UnPacking the Zyia Starter Kit

 I know a good deal when I see one....AND, as a fitness professional for 20 years, I appreciate high quality performance wear.  I guess I'm officially a High Maintenance Bruh Girl, LOL.  See the previous post.  

In the starter kit.....I got:

• Black Pocket Light-N-Tight Hi-Rise 7/8  24" leggings  (the best ever!  I wear a medium.  These are the most popular leggings with a firm compression that feels oh-so supportive whether you plan to run or just rest.)
• Black Unwind Jogger (Sorry, these are the best ever.   I now own a large and a medium.  I like the looser fit of the large.  The medium has more of a legging look/feel.  Is it possible to have a comfortable fit and still maintain a flattering silhouette? Duh!  They feel like pajama bottoms masquerading as workout wear..or work wear.)
• Navy All Star Bra (I got a medium and should have sized up..kinda tight.  This is not my favorite bra.  This bra was designed for long workouts.  It's got a high-fit neckline for big breasted women and mesh panels in all the right places to keep you cool.  The wide back panel offers additional stay-in-place support. I am in need of all new sports bras, so I'm going to use my consultant discount to buy them all up.  I'll let you know which is the best!)
• White Twist Tank (Definitely a style mandate. I got a large because I like a loose fit around my bigger belly.  The subtle detail of the twist in the back is sexy.  Not too much, not too boring.)
• Zyia Hat....mine came with a corduroy hat.  Now the starter kit comes with a mesh hat for spring.)

These 5 items came with a $100 gift card to spend on more Zyia, a stack of catalogs and sales slips to start a business.  What a great deal for only $295.  

The clothes alone would have cost $250.  So you are getting $60 in free Zyia with the potential to start a little business.  Make success simple - even if you're new to direct sales.  All the shipping is done at corporate!

Want to try the products first?  I totally get that and recommend that.  I was a customer first, fell in love with the quality, and then decided I need to help others fall in love with it.  Explore any new piece that I'm sure will inspire your next personal best.

My advice:  TRY ONE PIECE FIRST!

https://www.myzyia.com/SUBURBANCHALLENGE/shop/catalog.aspx

Joggers are perfect for Saturdays in the yard.......

but I also wore the Joggers to work!

Leggings, Bra, and Tank

That HAT!

Bruh Girl? What is it? High Maintance Bruh Girl? ......I'm going to go ahead and claim it!

      Urban Dictionary Time:  We all know a Bruh Girl and most of us have all got a little bit of bruhness to us. The Bruh Girl is your girl who never takes things seriously, can be guaranteed to bring the fun and will happily make a fool out of herself. ... They're both down to earth chill girls who are basically one of the boys.

     But then I saw a TikTok that introduced the High Maintenance Bruh Girl.  The girl who is down to earth, but spends a ton of money on skincare and wears $60 leggings.  Do you relate?  My hand is raised!  This is me...minus the cuss words.  (We all know that I don't say those words.)  And instead of "eyelashes and nails" its "earring and eyeshadow" for me....with my flawless skin and $60 leggings!! 😂

Watch It Here:  (Warning!!!  Language)

https://www.tiktok.com/@theirongiantess/video/6901417775475002629?lang=en

     

Getting Control of Cystic Acne...My Top 5!

     Cystic Acne is the most serious type of Acne. It develops when cysts under the skin create painful bumps that will not go away. It is deep within the skin, often times never coming to the surface, and is most likely to cause scaring. Bumps are tender to touch and (in my case) had their own heart rate, lol! They are most noticeable on the face, but I've been known to get them on my chest and back, and one time behind my ear. 

      Due to the severity of this type of acne, and the fact that half of the time it is caused by hormone irregularities in teens or in women with PCOS....cleansers are not enough. I have spent the last 20 years fighting and educating myself about this type of acne. I have had doctors recommend and try many different things. Here are my favorites based on fewest side effects and most results. 

 1. Oral contraceptives are a viable option for cystic acne in some women. This method is especially effective if you tend to develop acne cysts during hormone fluctuations related to your menstrual cycle. Although I hate the idea of birth control as a treatment for PCOS...during my early 20s, it was very effective in getting the cycst under control. Then I stopped the contraceptives (because of all of the other side effects of birth control) and moved onto other forms of maintenance. Therefore, I say again...great treatment for SHORT TERM USE. 

 2. Chemical Peels from a dermatologist including Glycolic acid or Salicylic acid or both. During peak times of bad acne, this is a great treatment. I drove home from college to get these during my 20s. After a peel, you will look like you have a mild sunburn for a few days following treatment. Your skin will peel just as it would following a sunburn. I got 3-4 per year. Search local dermatologists or plastic surgeons near you who perform chemical peels. These will be more potent than peels from an esthetician. 

 3. Chemical Peels at home for maintenance. I found an over the counter chemical peel in Glycolic Acid that I use every Sunday night to stretch out the time between dermatologist visits....and to eventually prevent them with at home maintenance. There are no side effects from the at home peels. When you first apply the "lotion like" cream, it will tingle for about 3-5 minutes, and then allow it to soak in to the skin for at least 12 minutes. You wash off easily with water. Buy Here: https://www.marykay.com/bstillings/en-us/products/all/timewise-repair-revealing-radiance-facial-peel-300524 

 4. Topical retinoids are also derived from vitamin A, like Accutane, but do not require a prescription and have fewer side effects. The over the counter version is going to be Retinol. Find a good moisturizer with retinol at night. Because of the vitamin A, you will need to use a day cream with sunscreen because all retinoids make you a little more sensitive to the sun. By itself, retinol or retinoids, are not powerful to fight cysts. But they are good to use as lotions and creams after the skin has been treated. Here is my retinol cream: https://www.marykay.com/bstillings/en-us/products/all/timewise-repair-volufirm-night-treatment-with-retinol-100904 

 5. Diet. Although there is still a lot of conflicting information out there about the relationship to diet and acne....I have personally noticed a connection with foods that create insulin inflammation with increased PCOS symptoms. Since cystic acne is often linked to PCOS, by reducing the inflammation in the body...you reduce the body's reaction to it's side effects. Foods that increase insulin resistance are white bread, gluten, sugars, dairy products. Although still uncertain if cutting all of these foods out can/will reduce acne...it's not a bad idea to reduce the intake of gluten rich foods, dairy products, and sugars. Your waistline will also benefit. 

 For more support on fitness and wellness from a PCOS Queen, follow my private instagram account @suburbanchallenge.

Holiday Makeup..... Mom Edition

 No time to watch 20 minute long Youtube tutorials that are impossible to recreate?  I took the most popular Holiday Look for 2020 created by makeup artist Luis Casco, and simplified it for the “uninfluenced mom,”  lol!  Whether celebrating at home or out on the town, this look is everything!

1. Get your foundation on like normal….don’t use foundation?  Hit up some CC Cream for a more balanced look, it’s just a tinted moisturizer.  I also never leave the house without an undereye corrector to hide the dark circles under my eyes.  Need help finding the perfect foundation shade?  Here is a Foundation Finder quiz that is spot on!  

https://www.marykay.com/bstillings/en-us/tips-and-trends/beauty-extras/games-and-quizzes/timewise-3d-foundations-shade-finder-quiz

2.  Eye Primer is next.  This keeps eyeshadow on longer and prevents it from creasing up.  

3. Start with Emerald Noir (#1 in picutre) eyeshadow over the entire eyelids.  Then apply Hot Fudge (#2 in picture) to the creases of the eyes with a crease brush.  Apply black eyeliner (5 pictured)...then smudge it with a small brush.

4. Brush Sand Castle (3 pictured) eyeshadow in the corners of the eyes and under the brow bones.

5. FInally, lightly apply liquid eye shadow in Meteor Shower (4 pictured) in the middles of the eyelids to add a touch of highlights.  Finish off with your best black mascara (6 pictured).  

6. Get a holiday glow on the cheeks with Wineberry (7 pictured).

7. For a subtle lip to complement the dramatic eye, use a lip liner in Deep Nude and then a semi-matte lipstick in Bashful You (8 and 9 pictured).

8. Then I highly recommend spraying down with Finishing Spray so your hard work stays on ALL night.

WIth the right colors...this look is so easy that I fit it into a 1 minute TikToK.  Enjoy!

Shop the look here: https://www.marykay.com/bstillings/en-us/

Watch the TikTok......careful, I only have like 23 followers, lol!

https://www.tiktok.com/@breestillings/video/6904593157137222917

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding rich in protein and antioxidants.

      Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, PUMPKIN is incredibly healthy. What's more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health.  

