Tag: mom life

Keeping a Clean Home with Kids & Pets

Keeping a Clean Home with Kids & Pets

Keeping a house clean and tidy with kids sounds like an oxymoron, but it can be done. Now I will start off by saying, my home doesn’t always look tidy and I wouldn’t eat off the floors on the daily… although I’m sure my kid 

How I Keep Anxiety From Controlling Me

How I Keep Anxiety From Controlling Me

Disclaimer: I am NOT a Dr. This is not advice from a medical professional. This is me, Eryka. I’m just a mom, that struggles with anxiety. And I wanted to give you all a look into my thoughts and how I have learned to gain 

Tips for Cleaner Eating During the Week

Tips for Cleaner Eating During the Week

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf
of Conagra Brands.

We moved this past spring, and I fell out of daily routines. I finally felt settled, just in time for more changes. Izzy started school & she’s been home with me the whole 4.5 year of her existence. I did think I’d be celebrating a bit of “freedom” however I’ve had all the mommy feels about it. On top of all those emotions, the mornings and afternoons have become a bit busier. Izzy is in part time pre k. This means I drop her off around 8:45am and pick her up by 12pm. So as you can see, lunch can get a little lost. Izzy gets home and is ready for all her needs to be met, understandably, she’s 4.

Anyway, I’ve been determined to get into a routine that benefits both of us. That includes getting back to my routine of better and cleaner eating during the week.

Here are 3 ways I have been getting back into a routine of eating cleaner. Leftovers * Meal Prep * Ready Made Meals

Leftovers I LOVE, but I can’t always count on them. Here is why, 1. I have no idea how much we will eat at dinner. Because of this, I may think I prepared a large amount of food and come to find out, it was only enough for dinner. Guys, my husband is over 6 feet tall and eats like a growing teenage boy. 2. I sometimes just don’t want to make a massive amount of food. It’s just that much more shredding, shaving or chopping… which takes up time I need to get work and errands completed.

Meal prep I do least. I life variation so I don’t want a million things in the fridge that taste the same and it get tedious making a bunch of different things at once. But I have done it and do meal prep on occasion.

Ready made meals are great because they are easy and as long as I have some in the fridge/freezer then I can quickly prepare myself a meal. I’m sharing 3 different ready made meals I have recently tried and found to be quality & delicious. They have been easy to prepare and eat while working and juggling motherhood. Plus, if I don’t have enough leftover from dinner for lunch, I can easily fall back on good eats that are in the fridge/frozen & ready made.

The Evol Cilantro Lime Chicken Burrito has a great taste and texture. Plus as you guys know I’ve been transitioning back to clean eating more often than not, since the stress of our move put my diet out of wack. There is nothing artificial in the Evol cilantro lime chicken burrito. In fact this burrito is filled with white meat chicken raised without antibiotics, in combination with black beans, brown rice, cheddar cheese, roasted corn and an authentic tomato salsa hand rolled together in an insanely tasty flour tortilla. Evol has a commitment to quality and I appreciate that.

I’m a veggie & pasta lover and I have found the Birds Eye Veggie MadeTM Chicken Alfredo Bowl single serve bowls to be delicious plus they are made with premium ingredients. This chicken bowl brought my two favorites together! How so? The pasta is made from 100% vegetables! With this chicken bowl you are getting a half-cup of vegetables per serving! It has been a nutritious alternative to other frozen meals.

The Mango Edamame Healthy Choice Vegetarian Power Bowls is a deliciously bold flavored vegetarian bowl. When I’m craving a pow of flavors and textures I dig into this bowl, which has drizzled red wine vinaigrette on an irresistible mix of vegetarian ingredients. What ingredients you ask? Well, crisp edamame, sweet mango, dried cherries and sunflower seeds served on a base of whole grains. These ingredients give this bowl a distinct and delicious taste, which has left me craving this bowl pretty often.

Sometimes food can be a little getaway for me. I like to call myself a self proclaimed foodie. This is why taste and quality is so important to me.

I think I’ve got this food thing down, now to work on upping my water intake in the midst of this motherhood and work juggling act.

Have you tried any of these tips before? What works best for you?

XO Eryka

Because by Mo Willems & Our “Because” Inspired Moment

Because by Mo Willems & Our “Because” Inspired Moment

This post is in partnership with Disney Books Group We LOVE books in this house. Being an educator and birth through five education major, I’ve built quite the collection. As you can imagine, teachers build a mini library of their own books. Especially teachers, like 

Tips For Flying With Toddlers/Kids

Tips For Flying With Toddlers/Kids

Thank you Fly Tot for sponsoring this post; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Flying with your child can sound super scary, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. The first time I flew with Izzy she was 4 months old and I 

Guest Post- Stang & Co

Guest Post- Stang & Co

When I started blogging I had no idea that I would be meeting so many wonderful women. I have found a tribe of uplifting and encouraging women on my journey as a blogger. Today I’m sharing a guest post of gorgeous Mackensey, a sweet boy mama of 2 little guys. Oh and she’s a wine lover just like me! You will find captures of family, motherhood and fashion on her Instagram. If  you want to read more from Mackensey check out her blog here.

Guest Post – Stang & Co

Things I Never Want To Forget

As a mother, I have experienced more emotions and stages in the past three years than in my entire life leading up to it. Some days are a whirlwind, and from the time my alarm clock goes off in the morning until we finally get the kiddos to bed, I am on autopilot, going through the motions of another day. Being a mama of little ones is a hard job. But, in all of that difficulty, all of those early morning wake up calls and bedtime battles, is more sweetness and magic than I knew existed. While I spend some days counting down the clock, I know all too well that, much sooner than I would like, I will be willing the clock to turn back. There are little things in every stage of life that are fleeting, that we don’t realize we will miss until they are gone.

