Good morning! How’s it going, friends? I hope your day is off to a fabulous start!
It’s time for another Photo Dump, which means I’ll share all sorts of random photos from my iPhone. This bunch is definitely a fun mix. Enjoy!
Our little monkey chowing down on a banana. Look at that intensity! Haha! He loves bananas as much as I do!
Back at Body Pump. Our family recently joined the local YMCA, where they offer Body Pump classes. For the new readers, I used to be obsessed with Body Pump. It was actually what jump-started my weight loss after college and got me in shape for my wedding. I actually loved it so much I used to do it at home in my living room!
“Noodling” at the pool. One of the main reasons we joined the YMCA was for the pool. Quinn and I go to a weekly “Water Babies” class and we randomly pop in during “open swim” to play in the pool, so we love going to the Y.
Waiting for Quinn’s first haircut. That band-aid! Poor guy.
A very expensive basket. I recently saw this basket at Crate & Barrel and wanted to buy it for our firewood, but when I looked at the price ($120), I just couldn’t do it. I know I can find something similar for much cheaper, so I snapped a pic for future reference.
THE bag (aka “Dawn” diaper bag). Oh my gosh… best bag ever. I took this pic to send to my sister-in-law since she’s in the market for one too. Of course, I had all good things to say about it!
A good hair day. I recently started using ACURE Leave-in Conditioner + Sally Hershberger Glam Waves Texture Spray in my hair while wet and letting it air dry. For someone who has barely wavy hair, it actually gives me some pretty awesome waves without much effort!
Having a blast in Newport. This photo cracks me up. Quinn looks so unhappy, but I assure you he was not. He was actually in an awesome mood, but decided to slump down and act miserable when my father-in-law snapped this photo. Haha!
Goose gang at Southfield during one of my runs. Do geese freak anyone else out? I always think they’re going to attack me. I ended up running on the side of the road to avoid these guys. And a potential attack.
Quinn helping out during our recent Pottery Barn consultation. Remember when I mentioned this a few weeks ago? We signed up for a free consultation and it was so helpful. We definitely have a better idea of what to buy for our home now.
A recent vegetarian dinner. I’m not giving up meat, but I’m definitely trying to cut back to see if it helps with my UC symptoms. I figured I’ve tried every other diet out there, so we’ll see what happens!
My grandma’s porch. She recently had some work done on her house, so my sister sent this photo to my cousins and me along with a joke about the donut holes we may or may not have put inside the walls when it was first built. We were like 10 years old, so I wonder what happened to them after 25 years?
Broken glass from my iced coffee. I’m such a space cadet sometimes. I left my mug of iced coffee on top of my car, so when I stopped at the end of my street to pull out onto the main road, it went flying and broke into a million pieces all over the pavement. I’ve never forgotten my iced coffee on the top of my car, and I rarely ever bring glass with me in the car, but, hey, I guess there’s a first for everything! Oops!
Cinnamon Toast Butter. OMGSOGOOD. I used this in a recent batch of my Mom’s Apple Crisp, so I texted her a photo to tell her how delicious it turned out. If you haven’t made my mom’s apple crisp yet, you’ve gotta try it!
A big can of pumpkin puree. I opened it on Tuesday and don’t want it to go to waste, so please share your favorite pumpkin recipe!
Questions of the Day
Got a delicious pumpkin recipe to share?
Ever forgotten something on the roof of your car?
Are you afraid of geese?
P.S. Be sure to enter my giveaway to win a $100 gift card to The Vitamin Shoppe. I know you want to try some of those nut butters and pancake mixes! I will pick a winner tomorrow morning.
86 Comments
Would love an update on if any of the diets you are trying get your UC under control. I’ve tried a bunch always thinking that they will help so would love to know if you have any success!
Pretty hair!
Body pump is such fun. I WISH my gym had a swimming pool… I miss swimming so much!