     Check out my post from Nov. 27th, 2013 to see how I take a Halloween decoration and turn it into many family meals. (In the search bar at the top of the page…..enter “pumpkin” for all the resources) 

     Last weekend, I finally removed our Halloween pumpkin, froze some squares for stew, steamed the rest of it, and purred it for recipes.  (I’ll admit though,  it was looking real cute next to the Candy Cane decorations, LOL!)  I tried a new recipe last night for Gluten Free Bread Pudding rich in protein and antioxidants.

All these ingredients were found at Aldi.

Ingredients

2 cups pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

4 eggs

½ cup coconut oil (melted and then cooled)

½ cup coconut milk

3 ½ cups Almond Flour
2 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon pumpkin spice seasoning

1. Heat the oven to 350.  Lightly grease 2 metal loaf pans or 1 square 8x8 pan.

2. Palace the pumpkin, eggs, oil, and milk in a large mixing bowl and blend.

3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, boda, powder, salt, and seasonings.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

5. Bake for 60 minutes.  Allow to cool.

6. Scoop and serve. 

Served in the picture with a scoop of Almond Ice Cream

Perfect Legging for a PSOC Belly

      Women with PCOS have more of an apple shape.  Because weight gain is triggered by an increase in androgens, the weight is typically in the abdomen....giving us an apple shape instead of a pear shape.

     I have found 2 features that have now become mandatory in my leggings (and there are pockets!)

• Hight Waisted: they stay up and over my belly while working out instead of rolling down
• Compression: I feel this feature sucks in all that extra belly fat and keeps me firm while exercising. 

     You can find both of these features in 2 different leggings in high-quality activewear:

1. The "Light n Tight" legging 
2. The "Brilliant" legging

I've posted a picture of myself wearing my favorite Light n Tights in Pink.  For reference, I am 5'3 and 158 pounds.  I am wearing a 8/10 which is a Large.

To shop:  https://www.myzyia.com/suburbanchallenge

PCOS Voice Up!

      Diagnosed in 2009 with PCOS was 12 years too late. I had already battled cystic acne as a college student with the scars to prove it and I had already had every hair removed from my face with electrolysis. ⁣  Like many women, I thought that my conditions were normal.  I thought every woman had a 7-day period.  I thought every girl had to begin waxing their upper lip at 12 years-old. I thought every woman would pass blood clots the size of potatoes.  Because women are not encouraged to talk about their “issues,” I thought I was just like everyone else. Voice Up Ladies!

     Talking to your doctor is the first step.  However, if they try to put you on birth control...find another doctor.  Getting on metformin would help with fertility, but it came with a ‘bucket full’ (or toilet full, lol) of GI issues.  I finally found, at 40 years of age, a holistic way of “managing” symptoms.  I’ve now had my beautiful beard completely and permanently removed through electrolysis.  Since I’m no longer of child bearing age I’ve had a wonderful procedure known as an Endometrial Ablation.  I no longer need to wear a tampon and a pad at the same time.  I’m still currently researching the best foods to eat and exercise formats for impaired insulin reactions. 

     There is no better time, than our era, to get on Instagram and connect instantly with a Dietician or Personal Trainer who specializes in PCOS.  Why can’t we lose weight? Because our body does not function like “every other woman.”  We are exceptions.  We are beautiful and we deserve to know how to treat our bodies within the syndrom.  We deserve to know that Gluten Free, intervals, and weight training might be the best way to lose weight.   Ladies, Voice Up and find your community!

     My specialty is skincare.  Due to my own struggles, I have researched in depth hormonal effects on the skin.  No doubt about it, hormones and your skin are connected...so what factors are at play when those hormones are affected by PCOS?  I had no idea, until 3 years ago, that other women did not get cysts on their face that were painful and never grew to a “head.”  I had no idea until 5 months ago that acne on the chin area is another feature of PCOS.   I feel like life with PCOS is an uphill challenge, not excluding finding the right anti-aging skincare regime that is also going to address scarring on the chin area. ⁣ I have created a FREE handout where I detail the best 5 products I have discovered to transform my skin.  Get the handout here:  https://myanchorcard.com/breestillings/

Voice up Ladies!

Time Managment Workshop

Stop letting your schedule control YOU!  I have now put together my time management hacks into a 3 Day Workshop.  Register for this free workshop and take back control of your schedule.

https://bree-stillings.mykajabi.com/pl/232866

Guilt-Free Ice Cream Recipe

Wife of the Year Award should be headed my way this year.  Steve decided to try a new diet plan....and as a supportive wife, I decided to do it with him. It is the first time in our 15 year marriage that he has every tried any exercise and diet regime.  I, on the other hand, live constantly on different variations of plans, LOL.   Well, supporting Steve and his recent 22 pound vacancy has had it's positive benefits...I have also lost an additional 5 pounds.  

Of course, my role in the process is huge because, who do you think does all of the grocery shopping and cooking?  That's right.  Yours truly, the now 40-year-old domestic diva.  Using the website of the diet plan, I found this easy ice cream substitute that is based off of the protein powder:

The recipe:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 scoop of protein shake mix.  (We used the chocolate mint flavored mix from the same company. Read * note below)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk or cashew mild (I used cocnut milk because its what we had.)
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes.  Place mixture in freezer for one hour to set.  

* I can not promise the same great results with just any protein powder.  Since this recipe came from the company and works with it's same mix...that is the only perspective I can give you.  Obviously try your mix to see if it works.  But, note that the Isagenix mix per scoop is 12 grams of whey protein, 5 grams of sugars, and only 120 calories.  When we use it as a meal replacement shake, we do 2 scoops.

*If you have any questions about what Steve and I are doing, reach out to me and I can give you a quick summary.  I can also refer you to Steve's link for pricing details.

Glamping Harkers Island, NC

     Tucked away on North Carolina's coast line at the end of Highway 70 is the little known fishing community of Harkers Island.  Known for their Duck Decoy festival every December   https://decoyguild.com/decoyfestival/schedule/  today it was our Spring Break destination with the kids!  https://www.crystalcoastnc.org/region/harkers-island/play/

Where To Stay
     Harkers Island RV Resort - beautiful, but small.  Reserve your spot WELL in advance.  Most of the spots are rented out for the entire season leaving very few nightly rentals.  Get on their books 2-3 months before arrival.  We were able to secure a water front spot for $85 a night in April.  Inland spots go for $75 nightly.  Absolutely beautiful views of the water!!

        

     The bathhouse has only 2 rooms.  Each had a large private shower and toilet that was heated.  There was more water pressure in the sink than there was in the shower and the shower was a push button that has to be restarted.  Twice when I restarted it, I got cold water.  But the shower was the only downside to this community.  It had a great play ground for the kids complete with a Pirate Ship and a clean, small pool to cool off in.  http://www.harkersislandrvresort.com/

Where To Eat on Harkers
     There are very few places on this hide-away GEM.  Here are a few we were able to experience.
Fish Hook Restaurant, within walking distance to the RV Resort was a delicious, local joint.  Fresh fish catches were the special each day.  Kid items available were chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and hot dogs.  There is an ice cream shop right across the street!

Billy's Groceries:  apparently they grind their own beef.  If you are looking for groceries, make grilling at the campsite a meal!  We made the best hamburgers one night with fresh beef from Billy's.  It is located at the main turn into the RV Resort.

Mr. Big's Seafood.  https://www.facebook.com/MrBigSeafood/  This converted shed is easily missed as you drive down the main road, but ALL the locals recommend it.  Unfortunately, when we stopped by to pick up fresh fish to cook at the camper they did not have any available.  There had been bad storms the Friday before (Monday) and they were not unable to go out fishing.....that is HOW FRESH IT IS!  No frozen fish here.


What To Do On Harkers
     Core Sound Water Foul Museum is recommended by all.  Check their website.  When we visited it was still closed due to Hurricane Michael damage and had not reopened.  https://www.coresound.com/

     Island Express Ferry Service - A MUST!!!  located at the end of Harkers Island is ferry service to Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout.  We went with the kids to Shackleford Banks and saw the wild horses.  This was my favorite activity during our entire trip, a once in a lifetime memory.  Pack chairs, bug spray, sunscreen, swim suits, towels, and picnic.  Only 2 items are allowed per person: so a chair and a beach bag.  Shackleford Banks is a completely barren barrier island where the horses run free. The ferry ride is only about 17 minutes.  There is no dock to arrive at, so wear waterproof shoes to disembark from the boat, walk through the water, onto the sand. The water is perfect and there is a small beach area all around the island. Hunt for HUGE shells!  Hike inland or rest on the sand.  Plan to stay about 2-3 hours.  https://www.islandexpressferryservices.com/

     Fish:  there is a great little beach area and the tip of the RV Resort.  It was a nightly walk with the kids to find shells, fly kites, or fish.

OTHER THINGS TO DO
     Historic Beaufort, NC and Morehead City, NC are just steps away!!!!   https://www.crystalcoastnc.org/   Fort Macon...The Aquarium...just to name a few things that we ran out of time to do.

Beaufort,NC
     We spent a day exploring Historic Beaufort, NC with the kids and here is what we enjoyed!
The NC Maritime Museum is a FREE museum with a scavenger hunt for the kids!  Lots of great pirate artifacts for your younger explores to see!  https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/
Black Sheep Restaurant.  We enjoyed the best shrimp pizza from a wood burning stove.  I recommend the Grapefruit Margarita!  There is mac and cheese and a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu for the kids.  https://blacksheepbeaufort.com/

Kitty Hawk Kites - when in Rome...you have to pick up a well made kite from Kitty Hawk Kites located downtown.  I let both Rex and Camilla pick out a new souvenir to take home from our trip.
Beaufort Ghost Walk.  I enjoyed it.  It is about 1.5 hours of walking with a real pirate telling ghost stories.  Wear good shoes, pack a stroller if necessary, maybe snacks for the kids.  Rex and Camilla did great.  It was Steve (the 46 year-old kid) that had to be pushed, LOL!  https://pctourco.com/beaufort-ghost-walk/

The Rum Bar at Still-water Front Street Grill was a great end to our long Pirate Walk.  We ended our night perfectly with calamari and their signature drink: Painkiller!  Amazing!!  Or either I was just tired from walking.  We let the kids share a chocolate tort for dessert to end the night.  https://frontstreetgrillatstillwater.com/the-rhum-bar/

What is the difference between a Serum and a Moisturizer?

What is the difference between a serum and a moisturizer?

Serums are light, fast-absorbing liquids used in addition to creams or lotions. The biggest difference between a serum and a cream or lotion is what the formula doesn’t include. Serums leave out occlusive, or moisturizing ingredients. Most serums are water-based, eliminating oils all together, and work better for oily skin.

The best part of a serum is that most of the fluid is eliminated, so what you are left with is a high concentration of active ingredients. Because active ingredients are more expensive than thickeners, they are also more costly. But when applied properly, a 1 ounce container of serum should last months. Those few drops are super efficient. Serum‘s are made of very small molecules so the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply. Therefore, serum’s are the best transportation for treating a concern: aging, brightness, sunspots, scares,...

Moisturizers are great for locking in water. Serums are a bad match for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, which can weaken the skin barrier. For these people, serum’s may penetrate too quickly. Others need hydration that a rich day or night cream provides. Mature or dry skin cannot get away with using only a serum. I recommend layering a serum under your moisturizer.

How to apply serum:
1. After cleansing your face, apply a pea-sized amount of serum, patting it evenly over your skin.
2. Allow 15 to 30 seconds for serum to soak into the skin. Then apply moisturizer.

You are never too old to start....

     At age 5, Dave's father died.  He had to raise and care for his younger siblings while his mother worked all day at a tomato canning facility.  At age 16 he dropped out of the 7th grade.  At age 17 he had already lost four jobs.  At age 18 he got married.  He falsified documents and joined the army.  In one year he was discharged.  At age 20 his wife left him and took their baby.  He became a cook at a small cafe and convinced his wife to return home.  In 1920, he founded a ferry boat company.  He cashed this business in to start a lamp manufacturing company.  It also failed.  At age 40 he was selling chicken out of a service station.  But, when World War 2 started this business also closed.  His recipe for chicken was rejected 1,009 times.  At age 65, he was finally able to franchise his chicken recipe and he worked until his death at age 90.  We know him today as Colonel Sanders.

     You are never too old to settle or too old to try something new!!

"I made a resolve then that I was going to amount to something if I could. And no hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best there was in me," Colonel Sanders. "One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better."

The word "Busy"....A Vocabulary Shift

"I'm so busy!" 

     How many times do you catch yourself saying that or hear your peers saying it?   Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or Oprah Winfrey (who are probably also very busy) all have exactly what we all have = 24 hours every day.  Our most precious natural resources is time.  Once it is gone, it can not be replaced.  

     Let's look at a 7 day week:

There are 168 Hours in a week.

We should be sleeping 8 hours a night to function at top performance, so that's 56 hours.

Most of us work 40 hours a week at a job.

If we save 14 hours a week for eating, that still leaves.......

58 hours left over each week.  What are you doing with your 58 hours that is so busy?

In those 58 hours, are you spending extra time at work? are you with your kids? are you in a car driving? are you taking time out to nurture your spirit and body? are you working in a hobby?

     I'm not writing this blog to coach you on how to pick and plan your extra 58 hours, that would be a much longer entry involving goal setting, a time study of your life, and choices.  My goal is to shift your vocabulary.  Try this for one week.  Every time you are going to say the word "busy," which gives negative and stressful connotations that some people like to wear as a crown "Ohhhhh, I'm too busy to...." , switch to the word "Abundant." Abundant gives off a positive connotation which will in turn present a positive state of mind, resulting in reduced stress.  Abundant also makes you think about the things you are choosing to do with your 58 hours.  Are they bringing you joy?  I doubt anyone could truly to say to a friend, :"I'm too abundant these days to meet you for dinner.  Let's do it in March when I'm not so abundant."  I'm not arguing against a legitimate conflict.  Not being available because you have tickets to the Nutcracker is a choice you made with your 58 hours and is abundant blessings.  I am arguing us to change our vocabulary word and see if it results in a time study.  If you feel you are lying when you switch to the word abundant, then rethink that activity and schedule your abundance.  

Busy = Abundant

            Abundant in choices

            Abundant in people who want and need you.

            Abundant in liberties.

Say it with me, "I am so abundant this holiday season."

You will shift and become more positive and powerful!

Time Management

The business venture that has rocked my world this past year and a half was to start my own direct sales business.  Many people all around us have started various direct sales businesses, but few have really stuck with it....and even fewer have been successful enough with that business to change their lives with it.  The success I have had thus far has brought so much personal and professional development with it.  That success is due to the time management trick I have learned to master! Here is the excerpt out of Mary Kay Ash's Biography has has made such a big difference for me:  
🌸🌸🌸🌸

"Back around the turn of the century, Ivy Lee, a renowned efficiency expert, promised the president of Bethlehem Steel that he could increase corporate efficiency and sales within 90 days – if he were given a chance to meet with each executive. Lee asked them to list, in order of priority, the six most important things they had to do the next day; any tasks not completed were to be added to the following day's list. Three months later, the company president was so pleased with the results, he sent Lee a check for $35,000, a huge sum at the time. Writing a daily list of things to do is one of the smartest things I ever learned to do. The beauty of lists is that they require you to write things down. If you trust everything to memory, you may never get around to doing even a well-thought-out task. I value my Six Most Important Things to-do list so much, it has been passed on to every Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. Once you work it into your routine, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. Try it for 90 days, and see for yourself."
– Mary Kay Ash🌸🌸🌸. 

My 6 List has been going strong now for over a year. I make it every night before I go to bed so I wake up with razor sharp focus for the next day of what needs to get accomplished. A lot of people ask me how do I teach school, sell Mary Kay, teach aerobics classes, have 3 children, sew clothes,…. Well, the 1st skill that I have, is that I want all of this to happen. When your WHY is pretty strong… Things get done! My 2nd biggest skill, is my list of 6. I’m so devoted to my list of 6 that now I have a new planner that incorporates the list of 6 already. You can see my older one was in a little notebook that I could put in my pocketbook and carry with me everywhere!!

I had to repost this Frittata Recipe!!

This post was originally written in May 2011.  With my dying garden and a bag of wilting spinach in the fridge, I looked up this recipe.  Sure enough, I was able to make four servings out of 1/2 a bag of wilting spinach, two bell peppers, and one onion..... a dream come true for teachers on a budget at the end of the month!!

I love Frittatas! It is a crust-less quiche that is easy to make and has limitless possibilities. It is also a great way to clean out all of the odds and ends of produce left in your refrigerator. Since you are using up produce that would otherwise be thrown out, it is also saving money.  I use to work with a person at Camp Tekoa who would always say, "Waste Not Want Not." That phrase has always stuck with me.

You can make up your own Frittata with any combination of vegetables and meat with this easy guideline:
8 eggs
1 cup of grated cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
chopped fresh herbs
Whisk these ingredients and then incorporate your cooked leftovers/odds and ends. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes in a 10 inch pie pan. Presto, a main entree four four or a side dish for six.

