Wet Noodles

Shit happens. We change our minds. Sometimes the things we thought we wanted the most turn out to be not-so-great. Sometimes we have to admit that we did the wrong thing or rushed into a new relationship too soon or gave away something we should have kept or let someone into our familiars before we were ready. 

 

I think that life is nothing but trial and error, just a nonstop cycle of trying things on to gage the fit and see how it looks and feels. Sometimes we need to walk and move around in a new pair of shoes for a while before we decide if they're just right or a bit too small and are pinching our pinky toes, even if just a little bit.
 

A few days before Christmas I had to make a tough decision and walk away from one of the healthiest, most amazing relationships I've ever been in. I had to let down a person I love and respect at what is arguably the very worst time of the year to break up with someone.
 

I'd initially loved the shoes and thought they were a perfect fit. Only after walking around in them a while did I have to finally confront the fact that they were pinching my toes a little. They looked nice; I wanted to hang onto them. But they weren't the right fit.
 

Life really does have a way of throwing curveballs and testing your strength. 2018 has just been a year of trials and joys and really tough decisions. I'm so grateful for friends and family who have my back and support me when I have to do the tough things I wish life came without. In the end though, I'm so thankful for the growth. I'm thankful that I'm able to look back and say, "That was hard, but I did it, and I feel good about it now."
 

Life is just a bunch of wet noodles that we're throwing at the wall--just trying to see what sticks and what's not ready... what needs to spend more time in the pot. It really is okay that sometimes what we thought was meant for us turns out to not be a good fit. Making decisions to set those things free are never easy, but in the end it's worth it, especially when the dust settles and you're happier and so much more at ease. 

 

Whatever it is that's occupying your mind, whatever decision you feel needs to be made- no matter how big or small, no matter how difficult- you're going to feel one thousand times better once you get it out there and set it free. If there's one thing I've learned during this season of trial and error, it's this: don't be afraid to keep throwing those wet noodles at the wall... don't be afraid for the ones that need to go back in the pot. 

You are here.

I once thought the dumbest thing as I was looking at a humongous area map at a large shopping mall. I was in search of a specific store that I couldn't find, and then I noticed a bright red X with a speech bubble beside it. "YOU ARE HERE," it read. 

Oh my goodness, I remember thinking. How does it know where I am?

And it took about 2.5 seconds for me to come to my senses and be grateful that I hadn't said it out loud. Geez, Kate. That's been some time ago, a few years maybe, but it's funny how I'm thinking about that bright red X this morning... 

You are here. 

If you're new to my blog, I'd like to welcome you and say thanks for stopping by. If you're a previously devoted reader (you know, a regular from over a year ago when I blogged consistently), I'd like to say welcome back. It's so nice to be back in this space I call my own. 

You are here. And I'm so glad. 

It's only polite that I update you, but it comes with a warning: a lot has happened. The past year, 2018, has come with a multitude of life changes--spiritually, financially, romantically, emotionally. The very beginning of the year started with a traumatizing loss for our family, one that I will never forget... I'm not comfortable talking about it just yet, but if there's ever a time when I feel it's appropriate for me to share, know that I will. Apart from that, I'll start at the beginning.  

The last time I published here, I was married. Things were rapidly declining, and I wasn't sure how much longer that union would hold together, but still- I had a husband and picture-perfect family. But we all know how those things go... You never really know what goes on behind closed doors. 

Eric and I separated in February of 2018... He moved out in March, and our divorce was finalized in May. Marriage is hard. Divorce is really hard. It took several months, but I can confidently say that he and I are in a much better place now. We've remained good friends, and I respect him tremendously as Vaught's father and the man that helped care for our family for nearly 5 years. 