Also, whatever did we do before we had phones to take a ridiculous amount of photos on? So nice that EVERYTHING can be documented these days 🙂
Give some to Murphy! Dogs love pumpkin and it’s great for them. But I also love the simple recipe of chocolate cake mix and pumpkin puree Put in muffin tins and boom. So soft and delish.
Roof of my car -> Forgot my bouquet on top of the car before Senior Prom.
Pumpkin smoothies!
My sister recently made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Soo good! I don’t know what recipe she used, but I’m sure you can find one! Definitely not that healthy, more of a treat, but, a girl’s gotta live sometimes!
I am SUCH a fan of Body Pump! I also started it after college and it’s what made me realize that lifting weights and strength training is totally ok – and actually great – for women. I really miss it, but I’m excited to try it in my apartment!
I put this pumpkin donut batter into muffin tin instead and bake for 22-25 min. So much happiness!
http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2012/10/seasonal-sweets.html
That looks delicious!!
these pumpkin cheesecake bars are pretty delicious…
http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/healthy-cheesecakes/pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-baking-recipes
Yummmmm!
Hi Tina. I’ve been reading your blog for years and have a baby of my own, so I love hearing about your life with Quinn. I’m wondering if anyone has ever recommended using certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils for your UC. They are completely natural and can work wonders. Let me know if you are interested in learning more and I can send you some info. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
hopefully this doesn’t come off as creepy but Quinn has such beautiful hair!!
also +1 to pumpkin smoothies!
The pumpkin pancake recipe from Diane Sanfilippo – its on the Balanced Bites page and is so good! I bet Quinn would love them too!
I mix pumpkin purée into my bran cereal with milk, raisins, walnuts & mixed spice. Leave in the fridge overnight and voila, a lovely breakfast ready and waiting!
I usually just freeze extra pumpkin in amounts that I use in recipes.
I love photo dump day!
Random question for you Tina…have you ever tried slippery elm for your UC? Recently, I have developed some intense acid reflux and while visiting my doctor he mentioned trying slippery elm. In my research I came across an article: https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/slippery-elm noting that it often suggested to help treat UC. Just thought I would share with you. From one person with never ending stomach issues to another.
Thanks for the link! I’ll check it out!
LOL:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/if-parents-talked-to-each-other-the-way-they-talk-to-their-kids_561fa77ee4b050c6c4a46b81
Haha this reminds me of my wedding this past summer- the day before, my mom and dad were running around setting up our venue (our wedding was very DIY and we had mountains of stuff to move that day!) Well, my Mom put the car keys to our house and our rented moving van on the roof of my dad’s little car, without telling him. Of course, he drove off to run one of a zillion errands. Needless to say, it added some serious wedding stress and those keys are never to be found! Sheesh!
Hi Tina,
I know you have tried pretty much every diet out there, but I am curious if you have tried the Autoimmune Protocol diet? I am having some health issues myself and this has recently been brought to my attention; I have heard of it before but never looked into in too deeply. After researching it a bit more, I thought if you hadn’t heard of it, it may possibly be of some interest to you…
All the best!
Yea, I did the AIP for 4 months. It didn’t do anything for my symptoms, but I know a lot of people have had success with it. If you want ideas for meals/snacks, just drop me an email!
I wasn’t afraid of geese until this summer. I am training for my 1st marathon (which is this weekend) and on my long run I was attacked by a goose. My husband was on a bike behind me and I heard him yell “Hey” and then all of a sudden a goose was on my head. OMG!!! I was running and batting at it and screaming. All of this was probably pretty funny to the onlookers (and my husband..haha). By the time he got it away from me I was laughing and crying all at the same time. Now I am so paranoid every time I have to pass by them.
I’m trying this tonight (with GF flour)- looks so easy!
http://www.theleangreenbean.com/pumpkin-skillet-cake/
I left my earbuds. I heard something but didn’t realize it was anything falling since they were so light. When I realized I didn’t have them I went back but couldn’t find them. Such a bummer but that’s all I’ve done. Sorry about your cup!