11 Things to Know at 25(ish)

by: Ashley

A few months ago my friend sent me this awesome article: 11 Things to Know at 25(ish)

All 11 things were very insightful but here are my three favorite...

1. You have time to find a job you love

It seems like all my friends (and me included) aren't 100% happy with our current jobs. If we knew the same things freshman year of college as we knew now, most of us would probably have picked different majors.  To all my 25-ish friends, just keep your eyes open for different opportunities that might be right under your nose.  Network with people in different professions and "interview" them about what their job truly consists of. Job shadowing will help you understand the day-to-day functions.  You also have to be realistic about the financial aspect. Your "dream" job may require a hefty investment, or might mean you take a pay cut the first few years until you are established. 

4. Give your best to friends and family

We've all known that friend that when he or she starts dating someone new they tend to disappear from our lives.  All of a sudden, you don't hear from them for months and when you do they only talk about their relationship.  I've had a lot of ups and downs in relationships - and a small group of girls that have been with me through it all.  Without them I'd be lost. These lifelong friendships can't just be tossed aside when you have a new guy in your life.  The same goes even when you are married. Don't "become" your husband. Take time to truly just be with your friends and family sometimes.  Of course it helps when your significant other gets fits right in with your group of friends and your family.  Then  you don't have to choose who to spend time with! 

8. Find a rhythm for spiritual disciplines

I haven't quite mastered this one yet. I tend to get too "busy" and I don't devote enough time to prayer or church. But I know that I'm not even close to being busy yet. I don't have three kids to get ready in the morning or soccer games to rush off too.  If I start good habits now, maybe I can keep them going and pass my good habits on to my future kids. 

Check out the article for the rest of the list. (and Happy Monday!)

CrossFit, Too Hardcore or Just Enough?

By: Danie

My cousin started crossfit, within two weeks I was impressed. After a month, I think he convinced me that crossfit was hardcore and delivered results. However, he is a guy. Any man who lifts weights is going to get great results. So this caught my attention and I wanted to learn more!

 

There are a ton of crossfit gyms popping up everywhere.... crossfit is pretty minimalist you use your own body as resistance and there are lots of weights involved. I don't think that this is something you can do on your own, guidance is definitely needed.

I think most misconceptions for women are that the more weights you lift the bulkier you get. Well the truth is the more muscle you have the more fat you will burn. If you are doing crazy power lifting then you might bulk up but normal weight lifting might get you a result more in line with this.......

I think it is worth a try! Do you crossfit??

Delish Eggplant Spinach Lasagna

By: Danie

I have been wanting to share this recipe for a while because it is just so delish! I cook for some picky eaters and this lasagna recipe is a favorite, I have even heard that you can't even tell that it doesn't have the regular noodles! How about that?

Ingredients
1-2 Eggplants (Sliced into very thin strips)
1lb Chicken or Turkey Sausage Browned (I usually get spicy)
10 oz Frozen Spinach (Thawed and Drained)
1 Jar of your favorite Spaghetti Sauce
2 Eggs
1 15 oz container of Cottage Cheese
4 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Parmesan
1 Tbl Italian Seasoning

Directions

1. Preheat Oven to 375  ( We will use a 13 X 9 baking dish)
2. Combine beaten eggs, cottage cheese, two cups mozzarella, italian seasoning and parmesan.
3. Combine browned sausage and pasta sauce.
4. The first layer- Eggplant, Cheese Mixture, Spinach, Meat Sauce then repeat as many times as you would like... I fill mine up to the top. So after your last layer you will put more eggplant on top and then top with the remaining mozzarella.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5 minutes (to brown the top)

Usually in the last five minutes I like to stick garlic bread in the oven. Its quick and easy... take some bread (whatever you have is fine...rolls, loaf bread, french) cut bread into slices if it isnt already. Spread butter and sprinkle garlic powder (sprinkle some cheese if you want to get crazy) and stick it in the oven.

My mom actually crushes fresh garlic and mixes it with her butter then butters the bread.... but this is my crazy schedule busy mom short cut :)

P.S. The photo is of a smaller version of the dish...

Kitchen Table Make-Over Part I

by: Ashley

This is as much a post about a kitchen table DIY as it is about saving money.  My honey got our kitchen table from some friends. They were buying all new furniture for their house so gave us a great price.  Well the furniture served it's purpose in that it provided us a table to eat on... but it wasn't quite my style.  So instead of going out and spending $900 on the table I wanted from World Market, I decided to take on a project: re-staining and re-upholstering the table and chairs. 

Today's post is just about the re-upholstering part - and it was so easy! 

1. Unscrew the seat from the chair frame. 

2. Use the seat to measure fabric squares. I bought 6 yards of fabric (1 yard per seat) and had a little extra I hope to make a table runner out of. 

3. If the staples are too difficult to take out from the previous fabric cover - just don't take them out! :) We just covered over the old fabric.  The only think you have to worry about is the corners being too thick (might make the seat uneven on the chair frame)

4. Fold the fabric over (with the seat facing down) and start stapling. We started on the front of the seat. 

5. Now do opposite side from where you started. 

6. Now do the last two sides of the fabric. Make sure to pull it pretty tight. 

7. On the corners, watch that the creases don't show when the chair is up right.  Trim off the extra fabric. 

This is a really easy project and changes the whole look of the table! Be on the lookout for Kitchen Table Make-over Part II for my tips (and horror story) about re-staining. 

Tuesday Shoesday - Oh How I Love Bows!!

by: Ashley

Wanna know my favorite accent on a shoe? Bows!!! And no one does them with more attitude and style than Betsey Johnson!  I love the studded bow on this bootie - it's feminine with an edge.  I can easily see this paired with either skinny jeans or a body hugging dress. 

Fitness Friday - Lost at the Gym

by: Ashley

I don't know about you guys, but sometimes I go to the gym all pumped up and ready to work out and then I can't think of a single workout to do.  I just kinda walk around... maybe do some squats and crunches or jump on the elliptical.  I hope I'm not the only one that just sorta goes blank when I walk through those gym doors.

Well I found an answer to my problem. And if you try this, you might hate me after... because if you do it right, you will be sore!  I can't take credit for this workout, it actually comes from Blogilates.  Cassey Ho, the exercise guru behind Blogilates, is amazing.  She has great fitness and health advice. I recommend you follow her on twitter (@blogilates) to get her latest updates.  But if you don't believe me about this workout, just try it for yourself!

Image from Blogilates

P.S. Valentine's day is only 11 days away. My honey likes to take me out somewhere nice for the day, so the least I can do is find a new dress to wear and look good on his arm! Let me know what you guys think of these items from Francesca's:

14 Day Love Challenge

by: Ashley

As a bride-to-be, I'm obsessed with wedding blogs. One of my favorites is The Wedding Pickle.  Melina is an absolute sweetheart!! And she has amazing insight into not just beautiful weddings, but beautiful marriages.

Yesterday she introduced a 14 Day Love Challenge.  I'm not sure what all she has in mind but day one is to start a list: 100 things you love about your significant other.  She said you can use the rest of the 14 days to complete the list and it will be part of the valentine gift.

I absolutely love this idea! Especially with my wedding being 4 months away (eeek!!) - it's a great way to reaffirm my love to this man that I will vow to spend the rest of my life with.

I know not all of our readers are married or in serious relationships, but you can always tweak this challenge to meet whatever your circumstances are. Why don't you tell your best friend or your mom all the reasons you love her?

For another way to make lists, check out this 52 Reasons I Love You Cards Tutorial from Papervine. 

Source: papervinenz.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest