James called and said words I wasn’t expecting:

“We just had an all-staff meeting. They are cutting 30% of our church’s ministries, support staff, and pastoral staff.”

Wow.

As decisions were made by the senior staff, the next few weeks were high stress. Of course, everyone was tense at church with the potential of their uncertain future.

But we tried to protect our home from becoming the same environment. Of course, we talked about it some, but we tried for the “unknown” not to consume our household. After all, Noah’s birthday was coming up. My parents were coming in town to visit. We had a perk trip to the Bahamas with Beachbody in a few weeks. Gratitude seemed to make more sense than anxiety.

About a week before the final decisions were made, I was praying for James when God brought our son, Noah, to my mind.

Michelle, how has Noah behaved differently the last few weeks?

Differently? Hmmm. Well, he’s played. He’s smiled and laughed. He’s gone for walks in his stroller and played at the park. He’s yelled at Bauer and tried to throw everything he can in the toilet. He’s hid my cell phone…and my keys…and the TV remote. I guess he hasn’t behaved any differently.

Exactly.

Umm, God? No offense…but I’m not following where You’re going with this.

Noah’s not behaving any differently because He’s not fearful for his future. You’ve always cared for him and provided for him. What reason have you given him to think that would change?

That’s when it clicked.

If Noah doesn’t doubt his imperfect parents, why would James and I doubt our perfect God?

After all, we can’t forget where we were this time last year. We were beginning our 3rd week in the NICU with Noah after he was born 8 weeks premature. At the time, we’d never gone through anything so difficult… but God used that situation to bring Himself so much glory. Weekly, people still comment on Noah’s pictures and tell me how seeing his face reminds them of God’s faithfulness.

After that, my anxiety stopped. God gave me a peace in my heart that I can’t explain.

Let’s be real here. How does it make sense to realize my husband is going to lose his job and be okay with it?

Even more…how can I actually be excited about it because I can’t wait to see how creatively God provides?

Two weeks ago, James did end up being one of 12 full-time staff members let go.

Instead of asking a lot questions, our hearts are full as we wait in anticipation for God to reveal Himself and His plan. I know we’ll tell this story someday, and the hand of God will be so evident, we won’t even remember the insecure moments.

God has already spoken and taught us several lessons over the last week. I’ll be sharing them on the blog so stay tuned.

It’s good. Trust me.

For my prayer warriors, here’s how you can pray for us:

1) Please be praying for the church we just left. Being down 12 staff members, everyone who remains has new roles and a heavier workload.

2) Please pray for our next place of ministry. Pray that God will bring the next place we should serve to us quickly and that He will be shaping our hearts to best serve Him where He places us.

3) Pray for our house in Austin to sell & that we will find a great place to live in our TBD city.

4) Pray God will continue to bless my Beachbody business and provide for us financially during this time of transition.

5) Pray for Noah to stay healthy and stay flexible as the next few weeks/months will probably mean travels, packing a house, unpacking a house, and getting adjusted to a new environment. He is resilient…but at the age of one, he is already a creature of habit!

6) Pray for God to continue to send us sources of encouragement and reminders of His provision.

“Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” — Job 4:6

We didn’t want to do a big party, but we also wanted to celebrate getting through our first year. Especially with Noah’s scary start, we knew we had a lot to be thankful for. This party was our way of sharing our gratitude for those who have been by our side as we navigate parenting.

Here’s a glimpse of the whole table.

You’ll never come to a party at the Myers’ house without some healthy options. I covered a large plate and two small plates to make a fruit tray that was shaped like Mickey.

I used a recipe for skinny red velvet cupcakes, then I added the oreo and mini oreos (stuck together with some vanilla frosting) to make Mickey toppers. They were a hit!

For the recipe, check out one of my favorite sites: Dashing Dish.

Even though he skipped his morning nap, he enjoyed the party. He really loved being the center of attention.…though I can’t imagine where he inherited that trait!

I have some really good looking boys. Just saying.

Next year, we’ll probably have another Mickey theme. Oh TWO-dles!

