(TT): Garden Update (video) and more!

I am so thankful for all of the sun we have had. Over 2 straight weeks of sun. I am also thankful for the rain that we got last night, even though it caused a lot of pain and difficulty getting out of bed this morning. The garden needed it.

In my last post I posted a picture of the damage that the roofers had done to our garden. Thankfully, I was able to salvage the garden, and it  wasn't as badly damaged as I had anticipated. Just a little bit of TLC helped get it back and growing again. 

Here is a video of our garden so you can see how it is doing. If you like the little 1 minute videos, I can incorporate more of those onto the blog for recipes and such if you like them.

You can see Baby A's side walk drawings on the porch haha.

Thanks for taking the tour of our garden.

I am also very thankful for the ability to stay home with Baby A, it has really helped her development and self confidence. She is very social and makes friends very easily. She will walk up to any kid ( even a 6 year old) and say hi. I think it is great that she is growing so well. Hubby and I are blessed to have such a wonderful kid.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Happening's Around The Re-Invented Household.: Work Outs, Baby A, Garden Damage, and More!

There has been a lot going on here. I have been super busy with Baby A. She has been learning new things daily. She says "shoulder" "baby doll" "bye bye now" and "help me". I love that she  says "help me" because it is easier to know when she needs my help with things. 

She has been coloring a lot with crayons and side walk chalk. Her brain seems to  be developing at such a fast pace. 

Her baby doll goes everywhere, even the bath tub.

I feel especially good about her development knowing that she is still getting breast milk from a bottle and we are feeding her whole foods, and not the processed kinds.

She will be 18 months old tomorrow~!

Keep an eye out on my blog for my 1 1/2 year progress pictures! I am fitter than ever, although it doesn't show as much as I would like. The reason it doesn't show as much is because the skin on my stomach still has not snapped back. Any other mommies of 1 year old+ dealing with loose skin still? I am feeling a bit self conscious of this issue.

I have been working a lot on organizing our home and our paper work. Getting our life in order has been such a rewarding process. It is not only the physical process of sorting but also the emotional freedom of getting rid of unneeded things. It also feels good to know where everything is at. I was super organized before Baby A, but since her birth my organization went south. Now I am finally getting back on track and it is wonderful to be my organized Type A self again.

I have been working hard in the gym, as has Hubby. We both have changed up our routines and upped our weights. Seeing progress again is so rewarding.

Loading up the weights, not all on yet, but I leg press 250#.

I suffered from acne for years....bad acne. I recently discovered that even natural  sugars make my acne worse. I have long gotten rid of all processed sugars. I noticed a correlation between when I would eat honey or a high sugar fruit and when I would get a major breakout. Now that I have drastically limited my natural sugar intake, my skin is clearing up and I am not getting the major breakouts that I used to.

My skin isn't perfect, but it is getting there! I don't have to wear foundation anymore.

I now keep my sugar intake to 2 bananas a day, and not much else. I chose bananas because they are great for before and after workouts...muscle recovery and limiting soreness.

The garden is doing well despite the roofers dumping shingles all over it! I will be continuing to update you on that. No progress on the avocado trees though, I am thinking the pits we have are duds...that can happen. We will try growing some more pits and see what happens. I would love to have an avocado tree indoors,

The damage left behind by the roofers! This is AFTER first time I cleaned up their mess.

It was supposed to thunderstorm the past several weeks, and still has not stormed yet. The humidity is horrible, but thankfully it is not taking a huge toll on my fibromyalgia!

I honestly think that the Immortal Velvet Hubby and I started taking 2 weeks ago has really made the difference. I feel that it is very anti-inflammatory. It is still too early to tell yet how extensive the benefits are, but it is definitely doing something. I do not feel the muscle fatigue in my work outs like I used to, I am feeling stronger.

We buy this from Surthrival.com. This is the Immortal Velvet Silver.

I quit taking my allergy medicine (Allegra) I have pretty severe allergies and asthma that is flared by my allergies. I however really want to see if I can get my body to build its own defenses. I really feel that the allergy medicine was holding my body back on being healthy. I am completely medication free ( someone who 7 years ago was taking 8 pharmaceuticals a day!). I am living proof that going off medications can improve health. It is not for everyone, but it is working for me. 

