Life is Beauty Full (and a Free Printable)

The days come and go so quickly and if I am not incredibly intentional with my thoughts, they do just that....they come and they go.

Life is beauty FULL.  It is absolutely full of beauty if we open our eyes to it.  If we stop rushing around and slow down just long enough to notice the beauty in the day to day...the beauty in the mundane.

Every morning, the sunlight pours in through my laundry room window.  It cast itself in such a way that literally every time I stop for just a second and notice it, it captivates me. Every. Single. Time.

A messy kitchen counter on a Saturday morning.....is beautiful. It means a slow morning, muffins, and happy kiddos.

Making coffee like we do every morning.  That stainless steel french press, the whipped coconut oil, and the thick golden honey swirling around in the almond milk.....it's really quite beautiful.
and let's face it....I always think coffee is a beautiful thing.

The sun shines through our front windows, through the wooden blinds, and directs it's light onto ordinary, every day objects in the most beautiful way.  The brightly colored berries and oranges, my cup of coffee, and that succulent....I set it down and I looked over and I saw it....beauty.

The many creations of my inspiring little girl. She is beautiful. Her creations are beautiful. She sees beauty in everything and helps me to as well.

Slow down today. Look around you. At first glance, things seem just like they always are. But look again and take it in.

Life is Beauty Full.

Peanut Butter Banana Power Smoothie

It's GREEN!
It's YUMMY!
It's packed full of goodness for your body too!

This is my favorite green smoothie because it truly tastes like a treat.  And, I love peanut butter and banana.

This is my go-to when I've had a busy day and afternoon hits and I haven't gotten the in the fuel that my body needs.  It's my go-to quick breakfast when I have to head out the door.  And it's a great post workout smoothie too!

Peanut Butter Banana Power Smoothie

8 oz. Unsweetened Almond Milk
Vanilla Protein Powder
PB2 powder (2 Tbsp)
1 ripe frozen banana
1-2 Tbsp chia seeds
2 big handfuls of fresh spinach leaves
a few ice cubes while it's blending
*a few drops of liquid stevia if you need it sweeter, but it typically doesn't need it.

SO, SO good!

I use Plexus P96 vanilla protein powder. It has a great taste, only 100 calories, only 4 carbs, no sugar, and has 15g protein.

PB2 powder is a great alternative to actual peanut butter. Less calories and fat but still all of the goodness and protein of peanuts.

And my favorite Stevia is the Sweet Leaf brand, in the liquid drops. No after taste and it's pure. And the liquid mixes with anything!

Enjoy!!!

Calling All Coffee Snobs

Let's talk for a minute. Over a cup of coffee....shall we?
This. This question.  These words.  I cannot even begin to count the times they have been on my lips.

I. LOVE. COFFEE.

Plain and simple.  Wait, let's not get all crazy and confused. I do not love plain and simple coffee. I am, for better or for worse, a coffee snob. 
There, I said it.  It's true.
I like a good, smooth, dark roast brew. I like it brewed strong. If you can see through it, forget it. If it's a good brew, it doesn't need anything to be enjoyed. Mmmmm, but I do love a good shot of espresso and a good latte.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BAD COFFEE.

Why even go there?  I mean really. I just can't. 
Have I been known to drink a cup of average coffee to stay awake on a long drive?  Ahem...yes, yes, I have.  Did I like it?  No, no I did not.  But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.  You've got to put on your big girl pants and drink that gas station coffee and drink it black and keep those eyes open and on the road.  We don't chit chat over coffee like that.  We shoot it.

Oh, but a good cup of coffee is one that you savor. You enjoy it from the very moment that you open that bag of beans.  The smell of good coffee beans seriously makes me smile and often takes me down memory lane. You laugh and talk about life in between sips. 

I kid you not.  Most all of my sweetest memories, life giving conversations, precious gatherings of friends, have taken place over a cup of coffee.

Now, I love going out for coffee as much as the next.  I love the culture of coffee houses.  I love the feel, the atmosphere, the smell, and the people I meet.  However, life and the ole' check book is not so condusive to me going out for coffee all that often.  So, we have cultivated our own little coffee culture here in our home.  And I absolutely adore it.  I get to combine three of the things that I love the most in life: good coffee, having people in my home, and good conversation.  I love to hear people's story.  I love for my children to grow up in a home that values time spent loving on people and of course.....good coffee. They must value good coffee.  ;)

So, pull out your favorite mugs and bake a little tasty treat...

 (Pumpkin muffins by Against All Grain)

 ...brew some good strong coffee...

 ...invite a friend and have a seat.

Savor every moment, every sip, of this life we've been given. 

Believe it or not, empty coffee mugs are some of the best kind...remnants of a sweet new memory, another page in your story.

Yummy Coffee additions:
*coconut oil, honey & almond milk, blended
*pure, food grade lavender oil
*pure, food grade cassia (cinnamon) oil
*pure vanilla extract