{Eat Your Veg}

Welcome to "Pinning!"

(Inspired by Charlie's, now famous, "Winning!")

A Weekly Pinterest Link-Up

(Share pins, meet others who love "Pinning", get inspired!)

First Time?  It's simple just follow these rules:

 Please follow your hosts: Courtney & Kimberly

then

 Link up your favorite pins post for the week

and

Link back to the party

<center> <a href="http://www.baxtronlife.com/search/label/Pinning" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbvryU40_Qo/Ty_cGnh2JNI/AAAAAAAAB9k/iwfB9OZ7SFo/s200/PinningHalf.jpg" height="150" width="150" /></a></center>

Each week a winner will be chosen to flaunt the title of "Pinning-est" for successfully wowing us with the best Pinterest find.  The winner will be featured/announced in the following week's post!

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I've been on a weight loss journey for the past 14 weeks and am down 27 pounds.  This week, I'm inspired to share with you my new found love of VEGETABLES.  Mmmm yes.  Composed mostly of water, veggies are the best thing you can increase consumption of when trying to lose weight!  They are filling, extremely low calorie and you can pretty much eat as much of them as you want without consequence.

Print via Unknown Source :(

Polymer Veggies via JooJoo

Veggie Chart Printable via Blogilates

Veggies via J.Crew Behind the Line

Button via Peas & Crayons

Rainbow Veggies via Life Made Delicious

Spring Produce Guide via City Corporate to Suburb Mama

Veggie Platter - Unable to Source :(

14 Best Veggies via Brunch at Queens

Chili Con Carne via Food & Cook

Do you need a little more veg in your life?

THANK YOU to all who linked up last week!

Are you "Pinning"?  

Come on, everyone is doing it.  

Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.  

***

Also sharing with: Loves On A Thursday, Current Crush Thursdays & Oh, How Pinteresting!

Tending Your Marriage

I am not a gardener.

But, last Spring I decided throw a few seeds in a few pots, 

almost like a science experiment.

I hoped that perhaps some of them would grow.

Continue reading at The Fontenot Four blog…

{4.21.12}

After we were done at the NYAquarium, we enjoyed the gorgeous weather at Coney Island beach!

 We enjoyed lunch at Nathan's.

Zion had her first ever corn-dog.

 I finally had a chance to try out my new tripod and snapped a couple of pictures as a family.

 Then we had to of course finish the day with ice cream cones.

 It was a beautiful day, with my favorite two sweeties.

How was your week?

{v.16}

Progress! Points! & Pressing On!

Measurements:Chest: 34"Arms: 10"Waist: 24.5" (-.5")Hips/Butt: 36" (-.5")Thighs: 20.5" (-.5") 

Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 3 pounds!!

Total Weight Lost: 27 pounds

Inches Lost This Week: 1.5 inches

Total Inches Lost: 37 inches

Points Earned:

This Week: 65

Points Balance: 437!! 

(Only 63 Points Away from $250!)

I haven't exercised since my last check-in.  And I've had dessert…lots of it.  And other miscellaneous treats.  I am still losing weight (as you can see).  I've decided that for now until I reach my goal weight and/or ideal weight I'm going to remain active, but not follow any specific workout regimen.

I've been super busy and feel so much better not exercising on this plan.  I think that my calorie deficit was just too great.  I am now feeling very energized again and have been getting tons of things done!

I have something exciting I just have to share with you today.  I LOVE RUNNING.  No, really, I do.  My husband has asked me before what exercise I love best, and it has always been running…and not just a couple miles here and there.  I love distance running.  Since having Zion, I haven't been able to really figure out how to work it back into my life.

It has always been a dream of mine to run a marathon and this year I even mentioned I'd like to run a half-marathon (trying to be realistic on what is doable this year!).  The only solution to my dilemma has been to get a jogging stroller.  I've had my eyes set on a B.O.B. for a while, but in all honestly, it has been very near the bottom on the list of other financial priorities for us.

A few months ago, I just sort of came to the conclusion that running was out for now.  I remember I said this little half-serious prayer, "God, I know it isn't a necessity…but…if there is a way you can give me one of these strollers…"  So tonight, I was finally catching up on emails and got a message from a friend who just happened to be thinking of me, and asked if I would like to have this:

Not only is it a B.O.B. Jogging Stroller, it is in the Yellow color that I wanted!! How awesome is God!?  She had no idea I'd even been wanting one.  I get to pick it up on Tuesday and I'm ridiculously excited!