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

A lot of people get off track of their fitness and nutrition goals while traveling. Mainly, I think it has more to do with a lack of preparation rather than a lack of discipline.

For that reason, James and I always pack snacks for our trip to ensure we always have healthy options available. Since we are currently packing for our perk trip to the Bahamas with Beachbody, I thought I’d share a few snacks we always pack:

Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds

These are the perfect travel treat. You get all of the health benefits of almonds with a dusting of dark chocolate powder. I love the individual packs when traveling simply for the convenience factor. Though these packs are only 100 calories, they’ll keep you full for longer because almonds are a source of healthy fat and protein. An added perk if you’re traveling to the beach: they won’t melt!

Larabars

The fewer the ingredients on a label, the healthier the item. These bars all have 5 ingredients or less, and they are amazingly filling! My two favorite flavors are pictured here: chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter chocolate chip. SO good!

Justin’s Honey Peanut Butter & Maple Almond Butter individual packs

This is one of my favorite brands of nut butter, and I love that it comes in individual packs. Peanut butter and almond butter are staples in our house, but it’s not always easy to find natural versions when traveling. I’ll take one of these packs and an apple to the beach with me for a great afternoon snack.

Shakeology

My vacation lunch of choice! When I’m at the beach, the last thing I want is a hot lunch. I’d much rather have ice cream. That’s where Shakeology comes in. I get the taste of a milkshake (chocolate, greenberry or tropical strawberry) and the nutritional benefit of the salad bar! Shakeology keeps me full for less calories…which will allow me to splurge on a few vacation meals without any added guilt.

What are some of your go-to snacks to keep you on track while traveling?

I’m not a vegetarian, but every once in a while when I make a meal like this, I wonder why I ever fool with meat. (If my husband reads this, he may disown me.)

At the Farmer’s Market this past weekend, I got tons of fresh produce…including some amazing portobello mushrooms and fresh Texas pecans.

I’m not sure why…but I was immediately intrigued to use them together.

After my lunch today, I am super glad I did! Allow me to introduce my portobello pecan wrap…

You will need:

1 Multi-Grain FlatOut! Wrap
1/2 medium portobello mushroom, sliced
2 TBSP light balsamic vinaigrette dressing
2 TBSP hummus
1/2 cup spinach
1/8 cup raw pecan pieces
**Feel free to add any other veggies you might like. I think next time I make this, I may add some yellow peppers & cooked sweet potato strips.**

Instructions:

In a small skillet, saute mushrooms for 5–8 minutes, or until fully cooked. About three minutes before you remove from heat, coat mushrooms with vinaigrette dressing.

Heat FlatOut! wrap for 30 seconds in the microwave.

Spread 2 TBSP hummus down the center of the wrap.

Place spinach on top of hummus.

Place mushrooms on top of spinach.

Sprinkle pecan pieces on top of mushrooms.

Wrap, and enjoy this incredibly nutritious and delicious vegetarian treat!

Option: If you are eating this for a meal, simply cut diagonally down the center for two even wrap pieces. However, this would also make a great appetizer for a dinner party. As pictured above, you can cut each wrap into 4–5 bite-sized pre-meal pleasers.

Before I became a mom, I had time to make steel cut oats, scrambled egg whites & fresh berries for breakfast every morning.

Enter Noah…and good-bye extra time in the morning!

I’ve had to get creative with quick breakfasts since James and I are now using Shakeology to replace dinner or lunch.

Obviously, I still love oatmeal…but it’s not a complete meal since it’s lower in protein. This recipe gives oatmeal a protein punch (aka proatmeal) with the use of muffin tins for portion size and convenience. Enjoy!

You will need:

1 cup Egg Whites
1 egg
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1/8 cup stevia
1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder (This is the one I use — it’s best for baking!)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Place all ingredients in blender, and blend until smooth.

Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.

Fill muffin tins.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

For an extra breakfast treat, slice muffin in half, toast in toaster oven & spread with 1 TBSP natural peanut butter.

