Good morning! Happy Hump Day!
I visited my new nephew, Matthew, yesterday afternoon. He’s only a day older since the last time I saw him, but he’s already so different. The first day I saw him when he was only 24 hours old, he just slept and didn’t do much. Yesterday, though, he had his eyes open, he was squirming around, and he even sneezed a few times. He’s so cool.
Four generations: My sister, Mom, Grammie, and Matthew!
Lunch
My mom and I brought lunch to my sister’s house yesterday and kept it simple with make-your-own-sandwiches. My sister and her husband have barely slept since Matthew was born, so we wanted to make things as easy as possible for them. We also stocked their fridge with lots of delicious food, so they don’t need to do too much cooking in the coming days while they try to get into a routine with Matthew and begin to adjust to their new life.
Snack
When I got home from visiting Matthew, I had a major craving for chocolate chip cookie dough, so I got a little creative in the kitchen and whipped up a gluten-free and egg-free batch using almond butter, almond flour, honey, vanilla extract, and white chocolate chips. It turned out so well and totally satisfied my craving – I just ate it straight from the bowl! Mmm!
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”JJquPhUV” upload-date=”2019-08-27T15:26:07.000Z” name=”No-Bake Gluten-Free Edible Cookie Dough” description=”No-Bake Gluten-Free Edible Cookie Dough”]
Ingredients:
- 2 heaping tbsp creamy almond butter
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp chocolate morsels
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp honey
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Directions: Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Grab a spoon and enjoy!
Workout
At CrossFit yesterday, the Skill part of our workout was selecting a goal for July, writing it on the Goal Board, and then working on it for 15 minutes. I picked a Muscle Up.
I’ve made some decent progress this year with many of my CrossFit skills, but the Muscle Up is just something I haven’t worked on at all. It actually sort of scares me, and, for some reason, I think it’s totally out of my reach, which definitely won’t help me achieve this goal. I figured if I set this goal and aimed high, I’d spend a lot of time working on it and maybe not get a Muscle Up in July, but make enough progress that I will in August or September. I think half the battle is committing to a new goal and actually working at it, so, hopefully, I’ll make some progress in the coming months.
Questions of the Day
Do you have a niece/nephew? Any tips for being a kick-ass aunt?
What are your goals for July?
CrossFitters: Any tips for muscle ups?
119 Comments
Can’t wait to try this out. I can’t eat eggs, so I always love these recipes.
Awe little Matthew is adorable! Glad you got to spend some time with him. Newborns are the best.
I have a niece and a nephew – but they’re only like 6 years younger than me so I guess I’m not the best Aunt in the world;)
ahh baby Matthew is SO cute!! tips for being a kickass aunt- give them everything their little heart desires and then let their parents teach them moderation š this july i plan to run 2-3 days a week in addition to 3-4 days a week of bar method. im kicking up the cardio for july!
Congratulations on the birth of your nephew! My summer goal is also to get a muscle up on either the bar or the rings. I’ve been watching a ton of videos and I think the key is all in the hips. I’ve practiced with a band under my butt and worked on exploding up and over the rings, but I haven’t gotten it yet. Good luck!!
Matthew is so precious! Best tip for being a great aunt is just to spend time with your nephew. The “cookie dough” looks like a must try. I have to say, I think I like the cookie dough better than the cookies! š
My July goals are to run a 10k in under an hour and to get my eating back under control. Cutting back on the sugar for sure.
Great 10k goal!! You can do it! š
I’m an auntie to my five-year-old niece! She was a surprise for our family, but I think she was a blessing we all needed. Best thing to do is just PLAY with them and be their buddy – they love it! Being around a growing child makes you take in a different perspective of the world and its an amazing feeling!
Goal – to clean my eating (more Paleo/whole) and continue to progress forward with CrossFit. There have been some bumps along the start of my CF journey but its my main focus now!
I had twin nephews born in late April and I haven’t see them in person yet. My sister lives in D.C. and I’m in Kentucky. Time to plan a road trip soon!
This is right up my alley! I’m totally with Kim, I enjoy eating cookie dough more than I enjoy eating the baked cookie! Num!