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

I've been really focused on making sure I eat all the meals I am supposed to eat.  

I've been sticking to my every 2-2.5 hour eating schedule.

I'd like to work more on:

Drinking half my body weight in ounces of water.

Eating all 6-7 of my daily mini meals. 

Okay so I don't NEED to eat dessert every night.  LOL.

I totally cheated when:

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have cake, pie, ice cream…lol.  So bad.

How did you do this week?

Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?

Muffintop Meltdown V.1-V.15

{Rustic}

Wonder Wheel Coney Island 4/16/12

Guest Feature: Laura {Our Reflection}

My name is Laura and I'm the one behind Our Reflection. I'm a full-time working mother of two beautiful daughters: Rachel who is 14 and Charlie who's 6. I've been married to Chaz for over 10 years and he's the most amazing encouraging man in the world. When I'm not at my 8-5 or being "mommy", I'm a lifestyle photographer based in Monterey, California. I have a weakness for Starbucks and love the color yellow.

For a few months now I feel God has put something in my heart to somehow giveback to the community, but I was never sure just what. I prayed about it a lot. A few weeks ago I was sitting in church reading the bulletin and something just jumped out to me. A Heart for the Hungry. Our church's food pantry was empty. The pantry that used to feed hundreds of families, now, there’s a sign on the door that says “Sorry, there are no food bags available at this time.”

That was it! That’s what my heart wanted to do. Fill those pantry shelves until they’re overflowing! Could I do this alone? No. I needed help. I had this idea of having a table set up in front of a local grocery stores collecting non-perishable food donations, a Food Drive. But I wanted to do more . My idea grew to wanting a table set up in front of every single grocery store in the area, all at the same time. Crazy? I thought so at first. Man, did I pray about it again and again. Slowly, things started to fall into place. Once I started looking for volunteers, they started pouring out of the wood work. Even random strangers that heard of the event asked if they could help out. We ended up with over 25 people helping this little BIG dream come to reality.

My vision came to life. This was my weekend.

{and this isn't everyone!}

We decorated the food donation barrels {10 of them which were donated with a value of $50 each!}, rented the U-Haul truck, gathered our amazing volunteers and headed out!

The day called for rain. We didn't get sprinkled on, it was an all out downpour. As soon as each table was set up, the sky's flood gates opened and I hadn't seen rain like that in ages. Everyone was soaked. But was that going to stop us? No way. We were determined! And it didn't stop people from giving. We had a few people even wheel out a cart full of groceries and just leave it next to our bins. The entire cart fulls were for the Food Drive! I didn't know what to say. Thank you just didn't seem like enough but was all I could say. It made me really emotional. People have such good hearts. The world has put such a dark cloud over humanity, but it's not true. Most people want to give out of the goodness of their hearts. They want to help others. And it showed this very day.

We ended the day with each of our barrels filled to the brim and food bags all around each table. The church's food pantry was so packed the door wouldn't close. This was all God's doing. It started as a thought God had placed on my heart, ended up feeding dozens {even hundreds maybe} of low-income families.

This was such a eye opening experience I just can't wait to do it again. I encourage each and everyone of you to find a way to give back to the community. There's so much out there that needs help and it takes so little to made a huge impact on someones life.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Blog  | Facebook  |  Twitter 

{Jellyfish}

On Monday we had gorgeous Summer-like weather…temps in the upper 80's.  Hubs had the day off, so we took Zion to the NY Aquarium, and Coney Island Beach.  Just thought I'd share this teaser picture from our day in hopes you'll venture back later in the week as I share more!  

Groupstance / Mom Central Station: {Moms You Trust + Experts = Best Recommendations}

Hey Mamas!  I am so enthused to share with you today!!  Mom Central Station is a unique project I've had the awesome privilege of contributing to over the last several weeks as a part of their NYC Advisory Board!  Watch this quick video, and see if you relate:



Starting April 29th, for ten weeks, 1000 New York City Mamas are going to have the awesome opportunity to contribute and collect recommendations specific to ten themes:

Have you ever searched reviews on Yelp, asked a question via Google, or sought help finding something via Facebook or Twitter?