“Don’t eat after seven o’clock.”

I’m not sure how we developed rules that imply calories count more depending on what time you eat them. Allow me to bust a common myth.

Foods remain the same amount of calories at 8pm as they are at 8am.

However, the reason why most people gain weight who snack at night is because they ingest extra calories. Plus, most people are less active at night.

So if you’re someone who works out at night after dinner, or you’re simply someone who sleeps better with something in your stomach, it’s okay to eat at night as long as you follow a few rules.

Save around 150–200 calories for post-dinner snacking.

Remember, weight gain comes with consuming extra calories at night. So as long as you plan for 200 calories post dinner in your day, you’re fine. Since I recommend eating 5 times per day to keep a speedy metabolism, this is as simple as cutting out 50 calories in your other meals and snacks throughout your day.

Side note: While I don’t recommend counting calories as a lifestyle choice, when your goal is losing weight, it is important to keep track of calories since nutrition is roughly 80% of the weight loss battle.

Stay away from spice and high-fat foods.

Fatty foods are harder for your body to digest, and spicy foods can lead to indigestion. Both of these can interrupt sleep patterns, which can also jeopardize your waistline. (Click here to read more.)

Snack on foods that promote healthy sleep.

Serotonin (the body’s calming hormone) has been proven to be increased by eating oats, poultry and potassium rich foods. Sticking to these food groups will not only satisfy your hunger, but also improve your quality of sleep.

Here are a few suggestions:

3 oz. grilled chicken, 1/2 cup spinach leaves, & 1 tsp dijon mustard in a whole wheat tortilla

1 serving old fashioned oats with 1/2 banana

2 brown rice cakes, 1 TBSP hummus and 3 oz. turkey breast

1 medium apple & 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (Check labels & look for lower sugar.)

2 stalks celery and 1 TBSP natural peanut butter

My Little Man

I can’t believe in less than three weeks, my baby will turn 1! I try not to think about it…but I keep seeing that Dreft commercial that reminds me:

“You have a child forever, but you only have a baby for a year.”

Enter Mommy sobfest.

I began reflecting on several tools that have been exceptionally helpful to us, so I wanted to share them with you.

In random order…

Bubble Oodles

This bubble dispenser has 5 ports, which helps to create lots of bubbles with one quick puff of air. Noah has enjoyed playing with bubbles since he was about 4 months old. They were great for eye tracking when he was younger. Now, he likes to chase them and pop the ones that land on the ground. It’s so fun to watch him. Not only is the dispenser a great tool, but these bubbles are also non-toxic, which is important at this age, because they can’t understand they aren’t supposed to eat them.

Side note: Because they are non-toxic, they are pretty sticky. I highly recommend using these outside only. But on rainy days in a pinch, we have used them in the bathtub too — quick clean up!

Homedics Soundspa Lullaby

Noah definitely got used to our sleep machine while we were co-sleeping. This particular one has been a great addition to his nursery. Not only does he love the ocean & rain settings, but it also has a projector option for the ceiling. It projects a color image of stars, the moon, and a sheep. The projection serves as a nightlight and something soothing to watch while he drifts off to sleep.

Happy Baby Food

99% of the time, I make Noah’s baby food. (Click here for more info on how I do it.) But for the remaining times that we are traveling or out and about when Noah needs to eat, these baby foods are great. Noah has had Stage 1, Stage 2 & Stage 3 meals. He also had the yogurt melts for the first time today, and they were a huge hit. These products are 100% organic without any additives or preservatives. It’s the closest you can buy to homemade.

Dr. Sear’s The Portable Pediatrician

It’s no secret I love Dr. Sears. I agree with his parenting style, and I love reading his books. This is by far one of the most useful tools I’ve had over the last year. It’s easy to look up symptoms, learn home remedies and know when it’s time to go to the doctor.

