Motherhood is a season when we want so much to be present with our kids. To give them our full focus and to be free to laugh and play and run and wrestle with these little gifts. We want our minds to be concerned with what concerns our families. We want to plan meals and days around them. This is what we dream motherhood will be like. So, when a mom is preoccupied with her self… when she is constantly thinking about what she eats or how she looks…whether she has
Health/Fitness
Let’s Talk about Moms and Sugar {Episode 29, with Wendy Speake}
Hi Friends! Quick question: What do you run to when you hit the afternoon slump? When you're stressed? Bored? Celebrating? Or anxious? I think we all have something we are inclined to reach for when the going get's tough... Well, no matter your answer, I'm so excited to share today's podcast episode with you! In today's episode, Wendy Speake and I talk about the heart of her brand new book, The 40-Day Sugar Fast, which is about
Easy Lentil Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
I love October for so many reasons, only one of which is the return of all of the comfort foods! I'm not great about following seasonal food rules (I could, and do -- eat soup year -'round) but I somehow feel good knowing it's legit time to start making hearty, warm, wintery foods. Yay! Since this Shepherd's Pie recipe has been making the regular rounds in the Swanson household lately, I thought I ought to share it with you. LENTIL, VEGGIE, SHEPHERD'S PIE: There could
Raising (physically) Healthy Boys {Podcast Episode 011 with Erin Mohring}
Hi friends!! It's been one week since Boy Mom released into the big wide world and my head is still spinning from all of the excitement. I had such a fun celebration with my family, then a launch party with some of our good friends on the island, and then I took off for Seattle to gather with some of my dear childhood friends for a 30 year (pretty big number) class reunion. Isn't it funny how childhood friends can bring out the kid in you? We laughed so hard my face
When you’re Fed Up and Ready to Lose Weight. (or make any lasting Change.)
As we begin this summer season, most of us have some kind of list in front of us. I would guess that most of the items on the list are either related to productivity (me anyways: cleaning out closets, writing deadlines, organizing my life, haha--good luck!) or entertaining the children in your life (summer camps, day trips, play dates...and so on.) Some of it is good fun, and some of it we do just because it's the right thing to do. I guess that's what
The Good, the Better, and I’m Getting Shoulder Surgery Tomorrow. Coffee Date: May is Crazy Edition.
May News, updates, and epic links...Time for a Coffee Date. Ok, so this Coffee Date may call for a venti, extra-hot whatever-you-drink. I've got one super-packed post, and I'm short on time, so let's caffeinate well, and dive in! I hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend and that you're keeping sane, because there's no way around it -- May is always cray-Z. It's end-of-year-everything, right?... Final exams, graduations, weddings, summer-planning, and the kids are all
Healthy, Sweet, Carrot Salad
Healthy, sweet, carrot salad recipe. Perfect for spring, (Easter!) or anytime. Happy Easter Week! I hope you are well, and that your week is both fun and meaningful. Our week has been packed with Jonah's Hawaii Regional Debate tournament (he and his partner took 2nd in the final!) as well as church gatherings, and (more) guests in town. :) It's all kinds of exhausting fun. I'll be hosting for Easter dinner, and as I pondered the menu, I knew salad would be a
Surf Updates and Inspiration from Son #3: Luke.
Sooooo....It's been a long time since I've shared a "surf update" around here! Back in the day, I shared a lot of these, and many of you kindly endured followed along with them. ;) I don't post as often anymore so I'm always hesitant to make things all about us. But... But in the past few weeks a lot of people have asked questions about Luke's competitive surfing: About his new sponsors and about his future plans. And (maybe most importantly) "could he be