I've spent the better part of 2018 adjusting to newly single mom life, which has honestly been an adventure all on its own. I had to readjust emotionally and financially, neither of which were pleasant changes to make, but looking back, I'm proud of how far I've come. Although Vaught's dad and I share equal custody of little man, I knew I needed to transition myself into both parental roles in order to make up for a loss of balance in my home. It wasn't easy; his dad is so much better at discipline than I am, and I'm still so grateful for that! But after several months, I felt that I got the hang of it pretty well, and now we all have a routine that, for the most part, we're comfortable with.

I'm still teaching 6th grade Special Education at the same school where I accepted a job last year. I absolutely love my job and am looking forward to continuing my career as an educator for as long as I feel the Lord calling me to teach. I now have so many goals within the field that I want to reach, and I'm working hard every day to get there!

If you've been wondering about Chubs, he is four years old now, and is just growing before my eyes! He's doing wonderfully in his 4K class at school. He's fully potty-trained now and is so smart! He can hold complete conversations, which he does all the time. I  never tire of talking to that little thing! Right now I'm actually waiting on him to get home from the mountains; he spent Thanksgiving there with his dad. 

We've had a crazy-busy-fun 2018, but I must admit that I'm looking forward to a brand new year in just over a month. So what's next for me? 

I'd like to think I wake up every single day and just strive to be happy and grateful to be alive and to be surrounded by family and friends who love me so dearly. I work hard at my job- I adore my kids, and I can't wait to see what I'll be doing in the next few years. 

As for the blog, I'm glad to be back, and I hope you'll be checking in with me again really soon! 

After all, you are here. X. 

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Happy Hump Day and ohhhh my goodness at how long it's been since I've posted a good recipe! I posted a few low carb desserts and a cloud bread recipe a couple months back, but it's been months since I posted a real recipe for a dish that practically everyone loves!

If you're in Mississippi right now, then you know what we're dealing with and you know why this creamy tomato basil soup is going to be everything you need to feed your soul later. We are on going on day 3 of a snow-pocalypse, and the Deep South is a mess over it! But there's something about the snow that made me want to make this humongous pot of soup for the third time in the past week and a half, and I realized that I absolutely had to share this recipe with y'all because it is so easy, so delicious, and so fitting for snow days and nights!

Like most of the recipes I post, I found this online and tweaked it to my tastes and preferences. There are so many yummy tomato soup recipes out there, but this is officially my go-to! I hope you enjoy it!!

Ingredients: 

10 roma tomaotes
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes*
2 cups organic vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Salt
Pepper
Basil*
Parsley* (All seasonings are "to taste." I don't measure them out).

* = tip. See bottom of the post for tips.

Directions: 

Set your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil or wax paper
Dice your tomatoes into one-inch chunks

Spread your diced tomatoes and tablespoon of minced garlic on the sheet

Roast in the oven for 20 minutes

In a large pot, pour two cups of organic vegetable broth and place it on low-medium heat (I do this right when the tomatoes come out of the oven, and I give them a few minutes to cool down).

In a blender, puree your tomatoes and one can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes. If you don't have a blender, a hand mixer or whisk would probably work pretty well! It just means a little more effort on your part.

After blending, pour your tomato puree into the pot and add your half cup of heavy whipping cream.
Heat to a simmer (sometimes I'll heat it boil for just a few seconds before turning it down; this girl loves her soup HOTTT).

While simmering, add your salt, pepper, and a little parley (optional--I just love parsley in soups!)
I let the soup simmer for about ten minutes, ten I add basil before serving. In each bowl, I add just a dash more basil!

TIPS: 
The can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes is optional, but I do find that it gives the soup a richer taste and thicker consistency. If you don't want to add this, grab a couple more roma tomatoes and perhaps season with some garlic powder before roasting.
The parsley is 100% optional; I just enjoy parsley in pretty much any soup I make!
You can purchase fresh basil and parsley in the produce section and chop it yourself (you can even grow both of these in your kitchen window). I used what was left in my pantry in these pre-packaged containers. I'm sure fresh seasonings taste the best, but these are still really good and very convenient!