Here are two examples of how I cleaned out the fridge this month:
Zucchini Tomato Frittata:
I had one left over zucchini from the Mango Pasta Salad recipe that was one day away from mold and a pint of cherry tomatoes that I have no idea why I bought them almost three weeks ago.
I cooked two slices of bacon chopped up. Removed the bacon and used the grease to saute the chopped zucchini, 2 leaves of Bok Choy, 1 red bell pepper, and the pint of halved cherry tomatoes. I sauteed them for about five minutes and then added 1 teaspoon minced garlic and four leaves of basil chopped. I sauteed them for one more minute. Then combined the vegetables with the cooked bacon and the egg mixture and into the oven it went.

Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Frittata:
Last year in the garden we grew sweet potatoes. I still have some that we have not eaten but they are too small for baking. So, I pealed one and finely chopped it for a Frittata. Once again, I started off with two slices of bacon chopped up. Once they were crisp, I removed them and used the grease to saute the chopped sweet potato and 2 leaves of Swiss Chard from the garden. I sauteed them for about five minutes before adding the herbs. I used fresh rosemary this time along with the salt and pepper. Returned the bacon and added the egg mixture. FIN.

In preparing your vegetable filling, her are my suggestions. Start out with the thick vegetables in olive oil or grease from meat such as bacon or sausage. Adding bacon or sausage allows some people (men) to be convinced that this egg dish is actually a main serving. But, you can always keep it vegetarian by sauteing the vegetables in olive oil. Soft vegetables like green onions, broccoli, and spinach can go in towards the end of the sauteing time. Cook them for about 5-8 minutes until they all seem soft, then add your herbs and cook for one more minute.

My Garden Sucked This Year....

      Yes....you are seeing correctly.  That is a raised bed with overgrown okra plants amongst a sea of grass and weeds.  What happened?? This blog was started to celebrate how well I garden, cook, sew, and "momma" while working full-time.  The idea was to share tips and techniques with others to encourage Martha Stewart domestic diva status while living in a mundane, suburban community on a minimum income .  I haven't even posted on this blog in over a year!!  Another soft goal for the blog was to hold myself accountable, and make the ordinary extraordinary everyday and not succumb to excesses of why I live a "not so glamorous life." Have a failed my original goal? 

     I have not!  In fact, I think that in my absence from this original collection of thoughts, recipes, and simplified objectives I have actually gotten better and grown into a "multi tasking maven" who lives life "lipstick, heels, and a baby," waking up with a "hello sunshine" attitude.   A year ago, about the time of my last post, I decided to add to my buffet plate of life: entrepreneurship.  It has been amazing!  The personal growth and friendships that have come from this new adventure have magnanimized (I made that word up) my suburban lifestyle.  And....I am going to make it even bigger.  I have decided that God has big plans for me and ALL OF US and I am following his direction and working him into every inch of his plan.....So how about that garden? 

      The biggest lesson I have learned in the last year is time management skills!  I live and breath by a List of 6, every day (thats a separate post).  I set big goals, and then worked my plan backwards....Ok educators, you should be able to relate to the countless hours of CEUs you have spent on Backwards Design.  Apply those principals to your life!  We teachers spend so much time goal setting and planning, then working the plan, then celebrating the small wins....for our classrooms!  Yet, most have never attempted to apply the same template to the ONE thing in this world that should matter first - OURSELVES.  Mic dropped, and yes I am currently reading Girl Wash Your Face.   

      So getting back to this dead garden reflection.  How did I let this happen this summer?  To be honest, I forgot I had a garden in the back yard.  I never once wrote "Garden" into my goal sheet.  I never once, all summer long, listed a garden maintenance chore in my List of 6.  So, the big picture is that......I did not fail this summer!  I just no longer had the same goals.  But I also learned if I want my husband to feel like its nice to have a few plants in the yard, maybe some lettuce, that I will need to include it on my List of 6 or the garden will look like Petter Rabbit's Spa Vacation again. 

Take aways:  As my personal growth continues to climb, I have realized this month that I need to return to a few elements that make me special:  exercise, cooking, and time management are my top skills.  I need to revisit this BLOG!  So, joining the 5AM club, I am working out more and I am going to BLOG.    Challenge for you:  What make you special?  How do you work that into God's plan for yourself?