While these sources are full of information, it can take hours to sort through them to find what you are actually looking for, and then, how do you know that you've found a reliable source or information?

Mom Central Station changes everything!  You connect with other Moms and experts that you trust, to ask for specific recommendations or information that you are seeking.  Likewise, you can help other moms in your network by providing your own recommendations and suggestions to their specific requests!

Imagine having a couple of friends from your weekly play group, a couple of mom bloggers you are fond of, a few church friends and then a couple well known experts all connected to you and able to give you specific information when you ask a question! 

And even better, the information is kept private and secure…only exchanged between you and those you chose to include in your request. 

Perhaps best of all, the information and recommendations you gather are stored for you, so you can access them any time you want or need to, in a very modern, streamlined database.

Did I mention that Mom Central Station is completely free to use?

Sounds amazing doesn't it!!!  If you are a NYC Mom, I highly encourage you get involved with this event!  Sign-up now to reserve your spot!!  The event is exclusively by referral, so make sure you tell them I sent you!

{Defining Me}

When I was a little girl, I was often full of anxiety due to the constant turmoil of a home plagued with alcoholism, domestic violence and neglect.  Both of my parents were extremely young, self absorbed and ill-equipped to raise the three little girls that had been entrusted to them.  One of my earliest memories in childhood marked a turning point in my life and has shaped me in ways that I could never fully describe.

Miracle by Adam Jackson

One particular evening, I was struggling with thoughts of death and the question of being alone forever after death… (continue reading at Like A Bird, where I'm featured today as part of her Defining Me series).

"Pinning!" DIY Spa Day

Welcome to 

A VERY SPECIAL EDITION 

of "Pinning!"

A Weekly Pinterest Link-Up

(Share pins, meet others who love "Pinning", get inspired!)

We're thrilled to announce our very 1st guest judge!

Laura of {Our Reflection}

Laura will be checking out all of your pins this week, and will choose the winner of the Pinning-est title!  Make sure you link up this week, and come back next week to find out who she picked!!

And definitely check out her boards to see what she is Pinning! 

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / HelloCotton / BlogLovin / Pinterest / Photography

First Time?  It's simple just follow these rules:

 Please follow your hosts: Courtney & Kimberly

then

 Link up your favorite pins post for the week

and

Link back to the party

<center> <a href="http://www.baxtronlife.com/search/label/Pinning" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbvryU40_Qo/Ty_cGnh2JNI/AAAAAAAAB9k/iwfB9OZ7SFo/s200/PinningHalf.jpg" height="150" width="150" /></a></center>

Each week a winner will be chosen to flaunt the title of "Pinning-est" for successfully wowing us with the best Pinterest find.  The winner will be featured/announced in the following week's post!

When was the last time you had the opportunity to spend a day at the spa?  I'm not just talking your run of the mill mani/pedi…I mean, a good massage, maybe a facial and enough relaxation to ease that stubborn {insert the body part you carry your stress in here} tension that never leaves you?  
I was thinking about what I'd love for Mother's day and it would be a good 4-8 hours at a day spa.  Unfortunately we're nowhere close to being able to pull that off this year, with Zion's birthday party happening that weekend and the in-laws coming out to visit, but perhaps I can do a day of DIY pampering!  

L-R: 1}Bath Tea  2}Exfoliating Massage Bar  3}Herbal Scalp Massage Bar

Massage

Lavender Eye Pillows

"Calm The Heck Down" Relaxing Face Mask via Paisley Boulevard

L-R: 1}Lash Conditioner 2}Eye Soothers 3]Lip Scrub

Hair Mask

L-R: 1}Foot Mask 2}Callus Remover 3}Foot Balm

Hand Scrub

L-R: 1}Cuticle Exfoliant 2}Balm 3}Manicure

L-R: 1}Refreshing Spa Cooler 2} Aromatherapy Candles 3} Calming Music Playlist

I'm more relaxed just looking at these pictures!  Have you ever made your own spa product? (And I already know your answer Miss Colleen! ;))

THANK YOU for Linking up last week!  

Are you "Pinning"?  

Come on, everyone is doing it.  

Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.  

Also sharing with: Loves On A Thursday, Current Crush Thursdays & Oh, How Pinteresting!