Congratulations on becoming a new Aunt!! I’m expecting a nephew the first week of August and am soooo excited – I can only imagine how you must feel!
Tell him you love him all the time, always make time to play and BABYSIT!!!! Gives Mom & Dad alone time as well as QT for you and your nephew.
So adorable!! I love the photo with Matthew!
Awww…Matthew is SO adorable!! How exciting to have a new little one in the family!
That cookie dough looks so awesome and I can’t wait to try it!
Watch some Youtube videos on Muscle Ups, there are some great tutorials out there for MU progressions!! Good luck, you’ll be stringing them together in no time!!
“He even sneezed a couple of times. He’s so cool.” That was one of the cutest things I’ve read in a while. So glad you’re enjoying being an aunt! I love love love babies!
My goal for July is to try one new thing a week. I’m excited about it, and I think it could get interesting when I head to Costa Rica for 2 weeks at the end of the month!
I also have a goal in general to be able to lift more with my shoulders. For some reason I have a really hard time getting weights above my head, so that’s definitely a goal!
Yum! Using almond flour is such a good idea. I’ve tried other “cookie doughs” that use protein powder and think they’re disgusting, ha. Will have to try this!
Love that idea for cookie dough – will have to try that soon. I have such a sweet tooth that recipes like this are helpful and ensure that I don’t “over indulge” frequently!
Congratulations on your nephew! He’s beautiful…I actually have 6 nieces and nephews (all from older half siblings) and I’m definitely the cool/favorite aunt (or so my niece tells me). I stay with them with my brother and sister-in-law go out of town and while they are older now (10 and 14) I can easily get down on there level and really talk to them. Plus I spoil the monkeys out of them on the holidays…always give them Easter baskets, candy on Vday etc. Oh chocolate chip pancakes! I think that is what they really love me for.
Oh Matthew is just a doll!! I have one niece that I am just CRAZY about and I don’t get to see her much since she lives 9 hours away from me š
Can’t help you on the Muscleup (but totally a long-term goal of mine too!) For being a kick-ass aunt, I never forget birthdays or Christmas and I only mildly discipline, “Do you think you should be kicking your brother?” I always hug and kiss hello and goodbye.
My goal for July includes (1) focusing on studying for the MCAT (only a few more weeks until I take it! Eek!), (2) upping my running mileage without getting injured, and (3) not get eaten by a bear on our trip to Yellowstone later this month! I’m so excited for 2&3…not so much for 1.
My goal for July is to run my 5 miler in a few weeks under 40min!
Pretty sure I’m going to make that cookie dough as soon as I have a chance this afternoon…yum!!
Your nephew is so adorable…4 generations is such an amazing/special thing, too!
I think you’ll have no problem being a kick ass aunt! You are extremely lucky to live so close to family. Offer up some free babysitting. Your sister and BIL will love a night out and you’ll get some quality time with your nephew.
Cookie dough is soooooo good! Being an aunt is the best! I’d say showing up with random goodies is a sure way to be “kick-ass” š
Aw, congrats on your sweet nephew!! My niece just turned 1 last week and she’s pretty much my favorite person ever. Being an aunt is so fun!!!
Good luck with your muscle ups!! I hope you share the progressions you use. I’m still working on them too and I want mine SO BAD. Lots of chin up and dip practice, but I’m still not quite there.
Being an auntie is my favorite thing ever! I actually have a rather large family ( I am 1 of 8 children) so I have 8 nieces and nephews, and one more due this month! I think the best thing you can do is be sure to attend all get togethers, whenever possible. They grow up SO fast, and I love that my oldest nephew still calls me “auntie Amber” even at 11 years old! It’s an awesome feeling! Good luck with Matthew and congrats to mommy and daddy!
My first nephew was born 6/24, so I am right there with you on the journey of becoming a first time Aunt š Congrats!
That’s so nice of you to stock up their fridge! I bet they’re exhausted from their new lido.
