For today, I decided to link up with some fabulous bloggers to share “A Day in the Life…”. I love to know how everyone does it – full-time working mom, part-time working mom, stay-at-home (but always busy) mom. What happens each day? And how does everyone do it all?!

For the time being, I’m mostly a stay at home mom – but work about 10 hours/week consulting for small, local companies. I don’t have help/nanny so I try to squeeze everything in while Mr. President is sleeping. BJ travels for work (often gone 2-3 nights/week), so sometimes it feels like a lot. But I love it, and wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Even though I’m sharing yesterday with you, this is a pretty typical day in the life of {will run for margaritas}. BJ is out of town (like most weeks), so I’m covering it all today.

2am: Mr. President wakes up. Crying. Screaming. “Mommy”. Poor guy is teething and congested. After 10 minutes, I go in, change his diaper, and try to calm him down. He calms down, snuggles up to me, and we rock as I try to get him back to sleep.

No such luck.

We end up on the floor, in a makeshift bed. He’s up until 4:30am but eventually falls back to sleep.

6:30am: Mr. President wakes up and is ready to go. Me? Not so much.

We get up. I read him a few books. And head downstairs for breakfast.

7:15am: Breakfast. Today we’re having waffles (slice of toast for me), fresh fruit, and a smoothie. I “splurge” on a cup of Green tea.

8-9:30am: Playtime. LJ and I hang out. Lots of trucks, puzzles, books, and learning. I also vacuum the house during this time, since I don’t dare vacuum while he’s asleep (moms, can I get an AMEN?!)

9:30am: Nap for Mr. President, free-for-all for me. Put away clean dishes, put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Clean-up from breakfast. Start a load of laundry. Answer emails. Do 1 hour of work. Pick-up the house. Make the bed. Put away clean clothes. Maybe, just maybe, I have time for a quick (uninterrupted) shower.

11am – 2pm: LJ is up and ready to play. We eat lunch. Today we’re having fish, rice, and avocado. After lunch we bundle up and head out. Errands include Whole Foods and the Post Office. We go to the library and meet up with a friend + her son. The library is a great place for the boys to run around and burn off some energy.

2pm: Nap for Mr. President, free-for-all #2 for me. 45 minutes of work. More laundry. Clean up lunch, toys, snacks on the ground. 30 minutes cleaning the basement (I’ve committed to cleaning the basement since baby #2 is on the way). Prep dinner.

3:45-6pm: Snack time. Play time. It’s warm – for January – so we bundle up and go for a run + post-run playtime at the park. We see friends at the park and play for an hour. Head home to eat dinner.

6:15pm: Dinnertime. Salsa verde pulled chicken + corn tortillas, avocado, and sauteed peppers + onions. It’s a huge hit (recipe coming soon).

7:00pm: Bath, books, bedtime. I read anywhere from 5-10 books before bed, we love to read. After I turn out the light, I rock with LJ and sing to him. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day! Just the two of us.

8:00pm: Mr. President is in bed, sleeping. I pick-up bathtime toys, clean-up the kitchen, straighten up the playroom. Grab laundry from the basement and start folding. Turn on trashy TV, tonight it’s BRAVO’s Millionaire Matchmaker (and if I wasn’t pregnant, I’d be drinking wine too).  Grab my computer, answer a couple of emails. Unwind.

10pm: Bedtime for me. Can’t wait to sleep!

There you have it.  A typical day in my life as a {part-time work-from-home, runner with a 15mo old + #2 on-the-way mom}.

What does your day look like? How do you do it all?

Link up a post about your day & check out the other “Day in the Life” posts.

And just like that, 2014 is over.

I say this every year – but 2014 went by entirely too fast. I haven’t slept in 14 months but I wouldn’t change a sleepless night for anything in the world. Now that I’m a mom, the days go by way too fast.

2014 was a good year. Like any year, there were ups + downs, really great times + some really hard times, lots of laughs + a few good cries. But it was mine, and I’m thankful I’m still here, one year later.

