Five On Friday

Hello from Montana! We are currently immersed in the absolute beauty and long, winding runs of Big Sky. We’ve wanted to ski here for years and splurged on a cozy trailside cabin for the occasion, which is turning out to be even more incredible than we anticipated. I look forward to sharing it all with you, but until we return, check out this jaw dropping view of Lone Mountain! I was snapping a picture of David and the kids and a ski instructor came along and asked if I’d like to hop in the photo. In the past I’ve sometimes declined, not wanting to inconvenience anyone, but now I make it a point to always say yes. I cherish travel pictures with all four of us in them so much. I try to pay it forward as much as possible and offer to snap photos for other families because moms, you should be in the pictures, too! <3

.

ONE: Amazon Spring Favs

• Attainable Sustainable – natural remedies, crafts, gardening tips, and more. This is a fabulous book with lots of approachable tips and colorful pictures; we love it.
• Spatty Daddy – such a simple concept but surprisingly useful for those focused on a waste not want not lifestyle. Use every last drop!
• Swedish Dishcloths – biodegradable, durable, super absorbent, and fast drying. The best dishcloths I’ve found. Split a pack with a friend because they last a while!
• Garbage Disposal Cleaner – the powerful foam let’s you know it’s working to cut through grime and deodorize; safe for septic.
• Macrame Plant Holders – I just love the look of these for plant lovers.
• Dyson Cordless Vacuum – an investment for sure, but because it’s cordless and lightweight I use this all the time, and the kids do, too. Powerful and easy to use.
• Swim Cover Up – classic, cute, and comes in many different colors and prints.
• Medicine/Supplement Travel Bag – for summer travel, keep your medicines and supplements organized and easily accessible. I keep mine stocked so it’s ready to grab and go.
• Casual V-neck Maxi Dress – for everyday life or for a cute and simple travel outfit; comes in many colors and prints.
• Weed Torch – this won’t win any speed awards, but it’s pretty great for a targeted approach to chemical-free weed eradication.

TWO: Let Them by Mel Robbins

This book was an easy and pleasant read (or for me, a listen, as I went with the audio version). It was like having a conversation/motivational pep talk with a wise, empathetic, but not enabling friend. I appreciated the strong anti-victim mentality. It’s about empowerment, taking responsibility for your own life, and not letting what others may think or do overly impact your life. Not every chapter was applicable to me, but the ones that were had reminders and strategies that really resonated. This would be a great book to read as you’re starting off in life because if you take the advice to heart, you’d learn a lot of solid life truths faster than the rest of us that have learned more slowly through our own experiences. A great read if you’re looking for encouragement to build resilience and go after what you want in life with confidence.

THREE: HeyDay in Greenville

Back in Mooresville, BluStar Grill was our family’s go to lunch spot. Everyone had a favorite meal, the staff was kind, and you got a free cookie at the end of your meal. We miss it!

Since we moved, we’ve been checking out the Greenville food scene whenever we get a chance, and noticed that when we’re in the vicinity, we keep opting for a place called HeyDay Sandwiches and Cocktails. It has fresh food, a lively atmosphere, and a fun outdoor area. We ate there again last week and Hailey said “I think this just may be our new BluStar!” If you try it out, we recommend the smash burgers, the greens and grain salad with grilled chicken, and the truffle fries, but we have yet to try anything we haven’t enjoyed.

.

FOUR: Nutrisense CGM

I’m just finishing up with my 4th NutriSense continuous glucose monitor (read about my first experience here). I shared myself applying the CGM and received two messages saying how helpful it was to see the application in action because it can be intimidating. I totally get it; I was so nervous the first time I applied mine, too, but when I realized how quick and painless it is and that it just leaves a tiny filament (not a needle) in your arm, I got over the fear.

I derive so much value from being able to see my blood glucose in real time. It’s interesting to see what spikes it and what doesn’t For example, a grilled fish sandwich and a turkey and cheese sandwich both spike my blood sugars despite having protein and fat on the sandwich. However, half of a Hu Kitchen dark chocolate bar on an empty stomach doesn’t spike my blood sugar. I’ve been able to see a pattern where my body just doesn’t respond well to most processed breads and wraps. Having this knowledge makes it easier for me to make eating decisions with the goal of keeping stable blood sugars. For example, I may get a wrap, but eat the side of broccoli first (fiber), then half a wrap, then just the inside of the other half.

More and more research continues to shoe how important blood sugar control is for all aspects of our health. It’s not just about body composition; blood sugar impacts our energy, brain health, immune system, heart health, and so much more. I’ve also noticed that my body can handle more carbs in the first half of my cycle and switches to being less insulin sensitive in the second half of my cycle. Knowledge is power, right? I try to plan my heavier carb meal favorites during my follicular and ovulatory phases because of that. If you have any questions about CGMs, please leave it in a comment; happy to answer anything I can to be helpful.

Use code AH50 for $50 of your NutriSense CGM experience.

.

FIVE: The Joy of Spring Things

We are a mere two weeks away from the first official day of spring and it’s starting to show itself in wonderful ways. We’ve had a day or two of warmth and sunshine that had me rushing to open the windows. I’ve signed up for regular produce pick ups from our local farmer and started to layer my raised garden beds; first with a metal mesh, then with cardboard, and next up, chopped up sticks. I’ve ordered chicks and they are scheduled to arrive in June (!). I’m trying to prioritize all the hikes I want to try in our new area and wondering how I’ll do on keeping up with our homeschool lessons once that gorgeous spring weather really settles in. Last year was so dominated by selling, building, and moving that it felt like we were too preoccupied to lean into each season, which is making it feel extra special this year.

What spring things will bring you joy?