Fudgy Chocolate Protein Pudding

I came across this recipe while browsing Pinterest and it looked absolutely delicious, so I had to give it a try!

The result? Amazing, healthy, and satisfying!

Fudgy Chocolate Protein Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder (I love Jamie Eason's Lean Body for Her whey by Labrada)
• 6 oz plain Greek yogurt
• 1-2 tsp water

Instructions:

1. Mix protein powder and Greek yogurt. Add 1 to 2 tsp of water, as needed, to thin out the mixture.

Image & Recipe Source: Men's Fitness Magazine

One Easy Trick to Separating Your Egg Whites and Yolks

Did you know that you can use a plastic bottle for a lot of things.. including separating your egg whites from the egg yolks?

True story.

It is actually very simple to do... after a little bit of practice. I had some expired eggs sitting in the fridge that I decided to test this method out on.

Here is what you need:

• Eggs (any size)
• A medium sized bowl
• An empty plastic bottle

Here is what to do:

1. Crack an egg into a bowl.
2. Squeeze an empty plastic water bottle slightly while placing the bottle opening over the yolk.
3. When you release your grip, the yolk is sucked inside, separating itself from the white. (this can be the tricky part)
4. Squeeze the yolk into another bowl and you're done.

Watch the video below on how to separate your egg yolks from the whites using a plastic bottle. Mind blown.

After countless tries and sucking at following directions apparently, I finally was able to separate the yolk from the white. This trick is pretty neat; however, I would rather just use my clean hands to do the separating.

Have you tried the egg trick before?

10 Days to 100 Squats Challenge

Got ten days to blast your booty with squats? We are challenging you to do 100 squats per day, by the end of 10 days-and see a difference! On top of that, you would have done a total of 550 squats within those 10 days!

**Please note: These do NOT have to be done at one sitting. You can break them up and do them throughout the day-from the time you wakeup till the time you go to bed**

How to do Squats:

• Plant your feet flat on the ground, about shoulder-width apart.
• Point your feet slightly outward, not straight ahead.
• Never let your knees extend beyond your toes.
• Look straight ahead. Bend at your knees as if you were going to sit back in a chair, keeping your heels on the floor.
• Pull in your abs, and keep your lower back in a near neutral position (a slightly arched back might be unavoidable).
• Tighten your whole body when you perform the squat.
• Lower yourself. In a controlled manner slowly lower yourself down and back so that your upper legs are nearly parallel with the floor. Extend your arms for balance.
• Keep the upper body tight at all times.

10 Days to 100 Squats Challenge

Day 1: 10 Squats

Day 2: 20 Squats

Day 3: 30 Squats

Day 4: 40 Squats

Day 5: 50 Squats

Day 6: 60 Squats

Day 7: 70 Squats

Day 8: 80 Squats

Day 9: 90 Squats

Day 10: 100 Squats

5 Rules of Regifting This Holiday

Have you ever regifted a present that someone else gave to you for another occasion? Ok. I am guilty. I totally have. I believe we have all gotten that one gift that made us cringe and, unfortunately, we were unable to return the damn thing. So, regifting became an option. But don't worry-it does not mean that you are a cheap ass. Think of it as being resourceful!

Here are 5 rules that you should always follow when it comes to regifting for the holidays:

1. The item must be unopened and practically new. Don't even think about regifting an old or used item or you will definitely look like a cheap ass.  If you are giving away a gift that you have received, for free, please make sure it is new!

2. Be sure that the person who's gift that you are regifting does not know the person who you are regifting to. This would definitely be just like the Seinfield episode. You know, the one where Jerry gets Super Bowl tickets, but cant use them because of obligations to attend a friend's wedding. He then gives them to Tim Whatley and gets a label maker in return. Elaine is convinced that the label maker is the exact same one that she gave him a week before. Jerry then accuses Whatley of "re-gifting" the label maker. And that is where the term "regifting" pretty much started. If you are going to regift something, then please make sure the two people do not know each other-or better yet, will never ever meet.

3. Don't regift meaningful or homemade items. If Aunt Betty made it for you, don't regift it. Sure, the sweater she knitted might be ugly as hell, but just save it for your next tacky sweater party and just make the best of it. And don't forget to send her pictures! It will make her day.

4. Take the time to rewrap it. If you aren't going to spend any money on buying a gift, then you can at least dazzle it up and make it look even more appealing than it actually may be. Take a big bow and some holographic gift wrapping paper and go to town!

5. Do not forget the name tag! You wouldn't believe how many people forget the name tag... or give the gift away in the same bag that was given to you-with your name on it. Buy a damn label.

Have YOU ever regifted?

What did you regift?

Dear Mama Who Dropped Her Baby

Ill never forget it. 

A couple of months ago, I was sitting on the bed with my son as we had recently celebrated the milestone of sitting up. I leaned over the side of the bed to check a Facebook notification that had popped up. 

As soon as I looked up from my phone-in slow motion, might I add-I saw my beautiful little son fall backwards, over the edge of the bed.

Gasp. My heart sank. Worry set in. 

"Is he ok? Is he hurt? Omg, what the hell was I thinking? That stupid notification could have waited!"

There was silence for a second, followed by a loud, bellowing cry. Not the same cry that he makes when he is hungry or when he wants to be held. This cry was terrifying and painful.

I started crying as I watched my baby cry. Then he stopped and looked at me with a big smile, but tears were still flowing down my eyes. I promise, I must have felt like the worst parent alive. I felt so selfish that I did not touch my phone for the rest of the evening, except to call my husband to cry ferociously about what had happened.

I monitored him for any changes and he was just perfectly fine. Praise the Lord. I cannot even tell you the things that ran through my head as soon as I heard the "thud" of my poor baby hitting the floor.

I am so happy that my son was not hurt. As moms, we always hear that our babies will roll off the bed or couch at least one time in our entire motherhoods. But you also hear the occasional horror story of a child who fell just the wrong way that caused an injury or, even worse, death.

Dear mama who dropped her baby: it's okay. 
Give yourself a break. 
You are not a bad mom.
You are not a failure.
You are doing your very best that you can.
Mistakes happen.
Forgive yourself.
Learn and move on.

It is a blessing that God chose to make babies so resilient and malleable. 
Because this happens all the time-to anyone.

Keep on keeping on, mama. 
And remember: you are a good mom.