Haha cookies are best straight from the bowl! I’ve actually made some eggless recipe so I could just eat the dough. #noshame
I have a gorgeous adorable 5 year old niece who is my little princess! Just be yourself I’m sure you’ll be awesome! š He’s adorable!
When my brother had his first child, I found all these adorable clothes I wanted to give for Christmas. My boyfriend told me “don’t be THAT aunt” and made me get toys instead. He was right. š
Yeah!!! Go get that muscle up. I’m working my little heart out on a strict pull-up. I practice pretty much every single day at home.
Being an aunt is the best! My sister is a lot older than me, so I’m actually closer in age to my oldest nephews than to her–odd, but it’s been fun. They’re all grown now, but when they were younger, it was cool to be a sounding board for them as they went through the teen years. I found I could say things to them that would hear, where they were mostly just ignoring their parents. It was nice to feel like I was positively influencing their lives.
Matthew is adorable! I’m not an aunt but I have lots of friends with babies so I like to call myself one š I love how we think everything babies do from blinking to sneezing is so amazing, haha!
I have one niece who is 20 months and another on the way. My advice is to get down and dirty and play with them!
wooohooo Muscle Up!!! We just went through a 6 week muscle up progression at our box, and A LOT of people got them! Since you are a rockstar at pull-ups, I have no doubt you’ll get a MU with your hard work and practice.
PS your nephew is ADORBS!
My kids have fantastic aunts. Call often, visit when you can and give lots of hugs. Facetime has been wonderful for my sister, who lives up your way near Boston. We feel like we get a visit in.
I’m an aunt through marriage, and my nieces are older. I haven’t been with them since birth, so I don’t know if I have a secret to being a kick ass aunt, but I think I might be one by accident. š — My niece Ashlee was inspired to run her very first half marathon with me in September (it will be my 4ht)! AND she invited me to go with her to Warped Tour.
An indication that I MUST be pretty cool. š
Congrat on your nephew!! How incredibly cute!!
Is this one serving? more? less? thanks. I can’t find almond flour actually – the only one I’ve seen in my local grocery is 16 dollars which is so ridiculous –that is not gonna happen!! š
It’s up to you how much you want to eat! š
I’m with you on the muscle up. we did “Amanda” the other day (muscle ups & squat snatches..a total ego check of a workout) and I actually said out loud “I’m just pretty sure the muscle up will be the 1 thing I never do”. It just seems SO out of reach as I’m not even remotely close at it and although I’ve gotten so much stronger in everything else, I haven’t made any progress on that skill. So, I hope you share whatever you do to hit that goal, b/c I’m all ears!!
Babies are so fun! Mine is just about 6 months old…they grow sooo fast so enjoy every moment you get to spend with him! You are a fun person, so I’m sure you will be a great Aunt!
July goals…keep running injury free :).
I just bought almond flour so must try that!
Matthew is precious- congrats to your family! Your sis looks great already, too!
My goal for July is to continue to expand my functional training workouts. I’m really enjoying creating my own!
July is my birthday and I’m considering asking for the personal training certification course for my present…so that’s a HUGE fitness goal š
I can’t wait to be a friend-aunt!
I want to be injury free in July!
Being an aunt is the best! I don’t have any kids myself, but I love being able to spoil my niece. That no-bake cookie dough looks really good. I’ll confess, though, I’ll the regular kind too!
Anything that involves cookie dough ALWAYS has my name on it! š
He is just too cute! I’d say since you’re the aunt, just spoil the crap out of him! š
My goal for July is to not die of a heat stroke while training for my half marathon!
Wow. that cookie dough looks amazing!!! I used to make cookie dough when I was younger and just leave out the egg so I could eat it with out actually making the cookies. It’s odd how cookie dough is better than the actual cookies made from it.
That cookie dough looks phenomenal! I’m going to have to remember that. It looks so easy too (which is my favorite part).
The cookie dought looks delishh but anything with almond butter is like an adiction to me so i’m afraid to try it haha
I have 14 nieces and nephews (yes, 14. My family is Catholic). My advice: be present. Go to ball games, recitals, graduations. I wish I had done more of that because I am not as close to my nieces and nephews as I wish I was.