How are you? 

What is going on in your life?

I would love to get to know my readers. Though I do not know you, I care about each and every one of you. 

Please comment below if you would like to share some exciting news or even depressing news about your life. I am always here to listen.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

PS- The measurement for the lemon juice in the hummus should be 1/4 not 1/3. I apologize for the typo. I will correct it in the recipe.

Weekly Recap! : Sunshine, Playgrounds, and a Summary of Posts!

It was a beautiful weekend! 

Hubby and I both go to work out at the gym on Saturday, it was a good day for a work out. I have really been pushing my limits in the gym lately and the change is showing!

I am looking forward to sharing my 18 months progress pictures since Baby A was born! It is very exciting!

We spent a lot of time outside on Sunday, another gorgeous day....although the forecast had called for thunderstorms?! What do they know, right ? ;)

Anyway, Baby A got to play at the playground for 2 hours and make new friends. It was wonderful watching her crawling and climbing, and doing new things! 

What was your weekend like?

Now on to what you have been waiting for!

The Weekly Recap.

I hope you find some posts you enjoy!

1.Last weeks Weekly Recap
2.ReInvented Recipe: Mildly Spicy Hummus with Hemp Hearts


3.(TT): Growing Avocado Trees. New Roof, and To-Do Lists

4.Diaper Rash Cream Recipe


5.Wanna Know More About Cloth Diapers?

Have a wonderful week!!

Keep reading.

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Wanna Know More About Cloth Diapers?

Over the next several weeks/months....I will be posting more about cloth diapers than I have previously! We have full time cloth diapered Baby A since she was born. Her first diaper was a cloth diaper...in the hospital!

Anyway, we live in an apartment and I have been getting a ton of questions on how to care for cloth diapers. We have used many different kinds, so I will be posting more about the diapers we have used, washing routines, and more. 

Please leave any cloth diaper related questions in the comments!

Your questions will help me decide what to post about first and how many more posts I do on cloth diapers. I want to post about what you all are interested in!

ASK AWAY!

I am listening!!

Be Happy Healthy and Strong,

Lolli

Diaper Rash Cream Recipe {CD safe}

We buy and have bought California Baby's wonderful diaper cream. Even though it does not seem to harm our cloth diapers, and works wonderfully...it IS a bit pricey to buy all the time.

Baby A is prone to diaper rash as she absolutely loves spicy food. Even when I was pregnant with Baby A I craved spicy food. Unfortunately, the spicy food and Baby A's bum do not get along. She ends up with a rash after the goes #2.

I decided to come up with a diaper cream (zinc oxide free) that would work for her little bum to keep it from getting bad rashes.

It has not caused problems with our diapers, we have everything from hemp to cotton to bamboo to microfiber. I will say though that I cannot guarantee whether it will or will not work with your cloth diapers. Please check with your cloth diaper manufacturer before use, and use at your own risk.

In addition, this diaper cream contains essential oils. Some babies may or may not do well with essential oils. Please talk to your health care provider before using essential oils on your baby's bum.

All that aside, here is a recipe that works fantastically for Baby A's diaper rash. It makes a pretty large batch!

Lolli's Coconut Lavender Diaper Cream 

What you will need:

8 oz cup

Lid for cup

Spoon or Stirring Stick

Coconut Oil

100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil

100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

100% Aloe Vera Gel ( not juice)

How to make it:

1. Put 6 oz. of semi solid coconut oil into container
*if it is easier you could also lightly melt the coconut oil to mix, then resolidify, but doing it this way is just quicker and easier for me.

2. Add in 2 oz of aloe vera gel

3. Add in 2-3 drops of lavender and 2-3 drops of tea tree. Adjust essential oils for child's sensitivity. As little as 1 drop will work for some kids. Omit and just use coconut aloe mixture if your child is really sensitive.

4. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly!! 