• My baby turned ONE. Ummm, fastest year of my life.
• We traveled – San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Florida, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Ohio, North Carolina. We explored, had fun. Saw old friends. Ran races. Mr. President met his great-grandparents (96 + 94 years old!).
• I partnered with Transamerica to run half-marathons around the US, raising over $20,000 for charities (St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, IM ABLE Foundation, and ASPCA)
• Found out I’m pregnant with baby #2 (and wonderful, unexpected surprise).
• Went on a handful of dates with my handsome husband! There weren’t many, and it’s mostly because I was (am) way too tired to get ready, but it was fun to get out and enjoy a night together. Just the two of us.
• Run with my PIC 2-3 times/week. We have so much fun exploring and talking.
• Went back to work part-time, got a promotion, lost a job. Maybe this is a sign I’m supposed to be with LJ full-time (instead of part-time)
• Breastfed my baby for 13 months. I’m so thankful we were able to make it one year+. Even crazier that I kept my baby alive for 6 months on breastmilk only. The body is incredible.

I love you to the moon & back!

I was hoping 2014 might hold more PRs and races than it did, but it took me awhile to want to run again after having Mr. President (5 months to be exact). Races and PRs aside, 2014 was a wonderful, blessed, crazy, fun year. I’m so thankful for my family, their love + support, my curious + adventurous little guy, legs + lungs that carry me through (tough) runs, a healthy pregnancy, and husband that works really hard to provide all we need (a house, food, and enough so I can spend most of my time/days with LJ).

I hope your 2014 was a wonderful one, filled with love, races, margaritas, and PRs.  Cheers to 2015!

This time of year I go crazy for Christmas cards. I never thought I’d say this but I kinda go a little overboard on selecting, designing, and printing the perfect card for our family. A good card can go a long way!

But I don’t stop at just Christmas cards. No! I love cards for every great occasion: save-the-dates, birth announcement, first birthday parties, and more.

I’ve been using minted for years. I love their unique designs from independent artists.  Minted believes that great design lives and thrives in the hands of independent artists that people do not have access to through traditional retailers. Minted uses technology to allow consumers to discover great creative talent, making Minted a place where artists can learn, gain exposure, and build their businesses. 

And because the designs are one-of-a-kind, I get to send out my one-of-a-kind card, no matter what the occasion.

Need a save-the-date? Minted has you covered (now featuring their new collection of S-T-D’s)
Want to announce the birth of your new baby? Yep, minted’s got that.
Birthday party, baby shower, or party decor? Check, check, check.
Holiday cards? Of course minted has it.

I can’t say enough great things about minted, their designs, and services (ahem, free address labeling!). If you want something different, something that people won’t want to throw away, check out minted. You won’t be disappointed.

It’s a fitness party you don’t want to miss!

Stop by SoulCycle Bethesda on December 20 (8am-6pm) for a GRAND OPENING party! There will be a DJ, photobooth, and refreshments from Sweetgreen.

{flash giveaway}
SoulCycle was generous enough to give me 3 FREE class passes to raffle off to 3 lucky readers ($30 value). For 24 hours, enter to win a free class pass; must be able to use the class pass at the Bethesda location. (winner will be announced tomorrow 12/19/2014 at 5pm EST and notified via email)

Comment below to win: what’s your favorite workout & why?
*add a comment for each entry

More ways to win –

Follow on Instagram:
SoulCycle
Run4margaritas 

Follow on Twitter:
@soulcycle
@run4margaritas

{about}
SoulCycle, the country’s premier indoor cycling studio will open its second studio in Bethesda on December 20.  As a fitness enthusiast, I couldn’t be more excited!  SoulCycle is all the rage in NYC – and I can’t wait to experience the same workout in my hometown.

At over 3,000 square feet, SoulCycle Bethesda features a 53-bike studio and a SOUL retail boutique, selling SoulCycle’s original clothing collection. Additional rider amenities include showers, bathrooms and a locker area. SoulCycle D.C. is located at 4931 Elm Street, Bethesda MD. If you live or work close by, there’s no excuse not to try a class – the amenities are perfect for those on-the-go.