I wish I had all the nutritional information perfectly lined up for you, but I kind of dropped the ball on that part! I did put a rough version into MyFitnessPal, guesstimating that a whole pot makes about 6 one-cup sevings, each one coming out to about 110 calories/servings. That seemed a little low though, so at some point I'll go back and re-do my recipe on there! But I will say that this is a fairly healthy, wholesome, and soothing recipe that you and your family will love for these cold winter nights!

Enjoy!!

Fuel Your Year, Fuel Your Hustle

I seriously don't care how cliché it sounds; if you're looking to get healthier, start a new diet or workout plan, pick up a new hobby, or simply change your life, there's no better time to get started than the first day of a new year.

No matter what each year brings, I have to admit that I'm always ready for the next one. 2017 was really incredible; I excelled in my business, crushed a few financial goals I had for the year, and I lost weight (about 40 pounds!) and got healthier. At 27, I am the fittest I've ever been in my entire life--that's a good feeling! And I can imagine it's pretty rare; most of my friends would give anything to get their college bodies back and feel the same way they did at 21!

The funny thing about your fitness goals is that they're not stagnant; they change pretty often! We reach one goal and then we're on to crushing a new personal record in the squat rack or getting a new base pace in our run or beating our mile time. It seems that I am always looking for new and better ways to fuel my hustle; this year will be no different!

I did a lot of self-improvement in 2017, and 2018 is going to be even better! I've got a head-start on my gym game by scheduling my Orange Theory workouts ahead of time, making sure I attend at least three every week! I'm not obsessing over the scale this year, but I am weighing myself once every couple of weeks (checking in with this number really helps keep me on track!), and I'm also staying connected with my calorie tracker app on my iPhone and tracking those macronutrients: carbs, sugars, fats, and proteins!

And speaking of proteins, thanks to Oikos® Protein Crunch Yogurt by Dannon, I feel like I'm already way ahead of the game! When it comes to healthy snacking, I'm a "crunch" person (I'm sure many of you can relate!) My ideal snack is a mixture of salty and sweet and has a crunch to it! This is probably why carbs have always been my weakness--just give me all the chips and crackers!!

I received an exclusive invitation to try Dannon's new Oikos® Protein Crunch Yogurt (new at Walmart), and I was immediately hooked! Not only am I getting fueled with 17 grams of protein in a five ounce up, I'm also getting 6 grams of fiber and a healthy, beneficial snack with NO artificial sweeteners or flavors. That is definitely something I can get on board with in 2018! 

It seems as if Dannon created this new yogurt (in four amazing flavors!) with busy mamas like me in mind! I may work from home, but that doesn't mean I'm not constantly running around and staying busy, and I am always needing that extra fuel in my body, that extra push to keep my energy up and keep going! I had to get creative with my time just to sit down and devote time to my blog to talk about how much I'm loving Oikos® Protein Crunch Yogurt! It's got the smooth, semi-sweet taste of the Greek, nonfat yogurt I've always loved but with the crunch I love and crave in the toppings! 

The protein packed in this five-ounce snack is seriously just a plus! 

Visit your local Walmart next time you're grabbing groceries and be sure to stop by the dairy section to find this stuff! I am always down for trying new yogurt flavors, and Dannon has definitely made an impression on me with Oikos® Protein Crunch Yogurt! 

If I've not convinced you enough, grab this offer from Ibotta! It's an app that gives you money back for the things your purchase every day at grocery stores! I think you guys have heard me rave about it before; it is definitely an amazing little tool while grocery shopping, and Dannon is giving you an exclusive offer to try Oikos® Protein Crunch Yogurt too!

I'm so ready to see all the good that 2018 brings to me--body, mind, and soul! I'm working hard every day to better myself, get healthier, and live happier. Dannon's  Oikos® Protein Crunch Yogurt is definitely going to help my accomplish at least one of these goals this year! 

How are you fueling your hustle this year?!