5. Place lid on container

6. Keep in a room that is approx. 70, more than that it will melt and cooler tham 65 it will become completely solid. I keep it in Baby A's room and it is just fine.

I hope this recipe helps your child as much as it has helped mine!

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Please see my disclaimer page. If you use this recipe you do so of your own free will, I (author) & ReInventing Lolli blog will not be held responsible for any outcomes resulting from you making this or any other recipe on my blog. Use common sense and talk to health care provider and manufacturers whenever necessary. If gluten free please verify all products are gluten free before using/consuming.

(TT): Growing Avocado Trees. New Roof, and To-Do Lists

The past couple of days have been really noisy around here. The apartment complex decided it was time for our building to get a new roof. The roofers started at 7:45 am yesterday. It was loud and noisy the entire day....until approx. 4:30 pm. There has also been noise off and on today. Baby A was not thrilled. On the bright side however, I got out of my to-do list for a day, and was able to spend a great deal of quality time with Baby A! It was over 80 degrees and sunny outside. We got to take a walk, go to the library, and play on the playground. Baby A made several friends yesterday. It was a great time. Blessings come out of even the most inconvenient circumstances.

This past weekend Hubby and I decided to start growing avocado trees indoors. We eat a lot of avocados. All you need is the pit, some water, toothpicks, and a cup...and a window full of sunshine. We figured it couldn't hurt. I have heard that avocado trees make great house plants. It is fun to try new projects. I am really thankful that Hubby and I have the ability to try so many new and wonderful things!

These avocado trees are 6 days old today. Nothing has sprouted yet, but it could take a couple of weeks.

You can see roofing shingles left behind in the outdoor part of the window sill.

I am so very thankful for so many things. The weather is beautiful again today! I cannot wait to go to the beach this summer. Hubby, Baby A, and I spent quite a bit of time in the sand last summer, and we hope to do it again!

What are you thankful for?

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Re-Invented Recipe: Mildly Spicy Hummus with Hemp Hearts

Ok, so anyone on my facebook page knows that I promised a yummy hummus recipe! Let's face it, who wants to eat hummus with vague ingredient labels that costs well over $4 a container! We used to do that all the time, but not anymore....and you don't have to either!

Try this recipe and see if you still want that store bought stuff!

Mildly Spicy Hummus

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of garbanzo beans pre-soaked 

OR

1 can of garbanzo beans rinsed

2 tablespoons of hemp hearts

1 tablespoon organic extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup lemon juice 

pinch of sea salt (1/4 tsp)

2 tablespoons tahini

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder ( optional)

Cayenne pepper or hot sauce (to taste)

1/4 cup filtered/spring water

In a food processor blend the hemp hearts and tahini together with the olive oil.

Add in the garbanzo beans, blend for 1 min.

Add in the remaining ingredients except water. Blend until smooth.

Add in the water and blend 1 more time for 30 sec to 1 min.

Using a spatula, remove the hummus from food processor and place in a container. Serve with carrots, celery, or non-GMO blue corn chips!

A little side note:

I used freshly squeezed lemon juice from my juicer. I also used hot sauce instead of cayenne pepper as I haven't bought more recently. The hot sauce I used was Frank's Red Hot Original because it does not contain a lot of added ingredients. If you are looking for a starting measurement, try 1 tablespoon of hot sauce or 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne, do a taste test once blended to see if you need more.
Make it to your taste buds liking!

I also used Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts, but any good quality hemp seeds should do. I have also made this with Nutiva.

If you want a plain hummus. omit the hot sauce/cayenne, and add maybe a little more lemon ( not a lot, like an extra tablespoon or so).

We make this hummus at least twice a week. It is delicious.

My friend Stacy had originally taught me how to make a basic hummus, then you all know how I am, I have to go and change things and add my little twist. But I wanted to give her a shout out and a thank you for teaching me....

Have you made your own hummus?

This hummus is less expensive than store bought and tastes wayyyyy better! It is so easy too!

Baby A eats it up so fast that there isn't always enough for Hubby and I!