{soulcycle experience} 
Over 10,000 riders a day ride at SoulCycle to release stress, burn fat, tone muscle, and change their bodies and lives.  The SoulCycle experience is high energy, joyful, results-oriented, and community based. At SoulCycle, riders engage in a high intensity cardio experience (burning between 500-700 calories in 45-minutes) while also toning their upper bodies using hand weights and practice core-engaging choreography. The exercise program focuses on rhythm, and the “energy of the pack,” which creates a strong bond between instructors and riders.

I’ve never been a huge fan of protein powder. I’ve tried different brands and different flavors but the results are always the same. Somehow, no matter what, I end up with a drink I put down the drain. It’s always too chalky and I can always always taste the protein.

With baby #2 on the way (yes, I realize I haven’t officially announced #2 – more to come on that), I really need to get more protein, even when I don’t want it or have an appetite. When my Doctor told me that protein shakes are the easiest way to get more protein, I cringed. But I hate protein powder.

That is, until I tried Skoop.

Skoop. A line of powdered, whole-food sourced super nutrition. It’s how mother nature does performance enhancement.

Because I need protein, I decided to try B-Strong. B-Strong is a plant-based protein (with 10 servings of fruits + vegetables/serving) that’s antioxidant rich, gluten-free, and non-GMO. But better than plants and 16 grams of protein/serving, it tastes delicious – and maybe that’s because I can’t taste it. So my green smoothie tastes just like my green smoothie always has, and that’s pretty awesome!

Formulated for plantheads, meatheads and everyone in between, one serving of B-Strong® contains 16 grams of plant-based protein, including essential and non-essential amino acids. With vitamins, minerals, prebiotic fibers and Omega-3, 6, & 9 fatty acids, B-Strong® works with your body intelligently. It’s protein for the masses, not just the massive.

In addition to B-Strong (viva-nilla), there’s A-Game (sweetgreens) and B-Lovely (renewberry). Each flavor is packed with fruits + veggies, protein, and more. Check out this Product Comparison Chart to know what flavor is best for you (Super Simple Superfood Blends).

I can’t say enough good things about Skoop! It’s delicious. It’s healthy. It’s full of fruits + veggies. And it helps people in need (for every serving of Skoop sold, Skoop donates one serving of free fresh fruits and veggies to a school lunch program in America).

I love Skoop so much that I’ve become an Authorized dealer. If you’re interested in trying Skoop, order through my page (affiliate link). I have some fun goodies to give you (for each purchase) and I promise you won’t be disappointed (or I’ll buy your Skoop from you).

Skoop Green Smoothie  
Lacinato Kale (3 big leaves)
Swiss Chard (2 big leaves)
Handful of Strawberries
Handful of Blueberries
½ Banana
Slice of Lime
Slice of Fresh Ginger
Chia Seed + Flax Seed
1-2 scoops of Skoop Protein
2 cups of water
2 ice cubes

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth. Enjoy!

For more margaritas and recipes, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://instagram.com/run4margaritas
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

Disclaimer: I was given product for free, but was not otherwise compensated. Opinions are my own.

Local company, Alive Juices, is launching a new webinar series, #BeAlive. The series will feature local nutritionists, doctors and fitness experts all based in the DC/Baltimore region. Alive Juices hopes the series provides insightful and useful information for individuals looking to improve their physical and mental health.

Join Alive Juices for the first in the series, “Eat well, Be Well”, hosted by Certified Holistic Health Coach, Natalie Taggart. Natalie will discuss how to listen to your body’s natural signals to decode cravings, increase metabolism, and lose weight effortlessly.

The series starts tonight, November 25, 2014, at 7:30pm. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8935482871874874625

About Natalie

Natalie specializes in helping busy women who are sick of dieting to quit restricting major food groups or counting  calories, grams, or points of anything. She wants people to listen to their body’s wisdom so they can discover  authentic joy and confidence in bodies they love!

Two years ago Natalie was working at a stressful job she hated and was struggling with panic attacks and burn-  out. She knew she needed to start putting her health first and began cleaning up her diet and taking better care of  herself.

