Meals This Week, Coffee Dates, Garden Boxes & Workouts!

Hi, I just put Bugs down for his afternoon nap and decided to hold off on laundry and start blogging instead. You never run out of tasks after becoming a mom, but sometimes, you have to walk by the laundry basket and say, “see ya later.” I have so much content to share, but finding time to sit down and write is challenging. I used to dedicate my morning time to blogging and coffee, but I decided to change my routine in 2023 and start focussing on my health, and now I workout or ride the Peloton early morning, take a shower and then go into mom-mode as soon as Bugs wakes up. I need to get better at finding time to write because I have so many exciting things coming up! 
My goal is to be active every day. Since joining the Peloton app, I’ve been able to bike, track walks, do yoga, and do strength training (which I need to be better about.) My cycling goal is three 30-minute, one 45-minute ride, and one 60-minute ride each week. I like saving the hour-long ride for Saturday mornings. After riding, I shower, have breakfast, and then Kyle and I go for a walk. I needed to jump on the fitness train now that I’m finally feeling 100 percent myself again after having a baby. I love feeling stronger and building back my muscles. 

Breakfast lately has consisted of toasted sourdough bread with butter, eggs, and fruit. 

I know it’s getting out of hand, but it’s been so therapeutic. 
My favorite little grocery shopping buddy. It’s much easier going to stores with him now that he can sit in the cart, and I don’t have to get a stroller set up. He thinks it’s fun. I bring a little cart cover and throw it in the wash after our store trip. 
 
  
Tux had a little playdate with Lulu ♥️ She lives a few doors down, and they always stare at each other across the fences. Leo goes on walks with her, and now that she’s fixed, they can play together. Tux is getting his teeth cleaned and neutered tomorrow, and I’m so worried for him 🙁 I don’t want him to be scared, but I know it needs to be done to protect him from testicular cancer. 
 
After a long day of baking 150 cookies, I was ready to have a big glass of kombucha and my favorite pizza from Costco! The supreme Kirklands pizza is to die for! It took my top spot for frozen pizzas.
After my morning Peloton ride, I shower, make coffee, and head outside with the dogs if Bugs is still asleep. They love to wrestle around the yard while the sun rises. We’ve had some beautiful sunrises lately. 
  I’ve managed to stay on top of walks this month and have done a three to four-mile walk every day. Leo needs the long walks, or he gets naughty and tries to seek attention by eating toys and paper towels or barking outside. It has helped his energy and makes him feel more bonded with me. We had kept the dog’s routine the same as before we had a baby. And actually, they get even more walking time now. 

If you missed my blog on my go-to blueberry oats, check that one out! I love having them in the morning! 

Bugs LOVES to sit on the piano and bang the keys. I sit behind him to ensure he doesn’t fall, and he’ll hit the keys, laugh, and babble for a long time. I love it. 

Last Thursday, I met with some girlfriends at Poppyseed Kitchen for brunch. 

I ordered their chicken and avocado sandwich with their side veggie. The butternut squash was on top of whipped goat cheese, and I NEED to figure out how they whipped it because it was my favorite dish. I also had butternut squash soup on the side. I had their breakfast with Kyle a few weeks back, and we loved it. 
 I brought Bugs with me, and he loved sitting in the high chair drinking his coffee cup toy. He’s so fun to take places, and I’m lucky he’s a pretty content and happy baby!

After brunch, we headed out on a walk, I finished making some bread, and then, Bugs and I spent the afternoon outside with the dogs after his nap. It was so warm outside. 70’s in January is my kind of weather! 

He loves crawling everywhere, and even though the grass was wet and dirty, it was much safer than letting him crawl around our sharp furniture inside. 

Besties.

Bugs does this new thing with his hats on walks. He likes to pull them down and fling them off his head now. It’s hilarious, but luckily spring is almost here, and we can ditch the hats. I have to pick up his hat about 100 times while we walk. 
 I’m still on a Trader Joes’ dinner kick. I only buy three products to make this healthy and inexpensive dinner! I get their carrots, salmon, and brussels sprout kit. Dinner is ready in about thirty minutes! 
Coffee and morning walks are our favorite. 💜 

Here’s another one of my new favorite meals! I sauté the beef, veggies, and onion together to make the best tasting sesame teriyaki stir fry! It was so good. 
 Humble Cup just opened up in our town, and it is the CUTEST coffee shop, and the coffee is amazing. I have always been a fan of their coffee when I’d get it at the Fort Mill farmers market, and I’m so happy they have a storefront now. It’s adorable inside.  I had their oat milk cappuccino, and it was perfect. It was so smooth, and I’ll be returning for more! if you live near Fort Mill, definitely try Humble Cup out! You’ll love it. 
Another one of my favorite Trader Joe’s meals is buying their Asian Crunch salad, adding in rice crackers, avocado, chopped onion, and air fried salmon! 😋 

Another morning, another ride, and another cup of coffee with my favorite pups. The weather has been amazing here lately. I hope it stays this way because plants are coming up, trees are budding, and my tulips are busting through the mulch layer. 

Yummy sourdough avocado toast with eggs, blueberries, and coffee.
 
So…the garden project has begun! I cannot believe my cedar beds are built. Kyle did such a good job on them! Now, we will dig up the space in the backyard, lay down landscaping fabric, add the edging, put the stepping stones down and pebbles, line the garden beds, add dirt and the trellis, and get to planting! I’m looking forward to all the garden content this summer! 

Trader Joe’s pesto chicken with baby kale, parmesan, pepper, cream, and butter! This was so good on top of Caesar salad. 

Another day, another sourdough loaf. 
 After my rides, I get so hungry, so I will stick to more protein-based meals to help with recovery. I had a protein yogurt with blueberries and granola.  Coffee date at Humble Cup with my sweet little Bug!!! I keep buying him coffee toys because he’s obsessed with them. Or if I’m at a coffee shop, I ask for an extra cup because he loves to pretend he’s drinking coffee. He’ll even make the slurping and “ahh” sound after taking a sip.  I had way too much coffee before meeting the girls at Humble cup, so I tried out their Matcha with oat milk latte, and it was amazing! Trader Joes Asian crunch salad with chicken tenders. I’m on a Trader Joe’s kick lately! 

 My little coffee buddy is in the background. I bring his skip hop into the kitchen while we eat so he feels like he’s joining us for dinner. 

Jalapeño Pimento cheese loaf! 

A fun little Freedom Park walk and swing date ♥️ 

I managed to finish right before he woke up! Thanks for stopping by to read today’s recap blog! 🙂

Questions for you!

1. Have you changed your routine in 2023?
2. What is your favorite item from Trader Joes’?
3. What kind of gardening content would you like to see this spring/summer?