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

***

See my disclaimer page. Make all recipes at your own risk. Do not copy or use my recipe for profit, you do not have permission to do so. If you post my recipe on your blog/site/book please give me credit by linking back to this post. I spent many hours in the kitchen coming up with this recipe on my own. You saw it on Re-Inventing Lolli blog first.

Remember you saw these recipes first here on ReInventing Lolli blog :) If you use one of my recipes, please give me credit, as I work hard to come up with all of my recipes.

Always check labels for gluten free/ allergen free status before using any ingredients.

Be careful when handling sharp objects, never leave children in kitchen unsupervised.

Weekly Recap! And a Belated Mother's Day Wish!

I apologize for my lack of posting, but I was enjoying a wonderful Mother's Day weekend with Hubby and Baby A!

I want to wish all the mommy's out there a very Happy Belated Mother's Day!

I am so blessed that I have  a Hubby who let me take a day of rest yesterday. He cooked and did the laundry, and brought me flowers! Baby A drew me pictures outside on the porch with chalk.

The best reward was time spent with them and lots of hugs!

What made your Mother's Day special?

Here's last week's posts in case you missed them.

I hope you find something you like...

• Weekly Recap: A Little About My Weekend
• (TT): Fitness, Being A SAHM, Gardening
• Very Inspiring Blogger.....Are You Inspired?

Last week I didn't post as much as it was a very busy week here at home. However, I hope that you enjoyed the posts all the same.

Happy Monday!

Have a great day!

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

Very Inspiring Blogger...Are you inspired?

ReInventing Lolli was just awarded the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! I am very honored to have been nominated by Lanaya from Raising Reagan. Thank you :) 

I have to admit there are times when I wonder if my blog is interesting enough, or if people read it! It is nice to know that people do read it, and like it. Thank you for following me on my journey of re-invention.

Thank you Lanaya!!

The idea of this award is to help you get to know me a little better. I will tell you 7 random facts about me, and then pass the award on to 5 other bloggers.

Hopefully these are all things that I haven't told  you yet!

1. My absolute favorite color is black. I think that it is classy. It can be dressed up or down when in reference to clothing. Actually, Hubby's and my wedding colors were black, white, and silver. Nope, no other colors....and it looked classy :) 

pictures of our rings on the reception table. 

the cake my mother & father made for our wedding. it was gluten free :)
you can see the diamond scatter...it was on every table.

2. At one point in my life the idea of exercising was frightening to me. I didn't think that I would ever be where I am now. I couldn't hardly bicep curl 3 lbs. now I am bicep curling at 22.5 lbs!

3. I cannot stand lima beans. No matter how healthy I get and how many vegetables I eat, I will probably never go near a lima bean. That's okay with me, I get enough greens through other foods.

4. If I could live anywhere in the world, I would actually choose Arizona. I like Arizona and it is fun. I have also always wanted to check out Australia, but I would have to visit first. I am not sure I would want to up and move to someplace I have never visited like that, hehe.

5. I didn't play sports in high school, but now that I am older and wayyyyy into fitness. I really wish I had done track or volleyball. I think I would have been really good!

6.  I squeeze the toothpaste from the middle of the tube, and nope I will never change. No matter how hard it is to get the toothpaste out at the end. Call me weird, but I just like it that way.

7. After years of dyeing my hair multiple colors, I have finally grown it all out. My hair is 100% color free virgin hair again. I am excited about that because my hair is so much healthier. It was brittle before!

me as a blonde, 2009

my hair, oct 2012, the same way it is now

I am very excited to announce our newest "Very Inspiring Bloggers", Congratulations, and thank you for inspiring me! When you recieve this award, it is my hope that you will pass it on!

