Ever since Chris gifted me with a fancy blender for my birthday earlier this year, I have been having lots of fun trying out new recipes.  I use the countertop machine almost every day, making quick sorbets, pureeing soups and whirling up smoothies.  A couple months ago I posted a recipe for Maureen’s Green Drink, […]

When it rains, it pours. Just as we were starting to settle into life as a family of six, life took an unexpected left turn.  Last Thursday Evie woke up with pain in her leg.  While I didn’t doubt her discomfort, I thought it was a growing pain (and a desire for a little extra […]

I have somewhat of a confession to make: I don’t take prenatal vitamins. Vitamins make me feel extra nauseous during my first trimester, but the real reason I skip them is because I don’t think I need to rely on a factory to provide what Mother Nature already offers. Sure, it takes a little extra […]

I know Baby #4 is coming.  Soon. I can’t stop cleaning and tidying and organizing the house.  The other day I wiped down the blades on all our ceiling fans – something I’ve never done before!  My nesting instinct is in overdrive. Today I tackled the kitchen, but since it is a weekend all three […]

  At least four mornings a week, I wake up early and head to the gym for a one hour semi-personal training session at a boutique gym in my neighborhood.  The high-intensity class involves 30 minutes of treadmill work and 30 minutes of strength-training on the floor.  I’ve done this for the past year and […]

Several years ago my husband had some significant health issues.  He was in constant pain, and after a litany of tests the doctors diagnosed him with a chronic condition that would require a lifetime of daily prescription medication.  We left the hospital feeling totally defeated.  As a Captain in the Army and avid Cross-Fitter, Chris […]

During our recent trip to Jamaica,we enjoyed some really lovely tropical food.  Sweet pineapple, fresh fish, plenty of vegetables, orange juice squeezed daily.  I was in heaven!  The kids loved the guava jelly on their PBJ sandwiches so much that I bought some at a local grocery store to bring home to Chicago.  The healthy […]

Water is pretty much the only thing we drink in our household.  I love the taste of the Lake Michigan water that comes out of our faucet. It is crisp and clean tasting, and before we leave the house we always fill up a jumbo Klean Kanteen to keep us hydrated.  Not only is water […]

With just about two months until Baby #4 arrives, the all too familiar nesting instinct is starting to kick in.  My sister Colleen returned our co-sleeper to us now that her son has outgrown it, so Chris and the kids set it up a few days ago.  I can’t believe our next little man will […]

One of my most favorite holiday traditions is sending and receiving Christmas cards. Even though Facebook provides us with regular updates on my friends and family, there is something so quaint and special about receiving a custom card prepared with love. This year, we enlisted the very talented Ruthie Hauge to take some family photos […]