Some things I never want to forget..

The way that Lincoln silently plays in his crib in the morning. Unlike his older brother, he doesn’t often cry to be let out. Many mornings, I am able to sneak upstairs, open his door, and the second he hears me, he sits right up with his back against the wall, and smiles his little pacifier filled smirk and I just melt.

The way Lincoln looks as a new walker. This past month he has really graduated to a full blown, steady walker, and has even attempted running a time or two (Lord, help me!) Watching his little booty walk down the hall in a diaper and those chunky thighs just about does me in.

The things that Jackson says. Oh my goodness, the things that he says. His entire vocabulary is just precious. I find myself listening to his sweet little voice and willing myself to remember exactly how it sounds. Lately, he loves to announce his opinion on anything and everything. This morning, I wore a pair of shoes that haven’t gotten any use yet this year, and he immediately noticed and declared ‘mommy get dose shoes at the store. Oh, me wike them. Those shoes so beautiful!’ I mean, practically crying as I type this.

Jackson telling us he loves us. He has started doing it unprompted, and it is just the sweetest. One of those things as a parent that, in the throes of the baby days, you don’t think you will every get to. And yet here we are, with an almost three year old who loves to tell us every last thought.

The way my boys fight. Not that I want to remember this because I enjoy it, but I hope I can one day look back and know that it was all worth it. They butt heads, and then I will turn around and find them giggling and playing so sweetly together. They are total opposites, but I love watching them be brothers.

When Jackson doesn’t want to do something, or doesn’t want someone else to do something, he says ‘think me not’ or ‘think them not’. And it is just my favorite.

Also, that Jackson declares his like/love of everything. He met his newest cousin last week, and laid his hand on him and announced ‘me wike this guy’. He will tell me that he loves food, inanimate objects, you name it. But gosh I love how proud he is when he tells me!

I want to remember this stage in our marriage. These past few years were tough. We brought home two babies. I went to graduate school. Mike started a new job with a rough commute. We built a new home. There has been very little time in the mix for us to focus on our marriage and each other, but we are finally getting over that hump and feel more and more like the couple we used to be, before the craziness of life got involved.

The beauty in our seasons. I have never really like or appreciated the weather we have, but this year, experiencing the new weather, a cool breeze on my face, the sight of my boys playing in the pool on a hot summer day, has all felt new and magical. I may complain about it a lot (I’m talking to you, January through March), but really, there is a lot of magic in this place that we live.I want to remember how much fun this summer has been. We have spent many lazy weekends letting the boys splash in the pool, grilling out with family, playing yard games, and just soaking up this phase in life. When I look back on the summer of 2017, I want to remember that it was a good one.

I hope you all enjoyed my guest blogger!

XO Eryka

14 Things I Didn’t Know About Being A Mom Until I Became One

14 Things I Didn’t Know About Being A Mom Until I Became One

Special thank you to Banky Girl Creations for collaborating with me & for the gifted mom gear. 1. Recovery from birth may be more traumatizing than the actual birth. Am I right? And maybe it’s more traumatizing because no one warns you!!! Everyone says how 

To That Mom In The Store With Child Throwing A Tantrum

To That Mom In The Store With Child Throwing A Tantrum

To That Mom In The Store With  The Child Throwing A Tantrum Ever been in a store and your child completely melts down? Like the ultimate tantrum?! Outsiders think, what the hell is wrong with that kid? OR If I had a kid they would 

Three Things Every Moms Needs In Her Closet This Spring

Three Things Every Moms Needs In Her Closet This Spring

I received the shared products for an honest review. As always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Spring is coming and that means warmer weather. I’m sharing 3 times that are must haves for your closet this spring! Also as a heads up, all of these items can be worn while pregnant or postpartum so don’t worry if you have a growing belly!

1. A Comfy Dress

But not just any dress. I don’t know about you, but I prefer no cling to my stomach. Whether I’m chasing a toddler or out to dinner with my husband I want to feel comfortable and confident and I definitely don’t want to worry about sucking in my stomach every second. This dress is the perfect style for all moms postpartum or those with a growing bump.

2. Cute & Comfy T Shirt

Dress this super comfy and flowy T shirt up or down. I like that I can take this top from day to night such as playdate to girls night out! The length is my favorite. I can bend down and get anything without worrying about my backside or popping out. It comes in 3 fabulous color and you can find it here.

3. Florals

Florals are so fabulous right now. Whether it’s on a top, cardigan or dress, you must have something floral in your closet! Not to mention the busy pattern is great for masking tummy issues, that’s a win to me. How unique and fun is this floral? This dress is super comfortable and stretchy, so again perfect for a mommy with or without a growing belly.

Did you have fun peaking into my spring wardrobe? I loved pulling my top 3 items out for you all!

Shop my looks

Charcoal Grey Side Ruched Dress | Beige Zipper Front Top | Navy Blue Floral Maxi | Irresistible Me Hair

Head to Pink Blush to snag you spring necessities.

XO Eryka

Toddler Wearing – A Must Try with LILLEbaby

Toddler Wearing – A Must Try with LILLEbaby

I received the shared products from for an honest review.  As always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. This post also contains affiliate links, purchases from these links can bring me a small profit and keep the blog running. Toddler wearing is a must in this house.