• Happenings of the Harper Household - You are such a great mom to your kids! You are very creative too. I also have to say that the "Watch Willow Grow" series has melted my heart, she is too cute... both of your kids are!
• Mama Natural - You are inspiring! As healthy as I am, you still find ways to challenge me and help me grow in my journey. I love your recipes, and the way you bring healthy news to people in a fun and unique way...and that Chia Drink recipe you posted yesterday.... just had to try it the moment I saw it!
• Keeper of the Home - Your blog is so full of information! You really are a super mom, and I love that you put your kids/family health above pretty much everything. I feel like your values are in line with mine and that makes me smile. I am always learning new things. You were the first place I learned about re-mineralizing teeth, and then I went on the research more on my own.
• This Flourishing Life - You were my first blogger friend! I have read every post of yours, and you are truly an amazing person. I love that your recipes are allergy friendly, and that you are so creative with the foods that you make, despite so many restrictions. You seem like a kind and genuine person, and that is rare these days!
• Happy Mothering- Your blog is amazing. I love your posts! I have read almost all of them, everything from recipes to GMO's to mealworms. Your posts are informative and helpful, yet light hearted! I look forward to each new post.

And if I hadn't been nominated by Lanaya, but someone else, I would've been nominating Raising Reagan. I love reading about your parenting journey, the recipes, and so much more. You write about so many things and you keep your readers wanting more! 

Have a fabulous day ladies, and spread the love!

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli

(TT): Fitness, Being a SAHM, Gardening, Thankful for Life.

Every day there is so much to be thankful, I could blog daily about all of the blessings in my life. 

I have many hardships too, but I choose not to let those steal my focus from the good things in life. 

I am so thankful that I was able to wake up at 5 am today to go to the gym. I did not feel well (fibromyalgia) yet I went anyway, and I couldn't be happier that I did. I still do not feel well, but I feel better than I did before. Just getting into the gym and lifting weights was a huge accomplishment. I also upped my weights on most of my exercises this week.

pic from last week, didn't take a pic today.

I am pleased that the pollen count in our area is lower over the next couple of days. I have been wanting to open my window :) It feels so nice to have fresh air coming in the windows without my allergies flaring.

I have been getting a lot done around the house lately. Sorting and getting rid of things that no longer serve our family's lifestyle. It is freeing to get rid of things. The happier I am with my life and myself, the less I need things in my life to make me happy.

I am thankful for our new shoe organizer that is keeping our shoes all neat and tidy. It was getting out of hand in the entry way.

I am thankful for Baby A, she has been saying new things daily and some of her new phrases and mannerisms are the cutest ever. How about this? She is only 17 months old and knows how to sit in time out. We don't yell or spank in our house and use the word "no" sparingly. We use time outs for temper tantrums and other outburst ( like if she throws things, etc). It is really working. She is only a baby though so its a 1 min. time out, followed by a hug, but she understands and corrects her behavior very well for being so young.

We finished our garden this week as well. We only had a couple of seeds left to plant. I am so grateful for our balcony so we can at least grow a potted garden. It is wonderful to see the sproutlings coming up already from the plants we planted previously! Baby A even helped plant seeds and had a blast.

our garden & Baby A's chalk artwork ;) 

the hot peppers that were in Baby A's window from Feb.
they weren't flourishing in window, so planted. left planter plastic on to
not damage plants.

I love that I get to stay home with my daughter. Contrary to how people make it sound, it is not easy to be a stay at home mom. I hear excuses from people all of the time saying " I don't get to sit at home all day, so I can't cook or clean....blahblahblah". Honestly, I hardly EVER just get to sit. My work day does not end. I have been blessed with a Hubby who helps out in the evenings....thankfully! :) Even though I have help in the evenings I still have to make dinner and get things ready at night. I am not someone who "sits and eats bonbons".  I run the sweeper daily, do 4 loads of laundry a day ( babies are messy), clean up the messes Baby A makes, clean and sweep the kitchen all day long, cook all day long ( we make almost every single thing from scratch that we eat), I hang clothes and make beds...etc. There is a ton of things I do daily. This is a mini rant. However, I am blessed to get to stay home to be the person to raise my daughter. I am happy that a day care is not raising her or a grandparent or a neighbor....I am the person home with her. My Hubby and I are raising her...and it shows. She is so happy. Just yesterday a lady in the grocery store said that Baby A is the happiest baby she has ever seen!

I am grateful for every aspect of my life and would not change a thing.

Life is beautiful.

What are you thankful for?

Be Happy Healthy & Strong,

Lolli