy, lose weight, not be so boring, blah blah blah. Yeah, I'm doing those too. Here is my list for 2012.

 

Be Green:

The old saying is that your body is your temple, and I plan on taking that very seriously. The only thing you have in this world is your body, and you might as well take good care of it. Let's say in 2011, I may have had just a little too much junk food. 2012 is back to healthy, healthy, healthy.  More organic, natural foods is what I plan on feeding my family. No foods with artifical dyes or sweeteners either. Food should be just that...food. Not fake, modified..stuff that we ingest. I mean, it goes into our bodies after all.

Natural Parenting:

With my children, I have been following many of the "attatchment parenting" and "natural parenting" guidelines. I baby wear, I co-sleep, I (used) to cloth diaper, etc. When Elise is old enough, I plan on making my own organic baby purees this year. I plan on beginning my oldest, Lily, on back-baby wearing and using less strollers when I can.


Think Positvely:

 It's not hard to think negatively, but it takes a little more effort to think positvely. This year that's my major goal. To see the bright side of things! Part of this is beginning my yoga routine once again after my 6 weeks post partum period is up, going out in nature more often, spending quality time with friends and family. Maybe begin journaling. 


That's all for now. My main purpose of this blog is talk about my above resolutions, as well as talking about natural parenting, posting recipes, and just general mama life. 


-Danielle