These simple steps toward health dramatically improved Natalie’s life! She was so moved by her experience that  she left her job to pursue a career in health coaching.

Natalie received her training as a Health Coach from the prestigious Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She learned from world-renowned experts like Dr. Weil and Dr. Deepak Chopra. She also has a B.A. from the George Washington University and a M.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

For more margaritas, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://instagram.com/run4margaritas
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

It’s amazing how a children’s book can touch you so profoundly.  I’d never heard of or read On The Night You Were Born before Mr. President was born, but the first time I read it, with my baby snuggled in my arms, I cried. I cried because I’d never felt love the way I loved Mr. President. It was combination of love, overwhelming love, and blessings.  I’ve never been more thankful for anything in my life.

Mr. President was born on a Saturday night.  So every Saturday night (plus many, many other times throughout the week), we read On The Night You Were Born before bedtime. We read it without fail.

With his first birthday fast approaching (I mean, fastest year of my life!), I scoured my mind and Pinterest for creative First Birthday Themes.  Then it hit me, we’d celebrate “on the night Mr. President was born”.

I spent weeks designing, creating, and painting for his FIRST birthday party.  And in the end, it was all worth it.  I couldn’t be more happy with how it all turned out.

Happy Birthday, little guy.  I love you more than you will ever know.

PS – If you’ve never read On the Night You were Born, please buy a copy immediately. It will change your life and the way you love. Buy here

I love you to the moon & back!

{the deets}
decorations: made by ME
cake/cupcakes: Becky Bakes (local Arlington mom/baker)
shirt: Best Birthday Ever
custom designed shirt: Swany Shank 

How did you celebrate your child’s FIRST birthday?

For more motherhood, and margaritas, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://instagram.com/run4margaritas
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

A few months ago I received a (random) copy of Paleo By Season: A Chef’s Approach to Paleo Cooking in the mail, with no note or return address.  I was a little confused since I’m not Paleo, and didn’t order the cookbook, but once I started looking at the pictures, and colors, and food, I couldn’t resist.  Paleo or not.

The first recipe that caught my eye was Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles & Peach Basil Salsa.  I love basil and I don’t make zucchini noodles often enough, so I decided to give this one a try.  I made a few modifications to the published recipe (I don’t love lamb) but modification or not, I know this is one delicious dish.  The flavors seriously dance on your tongue and the presentation is beautiful!

Note: I’ll publish the recipe the way I made it, with published recipe in parentheses

Ingredients

{meatballs}
2 pounds ground chicken (1 pound ground pork, 1 pound ground lamb)
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp fresh ground pepper (1/2 tbsp fresh ground pepper)
2 cloves fresh garlic (1 tsp garlic powder)
3 tbsp EVOO (2 tbsp EVOO, 1 tbsp ghee)
3 large zucchini
1 small shallot, minced
1/2 cup chicken stock

{salsa}
2 ripe peaches, diced
2 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonaded
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp/each: salt, fresh ground pepper, fresh garlic, olive oil

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.  In a large bowl, mix together the {meatball} ingredients (minus zucchini/shallots/chicken stock).  Form the mixture into 2-ounce balls, and evenly space on a sheet pan.  Roast for 15 – 20 minutes, or until cooked.

While the meatballs roast, make the zucchini noodles.  If you have a julienne peeler, use it.  Otherwise, take a long thin slice off of each zucchini and roll it on a flat surface.  Cut lengthwise into 1/8″ thick, then stack the slices and repeat.

In a large saute pan, heat EVOO over medium heat.  Add shallots, let cook for 3-4 minutes, and add zucchini noodles + salt.  Saute 3-4 minutes and add the chicken stock.  Reduce heat for about 2 minutes, remove from heat and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients for {salsa} and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

To serve, plate the zucchini noodles and top with meatballs, then ladle on the salsa.

Enjoy!

Note: recipe was adapted from Paleo By Season: A Chef’s Approach to Paleo Cooking cookbook.  You can order your copy on Amazon.  I was not compensated in any way for this post.