Confession: I run cauliflower through a food processor & tell my toddler it's cheese to put on all his foods.

True stories on how I trick my toddler into eating healthy, and how I wish I could improve

These methods are not scientifically tested, and some days are better than others, but they worked for me when my toddler would live off PB&J, ice cream, spaghetti, macaroni rice, potatoes, and cookies if he could. I did get lucky, he loves fruit, but veggies he despises. 

J's usual lunch

Trick #1: Cauliflower = cheese

From one of my FAVORITE IG ACCOUNTS: detoxguide

This one is pretty easy. I cook a whole bunch cauliflower then throw it in the blender or food processor. I then sprinkle it in the spaghetti, macaroni, rice, or on a baked potato & tell him it's cheese. 

The great thing about cauliflower is that it is just nutrient dense as broccoli, with a few more antioxidants! 

Double win. 

Trick #2: Veggie Noodles

The box says it all. 1 full serving of veggies per 3.5 oz. They look a little goofy, but you can't taste the difference. If he's ever being an extra brat, I just tell him the noodles came from Hulk (green) and Iron Man (Red) and that makes them cool.

Battle won. 

Not all battles are won, but some have silver lining

The next trick didn't work out as I planned, but still worked out

Trick #3: Overnight Oats

What it looks like online

How it looks when I make it

This has become my new favorite breakfast food. It's truly amazing, easy, and versatile. J didn't like it, but I LOVE it!

I never liked hot oatmeal, but something about last + greek yogurt + fruit = AMAZING

Check out the recipes below for ideas of your own, but here's some of the health benefits behind it. Lets imagine I made banana, raspberry overnight oats

Recipes for overnight oats: http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

I love those top 3 benefits!

Trick #4: The Breakfast Shake

J never went for these, but again, I love them. 

Get kiddy with it! Get a full-body workout in while at the park

So, I saw this on my IG feed the other day…..

As a mom who LOVES working out, I totally understand the feeling, but I also think that this the ABSOLUTE wrong way to go about it. 

If you can't workout while having fun with your kids, you're doing it wrong! I have created a little circuit I do while at the playground. It'll get your heart rate pumping & you and your little ones will have a blast.

These are just my ideas. Please adapt all moves to your comfort and fitness level. 

Warm up: WALK TO THE PARK

Walking actually burns more fat calories. If you walked or RAN on the treadmill for the same amount of time, you would burn more calories running, BUT not all of those calories would be fat calories. 

Take it up a notch: Push the stroller, bike, or whatever vehicle your kid is using through the grass to add some resistance to this part of the workout.

Playground workout: 

STEP IT UP!

Take stairs 2 at a time

Do jump squats up the stairs

Do lunges up the stairs

LADDERS / ROPES / ROCKWALLS

My rule of thumb?

If my son climbs it, I climb it. 

Keep your lower body relaxed and really engage the arms to go higher

SUSPENSION BRIDGE

Think of the bridge as a large bosu ball that will help you with your balance. There are so many things you can do here, but I like to do 1 burpee every time I chase my son across it. It's also great for planking.

 Sidenote: Don't do this when park is busy. 

The above is what I do. I usually do 15 of each of the step exercises, then go to the next. I don't count how many reps I am doing because the main goal for me is to play with my son. 

Below are some more ideas

 Upper body using the benches

Tricep dips

Elevated push ups

http://www.parents.com/baby/health/lose-baby-weight/full-body-playground-workout/#page=1

http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/power-playground-workout

My thoughts on happiness when it comes to parenting, IT'S OK TO BE SELFISH

How do you define happiness? 

I've found that as my life moves forward, sometimes these definitions change. Many different things can affect how we define these important aspects of our lives. 

I've also found that once you become a parent, everyone will tell you, "Now that you're a parent, you're own happiness doesn't matter anymore."

For all the parents out there, I want to call BULLSHIT! While your happiness is not as important, it does matter. I am not being selfish. I will ALWAYS put my son's happiness before my own, but I have learned that I am not mom my son deserves if I am not caring about my happiness. Being the best mom I can be means putting my happiness first. My happiness and my son's happiness are intertwined, codependent, and I will not let that make feel like a bad mom!

Am I scared I might not always make the best decision? Of course, but that's part of parenting. I know when something's not right and I go with my gut. 

I promised myself, at a very early age, that I would never work somewhere that made me unhappy. I saw what it did to my mother as I was growing up, and I was POSITIVE I would never be that mom. I have also lived by the philosophy that in order to be the best mother I can  be to my amazing son, I need to be happy, not just with my job, but with everything. I have trusted my gut on this one, and so far, it has served me well. 

So what did I do to make sure of that I was never unhappy at my job? I studied a subject I love, historic preservation, I graduated college and landed, what I thought was, my DREAM JOB within two months of graduating. I was working in a museum, I was planning programs for the public, it sounds perfect right?

Well, not quite. I was miserable. I tried my hardest to appease everybody within the Park District organization, but I couldn't please everybody. Two years later, I finally decided enough was enough and quit. It was scary and I am so lucky I have the amazing support system I do. 

I still believe working in a museum is right for me, but for now I am working part time, focusing on myself and my family, following other passions, and finishing up getting my personal training certification.

Again, this decision was scary, and it may not be the right one for every family, but for my son and I, putting my happiness first has truly made us both happier, brought us closer, and is a decision I would not take back for anything. 

So, what have I been up to for the past two months?

Well, I found a part time job that pays the bills, I am finishing up my classes to become a certified personal trainer, but the most lovely part is that I don't take it home with me. Any frustrations are left at the door when I leave, I am not responsible for more than my job duties, and I love it. This job, along with It Works, is truly allowing me to pursue other passions and spend quality time with my son. 

Solo road trip through IL 

picnic-ing in the woods

Kayaking & fishing

Got my other gardens ready

Planted a butterfly garden

So, if you take anything away from this, please remember that you are an awesome parent, you are doing the best you can, and I BELIEVE YOUR HAPPINESS IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT.

Wishing you peace & happiness

XOxo Jen