Just a few weeks ago, I was able to read in this book & schedule an appointment because I knew by Noah’s symptoms that he had an ear infection. When we arrived at the doctor’s office, she said his ears looked fine. We came back the next day because his symptoms persisted, and sure enough, he had an ear infection. The descriptions in this book were so good that I was able to know what was wrong with him before physical symptoms began. No mom should be without a copy of this!

Boon’s Flo Water Deflector & Faucet Cover

As Noah gets older, bath time keeps getting longer. He has so much fun splashing, playing with his water squeeze toys & of course, getting his hair washed. Now that he is super mobile, you can’t be too careful by getting a cover for the faucet. We love this one because it makes the water into a waterfall, which fascinates Noah. AND it doubles as a bubble bath dispenser, so Noah won’t outgrow it for a while. I’m willing to pay a few more dollars when I know he’ll use it longer.

What are some of your favorite things to use during your baby’s first year?

Versatile recipes that go into a slow cooker are my FAVORITE! This is a recipe that I adapted from Clean Eating Magazine. It’s quickly becoming one of our family favorites.

A little spice. A little sweet. A little YUM!

You will need:

4 5 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 garlic cloves
2 TBSP lime juice
2 TBSP natural creamy peanut butter
1 TBSP low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 TBSP red curry paste
3 packets stevia
1 1/2 TBSP coconut flour
1 Roma tomato, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
1 TBSP natural red wine vinegar
2 cups shredded red cabbage

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in slow cooker.

2. In a blender, combine broth, garlic, 1 TBSP lime juice, peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, curry paste & 2 packets stevia. Blend until smooth. Pour over chicken & stir to coat. Cook until chicken is tender (On low, this should take 6–7 hours.)

3. Remove chicken & place on a cutting board. Allow chicken to cool.

4. Remove 1/2 cup broth mixture from slow cooker & place in a bowl. Add coconut flour to bowl & stir to form a smooth paste. Return broth/flour mixture to slow cooker & whisk until smooth, then cover.

5. Using 2 forks, shred chicken & return to slow cooker & stir to coat. Cook for 10 mintues.

6. Combine cucumber, tomato, onion & mint in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, 1 TBSP lime juice & 1 packet stevia. Mix thoroughly.

7. Divide cabbage for individual servings, and serve over steamed vegetables, quinoa or brown rice. (Leftovers also go great in a whole wheat wrap for lunch the next day.)

Enjoy!

Chocolate, VEGAN Tropical Strawberry & Greenberry Shakeology

“Michelle, I would love to try Shakeology, but I’m sorry. I just can’t afford it.”

Whenever someone tells me this, I want to apologize to them.

Not because I think they’re poor.

But because I haven’t done a good enough job helping them realize the importance of Shakeology.

The truth is, we all operate within a budget. Sure, some of us have a little more flexibility to spend than others, but we all make decisions on how we will spend our money based on our priorities.

I recently read an article in Time Magazine that highlighted what the average American spends annually in a few categories. Here are a few highlights:

Coffee: $1,092
Lunch: $2,000
Pets: $1,183
Soft drinks: $850

To a person who hates animals, it may seem absurd to spend almost $1200 on a pet. But I don’t see $1,200 when I look at my sweet puppy (And if you have a pet, I’m sure you don’t either!)

A person who thinks Starbucks is overpriced may scoff at dropping over a grand on coffee. But to the woman who meets with her prayer group at Starbucks every morning before work, she wouldn’t trade that $1,000 for anything.

And the business man who drops $2,000 a year by taking clients to lunch? That’s nothing to him compared to the income those meals bring in by helping him maintaining great relationships with his clients.

See my point?

If it’s important to us, we’ll find a way to make it work If not, we’ll make an excuse.

Since breakfast can be done healthy for cheaper, you could substitute Shakeology for lunch or dinner. You could use half a scoop daily. You could split a bag with a friend and drink it every other day.

You DO have options, and you could make it work.

So if you’ve thought about trying Shakeology, but you’ve told yourself it’s too expensive, please take 2 minutes and watch this video.

Hint: You want to watch it all the way through. You’ll be glad you did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAA3BX2nrBU