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MOTHERHOOD MONDAY: TIME BLOCKING

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TOP & BOTTOMS: OUTDOOR VOICES & CUTE HERE & HERE / NIKES CUTE HERE & HERE

OAKS OUTFIT: ALL ZARA

In the business I am in, it’s constant screen time.  I’m either on my phone or a computer.  I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this.  Over the past couple weeks I’ve noticed a difference in myself & how it’s affected everything.  As I’ve become busier, as Oaks becomes busier and is constantly learning and growing.  I feel that I’ve got two HUGE responsibilities.  For 1 making sure that I can be a good example to Oaks, and to help him learn and grow the best I can.  And 2 –help support my family, by following my dreams and what I LOVE, which is sharing all my tips for you guys, and helping you all live happy and healthy lives.   

So back to my reasoning on what I’ve noticed.  I’ve noticed a difference in my behavior.  Getting angry a lot,  feeling very overwhelmed and anxious… so I decided to put a stop to whatever is making me feel like this.  AND THAT IS MY PHONE.  I am in constant GO MODE.  I love what I do so much and LOVE talking with all of you so much.  I just get anxious because I want to respond to everyone, all while creating great content, but then I have a toddler that needs me 24/7.    I can’t have him trying to get my attention while I’m constantly on my phone.  Can you imagine if you couldn’t talk & you’re trying to get some food or a drink, but they aren’t listening because they’re distracted by their phone?  Annoying right.  

So what I’ve been doing is time blocking my day where I get my work done, answer any questions you have and talk with you for a certain amount of time.  Then I will time block my time with Oaks, which is morning before his nap & after his nap.  This is time I put my phone in the other room and leave it there.   THEN on Sundays I turn my phone completely off from 3pm- ON.  Don’t turn it back on until Monday morning.   This has helped me so much and helped me learn to live in the moment all while getting my work done when I time block.  It’s a WIN WIN.  It’s so affective and I get more done in the gap I time block, rather than trying to get it done in spurts all day feeling stressed out with a toddler at my feet.  

I was so inspired by this article on “The Powerful influence of Secondhand screen time on a Childs Brain”   This was huge eye opener for me, and realized I needed to change something.  I want what’s best for Oaks, and feel so bad for the times I am “to busy” to play.   Mom guilt was in FULL force when I read this article.  I just wanted to share it with you guys too, because I know I needed to hear it.  We live in a world of constant distraction and constant stimulation!  It’s nice to actual set it down and live in the moment, rather than thinking about how this person said this, what you need to get done, where you need to be at this time, how you need to respond to that text/email.. the list goes on.  It’s stressful!  

Our babies & kids need us!  Lets give them our full attention when the time is needed.  They grow up so quickly.   We don’t want to let their lives pass by and wonder where we were during those important stages of life.  They matter, and the quality time we spend with them matters.  It’s so important for their growth and their future adulthood.    

That phone call, text, email, DM, snapchat whatever it may be… can wait. 🙂

Hope you loved this!  I am going to be doing “Motherhood Monday”  and talk about motherhood every Monday, so send me your suggestions if you have any my way!  Would love to know what you want to hear about.

Have a great week!

xoxo,

Sara Lynn

6 WAYS TO SLIM DOWN BEFORE VACATION

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DSC_1467We all want to look and feel our best when we’re getting ready for vacation, or getting ready for an event.  Both of which involves you in very little clothing. 

So WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NEED TO SLIM DOWN? I am talking that constant bloat we all have that keeps us from feeling comfortable in a bikini.  I wanted to share with you some of my OWN tips that I do on myself when I am preparing for bikini time. 

Here are 5 things you can do to say BYE BYE BLOAT.

  1. WORK OUT IN THE AM ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.  (i drink coffee before still)  I know it sounds awful but trust me on this.  You’ll break into those fast cells FAST and burn those suckers out of here. 
  2. FULL BODY HIIT WORK OUTS.  I have a plan you can follow called LOVE HIIT BODY GUIDE” if some of you don’t have it, try it out.  It’s a quick work out that involves high intensity interval training, so you are on constant mode of burning calories– all while toning up.  Do this at least 4 days a week.  (I like to do some sort of exercise everyday whether that is in the gym, or not)
  3. MORE CARDIO. I add on 20 minutes of stairs, or treadmill, or running outside on top of those HIIT work outs 3-4 days a week when I am trying to slim down real quick.   I will do 1 minute on high, and 1 minute on low, for 20 minutes.  I talk about “INTERVALS” here.   
  4. EAT WELL.  Stay away from processed and greasy foods, and most importantly DAIRY.  I have been off dairy for 4 days and I can already tell a difference in my stomach. It’s FLAT FLAT FLAT. It’s nuts how bloated dairy can make you.  I substitute it with coconut milk, almond milk, and plant based protein.  If you’re going to have dairy, make sure it’s very little.   So what do you need to eat?  Lots of veggies, lots of protein. Protein from chicken, plant based protein, lean meats, and for carbs –eat whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, sweet potato.   I did a post on “WHAT TO STAY AWAY FROM”  here to give you more info.  You can also download my 7 DAY MEAL PLAN, if you need something to follow.  It does have dairy in it since when I made it, I ate dairy at the time, but you can easily take it out.  
  5. FAB 4 SMOOTHIE– I drink right after I work out in the morning.   Recipe is…

 -1 cup water, 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla plant based protein, 1-2 tbsp all natural peanut butter, 1 tbsp chia seed, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 huge handful of greens (I use spinach & kale), a few ice cubes.  BLEND!

 Now, don’t expect this to taste like a delicious sugary chocolate smoothie.  BUT it is so delicious AND nutritious.  You’re getting your healthy fat, very very little sugar (if you can do without fruit you should!) fiber and greens.  This helps me make better choices throughout the day and helps keep me feeling satisfied longer.  This is because you aren’t getting that “hunger spike from sugar”.  I have done it without sugar and it’s rough to get down.  I found doing it with blueberries, I still don’t have the crash of hunger a couple hours later.  

If you find yourself getting hungry soon after, add more protein, fiber and fat.  Coconut oil, all natural peanut butter and almond butter are good sources of healthy fats.

        6. DRINK LOTS OF WATER.  I drink a gallon of water every day.  Which also makes that skin nice and hydrated, so win win.  AND  NIGHT TEA. Guys this stuff is amazing, if you haven’t done my night tea yet you should try it!  It basically has apple cider vinegar, chamomile tea and lemon.  You could also do a detox tea with it, but I would recommend doing that only a few days prior to when you leave.

These are things I do STILL to this day.  Of course I have my weeks where I cheat a little to much here and there.  BUT sometimes you just gotta live, ya know?  I am all about BALANCE.  You guys know this about me.  Feeling good all while having a balanced life of a cheeseburger here and there, and a green smoothie everyday.  

BIKINI- TOP & BOTTOMS– ALSO LOVE HERE /

WRAP- CUTE HERE & HERE/ SUNGLASSES / SHOES (25% OFF!)

OAKS OUTFIT- ALL ZARA

Have a great day! Going to head to get ready and sell more on my poshmark account today!  Getting rid of a lot my clothes, so go check it out!